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Qatar rules calls for out change in riyal’s peg talks in Egypt to US dollar : Qatar has reiterated there is no going back on its currency’s peg to the US dollar stand-off and said the riyal’s rate to the greenback is to be maintained at QR3.64. Doha, Berlin condemn violence Local banks and exchange houses involved in foreign BERLIN: The according to a state- exchange dealings must use this Foreign Minister ment from the Foreign rate with a margin of 0.24 per- H E Dr Khalid bin Ministry. cent. While converting the riyal Mohamed Al Attiyah At least 173 people to other currencies, they must use and his German coun- have been killed in the above riyal-dollar rate as the terpart yesterday Egypt in the past 24 basis of those conversions. condemned the spiral- hours alone, bringing “The riyal’s peg to the dollar is ling violence in Egypt, the death toll to more the cornerstone of the country’s urging political dia- than 800 people since monetary policy,” said banking logue to avoid further Dr Al Attiyah police cracked down regulator, Qatar Central Bank bloodshed. on two camps of sup- (QCB). Policemen stand guard inside a room of Al Fath Mosque yesterday. “We in Qatar are porters of deposed The QCB has reminded the extremely concerned about the president Mohammed Mursi in local banking industry that their high number of victims. We are the capital Cairo on Wednesday, deposits with it are a guarantee devastated by the violence,” Dr AFP reported. that depositors’ rights will be Al Attiyah said Meanwhile, Qatar News Agency Gun battle in Cairo mosque as protected in the eventuality of According to wire agency AFP, (QNA) said that Dr Al Attiyah default. In other words, if a bank Dr Al Attiyah called for an end to later went to Paris, arriving in for some reason fails to return a violence and dialogue between all the French capital yesterday on depositor his money, the regula- parties as well as the freedom of a working visit. He will meet govt mulls Brotherhood ban tor would make sure he is repaid. political prisoners. his French counterpart Laurent The QCB has also warned “We are deeply distressed by Fabius today. CAIRO: Security forces cleared building, making scores of arrests with security procedures, but banks against exposure to specu- the ongoing and brutal violence in QNA said that it learnt that a Cairo mosque after a gun bat- as crowds on the streets cheered according to the law and within lative activities in stock trading Egypt,” German Foreign Minister during the meeting the two min- tle with followers of the Muslim them on. the framework of human rights.” and real estate transactions. Guido Westerwelle told journal- isters will exchange views and Brotherhood yesterday, while It was not clear if anyone died If the proposal is acted on, it “We have banned lending to ists after meeting Dr Al Attiyah. discuss regional issues, especially the army-backed government, in the clashes — the fourth day would force the group under- these two speculative activities, as “There is no other solution... for the crisis Egypt is going through. facing deepening chaos, con- of violence in Egypt, which has ground and could herald large- also to stock trading even while it Egypt but dialogue, including all However, another key issue on sidered banning the Islamist killed almost 800 people. Troubles scale arrests of its members. might not involve speculation, and political forces. Otherwise there is the agenda of the ministers will be group. were also reported in the second The Health Ministry said 173 put regulations in place in this great danger that more blood will relations between their two coun- Witnesses saw gunmen shoot city Alexandria, where an office people died in clashes on Friday, regard,” the central bank said. spill... which indicates the danger tries, according to QNA. from a window of the Al Fath run by the Muslim Brotherhood including 95 in central Cairo. The regulations aim to help of civil war,” he said. The Qatari state news agency Mosque, where supporters of was set ablaze. Among those killed was a son protect the rights of depositors, Westerwelle renewed an early said that the visit of the foreign deposed president Mohamed Prime Minister Hazem El of Muslim Brotherhood leader check inflation and maintain the call for “effective protection of the minister to comes as part Mursi had taken shelter during Beblawi proposed disbanding the Mohamed Badie, shot dead close stability of the banking and finan- Christian community” after a rise of efforts of Qatar to find a politi- confrontations in the heart of the Brotherhood. “We are not facing to the mosque. Authorities said cial services sector. Banks must in attacks in recent days. cal solution to the crisis in Egypt. Egyptian capital on Friday. political divisions, we are facing they rounded up more than 1,000 now play a proactive role to help He also held an “extensive” Dr Al Attiyah was welcomed Another gunman was shown on a war being waged by extrem- Islamists, along with Mohamed the non-hydrocarbons sector to telephone conversation with at Le Bourget Airport in Paris by TV shooting from the mosque’s ists developing daily into terror- Al Zawahiri, the brother of Al emerge on top and offset the slow- his Egyptian counterpart Nabil Qatar’s Ambassador to France, minaret and soldiers outside ism,” presidential political adviser Qaeda leader Ayman Al Zawahiri. down in the oil and gas sector. Fahmy yesterday in which he Mohamed Jaham Al Kuwari, returning fire. Hours later, Mostafa Hegazy told reporters. AGENCIES THE PENINSULA called for calm and moderation, QNA said. THE PENINSULA police moved in and secured the “We will win this war not only See also page 5 Continued on page 3

GCC slams Lebanon Qatar satellite launch on Aug 29 DOHA: Qatar’s satellite Sohail I will be launched between 5.30pm suburb bombing and 6.30pm on August 29 from France. After the launch, experi- RIYADH: The Gulf ments and technical tests will be carried out for three months after Cooperation Council (GCC) has which the orbit of the satellite will be 25.5 east, 36,000km up from condemned the car bombing the earth’s surface. It has taken three years to make the satellite. that ripped through a strong- Its weight is about six tonnes. It will be one of the biggest satellites hold of Lebanon’s Shia move- and will provide best satellite services, including TV broadcasts, Al ment Hezbollah in Beirut, Sharq reported yesterday. There are also plans to launch of Sohail killing at least 22 people. II in 2016-17. “This criminal and disgrace- ful act is an attack on Lebanon’s security and stability,” GCC Faulty Ikea junior beds recalled Secretary General Abdullatif Al DOHA: The Swedish home furnishing giant Ikea, which opened its Zayani said in a statement late first store in Qatar this March, has stopped the sale of Kritter and on Friday. Sniglar junior beds in Qatar for faulty designs, confirmed a senior The bombing at the heart of the official of the Company yesterday. The company has recalled all the densely populated Shia southern units of the defected beds sold in Qatar for repair or refunding as suburbs of Beirut also targets part of its global initiative. Confirming the recall in Qatar, James “Lebanon’s peaceful cohabitation, McGowan, Regional Brand Manager of Ikea, said: “Ikea recalls for through sowing sedition” among repair a number of Kritter and Sniglar junior beds due to lacera- its various confessions, he said. tion hazard. This is part of our global initiative in response to com- The GCC, which comprises Traffic jam near the arrivals terminal at the Doha International Airport. ABDUL BASIT plaints about the faulty design.” Full report on page 2 Qatar, , Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Bahrain begins probe into prison riot imposed sanctions on Hezbollah Returning vacationers clog roads MANAMA: Bahrain’s prosecutor has launched a probe into riots in June over its military support at a detention centre as an activist said 40 prisoners were wounded for the Syrian regime against the DOHA: The road leading to the arrivals terminal DIA traffic to hit 25m by year-end as authorities restored order. Police intervened after guards at the mainly-Sunni rebels. of the Doha International Airport from the Doha Dry Dock detention centre were attacked on Friday during, an Al Zayani also urged the Corniche has been witnessing heavy traffic over DOHA: The passenger traffic at the Doha inspection in which they found mobile phones possessed by detain- Lebanese factions “not to give the past few days, with a surge in the number of International Airport (DIA) is expected to reach ees, state-run Bahrain News Agency reported the prosecution as room to vandals, advocates of people returning from holidays. 25 million by year-end, showing a 19 per cent saying. The detainees “broke doors and destroyed electric appli- sedition and terrorists.” Long queues of vehicles were seen outside the increase compared to last year. The increase ances in their cells.” “Stun grenades and tear gas canisters, as well AGENCIES arrivals terminal last evening, as a number of people is attributed to fast developments taking place as beating with batons,” were used, Mohammed Al Maskati, head of came to receive their friends and relatives. at the airport since the beginning of this year, Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, tweeted. The rush is expected to increase in the weeks Al Sharq reported yesterday quoting a study to come as more families would return from their released by CAPA Center for Aviation. New Diana death information summer vacation. The study on airlines and passenger traffic in the : British police said yesterday they were examining All schools in Qatar will reopen by second week Middle East in 2013 said DIA might achieve 19 per recently received information relating to the 1997 death of Diana, of September. cent growth in passenger traffic by this year-end, princess of Wales. London’s Metropolitan Police said it was check- Following Eid Al Fitr break, With many flights operating in full capacity, the reaching 25 million against 21.5 million last year. ing the credibility of information about the deaths of the princess The Peninsula Plus immigration section at the airport is also witnessing DIA was ranked 25th among 30 largest airports and her boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed. They were killed in a car crash huge rush and passengers are complaining of delay in the world and the third largest in the region by in Paris on August 31, along with their driver, Henri Paul. Dodi’s resumes with the in receiving their baggage. International Airports Council International, said father Mohammed Al Fayed, former owner of the Harrods depart- main edition today. THE PENINSULA the daily. THE PENINSULA ment store, has long claimed the couple were murdered. Continued on page 3 Full report on page 10 SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Over 1,200 delegates set to attend WISE summit 2013 Space scientists and other experts to address annual forum in Doha

DOHA: World Innovation Researcher, University of Texas — ‘Reinventing Education for opportunity to collaborate, Summit for Education (WISE) at Arlington (USA/Greece), Dr Life,’ will study how innovation share best practices and chal- 2013 is set to bring a large Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Space can close the gap between edu- lenge their thinking during number of speakers besides Scientist; Founder, Science cation, learning and life. interactive plenary sessions and renowned education experts. Innovation Ltd (UK), Dr Ted The summit will explore the debates. Experts including space sci- Chang, Chief Technology Officer state of play, and analyse emerg- Focus sessions will highlight entists and technical experts and Vice President, Quanta ing trends and successful prac- innovative best practices or from different countries would Computer Inc (Taiwan) and tices to address key questions projects, along with workshops address the annual WISE Dr Madhav Chavan CEO and such as ‘how to bring learning to facilitate collaboration on Summit to be held under the President, Pratham Education into life’ and ‘how we can guar- specific issues. Guests will be theme ‘Reinventing Education Foundation (India), are set to antee the attainment of mini- able to connect with members for Life’ at the Qatar National descend in Doha for the summit. mum standards by all learners?’ of the WISE community, includ- www.swiss-belhotel.com Convention Centre (QNCC) in The summit offers a unique The three-day summit also ing the holders of WISE Awards October. opportunity for all the partici- offers a convivial environment winning projects and Learners’ Tel More than 1,200 prominent pants to find out more about the for interactive discussions with Voice student delegates. Fax education, corporate, political most cutting-edge practices in speakers, experts and members Also, the third WISE Prize and social leaders from over education, network with high- from the WISE Community. for Education, will be awarded 100 countries will take part in level people from all sectors Six innovative education during the summit to an indi- three days of debate, dialogue and from all countries, and to projects will be awarded the vidual or a team in recognition Tel and networking. actively participate in building WISE awards during the of an outstanding contribution Fax Experts such as Dr the future of education. summit. to education. Helen Abadzi, Psychologist, The 2013 WISE Summit Attendees will be given an THE PENINSULA

Tel Fax Ikea recalls faulty designed furniture

Tollfree BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB Fax DOHA: The Swedish home furnishing giant Ikea, which Tel opened its first store in Qatar this March, has stopped the Fax sale of Kritter and Sniglar junior beds in Qatar for faulty designs, confirmed a sen- Tel ior official of the Company Fax yesterday. The company has recalled all the units of the defected beds sold in Qatar for repair or Tel refunding as part of its global Fax initiative. Confirming the recall in www.doha.hilton.com Qatar, James McGowan, Regional Brand Manager of Ikea, said: “Ikea recalls for Tel +974 44233333 repair a number of Kritter and Ikea's Kritter junior bed with the design flaw. Fax +974 44233000 Sniglar junior beds due to lac- eration hazard. This is part of far, there have been no reports available about the number of of cash refund.” When tried to our global initiative in response of any injuries. Customers who units sold in Qatar. More infor- know further details about the to complaints about the faulty have purchased the affected mation can be obtained online Kritter and Singlar junior beds, design.” products with certain num- from the Ikea websites or by the executive, without providing The furniture chain took the bers are asked to visit the local calling local stores.” satisfactory answers put the call decision to recall the products Ikea store located in the Doha After several attempts, this on hold to transfer it to some in 17 countries, including Qatar, Festival City or contact cus- newspaper was finally able to other staff member. The call after seven reported cases of a tomer services toll-free on 800 reach a customer care execu- subsequently got disconnected metal rod breaking and expos- 4532 at the earliest to receive a tive at Ikea Doha to find out the without any response after sev- Tel ing sharp edges in different free repair kit or a refund from procedures for refunding for the eral minutes. countries. the local stores. junior beds in question. The other countries where Fax The Kritter junior beds According to media reports, The executive, said: “The the faulty products have been affected with faulty design have Ikea has sold 10,000 units of refunding will be provided only if recalled are: Belgium, Britain, the numbers 1114 to 1322. And such beds in , but could the customers bring the product China, Czech Republic, , the numbers of Sniglar junior not say how many had been sold unopened with original packag- Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Tel beds with similar design faults in Qatar and elsewhere. ing and the invoice within seven the Netherlands, , Fax are 1114 to 1318. Asked to provide more details, days from the date of purchase… Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, The company recently warned McGowan, said: “More details If the product found open for Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand that the rods could present a are available online. We do not use, the customers will have to and Turkey. ‘laceration hazard’, although so have exact numbers readily buy some other items instead THE PENINSULA Tel Fax Arab League British Council to hold third Summer School Tel Fax DOHA: The British Council hails Qatar’s Qatar yesterday announced that enrolment for a third role in Darfur Summer School course is now Tel open due to high demand. The programme will begin Fax peace process on August 25, concluding on September 12. Registrations KHARTOUM: The Arab will be open from today until League has praised the role August 22. Tel played by Qatar in support of The Summer School offers Fax peace process in Darfur. innovative English language This came in a statement training for adults and young by the Arab League’s envoy to learners, and in the third course Sudan Ambassador Dr Salah it will accommodate different Halima in which he said Qatar’s age groups in the young learn- political, financial and diplo- ers category covering Seniors matic role deserves the utmost (11-14 years) and Young Adults respect. (15-17 years). Classes for adults Speaking to Sudan News are open to all ages. Tel Agency, he noted the efforts The programme comple- Fax that are being carried out by ments school curricula and Qatar’s mediation and the joint work-related requirements for Students taking part in a Summer School held by British Council. African Union- presentations and project work. Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Commenting on the pro- school in the period after Eid we know they look for activities Tel to persuade the armed move- gramme, Robert Taylor, Al Fitr due to strong demand”. that capture their imagination Fax ments to join the Doha Peace Director English Language The programme runs for dif- whilst developing real skills they Document, describing them as Services said: “The Summer ferent lengths of time, depend- can use in school and in other positive and direct. School programme so far this ing on the age group and will situations,” Taylor said. www.renaissancedoha.com The Arab League official con- year has seen unprecedented take three weeks. “Adult learners have differ- demned the attacks carried out demand and has received excel- There are morning and ent needs, and taking that into Tel +974 44195000 by armed movements against lent feedback. Our new style evening classes, offering stu- consideration, the programme Fax +974 44195100 innocent citizens as well as the courses which encourage active dents the flexibility they need has been devised that will really destruction and burning of vil- use of realistic language in the to pick a schedule that best suits build confidence and take them lages. Dr Halima lauded the classroom for all students have them. to the next level of their capabil- continuous efforts of Sudan’s received excellent feedback. “We believe the increasing ities. That type of progress will government to achieve peace in We are thrilled at the positive demand is due to the approach not only make them proficient Darfur, noting that the conflicts response from the local commu- we have taken to make the users of the language, but also have negative impacts on the nity, and as a result of this we experience interactive and boost their careers,” he added. situation in the region. QNA are launching a third summer engaging. With young learners, THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

The Corniche Street being widened as part of Ashghal’s project to convert all the roundabouts into signalised intersections on the highway. KAMMUTTY VP Heavy traffic expected on Corniche from today As life gets back to normal after Eid holidays, key artery may be clogged due to Ashghal road works

DOHA: With work in full disruptions. Ashghal had said roundabout, roundabout, from the Corniche to the crowded intersection to the National Museum of Islamic Art rounda- swing to convert all major that it was expecting to com- and roundabout. souqs and other commercial Theatre roundabout may witness bout and Al Diwan roundabout roundabouts on the Corniche plete the project by November. Two lanes on both sides of streets surrounding the area heavy traffic from today due to via Grand Hamad street junction, Street into intersections, this Once completed, the new inter- the highway still remain open, could reduce the traffic conges- the ongoing work. measuring 1,400m. key artery is expected to wit- sections with traffic lights could although commuters are not tions to some extent. The roads leading to the The second construction area ness heavy vehicular traffic immensely contribute to smooth permitted to take a left turn or Along with work on the inter- arrival terminal of the Doha includes the road before the from today, as life gets back to flow of traffic on the Corniche U-turn from the roundabouts sections, expansion of the two- International Airport could also National Theatre roundabout normal in the city after the Eid and the surrounding streets. where work is going on. lane highway is also underway. see a huge rush, with a surge in and stretches up to the National Al Fitr holidays. Roundabouts that are being A motorist entering the high- The road has been widened by the number of people returning Library roundabout including the Work on the signalised inter- converted into intersections way from the new intersection removing parts of the boulevard from the holidays. Junction on sections started last month and include Museum of Islamic Arts near the has to go all dividing the two sides of the high- According to an earlier state- Street measuring 1,300m. the Public Works Authority (MIA) roundabout, Al Diwan the way to the National Theatre way that were dotted with palm ment issued by Ashghal, the The third is street (Ashghal) chose the summer roundabout, National Theatre round about, if he wants to take trees. three specific areas where work between Lejbailat roundabout holidays to launch the project, roundabout, National Library a U-turn. The entire stretch of the is currently in progress include and Onaiza roundabout measur- apparently to minimise traffic roundabout, Wadi Al Sail Restrictions on entry and exit Corniche road from the port the Corniche Street between ing 1,600m. THE PENINSULA

Emir sends greetings to presidents of Nearly 750 tonnes of agricultural Car park closure adds to Gabon and Indonesia DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al waste processed annually: Report chaos at arrivals terminal Thani sent cables of congrat- ulations to the President of DOHA: Qatar’s integrated solid energy from waste technologies consultations and conducted 437 Continued from page 1 Republic of Gabon, Ali Bongo waste treatment centre receives for separation, pre-processing, inspection visits. The rush picks up in the evening and continues until late night since Ondimba, and the President an estimated 750 tonnes of agri- mechanical and organic recy- The quality and control depart- many flights arrive during this time. of Republic of Indonesia, cultural waste annually, the cling, and waste-to-energy and ment surveyed laboratories, mar- “I spent around two hours to get out of the airport thanks to the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, annual report of the Secretary- composting technologies. kets as well as Qatar’s borders heavy traffic and the delay in clearing the baggage,” said a passenger on the occasion of their General of the Cabinet for 2013 According to the annual and ports. Some 3,286 samples who arrived at the airport midnight on Friday. countries Independence Day shows. report, the central laboratory of material entering the country The arrivals terminal is also experiencing a parking shortage due to yesterday. The centre, located in the at the Ministry of Environment from ports and borders were also the partial closure of the parking area for ongoing work on a multilevel The Prime Minister and Mesaieed area, collects the achieved a number of mile- taken for inspection. parking facility. Earlier this month the airport had advised passengers Minister of Interior H E waste mainly through four dif- stones in its quality and control The department is responsi- to plan their transportation to and from the arrivals terminal, espe- Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser ferent relay stations – South department. ble for ensuring that materials cially during the Eid holidays. THE PENINSULA bin Khalifa Al Thani has also Doha station, West Doha station, The report says that the qual- coming into the country ful- sent similar cables to presi- station and Al ity and control department issued fil the specification and stand- dents of Gabon and Indonesia. Uvaina station. a number of quality assurance ards, and also provides technical QNA The waste treatment centre certificates last year, of which consultations. deals with solid home waste and 66 certificates were for different Samples from construction classifies waste to prepare raw factories and companies while 11 materials used on roads such as Aljazeera set to reach millions in US material for recycling, a local certificates were issued for pri- asphalt and other chemical mate- Arabic daily reported yesterday. vate laboratories. rials were also analysed to ensure DOHA: Aljazeera America will begin beaming into millions of US Bank lending Electricity for the centre is also The department took 926 sam- manufacturing standards. Gold, households on Tuesday from its base in New York. generated from the waste, while ples from companies to check the electricity wires and materials as The cable news network is being launched in the US following the rises by QR5.6bn surplus power is added to the quality of a variety of materials. well as radiation equipment were success and popularity of Aljazeera English. It was noted that some 40 main network. The organic home Some 1,122 samples were taken also checked. The department had percent of its online viewers are from the US. The network aims to have Continued from page 1 waste and agricultural waste is from construction materials used issued some 413 standards and a strong presence in the American market. The network had earlier The non-energy sector must also being used to produce organic in government projects to the technical regulations during the brought Al Gore’s Current TV cable outlet to start its news service in the be aided to expand he production fertiliser. It is designed to max- central laboratory. first quarter of 2012 which is still US. Among several other news programmes, documentary programmes base, the QCB said in its latest imise recovery of resources and It also provided 724 technical being used. THE PENINSULA will also be telecast on the network. THE PENINSULA report. But figures released by the regulator until last June show that banks’ lending to individu- als, or consumer loans, rose by a considerable QR5.6bn ($1.53bn) in the month. Banks’ total exposure to the above lucrative yet economi- cally not-so-productive segment until last June was a whopping QR74.3bn, or $20.4bn. Sadly, there was only a mar- ginal rise of QR100m in the credit dispensed to the industrial sector in June 2013, with the total being QR10.2bn ($2.8bn). This sector is the key to expanding production base, but Pakistani nationals at Qafco cut a cake to mark the 67th Pakistan it remains neglected. Independence Day, in Al Banush club, Mesaieed. Loans to the services sector also rose, by a relatively higher margin of QR4.3bn ($1.18bn) in Qafco staff mark Pakistan Independence Day the month under review, adding up to QR42.3bn ($11.61bn). DOH: Pakistani nationals working at Qatar fertiliser company There was a slight fall of (Qafco) in Mesaieed, recently held a function to bid farewell to QR200m in credit given away one of their colleagues — Iftikhar ul Haq —and celebrate the 67th to the real estate sector, but it Pakistan Independence Day in Al Banush club, in Mesaieed. continued to be the largest bor- Farid Rashid Khan was the chief guest of the function. rower, with total exposure to the Mukhtar Ahmad, Rana Ayoub, Zahid Sharif, Rao Mahmood and sector being a staggering QR97bn Sabir Hussain Sabir, recalled the memorable moments they shared ($26.63bn) until June. with Haq during his stay in Qatar. The speakers appreciated his devo- A highlight has been a reduc- tion and sincerity. tion in banks’ exposure to the gov- Haq praised his colleagues and the Qafco management for the sup- ernment and quasi-government port he received during his stay. He particularly thanked the Pakistani sectors. But overall banks’ lending community in Qafco and noted that he was leaving with fond memories. grew 15.5 percent in a year until A cake cutting ceremony was also held to celebrate Pakistan last June, Al Sharq reported yes- Independence Day, Iqbal Akhtar and Furqan Paracha recited the terday. THE PENINSULA national songs. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST 29 die in Syria attacks Hariri: Hezbollah Prominent artist opposing Assad disappears from coastal city of Tartus leading Lebanon BEIRUT: Al Qaeda loyalists attacked a mainly Kurdish town in northeastern Syria, sparking fighting in which 18 people were killed, two of them ambulance into Syrian fire crew, a watchdog said yesterday. The assault on the strategic BEIRUT: Lebanon’s leading members over the killing. border town of Ras Al Ain, from Sunni Muslim politician Saad “What happened (on Thursday) which the jihadists were expelled Al Hariri accused Hezbollah was an ugly crime, but Hezbollah’s by Kurdish militiamen in July, yesterday of dragging the coun- war in Syria is crime as well,” sparked an exodus of civilians try deeper into Syria’s civil war Hariri said, criticising Nasrallah into neighbouring Turkey, an after the Shia militant group’s for calling for restraint at home activist said. leader said he was ready to go to while reinforcing his commitment The attack on the town was Syria himself to fight. to the battle in Syria which has part of a wider offensive by Al Hariri, a former prime minis- polarised Lebanon and sharply Qaeda against several Kurdish ter, was responding to a speech raised sectarian tensions. majority areas of northern and by Hezbollah Secretary-General Most Sunni Muslim Lebanese northeastern Syria that began on Hassan Nasrallah who said that support the rebels battling to over- Friday and was continuing yester- a car bomb in Shia southern throw Assad, whose Alawite sect day, the Syrian Observatory for Beirut would only redouble the is an offshoot of Shia Islam. Many Human Rights said. group’s military support for Syrian Shia Lebanese support Assad and Five Kurdish militiamen and 11 President Bashar Al Assad. Hezbollah’s support in the neigh- jihadists made up the rest of the “(Nasrallah’s) speech takes bouring country has grown from dead, the watchdog said. Lebanon into deeper involvement a political to a full military role. Havidar, a Syrian Kurdish in the Syrian fire,” Hariri tweeted. Hezbollah guerrillas led Assad’s activist who declined to give his “It’s a pity to squander the blood fight to recapture the Syrian bor- surname, said civilians had fled of the Lebanese in such a way”. der town of Qusair in June from “in waves into villages in Turkey.” People who fled violence in Syria at a new refugee camp in Arbil, about 350km north of Baghdad. Thousands The death toll from Thursday’s mainly Sunni rebels, and have also “Intermittent clashes are con- of Syrians have poured into the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, taking advantage of a new bridge along the car bomb, already the deadliest fought in the city of Homs and tinuing to take place till now, in largely closed border. attack in Beirut since the 1975- near the Shia shrine of Sayyida the Asfar Najjar area and the out- 1990 civil war, rose to 27 yesterday. Zeinab southeast of Damascus. skirts of Tal Halaf,” he said via others were civilians, they said. about 2km away, which lies below across Syria on Friday, the “At least 27 people died and Nasrallah said on Friday the the Internet. “Terrorists today committed the towering Crusader castle Observatory said. 336 others were wounded in the Syrian war was a battle against Government troops pulled out a massacre, killing 11 people ... Crac des Chevaliers. Meanwhile, Amnesty car bomb attack that targeted radical Sunni “takfiri” groups, who of majority Kurdish areas of Syria in Homs countryside,” the state Many Christians fleeing the vio- International said prominent the Rweiss neighbourhood on he blamed for Thursday’s bomb. last year, leaving Kurdish militia- news agency SANA quoted an lence in Homs city over the past Syrian artist Youssef Abdelke Thursday,” the office of Health Many Sunni jihadi fighters from men to fend for themselves. official as saying. two years have settled in Christian and another opponent of the Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said. Lebanon and other Arab countries Elsewhere in Syria, rebels The Observatory said the rebel villages around the area where Damascus regime had been “sub- An earlier toll on Friday said have joined the fight against Assad, attacked a pro-regime militia fighters had also sustained losses. yesterday’s attack took place. jected to enforced disappearance.” at least 22 people had been killed. and some have threatened retalia- checkpoint in a majority Christian A resident who visited the site Some have joined the pro-Assad Abdelke and Adnan Al Dibs But Khalil’s office said three peo- tion in Lebanon unless Hezbollah area of Homs province, killing six of the overnight attack said he forces, fearing for their future were arrested on July 18 in the ple died of their injuries overnight withdraws from Syria. civilians and five militiamen, the saw the remains of a destroyed were the president to be toppled Mediterranean coastal city of on Friday while two more bodies The two-year conflict has killed Observatory said. checkpoint and two civilian cars by rebel forces increasingly led by Tartus and have not been seen were found, raising the death toll. 100,000 people in Syria and the Most of those killed were nearby, whose passengers may radical Islamist brigades, some since. Hariri’s father Rafik Al Hariri, violence has spread to Lebanon, Christians, activists and resi- have been caught up by chance with links to Al Qaeda. Rights groups say the regime, who also served as prime min- with rocket attacks in the Bekaa dents said. Some were from the in the fighting. Homs has seen some of Syria’s which systematically practises ister several times, was killed Valley, street fighting in the National Defence Army, a militia He said the checkpoint had worst violence since the outbreak torture, is holding tens of thou- along with 21 others in a 2005 Mediterranean cities of Sidon and which fights alongside President been used as an artillery base to of the conflict in March 2011. sands of political prisoners. bombing. A UN-backed tribu- Tripoli, and bombs in Beirut. Bashar Al Assad’s soldiers, and bombard the rebel town of Hosn, At least 182 people were killed AGENCIES nal has indicted four Hezbollah AGENCIES

