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Saudi signals it Herath wrecks may hit new oil Aussies, Sri Lanka output record sweep series

THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 • 15 DHUL QA’DA 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6892 2 Riyals thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Emir congratulates Indonesia President Barshim makes Qatar proud at Rio on National Day

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday “This medal is not just for sent a cable of congratulations to Indonesia President Joko Widodo me, it is for Qatar and for on his country’s National Day. the entire region,” Mutaz Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani Barshim said after winning and Prime Minister and Interior Qatar’s first silver medal in Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Olympics. Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani also sent similar cables to President Widodo.

By Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula Emir greets Gabon President on

RIO DE JANEIRO/DOHA: Qatar yesterday cel- Independence Day ebrated a memorable performance by poster boy Mutaz Essa Barshim who picked up a sil- DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim ver medal in the men’s high jump final at the bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday Olympic Stadium. In a cliff-hanger of a final that sent a cable of congratulations finished at 4:30am, Canadian world champion to Gabon President Ali Bongo Derek Drouin won the gold by clearing 2.38m as Ondimba on his country’s Inde- Barshim managed a top height of 2.36m. pendence Day. Commenting on Barshim’s momentous Deputy Emir H H Sheikh achievement, President of Qatar Olympic Com- Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani mittee (QOC), H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad and Prime Minister and Interior Al Thani said: “On behalf of the whole Qatar Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah Olympic Committee, we pass our huge congrat- bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani ulations to Mutaz Barshim for becoming Qatar’s also sent cables to President first-ever Olympic silver medallist. This is the Ondimba. biggest achievement in Qatar’s Olympic history and we are so proud of him. We know that he will have inspired a new generation of sporting Foreign investments heroes and connected new audiences to Olym- pic sport. Qatar has made huge progress on the Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim celebrates after winning the silver medal in Men’s High Jump Final at Olympic Stadium in Rio yesterday. in Qatar at QR525.7bn sporting field over recent years and I would like to pass my thanks to the Emir H H Sheikh Barshim said after winning the silver medal. somebody, Barshim said: “I dedicate the medal from us. “We will continue the good work. QAF DOHA: Foreign investment in Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for all his efforts “I will be looking at a gold medal at the Tokyo to everyone, especially my mother.” will spare no effort to help Mutaz reach his goals Qatar has touched an estimated and dedication to developing sport in Qatar.” Olympics (2020),” he added with his trademark Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) President in the future. We wish him all success.” QR525.7bn. After producing five clean jumps, Barshim smile in place. “This medal is not just for me, it Dahlan Al Hamad said: “This is a tremendous Drouin said he was proud of his perform- The country’s total inward faltered three times to clear 2.38m. It was is for Qatar. This medal for the entire region,” achievement by Mutaz, him doing so well shows ance. “There was obviously some pressure but investments have increased Barshim’s second Olympic Games following his Barshim said. Asian athletics is on the right path. “Mutaz has I’m very proud of the way I jumped,” Drouin, by QR1.6bn at the end of 2014 bronze in London four years ago. This is Qatar’s “The competition was tough but the battle done his country proud. It is a great achievement. who won bronze in London four years ago, said from a year ago. Other foreign first silver medal in the Olympic Games. Prior was very interesting. All of us were competing for We congratulate Mutaz and his coach on this fine after the medal ceremony. “Four years ago I investments — transactions to Rio 2016, Qatar had won four bronze medals. the medals knowing each other’s strengths and performance.” was very, very relieved but I didn’t think it was from aboard in loans and invest- Ukraine’s Bohdan Bondarenko — who weaknesses. “I know all of my rivals really well,” Al Hamad added: “Obviously, you won’t be my best day. Now I thrive in situations like this ments — touched QR306bn, up finished a notch behind Drouin at the World the 25-year-old Qatari said. “The margin of gold able to see the hard work that went behind the and I would have been disappointed with any- QR17.3bn compared to the pre- Championships last year — yesterday settled and silver is not that much. It was just 2cm. Derek scenes. The QAF provides Mutaz with world- thing less than gold,” the Canadian added. vious year. for a bronze medal with 2.33m. “I will con- showed great concentration,” he said. class facilities and top-notch training coaches. tinue to work hard. My next target is the gold,” When asked about dedicating his medal to Mutaz and his colleagues enjoy every support → See also pages 8, 22, 23 & 24 → See also page 17

Green areas to Gaza civil servants’ salaries be rehabilitated paid through Qatar grant

The Peninsula Anatolia because the Israeli authorities or, according to reports, the DOHA: The Ministry of Municipal- Ramallah-based Palestinian ity and Environment has launched Authority had deemed them projects to rehabilitate green areas GAZA CITY: Hamas-appointed “active members of Hamas”. by planting more trees and protect- civil servants in the Israeli- At a press conference shortly ing them in the coming years. blockaded Gaza Strip began before the grant dispersal, Engineer Ahmed Al Sada, Assistant receiving their July salaries Mohamed Al Emadi, Head of Undersecretary for Environmen- yesterday through a grant from Qatar’s National Committee for tal Affairs at the ministry, said in Qatar, said an official. Reconstruction of Gaza, said the an interview with the Municipality Youssef Al Kayali, $31m Qatari grant would be paid magazine that there are also plans to Undersecretary of the Strip’s out “one time only”. rehabilitate Qatari wildlife, including Hamas-run Finance Ministry, said He said the funds to be combating desertification and stabil- that the allocation process had dispersed through the UN would Container trucks awaiting clearance at Abu Samra border post. (Inset) ising sand dunes, among others. begun under UN supervision. not go towards paying salaries owed Murshid Shaheen Al Kuwari, Director, Land Customs Department. “We launched the project in 2014 He added, however, that a “large to members of Gaza’s Hamas-run and have rehabilitated five green number” of Hamas-appointed civil security forces. areas in Rawdat Al Ghafat, Al Wakra, servants had not been included on The Hamas-run government Simaisma and others. We expect to the list of grant beneficiaries. continues to face a dire financial rehabilitate more areas such as Raw- Abu Samra border post to speed According to the Palestinian crisis that has prevented it from dat Asa Al Rai near Al Shamal Road media, some 2,800 employees regularly paying the salaries of where trees have been planted. were not included on the list many public employees. → Continued on page 4 up procedures for travellers Humanitarian aid delivered in Yemen By Sidi Mohamed tor, Land Customs Department. Customs Department or the minis- MEDAL STANDINGS The Peninsula “Work at Abu Samra border try. “The initiative aims at speeding post has seen major improvements up procedures for travellers QNA WHO office in Yemen, one plane Countries G S B T after implementing the new proc- through exchange of information arrived at the airport today, and ess using Al Nadeeb. between both authorities. There the other yesterday. United States 28 30 28 86 DOHA: Abu Samra border post will The next phase is to speed up will be only one procedure instead An official at the airport said the Great Britain 19 19 12 50 soon speed up procedures for trav- procedures for travellers in col- of two that can be completed by SANA’A: Two Aircraft carrying 50 airport received three planeloads of China 17 15 20 52 ellers and further simplify customs laboration with the Ministry of either of the two authorities. This tonnes of medicines and medical humanitarian aid provided by the Russia 12 12 15 39 clearance of imported goods, tak- Interior,” he added. will be implemented soon,” he supplies arrived in Sana’a inter- United Nations, the World Food Germany 11 8 9 28 ing advantage of its single window He said when the new system is added. national airport, said World health Programme (WFP) and the Inter- clearance system Al Nadeeb, says enforced, travellers will be able to Organisation (WHO) yesterday. national Committee of the Red Cross France 8 11 11 30 Murshid Shaheen Al Kuwari, Direc- complete procedures through the → Continued on page 4 According to a statement by (ICRC). 02 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 HOME ABP 2016-17 Class gains insight on student life

introductory speech by Dr. Bryan and note-taking, which would make Lewallen, Director, ABP, who wel- the future studies easier. Students introduced comed the students and said: “Our The students were also taken in to facilities, policies, faculty and staff work hard for eve- shuttle buses on a tour across Edu- rything to run smoothly. cation City, where they learnt more activities, officials, “We look forward to a very suc- about facilities and services of the faculty and staff cessful and rewarding academic year. Recreation Centre. I am very proud of ABP students and They also visited the seven uni- during orientation. the accomplishments they achieve.” versities on the campus and the He provided them with infor- Student Centre. mation about ABP. A short film was All students had taken the Accu- screened to highlight the student life placer test. ABP administrators and The Peninsula during one-year study prepared by department supervisors use the last-year students. results to place each student at the The students were divided into appropriate level in English, maths, groups and introduced to facilities. science and computer skills. DOHA: The Academic Bridge They were also taken on a tour Since its inception in 2001, ABP Programme, a centre of Qatar Foun- around the Science and English has graduated about 2,650 students, dation for Education, Science and sections, Student Services, admin- over 85 percent of them enrolled Academic Bridge Programme students attending an orientation event. Community Development, organised istration offices and labs, dining and at English-speaking universities an orientation event for 250 new stu- recreational facilities. in Qatar, the US, the UK and other dents at Learning Resource Centre at On the second day, Dr. Bryan countries. pre-university education office to Since 2001, ABP has adapted ABP is accredited by Commission the ABP building on the QF campus. highlighted events and activities stu- The ABP faculty has experience provide high school students from model approach in teaching Eng- on English Language Accreditation The 2016-17 students were intro- dents would be engaging in. ranging from seven to 25 years – 15 Qatar and other similar schools with lish, maths, science and computer in the US, which makes it easier to duced to facilities, policies, activities, They were divided into groups years in average — and most have at academic and personal skills for suc- skills, along with activities, includ- fast-track graduates into universi- officials, faculty and staff with whom and taken to classrooms led by the least one master’s degree and some cess in English-language universities, ing debates, a Model United Nations, ties in the US without the need for they will work during the academic faculty, who gave them a session on haver doctoral degrees. while preparing them for the univer- school clubs, newspaper and sports them to complete a university foun- year. The orientation included an study skills such as time management ABP operates under sities in Education City. teams and students’ union. dation year. Qatari’s historical adventure among three books picked for Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize

The Peninsula Sail is a gripping historical adventure translation brings the story of a Saleh, Head, Arabic Publishing, The annual award of 3,000 the Edinburgh International Festi- set in the Arabian Gulf and became young Kuwaiti-Filipino boy navigat- HBKU Press. pounds (about QR14,210) for trans- val of Literature and the Best Story an instant bestseller in the region. ing his dual identities to a wider and “As a leading publishing house lators is a highly sought-after prize from the Etisalat Award for Arabic Published in Arabic by HBKU ever-growing international audience. in the Middle East, we strive to work with an outstanding pool of sub- Children’s Literature. DOHA: Three fiction titles published Press, the book has been heralded Written by Sudanese author Amir with the most talented writers and missions. Translation is at the heart In addition to publishing orig- by Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- as a very clear and accessible prose Tag Elsir and translated by William translators and introduce more and of HBKU Press’ mission to support inal works in Arabic and English, sity Press (HBKU Press) have been in English due to the excellent work Hutchins, Telepathy is a psycho- more readers to the wealth of literary a vibrant literary culture in Qatar HBKU Press partners with highly- selected to compete for the 2016 Saif of Traboulsi. The 2013 winner of the logical thriller that blurs the lines works and voices from the region.” and the region. acclaimed translators to deliver Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Lit- highly-esteemed International Prize between reality and the imagined Established in 2005, the prize is HBKU Press delivers a diverse top-notch works of Arabic fiction in erature in Translation. for Arabic Fiction, The Bamboo Stalk world. one of the most prestigious awards and robust collection of academic, translation. The books are The Holy Sail; The is written by Kuwaiti author Saud Al Hutchins has previously trans- for Arabic literature in translation fiction, non-fiction and children’s In the previous two years, judges Bamboo Stalk; and Telepathy. Sanousi and translated by Jonathan lated Naguib Mahfouz’s Cairo Trilogy. and aims at raising the profile of and young adult titles. of the prize have awarded the ‘Highly Written by Qatari author Wright. “We are very proud to have pub- contemporary Arabic voices and In addition to the Banipal Prize, Commended’ category to two HBKU Abdulaziz Al Mahmoud and trans- Heralded as a “brave and com- lished these three works of Arabic honouring the important and diffi- HBKU Press authors have been hon- Press titles — June Rain (2014) and lated by Karim Traboulsi, The Holy passionate” novel, Wright’s adept literature in translation,” said Fakhri cult works of translators. oured with the First Book Award by Land of No Rain (2015).