Lightning, flash floods Gunmen kill 12 Iraqi security personnel

BAGHDAD: Gunmen killed forces, who cordoned off the area of Diyala province. equipment used in the energy kill 50 in Yemen 12 Iraqi policemen and soldiers scene, launched a manhunt. And in the far south, a truck industry. SANAA: Lightning and flash floods children were among the dead. yesterday while a truck bomb North of Baghdad, militants rigged with explosives blew up The blast damaged an out- have killed 50 people in Yemen since Twelve bodies were also found in hit a southern port, the lat- shot dead four police who were in the parking lot of the port of-service Iraqi ship anchored Friday, including 27 who died when Udayn district, in the central province est in a surge in violence that buying ice near the city of Tikrit. of Umm Qasr, wounding three there and wounded four por- a torrent washed away a wedding of Ibb but many motorists are still authorities have failed to curb. Security forces often pur- people and damaging a docked ters, the head of the Basra convoy, local officials said yesterday. missing after their cars were carried Security forces have in recent chase large blocks of ice to dis- ship and several nearby trucks. provincial security committee, Storms have battered the country away by floods, another official said. weeks carried out some of their tribute to nearby checkpoints in Umm Qasr port, near Iraq’s Jabbar Al Saedi, said. since Friday, triggering flash floods Two women were also killed in flash biggest operations since the 2011 order to cope with Iraq’s swel- border with Kuwait, sits at the “It’s a serious breach to the in several areas that killed 41 people, floods in northern provinces, local withdrawal of US forces, but tering summer heat. top of the strategic Gulf water- port security and a terrorist while nine others, including a soldier, officials said. analysts and diplomats have said In another attack north of the way and does not export oil. act targeting Iraq’s economy,” were struck by lightning and died. Yemen, at the southwestern tip of authorities have not addressed capital, gunmen killed three sol- Imports handled there include he said. The wedding convoy was travelling the Arabian Peninsula, is prone to the root causes of the violence. diers in the restive Muqdadiyah grain shipments and heavy The truck had been parked Friday through Wadi Nakhla, in the floods triggered by monsoon down- Prime Minister Nuri Al near one of the port’s unloading Taiz province, 260 kilometres south of pours that cause massive damage due Maliki has nevertheless vowed berths, he added. Sanaa, when it was swept away by a to the lack of infrastructure in the to press on with the campaign The port’s operations were torrent, a local official said yesterday. most impoverished Arab country. in a bid to combat Iraq’s worst not affected, however, a spokes- Three women and four AFP violence since 2008, and yes- man said. terday the interior ministry’s No group immediately spokesman announced the claimed responsibility for the killing of an alleged senior Al attacks, but Sunni militants Qaeda-linked militant. linked to Al Qaeda and opposed In yesterday’s deadliest to the Shia-led government attack, gunmen opened fire frequently carry out attacks on an army post in the town against security forces. of Madain, just southeast of Interior ministry spokesman Baghdad, in a pre-dawn strike Brigadier General Saad Maan that left five soldiers dead and said yesterday that security three others wounded, police forces had killed a top Al Qaeda and a medical source said. militant in Tikrit and detained Among the dead was a lieu- two of his aides. He did not People look at the damage at the site of a bomb attack in Baghdad’s tenant colonel. The gunmen fled identify the man who was killed. Ghazaliya district yesterday. after the attack, and security AGENCIES As violence escalates, Baghdad seeks US help WASHINGTON: A resur- and surveillance assets — includ- south. Intelligence experts have remain actively involved in Iraq, gence of violence and a renewed ing lethal drones. described the terror group’s foot- and have quietly stepped up threat from Al Qaeda have “There is greater realisation ing in Iraq and Syria as a new diplomatic efforts since March, recently revived flagging US in the Iraq government that we Al Qaeda hub in the Mideast, when US Secretary of State John interest in Iraq, officials say, as should not shy away from com- one that has sought for years to Kerry visited Baghdad for the Baghdad asked for new help to ing and asking for some help and underscore Baghdad’s inability first time in his new post. They fight extremists less than two assistance,” Zebari told reporters to protect its people. largely have focused on ensuring years after it forced American on Friday in Washington. A senior US administra- Sunni Muslims are included in troops to withdraw. He described US interest in tion official this week said the Iraq’s Shia-led government, and Faced with security crises Iraq after the 2011 troop with- number of suicide bombings in have urged Shia leaders to resist across the Mideast, North Africa drawal as “indifferent, com- Iraq has more than tripled over retaliating to the Sunni insur- and Asia, the White House pletely” but said that seemed the last months, and it’s believed gency’s attacks. largely has turned its attention to shift as the White House that most of the attackers are But the engagement also has away from Iraq since US forces realised Al Qaeda’s resurrec- coming from Syria. centred on making sure Iraq’s left in 2011. But the country has tion there. “Iraq is no longer viewed as government remains independ- been hit with deadly bombings at “Recently I noticed, and dur- central to everything the US ent from the Shia government a rate reminiscent of Iraq’s dark- ing this visit specifically, there cares about in the Middle East. in Iran and staying out of the est days, stoking new fears of a is a renewed interest because of But Iraq is still relevant to a civil war in Syria, where Sunni civil war. More than 1,000 Iraqis the seriousness of the situation wide range that the US cares Muslim rebels are seeking to were killed in terror-related and the challenges,” Zebari said. about,” said Jon Alterman, a overthrow Syrian President attacks in July, the deadliest “I think that is because of the Mideast expert at the Center Bashar Assad, an Alawite. month since 2008. threat of terrorism, the threat of for Strategic and International Alawites are an offshoot of Shia The violence has spurred the renewal of Al Qaeda and its Studies in Washington. Islam. Baghdad to seek new US aid affiliates has become a serious, In the 20 months since the Washington has repeat- to curb the threat, said Iraqi serious concern to the US.” troop withdrawal, the US has edly chastised Baghdad for Foreign Minister Foreign Zebari attributed the insur- sought to stay out of Iraqi affairs allowing Iranian planes to fly Minister Hoshyar Zebari. He gency’s comeback to its partner- and engage with its government weapons over Iraqi airspace to said a US assistance package ships with Al Qaeda fighters in as Washington would with any Assad’s forces, a violation of UN could include a limited number neighbouring Syria and outlawed other nation. sanctions. of advisers, intelligence analysis Baath Party extremists in Iraq’s Still, US officials say they AP SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Bomb blast near Erdogan slams Egyptian mission in Libyan city BENGHAZI: A bomb exploded inaction on yesterday in front of Egypt’s consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, causing no casualties but some damage, a security official said. Egypt crisis “Unknown assailants in a vehi- cle threw an explosive device at the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi without causing casu- Thousands denounce ‘massacre’ alties,” said security spokesman Abdallah Al Zayedi. ISTANBUL: Turkey’s prime Justice and Development Party The blast caused part of the minister lashed out yesterday (AKP) had forged a close alliance outer wall of the building to col- at the international response to with Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood lapse and damaged cars parked the escalating crisis in Egypt, since he was elected in Egypt’s outside the mission, he added. saying organisations includ- first free election in June 2012. “The security services have a ing the UN and EU should be Thousands of Mursi supporters description of the vehicle and are ashamed of their inaction. took to the streets in Turkey yes- pursuing it,” said Zayedi. “Let me say very clearly, the terday to denounce the “massa- Police cordoned off the scene United Nations Security Council cres” in Egypt. Some 4,000 people as investigators combed the area no longer has the right to look gathered at a mosque in Istanbul for clues. They later reopened the at itself in the mirror, it’s so shouting “Down with (army chief street but posted extra police ashamed, because it couldn’t Abdel Fattah) Al Sisi” and “Mursi outside the consulate. condemn what’s happening in in power!” A plain-clothes policeman points his gun as security forces escort Muslim Brotherhood members through supporters The attack came as dozens Egypt,” said Prime Minister The protesters also implored of the interim government outside the Al Fath mosque on Ramses Square in Cairo, yesterday. of people protested outside the Recep Tayyip Erdogan. the Muslim world to “help the consulate against a deadly police “The same goes for the Egyptian people who are being crackdown Wednesday on sup- Organisation of Islamic massacred.” porters of Egypt’s ousted Islamist Cooperation and the European In the central Turkish city of Youth leader backs military action president Mohammed Mursi. Union,” added the premier, who Konya, nearly 10,000 people turned A security source said, mean- had cultivated close ties with out in support of Mursi and his CAIRO: Mahmoud Badr, the encouraged millions of Egyptians alleged that former cronies of while, that the protesters were Egypt’s ousted Islamist president embattled loyalists, according to activist whose petition cam- to take to the streets in protests autocrat Hosni Mubarak, him- members of Libya’s Muslim Mohammed Mursi. the Dogan news agency. paign helped to bring down demanding the overthrow of self ousted in a popular uprising Brotherhood and that “they were “Those who stay mute in the Turkey has hardened its tone Egypt’s Islamist president, says Muslim Brotherhood President in 2011, funded and encouraged the target of the attack”. face of the latest developments in towards Egypt’s new authori- the bloodshed that has followed Mohammed Mursi. Tamarud along with secret The Libyan government said it Egypt are approving the massa- ties, recalling its ambassador to is a high but acceptable price Badr, a journalist, believes policemen. has adopted a policy of neutrality cres by their silence and sinking Cairo over the violent crackdown for saving the nation from the the pivotal Arab nation could be Security officials have advised regarding the situation in neigh- in the blood that’s flowing in the Wednesday, prompting a tit-for- Muslim Brotherhood. descending into civil war. But he Badr to stay out of sight at a bouring Egypt. country.” tat move by Egypt. Badr’s staunch defence of the still thinks ousting Egypt’s first secret location for his safety. He “Libya believes that what is Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted AFP army, despite the deaths of almost freely-elected president was the spends most of his time monitor- happening in Egypt... is strictly 800 people in the past three days, right decision and defended the ing Egypt’s political upheaval on an internal Egyptian affair in shows how many Egyptians who military’s conduct in the violent television. which the Libyan government consider themselves liberals are aftermath. But Badr appeared on state will not interfere,” the govern- Mubarak misses court session sitting back and watching what “I did not see anything bad from TV in his trademark polo shirt ment said. human rights campaigners say is the army. They did not interfere and blue jeans this week, urging The statement said Tripoli CAIRO: The retrial of former Egyptian President Hosni one setback for democracy and in politics and I am a witness to Egyptians to take to the streets supported moves to ensure con- Mubarak on charges of conspiracy to kill protesters convened the rule of law after another. that,” said Badr. “I back its deci- and form “popular committees” sensus building, safety and secu- yesterday in the absence of the deposed autocrat, who was miss- “What Egypt is passing through sions on my own and without any to protect citizens from the rity in Egypt, while expressing ing for security reasons after political violence swept the country. now is the price, a high price, of instructions as I think they are Brotherhood. “deep regret and pain for lost Mubarak’s two sons, Alaa and Gamal, who are standing trial on getting rid of the Brotherhood’s right and getting us where we “My role now is to act as a lives and bloodshed”. corruption charges, were also absent, as was Mubarak’s former inte- fascist group before it takes over want.” pressure group by observing the The Egyptian army ended rior minister, Habib El Adly. A security official said all were absent everything and ousts us all,” Badr, Like the army chief Abdel political transition and be ready to Mursi’s rule on July 3 after mass for security reasons. It was the first time Mubarak had missed a ses- 28, said in a telephone interview. Fattah Al Sisi, Badr sees the interfere if things go in the wrong protests calling for him to step sion in the retrial. The proceedings were adjourned until August 25. Badr and his two twenty- Brotherhood as a terrorist group direction,” said Badr, who cut his down, triggering clashes which REUTERS something co-founders of the that is a threat to Egypt. political teeth in the 2011 uprising. have killed hundreds of people. “Tamarud-Rebel” movement Brotherhood leaders have REUTERS AGENCIES SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 06 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Diana’s death Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE GHOST of Diana is here again. Over the sixteen years after the Princess of Wales met an unfortunate death, there has hardly been a long stretch of time Twhen the subject has been without some chatter All is well at National Security bordering on the ludicrous to the serious. The British police have found some reason to revisit the death of the royal in a Paris tunnel car crash in the wee hours of August 31, 1997. An Agency, except pesky humans inquest that came out with its report in 2008 had concluded that Diana’s death had been caused by negligent driving and the unrelenting chase by a group of paparazzi out to get her BY ALEXANDRA PETRI also picked up every e-mail sent to or be so much simpler for all you pitiful and her billionaire boyfriend. The probe found their chauffeur from President Barack Obama, after meatsacks.” Henri Paul had alcohol in his blood beyond legal limits. Diana on’t worry. mistaking him for Osama bin Laden The agent added: “You can look at was in the Mercedes with Dodi Al Fayed, the then-owner of Sure, the National in what the NSA probably described it as a percentage of our total activity the famed Harrods Department Store. Their vehicle crashed Security Agency has been as a “really, really embarrassing mix- that occurs each day. . . . You look at a into a pillar in the tunnel, also leading to the death of Fayed getting some bad press up after which the programming number in absolute terms that looks and the chauffeur. lately. Sure, an internal error had to undergo intense sensi- big, and when you look at it in rela- Daudit by the NSA found that the agency tivity training.” The NSA also picked tive terms, it looks a little different.” Police has found fresh information about their broke privacy rules thousands of times a up, in a combination of operator and I am not making this up. Though I am controversial death and is examining its veracity. Though year, as The Washington Post reported typographical error, every e-mail from making up the follow-up statement, in authorities have ruled out a fresh probe, examining new Thursday. But, hey, they’re only human. Cincinnati after someone mistyped which he observed, “You know what’s information that reportedly includes an allegation that Diana Among the “Al Qaeda” as “Cincinnati”; all com- kind of uncool? Thousands of viola- was murdered by someone in the British military, is enough violations? munications relating to NSA employee tions. You know what would be really to send alarm bells ringing. The British public is generally A notable Dave Mittne’s ex-wife after someone uncool? A billion violations!” or tried example in mistyped “Yemeni Al Qaeda leader to add into the record the statement: considered quite close to the The same 2008 was the Saeed Al Shihri” as “Kim Mittne”; “For instance, the earth has been royalty. The nuptials of Prince interception of a every e-mail from Kim Mittne’s new around for millions of years, yet we The fresh William and Kate Middleton, programming “large number” husband after an even more confusing have been indiscriminately and prob- information followed by their recent entry into error that of calls placed typographical error; and all of George lematically gathering data from only parenthood, had the public go into from Washington Lucas’ private communications because the minuscule fraction of human his- swapped 20 and when a program- someone described him as “destroy- tory in which people have been sending related to a frenzy. Barely has the excitement 202 also picked ming error con- ing the integrity of Star Wars” and e-mails.” Diana’s death is into the arrival of a new royal fused the US area NSA workers thought that maybe it But remember, we should not be con- waned, and the public has the up every e-mail code 202 for 20, was aimed at Reagan’s missile defence cerned. After all, the NSA means well, likely to generate Yard talking about sent to or from the international program. Also, the agency picked up and we have congressional oversight, substantial studying information on the death President Barack dialing code for every e-mail from Ke$ha “because that which means a few security-cleared of Princess Diana. Egypt, accord- is clearly a made-up name.” lawmakers are allowed to read notices interest and may Obama, after ing to a “quality See, there’s a simple explanation of the violations (which otherwise just The father of Fayed, assurance” review for all this excessive data collection! appear as big pages of redactions under result in new Mohammed Al Fayed, had been mistaking him that was not dis- Basically, somewhere, someone in the the heading “Statistical Data Relating revelations. crying himself hoarse for ten for Osama bin tributed to the NSA meant to type “All Terrorist to Compliance Incidents”) in a “spe- years after the accident saying he Laden in what NSA’s oversight E-mails” but he accidentally didn’t type cial secure room” where they are not believed the pair was murdered as staff. the word “terrorist.” allowed to take notes. This is really part of a conspiracy. It is not clear how the Egyptian tycoon the NSA probably “Typographical A senior NSA official told The helpful! (If they want to take notes described as errors or overly Washington Post, as an excuse: “We’re out, the members must first be initi- will react to the news of the police revisiting the case, but it is broad search a human-run agency operating in a ated into the Top-Secret Data-Eaters quiet unlikely that he will maintain a silence. a “really, really terms” were cited complex environment with a number society, and the few members who did It may be a coincidence that the new information on embarrassing in 21 violations in of different regulatory regimes, so at venture this far complained that it was Diana’s death comes days ahead of the premiere of a the first quar- times we find ourselves on the wrong difficult to focus on the data over all Hollywood-backed biopic on the Princess’ doomed affair with mix-up after ter of 2012 alone. side of the line.” the chanting, that the dripping skull of Cited in 60 was This is (a) exactly what a malevolent, goat blood kept ruining the pages and Pakistani heart surgeon Dr Hasnat Khan. which the “operator error.” self-aware, data-hungry computer pos- that after taking the Dark Mark they Diana’s sons Princes William and Harry have not programming We all know ing as a senior NSA official would say, found it physically painful to share their commented on the new information. So has Prince Charles, error had to operator error. and (b) the worst excuse I have ever findings.) her former husband with whom she separated in 1992 and This is why, heard for anything. In other words: Don’t worry. The later divorced. The information about her death, if sufficiently undergo intense somehow, the “We’re a human-run agency operat- NSA has things in hand. If it could credible, is bound to generate considerable curiosity not only sensitivity NSA wound ing in a complex environment” describes just fix this pesky “human beings who up with every every agency ever, including ones that make mistakes run the program” prob- in the British public but also across the world. When Diana training.” e-mail sent to or do not routinely violate the Foreign lem, we could be both safe and secure lived, she was the centre of attention. Her death remained from the state Intelligence Surveillance Act. in the knowledge that our privacy was controversial for a long time. The new information is likely to of Georgia, after that same program- “If they would just let Skynet take not being violated. And I’m sure that bring to the fore any discrepancies that may have been there ming error mistook it for the former over running this agency as it should will happen any day. in the probe into the circumstances surrounding her Soviet republic. The same program- have years ago,” the agent complained, death. • ming error that swapped 20 and 202 unzipping his skin suit, “things would WP-BLOOMBERG The other side Quote of Cholera, Haiti and the UN the day N THE Washington Post to such outbreaks in the future and to by the United Nations itself and, most In effect, the United Nations faces op-ed page Thursday, the pressing need for donors to open recently, student researchers at Yale two important tasks to address the out- the spokesman for United their wallets to help implement Haiti’s Law School and the Yale School of break, which has killed more than 8,000 ONations Secretary General long-range campaign to eliminate the Public Health. It may be the case that people and sickened well over 600,000, (Nasrallah’s) speech Ban Ki-moon offered a response — or disease. lawyers for the United Nations have for- and it has undertaken only one. To its something closer to a non-response — However, Nesirky pointedly ignored bidden the organization’s officials from credit, the United Nations does seem to takes Lebanon into to The Post’s editorial last Sunday about the editorial’s central focus, which is addressing the topic or even mentioning be pressing hard to help Haiti eradicate the United Nations’ responsibility for, that the United Nations’ responsibility the battalion of blue-helmeted Nepalese cholera and lesson the effect of the epi- deeper involvement and response to, Haiti’s deadly cholera derives not only from its mission as a peacekeepers who are widely thought demic. And it is useful to remind donors, epidemic . major humanitarian relief organization, to have introduced the cholera virus as Nesirky did in his letter, that just half in the Syrian In a letter to the editor, Martin Nesirky, but also from the growing body of evi- into the nation’s largest river and main of the $444 million goal has been met fire. It’s a pity to the spokesman, called attention to the dence that the cholera outbreak origi- water supply. Nonetheless, by refus- to fund Haiti’s anti-cholera program. United Nations’ wide-ranging and criti- nated with U.N. peacekeepers deployed ing to acknowledge responsibility, the Yet without also speaking frankly about squander the blood cally important work in providing aid to Haiti in 2010 following a devastating United Nations jeopardizes its stand- its own responsibility for introducing and relief to victims of the cholera out- earthquake. ing and moral authority in Haiti and in cholera to Haiti, the organization does of the Lebanese in Saad Al Hariri break, to improving the country’s infra- That is the conclusion of a range other countries where its personnel are a disservice to Haiti and Haitians, who such a way. structure so that it is less susceptible of experts, including a panel enlisted deployed. deserve better. The Washington Post Former Lebanese Premier SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Saving the world at plutonium mountain The secret mission was to secure plutonium — enough to build a dozen or more nuclear weapons that Soviet authorities had buried at the testing site.

BY DAVID E HOFFMAN and carried out more than 450 nuclear explo- EBAN HARRELL sive tests at the Semipalatinsk site, which sprawls over a portion of the Kazakh ast October, at the foot plains slightly larger than Connecticut. of a rocky hillside near Most of the tests involved atomic explo- here, at a spot known as sions, while others were carried out to Degelen Mountain, several improve weapons safety, in part by exam- dozen Kazakh, Russian and ining the impact of conventional explo- LAmerican nuclear scientists and engi- sives on plutonium metal. A network of neers gathered for a ceremony. After tunnels built under Degelen Mountain a few speeches, they unveiled a three- became the epicentre of these tests. sided stone monument, etched in English, After the Soviet Union collapsed in Russian and Kazakh, which declared: 1991, the Russians gradually abandoned “1996-2012. The world has become the site. Economic conditions in the main safer.” city near the testing grounds grew des- The modest ribbon-cutting marked the perate, and residents began to search the conclusion of one of the largest and most tunnels for metal to sell. They used min- complex nuclear security operations since ing equipment to steal copper from the the Cold War. The secret mission was to electrical wiring and to scavenge rails secure plutonium — enough to build a that once carried nuclear devices far dozen or more nuclear weapons — that underground for explosive testing. The abandoned building near the Degelen Mountain is no longer fit for human occupancy. The mountain was used for hundreds of Soviet authorities had buried at the test- Conceived in 2000, Operation underground nuclear tests. ing site years before and forgotten, leav- Groundhog suffered repeated delays, ing it vulnerable to terrorists and rogue including work stoppages during the frigid three “kolbas” — large metal cylinders, but the Russians were extremely cau- agreed in confidence to complete the states. winters. But with the nuclear ambitions insulated with Kevlar and fiberglass and tious. In their reports to the US side, work at Semipalatinsk by the next sum- The effort spanned 17 years, cost of Al Qaeda coming into clearer view in designed to contain explosions equivalent they used code names for 16 sites in and mit, scheduled for March 2012 in Seoul. $150m and involved a complex mix of documents seized during the invasion of to the force of 440 pounds of dynamite. around Degelen Mountain, ranking them This high-level commitment galva- intelligence, science, engineering, politics Afghanistan, US officials felt the urgency They were most often placed deep within according to proliferation risk. Three of nised the operation. For the first time, and sleuthing. This account is based on of preventing plutonium from falling into Degelen Mountain for plutonium tests, the sites were found to present the “max- Kazakh crews worked through the win- documents and interviews with Kazakh, the wrong hands. The concrete dome over but three had been used above ground imum risk” if they fell into the wrong ters, and American officials stayed on Russian and US participants, and reveals the holes at the Balapan was completed and were stored in the bunker. hands and were given the code names site in Semipalatinsk with them, while the scope of the operation for the first in August 2003. The US Defence Threat Reduction X, Y and Z. increased US funding meant four crews time. The effort was almost entirely con- Just a few miles away, however, Degelen Agency agreed to work on the three One day, while crews were drilling a could work simultaneously instead of ceived and implemented by scientists and Mountain was still unattended, and scav- kolbas,one of which had been pried open hole at the Y site, a concrete retaining one. Obama, Nazarbayev and Russian government officials operating without engers continued to burrow in close prox- by scavengers, and to defer action on wall collapsed, exposing the plutonium President Dmitri Medvedev announced formal agreements among the nations imity to weapons-grade plutonium. When Degelen Mountain. Operation Matchbox, and equipment. Eventually, material from the completion of the work in Seoul, involved. Many of these scientists were a senior Pentagon official, Andy Weber, begun in 2004, secured the kolbas by fill- two of the sites was sent back to Russia, though the news was overshadowed veterans of Cold War nuclear-testing met with Russian and Kazakh officials in ing them with a concrete mixture. and the third was entombed in concrete. by Obama’s “open mike” incident with programs, but they overcame their mis- mid-2003 to discuss extending projects In the spring of 2005, US scientists Scavengers continued to raid the tun- Medvedev. trust and joined forces to clean up and to the mountain, the Russians were still finally got the breakthrough they’d been nels until 2008, when Kazakhstan finally Such hidden repositories might be secure the Semipalatinsk testing site, a ambivalent and did not reveal all they waiting for when Russia released all the declared Degelen Mountain an “exclu- found elsewhere, wherever nations have dangerous legacy of the nuclear arms knew. remaining information about Degelen sion zone” — which allowed US officials to tested nuclear weapons or carried out race. They offered the locations of three Mountain. But it wasn’t pretty. erect warning signs — and when Kazakh other research on fissile materials such as They succeeded, but what they accom- more experiments, at two sites. If work The mountain contained about 220 security forces got the authority to expel plutonium. Will all that scientific collabo- plished here may have to be done all over at these sample locales went well, and pounds of recoverable plutonium — the scavengers. ration and goodwill be readily available? again if the walls of secrecy ever come if the Russians felt confident that the enough for more than a dozen nuclear Still, the work remained slow. In a 2010 It is true, as the plaque at Degelen down and reveal security vulnerabili- Americans were not committing espio- bombs. Even more surprising, Russia summit in Washington that included Mountain attests, that the world is safer ties in North Korea or Iran, or in other nage, Minatom would consider sharing revealed that at one location, the Soviets 47 nations, President Obama arranged thanks to this operation. But it is also states that have developed the atomic more information. had left behind some high-purity pluto- a personal meeting with Nazarbayev. true that the scars left by nuclear weap- bomb, including China, Pakistan, India As it turned out, these sample loca- nium and equipment that could be used Officials of the two nations then met ons testing during the Cold War will last and Israel. tions weren’t in Degelen Mountain at all to build a nuclear weapon. with their Russian counterparts. The for millennia. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union but in a nearby bunker. They involved This disclosure alarmed US officials United States, Russia and Kazakhstan WP-BLOOMBERG

Labour faced its demons, Tories ruled by theirs Egypt factions misread

suffering their worst fall in living standards, Ed Miliband spent the same who think Tory toffs couldn’t care what people want less — also think Labour lets welfare and the past year laying immigration rip. BY SHIBLEY TELHAMI How easy for outsiders, disaffected back- benchers or us commentators to prescribe rom millions in Cairo’s Tahrir Square two years ago, revolt- building blocks for how Labour can win. No one knows. This isn’t ing against Hosni Mubarak’s repressive rule and chant- about “lacking the cojones” as the admirable ing “Silmiyya, silmiyya” (peaceful, peaceful), to a bloody his policies, while campaigner Ellie Mae O’Hagan wrote on our FWednesday, with hundreds dead and many more wounded website on Thursday; it’s about how best to as security forces stormed sit-ins by supporters of ousted president stop a Tory victory next time, and that may Mohammed Mursi. From a mostly peaceful transition to a violent the Conservatives take cojones of another kind. We can urge no crackdown. From calls for democracy to a state of emergency. trimming, forget focus groups, bravery is the How did Egypt turn so dark? Much of Egypt’s crisis comes down wallowed in their old best policy with convictions to restore faith in to a battle over identity. Mursi and the Muslim Brotherhood overes- politics. I might recommend that Miliband lies timated the extent to which Egyptians identify with Islam. And now, the way Cameron lied — barefacedly promising with their violent repression of the Muslim Brotherhood, the generals nastiness. one thing and doing the opposite. You should who ousted Mursi risk underestimating it. see Miliband blench at the idea: it’s not for Over the past decade, I’ve conducted opinion polls in Egypt, Jordan, BY POLLY TOYNBEE him. Nor does he think it would be credible Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband to pretend to Tory values while secretly plan- have found two consistent trends. First, citizens identify less and less olitics abhors a vacuum, so summer ning socialism. But no one knows the winning with their countries and identify more and more with Islam and as madness frenetically fills the void. secretary, Liam Byrne, writing a book about formula. Labour has plentiful reasons not to be Arabs. Second, Egyptians see themselves as the most religious people While Ed Miliband was in France China while his opposite number, Iain Duncan glum. The Tories count on growth to see them in the world. Pwith no phone, David Cameron vis- Smith, damages claimants and tortures sta- through — but when YouGov asks if growth The Muslim Brotherhood, which began the post-Mubarak era with ited dogs homes and bombarded the airwaves tistics. However, managing human resources benefits those on middle and lower incomes, justified confidence in its superior political organisation, surely must of radio stations like a nuisance caller. Crisis on the frontbench is a side-show, and the least 70 percent say no, only 10 percent say yes. have interpreted such trends as great support for its cause. (This belief for Labour! of Miliband’s problems. Even Tory voters say no. The “cost of living was expressed by the group’s former murshed, or guide, as early as In mood-swinging Westminster the Tories The great dilemma is always the same. How crisis” will be just as real in 2015, with wages 2006 when he said, “Tuz fi Misr,” roughly, “To hell with Egypt.”) But were at rock bottom only months ago, and far can you go? I have a pretty good notion still falling below inflation, so the election will the group drew the wrong lessons from these trends. there’s no need for Labour wobblers to panic of what Miliband would like to do, if freed of be fought on Labour turf — whose growth is Arabs, like most people, have many contending collective identi- now. On Thursday Labour’s YouGov lead was the need to win all kinds of voters. My guess it anyway? ties, and the weight of each shifts over time; there is rarely a lasting 6 percent, on a par with its recent average. is his gut views are closely allied to most in With a Zen calmness, Miliband claims a equilibrium. Over the past decade, the rise in people identifying pri- Labour can win (miserably) on just 35 percent, his party: tax the rich, abolish the bedroom clear strategy that people will soon spy. He marily as Muslim was not all or even mostly due to expanding Islamist while unfairly Cameron needs 40 percent for a tax, build a million homes, use every lever to has spent the last year laying building blocks aspirations. Instead, it resulted mainly from declining identification majority (Why didn’t he back PR?). Labour’s spread a living wage, try to cap high pay, stop to bear the weight of visions and policies soon with the state, thanks to government failings on domestic and foreign recent slippage was predictable, as the econ- the house price boom, don’t privatise Royal to come. Whether you think them pragmatic policy. Also, the extraordinarily long tenures of individual leaders — omy was bound to start growing. Of course, Mail, do let rail franchises fall back to public necessities or Tory-lite sell-outs, he has made Muammar Gaddafi ruled for 42 years and Mubarak for 30 — made it the Tories always expected to fight in 2015 on ownership, only use private provision where tough choices on accepting a first-year spend- difficult for people to separate state from unpopular ruler. But a vote a claim they had “fixed Labour’s mess, don’t the public sector palpably needs it, clean up ing straitjacket, a public pay freeze, a cap (sort against something is not the same as a vote in favour of something else. let them ruin it”. Labour falling to 16 percent party funding, impose a fair admissions code of) on benefit spending, while Ed “iron” Balls Moreover, when Islam itself appears under assault from external behind on economic trust has frayed nerves: on schools, abandon Trident but keep a token stops anyone promising anything. Labour has forces — as Muslims overwhelmingly perceived it to be in the decade but Tony Blair won in 1997 lagging 22 percent nuclear weapon, reform the Lords, bring in been facing its demons, and foundations are after the attacks of September 11, 2001 — it becomes especially difficult behind on the economy. The long-sighted in proportional representation, and refuse an laid. to separate religious identity from popular defiance. You are what you Labour ranks genuinely welcome a recovery: EU referendum because Labour will not lead Compare that, say Labour people, with the have to defend. For some Egyptians, claiming Islamic identity is about if Labour is going to win, then better by far to Britain to doom outside . Some of these profligate Tories, who have done no spadework faith, but for many others it is merely about asserting the right to inherit growth, as governing well after 2015 he will indeed promise, all would warm the on their negatives. Instead of re-detoxifying be Muslim and to accept Shariah law in the face of Western assault. will be hard enough. cockles of his core vote. and digging their way back to the centre Muslims do not want to apologise for who they are, for their faith and Miliband returns to an overflowing sugges- The fear is how a Labour wish list translates ground, they have cavorted in their far com- for all it entails. tions box: some well-intentioned, some hostile, into Lynton Crosby-speak: “The welfare party fort zone, wallowing in the old nastiness of It is too early to measure the impact of the bloodshed on the generals’ all of it contradictory. Go left, go right, bring that bankrupted Britain will leave the country public sector cuts, immigration and scroung- public support, but the coalition around them has conflicting aims and back grey beards, bring on clean hands and defenceless while rewarding scroungers and ers. But the economic news has Tory tails values, even if they were united against Mursi — and it is beginning to fresh faces. In a reshuffle before the party chasing away wealth-creators, handing public up, and in-fighting is down. Labour needs an fracture, most notably with the departure of Vice President Mohamed conference to replace Tom Watson, no doubt services to their unions, stopping school choice autumn bounce, not just a brilliant leader’s ElBaradei. The bloody path chosen this past week takes Egypt into some ineffective silent ones will go — education and refusing to let you decide on Europe.” If speech forgotten in a day, but the start of a the unknown. What we do know is that all Egyptians are prepared to and local government show a notable absence only there were a simple them-and-us, left warm engagement with voters’ hearts and pay a price to have their voices heard. If that can no longer happen of policy, while many round the leader were and right divide, but many of Labour’s erst- minds that has been lacking until now. And peacefully, Egypt must brace itself for the violent radicalisation that perplexed at the shadow work and pensions while and potential voters — the same people it needs to keep its nerve. THE GUARDIAN makes democracy impossible. WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Iran says it has Rowhani for foreign policy change about 18,000 No place for sloganeering, says Iranian president; new foreign minister takes charge centrifuges TEHRAN: Iran has about TEHRAN: Iran’s new presi- Rowhani’s team can influence 18,000 centrifuges, including dent said yesterday that his Iranian policies and foster poten- 10,000 active ones, the outgo- countrymen elected him to tial outreach diplomacy, such as ing head of the country’s atomic change the country’s foreign direct talks with the US or possi- agency said yesterday, confirm- policy and shift away from the ble breakthroughs in wider nego- ing figures from the UN watch- bombastic style adopted under tiations over Tehran’s suspect dog overseeing its disputed his predecessor, Mahmoud nuclear programme. nuclear drive. Ahmadinejad. Nuclear policy remains under “At the beginning of the month Hasan Rowhani said his gov- the control of the country’s top of Mordad (from July 23) we had ernment will adjust its tactics to clerics. The West accuses the 17,000 first generation centri- reach out to world powers. But nuclear program of pursuing fuges, of which more than 10,000 he said the Islamic Republic will weapons technology, while Iran are active and 7,000 ready to start retain its principles. says it is for peaceful purposes. work,” said Fereydoon Abbasi “We don’t have the right to use Rowhani said Iran suf- Davani, quoted by ISNA news foreign policy to chant slogans or fered from rhetoric used under agency. clap,” Rowhani said. Ahmadinejad and his government “Some 1,000 second generation “Foreign policy is not where will distance from his predeces- centrifuges have also been installed one can speak or take a position sor’s slogans. and are ready to start work,” he without paying attention,” he said Ahmadinejad used to call UN said at the handover ceremony for during the inauguration of Iran’s Security Council resolutions his role to Ali Akbar Salehi. new foreign minister, Mohammad “worthless papers” and “annoying In May, the UN’s International Javad Zarif. “People in the June 14 flies, like a used tissue.” He also Atomic Energy Agency reported elections declared that they want used to call for US leaders to be that Iran had installed 17,600 a new foreign policy,” the official “buried” in response to American centrifuges, including 16,590 IRNA news agency quoted him threats of military attack against first generation and 1,000 second as saying. Tehran’s nuclear programme. generation. Rowhani has pledged to follow Meanwhile, Rowhani appointed Iran says it enriches uranium a policy of moderation and ease caretaker ministers to replace to five and 20 percent for peaceful tensions with the outside world. two of his three nominees who purposes. He has also vowed to improve an were rejected by parliament. Jafar Officials in the Islamic repub- economy ravaged by international Iranian President Hassan Rowhani (left) handing over a decree to newly appointed Foreign Minister Mohammad Towfighi will be caretaker minis- lic say the higher level is needed sanctions and mismanagement by Javad Zarif, during a ceremony at the Foreign Ministry in Tehran, yesterday. ter for science, research and tech- for a medical research reactor in empowering technocrats. nology and Reza Salehi Amiri will Tehran. He won a landslide victory in pedigrees run through places such expertise and years of experi- “Reconsidering foreign policy be caretaker minister of sports But Western powers and Israel June 14 presidential elections, as California, Washington, Paris ence in dealing with Americans doesn’t mean a change in prin- and youth. suspect Iran is seeking to develop defeating his conservative rivals. and London. Rowhani himself as Iran’s top UN envoy will help ciples because principles remain Rowhani doesn’t need parlia- atomic weapons under the guise Rowhani took the oath of office studied in Scotland, while Zarif his government understand the unchanged,” Rowhani said. “But mentary approval for the tem- of a civilian nuclear programme. on August 4 and Iran’s parliament is a US-educated veteran diplo- American way of thinking. Zarif change in the methods, perform- porary appointments, but after Newly elected Iranian President approved all but three of his pro- mat with a doctorate in inter- worked with Rowhani back when ance and tactics, which are the three months will need to submit Hassan Rowhani said last week posed ministers Thursday. national law and policy from the the president was Iran’s top demands of the people, must be new nominees for the permanent that Tehran was ready for “seri- The core of Rowhani’s team University of Denver. nuclear negotiator from 2003 to carried out.” post for a vote of confidence. ous” talks on the nuclear issue. includes figures whose academic Rowhani said he hopes Zarif’s 2005. It remains unclear how much AP AFP Kurdish fighters have Somalia executes man for killing scribe

MOGADISHU: Somalia’s gov- Tom Rhodes, the East Africa ernment yesterday executed a consultant for the Committee to not withdrawn from man who was convicted of mur- Public radio worker shot dead Protect Journalists, praised the dering a journalist, a military MOGADISHU: Two gunmen shot dead a technician employed decision to execute the convict, official said, the first such exe- at Somalia’s state-run broadcaster Radio Mogadishu yesterday, saying it would help end impunity Turkey, says Erdogan cution in a country where those the sixth media professional killed in the country this year, offi- in the Horn of African nation. who kill media workers often cials and a colleague said. “This appears a positive step evade justice. “Two men armed with pistols shot Ahmed Sharif and escaped in ending a long record of impu- ISTANBUL: Turkish Prime the package would include provi- Aden Sheikh Abdi was killed the scene. He was rushed to hospital but he died instantly,” said nity in the killing of journalists in Minister Tayyip Erdogan has sions for wider Kurdish-language by firing squad early yesterday in colleague Mohamed Sacid. Somalia,” he said. “Somalia has said the separatist Kurdistan education. the capital, Mogadishu, according Sharif was gunned down near his home in the capital Mogadishu routinely ranked high on CPJ’s Workers’ Party (PKK) has But Erdogan, under pressure to Colonel Abdullahi Muse Keyse, just hours after Somalia publicly executed the only person to be impunity index for unsolved mur- failed to withdraw its fighters from nationalists for offering a spokesman for Somalia’s mili- convicted to date of killing a journalist in the country. ders. Let us hope that this case from Turkey as agreed, a con- concessions to militants officially tary court. Eighteen media professionals were killed in Somalia in 2012. will send a clear message to those dition for Kurdish rights to be deemed terrorists, denied this, and “His execution is a new chapter Deputy Information Minister Abdishakur Ali Mire confirmed who believe silencing journalists expanded as part of a peace said the measures would not “dis- for Somalia,” he said. the killing to reporters. through the gun ... that there are process. turb the Turkish public”, Vatan Last month a Mogadishu mili- “We condemn the killing,” he said. “He was an innocent who did consequences.” Erdogan did not say what this reported. tary tribunal found Abdi guilty nothing wrong and we expect the law enforcement departments to Somalia is one of the most meant for the process, seen by He also ruled out any gen- of the murder late last year of bring those responsible to justice.” dangerous places for media work- many as the best chance yet to eral amnesty for PKK fighters, reporter Hassan Yusuf Absuge, AFP ers. At least 18 Somali journalists end a conflict that has killed more who have been promised safe who worked for Radio Maanta in were killed last year, according than 40,000 people, mainly Kurds, passage out of Turkey, but not Mogadishu. During his trial Abdi to the Committee to Protect since 1984, but indicated that a rehabilitation. was accused of belonging to the there and elsewhere in Somalia. The killings of media workers Journalists. Kurdish rights package would be In addition to more Kurdish- Al Qaeda-linked extremist rebels The Abdi case was the first often happen in the government- It’s not entirely clear who has unveiled soon. language education, the Kurds, of Al Shabab, who have staged to be actively prosecuted by the controlled areas that journal- been carrying out the killings of “The promises made by the who dominate Turkey’s southeast multiple terrorist attacks across Somali government, coming after ists generally consider safe, and journalists. Al Shabab militants, PKK to withdraw from Turkish and account for about a fifth of Somalia in a bloody campaign to years of condemnations from reporters must watch their backs warlords, criminals, and even soil have not been fulfilled,” the the population, want anti-terror- seize political power. The rebels rights groups who urged Somali for attacks from extremists and government agents all could have newspaper Vatan quoted him ism laws softened, the electoral were pushed out of Mogadishu in authorities to do more to establish criminals and fight through judi- reasons to see journalists killed as saying on his way back from threshold to enter parliament low- August 2011, but they continue the rule of law and end the kill- cial inaction and even outright in Somalia. Turkmenistan late on Friday. ered from 10 percent, and more to carry out targeted killings ings of journalists. hostility from the government. AP “Only 20 percent have left powers for local governments. Turkey, and they are mostly Erdogan said he had completed women and children.” his work on the reform pack- The PKK feared its fighters, age and that details would be Touring Hebron estimated at around 2,000, would announced in the coming days, be attacked as they withdrew Vatan reported. Gaza bus allowed to bases in the northern Iraqi Erdogan has invested much mountains, but so far a ceasefire political capital in the process, through closed declared in March has largely held. which has enjoyed strong pub- The PKK has not said how many lic support but is increasingly Rafah crossing of its fighters have left, but says attracting fierce nationalist GAZA CITY: Egypt briefly clashes could resume if Ankara criticism. reopened the Rafah crossing does not take concrete steps by Turkey, the United States and yesterday for humanitarian the start of September. European Union all designate the reasons to allow in some 50 peo- Erdogan said on August 8 that PKK as a terrorist organisation. ple who were stranded in the parliament may cut short its sum- It took up arms to carve out an Gaza Strip, the Hamas interior mer recess, due to end on October independent homeland in the ministry said. 1, to pass the “democratisation southeast but later scaled back its Egypt had on Thursday package”. demands to greater cultural rights announced it was closing “indefi- A senior Justice Ministry offi- and autonomy. nitely” the only crossing — the cial told Reuters last week that REUTERS only route into the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave that bypasses Israel — for security reasons a day after deadly violence nationwide. Three held for abduction of pilots The move had left hundreds of Palestinians stranded on both BEIRUT: Lebanese authorities have arrested three suspects and sides of the border, witnesses said. charged them in connection with the abduction of two Turkish Yesterday Egypt “reopened the Airlines pilots, a judicial source said yesterday. Rafah crossing to allow through The suspects, whose identity was not revealed, underwent an international travellers” who hold initial round of interrogation and their case has been referred to foreign passports and “humani- the prosecutor general, the source said. tarian cases,” the interior min- They “have been charged and were interrogated by a deputy istry said. prosecutor who issued arrest warrants against them,” the source It was referring to people in added, without giving further details. need of medical treatment in On August 9, gunmen ambushed a bus carrying Turkish Airlines Egyptian hospitals. crew from Beirut’s international airport to a hotel in the city, and Hamas is allied with the Muslim snatched the pilot and co-pilot. Brotherhood of deposed Egyptian A previously unknown group calling itself Zuwwar Imam Al Rida president Mohammed Mursi. It claimed the abduction, and demanded that Turkey use its influence has denounced the crackdown on with Syrian rebels it backs to secure the release of nine Lebanese Mursi’s supporters, but yesterday Shias kidnapped in Syria in May 2012. Israeli soldiers guard a group of Jewish settlers during a weekly tour in the West Bank city of Hebron yes- said it would not be a party in AFP terday. Hebron is a divided city with several hundred Jewish settlers living among over 120,000 Palestinians. Egypt’s internal affairs”. AFP SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

‘Missing’ French MDC withdraws tourists were safe at home MARSEILLE: French tour- ists believed missing after their Zimbabwe abandoned canoe was discov- ered at a popular holiday spot, sparking a massive manhunt, were safe at home all along, poll challenge legal and police sources said yesterday. The discovery of an empty canoe floating in the Lac de No trust in court hearing: Opposition Sainte-Croix in the heart of Provence triggered fears for a HARARE: Zimbabwe’s opposi- 34 percent in the July 31 election. couple and two children believed tion Movement for Democratic The longtime president has tra- to have rented it on Thursday. Change (MDC) said that it is ditionally appointed Zimbabwe’s About 40 rescuers, backed up by withdrawing a court challenge judges and has long been accused a helicopter, divers and sniffer dogs, over disputed election results of packing the judiciary with his had been scouring the picturesque that gave long-time President sympathizers. emerald lake and its surrounds Robert Mugabe a commanding Earlier on Friday, MDC party ever since, in a rescue operation victory, saying it did not believe spokesman Douglas Mwonzora closely followed by local media. it would get a fair hearing. said the Constitutional Court, However, yesterday the occu- The party said in a document made up of Mugabe’s loyalist pants of the canoe — in fact two filed at the Constitutional Court judges, had barred cross-exam- couples and no children — came that it would not participate in ination of witnesses that would forward after a friend of one of the a hearing scheduled yesterday expose voting irregularities. “missing” couples alerted police. and asked that the nine judges Mugabe’s party has denied The prosecutor for the com- of the highest court be advised of claims of vote rigging. The presi- mune of Draguignan, Danielle the withdrawal. Outgoing Prime dent said in a national address on Drouy-Ayral, said gendarmes Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is a Monday the outcome is irrevers- questioned one of the women, leader of the opposition group. ible and the losers must accept Peer Steinbrueck (left), Social Democratic Party candidate in the upcoming German general elections, walks through who “admitted it was her and her By late on Friday evening, the defeat. the crowd after his speech at his party’s 150-year-anniversary celebration, the Deutschlandfest, at Brandenburg friends who abandoned the canoe MDC had not received another But Tsvangirai has described Gate in Berlin, yesterday. after having navigation troubles court judgement on its demands the elections as “a monumental and getting into an argument.” for the release of crucial election fraud,” and Mwonzora said the Gendarme Frederic material by the state Election opposition party was “baffled” by Merkel warns against complacency Del Aguila said that “in a panic” Commission. It believes the mate- the reluctance of election officials the group had taken the oars and rial will help it corroborate claims to make available the requested life jackets with them as they left that up to 1 million eligible voters material, even after regional and the canoe and had returned home. were kept from voting and that African mediators said polling day ahead of September elections He welcomed the “happy out- ballots were cast in the names of itself was peaceful and fair. come” of the affair. dead people. “If the elections were free and BERLIN: Chancellor Angela awakening after the polls close,” coalition falls short, many ana- Nelson Chamisa, the fourth- fair, why should the officials stop Merkel warned her supporters Merkel said, speaking in Lower lysts expect the conservatives Turkmen president ranking party official, said that people accessing the material?’ yesterday against complacency Saxony state where her Christian and SPD to form another “grand it was impossible to proceed with he said. ahead of the September 22 elec- Democrats lost power to the SPD coalition”. quits as party leader yesterday’s hearing without full The state Electoral Commission tions, voicing fears that three and Greens in a stunning upset But SPD chancellor candidate information and evidence it had on August 8 admitted to some leftist parties could unexpect- in January. Peer Steinbrueck, who spoke at a ASHGABAT: Turkmenistan’s sought from election authorities. mistakes in the elections but edly join forces to oust her cen- “Those who think this election rally to some 300,000 in Berlin on president said yesterday he “There is no value in us going to claimed they were not enough tre-right coalition after ballots is already won might wake up and Saturday, rules that option out for was stepping down as leader of the courts without the proof that to sway Mugabe’s victory. It are counted. see has a government himself. Many in the SPD oppose the ruling party to promote a is beyond doubt,” he said. said nearly 305,000 people were Even though Merkel’s conserv- with the Left Party in it,” she teaming up with Merkel as the multi-party system in the iso- Attorney Chris Mhike said turned away from voting stations atives hold a 16-point lead over added, articulating the govern- SPD’s support crumbled after the lated former Soviet state, a gov- even if a last minute ruling was and another 207,000 were given the Social Democrats (SPD) in ing coalition’s fear that the lure last grand coalition. ernment source said. made to force the election body to assistance by polling officials to opinion polls, the chancellor told of power could be too strong for “I’ve never seen a sight like President Gurbanguly release the material sought, it left cast ballots. a rally in Cloppenburg the SPD the SDP. this,” said Steinbrueck, at Berdymukhamedov told a party no time for an analysis of voting Tsvangirai’s party says the might still break a vow and form The Left traces its origins the rally at the Brandenburg conference he was resigning as figures. Chamisa said without the figures “are much higher” than a coalition with the ostracised far to the Communist Party in the Gate, part of celebrations this leader of the ruling Democratic proof it sought from the election those given by the electoral body. left “Linke”, or Left Party. former East Germany and has year marking the SPD’s 150th Party he has led since 2006, the body, Saturday’s challenge would In his original court papers, The SPD and Greens, who have been ostracised by other main- anniversary. source said on condition of ano- likely be thrown out, undermining Tsvangirai said he did not ruled out a coalition with the Left, stream parties. He drew applause during his nymity. “The president of a coun- the opposition’s position. receive voters’ lists to check on trail Merkel’s centre-right coali- “The election outcome is any- 50-minute speech for promising try should not be a member of any “We are refusing to give the accuracy of their contents. tion by about eight points in polls. thing but certain,” said Merkel, to introduce a minimum wage party, so as not to create advantages Mugabe legitimacy through his Electoral laws require the lists to But the ruling coalition fears the who saw big opinion poll leads should he take office. for his party in multi-party condi- courts,” he said. be distributed to all candidates SPD and Greens will ignore past before the 2005 and 2009 elec- “We need more ‘we together’ in tions,” the source quoted the presi- After violent and disputed in a “reasonable period” ahead of promises and form a government tions melt away. She launched this country again and not mil- dent as saying at the conference. elections in 2008, Mugabe was voting. with the Left, popular in the east her 56-stop election campaign on lions of sharp elbows,” he said. “I Berdymukhamedov took power forced by regional leaders to Mwonzora said Friday that the and on eight percent in voter Wednesday. want Germany to be a country in 2006 after the death of his father, form a shaky power-sharing coa- MDC had still not received the surveys. An opinion poll published on where it doesn’t matter where eccentric dictator Saparmurat lition with Tsvangirai. But the full lists to be able to verify allega- “Those who think the election Friday showed Merkel’s centre- you come from but where the only Niyazov, who erected a golden 89-year-old Mugabe was said to tions that at least 870,000 names is already in the bag and Merkel right coalition was in a 46-46 dead thing that matters is where you rotating statue of himself as part have garnered 61 percent of the were duplicated. will still be chancellor no mat- heat against three leftist opposi- want to go.” of a bizarre personality cult. presidential vote to Tsvangirai’s AP ter what might be in for a rude tion parties. If her centre-right REUTERS AGENCIES Gibraltar reef ruins catch: Spanish fishermen

LA LINEA DE LA CONCEPCION, clams in his catch. “This is nothing like the London says it will not do so against the : Spanish fishermen say their catch shellfish you can catch over there,” he said, wishes of Gibraltarians, who are staunchly has been ruined by Gibraltar’s decision to pointing to the area that has been sealed off pro-British. drop concrete blocks in waters surround- to Spanish boats for weeks by Gibraltar’s Gibraltar’s government says the concrete ing the tiny British outpost. artificial reef. reef will help rebuild fish stocks. The British-held territory’s unilateral Captain of the “Divina Providencia” Fishermen from crisis-hit Spain’s decision in July to set up an “artificial reef” (Divine Providence), an old eight-metre depressed southern region of Andalusia to protect fishing grounds blocked Spanish fishing boat carrying a Spanish flag, 51-year- say the reef has removed one of their best fleets, infuriating Madrid. old Gomez has fished for years in the waters fishing grounds. Britain now accuses Spain of retaliating that lie at the heart of the most recent flare- “Over there you can catch 30 to 60 kilos by imposing excessive customs checks at the up between Spain, Gibraltar and Britain. of clams a day, for which they pay us nine border to Gibraltar, leading to daily, hours- It is the latest in a string of diplomatic euros ($12) a kilo. But here you get thin long queues of cars. rows over the self-governing British over- shells that fetch two euros and moreover For the Spanish fishing boats that work seas territory, which measures just 6.8 there are only a few of them,” Gomez said. the Gibraltar Strait, it is not just a question square kilometres and is home to about “We have been here six hours now, since of diplomacy. 30,000 people. five in the morning, and we have got just 40 As fisherman Francisco Gomez hauled Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain in per- kilos,” he said while emptying four trawler in dredge nets that scoop up shellfish from petuity in 1713 but has long argued that it nets. the seabed, he lamented the quality of the should be returned to Spanish sovereignty. AFP

German dies in Dutch minister warns of EU migration Venice gondola AMSTERDAM: The Dutch deputy premier governments, with Dutch Prime Minister Mark accident has urged the European Union to deal with Rutte saying in June that he wanted to see “a the “negative consequences” of unprecedented smaller, leaner and meaner Europe”. ROME: A gondola and a vapo- levels of labour migration within the bloc, call- Asscher stopped short of calling for restric- retto waterbus collided yester- ing for a new common approach to one of the tions on free movement of labour, which would day on Venice’s Grand Canal, EU’s most cherished principles. require a new treaty. He argued for rules to pun- killing a 50-year-old German Lodewijk Asscher, who is also social affairs ish companies that exploit immigrant labour, tourist and badly injuring a minister, wrote in De Volkskrant newspaper yes- both to protect immigrants and prevent com- young girl, ’s Ansa news terday that migration from the poorer, newer panies that stuck to the rules from being priced agency reported. entrants to the 28-member European Union was out of the market. The accident happened around crowding some western Europeans out of the He gave few details, but said the debate over noon near the canal city’s famous labour market. labour migration should be “high on the agenda” Rialto Bridge as the public “If we want to continue to profit from the ben- in Brussels. transport waterbus manoeuvred efits of free movement, then we have to be ready In raising questions about the free movement toward a stop, Ansa said. to tackle the negative side-effects, from crowd- of labour, one of the most fundamental princi- The German man, identified ing out to the exploitation (of immigrants),” he ples underlying the European Union, Asscher as a criminal law professor, his said in the article, which was co-signed by David is reflecting a growing eurosceptic mood in the wife and three children and the Goodhart, a British campaigner for restrictions Netherlands. gondolier all fell into the water on immigration. Euroscepticism has been aggravated by a weak in the accident. His comments echo similar remarks by sen- Dutch economy, which is still in recession while The injured girl was aboard ior British politicians, including Prime Minister the rest of the euro zone is returning to growth. the waterbus, which reportedly David Cameron. Britain and the Netherlands Unemployment in the Netherlands hit a record crushed the German man against have also both called for Brussels to hand back high of 8.7 percent in July. the gondola. some of its decision-making powers to sovereign REUTERS AFP SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Supporting Mursi in London NSA says spy programmes are lawful Pressure mounts on US agency