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Qatar-Russia ties discussed QA & Vueling Airlines in code-sharing deal

Vueling Airlines flies to 24 des- important role for QA. The new agreement, which builds tinations in Spain, 16 in Italy and “The further addition of these upon the interline agreement signed The new partnership four in Portugal, in addition to sev- code-share routes will offer an between the two carriers in October will allow seamless eral destinations in France, Croatia, enhanced and unrivalled global net- 2014, is effective immediately and Germany, Malta, the Netherlands and work and improves our competitive bookings can be made via QA. connectivity via both the Czech Republic. offering,” he added. In its 19th year of operations, QA airlines’ common The new partnership will allow Javier Sanchez-Prieto, Chair- operates a modern fleet of 190 air- gateways, including seamless connectivity via both air- man and CEO, Vueling Airlines, said: craft to more than 150 key business lines’ common gateways of Barcelona “There are increasingly closer ties and leisure destinations across six the city of Barcelona. El Prat and Rome Fiumicino. between QA and Vueling, and this continents. QA operates double-daily agreement will enable passengers This year travellers will continue flights between both cities and its from both airlines to benefit from the to see QA expand its global reach, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi state-of-the-art hub, Hamad Inter- flexibility and convenience provided with over a dozen new destinations yesterday met Russian President’s Special Representative for The Peninsula national Airport, linking Vueling by the code-share on different Euro- to explore. the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Airlines’ European network with pean and Middle Eastern routes.” So far this year, QA has launched Bogdanov. They reviewed bilateral relations, ways of enhancing QA’s global network of more than Qatar Airways Business Class routes to Los Angeles (US), Ras them and regional and international issues of mutual concern. 150 destinations. customers will be able to enjoy the Al Khaimah (UAE), Sydney (Aus- Several officials from the Foreign Ministry were present. DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) has Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief comfort of Vueling Airlines Excel- tralia), Boston (US), Birmingham announced a code-share partner- Executive, QA, said: “Our new lence Class, with fast-track security, (UK), Adelaide (Australia), Yerevan ship with Vueling Airlines, offering code-share agreement with Vueling access to premium lounges and pri- (Armenia), Atlanta (US),Marrakech passengers enhanced travel across Airlines will allow greater opportu- ority boarding and seating. (Morocco) and Pisa (Italy). Europe from yesterday. nities for passengers across Europe The benefits also extend to fre- New routes, including Windhoek QA passengers can connect with to connect to QA’s global network. quent fliers with QA Privilege Club (Namibia), Helsinki (Finland), Krabi Qatar Charity provides ease to 67 popular routes of Vueling “Code-share partnerships and members eligible to earn Qmiles on (Thailand) and Seychelles will fol- Airlines’ extensive network. airline alliances continue to play an Vueling Airline code-share flights. low later in the year. 5,000 food baskets Lulu names winners of Mercedes-Benz cars Ministry recalls in besieged Aleppo Chevrolet Trailblazer models of 2006-7

The Peninsula campaign as an urgent plea in the beginning of May and allocated The Peninsula QR10m. People can donate through Al Rayyan bank account IBAN/ DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) contin- QA40MAFR0000000000031111110 DOHA: The Ministry of Economy ues to provide support and help to 01, or QC’s website (qcharity.org), or and Commerce, in collaboration the people of Aleppo suffering due at its headquarters and branches in with Jaidah automotive, dealer of to severe humanitarian circum- Qatar, or collection points in malls. Chevrolet vehicles, has announced stances. Donations can also be for the recall of Chevrolet Trailblazer It provided Syrian families with medical and health services (for 2006-2007 models over possible 12,300 baby milk cans for some treatment of the inured) through defect in the driver’s window and 6,150 babies at a cost of QR284,830. #Relieve_Aleppo. Donors can send door module. The campaign aimed at helping “MS” in an SMS to 92632 to donate The ministry said the recall mothers secure milk for their babies QR50; 92642 to donate QR100; is part of efforts to protect con- as Aleppo is suffering from a suffo- 92428 to donate QR500; or 92429 sumers. It will coordinate cating siege and food and medical to donate QR1,000. with the dealer to follow up on supplies are not allowed in. Baby People can also donate food maintenance and repairs and milk prices have also risen due to baskets at a cost of QR150 each communicate with customers to a shortage. by sending ES in an SMS to 92652. ensure repairs are carried out. It As part of its ‘Relieve Aleppo’ The campaign has opened hot- urged customers to report any campaign, QC has distributed about line 44667711 for donations and Glenn Marqueda Amper (Coupon No. 1514751); Mohammed Sujon (Coupon No. 1931557); Judy Lagmay violations to its Consumer Pro- 5,000 food baskets to as many fam- answering queries. QC has been Caberto (Coupon No. 2474883); Faaez Ahmad Alavi (Coupon No. 0825379); Drona Prasad Pokhrel tection and Anti-Commercial ilies, along with flour and water paying extra attention to the Syr- (Coupon No. 0304594); Mohammad Shawkat Hussain Bhuiyan (Coupon No. 0859389); Adel Aly Fraud Department through the through tanks customised for QC in ian projects. Since April 2011 until (Coupon No. 0375382); Vairamani Periasamy (Coupon No. 0743200); and Abdulrasheed Thekke call centre: 16001; email: info@ the city. It is also coordinating with this May, more than 8,000,000 Syr- Mayangiyil (Coupon No. 0446918) receiving the symbolic key of Mercedes-Benz E-200 from Shaijan mec.gov.qa; Twitter: @MEC_ its field team to start new shelter, ians in and outside Syria, including M O, Regional Director, Lulu Hypermarket Group, after a draw of Lulu Mercedes-Benz Car Promotion Qatar; Instagram: MEC_Qatar; health and food projects. refugees or displaced, have bene- at Lulu Hypermarket yesterday. With them are other officials from Lulu Hypermarket. or the ministry’s mobile app for During Ramadan, QC distrib- fited from the projects implemented Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar. uted 11,000 food parcels in Aleppo at a cost of around QR450m. The and its countryside and to Syrian fields included food, bakeries, shel- refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. ter, blankets, fridges, fans, cleaning QC launched ‘Relieve Aleppo’ tools, Eid clothing and others. DPS-MIS team shines at World Scholar’s Cup Mini Global round

The Peninsula

DOHA: A DPS-Modern Indian School del- egation of 34 students rocked at the World Scholar’s Cup Mini Global round in Prague in the Czech Republic from July 22 to 26. Extensive research, constructive debate and writing of the teams helped DPS bag laurels in ‘Collaborative Writ- ing’; ‘Team Debate’; ‘Scholar’s Challenge’; and ‘Scholar’s Bowl’ for Senior and Jun- ior divisions. Ten teams from DPS were listed among toppers at the Global Round and will com- pete at The Tournament of Champions in A young girl holding a baby and a can of milk powder as other Yale in the US in November. They were beneficiaries await their turn at a Qatar Charity distribution centre accompanied by coach-cum-debate coor- in Aleppo. dinators Jaya Majumder and Nadia Khan. The team with their coach-cum-debate coordinators at the event. NU-Q’s largest Class of 2020 begins week-long orientation

The Peninsula standard for what a communica- tions and media school can be — a place where students, faculty and staff can explore communication’s DOHA: Northwestern University in past, present and future.” Qatar (NU-Q) is welcoming the larg- A long-time columnist and con- est Class of 2020 it has enrolled since tributing editor for Newsweek establishing a campus in Doha with a magazine, Cose is a former editorial week-long orientation session. page editor of the New York Daily The session will conclude with a News and has also been a contrib- convocation address titled ‘How Do uting editor and press critic for Time You Want to Be Remembered?’ by magazine. Ellis Cose, author, journalist, com- A Chicago native, he has a mas- mentator and educator of distinction. ter’s degree in science, technology “His visit is fortuitous for us, not and public policy from George Wash- only to help launch our latest class ington University and has been a with a presentation, but also by dint fellow at the former Gannett Centre of his knowledge and intelligence on Ellis Cose, author, journalist, for Media Studies at Columbia Uni- matters of class and race at time of commentator and educator, will versity, National Research Council/ great upheaval in the US and wider deliver the convocation address. National Academy of Sciences; a sen- world. ior fellow and director of energy at “I can’t think of a better way to Joint Centre for Political Studies in open the academic semester,” said additional students. Washington and a consultant to the Everette E. Dennis, Dean and CEO. “Our new home will be a setting Ford and Rockefeller Foundations. “As we prepare to move into our where the ever-changing nature of Cose will deliver his address on new building in Education City, we media can be dissected, studied and Sunday in Carnegie Mellon University NU-Q officials and graduates during convocation last year. are better positioned to welcome understood. And, it will set a new in Qatar building in Education City. 04 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 HOME

CIRS offers grants for research on forced migration in Mideast

With the current crisis, the Middle East become the simultaneous producer and host of the world’s largest population of displaced people.

The Peninsula

Some of the beneficiary patients at the national centre for the treatment of tumours. DOHA: Georgetown University in Qatar’s (GU-Q) Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) has called for proposals to support its ‘Mobility, Displacement and Forced Migration in the Middle East’ research initiative. CIRS is The grants by CIRS at GU-Q will support field RAF helps 286 Yemen cancer patients offering a grant of up to $25,000 to support fieldwork, projects. research and analysis. It is particularly seeking projects that would involve original, empirically-grounded research support fieldwork to help us understand the forms, causes, The Peninsula Yemen, contributed to saving peo- faced a shortage of medicines. It with fieldwork in one or more of the countries in the Mid- dimensions, patterns and effects of voluntary and forced ple’s lives, helping them return to conducted a survey to determine dle East and North Africa. migration and contribute original research to the field of normal life to earn a living to sup- the number patients and provided Recipients of the year-long grant are expected to migration studies,” said Babar. port their families. medicines. The project was impor- become active participants in the greater research project, Proposals submitted for grant should focus on DOHA: Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Of the patients, 38 percent reg- tant due to the difficult situation in which may involve travel to CIRS for meetings, public talks researching the movements of people who can be identified Foundation for Humanitarian Serv- istered officially at the national Yemen, which was worsened also by or authoring a chapter for publication. as migrants, migrant workers, guest workers, temporary ices (RAF) has implemented a health centre for the treatment of tumours the high cost of medicines in a coun- “The Middle East has been a historic centre of displace- migrants, low and highly skilled economic migrants, traf- project which lasted six months and in Yemen. The project was successful try — considered one of the poorest ment for several reasons and with the current crisis it has ficked persons, forced migrants/forced workers, smuggled provided treatment to 286 blood despite obstacles due to the difficult in the world, with the population liv- become the simultaneous producer and host of the world’s persons, refugees and asylum seekers. Researchers are cancer patients Across Yemen. situation in Yemen. ing on less than $2 a day. The project largest population of displaced people,” said Zahra Babar, invited to submit proposals before September 15 and suc- The project, implemented in RAF implemented the project targeted three age groups — 18 years Associate Director of Research, CIRS. cessful ones will be notified by November. The project is collaboration with RAF partners in following a call by patients as Yemen or less; 18-60; and those above 60. “CIRS has produced original, empirically-grounded expected to begin in Spring 2017, given the delay for com- research on migration with two grant cycles over the pleting relevant contracts, which can take up to six months. past eight years. Through this new grant cycle, we will Details are available on the CIRS website. New tree for every Abu Samra border post makes old one arrangements for Haj pilgrims Florida students learn about Qatar’s healthcare Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 those for plastic, iron and steel, which Trees have also been form about 70 percent of total imports. planted in Rawdat Um Earlier, travellers had to go police “We have good coordination with Taqah. We plant a new tree and the customs department. other entities responsible for health, for every old one that dies. Abu Samra border post has sep- environment, animal resource and “We prepared a new arate sections to deal with travellers agriculture. National Strategy for Biodi- and goods — both incoming and out- “We are committed to protecting versity in 2015 to maintain going. Al Kuwari said procedures for customers by preventing the entry of endangered trees and visitors from other GCC countries have any harmful products into the coun- protect them from being been the easiest. First, they have to go try,” he added. overgrazed. We adopted to the immigration counter to register Clearance of goods belonging to a decision to ban camels their entry and proceed for customs companies complying with all rules from grazing for two years inspection. Then they can directly go and requirements does not take more to achieve positives results. the exit gate. “There is a plan to fur- than 30 minutes. “We will make pro- “We are working to ther reduce the waiting time for GCC cedures for them companies faster,” implement a project to link travellers.” said Al Kuwari. all national stations to mon- Registration of vehicles of travel- The border post has made itor air quality through a lers has also become faster, he added. arrangements for the forthcoming unified electronic system,” “We coordinate with the Saudi bor- Haj season. “We have arranged a spe- he added. der post through an electronic link to cial hall to deal with the pilgrims in an Forty healthcare MBA students from Florida International University in the US visited Hamad Medical On the impact of con- speed up procedures for goods and easy way and that smugglers will not Corporation (HMC) as part of international residency and a regional tour, which included Dubai and struction projects on the travellers.” cash in on the rush,” said Al Kuwari. environment, he said all Al Kuwari said Abu Samra border The border post also has plans to Abu Dhabi, to learn more about the healthcare systems in the GCC. Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Deputy Chief projects which get environ- post is one of the major beneficiaries upgrade its facilities with new and Medical Officer, and Director of Medical Education, HMC, introduced them to HMC’s academic health mental permit have passed of Al Nadeeb system. modern devices and equipment to system, with a focus on clinical care, education and research, healthcare data, quality management, the evaluation of their Procedures for release of con- meet the requirements of the 2022 preventive healthcare and national health policy. effects on the environment. sumer goods are faster compared to FIFA World Cup, he added. THE One unveils autumn/winter collection

The nature trend is big in décor this season in with THE One’s new autumn/winter 2016 home fashion collection.

The Peninsula adds sumptuousness to the upholstered bed, coffee table; Diva console; Diva side table; stool and bedside tables. Doris chandelier; Marin table lamp; Leroy With the exception of satiny mint green mirror; Papyrus B wall deco; Chinchi cush- scatter cushions, the lushly layered bedding is ion cover; Berga cushion cover; Rosa picture DOHA: The nature trend is big in décor this very much a rich, creamy tone-on-tone affair frame; Maliha curtain; Enit vase; and Full jar season, so trust THE One to pick up on it with with a fluffy, flokati-inspired throw stealing with lid. sublime delicacy in their new autumn/winter the show. In contrast, the sleek-lined fabric BEDROOM 2016 home fashion collection. sofa, in the palest shade of mint, is conserv- Lira bed; Lira bedside table; Lira stool; Linc Leafy ‘Sunshade’ wallpaper in soothing atively dressed up with a few strategically chest of drawers; Miyu table lamp; Flowery pastel mint green creates the unique back- placed off-white cushions, to keep the look table lamp; Royal wall deco; Rika side table; drop for their elegantly feminine Opulent style. clean. Lighting in the form of graceful ceramic- Shine rug; Loris jar with lid; Magnolia stem; Whispery whites, comforting creams and based table lamps and a stylish shaded Pineapple jar; Lekha duvet cover; Zayn cush- tranquil taupe, with suggestions of old gold and chandelier create cosiness, while accessories ion cover; and Chinchi throw. subtle silver highlights, round out the colour in clear glass, mother of pearl and silver add DINING ROOM palette. The mood here is cool, calm and col- personality. Anca dining table; Niko dining chair; Linc lected, yet distinctly luxurious, exuding an air A few bunches of ‘forever fresh’ Magno- sideboard; Nia mirror; Meow display cabi- of understated opulence. lias and a couple of blossom trees complete net; Cryst floor lamp; Alaina candelabra; Glamorous mirror finishes can be seen in the look, giving a final nod to nature. Rivera placemat; Lustre dinner plate; Ling modern classic furniture pieces like the din- bowl; Chris white wine glass; Elam napkin ing and coffee tables, side table, console and LIVING ROOM ring; Gardenia tea light holder; Blossom tree; chest of drawers, while suede-like microfiber Lemis 3-seater sofa; Moon armchair; Diva and Kaya rug. MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 05

Turkey submits IS launches wave of suicide Israel deal to Turkey to free 38,000 from attacks on Libya forces parliament SIRTE, LIBYA: Islamic State (IS) group militants in Libya have carried out nine suicide bombings in one day in a failed bid to hold a central district of Sirte, AFP jail to make space for plotters pro-government forces said yesterday. The attacks on Tuesday in the coastal city left nine pro-govern- ment fighters dead and 82 wounded, said Reda Issa, a spokesman for forces allied with the unity government. ISTANBUL: Turkey yesterday of emergency that was declared follow- that the United States extradite him. The They took place as forces loyal to the Government submitted to parliament a deal ing the coup, allows the release of inmates Turkish government declared a state of National Accord (GNA), backed by US air strikes, to normalise ties with Israel The government dismissed who have two years or less to serve of their of emergency and launched a massive advanced on Sirte’s central District Two as part of a delayed by the July 15 military 2,300 more officers from prison terms and makes convicts who have crackdown on Gulen’s supporters in the three-month offensive to oust militants from the city. coup attempt, the state-run Ana- the police force, in addition served half of their prison term eligible for aftermath of the coup. Some 35,000 An IS fighter blew up his vehicle close to a group of tolia news agency said. to another 136 military parole. Some prisoners are excluded from people have been detained for ques- soldiers and journalists, wounding several. Five of the The agreement has been the measures: people convicted of murder, tioning and more than 17,000 of them bombers attacked using cars, one on a motorbike and forwarded to parliament for rati- officers and 196 employees domestic violence, sexual abuse or terror- have been formally arrested to face trial, three on foot, said the pro-GNA forces, which published fication before the legislative body from its information ism and other crimes against the state. including soldiers, police, judges and several photos of the bombers’ corpses. goes into summer recess later this technology authority. The measures would not apply for journalists. month. In June, Turkey and Israel crimes committed after July 1, excluding Tens of thousands more people with signed a deal to restore their ties any people later convicted of involvement suspected links to Gulen have been sus- Saudi soldier martyred in Qatif which hit an all-time low after the in the failed July 15 coup. Justice Minister pended or dismissed from their jobs in the 2010 raid by Israeli commandos AP Bekir Bozdag said on his Twitter account judiciary, media, education, health care, on a Gaza-bound Turkish aid ship the measure would lead to the release of military and local government. RIYADH: A member of the Saudi security forces was that left 10 Turks dead. some 38,000 people. He insisted it was In separate decree, the government dis- killed by unknown assailants in the kingdom’s east- The text of the agreement sub- ANKARA: Turkey issued a decree yesterday not a pardon or an amnesty but a condi- missed 2,300 more officers from the police ern Shia-majority Qatif province, the Saudi authorities mitted to parliament reaffirms paving the way for the conditional release tional release of prisoners. force, in addition to another 136 military said yesterday. According to a spokesman for the Saudi that Israel will pay Turkey $20m of some 38,000 prisoners, the justice min- The government says the attempted officers and 196 employees from its infor- police in the Eastern Region (in which Qatif is located), in compensation within 25 days. ister said — an apparent move to reduce its coup, which led to at least 270 deaths, was mation technology authority. several border guards in Qatif came under “heavy fire The legal case targeting the Israeli prison population to make space for thou- carried out by followers of the movement Decrees also allow the air force to hire from a car carrying four masked gunmen” while on commandos who staged the raid sands of people who have been arrested as led by US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah new pilots or take back pilots who had patrol late Tuesday evening. “The shooting resulted in will also be dropped, the report part of an investigation into last month’s Gulen who have infiltrated the military resigned or were discharged before the coup the injury of a soldier, Abdulsalam Burgess Sayyah Al said. Israeli cabinet ministers in failed coup. and other state institutions. Gulen has to replace pilots who have been arrested or Anzi, who succumbed to his wounds before reaching June approved the deal reached The government decree, issued denied any prior knowledge or involve- dismissed for alleged participation in the the hospital,” the spokesman was quoted by the offi- with Turkey, leaving Ankara to under Turkey’s three-month long state ment in the coup but Turkey is demanding coup or links to Gulen. cial Saudi Press Agency (SPA)as saying. make the final ratification step. But the Turkish government failed to send the deal to parlia- ment because of time pressure created by the failed coup attempt 12 dead in rebel shelling of Aleppo by rogue elements in the military, which Turkey blames on US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen. AFP including a child had been killed in There was heavy fighting around Once the normalisation deal the rebel shelling. the Ramussa area and a nearby is ratified by parliament, Turkey Since mid-2012, Aleppo has been military academy yesterday, the Brit- and Israel will begin the proc- roughly split between opposition ain-based monitor said. ess of exchanging ambassadors DAMASCUS: Rebel shelling in Syr- control in the east and government Fighting for Syria’s former eco- to fully restore their diplomatic ia’s battered northern city of Aleppo forces in the west. nomic hub has intensified since ties. It is not clear on which day killed 12 people including a child yes- A correspondent in the city’s east regime troops seized control of the the deal will be debated. Israel had terday, state media said. said regime warplanes pounded last supply route into rebel-held areas already offered compensation and State television announced “12 rebel-held districts on Wednesday. in mid-July. an apology over the raid but with martyrs including a child and sev- The bombardment came as After a nearly three-week siege, the agreement it also eased the eral wounded after terrorists shelled regime forces fight rebels and jihad- rebels took Ramussa on August 6, naval blockade on the Hamas- the Salaheddin” district in the city’s ists southwest of the battleground linking up with opposition-held Debris of a building is seen after warplanes belonging to Syrian and controlled Gaza Strip, allowing regime-controlled west. city after opposition fighters gained neighbourhoods, in a major blow to Russian army hit the residential area at Tarik Al Bab neighbourhood Ankara to deliver humanitarian The Syrian Observatory for ground there earlier this month, the fighters loyal to President Bashar Al of Aleppo, Syria, yesterday. aid to Palestinians there. Human Rights said that 10 civilians Observatory said. Assad. Israel-EU tensions up over rising home demolitions in West Bank

AP

KHAN AL AHMAR, WEST BANK: The Palestinian government brought foreign diplomats to a school in a strategic area of the West Bank yes- terday to seek international protection against what it warned is a renewed demolition threat from Israel. The Italian-funded school for Bedouin children has become a sym- bol of the battle over the 60 percent of the West Bank, known as Area C, which remains under exclusive Israeli control and is home to doz- ens of Israeli settlements. Severe Israeli restrictions on Palestinians mourn near the debris of their houses, which were Palestinian development in Area C, demolished by Israeli forces on the grounds that the house was including a recent rise in demolitions unlicensed, in the Sair town of Hebron, West Bank, yesterday. of homes and emergency shelters, have led to diplomatic tensions. under threat of demolition. Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the Many of these structures are funded The EU said last week that Israel 1967 Mideast war. As part of interim by the EU, which says the projects must “cease the policy of settlement peace deals in the 1990s, the West are needed for humanitarian reasons construction and expansion, of des- Bank was carved up into autono- and economic development. ignating land for exclusive Israeli use mous Palestinian areas — A and In the first six months of 2016, and of denying Palestinian devel- B — and Area C, which is home to Israel demolished or confiscated 91 opment.” The statement said such a nearly 400,000 Israeli settlers. structures funded by the EU or its policy erodes chances of setting up a The arrangement was meant to member states, more than in all of Palestinian state in a peace deal and be temporary, but remains in place 2015, the EU said. Since 2009, close “raises legitimate questions about after negotiations on the borders of to $3 million worth of shelters have Israel’s long-term intentions.” a Palestinian state in the war-won been demolished, confiscated or are Israel captured the West Bank, lands broke down repeatedly. Saudi coalition facing long Yemen war

AFP The Saudi-led Arab coalition Ahmed Assiri said that coalition launched the air raids in March last forces were “in the end of the major year, later sending in ground forces, combat phase”. A relative lull in the to support the internationally rec- fighting followed, but in late July the RIYADH: Six months after Saudi ognised government of President most serious fighting for months Arabia said its war in Yemen was Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi after the along the border killed 12 Saudi winding down, air strikes are again rebels overran much of Yemen. soldiers. The talks in Kuwait were pounding rebels and rockets flying Riyadh accuses the Houthis, suspended a few days later and the across the border, with no end to the allied with troops loyal to ex- coalition resumed intense strikes on conflict in sight. president Ali Abdullah Saleh, of Sanaa and other rebel-held areas. Riyadh is keen to bring an end working on behalf of Iran. Coalition Rebel attacks also intensified. to the intervention it launched last warplanes are also supporting pro- On Tuesday Saudi Arabia suffered its year against Shia Houthi rebels and government forces against Al Qaeda heaviest civilian losses of the conflict their allies, analysts say. militants who have exploited Yem- when seven died in a rebel rocket But the suspension in early en’s power vacuum to expand their strike on the border city of Najran. August of UN-brokered peace talks presence in the country’s south and “This looks to be a long, continu- in Kuwait, after three months with- southeast. ing war,” said Anthony Cordesman of out any headway, has instead led to A year into the intervention, the Centre for Strategic and Interna- a major increase in violence. spokesman Brigadier General tional Studies in Washington. 06 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 ASIA / AFRICA