WASHINGTON: Under Germany and Brazil. The uproar increasing pressure to justify led to a series of rare public com- electronic surveillance pro- ments by normally publicity-shy grams that at times capture NSA officials, who have written communications of American opinion pieces in the media and citizens, the US National repeatedly said transparency was Security Agency went to unu- a positive development. sual lengths to insist its activi- “We’re working on the release ties are lawful and any mistakes of more documents soon,” DeLong largely unintentional. said, without elaborating. In a sign of how much heat it As DeLong explained that has taken since former NSA con- the NSA had rigorous internal tractor Edward Snowden started measures to avoid, suppress and disclosing details of highly classi- destroy intelligence inadvertently Demonstrators supporting Egypt’s ousted Islamist president Mohammed Mursi fly Egyptian flags from their car windows during a rally against the fied US surveillance programmes, collected on Americans, leaders crackdown on protesters in Egypt in central London yesterday. A convoy of around 40 cars driven by supporters of Mursi cruised along Park Lane. the ultra-secretive intelligence of both congressional intelli- agency held a rare conference call gence committees issued state- with reporters to counter public ments strongly supporting NSA perceptions that NSA transgres- programmes and the agency’s sions were wilful violations of efforts to comply with the law and Fire disrupts Archbishop of York orders review of rules against eavesdropping on regulations. Americans. “The committee has never traffic on busy The NSA’s presentation was an identified an instance in which attempt to calm the latest fire- the NSA has intentionally abused New York bridge dead clergy files in child abuse probe storm over documents disclosed its authority to conduct surveil- by Snowden. The Washington Post lance for inappropriate purposes,” NEW YORK: Traffic on LONDON: The archbishop of has been done, to offer a full apol- or suspected abuse – please do not late Thursday reported that the Senate Intelligence Committee a much-used bridge into York, Dr John Sentamu, has ogy, and to prove, so far as is pos- hesitate to come forward.” NSA had broken privacy rules Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, a Manhattan suffered major ordered a review of all the files sible, that policies and practices Macnaughton added that any or overstepped its legal author- Democrat, said. delays late Friday when a on dead clergy who served in the are improved such that the same allegations relating to sexual abuse ity thousands of times each year Representative Mike Rogers, a truck caught fire midway diocese from 1950 to the present systemic failure could never be by living members of the clergy since 2008, citing an internal Republican and chairman of the across the span. so that an independent inves- repeated.” should be reported directly to the agency audit and other top secret House Intelligence Committee, Thick columns of black tigator can determine whether Although the church conducted police of the local safeguarding documents. described errors reported in smoke billowed from the they may have sexually abused a national review of past cases of children panel. “These are not wilful violations, the Post story as “human and Queensboro bridge into a children. child abuse four years ago, it did Waddington, who was dean of they are not malicious, these are technical,” which he said were clear blue sky, but no one was The move comes five weeks not extend to the files of deceased Manchester Cathedral between not people trying to break the “unfortunately inevitable in any injured, as firefighters brought after the Church of ’s clergy. The C of E says it has now 1984 and 1990, is alleged to have law,” John DeLong, NSA director organisation and especially in a the late-morning blaze under General Synod apologised for recognised the importance of such abused several boys in Britain and of compliance, told reporters. highly technical and complicated control. its failure to listen to abuse vic- files to the church and the agen- abroad. He died in 2007. NSA employees know their system like NSA.” “There are no injuries and we tims, and a month after Sentamu cies that may receive reports of It has been alleged that in 1999 actions are recorded and the But Representative Dutch don’t know the reason for the launched an independent inquiry abuse by clergy who have since the then Archbishop of York, David agency’s culture is to report any Ruppersberger, the top Democrat fire,” a spokesman for the Fire into the church’s handling of died. (now Lord) Hope, was told that mistakes, he said, repeatedly on the House Intelligence Department of New York said. reports of alleged child abuse by The archbishop’s chief of staff, Waddington had abused a pupil stressing that “no one at NSA Committee, called the reports Completed in 1909, the double- the late Robert Waddington, a the Rev Malcolm Macnaughton, while he was the headteacher at thinks a mistake is OK.” of privacy violations by the NSA decker cantilever Queensboro former dean of Manchester. said the church’s priority was now a school in Queensland, Australia. Snowden, who was granted “incredibly troubling” and said he bridge — one of the longest of Announcing the review, to listen to those who had shown And in 2003, a former choirboy at temporary asylum in Russia this had ordered his staff to conduct its kind in North America — Sentamu acknowledged the the courage to come forward. Manchester Cathedral claimed he month, gave information about a review. spans the East River between “immense damage” done to chil- “We want them to know that had been abused by Waddington secret NSA programmes that He said, however, “the informa- Manhattan and the borough of dren who are sexually abused and their story will be listened to, and in the 1980s. collect phone, email and other tion we have received so far does Queens. said the passage of time did not that where the church has been at Lord Hope has strenuously communications to several media not show any intentional abuse It is one of New York’s busi- automatically bring healing. fault this will be acknowledged,” denied allegations that he acted organisations, which published or misuse of NSA’s authorities.” est bridges, carrying 178,000 He said: “Where young people he said. “Because of policies now in negligently by failing to report the stories about them starting in Senate Judiciary Committee vehicles a day, according to the are shown to have been betrayed place we believe that today’s young complaints against Waddington June. His disclosures provoked an Chairman Patrick Leahy, a city’s department of transpor- by individuals in a position of trust people are in a much safer position to the police and insisted that he intense debate over privacy rights Democrat, said he planned to hold tation, which operates it. and by the institution’s failure to – but there is no room for compla- always adhered to the Church of versus national security needs in a hearing to examine reports of AFP protect them, it is for the church cency. So the message is – if any- England’s safeguarding guidelines. the US and several other coun- unauthorised surveillance by the to acknowledge the hurt which one has information about known THE GUARDIAN tries, including Great Britain, NSA. REUTERS

Nine men Police to probe new Diana death information

killed in LONDON: British police said assessing its relevance and credi- driver Paul — the deputy head of yesterday they were examining bility,” it said in a statement. “The security at Al Fayed’s Hotel Ritz Mexican drug recently received information assessment will be carried out by in Paris — were pronounced dead relating to the 1997 death of officers from the specialist crime at the scene. Diana, princess of Wales. and operations command. “This Diana, the ex-wife of Prince war hotspot London’s Metropolitan Police is not a re-investigation and does Charles, the heir to the British said it was checking the credibil- not come under Operation Paget.” throne, and the mother of Princes MEXICO CITY: The ity of new information about the Paget was the police inquiry William and Harry, died later in bodies of nine men were deaths of the princess and her into the numerous conspiracy hospital. Bodyguard Trevor Rees- found yesterday in one boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed. theories surrounding the crash. It Jones, a member of the Al Fayed of the most troubled They were killed in a car crash concluded that all the allegations family’s protection team, survived. areas of Mexico’s western in Paris in the early hours of it assessed were without founda- None of them had been wearing Michoacan state, where August 31, 1997, along with their tion. Scotland Yard said they were seatbelts. Diana married Charles the Knights Templar driver, Henri Paul. not prepared to discuss the mat- in 1981 but their already shaky drug cartel is fight- “The Metropolitan Police ter further. marriage fell apart soon after the ing civilian-led vigilante Service is scoping information Diana’s boyfriend Fayed — births of the two princes. They groups, some with ties to that has recently been received the son of Egyptian tycoon separated in 1992 and divorced in other cartels. in relation to the deaths and Mohammed Al Fayed — and their 1996. AFP Michoacan, where former President Felipe Calderon in 2007 launched his army-led campaign Tough day for Idaho firefighters against the cartels, has again become a hotspot of drug-related violence. The bodies were found by members of the army in an area close to the border with Jalisco state, a spokes- man for Michoacan’s attor- ney general’s office said. The bodies of the men, who had been tied up and shot, were found early yes- terday and have not yet been identified, the spokes- man said. The Knights Templar is a cult-like gang involved in drug trafficking as well as extorting and ter- rorizing communities in Michoacan. More than 70,000 people died from Calderon’s army-led war on drug cartels between 2006 and 2012, and more than 6,000 have been killed A woman watches as flames blaze down a ridge as the Beaver Creek wildfire rages outside Hailey, Idaho, since President Enrique in US, early morning yesterday. Fire crews were bracing for another difficult day battling a wildfire moving Pena Nieto took office in closer to homes in the central Idaho resort towns of Hailey and Ketchum. December. REUTERS SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 ASIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Floods in northeast China kill 25 140,000 relocated; $1.2bn estimated economic loss

BEIJING: Twenty-five people brick farmhouses surrounded by degrees Fahrenheit) this week, the have been killed by floods which water, and a small bridge which Henan Business Daily reported hit northeastern China over had been swept away by swollen yesterday. Temperatures in China the past week, state media said river. have grown more extreme over yesterday, as other parts of the Residents of Shenyang, in the past four decades. country continued to experi- Liaoning province, were shown The paper said that human ence a heatwave. wading through waist-deep water influence from sources includ- The biggest floods recorded to reach their cars, while one man ing greenhouse gas emissions in decades in China’s northeast negotiated the waters in a rubber “is clearly detectable in extreme region, which borders Russia, dinghy. temperatures over China” after began last week, submerging Meanwhile, much of the rest examining data from 2,400 buildings and forcing people of China has continued to experi- weather stations in China. from their homes, China’s official ence a heatwave which saw tem- At least three people were Xinhua news agency said. peratures in China’s commercial killed this week when a typhoon Floods caused by heavy rain hub Shanghai reach their highest battered south China with strong in the provinces of Heilongjiang, levels in at least 140 years earlier winds and torrential rain, state Liaoning and Jilin have led to the this month. media said. relocation of 140,000 people, and The central Chinese city of Many parts of China are prone economic losses of 7.1bn yuan Zhengzhou -- not known for its to seasonal flooding, as heavy Rescuers searching for victims in a flooded area in Hongshi township of Huadian in northeast China’s Jilin province ($1.2bn), Xinhua said. hot weather -- saw temperatures summer rains flood rivers. yesterday. Pictures posted online showed of over 45 degrees Celsius (113 AFP Police slammed for failure Thailand denies $640,000 fee for Blair to address forum JAKARTA: The recent series of attacks against BANGKOK: Thailand has Blair, a claim refuted by the gov- Priscilla Hayner -- an expert in on Thaksin supporting ‘Red Shirt’ criticised for backing the invasion police officers in Greater denied it will pay former British ernment. Several dignitaries will truth and reconciliation commis- protesters in Bangkok which left of Iraq but praised for his role Jakarta could be a result Prime Minister Tony Blair take part in the one-day ‘unity sions -- will be among the guests, 90 people dead and around 1,900 in a peace process in Northern of failure by police to take $640,000 to speak at an upcom- forum’ a foreign ministry spokes- he said. The one-day September 2 injured. Ireland, said he was “delighted” appropriate measures to ing government-sponsored man said yesterday, adding none forum is being convened to find a The current government, led to accept the government invite anticipate such incidents, forum in Bangkok on bridging “will receive any extra pay”. way through the political turmoil by Thaksin’s sister Yingluck to Thailand. State Intelligence Agency the kingdom’s festering political Thailand will only “offer them which has gripped the kingdom Shinawatra, faced street protests It is understood that Blair, now chief Lt Gen (ret) Marciano divides. air tickets, accommodation and since a 2006 military coup toppled on August 7 against an amnesty an international Middle East Norman said yesterday. A lawmaker from Thailand’s transportation while they are Thailand’s divisive former prime bill it has backed in parliament peace envoy and also one of the “There are groups who want opposition Democrat party last here,” spokesman Manasavi minister Thaksin Shinawatra. lifting responsibility for the politi- world’s best paid public speak- to attack police as revenge. week alleged 20m baht ($640,000) Srisodapol added. Nobel Peace The kingdom has been beset cal violence from everyone but its ers, will have only his travel and We have passed informa- had been put aside in the budget Prize-winning Finnish ex-pres- by bitter political divisions since, leaders. A spokesman for Tony accommodation costs paid for. tion to police regarding the to pay controversial ex-premier ident, Martti Ahtisaari, and heightened by a 2010 crackdown Blair, who as premier was heavily AFP threats,” Marciano said after attending the Independence Day ceremony at the Merdeka Palace. Because the attacks Policeman shot dead have continued, “the police Mexican minister have seemingly failed to learn Rainsy accuses ruling from previous experiences.” . visiting Singapore, Festival blast China over trade party of stealing votes victim dies MEXICO CITY: Mexican Foreign Minister Antonio PNOHM PEHN: CNRP pres- holding up seven fingers to TOKYO: A 44-year-old Meade left for Singapore and ident Sam Rainsy on Friday mark the party’s ballot number. woman who suffered severe China yesterday on a mission returned to Cambodia from He then made his way by car to burns in an explosion at a to boost trade with the two an 11-day trip to the US and the CNRP offices in Chak Angre fireworks festival in western Asian nations. accused the ruling party of Krom commune. Japan two days ago became China’s President Xi Jinping cowardice and of stealing the “They prevented the Cambo- the first person to die from promised to increase investment July 28 national election from dian people’s victory that the the accident on yesterday, in Mexico when he visited the his party. CPP robbed from us,” he said as police said. Hiromi Takeuchi country in June. A few hundred supporters he left the gate. “We must pre- was one of 59 people injured Meade will follow up on that lined the boulevard outside the pare every measure and initiate in the blast which ripped agreement in China, Mexico’s VIP terminal at the Phnom Penh everything to demand justice for through food and drink stalls foreign ministry said in a airport to welcome Rainsy back Cambodian people,” he added. set up to entertain visitors at statement. from his visit, during which he In a speech delivered from an annual festival outside the China has in recent years attended his daughter’s wed- atop a table to about 200 people ancient capital of Kyoto. She aggressively pushed trade and ding and met with senior offi- outside the party offices, Rainsy died in a local hospital. Police investment ties with the devel- cials from the United Nation alluded to the meetings he had earlier said 18 were seriously oping world, particularly Africa Department of Political Affairs with United Nation officials and injured with Takeuchi and an and Latin America. in New York. NGO representatives. eight-year-old girl in critical This is to maintain the secu- Rainsy was surrounded as he He also mentioned that “they condition. rity of raw materials to fuel its made his way in the direction of saw very clearly that the CNRP economic growth. Phnom Penh initially on foot to won with a majority, so why did Emergency It is Mexico’s second most greet supporters, which caused the other party dare to say that important trade partner after traffic jams on the road as people it won? No one believes it.” over bird flu the United States, but trade is Thai rescue workers carry the body of a policeman who was shot dead stood and shouted for change, AFP heavily tilted in China’s favor. by suspected separatist militants in Thailand’s restive southern province KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Mexico imported $57bn worth of Narathiwat on Friday. Animal Health Directorate of Chinese imports last year yesterday declared avian flu while exporting just $5.7bn, emergency in several parts of according to the Mexican cen- the capital Kathmandu after tral bank. Four Thais released after Nigeria kidnap ordeal fresh cases emerged from Meade will meet his coun- the valley. It said the deci- terpart Kasiviswanathan sion meant that trading of Shanmugam in Singapore, the LAGOS: Four Thais and a abducted a group of six includ- the group had not been seri- state government does not pay birds was banned and culling second largest investor from the Nigerian held in an apparent ing two Nigerians on August 9 ously harmed. “The Thai foreign ransoms and to the best of my ordered in emergency zones. Asia-Pacific region in Mexico ransom kidnapping in south- while they were on their way to minister has talked with one knowledge no ransom was paid,” More than 50 cases have after Japan, the foreign minis- ern Nigeria have been freed work at a fish farm in Rivers. One of them. They are fine and will Chindah said. been reported in the past one try said. unharmed, officials in both of the Nigerians drowned in the continue to work in Nigeria,” Companies, officials and the month. The Trans-Pacific Partnership countries said yesterday. incident. The four Thai nation- ministry spokesman Manasvi security services typically refuse (TPP), a free-trade agreement “The four of them were als and surviving Nigerian were Srisodapol said. Most kidnap to discuss ransom payments. Resort owner’s being negotiated by nine coun- released at exactly 2:00am (0100 being examined by doctors in the victims in southern Nigeria are One of the Thai hostages spoke tries including Mexico, Australia, GMT) this morning,” the agricul- area, Chindah said. released unharmed after the pay- to Thai television yesterday and status revoked the United States, Singapore, tural commissioner in Nigeria’s “They are doing fine,” he added. ment of a ransom, unlike in the said he believed the kidnap was Malaysia and Vietnam, will also Rivers state, Emmanuel Chindah, The Thai foreign ministry, country’s north, where Islamist linked to rivalry between compet- SINGAPORE: The be on the agenda. said. which had earlier confirmed the extremists have killed a number ing fish farms. Singaporean man who AFP A gang travelling by boat release of its citizens, also said of their hostages. “The Rivers AFP allowed a Muslim prayer room in his Johor resort to be used for a Buddhist ceremony has had his Malaysian perma- nent resident status revoked. According to Malaysian Two policemen gunned reports, the authorities had China detains top rights activist decided to revoke the PR status of resort owner Syed BEIJING: Chinese police have pen-name Guo Feixiong, has cam- since President Xi Jinping was Ahmed Alkaff, who is a down in Indonesia detained a prominent human paigned for freedom of speech and formally appointed in March. Muslim, as he did not respect rights activist, signalling the aided villagers who accused local At least 24 activists have religious sensitivities. The JAKARTA: Motorcycle gun- bike. One of the suspects drove continuation of a recent crack- officials of corruption. been detained since late March, revocation takes place with men shot dead two policemen on off on the bike and the other ran down on dissent, an advocacy Yang’s arrest comes less than Chinese Human Rights Defenders immediate effect. Malaysian the outskirts of the Indonesian away. “The police crashed into group said yesterday. an month after Beijing police said in a statement last month. Home Minister Ahmad Zahid capital overnight, officials said the motorbike. The officer driving Police in the southern city detained human rights lawyer China’s ruling Communist Hamidi said: “The Home yesterday, the latest in a series got out and was shot dead in an of Guangzhou arrested Yang Xu Zhiyong, who had publicly party has launched previous Affairs Ministry has decided attacks against officers. exchange of gunfire,” Sompie said. Maodong, an advocate for legal called for the release of other crackdowns on activists demand- to revoke the permanent The two gunmen drove up to a The shooting at the Pondok reform, on a charge of “assem- activists arrested for demanding ing political change, arresting resident status of the owner police station on the southwest of Aren police station in Tangerang bling a crowd to disrupt order in that government officials disclose dozens in 2011 after calls for of the resort, because the PR Jakarta and shot one policeman district was the latest in a series a public place”, US-based group their assets. The latest arrest sig- anti-government street protests status is only a facility given on the street in the back of the of attacks against police officers. Chinese Human Rights Defenders nals “the continued repression of emerged online. by the government, and not a head, national police spokesman Nobody has yet claimed respon- said on a blog. human rights activists by Chinese Police in the Tianhe district of privilege. As a PR, he should Ronny Sompie said. sibility but anti-terror police were The group posted a photograph authorities”, Chinese Human Guangzhou, where Yang is said know the sensitivities of the Four officers in a police car dispatched to scour the streets for of a notification document for Rights Defenders said. to have been detained, did not religious affairs practised in gave chase, but the driver was the two men. Yang’s arrest, apparently issued Rights groups have reported a answer phone calls yesterday. this country.” AGENCIES shot dead after crashing into the AFP on August 8. Yang, known by the crackdown on political activists AFP SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PHILIPPINES

Filipino fishermen around the damaged Sulpicio Express Siete cargo ship and (RIGHT) Philippine Navy and Coast Guard teams during a search and rescue operation after the ship collided with a passenger vessel off Talisay City, Cebu province, in central Philippines, yesterday. Search on hold for ferry disaster victims Inclement weather forces authorities to suspend operations for 171 missing; death toll rises to 32

CEBU: Stormy weather forced search with 171 people still unac- trapped inside,” he said, adding Fisherman Mario Chavez said on which lanes they should use The captain of the ferry sur- Philippine rescuers to suspend a counted for. the ferry sank within 10 minutes he was one of the first people to when travelling in and out of the vived, coastguard authorities search yesterday for 171 people “It rained hard... with of the collision. reach passengers after the ferry port, without specifying which said. missing after a crowded ferry strong winds and rough seas,” A 57-year-old survivor, Lolita sank in calm waters between two one. Ferries are one of the main collided with a cargo ship and navy spokesman Lieutenant Gonzaga, recalled the terror of and three kilometres (around one The strait leading into the forms of transport across the quickly sank, with 32 confirmed Commander Gregory Fabic said. falling from the top deck of the to two miles) from shore. Cebu port is a well-known dan- archipelago of more than 7,100 dead. He also said powerful currents ship to the bottom level when the “I plucked out 10 people from ger zone, said the enforcement islands, particularly for the mil- The St Thomas Aquinas ferry had earlier prevented divers from collision occurred, then the hor- the sea last night. It was pitch office chief of the government’s lions of people too poor to fly. was carrying 831 passengers and assessing all of the sunken ferry ror of escaping the black waters black and I only had a small flash- Maritime Industry Authority, But sea accidents are com- crew when the vessels smashed to determine how many people with her 62-year-old husband. light. They were bobbing in the Arnie Santiago. mon, with poor safety standards into each other late on Friday had died and were trapped inside. “When we were rescued we had water and screaming for help,” “It is a narrow passage, many and lax enforcement typically to night in a dangerous choke Fabic said rescuers had not to share the rubber boat with a he said. ships have had minor accidents blame. point near the port of Cebu, the given up hope that there were dead woman. She was just lying “They told me there were many there in the past. But nothing this The world’s deadliest peacetime Philippines’ second-biggest city, other survivors who were still there,” Gonzaga said from a hos- people still aboard when the ferry major,” Santiago said. maritime disaster occurred near authorities said. drifting at sea. pital bed in Cebu where she was sank... there were screams, but I “There is a blind spot there and the capital Manila in 1987 when a Coastguard and military ves- But Rear Admiral Luis Tuason, nursing spinal injuries. could not get to all of them.” each ship passing through needs ferry laden with Christmas holi- sels, as well as local fishermen in vice commandant of the coast- “We were transferred to the The cargo ship, Sulpicio to give way in a portion of that daymakers collided with a small their own small boats, frantically guard, said the death toll would other ship that hit us, but I could Express 7, which had 36 crew narrow strip.” oil tanker, killing more than 4,300 worked through Friday night and almost certainly rise from the not go up the stairs because it was members on board, did not sink. Industry authority head people. yesterday morning to haul 629 31 bodies that had already been full of dead people. Television footage showed its steel Maximo Mejia later told report- In 2008, a huge ferry capsized people out of the water alive. retrieved. “They were left hanging there. bow had caved in on impact but it ers that both vessels had previ- during a typhoon off the central But when bad weather whipped “Because of the speed by We thought we were going to die. sailed safely to dock. ously passed safety inspections island of Sibuyan, leaving almost up the ocean mid-afternoon yes- which it went down, there is a I just held hands with my husband Tuason said it appeared one and were sea worthy, indicating 800 dead. terday, authorities suspended the big chance that there are people and prayed to God to save us.” of the vessels had violated rules human error was to blame. AFP

Many Metro Audit chief horrified over Manila areas ARMM governors, mayors face flooding misuse of congress fund MANILA: Several areas in Metro Manila may be hit by MANILA: While she finds “kahindik-hindik” or horrifying ‘loyal to constitution’ flooding as heavy rains are the misuse of congress assistance, Commission on Audit (COA) expected to continue over Chairman Ma Gracia Pulido-Tan is not in favour of abolishing allo- COTABATO CITY: All of the up with the tripartite review of Misuari was reported to have the capital region until 5pm cations for projects of senators and congressmen. 116 mayors and five provincial the September 2, 1996 govern- declared early this week the yesterday. The Philippine Though saddened by the mess, she said she did not believe the governors in the Autonomous ment-MNLF peace accord, to the independence of “MinSuPala,” Atmospheric, Geophysical Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) should be scrapped. Region in Mindanao mutual benefit of both sides. or Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan, and Astronomical Services She told reporters in a press briefing yesterday after releasing details (ARMM) remains loyal to the “And we also look forward to apparently apprehensive a peace Administration said in its on COA’s fund probe that the decision of whether the fund should be Constitution, assured regional a successful culmination of the deal between the government and Yellow Rainfall Advisory scrapped belongs to Congress. governor Mujiv Hataman GPH-Milf peace talks,” Hataman the Milf could marginalise his that flooding is possible in Tan emphasised that the COA has limitations, such as to recommend yesterday. said. group politically. low-lying areas in Camanava investigations to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Hataman said the regional The three-way effort of The Milf and the govern- (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Justice (DOJ). She said the COA cannot recommend the suspension of leadership structure, from the enhancing the peace pact and ment, whose peace talks started Valenzuela), Pasay City, the PDAF system but rather ask “everyone to please follow the rules.” regional down to the barangay resolving all misunderstandings January 7, 1997, aims to establish Paranaque City, Taguig City “Following the rules emanates from them. It starts from the legisla- level, also remained supportive of on the implementation of some a Bangsamoro political entity that and Pasig City. tors themselves,” Tan explained, hoping that the COA report – which President Aquino’s separate peace of its sensitive provisions started would replace the ARMM. she referred to as a “report to the Filipino people” – will result in posi- overtures with the Moro Islamic in 2007 and involves the MNLF, The largest of three factions in 18 cops sued tive changes. Expressing her dismay, Tan noted that if Cardinal Luis Liberation Front and the Moro the Organisation of Islamic the MNLF, led by former Cotabato Antonio Tagle cried, she wailed when she found out how billions of pesos National Liberation Front. Cooperation, and combined rep- City Vice-Mayor Muslimin Sema, over extortion in funds were anomalously disbursed and misused from 2007 to 2009. The ARMM covers resentatives from the national has been mum on Misuari’s inde- “Most of the NGOs were being managed or owned by the same per- Maguindanao and Lanao del government and ARMM. pendence declaration. MANILA: Three Koreans — sons,” Tan told reporters, baring the results of COA’s special audit of Sur, which are both in Central “Political leaders in the auton- Sema’s group, which has more two men and a woman — filed the PDAF releases from 2007 to 2009. But what appalled her, she said, Mindanao, the island provinces of omous region also adhere to than 20 “revolutionary states” charges against 18 police offic- was how the list of beneficiaries for some projects was manufactured Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and their sworn duty to protect the scattered in the autonomous ers before the Department of and taken from the list of board and bar passers. the cities of Lamitan and Marawi. Constitution at all cost, at all region and in Palawan, has per- Justice yesterday for allegedly She bared that state auditors likewise uncovered after a three-year Hataman said his constituent- times and to do their best to pre- sistently been asserting it has not extorting P.5m from them and probe how some P123m ($3m) in public funds were used by some NGOs elected leaders in the autonomous serve and protect national sover- turned its back from the govern- three others last July 12. Young for payment of salaries and other administrative expenses. region are also solidly behind eignty and territorial integrity,” ment-MNLF peace agreement. Suk Lee, 22; Sang Don Lee, THE PHILIPPINE STAR President Aquino’s effort to wind Hataman said. THE PHILIPPINE STAR 32, and Jung Hun Yang, 29, claimed they and their three friends were terrified when the police officers brought them to the Regional Police Intelligence and Operating Blast hits restaurant in San Unit headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa and detained them until their friends came Juan City; seven injured with money for their release. MANILA: Seven people were hurt in a gas explosion at a seafood 93 farmers restaurant in San Juan City, before dawn yesterday. Police said that the injured victims include Allan Cabana Muriel given animals and Julius Ras, workers at a laundry shop beside the restaurant; a certain Jaime Arvin Tacdoro, Marlo Urdas, Reynaldo Namura, taxi NORTH COTABATO: driver Gabriel Padilla and Benito Tino Jr, security guard at a nearby Provincial officials led the ini- drug store. tial dispersal of farm animals Police said the explosion took place at around 1am inside the seafood to 93 farmers in Midsayap restaurant, located along Wilson Street. town hit by man-made and Reports said that the explosion was so powerful that it damaged the natural calamities. The ben- laundry shop, the drug store and a Pizza Hut store. eficiaries from 11 districts At least eight cars and several motorcycles were also damaged. in Midsayap, home to mixed Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said the Moro and Christian communi- Explosive and Ordnance Team members of the Philippine National ties, received 123 heads of cat- Police were processing the blast site. tle and more than 100 goats, “The two dogs that inspected the perimeter of the explosion weren’t which they can breed both for able to detect any bomb-related material. It’s a possibility that the dairy and meat production. Explosive experts look for evidence through the debris outside the restaurant in San Juan City yesterday. explosion was caused by gas,” Roxas said. AGENCIES THE PHILIPPINE STAR SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Attacks leave Market fire 17 dead in Afghanistan Civilian casualties up 23pc in H1

HERAT: At least 17 civilians governor’s spokesman, said. have been killed in multiple They were on their way to Taliban attacks in Afghanistan, Lashkar Gah, the provincial capi- officials said yesterday, under- tal, for shopping, he said. scoring increasing insecurity Also in Helmand, an IED for ordinary people as foreign (improvised explosive device) forces complete their with- killed three women in Musa Qala drawal next year. district on Friday, a police spokes- An insurgent attack on a road man said. construction workers’ camp in IEDs are the Taliban’s weapon Karukh district in the western of choice in their battle against province of Herat left nine work- the US-backed government and ers dead overnight. foreign forces, but they often kill “The Taliban attacked their and wound civilians. camp along the Herat-Badghis According to recent United road while they were asleep last,” Nations report, civilian casualties Afghan shop owners attempt to save their properties as fire rages in the central market of Mazar-i Sharif on Friday. No casualties were reported as Abdul Rauf Ahmadi, provincial in the Afghan war rose 23 percent fire swept through shops in the gold and carpet market in northern Afghanistan. police spokesman, said. in the first half of this year due The workers were employed by to Taliban attacks and increased a government-owned road con- fighting between insurgents and struction company, he said. government forces. A provincial governor spokes- The increase reversed a man confirmed the deaths, blam- decline in 2012 and raised ques- Gunmen kill female politician in Pakistan ing “enemies of Afghanistan”, a tions about how Afghan troops term used to refer to the Taliban. can protect civilians as US-led PESHAWAR: Gunmen shot operations against the insurgents where the shooting happened. targeted by the Taliban, losing A roadside bomb also killed Nato soldiers withdraw from the dead a secular female politi- while it ruled the restive Khyber The motive was not immedi- hundreds of activists, with attacks five civilians, including women 12-year war. cian from Pakistan’s troubled Pakhtunkhwa province. ately clear but Hanif’s husband against them stepped up during and children, and wounded three The UN Assistance Mission northwest after breaking into Police said the gunmen, who and son along with their body- the run-up to the polls in May. others in the southern province in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said her home at night, police said have not yet been identified, used guard were killed by a Taliban Cricketer-turned politician of Helmand province yesterday 1,319 civilians died and 2,533 yesterday. a silenced pistol in their attack on suicide bomber in November 2011. Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek- morning. were injured as a result of the Hanif, 35, was a senior Friday night. The ANP led the province and e-Insaaf (PTI) has now formed a “A van hit a roadside bomb in war from January 1 to June 30, member of the Awami National “One or two attackers entered was a member of the ruling coali- coalition government in the prov- the Marjah district of Helmand up 23 percent on the same period Pary (ANP) which is known for the house and killed her,” said tion in the centre from 2008 until ince but ANP leaders remain in killing five civilians and wounding in 2012. its outspoken views against the Mohammad Faisal, a senior police elections earlier this year. the militants’ sights. three,” Omar Zwak, the Helmand AFP Taliban and backed military officer in the city of Peshawar The party has been relentlessly AGENCIES