S Africa coalition govt Jumbo wash talks fail after vote

co-governance relationship whereby “We are not co-governing... we we will probably be able to form a are going to vote for the opposition We mutually decided minority government in one or more because the African National Con- that it would be of the municipalities.” gress must be removed from power problematic to The DA topped the August 3 vote and this is the start of removing the in municipal elections in the capi- ANC from power.” govern together tal Pretoria, taking 93 of 214 council The municipal elections were because of some seats to the ANC’s 89. largely seen as a referendum on And with 25 seats, the EFF found President Jacob Zuma, whose rule differences on itself in the powerful position of of Africa’s largest economy has been fundamental policies: kingmaker in the municipality. dogged by scandal. “We mutually decided that it The EFF had previously insisted Opposition would be problematic to try and gov- on Zuma’s removal as one of sev- ern together because of some fairly eral pre-conditions for supporting wide and divergent differences on the ruling party. AFP fundamental policies,” said Selfe. “On Zuma, they said it was a Sri Lankan mahouts wash their elephants near a fountain ahead of the Esala Perahera festival in the “But we do share a common no-no,” said Malema. understanding that we do want to “The ANC is a corrupt organ- ancient hill capital of Kandy, yesterday. JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s achieve some of the same objectives isation which subscribes to the leading opposition party said yes- and while we do that I am sure that kleptocracy.” terday it would not be forming a we can work together.” The DA will, however, form a coalition government to run the Coalition talks between the coalition government with three country’s capital, despite defeating two parties also failed in economic other small parties in Nelson Man- the ruling African National Congress hub Johannesburg, where the ANC dela Bay, a coastal municipality in (ANC) in local polls. missed out on an outright majority the south named after the country’s Mali seizes $6m of cannabis The liberal centre-right Demo- with 45 percent of the vote. iconic late leader. cratic Alliance (DA) said talks with But EFF leader Julius Malema -- a “We have concluded an arrange- the radical leftist Economic Freedom populist who was expelled from the ment with three other parties, and AFP customs unit Ibrahim Diakite said explained. “It’s the biggest drug sei- Front (EFF) had failed to produce ANC for ill-discipline in 2012 -- said that will be a coalition government,” 1,254 bricks of cannabis were dis- zure by Malian customs ever,” he a coalition partnership to govern at a press conference Wednesday said Selfe. covered Tuesday in Zantiguila, close added. Four Malians were arrested, Pretoria. that his party would back the DA The ruling party suffered its BAMAKO: Malian customs officials to the capital Bamako, in a truck according to Diakite. “We are not going to go into coa- with its votes in both cities, calling worst result since the end of white- have made one of the country’s big- refitted to transport the illicit cargo. The drugs came along a newly lition together,” the DA chairman it “the better devil compared to the minority rule 22 years ago, garnering gest ever drug seizures, impounding The total value of the cannabis established route from Burkina Faso James Selfe said. ANC”. less than 54 percent of ballots cast 2.1 tonnes of cannabis detected along was estimated at 3.5 billion FCFA, which was being used to transport “But we will probably, depending “We’ll vote for them and be in the nationally -- an eight percentage a new smuggling route that stretches or around $6.01 million. drugs of the same quantity once or on their decisions and our deci- opposition benches. The ANC will not point drop from the last local poll down the west African coast. “The length of the vehicle inside twice a month, the customs official sions, be going into some form of get a single vote from the EFF.” in 2011. The chief of Mali’s mobile and outside didn’t match,” Diakite said. Australia and PNG agree to close refugee camp Zimbabwe police break up anti-Mugabe protest Reuters country by boat is sent for processing the prospect of hundreds of asylum careful manner.” There was no men- to camps on the tiny Pacific island of seekers being resettled into their tion of a closing date. Nauru or to Manus Island off Papua country and there have been reports Australian Immigration Minister AFP before firing on the crowd with tear SYDNEY: Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG). of asylum seekers being attacked by Peter Dutton, who met with O’Neill gas. New Guinea yesterday said they They are never eligible to be locals. to discuss the camp, reiterated Aus- Some 200 people had gathered had agreed to close a controversial resettled in Australia. “Both Papua New Guinea and Aus- tralia’s position that it would not HARARE: Zimbabwe police fired in central Harare, carrying flowers Australian-funded asylum seeker Some asylum seekers have spent tralia are in agreement that the centre accept any of the refugees detained tear gas yesterday to disperse several for peace and holding posters read- detention centre on Manus Island, years in the camps, which have been is to be closed,” Papua New Guinea in Papua New Guinea. “It has been hundred protesters calling on Pres- ing “Mugabe Must Go”, the latest in although the ultimate fate of 800 criticised by the UN and human Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said. the longstanding position of this gov- ident Robert Mugabe to step down, a string of protests over the coun- refugees held in the camp remained rights groups, with numerous reports “A series of options are being ernment to work with PNG to close a week after the longtime ruler try’s economic woes. unclear. of abuse and self-harm amongst advanced and implemented. It is Manus and support those people as warned that protests “don’t pay”. “Things like protests don’t pay Under Australian law, any- detainees, including children. important that this process is not they transition into PNG or return to A journalist saw police offic- because usually they end up being one intercepted trying to reach the Some in PNG are unhappy with rushed out but carried out in a their country of origin.” ers beating protesters with batons, violent protests,” Mugabe said.

Senior North Thousands queue in Congo for yellow fever vaccinations Korean diplomat defects to South Reuters order to eke out limited global sup- plies. The lower dose protects for 12 months but does not give lifelong KINSHASA: Thousands of people in immunity. AFP DR Congo’s capital Kinshasa queued “People are coming in large up yesterday for emergency yellow numbers to get vaccinated. There fever vaccinations aimed at limiting is a lot of enthusiasm,” said Eugene SEOUL: South Korea said yes- one of the worst outbreaks in dec- Kabambi, a WHO spokesman in terday that North Korea’s ades that has killed hundreds in the Congo. He acknowledged the chal- deputy ambassador to Britain region this year. lenges of such a vast vaccination had defected to Seoul, in a rare Makeshift clinics in churches drive, including keeping vaccina- and major loss of diplomatic face and schools opened across the tions cold in areas without electricity. for Pyongyang. densely populated city of over 10 “We are in an urban milieu The Unification Ministry said million and in other areas border- where more than 7 million people Thae Yong-Ho -- the number-two ing Angola, part of a World Health await their vaccine,” he said. at the North’s mission in London Organization-led (WHO) campaign At a school in the Kinshasa -- had defected together with his against an epidemic that has mostly district of Lingwala, a few dozen family and they were now in the affected Angola. people, mostly children, had waited South Korean capital. Health officials expect to vacci- for over three hours before their “They are under government nate 14 million people over the next vaccinations arrived. At other loca- protection and are going through 10 days, including 8.5 million in Kin- tions in the city, things ran more necessary procedures with related shasa, where there are fears of a far smoothly. institutions,” ministry spokesman wider spread. That adds to the 13 Close to 100 people lined up at a Jeong Joon-Hee said. million in Angola and 3 million in vaccination site outside a church in Jeong declined to reveal Thae’s Congo already vaccinated this year. Gombe. Tables were set up with cold defection route, citing the diplo- A Congolese health worker prepares to vaccinate a resident against yellow fever outside a church in Gombe Those queuing will receive a boxes for the vaccine and yellow matic sensitivities involved for the district. Kinshasa, yesterday. one-fifth dose of the vaccine in medical boxes for waste disposal. concerned countries. “On his reasons for defection, Minister Thae cited disgust with Kim Jong-Un’s regime, admiration for South Korea’s free, democratic Hundreds protest govt inaction N Korea resumes plutonium production system and the future of his fam- ily,” Jeong said. against violence in DR Congo Increasingly isolated inter- AFP nuclear fuel rods removed from a Intelligence, James Clapper, warned nationally because of its nuclear graphite-moderated reactor,” the in February that the North could weapons programme, North Reuters than 700 people since Octo- agency said. begin recovering plutonium from the Korea maintains relatively few ber 2014. The protests yesterday TOKYO: North Korea says it has The agency did not disclose how reactor’s spent fuel “within a matter overseas embassies, and defec- added to tensions in Congo ahead resumed plutonium production much plutonium or enriched uranium of weeks to months”. tions by diplomats of Thae’s KINSHASA: Hundreds of people of an election, scheduled for from spent fuel rods and has no the North has produced, Kyodo said. North Korea mothballed the stature are extremely rare. marched on the town of Beni in November, in which the oppo- plans to stop nuclear tests as long The type of plutonium suitable Yongbyon reactor in 2007 under an The last such case was that of northeastern DR Congo yesterday sition has called for President as the United States still “threatens” for a nuclear bomb typically needs aid-for-disarmament accord, but the North Korean ambassador to to protest over government inac- Joseph Kabila to step down after Pyongyang, Kyodo News reported to be extracted from spent nuclear began renovating it after its third Egypt who defected to the United tion against violent rebel groups his allotted two terms. Residents yesterday. reactor fuel. nuclear test in 2013. It carried test States in 1997. in the region, witnesses said. of Beni and surrounding towns The North’s Atomic Energy Insti- In June, the UN’s atomic watch- out a fourth on January 6. South Korea’ JoongAng Ilbo Around 50 people were killed chanted against the government tute, which has jurisdiction over dog warned that North Korea could The North’s Atomic Energy Insti- newspaper, which first reported by suspected Ugandan rebels on and army outside the mayor’s the country’s main atomic complex have reactivated the Yongbyon plant tute did not rule out the possibility Thae’s defection on Tuesday, said the outskirts of Beni on Saturday, office, voicing frustration at blood- Yongbyon said it had been producing for reprocessing plutonium for use of further nuclear tests, claiming it he had been under pressure from the latest in a spate of attacks in letting in a region once considered highly enriched uranium for nuclear in nuclear weapons, following sim- had success in “minimising, mak- Pyongyang to combat growing the region that has killed more a government stronghold. arms and power “as scheduled”. ilar warnings from a US think tank. ing lighter and diversifying” nuclear international criticism of North “We have reprocessed spent The director of US National weapons, Kyodo said. Korea’s human rights record. ASIA / PHILIPPINES THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 07

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (right) passes a national flag to a student before it is raised during celebrations for Indonesia’s 71st Independence Day at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, yesterday. CENTRE: A military guard of honour drives a horse-drawn carriage into the Presidential Palace. RIGHT: Fishermen look on as flyboarders raise Indonesian flags at Losari beach in Makassar, South Sulawesi province. Indonesia sinks illegal boats to mark independence

AFP and has sunk and blown up scores on national television, yesterday’s Tension between Jakarta and Bei- Unlike several of its Southeast of foreign vessels. ceremony was markedly toned jing has escalated in recent months Asian neighbours, Indonesia has long Jakarta offers ‘60 “Today we offer 60 boats” to be down, with officials barring media as Chinese fishing boats have clashed maintained it has no maritime dis- JAKARTA: Indonesia sank dozens boats’ to be scuttled scuttled in eight locations, fisheries coverage. with Indonesian government vessels, putes with China in the South China of impounded foreign boats to mark ministry official, Mas Achmad San- Officials have also refused to dis- prompting Widodo to visit the Natu- Sea and does not contest ownership Independence Day, an official said in eight locations. tosa, said. close the vessels’ countries of origin. nas islands on a warship in June this of any territory there. yesterday, as President Joko Widodo “This is a gift (for Indonesia) Previously, Indonesia has scup- year. But Beijing’s claims overlap Indo- steps up a campaign to stop foreign and goes to show our consistency in pered boats from countries including On Tuesday, he pledged to defend nesia’s exclusive economic zone fishermen from “stealing” in its President Joko Widodo has inten- enforcing the law,” Santosa added. China, Vietnam and Philippines, with “every inch” of Indonesia’s land and -- waters where a state has the right waters sified a campaign to exercise But unlike past boat-sinking Beijing particularly angered by the maritime territory in a state-of-the- to exploit resources -- around the Since elected, Indonesian Indonesia’s maritime sovereignty events, which were broadcasted gesture. nation address. Natunas.