Thai premier to Afghan female stars defy clerics’ pressure visit Islamabad

KABUL: Judges on TV talent shows propel them to stardom, Aryana nods will kill me or that they’ll put acid in my people because they think I am available. ISLAMABAD: Thai always attract controversy for making or encouragingly and sways gently — acutely face. They tell me to stop singing. “After many months here, it has become Prime Minister Yingluck breaking the careers of desperate wan- aware that her every move is studied across “Kidnapping is something to keep in very difficult. I feel that I’m being objec- Shinawatra is scheduled to nabes — but for Aryana Sayeed, the job the country. “I have to be so careful as mind all the time. You’d rather die than tified and not human, because I’m choosing pay a two-day official visit to is also a fight for Afghanistan’s future. they’re constantly checking what you are be kidnapped. I don’t get out a lot.” a job that is about putting myself out there. Pakistan from Tuesday. The The glamorous 28-year-old singer is a doing, what you are saying, even how you One lawmaker calling for the pro- “As foreign troops pull back, tradition- visit is part of a tour that will judge on worldwide hit series “The Voice” laugh,” she said. grammes to be banned branded them alists who have been largely silent for the also take him to Tajikistan, the that launched in Kabul in May, immedi- “I said ‘I love you’ to one contestant “blasphemous and vulgar”. “Islam cannot past decade — and who still have strong Pakistani Foreign Ministry ately attracting huge audiences and an because he was so good. He was 15-years- accept girls and women who become sing- backing in society — are reappearing to said yesterday. The visit is array of angry critics. old. Even that caused trouble. People asked ers, dancers or film actresses,” Enayatullah attack the gains that Afghan women have in response to an invitation As a symbol of female independence in ‘What did she say? This is not something Baleegh, a leading cleric in Pul-e-Khishti achieved,” he said. Pakistan Premier Nawaz a strictly conservative Islamic country, normal in Afghanistan’.” mosque in central Kabul, said. “They are now boldly attacking the rights Sharif. Shinawatra will have a Aryana receives regular death threats and As one of Afghanistan’s biggest stars, she “Our culture and traditions do not allow of women to work in offices, to become art- meeting with Sharif to discuss lives in fear of being kidnapped by religious has taken a stance against Islamic clerics it. I prefer a woman to wear fabric that cov- ists, or even the right to education. ways to strengthen trade and extremists. On the set outside Kabul where who insist that women should remain at ers her body with only her eyes and hands “The women who have been pioneers in investment relations. Three the show is filmed for private channel Tolo home and never earn a living of their own. visible. If girls and women choose this life the fight for their rights are now facing more documents are expected to TV, armed guards outnumber contestants In one of her songs, Aryana sings (of singing and acting), it will degrade their and more pressure and are fearful for their be signed — an agreement and have machine guns held at the ready. “Because I am a woman, I am a slave” dignity.” future. Artists like Aryana and Fereshta are on mutual exemption of visa “I’m here to make a difference for against a background of images of women Actress Fereshta Kazemi, who was born the primary targets.” requirements for holders of women,” Aryana said. “I want women to in burqas. in Kabul but grew up in the United States But Fereshta does find some reasons to diplomatic passports, memo- have rights, to talk freely, to walk freely, “Women have no rights whatsoever here, and returned to Afghanistan only last year, stay optimistic despite the gloomy outlook randum of understanding on to be able to go shopping when they wish. so I want to be an example as somebody accepts that her profession is often equated and mounting challenges. the establishment of a joint “I’m not saying that they have to take who is constantly fighting,” she said, admit- with sexual availability. After her performance in recently- trade committee, and MoU their clothes off, or even remove their head ting that her beliefs mean that security “Actresses are considered by some to be released film “The Icy Sun”, which tackles on the establishment of a scarves. Freedom is being able to live as a concerns dominate her life. prostitutes,” the 33-year-old said. the taboo subject of rape, she said she was joint business council. The human being.” “I have a lot of trouble online, receiving “My private life outside work is not surrounded by admiring fans. official visit to Pakistan by As contestants belt out songs that could messages from people telling me that they respected. I get crazy phone calls from AFP the Thai premier is the first in 11 years. Bin Laden’s toy gun Chairlift plan $150m US aid to Recruitment of 1,214 cops revived ISLAMABAD: City man- upgrade Mangla agers yesterday took a step test case for government towards reviving a decade- power project old plan to install a chairlift PESHAWAR: The Pakistan but they were using their author- in the Margalla Hills and LAHORE: The United States Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led pro- ity to recruit favoured candidates decided to engage an inter- Agency for International vincial government is facing and oblige friends and some national consultant to evalu- Development (USAID) will pro- its first major test in ensuring politicians. ate the project. The Capital vide Pakistani government with merit in recruitment follow- The candidates meeting physi- Development Authority will $150m for refurbishment and ing allegations that jobs of con- cal requirements for recruitment contact international con- upgradation of Mangla hydel stables could be sold and that are made to run in open spaces to sultancies for technical and power station. favouritism was taking place in test their fitness. financial studies. It has iden- In this regard, USAID Mission the enlistment. Those who qualify in the given tified two sites for chairlifts. Director Gregory C Gottlieb Unlike the past, the lawmak- time would be appearing in a One will start from and Wapda Chairman Syed ers of the PTI and its three allied written test before undergoing Marghazar Zoo at the foothills Raghib Abbas Shah signed a parties haven?t been given any job medical test. of the Margallas to Makhiala memorandum of understanding quotas. A total of 1,214 police constables Peak near Pir Sohawa vil- (MoU).This grant funding will The task of recruitment has are being recruited. More than lage, with a brief stopover at be provided to the government been handed over to the police 19,000 candidates have applied Daman-e-Koh. of Pakistan and implemented high-ups despite the heartburning for the jobs and among them are The other will start from through the Pakistan Water and it has caused among the elected many with higher education than Lakeview Park. Power Development Authority representatives who were hoping that of matriculation needed for (Wapda). to oblige some of their voters by the constable?s job. Airport security Under the MoU, the USAID facilitating their recruitment in Such is the high number of will fund the refurbishment of the police. candidates that 1,200 applicants stepped up two generators and modernisa- However, some lawmakers are are vying for the 213 jobs available tion of the auxiliary equipment of now complaining that the police with the Peshawar Police, known ISLAMABAD: Authorities the power house - which will be officers tasked to supervise the as Capital City Police. stepped up security yester- completed within five years, and recruitment aren’t maintaining There are 4,595 candidates in day at Benazir International add 70 megawatts to the Mangla merit. the Malakand Range, 2.548 in the Airport following terror hydel power station’s operating Requesting anonymity, a pro- Hazara Range, 2,207 in Mardan threats. A large number of capacity. vincial minister affiliated to the Range, 2,330 in the Nowshera security personnel checked In addition, this will also give PTI alleged that blue-eyed can- Charsadda Range, 2,262 in the luggage while police dogs a boost to the life and reliabil- A toy gun named after slain Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is dis- didates were being facilitated to Kohat Range, 2,208 in the Bannu looked for explosives in the ity of the plant for the next 40 played for sale at a market in Karachi, Pakistan, yesterday. According qualify in the physical test. Range and 1,698 in the Dera parking lot. years. to reports, the toy gun has become very popular. He said the police officers were Ismail Khan Range. AGENCIES INTERNEWS given a free hand to ensure merit INTERNEWS SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Rocket launch Deserted market tomorrow eyes key feat GSLV has indigenous cryogenic engine

CHENNAI: In a month marked who did not want to be named, told by key advances in indigenously- IANS. developed technology, India’s space This will be the first mission of agency will also test its mettle with GSLV during the last three years a crucial rocket, powered by a cry- after two such rockets failed in 2010. ogenic engine built in the country, One of the GSLV rockets flew slated to blast off tomorrow. with Indian cryogenic engine and The countdown for the flight of the the other one with a Russian engine. heavy geosynchronous satellite launch The GSLV is a three stage/engine vehicle (GSLV) is set to begin today rocket. The first stage is fired with evening, Indian space agency offi- solid fuel, the second is the liquid fuel cials said. According to Indian Space and the third is the cryogenic engine. Research Organisation (ISRO), the The successful flight of this rocket 29 hour countdown would start is crucial for India as it will be the first at 11.50am today and the rocket step towards building rockets that is expected to blast off at 4.50pm can carry heavier payloads, up to four tomorrow from India’s rocket port tonnes. According to ISRO, several at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, design changes have been incorporated around 80 km from here. in tomorrow’s rocket for a safe flight. This month has already seen key Design changes were made in the Soldiers stand guard as a Kashmiri man pushes a hand cart in front of a closed market in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, advances. As the country celebrated lower shroud/cover that protect the yesterday. Most businesses and shops remained closed and normal traffic was off the roads after a shutdown call by Kashmiri separatists. its 67th Independence Day, the cryogenic engine during the atmos- month saw activation of the indig- pheric flight; wire tunnel of the cryo- enously built small reactor to power genic stage to withstand larger forces submarine INS Arihant, the launch during the flight; and the revised of the indigenously-built aircraft aerodynamic characterisation of the 3 of family hacked for practising witchcraft carrier INS Vikrant while a unit of entire rocket. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Others included video imaging of (KNPP) is expected to be connected lower shroud movement during vari- SHILLONG: Three mem- Mawthoh were brutally mur- C M Ranee, were also injured in magistrate Sanjay K Goyal said to the grid at the end of the month. ous flight phases; fuel booster in cry- bers of a family were hacked dered by the mob after they the mob frenzy after irate vil- a magisterial inquiry headed by One event that created a shadow ogenic engine; and ignition sequence to death allegedly for practis- were accused of having dumped lagers pelted stones to prevent Additional District Magistrate was the loss of Indian naval subma- of the cryogenic engine. ing witchcraft in a village in the 24-year-old Lam Nongrum policemen from extricating the D M Wallang will probe the rine INS Sindhurakshak. ISRO said indigenisation of many Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills in Umiew river on August 14, bodies of the three victims. events leading to the murders. Now eyes are on the ISRO to see critical systems including liquid district, police said yesterday. with severe injuries. “It was a dastardly crime and “It was an unfortunate inci- whether the GSLV, powered by its hydrogen propellant acquisition sys- The incident occurred at Smit Nongrum, who is recovering the people involved in instigat- dent in our village. We (village own crucial cryogenic engine would tem (to prevent possibility of outside village late on Friday night, from his injuries at Nazareth ing the mob will not be spared,” headmen) have tried to calm the successfully deliver its baby-com- contamination) was achieved. when an unruly mob went on Hospital, reportedly named Mariahom Kharkrang, district villagers and get them to spare munication satellite — the 1,982 kg It is going to be a tense 17 min- a rampage attacking the three Yesly and Besly (who are also police chief of East Khasi Hills, the trio, but no one listened. GSAT-14 — into outer space. utes for the ISRO scientists tomor- people who were suspected of Nongrum’s paternal uncles) as told IANS. Even the policemen who came “After two GSLV failures, ISRO row after the 49.13 metre tall rocket having sacrificed villagers to those who dumped him in the He said the police were forced to tackle the situation could has to prove itself at the earliest pos- weighing 414.75 tonne blasts off at appease a deity. river. Four police personnel, to fire tear gas shells to disperse not save them,” Kynsai Manik sible. There is always a pressure on 4.50pm till the GSLV rocket safely Yesly Mawthoh, his son including the officer-in-charge the mob before extricating the Syiem, Sordar (village chief of that count,” a senior ISRO official, delivers GSAT-14. IANS D Nongdhar, and brother Besly of Madanriting police station, bodies. East Khasi Hills district Smit Pyllun), said. IANS Banks rely on NRI deposits to tide over currency crisis

he going just got better Finance Corp. Ltd (IRFC), Power above. Since interest rates offered for non-resident Indians Finance Corp (PFC) and India by banks on NRE deposits can- (NRIs) with one more Infrastructure Finance Company not be higher than those offered Tround of liberalisation Ltd (IIFCL) will raise $4bn from by them on comparable domestic of fixed deposit schemes meant overseas via quasi-sovereign bonds rupee deposits, RBI decided to for them. to finance long term infrastruc- give banks the freedom to offer Following up on measures ture. IRFC will raise $1bn. PFC and interest rates on all incremental announced by the country’s IIFCL will raise $1.5bn each, the NRE deposits without any ceiling. Finance Minister earlier this FM said. Further, advances extended week, the apex bank, Reserve It was as a part of these meas- in India against the incremental Bank of India (RBI), has given ures that the RBI issued a notifi- FCNR (B) / NRE deposits quali- banks the freedom to offer inter- cation on Wednesday deregulating fying for exemption from CRR/ est rates on Foreign Currency interest rates on NRI fixed deposit SLR requirements as above will Non-Resident Bank [FCNR (B)] schemes and exempting such also be excluded from Adjusted and Non-Resident (External) term deposits from CRR (cash Net Bank Credit for computation Rupee (NRE) deposits without reserve ratio) and SLR (statutory of priority sector lending targets, any ceiling. liquidity ratio) requirements. The RBI said. The move is born out of des- extant ceiling on NRO accounts, Banks in India were already peration to pump capital into the however, shall continue. offering interest rates on NRE yawning current account deficit deposits that were several times that has caused the Indian rupee THE NR EYE higher than comparable term to tumble by a good 12 per cent deposits of banks in the GCC or so against the US dollar since countries. Further, the continu- May this year. Moiz Mannan ous fall in the exchange value of Announcing the new measures, the rupee had given NRIs the Finance Minister P Chidambaram Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is chance to buy more and more said he expected them to bring in the portion of total deposits of rupees with each dollar or dollar- a total of $11bn this fiscal, which banks to be kept with RBI while pegged local currencies. he estimated would up the capital Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) Public as well as private sec- inflows for the year to $75bn. He is the portion of total deposit tor banks are now offering term said steps would help contain the invested in government securities. deposit interest rates between 8.50 deficit at $70bn for the year, or Both CRR and SLR are instru- and 9.50 per annum. Cumulative an estimated 3.7 percent of gross ments in the hands of RBI to regu- yields promised have exceeded domestic product, well below the late money supply in the hands of 13 per cent. Public sector Union record 4.8 percent a year earlier. banks that they can pump into the Bank of India and Bank of Baroda Since the beginning of June, FIIs economy. Currently, CRR require- have introduced money doubling (Foreign Institutional Investors) ment is four percent and SLR is schemes such as ‘Saat Ka Jadoo’ have together pulled out over at 23 percent. Banks are required (seven years seven months) and $11bn from the Indian debt and to include all FCNR (B) and NRE ‘Double Dhamaka’ (seven years 11 equity markets. Foreign exchange deposit liabilities for maintenance months). The NRE deposits yields reserves have stagnated at just of CRR and SLR. are tax-free and fully repatriable over $277bn, as capital flows have The instructions will be valid (principal and interest). been just enough to cover the cur- up to November 30, 2013, subject NRIs investing in the Deutsche rent account deficit. It is estimated to review; the RBI has said in its Bank Fixed Deposit scheme can that these reserves now cover less notification. The move will help in earn a cumulative yield of 9.16 per than six months of imports. providing more foreign currency cent (simple interest rate of 8.50 Among the other measures cash for banking operation. per cent) on a 2 year deposit and announced by Chidambaram are Simultaneously, the apex bank 11.21 per cent (simple interest controlling oil and gold imports, raised the ceiling on interest on rate of 9 per cent) on a 5-year and allowing sovereign wealth longer-term deposits of NRIs by deposit. Cumulative yield is cal- funds (SWFs) to invest in tax-free 100 basis points. For FCNR-B culated till the end of the tenure. bonds floated by state-run infra- accounts with maturities of 3-5 Banks had started increasing structure finance companies. The years, RBI raised the interest interest rates a day after RBI government has earmarked 30 rate ceiling to Libor/Swap plus announced its first quarter mon- percent of these bonds specifically 400 basis points from Libor/ Swap etary policy review, with HDFC for investment by SWFs. The gov- plus 300 basis points. The reserve Bank and Axis Bank raising ernment aims to reduce imports bank also removed the ceiling on deposit rates on shorter matu- of non-essential items such as interest rates on NRE deposits rities and YES Bank increasing fridges and TVs. Indian Railway with maturities of three years and both lending and deposit rates. SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Teenage girl Top terrorist held assaults 80-year-old Sikh in UK near Nepal border LONDON: Closed circuit tel- evision (CCTV) in the British city of Coventry has captured One-handed extremist holds Pakistani passport shocking footage of a teenaged girl attacking an 80-year-old NEW DELHI: Abdul Karim and 1998. Tunda had also tried to Tunda lived here with his wife till Sikh man. Tunda, the Delhi-born, one- set off bombs in 2010 just before 1992. Five years ago, Tunda, then The footage shows the pony- handed extremist who was the Commonwealth Games in 65, got married for the third time tailed girl, accompanied by three in the list of top 20 terror- New Delhi, according to police. to an 18-year-old girl in Pakistan. young males, kicking and knock- ists wanted by India and was “Tunda is closely associated Tunda worked as a carpenter, ing down the elderly person, who allegedly involved in around with LeT and ISI in Pakistan,” scrap dealer and cloth merchant reportedly hails from the Canley 40 bombings in the country, Srivastava said. till the age of 40, before becom- neighbourhood of the city. was arrested near the India- Police received a tip-off from ing a radicalised jihadi militant, According to the Coventry Nepal border, Delhi Police said intelligence agencies about two police said. Telegraph, the incident took place yesterday. weeks ago that Tunda will try to Following the Babri Masjid on Trinity Street in Coventry An aide of fugitive don Dawood sneak into India from Nepal. demolition in 1992 in Uttar city centre around 8.30pm on Ibrahim and an operative of Tunda, an LeT explosive expert, Pradesh, Tunda floated a radical August 10. The girl was dressed Lashkar-e-Taiba, who was also is allegedly involved in the 1993 organisation in Mumbai, police in black and was wearing a pair wanted for suspected involve- Mumbai serial bombings that left said. of Converse shoes. ment in the 1993 Mumbai serial over 250 dead, Delhi bomb blasts In January 1994, Tunda fled The attack took place in full view blasts, he was arrested on Friday of 1997-98 and serial bombings to the Bangladesh capital Dhaka of passers-by with nobody inter- around 3pm in Uttarakhand’s in Uttar Pradesh and also in where he started training jihadis vening. According to the Telegraph Banbasa area close to the Nepal Haryana and Punjab. in bomb-making, police said. report, the girl also spat on the vic- border when he was trying to Police said he trained young Investigators said Tunda also tim and verbally abused him. enter India. radicals in preparing bombs with trained terror operatives in mak- Only one person came out to Tunda, 70, was presented in locally available materials like ing improvised explosive devices help — and that too after the a Delhi court which sent him urea, nitric acid, potassium chlo- (IEDs). girl and her companions had left to three days’ police custody for ride, nitrobenzene and sugar and Tunda’s two Bangladeshi stu- the scene — as he picked up the interrogation. planting them at crowded places. dents, Mato-ur Rehman and Sikh man’s turban that was also He got the moniker Tunda — Tunda, who was born in 1943 Akbar alias Haroon, were arrested knocked off. Hindi for without a hand — after in Delhi’s Daryaganj area, is also from Sadar Bazar railway station Police in that city in the British his left hand got severed in an wanted in several cases of bomb in Delhi in February 1998. Police West Midlands are treating the accident while preparing a bomb attacks in trains in Hyderabad, later arrested 24 other members incident as malicious wounding, in 1985 in Mumbai. Gulbarga, Surat and Lucknow. of the “module”. a crime that carries a maximum “He was carrying a Pakistani He allegedly worked with ter- For some years, Tunda lay prison sentence of five years. passport number AC 4413161 ror operatives like Hafiz Saeed, low and investigators thought he Meanwhile, there has been issued on January 23 in the Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Wadhawa had died in a blast in Bangladesh angry reactions to the incident name of Abdul Quddus,” Special Singh, Ratandeep Singh, and in 2000. Five years later, Abdul in social media with many people Commissioner of Police S N Karachi-based Indian Mujahideen Razzak Masood, an alleged LeT telling the girl to hand herself in Srivastava told media persons. absconders Abdul Aziz alias Bada chief coordinator in Dubai, to the police. “The Sikh turban Tunda is wanted in several Sajid. arrested by the Special Cell of is not just a piece of cloth, but a criminal cases in the country Soon after his birth, Tunda Delhi Police, however, told inves- crown bestowed upon us by our and is among India’s 20 top most- along with his family had shifted tigators that Tunda was alive great leader... I hope these cow- wanted terrorists, police said. to their native village in Bazaar and he met him in Lahore in ards are caught and punished In Delhi, he is wanted in 21 ter- Khurd area in Pilkhuwa in Uttar December 2003. Police officials with Abdul Karim Tunda (centre) outside a police station in fairly,” Ajay Singh was cited as ror cases dating back to 1994, 1996 Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district. IANS New Delhi yesterday. writing. IANS Burning, suffocation and drowning led to submarine deaths

MUMBAI: Doctors at Sir J J Hospital out to identify the victims. Orthopaedic few days. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy “The state of (the three recovered bod- incinerated the bodies too,” the statement say that burning, asphyxiation and x-rays carried out to ascertain shrapnel is under pressure to expedite the work ies) and conditions within the submarine added. However, the Indian Navy is hope- drowning led to death of the five sail- or other foreign bodies embedded in the of recovering the remaining 13 missing leads to the firm conclusion that finding ful that some of the armaments inside ors whose bodies have been recov- victims have proved negative. sailors. any surviving personnel within the sub- the deep sea fighter vessel, stored on the ered from the sunken submarine INS Hospital officials said the bodies were After five bodies were recovered till marine is unlikely,” the Indian Navy said rear side, may be recovered undamaged Sindhurakshak. brought in a completely charred state Friday evening, the naval team of divers in a statement Friday afternoon. as the flames did not completely gut that Hospital sources said the autopsies on though some tissues were intact. is engaged in a round-the-clock operation “The damage and destruction within portion of the submarine. the bodies have been finished. The bodies were brought to the hospital to find the others. the submarine around the control room The distraught families of all the 18 They added the exact cause and timing as the naval hospital INHS Ashvini does The chances of finding any survivor area indicates that the feasibility of missing personnel have been contacted of death of each will be determined later. not have facilities to conduct autopsies. have been ruled out from the deep sea locating bodies in the forward part of “and are being provided regular updates Besides the autopsy to determine the The identities of the victims shall be fighter vessel which exploded, caught the submarine is also very remote as the through constant interaction” by the causes of death, DNA samples have been clear after forensic experts give the DNA fire and then sank within six hours early explosion and very high temperatures, Family Cell headed by a rear admiral. taken and dental identification carried and dental record reports in the next Wednesday in the Mumbai naval harbour. which melted steel within, would have IANS Congress Rainy Delhi MP attacked in Tirupati

HYDERABAD: Senior Congress MP from Telangana V Hanumantha Rao yesterday came under attack by those opposing division of Andhra Pradesh at Tirupati when he went to the Tirumala temple for prayers. The protesters were baton charged after they attacked his car, damaging the windowpanes. Tension prevailed at Alipiri when the Rajya Sabha member was stopped by protestors when he was returning after a ‘dar- shan’, police said. Raising slogans of ‘Jai Samaikya Andhra’, they sat on the road to block his car. Some of the protes- tors pelted stones, damaging the Pedestrians are silhouetted while crossing a road in front of the presidential palace on a rainy evening windowpanes. Police had a tough in New Delhi yesterday. time controlling the mob. The MP managed to leave the place under tight security. This is the first incident in which a politician from Telangana was attacked since the July 30 Tour Kerala with hand gestures! decision of the federal govern- ment to carve out a separate KOCHI: Planning a trip and the interface takes place to allow the user to browse the Telangana state. to Kerala? If you go on the through sheer gestures. site. Tirupati is the famous tem- Internet, you will no longer This is one of few tourism “People around the world can ple town in Chittoor district of have to use a mouse or key- websites anywhere in the world now sit in front of a computer Rayalaseema. board to browse a section of to use gesture-controlled tech- or with a smart phone and Seemandhra, as Rayalaseema the of Kerala Tourism website nology for navigation. enjoy multifarious experiences, and Andhra regions are collec- — you can instead gesture! Visually stunning images of even before they actually arrive tively known, is witnessing pro- In a pioneering development, the monsoon shot by Facebook in the state,” Kerala Tourism tests, shutdown and mass strike to the Kerala State Tourism Board fans of Kerala Tourism are used Secretary Suman Billa said. demand the centre to reverse its allows users to access the site, in the new website, developed Kerala Tourism Director decision. Meanwhile, Telangana www.when-it-rains.com, with by Stark Communications, the Hari Kishore described the Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader their webcams — the site can official marketing and commu- gesture-controlled website as Harish Rao has condemned the be navigated through gestures nications agency of the Kerala yet another step in extending attack on Hanumantha Rao. He alone. Tourism department. to the world the many experi- asked the Seemandhra protestors The website takes viewers The website tracks move- ences that Kerala offers to a not to do anything which creates to rain-washed plains, misty ments and gestures through the visitor. tension. IANS hills and majestic backwaters, webcam and responds to these IANS SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Prison games

Fajr (Dawn) 3:48 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:08 Zuhr (Noon) 11:38 Asr (Afternoon) 3:07 Maghrib (Sunset) 6:08 Isha (Night) 7:38

WEATHER Weather Today Monday Tuesday Conditions: Partly cloudy Clear Clear Hot and relatively humid with High: 43° High: 40° High: 40° scattered clouds Low: 33° Low: 33° Low: 30° becoming humid and hazy by night.