Baby girl born Indonesian flees Abu Sayyaf Duterte willing to face mid-air on flight to Philippines Reuters probe into drug killings

MANILA: An Indonesian tugboat Reuters rights lawyers have said. Police have AFP crewman escaped from his Islam- said they will not condone wrong- ist militant captors in the Philippines doing but that some may have been yesterday by swimming out to sea MANILA: Philippine President killed by rogue officers. NEW DELHI: A woman gave birth after the militants threatened to Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday his In another public event, Duterte to a premature but healthy baby cut his head off, a Philippine army government is willing to face any attacked Senator Leila de Lima, who girl mid-flight while travelling spokesman said. inquiry into the deaths of hundreds will open a public inquiry next week from the United Arab Emirates to Members of the Islamic State- of suspected drug dealers and users into drug-related killings, saying she the Philippines, forcing the plane linked Abu Sayyaf group captured as human rights groups express was only playing politics and linked to carry out an emergency land- the Indonesian, Mohammad Safyan, alarm over extrajudicial killings. her driver to the drugs trade. ing in India. 28, and six other Indonesian seamen Nearly 600 suspected drug ped- “It’s character assassination,” The mother, whose due date from their boat as it was passing dlers and users have been killed in an emotional de Lima said. “It’s so was two months away, went into through waters off southern Phil- police operations since Duterte took foul. I did not expect the president labour on board the Cebu Pacific ippine islands on June 23. power six weeks ago, police say, to do that.” Air flight Sunday as it flew from Residents of Jolo island spotted Armed Philippines policemen escort Indonesian national Muhamad but rights groups put the number Duterte won the presidency Dubai to Manila, her fellow pas- Safyan floating off the shore after Sofyan as they leave a hospital in Jolo town, Sulu province, in at more than 1,000. in May on a single platform of senger Missy Berberabe Umandal he escaped under cover of darkness, Mindanao, yesterday. “We are willing to submit our- suppressing crime and drugs, posted on Facebook. an army spokesman, Major Filemon selves for an investigation before declaring war on narcotics on his Panicked flight attendants Tan said. Muslim areas of the largely Chris- kidnapped from a beach resort after anybody,” Duterte said. first day in office. He has identified started calling out for medical “We were told he managed to tian Philippines have developed a a ransom deadline passed. “But do not attribute acts of 160 officials, police and judges in a assistance, discovering two nurses escape by running and swimming to reputation as ruthless kidnappers. Philippine President Rodrigo other criminals upon my govern- name-and-shame campaign to stop among the passengers -- before the sea,” Tan said, adding that Safyan They have increasingly been Duterte last week ordered the army ment. The fight against drugs will the drug trade. turning the front of the cabin into had said the militants were about to turning their attention to vessels to destroy the militants saying if not, continue unrelenting until we have “I myself, who ordered the cam- a makeshift delivery room. execute him when he escaped. passing through busy shipping lanes the Philippines risked being “con- destroyed the apparatus operating paign against drugs, take full and “We only heard one semi-loud “We have no information on in the Sulu Sea as security along taminated” by Islamic State. in the entire country.” sole responsibility for it,” Duterte screech, and a few seconds later, the other captives but troops in the coasts has been tightened. Indonesia have said piracy in the There have been cases when said, cautioning police against using there were tinier, cute screeches, area were ordered to use all means In recent week, the rebels, who area, a major sea lane for the world’s police officers have killed suspected excessive force in making arrests. and it was when we knew the to locate and rescue the hostages.” have vowed allegiance to Islamic top thermal coal exporter, could reach drug dealers in handcuffs, in police “Do not kill if you’re not in dan- baby was born. Luckily, she only Abu Sayyaf rebels operating in State, beheaded two Canadians they levels previously seen in Somalia. custody or inside prison cells, civil ger of losing your life.” had to push ONCE,” Umandal said. Flood-hit Bangladesh plans to keep food safe in home silos

Reuters been reported due to drown- ing, most of them minors, according to government DHAKA: With millions of health officials. Bangladeshis hit by devas- The water has now tating monsoon floods in the started receding but experts past month, the government expect another bout of flood- and aid agencies are helping ing this month as rainfall has them with emergency food increased upstream in India and shelter, while working to and Nepal, whose rivers flow improve protection against through Bangladesh to the future disasters. Bay of Bengal. By June 2019, the gov- Of the total number of ernment will distribute half people affected by the latest a million “household food floods, around 2 million live silos” to people in areas in Jamalpur, Kurigram and prone to storms and flooding, Gaibandha - Bangladesh’s to keep their food stocks safe poorest districts, where from water and other threats. around a third of the popu- Bangladesh’s Humanitar- lation falls below the poverty ian Coordination Task Team line. - made up of government and These northern areas UN experts, aid agencies and were also hit by severe flood- donors - estimates that some ing in September 2014. 3.7 million people in 19 dis- Aid workers report that tricts have been affected the latest floods are the most by the recent floods which devastating of the last two to began in mid-July. three decades. “This flood More than 250,000 is the worst in the last 30 houses are reported dam- years, affected people say,” aged, including nearly said Adith Shah Durjoy, dis- 17,000 houses that have been aster operations coordinator washed away completely and for the International Feder- over 65,000 partially lost to ation of Red Cross and Red riverbank erosion. Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Around 110 deaths have Bangladesh. 08 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 VIEWS

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Qatar’s big night in Rio UK faces legal challenge over ome athletes are destined for greatness from a very young age. Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim, just 25, is one athlete who continues to live up to his high billing. On Tuesday night, Barshim won the silver medal in the strategy to stop radicals high jump, finishing a notch behind Canada’s Derek SDrouin at the Olympic Stadium in Rio De Janeiro. It was Barshim’s second Olympic medal, having won the the recent deadly attacks seen stop radicalisation. bronze four years ago in London. Competing against more or in Paris, Brussels and Nice are Providing a clear “What has happened over less the same athletes who were present at the last Olympics, a graphic illustration of the risk the last 10 years of counter-ter- Barshim produced five clean jumps before failing to clear the posed by some lured to a violent definition of rorism policy is it’s completely gold 2:38m mark and settled for the silver. A bronze medal in his Islamist cause at home. extremism is a going about it in a very destruc- debut Games in 2012 is followed by Qatar’s first ever silver at the The revelation on Tues- difficult task and tive way,” he said. 2016 Olympics. That indeed is hallmark of a athlete going places. day that Anjem Choudary, “The government need to do Britain’s most high-profile Islam- a job to keep people safe but the Barshim, the gold star at the IAAF World Indoor the government ist preacher, has been convicted way it’s being done, especially Championships in Sopot, Poland, two years ago, has a fan in for inviting his followers to sup- has yet to succeed recently, not only are they looking Javier Sotomayor, the man with the world record in high jump. port Islamic State has again in doing it,” says in the wrong place ... but they are The former track and field star from Cuba has predicted that the By Michael Holden brought the issue to the fore. senior opposition completely ignoring the negative lanky Qatari will go on to create a new world mark sooner Reuters Choudary was convicted last effects it’s having on community than later. month although this could not be Labour lawmaker relations.” Barshim’s best quality is that he reported until Tuesday to avoid Harriet Harman, It is not just those like Butt Moving prejudicing the jury in a separate who are targeted that are con- forward, can absorb pressure as a professional case. It ended a streak of many head of the UK cerned. In January, Professor athlete. He doesn’t talk about competing, o his detractors, years during which he served parliament’s Joint Louise Richardson, the Vice- Barshim will he mentions winning medals as his including the British as the leader of banned organi- Chancellor of Oxford University, clearly be target. He wants to be on the podium government, Salman sations but dodged prosecution Committee on said it was better to let extremists looking to and he makes his intentions pretty clear. Butt is an extremist by carefully managing his pub- Human Rights. speak on campuses and chal- On Tuesday night, just before his slip whose views on Islam lic remarks. lenge their views than to simply go for gold Tfly in the face of Britain’s values Critics questioned why it ban them. up on the sixth jump, Barshim egged on when the next and help foster an atmosphere had taken so long to act against David Anderson, Britain’s the fans at the Olympic Stadium in Rio where young Muslims can be rad- someone who had been a lead- terrorism law watchdog, has Games are to create a buzz that usually boosts the icalised by militants. Even though ing radical Islamist figure for to succeed in doing it,” said sen- warned that plans to clamp held in Tokyo confidence of an athlete. He knows what he is not accused of supporting two decades and whose follow- ior opposition Labour lawmaker down on individuals and organ- helps him during competitions and he militant groups or violence, the ers had been involved in militant Harriet Harman, head of the UK isations accused of extremism in 2020. doesn’t hold himself back. British authorities believe it is plots and acts of violence across parliament’s Joint Committee on could backfire by playing into Born into a family of track and only by cracking down on activ- the world. Human Rights which produced a the hands of militant recruiters. ists like Butt and denying a forum “There should be zero toler- critical report on the government But those who back the gov- field fans, Barshim’s father was an athlete as well. His young for their ideas to be widely heard ance towards any cleric - Muslim plans in July. ernment’s intent say allowing brother Muammar also features in competitions around the that the threat posed by jihadis or otherwise — who advocates Even Finance Minister Philip extremists free rein in public world though the younger sibling clearly has miles to go. Barshim and groups such as Islamic State extremist views and rejects Brit- Hammond admitted in May the forums or at universities exposes was quick to thank his backroom staff, members of the Qatar (IS) can be countered. ish values,” Britain’s top-selling issue was “a minefield”: “The line vulnerable people to their Olympic Committee and Qatar Athletics Federation after But critics, ranging from Sun newspaper said. “Britain has between acceptable and non- messages. securing the silver medal. civil rights groups to leading been tolerant of men like Chou- acceptable behaviour is fine and They point out that graduates academics and lawmakers, say dary for too long.” fraught with dangers,” he said. or students at British universities Moving forward, Barshim will clearly be looking to go for gold what the government is trying For those such as new Brit- Last September, Butt, 30, have been involved in numer- when the next Games are held in Tokyo in 2020. But before that, to do amounts to a curb on free ish Prime Minister Theresa May, who runs a discussion website ous militant plots including the young fashion-conscious Qatari will be eyeing the 2017 IAAF speech which could drive a wedge tackling extremism means no Islam21c, was one of the first to Emwazi and Nigerian “under- World Championships in London where he won his first bronze between the authorities and Brit- longer tolerating those who reject fall foul of the moves to clamp- wear bomber” Umar Farouk four years ago. He will also be expected to lead home honours ain’s 2.8 million Muslims. the country’s values: democracy, down on non-violent extremists Abdulmutallab. when the 2019 IAAF World Championships are held in Doha. They argue if anything such free speech, equality and the rule after being identified by a secre- Rupert Sutton, director of Stu- Engage Barshim in a friendly chat and you will notice he is a plans will only make the problem of law. tive cross-government Extremism dent Rights, an organisation that worse and amount to an attack on “Where non-violent extrem- Analysis Unit, established to campaigns against extremism on straight talker. He will tell you his training regime is ‘tough’, his the fundamental liberties the gov- ism goes unchallenged, the values pick out groups or individuals of university campuses, said peo- inescapable diet ‘extremely boring’ and expectations from his ernment wants to protect. that bind our society together concern. ple with controversial views were countrymen ‘very high’. But the tall, lanky athlete doesn’t mind “Over the last few years the fragment,” May, who had been The activist, who has a bio- often given a platform where their the extra attention he gets. He loves the sniff of a medal and the circle of who and what is consid- interior minister for six years chemistry doctorate, was named opinions were not questioned. accolades that follow, if he wins. ered extreme has been expanding before taking over the Downing in a Downing Street press release “They’re too often given a free Considering his impressive track record so far, Qatar’s slowly,” said Butt, 30, who is tak- Street reins, said in a speech in on “hate speakers” as one of six pass,” he said. “If you put it as a ing the British government to February. figures who gave talks at uni- dichotomy between either free- shining star is set for greater glory in months and years to come. court over its counter-extrem- “So while by no means all versity campuses and were “on dom of expression or ban them ism strategy. extremism leads to violence, it record as expressing views con- from speaking that is too binary. “Before it was just somebody creates an environment in which trary to British values”. What we need to think about is committing crimes or calling for those who seek to divide us can A later explanation given by how we are going to make it so violence and then they expanded flourish.” the government to parliament that when they do come to speak more and more to everyday peo- May, in her former guise as said he had appeared to compare they face challenge rather than Quote of the day ple who happen to maybe criticise interior minister, was responsi- homosexuality to paedophilia and being banned.” certain aspects of the government ble for drawing up a proposed had spoken alongside figures He said the focus should be on Houthis were deceiving policy or hold certain conserva- Counter-Extremism bill with bans from CAGE, a campaign group using existing legislation to tackle tive Islamic views,” he says. for individuals or groups deemed that gained attention for con- people like Choudary, even if he people by this negotia- The problem facing Britain extremist and closures of places tacts with Mohammed Emwazi, had long proved adept at ensuring tion, to reorganise and and other Western governments where radicals thrive, including the now-dead British militant he did not break the law. resupplying their forces is the same one with which they mosques. known as “Jihadi John” who “When someone is as effec- have wrestled since the Septem- However, there is still no sign appeared in IS videos beheading tive at it as Choudary is, you are and getting back to ber 11, 2001 attacks on the United of the legislation, with the Home foreign captives. going to get people saying: ‘How fighting. States: how to stop their young Office (interior ministry) saying it Butt said the accusations is he allowed to go around on the citizens being radicalised with- would come in “due course”. One against him were “complete street doing this?’” he said. Brig Gen Ahmed Assiri out been seen to censor critics. main obstacle is who decides who rubbish”, and is now taking legal Spokesman of Saudi-led coalition Thousands of Muslims, or what is extremist. action to challenge the gov- The writer is correspondent for in Yemen including more than 800 Brit- “Providing a clear defini- ernment’s way of identifying ons, have left Europe for Iraq tion of extremism is a difficult extremists and its “Prevent” strat- Reuters covering general news in and Syria, many to join IS, while task and the government has yet egy, its much-criticised policy to London, especially security issues.

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By Andrew Osborn Reuters

kraine says it thinks Vladimir Putin is planning a new invasion, and it’s not hard to see why: the Russian leader has built up troops on its Uborder and resumed the hostile rhetoric that preceded his annexation of Crimea two years ago. But despite appearances, some experts say Putin is more likely seeking advantage through diplomacy than on the battlefield, at least this time around. “It’s about sanctions,” Andrey Kor- tunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a Moscow- based foreign policy think tank close to the Russian Foreign Ministry, said. “It looks like a way of increasing pres- sure on Western participants of the Minsk peace process,” he said of a peace deal set up for eastern Ukraine, where pro- Russian separatists have battled against government forces. People carry flags of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic as they attend a rally dedicated to the second anniversary of republic’s founding in For two years, Russia has been under Donetsk, Ukraine. Donetsk receives humanitarian and military backing from Russia. US and EU sanctions over its annexation of Crimea and support for the separatists Ukrainian saboteurs sent to Crimea. have so far run into the sand. And talks Ultimately, Putin wants the world because of the sanctions, for Russia the in eastern Ukraine. Kiev says the incident never hap- between Victoria Nuland, US assistant to forgive and forget Russia’s Crimean clock is ticking. European leaders say the sanctions pened, and was concocted to create a secretary of state, and Vladislav Surkov, annexation and for the conflict in the east By flexing his military muscles, Putin cannot be lifted unless the Minsk peace phoney pretext for a new invasion. The a Russian presidential aide, have not gen- to freeze, leaving a pro-Russian strong- is sending a signal to the West that his deal is implemented, but for now it looks United States and European Union also erated a breakthrough either. hold inside Ukraine, outside of Kiev’s patience is wearing thin and that he may moribund, with fighting occasionally say there is no evidence it took place. In the meantime, pro-Kremlin control. It is a long-term settlement that resort to other options if Kiev can’t be flaring and both sides blaming each other Whether the plot is real or imagined, separatists continue to control two self- Kiev would never officially accept. Mean- made to play ball. for failing to implement truce terms. Moscow has cranked up its military activ- declared republics in Donbass, eastern while, as long as the peace deal is stalled, One of those, the daily Vedomosti This week, tension escalated dra- ity in Crimea at the same time as holding Ukraine, where low-level fighting with the sanctions remain in place, with the newspaper reported earlier this week matically after Putin threatened to take a series of what it says are pre-planned Ukrainian government forces continues, EU’s preconditions to lift them growing citing a source close to the separatist unspecified counter-measures against war games and missile deployments in sometimes flaring up in a big way, despite no closer. leadership, might be to stop restraining Ukraine to retaliate for what his spies say the area. the ceasefire. “Russia is intensely frustrated by separatist forces, effectively allowing a was a plot to bomb targets across con- Putin, who is expected to visit Cri- Under the deal, Kiev committed to the lack of movement on the February full-scale conflict in eastern Ukraine to tested Crimea. Putin said two Russian mea later this week in a show of support, grant Donbass special status, to par- 2015 Minsk agreement, and has sought resume. servicemen were killed in a clash with convened his Security Council and can- don separatist fighters, and to organise to put the onus for the lack of progress “For now, Russia’s leadership is using celed the next round of international talks elections. But in a country ripped apart on Ukraine,” Paul Quinn-Judge, a sen- the story about Crimean saboteurs as an meant to turn the shaky ceasefire in east- by more than two years of war that has ior adviser at International Crisis Group, ultimatum to its Western partners in the ern Ukraine into a lasting peace. lost control of giant chunks of territory, wrote in a commentary. (Ukrainian) negotiations,” wrote Alex- This week, tension escalated But his response — deliberately refo- following through on such pledges is “The agreement...is highly disadvan- ander Baunov, a senior associate at the cusing international attention back on politically toxic. tageous for Ukraine. Some key clauses, Moscow Carnegie Center. dramatically after Putin threate- eastern Ukraine and the lack of progress Kiev justifies its slowness to act by such as according the entities special “(It is saying:) You said yourselves that ned to take unspecified counter- in implementing a peace deal there - sug- accusing Russia of failing to meet its own status, would be politically explosive, there is no military solution to the Cri- gests Putin is trying to milk the latest obligations: continuing to stir conflict in perhaps politically fatal, for President mea and Donbass problems, so broker a measures against Ukraine to Crimean crisis as part of a diplomatic the east, and failing to give back control Petro Poroshenko. He has accordingly peaceful settlement. If you can’t even do retaliate for what his spies say power play he hopes will eventually kill of Ukraine’s eastern border. chosen to delay as much as possible. Mos- that, Russia reserves the right to take its Western sanctions. Kortunov said the aim of Putin’s lat- cow is turning up the heat.” own next step.” was a plot to bomb targets across European talks between Russia, est saber rattling is to persuade Ukraine’s With Russia’s reserve fund set to contested Crimea. Ukraine, France and Germany meant to Western allies “to exert influence on Kiev run out next year and Moscow’s access The writer is chief Russian correspondent ensure the peace deal’s implementation to get it to fulfill its side of the bargain”. to Western credit markets still closed for Reuters. Denmark’s nice, yes, but Danes live better in US

Policy Reform, has recently pub- figures, to conclude that the US ought craftsmen were overrepresented by a borrow the best policies of the other. lished a book called “Debunking to be copying the policies of the Nor- factor of two. It is perhaps no wonder Conservatives should note that when Utopia: Exposing the Myth of Nordic dic nations wholesale. that the ethnic Danes in the US are it comes to regulatory efficiency and Socialism.” And while the title may be It is instead more plausible to relatively high earners, because they business freedom, Denmark has a overstated, his best facts and figures think that Americans might learn are the results of a process of posi- considerably higher score than does are persuasive. something from the cultural prac- tive selection. And there is a growing the US, at least according to the Her- For instance, Danish-Americans tices of Nordic-Americans. Sanandaji literature showing that the cultural itage Foundation Index of Economic have a measured living stand- says those norms include hard traits of migrants can persist to some Freedom. ard about 55 percent higher than work, honesty, a strong civil soci- degree for generations in their new Most of all we should consider the the Danes in Denmark. Swedish- ety and an ethic of cooperation and countries. option of greater freedom of choice Americans have a living standard volunteerism. Furthermore, larger countries for residence decisions. For all the 53 percent higher than the Swedes, My own view is that many groups tend to have higher levels of income anti-immigrant sentiment that is By Tyler Cowen and Finnish-Americans have a liv- work hard, but that a disciplined, inequality than do smaller countries. circulating at the moment, would it Bloomberg ing standard 59 percent higher than family-based approach to educa- The most successful producers in the hurt the US to have fully open bor- A small country those back in Finland. tion and human capital investment US are selling to larger home mar- ders with Denmark? Only for Norway is the gap a is the important norm in this context. kets, and they will earn more than It would boost American gross with higher ethnic small one, because of the extreme oil All the main Nordic groups in the comparably talented producers in domestic product and probably also homogeneity and uring the Democratic pri- wealth of Norway, but even there the United States have high school grad- Denmark. And some of that trickles improve American education. His- with only a few mary season, Bernie Sanders living standard of American Norwe- uation rates over 96 percent. That down to higher earnings for their tory teaches that serious assimilation Dstressed some of the superi- gians measures as 3 percent higher compares to an average of about 82 doctors, dentists, and other service problems would be unlikely, espe- concentrated orities of Denmark over the US. And than in Norway. And that compari- percent for the US as a whole. providers as well. cially since many Danes already population centers indeed Denmark is wealthy, has son is based on numbers from 2013, Given all that, should one con- But this cuts both ways. The speak English. strong social and economic indica- when the price of oil was higher, so clude that the American system of less successful producers, or for Open borders wouldn’t attract usually can tors, and it offers a comprehensive probably that gap has widened. policies and laws is superior and the that matter the unemployed, often Danes who want to live off welfare provide higher safety net. Of the Nordic groups, Danish- Nordics ought to try to copy the Yan- have a harder time in the US than in because the benefits are so gener- But is it the policies of Denmark Americans have the highest per kees? Probably not. Denmark. ous at home. levels of social that we should admire, or is there capita income, clocking in at $70,925. For one thing, Nordic immigrants A small country with higher eth- How’s this for a simple rule: Open insurance without something special about being Dan- That compares to an US per capita to the United States probably came nic homogeneity and with only a borders for the residents of any dem- ish? A closer look at the evidence income of $52,592, again the num- from the better trained, more liter- few concentrated population cent- ocratic country with more generous experiencing the shows a more complex picture and bers being from 2013. Sanandaji also ate and more ambitious segments of ers usually can provide higher levels transfer payments than Uncle Sam’s. level of system one actually pretty favorable to the notes that Nordic-Americans have the population. of social insurance without experi- abuse that might American way. lower poverty rates and about half For instance, data on Danish encing the level of system abuse that Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg View col- Nima Sanandaji, a Swedish pol- the unemployment rate of their rel- migrants from 1868 to 1900 show might occur in the US. umnist. He is a professor of economics occur in the US. icy analyst and president of European atives across the Atlantic. that labourers were underrepre- The goal should not be for either at George Mason University and writes Centre for Entrepreneurship and It is difficult, after seeing those sented in the group and artisans and nation to copy the other, but rather to for the blog Marginal Revolution.

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 10 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 PAKISTAN

Govt collects Overseas Pakistanis can cast votes online $192m extra

Internews Convener of the sub-commit- a year, and that capacity could be living abroad could exercise the right in electric bills tee and Law Minister Zahid Hamid enhanced if resources were made and work out a plan in the light of the Voters under the later said that the overseas Pakista- available. experience of other countries. ISLAMABAD: The National Database nis under the plan would be provided The committee asked Nadra to The ECP had announced giv- Internews plan would be and Registration Authority (Nadra) with a code and they would be able prepare a set of recommendations to ing the right of vote to those holding provided with a has informed a parliamentary com- to cast their votes using a designated propose measures and the require- national identity cards for overseas mittee that giving the right of vote mobile phone. He said the commit- ment of resources to accelerate the Pakistanis following the court ver- ISLAMABAD: The Nawaz Sharif code and they to eight million overseas Pakistanis tee agreed to give the responsibility registration process. dict but failed to work out feasible government has silently collected would be able to through the internet is viable accord- of registration of overseas Pakista- Though the work on a proposal modalities for the purpose. over $192m from consumers of ing to their studies. nis and the operation related to the to give the right to vote to overseas The options discussed included power distribution companies to cast their votes Briefing the sub-committee of voting exercise to Nadra. Pakistanis has been continuing for setting up polling stations in embas- bail out inefficient power firms using a designated the parliamentary committee on He added a report had been quite some time. sies and consulates in over a dozen in Sindh, Balochistan and Khy- mobile phone: electoral reforms, Nadra officials sought from Nadra within two weeks The Supreme Court, on a peti- countries where large numbers of ber Pakhtunkhwa. said here this week that to ensure on how much time would be required tion filed by Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Pakistanis live or work and expa- Power consumers were Minister this would require registration of for the registration. Nadra authorities Chairman Imran Khan, had directed triates in other countries being secretly burdened with various overseas Pakistanis and their bio- said they had the capacity to regis- the Election Commission of Pakistan allowed to cast their votes through surcharges of around $192m dur- metric fingerprints. ter 140,000 overseas Pakistanis in in 2012 to study whether Pakistanis postal ballot. ing the 2015-16 fiscal alone after poor recovery of bills in the pre- vious three years, daily Express Tribune revealed in a report yesterday. 14 militants die in The catch continues The different charges were levied through notifications as a ploy to balance the budget in accordance with the various tribal belt offensive pacts signed with the Interna- tional Monetary Fund. These secret taxes were AFP US-led invasion of neighbouring named as tariff rationalisation Afghanistan in 2001 and the sub- surcharge (TRC), which include sequent spillover of militants into the burden of sector-wise inef- ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military its territory. ficiencies on account of stunted killed at least 14 militants in air The army launched the “Zarb- bills and line losses. strikes and a ground operation in a e-Azb” operation in June 2014 in Besides these inefficiencies, restive tribal region near the Afghan a bid to wipe out militant bases in the TRC also includes the burden border on Tuesday. North Waziristan tribal area and so of government’s socio-political The army offensive took place in bring an end to the bloody insur- decision to have a uniform elec- the mountainous terrain of Rajgal gency that has cost thousands of tricity tariff across the country. in Khyber region, one of the seven civilian lives. As the power tariff for 2015-16 semi-autonomous tribal districts Security in the country has since has not been notified, imposition where the military has been fighting improve. and billing of these surcharges Taliban and Al Qaeda linked mili- Scattered attacks still take place, continues. tants for over a decade. but they are fewer and of a lesser Earlier, the financial effect of “The operation was conducted intensity than in previous years. this burden - known as transmis- in areas close to Afghan border Since 2004, the United States sion and distribution losses (TDS) in which 11 terrorists were also government has attacked thousands were subsidised and met by the injured,” the military said in a of targets in Northwest Pakistan federal government. statement. using unmanned aerial vehicles Boys aboard an abandoned boat collect recyclable items through polluted waters in front of fishing But under the plan to manage Pakistan has been battling controlled by the Central Intelli- boats at Fish Harbor in Karachi, yesterday. circular debt, first drafted in April a homegrown Islamist insur- gence Agency’s Special Activities 2015, this burden was passed on gency since 2004, following the Division. to the consumers. Punjab police face dearth of high rank officers Sudden change of