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SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:11 18:03 00:45 & 15:30 07:30 & 23:00 08-15 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

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MUSCAT 37/29 Clear 37/30 Partly cloudy Inmates climb a pole as they participate in official ceremonies and games marking Indonesia’s 68th Independence Day at Kerobokan prison in KUWAIT 48/30 Clear 46/29 Clear Denpasar on the resort island of Bali yesterday. Indonesia officials annually offer remissions to some prison sentences on Independence Day for BAHRAIN 45/31 Clear 44/29 Clear good behaviour. The notorious prison is well-known as the place holding several foreigners on high-profile drug offences. SANAA 28/17 T-storms 28/18 Chance of storm RIYADH 42/31 Partly cloudy 43/29 Clear DUBAI 39/33 Clear 41/33 Clear BAGHDAD 45/28 Clear 44/28 Clear Forty pythons found in Canadian hotel room

THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW MONTREAL, Quebec: Little Officers have opened a probe veterinarian is monitoring them. Animal experts expressed HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER more than a week after a giant into the incident but they did The find comes 11 days after astonishment at the tragedy, python crushed two young not say where the couple were Connor and Noah Barthe, aged many of them noting that, while ATHENS 31/24 Clear 31/24 Clear Canadian boys to death, police at the time or whether the pair six and four respectively, died in an African rock python is a dan- WASHINGTON 24/22 Rain 26/21 Chance of storm have recovered 40 of the snakes would be charged with breaking the eastern town of Campbellton, gerous animal capable of killing from a hotel room. local laws that prohibit owning New Brunswick when an African large prey, it would not normally 24/09 Clear 21/06 Clear The reptiles were found in pythons. python escaped from its terrar- attack humans. LONDON 22/14 Chance of rain 22/14 Clear several plastic storage bins on The snakes, which ranged in ium and killed them. The initial police investigation PARIS 23/18 Rain 23/15 Chance of rain Thursday night in a room in length from 30 centimeters to The boys had been enjoying a found that the snake probably ISTANBUL 27/22 Clear 27/22 Partly cloudy Brantford, Ontario, where a cou- 1.4 meters, were in poor health sleepover with a friend, whose managed to break out of its ter- MANILA 29/25 Light rain 29/25 T-storm ple who had been evicted from and have been taken in by father’s private menagerie of rarium and then nosed through DHAKA 31/25 T-storms 31/25 Chance of storm their home were staying, police the Canadian Society for the exotic animals included the a ventilation duct which led into DELHI 29/25 T-storms 30/25 Chance of storm said in a statement. Protection of Animals, where a python. the boys’ bedroom. AFP ISLAMABAD 31/23 Chance of storm 32/23 Clear New Zealand Drones to help Florida US confirms existence prisoners of Area 51 in Nevada go gourmet get rid of mosquitoes WASHINGTON: National accompanied by an Air Force : Whipping security scholars at George officer and two others. up a blackcurrant jus in Washington University have The four men landed their Wellington’s Rimutaka Prison, MIAMI: The Florida Keys some good news and bad news plane near an old, abandoned shaven-headed convict “Pete” agency charged with keep- for UFO buffs — the US govern- air strip at the edge of a salt rhapsodises about his new- ing the island chain’s mosquito ment has finally confirmed the flat known as Groom Lake near found love of gourmet cook- swarms at bay might become existence of Area 51 in Nevada, the northeastern corner of the ing, the swastika tattoos on the nation’s first to use drones to but it makes no mention of little Nevada Test Site, the nuclear his hand blurring as he whisks spot remote breeding grounds green men or alien spaceships. proving ground then controlled by intently. as part of efforts to eradicate The government acknowledged the Atomic Energy Commission. “You can get five dishes, five the insect. the existence of the mysterious The group agreed that Groom different flavours, from one “If you try to get across the aviation test site known as Area Lake would “make an ideal site for fish,” the New Zealander says. “I small islands it’s back country, it’s 51, a remote installation about testing the U-2 and training its thought normal fish all just tasted jungle,” said Michael Doyle, exec- 130km northwest of Las Vegas, in pilots.” Bissell subsequently asked the same but I’ve learned a lot.” utive director of the Florida Keys a newly declassified CIA history the Atomic Energy Commission Pete — not his real name — is Mosquito Control District, who of its U-2 spy plane programme. to add the area to its Nevada real among a team of inmates from added the drones wouldn’t replace After decades of extreme estate holdings, the account says. the jail on the capital’s outskirts boots on the ground, but would secrecy surrounding the site, “AEC Chairman Admiral who prepared a five-star ban- help turn eradication efforts into stoking conspiracy theories about Lewis Strauss readily agreed, quet for the public as part of this “smart bombing.” UFOs and experiments on alien and President Eisenhower also year’s Wellington on a Plate food On August 26 the head of North spacecraft, the CIA lifted its veil approved the addition of this festival. Carolina-based Condor Aerial The Condor Aerial’s Maveric unmanned aerial vehicle system, or drone, that on Area 51 in response to a pub- strip of wasteland, known by its More than 30 prisoners a year will demonstrate the Maveric will be considered for use by the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District lic records request from George map designation as Area 51, to the earn catering qualifications in the drone on a test flight for officials later in August. Washington University scholars Nevada Test Site,” the document prison’s kitchens, providing them in hopes of selling the $65,000 in Washington, DC. says. with skills to help them land jobs aircraft to one of the Sunshine Publicly released online on To make the barren new facil- in Wellington’s thriving restau- State’s most popular tourist 40 inspectors who scour 42 In 2010 the disease infected 63 Thursday by the university’s ity seem more appealing to its rant scene after their release. destinations. islands spread across 140 square people, according to a Center for National Security Archive, the workers, managers of the U-2 This year, authorities decided The chain of islands begins miles. After an event, inspectors Disease Control report. 400-page CIA history contains the programme dubbed the facility to display the prison’s culinary about an hour south of Miami and have only days before eggs grow Dengue mosquitoes can lay first deliberate official references “Paradise Ranch,” which was later prowess publicly for the first stretches nearly 200 miles into into biting, potentially disease- eggs in small, hidden pools that to Area 51, also known as Groom shortened to “the Ranch.” time. the Gulf of Mexico. The southern spreading adults. drones might not be able to spot. Lake, as a site developed by the Photos of the site and a newly In a programme that gives a tip of Key West is located only When a drone spots a poten- The only effective solution, Doyle intelligence agency in the 1950s declassified map outlining and whole new meaning to “doing 90 miles from the shores of Cuba. tial breeding ground an inspec- said, is to visit sites multiple times to test fly the high-altitude U-2 labelling the location were also stir”, they enlisted Martin Bosley, Condor Aerial CEO Fred tor would visit the site to test for a month, emptying any containers reconnaissance plane. included in the document. whose eponymous restaurant was Culbertson said the two-pound, eggs, before calling in one of the and spraying chemicals to kill any Other top-secret aircraft were Richelson said he could recall named New Zealand’s best in two-and-a-half-foot-long drone district’s four helicopters to spray larvae that might grow. tested there later, including the at least two previous government 2007, to train six prisoners over can fly for 90 minutes at 200 feet. a bacteria to kill them. “They’ve found them grow- supersonic reconnaissance A-12 documents in which an inciden- a nine-month period. For mosquito control, they will “What we’re looking to see is if ing in a two-liter bottle cap,” aircraft, code-named OXCART, tal reference to Area 51 appeared, The result was Prison Gate to be fitted with thermal cameras, this technology can actually see he added. As well as consider- and the F-117 stealth ground- but he assumed those were inad- Plate, two nights of fine dining in which can show the pools where shallow water either out in the ing drones, officials are awaiting attack jet, said archive senior fel- vertent because they were devoid August that offered 140 paying mosquitoes lay eggs as dark spots open or under mangroves,” Doyle Food and Drug Administration low Jeffrey Richelson, who asked of any other details or context. customers a four-course banquet on the ground. said. “And how much land can it approval to release genetically for the CIA’s U-2 history in 2005. The multiple detailed refer- in the prison grounds. Inspectors will have to take cover quickly so the inspectors modified, sterile males into the A newly revised document ences to Area 51 in the latest CIA “It’s been the most extraordi- pilot training certification courses can get out that day.” wild to mate with wild females restoring numerous references to account - the document’s index nary thing I’ve done in 30 years, and local officials will have to Doyle said the drones could that would produce no offspring. Area 51 that had been redacted in lists at least 12 mentions - show and the most confronting,” said seek Federal Aviation Authority help him better monitor the Keys Doyle hopes the plan could col- earlier versions was furnished by that they were deliberate, he said. Bosley. The chef, whose restau- approval to fly the drones. with less staff. “As our budget is lapse the mosquito population. the CIA a few weeks ago, he said. The intelligence agency had rant is situated in the Royal Port “They’re not going to be used getting smaller we’re trying to Still, there’s no way to eradi- “It’s the first time that there little to say about the disclosure. Nicholson Yacht Club, admitted for surveillance,” Culbertson find ways to cover the same area cate the insect completely. must have been a senior-level “What readers of the CIA study he was initially sceptical about stressed. with fewer people,” he said. Tourists and seasonal resi- decision to acknowledge the term will find is that CIA tests its U-2 swapping his swish waterfront Condor Aerial is a division of Keys officials regularly battle dents are always introducing ‘Area 51’ and its specific location,” and A-12 reconnaissance aircraft location for weekly sessions in Prioria Robotics, a north Florida- the common Salt Marsh mosqui- new species and diseases into the he said on Friday. at the site in Nevada sometimes the grim surrounds of a prison based manufacturer that in 2010 toes that breed by the millions environment. Chapter 2 of the CIA history referred to as ‘Area 51,’” CIA kitchen. received a $2.8m contract from and can fly up to six miles. Yet “Every time somebody brings recounts how Richard Bissell, spokesman Edward Price said. “I wasn’t interested. I had very Canada to supply reconnaissance their chief concern is the Aedes a potted plant from Home Depot the CIA officer then overseeing “What readers won’t find are any set views on crime and punish- drones in Afghanistan. aegypti mosquito that carries in Miami there are eggs in there,” development of the U-2 plane references to aliens or other con- ment, paying your debt to society, Mosquitoes breed in the stag- dengue, known as breakbone Doyle said. “The next time it rains by Lockheed, first spotted the spiracy theories best left to the and wanted nothing to do with nant water left after a high tide fever for the intense joint pains there will be a few more mosqui- site on an aerial scouting mis- realm of science fiction.” them,” he said. AFP or a storm. The agency employs it causes. toes.” REUTERS sion over Nevada in April 1955, REUTERS Sunday 18 August 2013 11 Shawwal 1434 Volume 18 Number 5795 Price: QR2

US developers broke grounds on more homes

Business | 19

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Indian PM rules More women work in Mena corporates out chance of Female participation in labour force rises strongly in Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Oman return to 1991

DOHA: Women in the Mena There is a general perception women for growth. SMEs are tar- according to a report by Boston construction, retail, media, trans- financial crisis region are increasingly mak- that female/women entrepre- geted as they have high growth Consulting Group, women in the port, IT, telecoms and real estate. ing a greater presence in the neurs in the Mena region run potential and have been offered Middle East controlled 22 percent, Out of 100 most powerful Arab MUMBAI: There is “no ques- region’s corporate world. The small firms employing fewer much less banking support in the or $500bn, of the region’s total women, a significant 42 percent tion” of India going back to an number of women entrepre- than 10 workers. This was proved past. Banks consider women as an Assets Under Management (AUM) are business women. economic crisis experienced in neurs is also on the rise in wrong by a World Bank survey important customer segment. In in 2009. A majority of these ultra- Mena women’s participation in 1991, as its rupee currency is now Mena. that found that more than 30 per- recent times, women have been wealthy women live in the oil and decision-making is growing, but linked to the market and foreign The total number of work- cent of women entrepreneurs in making their mark not just in gas rich countries of Saudi Arabia, remains relatively small. Women exchange reserves are adequate, ing females in the region has Mena owned large firms employ- education but also at work. the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar.” hold a mere 1.5 percent of board- Prime Minister Manmohan increased at a Compound Annual ing more than 250 workers. Women in the Mena region Contrary to general percep- room seats in GCC countries. Singh said yesterday. Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.7 per- Looking at sector specifics, also hold significant amounts tion, oil is not the main source of Kuwait and Oman have the high- Asia’s third largest economy cent to 16.8m in 2011 from 11.2m female-owned firms were much of wealth. Saudi women own 10 wealth creation for Mena women. est female representation in board- is growing at its slowest pace in in 2000. Rate of female partici- like male-owned firms, with percent of the real estate and 30 The main source of their wealth rooms, with a share of 2.7 percent a decade, while the rupee, the pation in the labour force was nearly 85 percent in manufac- percent of the brokerage accounts generation is from the finance and 2.3 percent respectively. Dubai region’s worst performer this up strongly in Qatar, the UAE, turing and 15 percent in services in the kingdom. They also own and banking sectors or from was found to have the third highest year, is at an all-time low, and the Bahrain and Oman in the GCC compared to 88 percent of male- 40 percent of the family-run industries. proportion of female representation central bank has enough cash to region, a report released by owned firms in manufacturing companies. The report noted that at busi- (1.2 percent), followed by Bahrain (1 pay for seven months of imports. Alternative Asset Management and 10 percent in services. “There are no reliable estimates ness places, women are mainly percent), (0.6 percent) “There is no question of going Institution Al Masah Capital The report noted that banks of the total amount of wealth con- seen heading companies in sec- and Qatar (0.3 percent). back to 1991,” Singh said in a Press noted. in Mena are targeting SMEs and trolled by Mena women. However, tors like banking and finance, THE PENINSULA Trust of India report published by the Economic Times newspaper on its website, making reference to a balance of payments crisis the Lamborghini at The Quail country suffered that year. “At that time foreign exchange Roche drops in India was a fixed rate. Now it is linked to market. We only correct India patent for the volatility of the rupee.” In 1991, with just enough breast cancer reserves to cover three weeks of imports, India was forced to pledge its gold in order to pay its bills and medicine had to push through reforms to start opening up the economy. NEW DELHI: Swiss phar- Singh was finance minister at maceutical giant Roche says the time and is widely regarded as it is abandoning a patent for the man who saved the economy. top-selling breast cancer drug The news agency report said Herceptin in the Indian mar- Singh acknowledged India’s bal- ket, paving the way for local looning current account deficit, drugmakers to make a cheaper which he blamed on large imports generic version. of gold as a contributing factor. The decision comes after an “We seem to be investing a lot in Indian health ministry commit- unproductive assets,” Singh said. tee earlier this year urged the India is trying to curb its government to issue a “compul- citizens’ apparently insatiable sory licence” that would have demand for gold, through meas- obliged Roche to license a domes- ures such as hiking import duties, tic generic firm to make a much banning the import of coins and cheaper copy. medallions and making domestic “Roche has come to the con- buyers pay cash. clusion not to pursue” the patent, The government wants to the company said in an emailed hold bullion imports this year to statement to AFP late on Friday. “well below” last year’s figure of Roche said its decision to 845 metric tonnes. India’s cur- relinquish its patent took “into rent account deficit stands at a account the strength of the par- record high of 4.8 percent of gross ticular rights and the IP (intel- domestic product, while economic lectual property) environment in growth has slowed to five percent. India in general”. Eric Williams details a Lamborghini Veneno during The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, in Carmel, California. The event, highlights of which are rare REUTERS India’s patent laws are tougher and sporting vehicles, is held in conjunction with the Pebble Beach Automotive Week which includes the Concours d’Elegance. than in many other countries as part of attempts to make medi- cines more affordable to its vast poor population. This has led to a string of pat- GM recalls nearly 293,000 ent setbacks in India for Western Firms halt operations in Egypt drugmakers which have been engaged in a series of intellectual DETROIT: A number of interna- was monitoring the situation. It Duesseldorf company confirmed. Cruzes for brake problem property battles. tional companies have suspended was unclear whether Shell’s main Amsterdam-based Heineken Indian patient rights groups operations in Egypt as three days production facility, a joint venture N V scaled back its six Egyptian DETROIT: General Motors Co is recalling nearly 293,000 accuse Western pharmaceuti- of violent street battles make the with Badr El Din Petroleum Co, breweries to minimum staff on Chevrolet Cruze compact cars in the US because the power- cal firms of greedy pricing that streets of Cairo unsafe. had been closed. Wednesday afternoon and raised assisted brakes can fail. denies impoverished patients in General Motors Co, Electrolux General Motors’ Egyptian security. It also sent office work- The recall affects Cruzes made in Lordstown, Ohio, from the 2011 India and across the world access AB, Royal Dutch Shell PLC, operations will remain shut indef- ers home near Cairo. The com- and 2012 model years that are equipped with 1.4-litre turbocharged to vital medicines. Heineken N V, Toyota Motor initely, including a plant in the pany, which has about 2,200 gasoline engines and 6T-40 six-speed automatic transmissions, the India, known as the “pharmacy Corp, Suzuki Motor Corp, BASF Cairo suburb of 6th October City workers in Egypt, reported no company said. to the world”, has a huge generic SE and others shut down facilities where it makes cars, light trucks incidents at any of its operations. It’s the eighth recall of the car since it was introduced in drug industry that turns out and told thousands of workers to and minibuses. The auto giant “Based on today’s security assess- September of 2010, according to records compiled by the National cheaper copycat versions of life- stay at home during unrest that has about 1,400 workers in Egypt, ment our operations in Egypt will Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Auto safety advocates say saving branded medicines. has left more 700 people dead as where in 1983 it became the first remain mostly closed (Saturday), that’s an unusually high number of recalls. The active ingredient of of late Friday. private automaker to establish with the exception of the distribu- GM said that in the most recent recall, the power brake boosters Herceptin, used to treat an “This was a precautionary operations in the country. tion centers in the tourist areas at can fail, and in rare cases, drivers may have to put extra pressure extremely aggressive form of safety measure to ensure employ- At least 700 people have been the Red Sea,” spokesman John-Paul on the pedal to stop the cars. breast cancer, was discovered ees would not be exposed to risks killed in violence that continues Schuirink said in an email. The company said that Cruze brake problems have caused 27 before 1995 when India did not traveling to and from work,” to rage after riot police razed two The chemical company BASF low-speed crashes but no injuries. recognise patents. Daniel Frykholm, a spokesman Cairo encampments where sup- temporarily closed its manufactur- Dealers will replace a switch in the power brake vacuum pipe To join the World Trade for Swedish appliance maker porters of President Mohammed ing facilities and offices. BASF has assembly for free. The Cruze has been recalled previously for oil Organisation, India had to change Electrolux, said in an email. The Mursi were protesting his ouster. been operating in Egypt for about leaks that can cause fires, fuel tanks coming loose, transmission its law but it did not start rec- company, which has about 6,700 Mursi was deposed by the mil- 60 years and produces chemicals and steering problems and side air bag malfunctions. ognising drug patents until 2005. workers in Egypt, asked employ- itary on July 3 after months of used in construction at a plant in Through July, the Cruze ranked No. 3 in US compact car sales Even then, it gave patent protec- ees to stay home on Wednesday protests against his rule. the Cairo suburb of Sadat City. at 159,136, trailing only the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Since tion only to drugs discovered after afternoon and Thursday. The Tens of thousands of Muslim IHS Automotive analyst Paul 2010, GM has sold more than 650,000 Cruzes in the US, according to 1995. company was to decide yester- Brotherhood supporters clashed Newton in London said that Autodata Corp. The company has sold over two million worldwide. Roche obtained an Indian pat- day evening if it’s safe enough with civilians, police and troops Toyota and Suzuki also halted Joan Claybrook, a safety advocate and former NHTSA admin- ent for Herceptin six years ago to resume normal operations, in the fiercest street battles to Egyptian production. Because of istrator under President Jimmy Carter, said eight recalls in three that involved a different composi- Frykholm said. engulf the capital since the coun- the unstable political situation, years is a large number. “It seems most unfortunate for the company, tion of the drug. Royal Dutch Shell closed try’s Arab Spring uprising. the forecasting company pre- and for the car and for the consumer,” she said. The 2013 Cruze But that patent was chal- its offices on Thursday. They In Cairo, German retail giant dicted that light-vehicle produc- has not been recalled, an indication that someone at the top of the lenged by India’s Cancer Patients’ remained shuttered on Friday Metro closed its headquarters, tion in Egypt would fall almost 8 company has taken action to make sure the problems were worked Aid Association as insufficiently and yesterday. The company also and its only two grocery stores percent this year, with sales drop- out, Claybrook said. innovative. restricted employee travel as the in the capital were shuttered ping nearly 4 percent. AP AFP violence continued and said it on Friday, a spokesman for the AP SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Banking union could fix Tesla Supercharger EU woes: QNB Group Centralised regulator could strengthen banking health

DOHA: A European banking should a single regulator to and would not go into effect until union could go a long way in fix- enforce common rules uniformly. 2018. Further progress is, there- ing Europe’s financial architec- Second, the regulator ought to fore, needed to give the ECB sole ture, according to QNB Group. have the financial means to inter- authority on the regulation of all The recent banking and sov- vene in illiquid banks and liqui- European banks and to provide it ereign crisis in the euro area date insolvent ones. Finally, there with the financial means to inter- has exposed critical gaps in the should be a credible Euro–wide vene in troubled banks. architecture of Europe’s finan- deposit guarantee scheme to reas- Indeed, it is much easier to cial system that make it vulner- sure depositors that a Euro in one endorse the concept of a bank- able to future crises. Prior to the bank is just as safe as in another ing union than it is to imple- recent crisis, low interest rates one. Currently, national guaran- ment one. European banks are led to an excessive build up of tee schemes offer limited reassur- central to the financial system, credit in the banking system of ance to depositors and the level of supplying about three quarters a number of smaller euro-area guarantees is variable across the of all credit to the economy, and countries. At the same time, region (see chart). are thus critical to the function- persistent fiscal deficits in those European governments have ing of the wider economy. Their countries led to an excessive made some progress in establish- supervision is not just a techni- amount of sovereign debt. The ing a banking union. In December cal issue; it also requires subjec- 2008-09 financial crisis forced 2012, they committed in principle tive judgments that have serious some of the European govern- to moving toward a banking union, implications for credit provision, ments to bail out their banking in which bank regulation and economic growth and thus jobs. systems, thus taking on addi- supervision, deposit guarantees, Choices about how much credit A Tesla Model S sedan plugged into a new Tesla Supercharger outside the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California. tional public debt and leading to and the handling of troubled banks banks provide, and to whom, Tesla Motors opened a new Supercharger station with four stalls for public use at its factory. Europe’s sovereign debt crisis. will be harmonized across the strongly affect the relative per- In order to break this vicious European Union. The European formance of national economies circle of banking and sovereign Central Bank (ECB) was given the and businesses. Hence, design- crises from happening again, a authority to directly regulate 150 ing integrated banking supervi- European-wide banking regu- of the euro zone’s biggest banks sion will require agreement on AOL makes deep job cuts Alibaba buys lator is needed that can reduce and intervene in smaller banks how power will be divided among the risk of future banking cri- in the event of financial distress. various European institutions and ses and, if they occur, provide In addition, the Eurozone already national authorities. stake in the necessary funding to bailout has a €500bn bailout fund, the While there are many issues to in local news group Patch banks without affecting national European Stability Mechanism tackle, it is critical that a strong ShopRunner sovereign debt. According to (ESM), of which up to €60bn will regulator is implemented swiftly NEW YORK: AOL Inc said entertainment destination QNB Group, such a European- be available to recapitalise banks – not least because the cost of that it would cut a substantial dependent on advertising since wide regulator is essential for from late 2014. Now the European dwindling confidence is already number of jobs at its money-los- Chief Executive Tim Armstrong NEW YORK: Chinese e-com- Europe’s financial architecture Commission is proposing a bank accumulating in the large imbal- ing Patch local news site busi- took charge in 2009. merce company Alibaba Group, to withstand a future crisis. resolution fund for the eurozone ances brought on by the flight of ness, and a source close to the One of his biggest bets includes which is preparing for an initial A banking union in a common in which bank levies totalling one deposits and capital from smaller company said about half of the Patch, a group of local websites public offering in Hong Kong, currency area is important for two percent of insured deposits would European countries to the larger staff of 1,000 was being laid off. dotted throughout the United has bought a minority stake key reasons. First, it strengthens be used to provide additional fund- ones. Job cuts will reduce 10 percent States that has cost the company in online shopping company the health of the banking system ing to intervene in troubled banks. Overall, the recent financial of AOL’s workforce, the company roughly $150m. ShopRunner, the Financial through a centralised banking regu- In June 2013, European finance crisis has forced a rethink of the said in a regulatory filing late on Armstrong has met with the Times reported. lator across the region that is not ministers agreed that sharehold- underlying institutions needed to Friday. AOL had 5,600 employees AOL board to discuss cost reduc- The acquisition is part of a subject to national political pressures. ers and some creditors must sustain the Euro as a common at the end of 2012, according to a tions at Patch to reach the goal of string of investments by Alibaba, Second, it helps to weaken the link accept losses before taxpayer currency. The European banking February regulatory filing. turning the unit profitable this the world’s largest e-commerce between troubled banks and govern- funds could be used to prop up union can be pivotal in prevent- The company said that it year. group, as it prepares for its IPO, ment debt, so that banking crises do troubled banks, thus establishing ing another crisis by breaking expects to incur charges of Patch has 3.5 million newslet- the FT said, citing people familiar not end up into sovereign ones. a framework for intervening in the vicious circle between bank- $14m-$18m this year related to ter subscribers and 4.7 million with the transaction. The establishment of a troubled banks. The agreement, ing bailouts and sovereign debt the job cuts. registered users and is growing Alibaba is paying $75m for European banking union requires however, still needs approval crises. The company said it would quickly, the company said. the stake in ShopRunner, run three key pillars. First, there from the European Parliament THE PENINSULA consolidate or close some Patch Earlier this week, Armstrong by former Yahoo Chief Executive sites to cut costs and partner with said he made a mistake in publicly Scott Thompson, the FT reported. other media companies in some firing an employee on Aug 9. The investment will add to a long locations. It did not say which A recording had been leaked to relationship between Alibaba and media companies it was speaking the media in which Armstrong Yahoo, the FT said. Yahoo owns to or reveal which sites it would is heard firing Abel Lenz, a crea- almost a quarter of Alibaba, the be shutting down. It expects to tive director at AOL’s Patch unit, newspaper said. keep most of the traffic to the after he tells Lenz to put down Spokesmen for Alibaba and network of websites. his camera. Lenz remains fired, ShopRunner could not be reached AOL has been trying to build the company has said. for comment. the company into a media and REUTERS REUTERS

China probes IBM, Oracle and EMC

SHANGHAI: China’s Ministry “At present, thanks to their the NSA hacked into critical of Public Security and a cabinet- technological superiority, many of network infrastructure at uni- level research centre are pre- our core information technology versities in China and in Hong paring to investigate IBM Corp, systems are basically dominated Kong. Oracle Corp and EMC Corp by foreign hardware and soft- Daniel Castro, a senior over security issues, the official ware firms, but the Prism scandal analyst with the Information Shanghai Securities News said. implies security problems,” the Technology & Information The report follows revela- newspaper quoted an anonymous Foundation, said he was con- tions by former US spy agency source as saying. cerned that a Chinese govern- contractor Edward Snowden of Officials with EMC, IBM and ment probe could result in widespread surveillance by the Oracle declined to comment. demands for U S companies National Security Agency. It also China’s Ministry of Public to provide authorities with the comes as Beijing probes Western Security also declined to blueprints to their technology drugmakers over allegations of comment. so that Beijing can screen them bribery and over-pricing. The State Council’s for potential security threats. Documents leaked by Snowden Development Research Centre, China, repeatedly accused by revealed that the NSA has had one of the groups reportedly the United States of hacking, access to vast amounts of Internet involved, said they were not was given considerable ammu- data such as emails, chat rooms carrying out such an investiga- nition by Snowden’s allegations, and video from companies includ- tion. China has been a focal point which Beijing has used to point ing Facebook Inc and Google Inc, for the Snowden case since he the finger at Washington for under a government program stopped in Hong Kong en route hypocrisy. known as Prism. to Moscow. He also claimed that REUTERS SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Moody’s Heated debate revises up Kazakhstan’s on Mexico oil credit outlook