Internews police in this regard reflect a dearth She said that out of the total 68 to ‘non-seriousness’ of Punjab govt in Pakistan of senior police officers in the larg- vacant slots of SPs in Punjab, 18 were government. est province. to be filled by federal government. He wondered that the crisis-like LAHORE: As many as 70 posts of Besides, many posts of senior Of the remaining 50 slots, she situation was going “unnoticed” in a superintendent of police (SPs) lying superintendents of police (SSPs), said, 24 fell vacant after those given province that had been on the top in remote: Experts vacant in Pakistan’s northeastern deputy inspector general (DIGs) and out-of-turn promotions reverted to reporting heinous crime, specially Punjab province show that the crime district police officers (DPOs) are also their previous ranks after a court murders and robberies. control and law and order have been lying vacant in the province. verdict, while 26 others could not The official said the problem Internews 2018. She and other speakers argued low on the provincial administra- The spokesperson for the Punjab be filled due to delay in promotions worsened since at least three DPOs that the military was reluctant to tion’s priority list. police confirmed that 68 slots of SPs of DSPs to the next rank. and a regional police officer (RPO) trust Imran Khan because of his The official figures obtained were lying vacant in Punjab, besides An official privy to the infor- left for senior management and staff WASHINGTON: The chances of a “loose cannon” image, which might from inspector general (IG) of Punjab some other top positions. mation attributed the situation college courses. sudden change of government in or might not be true. Pakistan are remote as the mili- While ruling out the possibil- tary is not prepared to bring down ity of a military takeover, Raphel the civilian set-up, says Ambassa- warned that the “military may move Lahore all set to dor Robin Raphel. in if there is a major public disorder Handmade teapot The former US assistant sec- in the country”. launch e-stamp retary of state for South Asia was The chances of a takeover, among half a dozen American however, were remote, she added. paper system scholars - and a Pakistani journalist “Like the military, the public too has - who analysed the current politi- changed and may resist any abrupt cal situation in Pakistan at a recent move.” seminar in Washington. But she underlined “some Internews The speakers highlighted differ- erosion in public support for democ- ent weaknesses and strengths in the racy”, which she said was worrying current political set-up and its rela- and might lead to a situation where LAHORE: In collaboration with tions with the country’s powerful the people might be forced to wel- the Punjab Information Technol- military establishment. All agreed come an abrupt change, as they did ogy Board (PITB), the City District that the military would retain its in 1999. Government of Lahore will intro- ‘dominating influence’ over the “If it happens, the US will weigh duce an e-stamp paper system. civilian set-up but would not bring its options and will take a decision The system will start function- it down. that is compatible with US interests ing at three facilitation centres “The military does not want in the region,” she said. established at district courts snap elections,” said Raphel, a Marvin Weinbaum of the Middle (Lower Mall) and tehsil courts, respected Pakistan sympathiser East Institute said that the transfer known as Model Town and Can- in Washington who recently faced of power in 2013 from Bilawal Bhut- tonment courts. an FBI investigation for her alleged to’s PPP to Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N According to officials, those friendly relations with Pakistani was a game-changer, which greatly seeking stamp papers valu- diplomats. In June, she was cleared reduced the chances of an abrupt ing more than Rs1,000 (stamp of charges and allowed to resume government change in Pakistan. duty, transfer fee, etc., regarding her work as an expert on South Agreeing with the two scholars, transfer of property, indemnity Asian affairs. Pakistani journalist Raza Rumi said bond, etc.,) can get them from 69 Raphel thinks that if elections that in the past eight years, democ- branches of the Bank of Punjab in are held now, “likely beneficiary racy had been strengthened in A craftsman puts final touches to a decoration piece of tea kettle, at a workshop in Peshawar, yesterday. Lahore by submitting the challan, will be Imran Khan” but the elec- Pakistan and it would be difficult which they will get through the tions will take place as scheduled, in to alter the course online system at the facilitation centres or the website. “If the person is unable to use the system, they can get the pro- cedure done at the bank,” CDGL Additional District Collector (Gen- Political battle lines drawn as elections in Sindh inch closer eral) Asfandyar Baloch says. He said the system would Internews deputy mayors of Karachi, Hydera- Similarly, the opposition Mut- Pakistan Muslim League-N, Imran in prison since July 19, as its candi- generate challan after calculat- bad, Sukkur and Larkana and tahida Qaumi Movement of Altaf Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, Sira- date for the office of Karachi mayor ing duties as information related chairmen and vice chairmen of the Hussain has enjoyed a comfortable jul Haq’s Jamaat-e-Islami, Fazlur and nominating Dr Arshad Vohra as to localities, areas and rates was KARACHI: With one week left in remaining Sindh districts, including majority in the Karachi Metropolitan Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema Islam and Karachi’s deputy mayor, the six par- already fed in the system. the long-delayed mayoral elections six district municipal corporations in Corporation, Hyderabad Municipal Asfandyar Wali’s Awami National ties have forged an alliance chiefly E-stamps offer many advan- in Pakistan’s southeastern Sindh Karachi, will be held on August 24. Corporation and Mirpurkhas Munic- Party to fight against the city’s largest aiming against the duo. tages over traditional rubber province, the battle lines have been The ruling Pakistan People’s ipal Committee and it set to win the party MQM for the slot of Karachi’s The MQM is confident that Akhtar stamps because of their ability to drawn as extraordinary alliances Party of Bilawal Bhutto has a clear elections for mayors, deputy mayors mayor, deputy mayor and chairmen would be the first person who “will be flipped, resized, rotated and formed between the parties which edge on the municipalities in most and chairmen and vice chairmen in and vice chairmen of the four of its win” the mayor’s election from prison. easily stored. In addition, digital are sworn enemies to each other in districts in Sindh and in most parts the three cities. six DMCs. The elected mayors, deputy may- stamps can be printed on a variety mainstream politics. it is contesting elections on its sole However, a six-party alliance has With MQM confirming its senior ors and chairmen and vice chairmen of papers and cardstock. The election for mayors and strength. been formed by PPP, Nawaz Sharif’s leader Waseem Akhtar, who has been will then take oath on August 30. INDIA THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 11

Congress to launch 2nd phase of UP campaign on Aug 21

IANS affairs in Uttar Pradesh, said: “Look- needs and requirements. The division on rent. We cannot afford hotels. So, Uttar Pradesh. “There are five in the ing at the area and population of the in the society in the state has taken I have taken a small flat on rent.” cabinet from the family and 18 oth- PM greets people state, we will cover 64-65 districts place because of these three parties.” Slamming the three parties that ers are in the council of ministers. So, on Malayalam during the campaign. Rest of the dis- Asked if the party will ally with ruled the state in the past 27 years, at least 23 are from the family. They NEW DELHI: As the Congress pre- tricts were covered in the first phase. Bahujan Samaj Party after the elec- Azad said: “In the last 27 years, the keep blaming each other. That’s why new year pares to launch its second phase of This is how we’ll cover all 75 districts tions, Dikshit said: “There is no three parties which have formed the state is in such a condition.” campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh in Uttar Pradesh.” question of allying just now. How can government be it Samajwadi Party, To a question that Prime Minis- NEW DELHI: Prime Min- Assembly elections from August 21, He said: “I am confident after the I talk of something what will happen BSP and Bharatiya Janata Party, have ter Narendra Modi will be launching ister Narendra Modi the party is clear about not engaging kind of response we received in our later on? This is our stand that we’ll not formed government by dividing the a nationalism campaign in the state, yesterday extended in a pre-poll alliance with any party. first phase of campaign full of love ally with any of these three parties.” society. We’ll form the government Azad said: “When it was time to par- greetings to the people at The party also blamed the Sama- and support, in the next phase when Dikshit also said that ticket by uniting the society. ticipate in the freedom struggle, there the start of Chingam, the jwadi Party, BSP and Bharatiya we visit these 65 districts we hope distribution could take place in Octo- “That’s why we used the slogan “27 was no RSS or BJP. Since they had no first month of the Malay- Janata Party (BJP) for divisive politics we’ll receive similar support.” ber-November. “The applicants for saal, UP Behaal”. Behaal (in bad shape) role in the freedom struggle, that’s alam new year. “On the in the state. The Congress will launch Congress’ chief ministerial can- the poll tickets are being collected. By not just in terms of development but why they are talking about nation- start of Chingam, the first the second phase from August 21 to didate Sheila Dikshit hit out at the October-November the names will be also law and order and corruption. All alism now.” month of the Malayalam October 9, during which two con- state’s ruling Samajwadi Party, and decided. We have the magic of devel- three parties for their own interest and Besides Azad and Dikshit, the new year, my greetings to voys of party activists and leaders the BSP and Bharatiya Janata Party opment, good governance, and make for power have divided the society in others participating in the second the Malayali community. will conduct the campaign. (BJP). She said: “We have always been Uttar Pradesh one of the best states the name of religion and caste.” phase will include state party chief May the year bring joy and Speaking to the media, Congress an inclusive party. We take every- in the country,” she said. Asked if Azad hit out at the Samajwadi Raj Babbar, Congress leaders Salman peace,” the Prime Minister General Secretary Ghulam Nabi body together and give everybody she has bought a house in Lucknow, party by saying that it is not known Khurshid, Rita Bahuguna Joshi and said. For Hindus in par- Azad, who is in charge of the party’s the opportunity according to their Diskshit said: “I have taken a house who is the actual Chief Minister of Pramod Tiwari and others. ticular, the first day of the Chingam is considered auspicious for weddings, moving into a new home, buying a new vehicle and Festive joy to start new ventures. Amnesty India Two dead as rain lashes Kolkata