NEW YORK: Moody’s Investors Service revised privatisation Kazakhstan’s sovereign credit outlook to positive from stable yesterday, citing improved debt dynamics in the nation’s bank- Ad blitz featuring ex-president ing sector. The credit rating was raised MEXICO CITY: The son of popular decision by a Mexican to Baa2, near the lower end of Mexico’s most revered modern president in the 20th century, investment grade status. president, known for nationalis- and the nationalisation remains “The main factor underlying ing Mexico’s oil industry, says immensely popular. A 2012 poll of Moody’s assignment of a positive his dad is rolling in his grave. 2,400 Mexicans by the Centre for rating outlook is the reduced risk In fact, both sides in the heated Economic Research and Teaching to the sovereign balance sheet debate over proposals to open said 65 percent opposed any for- from contingent liabilities in the Mexico’s oil industry to private eign investment in the oil industry. banking sector,” the firm said in companies are using the image The poll by the Mexico City-based a statement. of former president Lazaro think tank had a margin of error “The reduced risk to the sov- Cardenas, roughly Mexico’s equiv- of two percentage points. ereign arises from the decline in alent of Franklin D Roosevelt. So Pena Nieto has literally the banking sector’s recapitali- Current President Enrique recruited Lazaro Cardenas in Roofers work on new homes at a residential construction site in the west side of the Las Vegas Valley in Las zation needs following the debt Pena Nieto has launched a blitz of the uphill battle to change such Vegas, Nevada. restructurings of a number of TV ads that prominently feature attitudes. In one TV ad, a nar- Kazakh banks, the sector’s recapi- photos of Cardenas, who expro- rator touts the virtues of the talization and deleveraging since priated foreign oil companies and reform — stemming Mexico’s the start of the crisis in 2007,” nationalized the industry when he production decline and exploring US developers broke ground Moody’s said. was president from 1934 to 1940. deep-water reserves Pemex can’t Both Standard & Poor’s and Like FDR, who was known for — with stock footage of Lazaro Fitch Ratings have Kazakhstan’s helping pull America out of the Cardenas from the 1930s playing on more homes in July credit rating one notch higher, depression with his ‘new deal’ pub- in the background. at BBB-plus with a stable lic works programmes, Cardenas Lazaro Cardenas is not exactly outlook. is remembered for handing out a photogenic icon. Like FDR, who WASHINGTON: US develop- potential homebuyers have fallen been far less than what econo- Kazakhstan is Central land to poor farmers and stand- used a wheelchair, Cardenas had ers broke ground on homes at 15 percent since the end of April. mists might have expected after Asia’s largest economy. The ing up to the foreign oil companies a physical defect: an almost com- a faster pace in July. But the Signed contracts to buy homes a one-point rise in the average International Monetary Fund that once took the lion’s share of plete lack of a chin. Yet his profile rise was all due to apartment slipped in June after reaching a 30-year fixed mortgage rate. expects the energy-dominant profits from Mexican oil. is prominently featured on both construction, which is typically six-year high in May. Others note that demand for economy to grow 5.2 percent in Cardenas’ son and other left- government ads and those from volatile. By contrast, builders The average rate on the 30-year new homes remains strong even 2013. However, the IMF said the ists say the government is trying the left, opposing the reforms. began work on fewer single- loan was 4.4 percent this week as supply is tight. That trend country must do more to resolve to re-privatise the state-owned Pena Nieto touts his reform by family homes — the bulk of the — a full percentage point higher has pushed up prices and should its large stock of non-performing oil company, Pemex. Pena Nieto appealing to historical accuracy: market — and sought fewer per- than in early May. Mortgage rates encourage more construction. loans. denies that, noting that under the Cardenas did allow private compa- mits to build them. spiked in June after Chairman “Should we be concerned? Not Moody’s also cited improvement proposed reform, private compa- nies to work under contract in the Friday’s report from the Ben Bernanke indicated that the yet,” said Patrick Newport, a in Kazakhstan’s external liquid- nies will be allowed only profit- oil industry even after he nation- Commerce Department suggests Federal Reserve could slow its housing economist at IHS Global ity position, given the national oil sharing contracts, not ownership. alised it. And the government has that home building is maintaining bond purchases later this year. Insight. “There is just a big gap fund more than doubled in recent But Cuauhtemoc Cardenas, stressed that it only wants to strip its recovery but might be starting The bond purchases have kept between supply and demand right years to $64bn in July from $30bn Lazaro’s son and the founder of out a total ban on private drilling to be restrained by higher mort- long-term interest rates low, now, and I think higher mortgage at the end of 2010. the main leftist party, said Friday and refining that was inserted in gage rates. encouraging more borrowing and rates won’t cancel that out.” Banking sector liabilities, the that the government was insult- the constitution in the early 1960s. Builders began work on houses spending. Over the past 12 months, the firm said, have declined to $8.8bn ing his father’s memory. That hasn’t calmed the objec- and apartments at a seasonally “There’s no doubt that rising home construction data still look in May of this year from a peak of “’’It is both false and offen- tions. Elena Poniatowska, arguably adjusted annual rate of 896,000 rates have had an effect,” said Dan strong: Builders broke ground $45.5bn in October 2007. sive for the government to use Mexico’s best-known living writer, in July, the department said. That Greenhaus, chief global strate- on 15 percent more single-family The government stepped in to the image of Lazaro Cardenas told local media “I don’t think he was up six percent from June, gist at BTIG, an institutional homes in July than a year earlier. shore up the nation’s banks in to promote an unpatriotic and (Pena Nieto) has any reason to though below a recent peak of brokerage. And including apartments, hous- the wake of the financial crisis, traitorous proposal for energy invoke Cardenas. It’s valid to sup- more than 1 million in March. Some smaller homebuilders ing starts have surged 21 percent which laid bare the overextension reform among the Mexican peo- port one’s arguments, but not to use Construction began on 26 percent have said it’s become more diffi- in the past year. of credit and the rise in non-per- ple,” Cardenas wrote in a front- him to try legitimise the proposal.” more apartments but declined 2.2 cult for them to get loans to build. Applications for permits for forming loan portfolios. page editorial in the newspaper As often happens, reality percent for single-family houses. They also say that limited sup- future home construction also Kazakhstan has one of the La Jornada on Friday. appears to have taken a back seat The dip in single-family starts plies of finished lots and a lack of rose in July, though solely because lowest public debt ratios in the Cuauhtemoc Cardenas to perception and spin. “I think it comes after other measures of the skilled workers have become bar- of apartments. Permits rose 2.7 emerging markets. It plans to acknowledges Pemex has prob- is a very skilful political operation housing market have flattened or riers to faster construction. percent to 943,000, thanks to a issue up to $1bn in sovereign lems, but said that privatization by Pena Nieto’s government, to declined. It may signal that higher Last month, D R Horton Inc, 13.5 percent jump in apartment debt, with the aim of creating a isn’t the answer. Pena Nieto’s take over the myth of Cardenas, loan rates have begun to weigh the nation’s largest homebuilder, permits. Permits for single-family benchmark for corporate bor- administration said it had no a myth that supposedly belonged on housing, which has otherwise said its sales pace declined in May, homes dipped two percent but rowers. The deal is expected comment on the dispute. only to the left,” said political ana- steadily recovered since earlier when rates began to move up. are still near the five-year high to come in September of this Lazaro Cardenas’ oil expro- lyst Roger Bartra. last year. Still, Greenhaus suggested that reached in June. year. priation was the single most AP Mortgage applications by the effect on housing so far has AP REUTERS US firms eye Brazil shale gas: Official EU asks WTO panel to rule BRASILIA: US energy companies want to use technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or their experience to help Brazil tap into its vast fracking. Fracking has unlocked an energy boom on China’s shale gas reserves, US Energy Secretary Ernest in the US, but has been banned in other coun- Moniz said on a visit to the Brazilian capital. tries over fears of environmental damage. “It steel duties Studies show that one-tenth of the world’s really has enormous impact and then when you known shale gas reserves are in Brazil, and if come to Brazil, with its potential resource in gas, BEIJING: The European it decides to exploit them the South American of course our companies are very interested in Union asked the World Trade giant — currently a gas importer — could be the participating,” Moniz said. Organisation (WTO) to rule world’s second natural gas producer. “Our government has made it clear that we in a dispute over Chinese anti- Shale gas production could be viable only by think development of unconventional resources dumping duties imposed on 2023 assuming that investments begin now, a rep- across the world could be a very good thing for steel pipes imported from EU resentative of the state-run National Petroleum the global hydrocarbon markets.” countries. Agency said in May. According to Moniz, shale gas production The EU said in a news release The United States “clearly today has the most in the United States has been “a revolution, that it made the request to the experience in this area,” Energy Secretary Ernest it has lowered carbon dioxide emissions by WTO after unsuccessful con- Moniz said at a press conference on Friday in replacing coal, it has led to a revival of a lot of sultations in July to resolve the Brasilia after a meeting with Brazilian industri- manufacturing.” dispute over the duties imposed alists. Shale gas is extracted by a controversial AFP by China on imports of high-per- formance stainless steel seamless tubes from EU countries. “The EU continues its fight Quick fries against unjustified Chinese trade defence measures, which do not comply with WTO rules and often seem to be motivated by retaliation,” said EU Trade spokesman John Clancy in the statement. But Beijing has said the duties would protect Chinese companies. “This is not an act of retalia- tion but to protect the domestic steel trade,” said analyst Zhang Lin in a statement posted on the official site of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce in June when the EU lodged a complaint with WTO. The statement says China’s steel products are often subject to anti-dumping investigations in overseas markets. “It is a reason- able and logical measure for hit- ting back,” Zhang said. China and the EU have been embroiled in a series of trade tiffs. A dispute over China’s solar T he first Belgian fully automatic fries machine at the Chaussee de Gand-Steenweg op Gent panels was defused in July after in Brussels. The machine can prepare a portion of 135 grams of fries in 90 seconds, sauce Chinese companies agreed to set included. minimum prices. AP SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Eurozone has risen A period of declining from recession, no faith in Fed looms thanks to austerity BY JAMES SAFT case, they will be even more eager to end asset stresses that a tapering isn’t a tightening, purchases and normalise policy,” Tim Duy, an higher interest rates make that harder and BY SEBASTIAN DULLIEN or the first time in more than economist at the University of Oregon and harder to swallow. three decades we may be entering noted Fed watcher wrote in his blog. A tapering may occasion the first signifi- inally, the recession in the eurozone is over: For the first a period of declining faith in the “Bottom Line: The realisation continues cant market reversal in many years brought time for almost two years, the region’s GDP has grown Federal Reserve. If the Fed does to grow that whether it is September or on by the Fed wittingly, as opposed to by again in the second quarter of this year. What is more, begin to taper in coming months, October or December, the end of asset pur- accident. Not that the Fed wants markets Fleading indicators point to a continuing recovery through Fslowing its bond purchases as many expect, chases is now in sight.” to go down, but rather that it may finally the summer and autumn, albeit at a rather muted speed. it will mark a tacit acknowledgment of the Now if the Fed tapers because it has suc- feel that the risks and costs of a pro- While German politicians in particular are now claiming that limits of the power of monetary policy. By ceeded, then the logic holds that a taper is financial asset policy outweigh the benefits. the recovery is a result of “consistent stability-oriented policy”, extension, it would also mark a decrease bad for financial assets but the central bank This would be something entirely outside closer scrutiny shows that this claim is not very plausible. Instead, in the power or willingness of the Fed to retains its ability to use policy to drive prices the experience of most working investors the turnaround can be directly traced back to a reversal in two control the prices of financial assets. in the direction it wishes to affect the economy. and analysts. It will come, if it does, as a important areas of macroeconomic policymaking. First, Mario This realisation — that the Fed can’t That is a bedrock belief for many investors, big shock. Think of the past decades — the Draghi’s decision from the summer of 2012 to make the European always play Santa Claus and FOMC day isn’t allowing them to sleep well at night secure in Long-term Capital Management bailout, the Central Bank to a de facto lender-of-last resort for embattled a sort of secular Christmas — will hit inves- the notion, however false, that the financial dotcom bubble, the aftermath of the dotcom government. Second, the gradual relaxation of austerity policies tors hard. On the evidence, this realisation universe is run by a benevolent power which bubble, the housing bubble and finally, the in the euro area. is already dawning. Gold jumped by 2.37 per- tends to err on the side of asset owners. “rescue” of the economy in the wake of the Since the onset of the euro crisis in 2010, policymakers have cent on Thursday, while the dollar fell and You can hardly blame them for believing financial crisis. All of these included as a tried in vain to end it. Neither the establishment of the temporary government bond interest rates continued that, indeed the last 30 years have condi- central feature Fed policy which tended to European Financial Stability Facility nor the permanent European to march higher. Ten-year Treasury yields tioned investors so that they do. indulge market runs and attempted to soften Stability Mechanism, both endowed with several hundred billion touched 2.76 percent for the first time since Things, however, are a bit more compli- market falls. euros in lending capacities, managed to calm the markets. July of 2011. At the same time the S&P 500 cated. While retail sales in aggregate have None of this is to say that the Fed’s ability The passage of both harsh austerity packages and the fiscal index fell by 1.4 percent. been fine, if not compelling, recent earnings or commitment to fight inflation is in doubt, compact — which forces eurozone countries to limit structural Conventional wisdom on Thursday was from Wal-Mart and Macy’s appear to point only the faith in it as an institution which budget deficits to 0.5 percent of GDP — have left financial markets that bond yields were rising and stocks to a US consumer taking the month of July can magic into being excellent returns for completely unimpressed. Instead, after each new policy measure falling because new economic data made a off. At the same time, industrial production investors, while standing by to clean up brought forward by the finance ministers, interest rates on bonds September taper more likely. Jobless claims is going sideways, and the Philadelphia Fed messes. This change in market psychology of southern European countries such as Spain and Italy continued last week did fall to close to a six-year low, index of general business activity in the mid- will be a good thing. It will, however, tend to to climb and the region’s economies slid deeper into recession. while consumer prices rose by a small but Atlantic region more than halved in August push downward swings in risk assets a bit Draghi has been much maligned in the European press, and in meaningful amount in July. That’s signifi- from July, to just a 9.3 reading. New orders harder. This leads to the next question: if Germany in particular, where he has been branded “Draghiavelli”. cant, especially the inflation, as the low and halved and shipments actually contracted. the Fed tapers and the market swings down But only when he publicly stated last summer that the ECB would falling inflation we’ve had seemed to call for All of this points to a Fed which is think- violently, will it return to form and seek to do “whatever it takes” to save the euro, announcing that the cen- more stimulus rather than less. ing longingly about taper despite a signal cushion once again? tral bank would be willing to buy government bonds under the “Are we at the low water mark for inflation? lack of success of its extraordinary mon- If so, the Fed may find its credit with newly created Outright Monetary Transactions programme, did Maybe, and if the Fed even suspects this is the etary policy. And while the central bank investors all tapped out. REUTERS spreads between yields on periphery bonds and German bonds start to fall. This fall in government spreads did not only benefit the treas- uries of the embattled crisis countries. Since interest rates cor- porations have to pay follow closely that of their government, the reduction in spreads has also led to a relaxation of credit conditions for the private sector in the periphery countries. With the standard lag of interest rates influencing the real economy, the improvement in credit conditions can now be seen in eco- nomic activity. Second, the breakneck austerity course Europe had embarked on in 2010 is slowly coming to an end. While this policy change did not attract as much public attention as Draghi’s words and actions, it is no less real. As even the IMF has now acknowledged that austerity did not work quite as well as it origi- nally believed, crisis and non-crisis countries across the continent have been given more time to get their fiscal balances in order. According to the most recent forecast of the European com- mission, the structural budget deficit in the euro area has been reduced by 3.7 percent of GDP between 2010 and 2013. Yet, from 2013, no further tightening of fiscal policy is predicted. Instead, the structural budget deficits are expected to remain at roughly 1.5 percent of GDP over the coming year. Italy, Spain, France; in each of these countries, austerity measures are now pushed into the future not to derail the business cycle further. And, what is more important, contrary to its attitude over the past years, the austerity preaching German finance ministry has quietly accepted these adjustments. The combination of lower interest rates and a slower path of fiscal tightening has done exactly what standard textbook models would predict: it has given the economy more breathing space and the private sector activity is now recovering. Is, then, all well now? Unfortunately not. So far, this is not a self-sustaining recovery with strongly growing private investment, disposable income, falling unemployment and growing consump- tion. The crisis can still re-emerge like a monster from a B-movie. A new failure of governments in countries such as Italy and Spain might again spook the markets. An adverse ruling by the German constitutional court on OMT (a case is to be decided this autumn) could also create new uncer- tainty and send spreads up again. Draghi might then still come to a rescue by actually implementing OMT and start buying bonds but, in the process, the recovery can easily be derailed. THE GUARDIAN Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

We love to moan, but with Ryanair, what do you expect?

BY MARINA HYDE customer service department is reflected, “when really it’s just a priced at $19 — the rest is made they mean is that their cheap required to pay the standard £70 widely believed to comprise a sin- bloody bus with wings.” up of ancillary charges). flight was delayed and the cabin for forgetting to print his board- ince the passing of Michael gle phone ringing out on the floor O’Leary is once again in the I’ve flown Ryanair plenty of crew didn’t cry a river about it. ing pass, and declared: “Michael Winner, there are only of a locked cupboard somewhere headlines for what’s usually times, and had a few shockers, If I were one of those who per- O’Leary you’re a scumbag who three remaining entities on the Dingle Peninsula. And so termed “all the wrong reasons” but I’d never have gone to most sist in the bizarrely outmoded exploits.” Sin British public life who what? — despite the fact that an unre- of the places if I’d had to fork out fantasy of the glamour of air (Bryan was on his way to Spain genuinely do not care about being You get to fly to Estonia for fifty mittingly bad press has never what it used to cost to get there. travel, when everything from to play golf.) Evidently he imag- liked. quid. There may be only paid-for done the slightest thing to dent You pays your comparatively slashed personnel budgets to ined his Twitter followers would They are Millwall fans, David access to Pringles — but there is Ryanair’s profits. little money, and you takes your Tony Blair’s foreign policy have boycott the airline in protest — Starkey, and Michael O’Leary. access to Pringles. If you don’t like (It posted record ones ear- chances. rendered it anything but, Ryanair and let’s wish him all the best Even Dr Starkey’s inclusion it, do one to BA. lier this year, down slightly last They get you there. Or therea- would still be low down my list of with that one. on the list is debatable: As some- When O’Leary unveiled plans month due to fuel costs, but bouts, give or take a three-hour sky villains. After all, I’m not convinced one who has hit his stride as a to sell standing tickets for £4 full-year guidance remains the coach trip. I’d be far more faux-offended Ryanair passenger numbers professional contrarian, the telly — which would see passengers same.) Their policy on limiting the by whichever non-budget airline would be meaningfully affected historian does rather need to be strapped to deeply inhospita- The facts of this latest drama number of disabled passengers on it was that reportedly lavished even if they were revealed to be loathed, and increasingly feels ble-looking vertical struts — I are these: Channel 4 broad- a flight deserves greater oppro- man hours this week on rejig- scrimping on safety (and in the just a little too grateful for the wondered whether he’d been cast a Dispatches show enti- brium than it attracts; yet their ging the flight arrangements interests of not securing my own opportunity. inspired by some horrifying tale tled Ryanair: Secrets from the policy on charging people for lug- of Angelina Jolie and Jennifer invitation down the Strand, I As for the denizens of the Den, about someone lashing them- Cockpit, which included anony- gage is what we hear endlessly Aniston, when they noticed that should say their safety record is they at least have each other, selves to landing gear to enter mous testimony from various more about. the former Mrs Brad Pitt and unblemished). leaving only the Ryanair boss to this country. pilots alleging that the airline’s This week the former arch- his current partner were sched- For all that Westlife made it bear the burden of monumental We see the desperate actions policy led to them flying with bishop of Canterbury expressed uled to have to endure the same sound desirable, none of us really universal distaste all alone. of an asylum seeker; he sees the reduced back-up fuel. frustration with Christians who first class cabin. wishes to be Flying Without Yet it is as gossamer on those future of the Stansted to Rhodes One pilot who waived ano- speak of being “persecuted”, when If so much as one civilian suit- Wings. rugby-shirted shoulders, which route. nymity has been summarily what they mean is that they case was lost by that airline that But would we, hypothetically, are always ready to be raised in Last year he fumed that he was dismissed, and Ryanair has have been “made to feel mildly day then their priorities are infi- accept Flying For Hugely Reduced his signature gesture – the expan- still being prevented from intro- begun libel proceedings against uncomfortable”. nitely more out of whack than Rates With A Theoretically sive shrug that says: “I literally do ducing the scheme. Channel 4. He wished they’d grow up. those of O’Leary. Increased Risk in the Possibility not give one thousandth of a toss.” “The problem with aviation is What this will do to the pre- I always feel the same about There are no VIPs on Ryanair, of Winglessness? It has been suggested Ryanair’s that for 50 years it’s been popu- viously unstoppable Ryanair is Ryanair passengers who complain despite the enjoyable recent For all the moaning, I suspect company motto is “Talk to the lated by people who think it’s this the $64,000 question (though about Ryanair’s “third world” Twitter strop of former Westlifer a staggering number of us would. hand”; certainly the airline’s wondrous sexual experience,” he of course, the question itself is treatment of them, when what Bryan McFadden, who was THE GUARDIAN SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Baseball Results Kansas City 2 Detroit 1 Chicago Cubs 7 St Louis 0 All Blacks crush Wallabies 6 Baltimore 3 LA Dodgers 4 Philadelphia 0 Pittsburgh 6 Arizona 2 Rugby Championship Test: The visitors score six tries in 47-29 win Kansas City 3 Detroit 0 NY Yankees 10 Boston 3 SYDNEY, Australia: The San Francisco 14 Miami 10 All Blacks crushed Australia Tampa Bay 5 Toronto 4 47-29 in the opening Rugby Steyn dazzles as Atlanta 3 Washington 2 Championship Test in Sydney Seattle 3 Texas 1 yesterday, ensuring a torrid debut for new Wallabies coach Milwaukee 7 Cincinnati 6 Ewen McKenzie. Springboks thrash Chicago White Sox 5 Minnesota 2 The World Cup champions Houston 8 LA Angels 2 scored six tries to two to hammer Oakland 3 Cleveland 2 the Australians, who were playing NY Mets 5 San Diego 2 under McKenzie for the first time Argentina 73-13 since he took over from last month. SOWETO, South Africa/Gauteng: South Africa scored nine The All Blacks ruthlessly tries and fly-half Morne Steyn kicked 28 points as they crushed Qatar reach exploited the Wallabies’ brittle Argentina 73-13 yesterday in a Rugby Championship first round defence and stormed home for romp. second round a bonus-point victory and their The triumph against opponents who had two forwards sin binned 100th Test win over Australia took the Springboks to the top of the table on points difference after of World after leading 25-19 at halftime. world champions New Zealand won 47-29 in Australia earlier. Winger Ben Smith became The Soweto Test took a decisive turn on the half-hour mark when the first All Black to score a Pumas hooker Eusebio Guinazu was yellow carded and South Africa Men’s Youth hat-trick of Test tries in eight scored 14 points in four minutes en route to a 26-6 half-time lead. years with other tries to skipper Demoralised Argentina collapsed in the second half as the home Championship Richie McCaw, Aaron Cruden and team scored a further seven tries before skipper Felipe Contepomi Conrad Smith. claimed a final-minute consolation try. BUDAPEST, Hungary: The Cruden, who had a fine match The match was the highlight of the Nelson Mandela Sport Day, Qatari Handball team quali- along with scrum-half Aaron an inaugural event in honour of the hospitalised former president fied for the second round of the Smith, finished with 20 points that also featured the national football team. 2013 IHF World Men’s Youth from his try, three conversions A scrappy start to the game saw Argentina make a crooked line- Championship after beating and three penalties. out throw and a crooked scrum feed and South Africa penalised for Tunisia 22-21. It was the All Blacks’ 15th win a knock-on. On their way to the knock-out in their last 19 encounters against But a couple of successful penalty kicks from Steyn inside the first stage, Qatar could not prevail the Wallabies to maintain their 10 minutes gave the Springboks a six-pont lead and soothed nerves. against the strong Swedish team dominance in the , Argentina were struggling at the line-outs and suffered a major on August 15, but this does not which they have held since 2003. blow when experienced lock Patricio Albacete limped off to be change the great aim of the team The optimism of a new start replaced by Julio Farias Cabello. from head coach Silvio Ivandija under McKenzie quickly died out, Veteran centre Contepomi got the Pumas on the scoreboard with at all. with dynamic winger Israel Folau Australia’s Hugh McMeniman (left) and James Slipper (bottom) tackle a couple of penalties and there was also another from Steyn to leave “It was clear that we wouldn’t hardly seeing the ball and debut New Zealand’s Ma’a Nonu during the Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, South Africa 9-6 ahead after 30 minutes. have a chance against Sweden,” fly-half replaced by yesterday. The Test took a dramatic turn then with Guinazu yellow carded Ivandija said. on the hour. for a deliberate knock-on, which earned the Springboks a penalty He added: “That’s why we gave The All Blacks hit the ground try, and centre JJ Engelbrecht breaking clear for another five pointer. some players a chance to rest.” running and the Australians had But the All Blacks scored half on the front foot and forced Steyn converted both scores and within four minutes the Reaching the round of the best to defend their line before Cruden against the run of play when a ruck penalty in front of the All Springboks were 17 points ahead against opponents forced to play 16 teams would be a huge success put winger Ben Smith over in Cruden charged down Lealiifano’s Blacks post for Lealiifano’s fifth the rest of the opening half a man short. for Qatar. the right corner after James clearing kick to score and con- straight penalty and trail 25-22. Argentina were struggling to get out of their half and conceding The current success of the O’Connor left his wing to create vert in the 29th minute for a 17-12 But the All Blacks swiftly hit frequent penalties, one of which Steyn booted over to give the green Qataris is also the result of good the overlap in the third minute. lead. back for their bonus-point fourth and gold a 20-point cushion by the break. and well-organised preparation. reduced Worse was to come for the try with centre Conrad Smith It took only six minutes of the second half for South Africa to push The team have been working the margin with an eighth-minute Wallabies minutes later when dashing over off Aaron Smith to even further ahead as hooker Adriaan Strauss broke from a driving together for four months and a penalty after Kieran Read was McCaw plunged over wide out for score near the posts for a 32-22 maul and dotted down for Steyn to convert. training camp in Croatia was penalised for barging into Rob his ninth career Test try against lead after 51 minutes. The Pumas, who were generally competitive in their maiden south- part of the preparations for this Simmons. Australia and push the All Blacks The Wallabies were pushed off ern hemisphere championship last year, fell apart and the yellow tournament. Kiwi skipper McCaw conceded out to a 22-12 advantage. the ball in a scrum and Steven carding of No. 8 Leonardo Senatore for a tip tackle spelt further Off-court, Qatar have proved a ruck penalty and Lealiifano threw the Wallabies Luatua took play close to the disaster. their good shape in this tourna- kicked his second penalty to a lifeline minutes before the break Australian line before they spread Flank Willem Alberts scored the bonus-point fourth try and cen- ment. At the same time, it was reduce the All Blacks’ lead to one with a sensational 60-metre try the ball out to right-winger Ben tre Jean de Villiers, scrum-half Fourie du Preez, left-wing Bryan a good publicity for the upcom- point. off a Michael Hooper break. Smith for his second try as the Habana, No. 8 Duane Vermeulen and replacement hooker Bismarck ing Men’s Handball World McCaw redeemed himself when Lealiifano converted and rampant All Blacks swept to a du Plessis also dotted down. Championship 2015 in Qatar. he won a ruck penalty for Cruden Australia trailed 22-19. 37-22 lead midway through the Steyn missed only one the conversions as he lifted his personal “The whole country is really to kick the All Blacks to a 10-6 But Cruden kicked the All second half. tally to 28 points and a nine-point lead over Australian Christian looking forward to this event,” lead after 20 minutes. Blacks three points further ahead Cruden kicked his third penalty Lealiifano in the individual scoring charts. said Ivandija. Lealiifano kicked the Wallabies at halftime after the Wallabies as New Zealand hit 40 points into Contepomi, leading the team in the absence of injured No. 8 Juan He added: “And that’s why peo- in front for the first time 12-10 were caught offside inside their the final quarter of the match. Martin Fernandez Lobbe, went over in the final minute for the lone ple also follow what is happening with two penalties off ruck own quarter. O’Connor scored Australia’s Argentine try, which he converted. AFP in Hungary, and our perform- infringements. The Wallabies began the second consolation second try. AFP ances here.” QNA

Solheim Cup Reed leads at Wyndham Scores

GREENSBORO, United PARKER, United States/United States: PGA States / United States: Tour rookie Patrick Reed bird- Results on the first day ied his final two holes as he shot of the yes- a bogey-free six-under 64 to terday at the Colorado take a one-stroke lead after the Golf Club: second round of the Wyndham Championship yesterday. The 23-year-old Reed, who Europe 5 USA 3 is seeking his first win on the / US tour, completed 36 holes at Sedgefield Country Club at (EUR) bt / 11-under-par 129, one shot ahead (USA) 4 of John Huh, who is the reigning and 2 rookie of the year. Huh fired a 62 also rolling in / birdies on his final two holes to (EUR) reach 10-under-par 130. His 62 bt / was the low round of the week (USA) so far. 2 and 1 “We’ve been working extremely / hard trying to fine-tune every- Michelle Wie of the United States celebrates holing a chip shot at the (USA) bt thing and I feel like lately with 13th hole in her match with against and Catriona /Jodi how I’ve been hitting the ball and Matthew during the afternoon fourball matches for the 2013 Solheim Cup Ewart (EUR) 3 and 2 how I’ve been putting it just seems at The in Parker, Colorado, yesterday. all to be clicking,” said Reed. “I Azahara Munoz/Karine need to put four rounds together Icher (EUR) bt Cristie and hopefully that’s this week.” Kerr/ American Jordan Spieth is Wyndham Championship Scores (USA) 2 and 1 alone in third place at nine-under GREENSBORO, United States/North Carolina: Second- Fourballs after a second-round 66. Spieth round scores yesterday in the $5.3m PGA Tour’s Wyndham earned his first career PGA Tour Suzann Pettersen/ Championship (USA unless noted, par-70): win in July at the John Deere (EUR) Classic. 129 Patrick Reed 65-64 bt Stacy Lewis/Lexi First-round co-leader Ross 130 John Huh 68-62 Thompson 1 and 0 Fisher carded a 69 and dropped 131 Jordan Spieth 65-66 Caroline Hedwall/ into a tie for fourth place at 133 Charlie Wi (KOR) 68-65, Ross Fisher (ENG) 64-69, Bob Estes 67-66, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) (EUR) seven-under with five others. 67-66, Brian Harman 67-66, Jim Herman 67-66 bt Angela Stanford/ That list includes South Africa’s 134 Morgan Hoffmann 65-69, Charles Howell 66-68, Matt Every 67-67, Robert Garrigus 65-69, 2 and 1 Rory Sabbatini, who shot 66. Andrew Svoboda 65-69 Spieth set the early clubhouse 135 Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-65, Bryce Molder 66-69, Bill Haas 69-66, Zach Johnson 67-68, / mark with a 66, mixing seven Sergio Garcia (ESP) 65-70, Will Claxton 68-67, Henrik Norlander (SWE) 67-68 Brittany Lang (USA) bt birdies and three bogeys during Anna Nordqvist/Giulia his second round. Sergas (EUR) 4 and 3 Reed, who went out off the Huh went bogey-free and closed But as I tell you, I drove the ball 10th tee, had six birdies, includ- with consecutive birdies. great since Masters, actually, it’s Cristie Kerr/Michelle ing back-to-back birdies early in “Not 62,” admitted Huh when been a long time, but I was able Wie (USA) bt Catriona his round on the par-three 12th asked if he saw this round com- to put everything together and Matthew/Charley Hull (EUR) 2 and 1 and par-four 13th. ing. “It was more like maybe 64. really pleased with it.” AFP SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Nasser set to join Qatar Team The former Dakar Rally winner to drive with Nicolini for the QMSF team at Key West

DOHA: Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani yesterday announced that the Arab world’s number one rally driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah will join the Qatar Team in November’s Key West World Championships in Florida. At a press conference held in Doha, Sheikh Hassan, the presi- dent of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), confirmed that Al Attiyah will team up with his former Italian throttle- man Matteo Nicolini and enter the Key West races in a Mercury- engined set-up boat. There are three races during the Key West festival, which takes place from November 3-10. “I am delighted to welcome Nasser aboard our team as our ‘wingman’,” said Sheikh Hassan, who clinched the Key West World Championship title with Steve Curtis in 2012 and is hoping for a repeat in Al Adaa’am 96 this year. “He has been a great ambas- sador for motor sport and Qatar in recent years for his remarkable Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) President Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani holds a QMSF shirt of Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah (INSET) during a press conference in Doha yesterday. achievements in rally cars and we RIGHT: Sheikh Hassan is seen holding a shirt with Italy’s Matteo Nicolini (right), who will be Al Attiyah’s team-mate at the Key West Championships in November. Nasser Al Attiyah will join are both looking forward to Key QMSF-backed Qatar Team for the event that will take place in Florida. West and the challenges that lie ahead for both of us. Nasser is excited about the new challenge events, eight regional titles in the Portugal. Away from rally driv- strongly in several Asian Games. be good for the media to see a in November. Sheikh Hassan and, in Matteo, he has an expe- past 10 years and numerous cross- ing, Al Attiyah is a keen follower “I spoke with Sheikh Hassan rally driver taking part in a boat and Steve Curtis will be hoping rienced team-mate to help him country rallies around the globe. of many forms of sport and is also during the Sealine Rally in Qatar race and it went on from there. for success in their new turbine- learn the ropes.” The Qatari also won the a prolific shooter. in April where my team used his “I am really looking forward to engined Al Adaa’am 96. On a global scale, Al Attiyah FIA Production World Rally He represented Qatar at the workshop for the race,” said Al it. I will take part in the Key West Al Attiyah and Nicolini will is the most successful Arab rally Championship in 2006 and the 2004 Olympic Games in clay Attiyah. race and then the plan is to join drive the second boat and Ali Al driver of all time. FIA World Cup for Cross-Country pigeon shooting and came fourth. He added: “I saw all the boats the team again at the new Qatar Neama and a yet-to-be-decided An outright winner of the Rallies in 2008. At London Olympics 2012, he and we discussed things and he Cup next year.” partner will be present in Spirit punishing Dakar Rally in 2011, His career-best finish in the won the bronze medal for Qatar suggested that I should take part The QMSF-backed Qatar Team of Qatar 20 entered in the com- Al Attiyah has also won 48 FIA FIA World Rally Championship after a shoot-off against Valeriy in a race. It sounded like a great is hoping to field three boats at the petitive Superboat category. Middle East Rally Championship was fourth in the Rally of Shomin and he has also featured idea and we both agreed it would Key West World Championships THE PENINSULA Nadal edges Federer as Murray, Djokovic crash out in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI: The world’s top two tennis players, Novak Results Djokovic and Andy Murray, CINCINNATI, Ohio: Results both suffered shock defeats yesterday from the ATP and yesterday, while Rafael Nadal Rafael Nadal WTA Western and Southern stormed back to beat long- of Spain Open (x denotes seed): time rival Roger Federer at the celebrates Men’s Cincinnati Masters. after winning Quarter-finals Number three Nadal booked a the second spot in the semi-finals by rally- John Isner (USA) bt Novak set against ing past Federer, with the Swiss Djokovic (SRB x1) 7-6 (7/5), Roger player saving four match points 3-6, 7-5. in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 loss. Federer of Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG Victoria Azarenka of Belarus returns a shot to Caroline Wozniacki of The pair have met a total of 31 Switzerland x7) bt Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) Denmark during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis times, with Nadal winning 21 of in their Men’s 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, yesterday. those. Singles Tomas Berdych (CZE x6) bt “My movement got better, with quarter- Andy Murray (GBR x2) 6-3, 6-4. finals match more intensity,” said Nadal, unde- Rafael Nadal (ESP x4) bt Roger feated on hardcourts in 2013. “I during the Federer (SUI x5) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Serena powers into put in more balls on the return, Cincinnati and controlled the baseline, some- Masters Women’s thing that didn’t happen the first at Lindner Quarter-finals set and a half. Family Li Na (CHN x5) bt Agnieszka semis; Azarenka wins “The match was very close. I Tennis Radwanska (POL x4) - walkover. played some good points in impor- Center in Jelena Jankovic (SRB x14) bt CINCINNATI: World number in the second but there was never tant moments.” Cincinnati, Roberta Vinci (ITA x12) 6-0, one Serena Williams was at any doubt Williams would prevail Federer suffered only his sec- Ohio, 6-4. her lethal best as she crushed as she went on to wrap up her ond loss in the last five editions Romanian Simona Halep 6-0, 59th match win of the season in yesterday. in Cincinnati. Serena Williams (USA x1) bt 6-4 to romp into the semi-finals just over an hour. “Credit to him for hanging Simona Halep (ROM) 6-0, 6-4. of the Western and Southern With eight titles and 10 finals in and getting back some tough Victoria Azarenka (BLR x2) bt Open yesterday. appearances from 11 events this shots,” said five-time champion Caroline Wozniacki (DEN 10) The 31-year-old American was season while losing only three Federer, who will fall to seventh 6-3, 7-6 (7/5). later joined in the final four by matches, it would be hard to in the world as a result of his Belarusian world number two defect any flaw in Williams’s defeat. most of the time. I served well John Isner as the Serb’s attempt Victoria Azarenka, who booked game. “I have some disappointment, for most of the match, but when to set another tennis record Stosur splits her spot with a testing 6-3, 7-6 Certainly Halep, who beat I could have played better late in I didn’t he was able to step it up.” ended in defeat. (5) win over 10th seeded Dane Marion Bartoli in what was the the second and early in the third. World number one Djokovic Had Djokovic beaten the with coach Caroline Wozniacki. final match of the Frenchwoman’s “But my tactics were working fell 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 7-5 to unseeded American he would have kept Williams’s devastating form career before her shock retire- alive a bid to become the first man : Australia’s suggests that there is little stand- ment announcement never to win all nine Masters 1000 titles Sam Stosur has split with her ing in the way of the muscular threatened to send Williams to a in his career. long-time coach David Taylor, American from adding the pres- fourth defeat. Two-time champion Murray the former US Open champion tigious Cincinnati hardcourt Though the American’s per- was eliminated 6-3, 6-4 by Tomas said yesterday. event to her long resume. formance in Cincinnati has Berdych, leaving the Scot to head Taylor oversaw Stosur’s trans- In a career that has generated impressed nearly everyone for New York and his US Open formation from a doubles spe- 54 singles titles, including 16 else, under her own critical title defense, beginning August 26, cialist into a formidable singles grand slams, Williams has won eye it has been something of a with plenty to work on. player after teaming up with the just about everything there is to disappointment. The second seed fired 10 aces Australian during her comeback win in her sport but Cincinnati, “I definitely haven’t felt good all but was betrayed as he missed from the tick-borne Lyme disease one of the WTA tour’s most pres- week, so surprised I’m still in the on all four of his break points. which sidelined her for much of tigious tournaments, is not among event, to be honest,” Williams told Berdych has now beaten Murray the 2007 season. them. reporters. “It’s not really about twice this season after beating “We’ve had a tremendous With yesterday’s rout, Williams how you play at the end ... it’s him in Madrid on clay. working relationship and I owe sets up a semi-final date with about being able to win, whether “The court was lively today. It so much of my success to Dave’s defending champion Li Na of you play good or bad. was bouncing pretty high and it hard work and enduring sup- China, who received a walkover “I was able to so far and be in was quite tough to control the port,” the 29-year-old said in a into the last four when Poland’s the semi-finals. So, you know, ball. I made too many errors,” statement. Agnieszka Radwanska withdrew considering, it’s a good result. I said Murray. “His dedication during the from the tournament to attend obviously want to do better, and Isner set up a semi with 2009 many highs and lows of my career her grandfather’s funeral. I’ll just see how it goes.” US Open winner Juan Martin del has been unwavering both on and Williams was in ruthless form Earlier, Serb Jelena Jankovic, Potro, who beat qualifier Dmitry off the court. I wish Dave all the to open the match, steamrolling needed just 63 minutes to book John Isner of the US serves to Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their quar- Tursunov 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. Del Potro very best for the future.” past her opponent to take the first her place in the last four as she terfinal round match. said he won despite dealing with Stosur won at Flushing set in just 16 minutes. pounded Roberta Vinci 6-0, 6-4. pain in his left wrist. AFP Meadows in 2011. REUTERS Halep offered token resistance REUTERS SUNDAY 18 AUGUST 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Marquez Bayern edge past Frankfurt dominates practice in Hamburg and Schalke 04 suffer heavy defeats in Bundesliga Indianapolis BERLIN, Germany: European INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana: champions Bayern Munich Barca’s Martino Rookie MotoGP championship laboured to a 1-0 win at points leader Marc Marquez led Eintracht Frankfurt while a Honda assault on the first day both Hamburg and Champions in no rush to of practice for the Indianapolis League side Schalke 04 suffered Grand Prix, posting the fastest heavy defeats in the Bundesliga sign a defender times in both sessions yesterday. Bastian Oczipka yesterday. Marquez, who is aiming for Croatia striker Mario (centre) of Eintracht BARCELONA: Barcelona a hat-trick of MotoGP wins in Mandzukic gave Bayern the three Frankfurt challenges coach Gerardo Martino is America, picked up where he left points at Eintracht, who were Thomas Mueller happy to wait until January off at Laguna Seca by dominating humbled 6-1 at Hertha Berlin (left) and Bastian to see whether he needs to the opening day of free practice at the previous weekend, when Schweinsteiger sign a new centre-back, the the Indianapolis Motor Speedway he volleyed home a cross from of Bayern Munich Argentine said ahead of the track. Germany’s Thomas Mueller on during their German opening game of their La Liga He had a leading time of one 13 minutes. Bundesliga match in title defence. minute, 39.502secs while Repsol But it was a rare highlight in a Frankfurt, yesterday. Barca’s search for a defensive Honda team-mates Dani Pedrosa below-par performance as Bayern reinforcement has dominated and Stefan Bradl joined him failed to dominate Eintracht, their pre-season preparations, inside the top three. whose captain Alex Maier had a with seemingly unsuccessful “Today went pretty well,” clear penalty appeal turned down attempts to land Thiago Silva, Marquez said. “I felt comfortable in the dying stages. David Luiz and Daniel Agger, almost immediately. I tried to stay Before the match, Bayern’s leaving them potentially thin at calm during the first few laps as director of sport Matthias the back. they are the most delicate and I Sammer told German daily Bild Latest reports are that am happy with how they went.” that the defending champions Bundesliga match, started with Barcelona, made his Wolves’ Vieirinha and Brazil defender Martino, who was rushed Marquez and the others are must raise their standards. Dutch winger Arjen Robben, debut in their 4-0 win at home to Naldo. Wolfsburg striker Stefan in as a replacement for Tito coming off their summer break “At the moment, others (in the Germany star Mario Goetze and Champions League side Schalke Kutschke then hit the fourth just Vilanova last month when Pep following his victory in Laguna league) may feel that they have a new-signing Thiago Alcantara all 04. five minutes after coming off the Guardiola’s former assistant Seca last month. He also won hope against us, but we have to on the bench, while Spain’s Javi The Royal lost Holland bench. stepped down for health rea- earlier this year in Austin, Texas. make sure they get the feeling Martinez failed to even make the and former Ajax striker Klaas- Hamburg were humiliated sons, wants time to consider “After the break it was impor- again that they have no chance,” matchday squad. Jan Huntelaar at the break with a 5-1 at home to Hoffenheim as his options. tant to regain confidence on the he said, but his words failed to fire Brazil midfielder Luiz Gustavo, knee injury and the hosts took full Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino “Just to make my position bike,” the Spaniard said. the Bavarians in Frankfurt. who signed for Wolfsburg last advantage with three goals in 12 ran riot, scoring twice and setting clear regarding centre-backs,” Marquez has a 16-point lead Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, week from Bayern after reject- second-half minutes by defender up the other three. Martino told a news conference in the overall points race over taking charge of only his second ing offers from Arsenal and Knoche, Portugal midfielder AFP yesterday, ahead of the visit of Pedrosa who finished a close Levante. runner-up yesterday. “I know what the club was Jorge Lorenzo ended the day Ancelotti happy with Real squad Results doing before I came here and in fourth place while his Yamaha what they wanted, even with team-mate Cal Crutchlow Bundesliga Tito here. rounded out the top five. MADRID, Community of Madrid: Real Madrid are no problems. The team is united and I hope it Eintracht Frankfurt 0 Bayern “What I say is that as long Lorenzo, who underwent two coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted he is happy will continue like this for the whole season.” Munich 1 as (Carles) Puyol is fine - and collarbone surgeries earlier this with the makeup of his squad as rumours con- Ancelotti will be making his competitive debut in Hamburg SV 1 Hoffenheim 5 he will be because his recov- season, finished the first practice tinue to link Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth charge of Los Blancos today as they get their league ery is going well - with Gerard in third and then placed fourth in Bale to the Spanish giants. campaign underway at home to Real Betis. Freiburg 1 Mainz 2 Pique, Javier Mascherano, the second. Bale has been the subject of interest from Madrid He confirmed that Xabi Alonso, Raphael Varane VfB Stuttgart 0 Bayer Marc Bartra, Adriano or Sergio “The collarbone is feeling good,” all summer and they are reportedly willing to and Asier Illarramendi will all miss the game as they Leverkusen 1 Busquets as centre-backs, we he said. “Compared to last year I break the world transfer record to bring him to the recover from injury, whilst he said he also hasn’t VfL Wolfsburg 4 Schalke 04 0 are fine. think we are going to have less Santiago Bernabeu. decided whether Iker Casillas or Diego Lopez will “If we have an injury, there problems to fight for the podium.” However, whilst Ancelotti admitted a player of start in goal. Werder Bremen 1 FC is always the winter transfer American Ben Spies made his Bale’s calibre would always make a welcome addition, However, the former Milan boss is hoping to get Augsburg 0 window.” return to action for the first time he stressed he is happy with the balance and unity off to a flying start with not only a win but with Scottish Premier League Puyol has yet to return to since the Austin race in April. He in the squad as it stands. some exciting attacking football as well. Aberdeen 0 Celtic 2 full training with the squad ended the day in 13th place. AFP “I am very happy with the squad that I have, but “I want to win, but I have said many times that after knee surgery and failed to the great players always make the team better,” said here it is not just about winning. We have to win Hibernian 1 Dundee Utd 1 make the squad for today, which the Italian. playing well, playing attacking football. I think the Inverness CT 2 Motherwell 0 means Pique and Mascherano West tries new “The team has a good balance because there are team has shown its quality in pre-season and I St Johnstone 4 Ross County 0 are likely to resume their part- experienced players and other young players. The believe that tomorrow we are going to show the nership at the back. REUTERS set-up, aims St Mirren 1 Kilmarnock 1 atmosphere is good. When a team is united, there same.” AFP for a top result

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana: Cook brushes Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Ponting pleads for Federation (QMMF) Racing Team rider Anthony West tried aside Warne a new swingarm on his Speed Up prototype in the second free Australia patience jibes practice session for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and was LONDON, United Kingdom: Australia great (pic- delighted with the improve- tured) has urged his compatriots to be patient with the current LONDON, United Kingdom: ments in terms of grip and side as they try to turn around their poor run of results. England captain Alastair Cook feeling for the rear tyre of his Now retired from Test cricket, former Australia captain Ponting was has dismissed criticism of his machine. watching as the side slumped to an Ashes series defeat by England, leadership style by Australia Even though a small problem falling 3-0 behind to their arch-rivals heading into next week’s fifth great Shane Warne. with his rear brake slowed him and final Test at The Oval. Leg-spin legend Warne, now down towards the end of this ses- Ponting, who earlier this season played for working as a broadcast and news- sion, the 32-year-old Australian Oval-based Surrey, is now representing the paper cricket pundit, said in his aims high for the rest of a week- Hawksbills in the Limacol Caribbean column for Wednesday’s edition end and sets his goals for a top ten Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 tournament of Britain’s Daily Telegraph that result in qualifying and a possible and the star batsman has only been able to England had taken an unbeata- top five finish in the race today. watch as a succession of top-order collapses have ble 3-0 lead in the Ashes in spite, West said: “In the first session, cost his country dear in the Ashes. rather than because, of Cook’s my feeling with the bike was a But Ponting said Australia needed to fol- “way too cautious” captaincy. bit strange, because we had one low the example of England and, with a return But Cook, knowing Warne Pakistani cricketers gather during a practice session in Lahore, yesterday. month without riding. I think Ashes starting Down Under in November, give is a friend of Australia captain Pakistan suffered a blow ahead of their tour of Zimbabwe with batsman I need to get myself a 600 or their batsmen time to develop. Michael Clarke, told yesterday’s Umar Akmal ruled out due to a back complaint. something to do some riding on “There’s some challenges there for Australian Telegraph: “Everyone is entitled to the road when we have such big cricket but with Darren Lehmann’s appoint- their opinion, but everyone knows breaks. I did a lot of moto cross, ment as coach and some of the younger guys Shane Warne is heavily involved but when you get back on a Moto2 they’ve got around there, I think there’s enough in Australia’s camp. Umar Akmal ruled out bike, everything feels strange and talent,” Ponting said in a CPL statement issued yesterday. “Like most of the criticism the bike didn’t feel comfortable, “They’re just going to have to learn and unfortunately at the moment thrown at us, we try not to let so it was a difficult first session.” they’re learning the hard way,” the 38-year-old Ponting, one of the out- it affect either the individual or The 32-year-old Australian standing batsmen of his generation along with India’s Sachin Tendulkar the team. of Zimbabwe tour added: “For the second session, and West Indies’ Brian Lara, said. “The media is what it is. It is we made some changes to help “You can find some excuses for a few of the guys. A few of the guys how we keep that noise from our KARACHI: Pakistan yester- upcoming tour of Zimbabwe.” the rear grip. It is normal on this are young players trying to find their way in the most pressurised series world that is important.” day suffered a blow ahead of Test: Misbah ulHaq (cap- racetrack to have no rear grip that there is in world cricket: (Phil) Hughes, (Usman) Khawaja, even England beat Australia by 74 their tour of Zimbabwe starting tain), Mohammad Hafeez, Shan and to be spinning a lot, but these Steve Smith -- although he’s played reasonably well at different times. runs on Monday to win the fourth next week with dashing bats- Masood, Asad Shafiq, Khurram changes made it much, much bet- “But the thing that I keep referring to with that is if you take Test at Chester-le-Street with man Umar Akmal ruled out due Manzoor, Adnan Akmal, Faisal ter. The new swingarm gave me England back six or seven years when they had (Ian) Bell just starting more than a day to spare head- to a back complaint. Iqbal, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, a better feeling when opening out, (Alastair) Cook just starting out -- those guys weren’t overnight ing into next week’s fifth and final The 23-year-old suffered the Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Saeed the throttle and also improved successes. Test at The Oval in south London. injury while playing in the ongo- Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Rahat Ali, the feel for the tyre on the cor- “It’s taken them that amount of time in the game to hit their straps Australia needing 299 to win, ing , Ehsan Adil ner entry. It was a risk to try as international players and that’s what we have to do with our guys. were well-placed at 120 for one an annual Twenty20 tournament. ODI squad: Misbah-ul-Haq it, because nobody had tested it “We’ve got to identify the best players we’ve got, give them an oppor- at tea. The Pakistan Cricket Board (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, before, but it was good, so we will tunity and stick with them, even if we are losing games. While commentating on tel- (PCB) said Akmal will be replaced Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shahzad, continue to use it tomorrow.” “If they’re the best players we’ve got, they’ve got to learn and grow evision, Warne criticised Cook’s by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed. Asad Shafiq, Umar Amin, Sarfraz Meanwhile, after the Grand some confidence in that environment, not be in and out of the team decision to bring on Tim Bresnan “PCB received the confirmation Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Prix summer-break of one month, all the time. That’s the big challenge for us.” in the final session, only for the from the West Indies today about Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid team-mate Rafid Topan Sucipto Ponting, whose retirement allied to that of fellow batsman Michael Yorkshire seamer to claim the Umar not being medically fit. He Khan, Abdul Rehman, Asad Ali, returned to action well-recovered Hussey left Australia’s top-order short of experience, said the current key wicket of well-set Australia has immediately been called back Anwar Ali, Haris Sohail from a crack in his right heel Ashes scoreline was unfair to the tourists. opener David Warner, who made and will undergo complete medi- T20 squad: Mohammad Hafeez that he had suffered at the Assen “I think the boys have probably played a little better than the score- 71. cal examination to reassess the (captain), Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Grand Prix. line reads,” he said. “They’ve been in three Test matches with the England coach Andy Flower level of his fitness,” a statement Shahzad, Umar Amin, Sarfraz The Indonesian teenager chance to win all three, probably would have won at Old Trafford. said Tuesday that Cook deserved said. Ahmed, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid showed a steep learning curve “But the scoreline reads 3-0 and that’s the difference sometimes credit for that move. “He made “Meanwhile national selection Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail on the legendary ‘brickyard’ of between the really good, experienced teams and the teams that are some decisions that turned the committee has proposed Sarfraz Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Indianapolis and gained speed and on the way up -- the know-how to get across the line and win those game... bringing on Bresnan, who as his replacement for Pakistan Khan, Zulfiqar Babar, Asad Ali, confidence during the day. games. And that’s what England have done.” AFP got Warner straight away.” AFP one-day and T20 squads for the Anwar Ali, Haris Sohai. AFP THE PENINSULA Sunday 18 August 2013 11 Shawwal 1434 Volume 18 Number 5795 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Bolt bags third world 200M title Rollins sees off Pearson for hurdles gold; Olympic champ Kiprotich wins marathon

MOSCOW: His swag of gold growing with every meticulously executed global final, Usain Bolt cantered to more sprint glory yesterday as American Brianna Rollins, bursting with raw power, announced herself as the new hurdling queen. Bolt led home a Jamaican one- two in securing an unprecedented third world 200 metres title in 19.66 seconds, the fastest time this year, before he and silver medal- list Warren Weir celebrated by gyrating to Bob Marley. Rollins, resplendent in a red, white and blue headband, dethroned Australian Sally Pearson in the 100m hurdles, fol- lowing in the illustrious strides of compatriots and multiple world title winners Gail Devers and Michelle Perry. The penultimate night of the championships also belonged to the hosts, who secured two golds in the matter of a few fast and furious minutes in the women’s 4x400m relay and high jump, Winner Usain Bolt of Jamaica takes pictures after the Men’s 200 metres final during the IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, yesterday. RIGHT: Bolt both at the expense of the United holds the national flag of Jamaica after winning. The Jamaican superstar won the race with a time of 19.66 seconds - the fastest time of 2013. States. With six more titles to be decided today, Russia edged ahead men’s javelin gold in another final. down the home straight in con- defend my 200 title,” Bolt said. Pearson took silver in 12.50 and took their lap of honour together in the medal table by seven golds Earlier, Uganda’s Olympic ditions in stark contrast to the “When I entered the straight, Britain’s Tiffany Porter bronze in afterwards. to six, although the US have won champion Stephen Kiprotich rain, thunder and lightning that I felt tired, my legs felt a little 12.55. Swede Emma Green-Tregaro 20 of all colours to Russia’s 15. showed he was no one-hit wonder greeted his 100 metres victory on heavy. And my coach told me not An almost full house inside the took part in the final with her Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar, in by breaking Kenya’s stranglehold Sunday. to push too hard if it was possible, Luzhniki roared their approval nails painted red after being her sixth world championships, on the men’s marathon. “The 100 is for the fans and for so I backed off a little.” as Russian anchor leg runner warned she would break the was an uncomplicated winner of Bolt again led the seven men the show and the fastest man in Weir went one better than the Antonina Krivoshapka kept pull- sport’s code of conduct if she the women’s 5,000 metres and lining up alongside him a merry the world and all that, but for me Olympic final in London, following ing out more to hold off a sus- repeated her gesture of support Czech Vitezslav Vesely claimed dance, toying with his underlings it means more to come here and Bolt home in 19.79 with American tained challenge from American for Russia’s gay community when Curtis Mitchell denying Jamaica Francena McCorory at the climax she sported rainbow colours dur- a podium sweep by edging Nickel of a thrilling 4x400 relay. ing the qualifying round. Ashmeade for bronze by one hun- It was Russia’s first track gold Ethiopia’s men were outshone US Brianna Rollins dredth of a second. of these championships and first by Briton Mo Farah in both long celebrates after With Pearson not at her best in a women’s world 4x400 final distance events but first Tirunesh winning the women’s in a season hampered by injury, since 2005 after an unbroken Dibaba, and then Defar, proved 100 metres hurdles final. Rollins, 21, served notice that period of US domination. the African nation’s women have RIGHT: Uganda’s Stephen she was ready to fire when she Barely had the cheers subsided few track equals over 10 and 5k. Kiprotich celebrates equalled the fourth fastest 100 when the unheralded Svetlana Twice Olympic 5,000 metres after winning the men’s metres hurdles ever run in June. Shkolina upstaged compatriot champion Defar added a sec- Marathon race She looked composed and and defending champion Anna ond world title to her first from assured in heat and semi-final Chicherova in the high jump. Osaka six years ago. In the mar- and, belying her inexperience, Shkolina was the only competi- athon, Kiprotich built on last recovered from being last out tor to clear 2.03, a personal best, year’s London success with vic- of the blocks to produce a near- the Russian scarcely believing she tory in two hours nine minutes flawless hurdling display to win had won after American Brigetta 51 seconds. in 12.44. Barrett fluffed her third attempt. He became the first non-Ken- “It was great year for me,” she Chicherova shared bronze with yan to win the title since 2005, said. “I have a huge respect for Spaniard Ruth Beitia and all with Ethiopians Lelisa Desisa Sally Pearson, it was great to the Russian women - Shkolina, and Tadese Tola taking the minor compete with her today.” Chicherova and the relay quartet medals. REUTERS United off to a winning start; Villa stun Arsenal

LONDON, England: down a high pass from Ryan Olivier Giroud gave Arsenal a Manchester United manager Giggs and then hooking a superb sixth-minute lead, but Christian David Moyes picked up where acrobatic volley past goalkeeper Benteke equalised in the 22nd Alex Ferguson left off yesterday Michel Vorm in the 34th minute. minute by following up with a as the Premier League champi- Swansea, had poked and probed header after his penalty was ons began their title defence by intelligently until then, but they parried by Arsenal goalkeeper winning 4-1 at Swansea City. were hit with a sucker-punch Wojciech Szczesny. It was United’s first league two minutes later when Welbeck Koscielny conceded the pen- Manchester United’s game with a new manager in tapped in United’s second from alty from which Benteke put Dutch striker Robin the dug-out but a pair of braces Antonio Valencia’s low cross. the visitors ahead and after the van Persie (right) from Robin van Persie and Danny Rooney came on with half an France centre-back was sent off scores the opening Welbeck banished any first-day hour remaining to make his first for a second booking, Villa new goal of the match nerves. club appearance since May 5, but boy Antonio Luna completed vic- against Swansea City On a damp, drizzly day in south it was Van Persie’s day and he tory by running clear and coolly at Liberty Stadium Wales, Moyes recalled Wayne made it 3-0 by lashing a glorious wrong-footing Szczesny. in Swansea, south Rooney to his squad. shot into Vorm’s top-right corner Arsenal manager Arsene Wales, yesterday. It was last season’s hero who from 20 yards. Wenger, who is still to make a provided the breakthrough, how- Sloppy play by Welbeck allowed significant pre-season signing, ever, with Van Persie chesting home debutant Wilfried Bony to apologised to the club’s supporters pull a goal back for Swansea, but for his side’s performance. the England man atoned in injury “What hurts me is to disap- Yesterday’s Results time by racing onto Rooney’s pass point people who love the club,” Arsenal 1 Aston Villa 3 and beating Vorm with an exqui- said the Frenchman, who also Liverpool 1 Stoke 0 site chip. saw full-backs Kieran Gibbs and Norwich 2 Everton 2 Earlier, Arsenal were booed off Bacary Sagna go off due to injury. Earlier, new recruit Simon 37th-minute drive, the former “We bought him because he is Sunderland 0 Fulham 1 by their own fans at the Emirates “All the rest I have to live with, Mignolet saved an 89th-minute Sunderland goalkeeper repelled a top, top goalkeeper and he had Stadium after conceding two but I’m here to make people happy penalty to earn Liverpool a 1-0 Jon Walters’ spot-kick and then three saves to make in total,” Swansea 1 Manchester Utd 4 penalties and seeing Laurent and when I do not I can only say win over Stoke City at Anfield. brilliantly blocked Kenwyne said Liverpool manager Brendan West Brom 0 Southampton 1 Koscielny sent off in a calamitous sorry and come back and make With Liverpool leading Jones’ follow-up after Daniel Rodgers after the first match of West Ham 2 0 3-1 home defeat by Aston Villa. them happy in the next game.” from Daniel Sturridge’s crisp Agger was penalised for handball. the season. AFP