KOLKATA: Two persons temporarily were killed and six injured after trees fell on them as a fresh gale pounded a rain-drenched Kolkata yesterday evening, throw- closes offices ing normal life out of gear. One person was killed and six injured close to the Jadavpur University independence were chanted by on the SC Mullick Road in some people attending Saturday’s south Kolkata when a tree Amnesty said seminar in the southern city of fell on them, police said. allegations against Bengaluru. The injured, two of them “The allegations mentioned in the serious, are admitted in the organisation were complaint are without any basis. The a hospital. An uprooted unsubstantiated, but event was an open door event and tree took another life admitted that slogans people were coming and going. No in the Beliaghata area. staff members were involved,” said The nagging rain caused calling for Kashmir’s Himanshi Matta, Amnesty Interna- water-logging in several independence were tional India’s spokeswoman in India. parts of the city. “They are preventing the families chanted by some of victims of human rights violations Cobra found in people attending in Jammu and Kashmir from having their stories heard. And preventing Agra house Saturday’s seminar civil society organisations from ena- Women dance along the shores of the Arabian Sea to celebrate Narali Purnima or coconut festival in in Bengaluru. bling these families to exercise their AGRA: A five-feet-long constitutional right to justice.” Mumbai yesterday. cobra was rescued yes- Following protests by hundreds terday from Artoni, Agra of right-wing activists in Bengaluru on the National High- Reuters on Tuesday and in Delhi yesterday, way to Delhi. Wildlife SOS Matta said the charity had decided said a two-member res- to temporarily close its main office cue team was despatched in the city, as well smaller ones in Jaishankar accepts Pakistan’s invite to the location soon after NEW DELHI: Amnesty Interna- Pune, New Delhi and Chennai. they received a call on tional India has temporarily closed The seminar - aimed at raising their helpline number. “My its offices and postponed events awareness over the lack of justice for niece was in the kitchen aimed at raising awareness of rights families of victims in Kashmir - was IANS Bambawale was handed over an of rebel commander Burhan Wani. and completely unaware abuses over safety concerns for its planned to take place in Mumbai and invitation addressed to Jaishankar The militant’s death has provoked of the presence of the staff after the charity was accused New Delhi next week, but has been to visit Pakistan “for talks on the angry protests by Kashmiri youth cobra near the gas stove. of sedition by protesters, a spokes- postponed due to security concerns Jammu and Kashmir dispute that who hail Wani as their hero. As the The snake was about to woman said yesterday. for the families and staff, she added. NEW DELHI: Amid escalating has been the main bone of conten- street unrest continues, militant vio- raise its hood when she Political activists held demon- Rights groups have for years bilateral tension over the unrest in tion between India and Pakistan”. lence has also escalated in the state. caught sight of it and ran strations against the rights group accused Indian forces battling a Kashmir Valley, India yesterday said The Foreign Secretary’s would be Security officials blamed the out of the kitchen in a on Tuesday and yesterday, accus- separatist insurgency in Kash- that Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar the second high-ranking visit after unrest on the surge in militant state of shock,” said Wazir ing it of inciting hatred against the mir and parts of northeast India of will go to Islamabad for talks with that of Union Home Minister Rajnath attacks after years of decline. Ali, who placed the call state during an event it hosted on violating civilian rights through a his Pakistani counterpart, but will Singh who was in Islamabad early “Militants have been able to con- to the rescue unit. After abuses by Indian security forces in controversial law which gives them focus on “aspects” related to cross- this month for a Saarc ministerial. solidate as security forces remain ensuring that the family the troubled Kashmir region. sweeping powers to search, arrest border terrorism. busy in controlling the unrest,” a top was at a safe distance, the Police said they were investi- or shoot people. According to sources, while TWO SOLDIERS DEAD police officer said in Baramulla. team carefully transferred gating if “anti-India” slogans were Authorities and the armed accepting the invite by Pakistani Meanwhile, two soldiers and The officer said heavily armed the snake into a transport raised at the event after receiving a forces deny the charges, saying Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, a policeman were killed in a pre- men ambushed an army convoy near container. The cobra is complaint from the right-wing stu- the law — the Armed Forces Spe- India has conveyed that it “rejects the dawn attack yesterday when militants Baramulla town around 3. 30am and currently under observa- dent organisation, Akhil Bharatiya cial Powers Act — is essential to self-serving allegations (of Pakistan) ambushed an Indian Army convoy on killed two soldiers. They struck again tion and will be released Vidyarthi Parishad, which has ties root out militants. Video footage of over Jammu and Kashmir in totality” a highway in north Kashmir’s Baram- and killed one policeman when a into its natural habitat. to the ruling Bharitya Janata Party. the event in Bengaluru which was and asserted that the northern state is ulla district — the second deadly strike police deployment reached there. Amnesty said the allegations recorded by Amnesty has been an integral part of India “where Paki- on security forces in three days. Authorities have said some 60 Three dead after against the organisation were handed over to the police, and is stan has no locus standi”. The attack comes amid the dead- militants have managed to sneak unsubstantiated, but admitted being studied by forensic investi- On Monday, Indian High Com- liest Kashmir unrest in six years into the valley from Pakistan in the kites slit throats that slogans calling for Kashmir’s gators, said a police official. missioner to Pakistan Gautam that began after the July 8 killing weeks of unrest. NEW DELHI: Two chil- dren and a man have died in the capital after their throats were slit Najma Heptulla and Mukhi by glass-covered strings No youngster under 18 to form used for flying kites dur- appointed Governors ing Independence Day celebrations. The trage- human pyramid: Supreme Court dies prompted the Delhi IANS cabinet on July 12, almost a week government to issue an after Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediate ban on the expanded his Council of Ministers. production, sale and stor- IANS However, the bench expressed ‘Dahi Handi’ festival was rooted in She had to resign on age age of the razor sharp its misgivings as to how the author- the tales of Krishna stealing butter NEW DELHI: Former Union Min- grounds as the BJP in an unwrit- strings which are used ities will “control or supervise” that when he was aged 12 to 14. ister Najma Heptulla, who resigned ten code had fixed the maximum to try to cut down com- children below the age of 18 do not However, lawyer Nitesh S Nevshe last month after crossing 75 years age for ministers at 75. She will petitors’ kites. The NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court participate in human pyramid for- who appeared for Swati Sayaji Patil of age, has been appointed Gover- replace V Shanmuganathan, who government said anyone yesterday said that nobody under mation. The decision came as the told the court that 156 persons who nor of Manipur. Heptulla was among as Meghalaya Governor was hold- caught with the strings, the age of 18 will be allowed to court restored the 2014 petition by suffered falls during the festival were four Governors named by the Centre ing additional charge of Manipur. known locally as manjha, participate in human pyramid for- some ‘Dahi Handi’ organisers chal- admitted in government hospitals along with those for Assam, Punjab Manipur, like Punjab, is headed for faced a five-year jail term mation in the ‘Dahi Handi’ festival lenging the High Court order holding in 2011 in Mumbai alone. Of this, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. assembly elections next year. and a Rs100,000 ($1,500) on Janmashtami on August 25 in that youngsters below the age of 18 142 cases were of serious injuries. Former Member of Parliament V Badnore, a senior BJP leader fine. The children, aged Maharashtra. would not participate in the human Nevshe told the court that last year P Singh Badnore has been appointed from Rajasthan, has replaced Hary- four and six, died in sep- An Apex Court bench of Justice pyramid formation and the same too the number of cases reported in hos- Governor of Punjab, which is sched- ana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, arate incidents in New Anil R Dave and Justice L Nag- would not be more than 20 feet. pitals across Maharashtra was more uled to have assembly polls next who was holding additional charge Delhi after they looked eswara Rao also said the height of The High Court had also issued than 1,000. year, said an official communique of Punjab after Shivraj Patil’s term out of the sunroof of their the human pyramid should not be directions on the framing of rules or It was on the public interest lit- from the Rashtrapati Bhawan. ended last year. Mukhi, a BJP veteran cars. A 22-year-old man more than 20 feet, observing that amending the circular, which the top igation of Patil — secretary of NGO In other appointments, senior from Delhi, represented Janakpuri also died in the same way on the grounds of religious feeling court had put on hold saying it would Utkarsh Mahila Samajik Sanstha — BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi has been assembly constituency for six terms. while he was riding his acrobatics could not be permitted. hold hearing on the entire matter in that the High Court had passed a appointed Lt. Governor of Andaman He also served as Leader of Oppo- motorbike on a flyover in The bench said this while October. Additional Solicitor Gen- number of directions on August 11, and Nicobar Islands and Banwarilal sition in the Delhi assembly. He was the capital. allowing two Bombay High Court eral Tushar Mehta, appearing for 2014, which were put on hold by the Purohit the Governor of Assam. Hep- also Finance Minister of Delhi dur- directions passed in 2014. Maharashtra, told the court that the Apex Court three days later. tulla, 76, had resigned from the union ing the BJP regime from 1993-1998. 12 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 EUROPE Burkini bans cause ripples in France

from the beaches onto political front mainly conservative south in the France discusses Prime Minister benches. Valls cited the tensions wake of the Nice attack. security measures in France after a string of jihadist Italy rules out ban on beaches Last weekend, youths on a beach Manuel Valls waded attacks—including July’s truck mas- on the French Mediterranean island to protect schools into the debate, sacre in Nice—for backing mayors AFP responsibility is to guarantee secu- of Corsica came to blows with a who barred a garment “founded on rity and to decide the severity of group of Muslim families, report- saying the garment the subjugation of women”. responses which however must edly after a tourist snapped pictures PARIS: The French gov- was “not compatible The burkini, which covers the never become provocations that of women bathing in burkinis. ernment held a special body and hair, is a “provocation” ROME: Italy will not follow France could potentially attract attacks,” Five were arrested yesterday over security meeting yester- with the values that risks causing “public disorder”, by allowing burkini bans on pub- Alfano said. the mass brawl, in which five people day to discuss increasing of France and the he told La Provence daily, echoing the lic beaches but is planning tighter Asked about burkini bans intro- were injured. protection measures at mayor of Cannes, where three women regulation of imams and mosques, duced by several French seaside For sociologist Michel Wieviorka, schools after a series of Republic” and that have been fined €38 ($42) for sport- the country’s interior minister said towns, Alfano added: “It doesn’t the brouhaha is proof of a “radical- deadly extremist attacks he supported towns ing the swimsuit. Valls however ruled in comments published yesterday. seem to me, alas, that the French isation on all sides—by nationalists, in the country. that banned it. out implementing any nationwide ban. Angelino Alfano told the Corri- model has worked for the best.” secularists and Islamists”. The meeting, led by His intervention came as the ere della Sera daily that he regarded Alfano, who is planning to table a “Politicians should try to calm President Francois Hol- mayor of the resort of Le Touquet France’s restrictions on Islamic new security law in September, also tensions and stop creating hysteria,” lande, was designed to announced he would follow the lead clothing as counter-productive said he wanted all imams preaching he told reporters , asking politicians adapt security measures of his counterparts in the south. because of the potential backlash in the country’s mosques to be trained and burkini wearers to both step to the new school year AFP Le Touquet’s right-wing mayor it could provoke. in Italy, and for all mosques to be fully back from the fight. starting in September. Daniel Fasquelle said he had yet to “The interior ministry’s compliant with the law. France’s Human Rights League The extremist threat is catch sight of a burkini in his town but took aim at Valls for backing the still at a “very high level,” did not want to be caught “offguard”. without causing disturbances. subject of debate in France, which anti-burkini mayors, accusing him Defence Minister Jean- PARIS: The decision by a handful Beyond France’s shores the bans, For Britain’s Daily Telegraph, the was the first European country to ban of “participating in the stigmatisa- Yves Le Drian said. of French mayors to ban the Islamic which one mayor sought to pass burkini bans enacted in the name of the Islamic face veil in public in 2010, tion of a category of French people As summer winds burkini swimsuit has divided the off on hygiene grounds, have been combatting extremism were them- six years after outlawing the head- who have become suspect, by vir- down, the number of country and shocked its neighbours, widely ridiculed. selves “foolish acts of fanaticism”. scarf and other conspicuous religious tue of their faith”. military troops protect- with critics seeing the prohibitions as “France cites latest threat to While expressing understand- symbols in state schools. Jean Bauberot, a sociologist spe- ing sensitive sites will be profoundly discriminatory. security: The Burkini,” the Interna- ing for France’s security jitters, the Proponents of these bans argued cialising in secularism, saw the bans as decreased in the French Yesterday, Prime Minister Manuel tional New York Times teased in a paper found there to be “no earthly that religious symbols should be rel- proof of an illiberal drift in the home of regions and increased in Valls waded into the debate, saying front-page headline last week. reason why banning them (burkinis) egated to the private sphere. liberty, equality and fraternity. Paris, Le Drian said. the garment was “not compatible “The French emphasis on keeping would help to thwart France’s vio- Critics note however that the “You can be shocked by the head- with the values of France and the religious attire out of public life can at lent Islamists”. measures mainly target the Muslim scarf or the burkini, and we can and Republic” and that he supported times seem strange to foreigners,” the “If anything, it is more likely to minority and impinge on freedom of should debate it, but without banning Prison for use towns that banned it. paper wrote, noting that head-covering alienate and upset moderate Mus- religion. it. That’s democracy: tolerating dif- His remarks propelled the latest bathing suits had been worn by sev- lims,” it added. The rash of bans comes as anti- ference, accepting otherness,” he told of term ‘Polish row over the place of Islam in France eral Arab athletes at the Rio Olympics Islamic dress has long been a Muslim sentiments mount in the the Liberation newspaper. death camp’

WARSAW: The Polish government has Wired journey Spain’s PP initiates approved a new bill that foresees prison terms of up to three years for any- one who uses phrases talk for govt formation like “Polish death camps” to refer to Auschwitz and other camps that Nazi AFP Germany operated in occupied Poland during World War II. The Justice Ministry MADRID: Spain’s corruption-hit said the Cabinet of Prime ruling Popular Party (PP) yesterday Minister Beata Szydlo agreed to negotiate with Ciudadanos approved the legislation. to try and form a government, just It is expected to pass days after the centrist grouping set easily in the parliament, a series of anti-graft demands as a where the nationalistic condition to start talks. ruling party Law and Jus- The move is a first, tentative tice enjoys a majority. step towards unblocking the eight- month-long political paralysis that has gripped Spain as squabbling high-profile scandals. Greece coast parties remain unable to reach any The case centres around former kind of agreement on a government PP treasurer Luis Barcenas, who on guard rescues following two inconclusive general top of alleged embezzlement also elections. reportedly ran a slush fund for the 59 migrants But it still does not give acting party and says Rajoy knew about it, Workers set on the first cabin of the new cable car in Brest, western of France, yesterday. The cable Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s although the acting prime minister ATHENS: Greece’s car will be commissioning in October. (pictured) conservative party denies this. coast guard rescued 59 enough support to push a minority Corruption was a big issue migrants in an inflatable government through the necessary in campaigns before elections in dinghy in rough weather parliamentary vote of confidence December and again in June but in the Aegean Sea early as others refuse as yet to back it, this did not stop the PP from com- yesterday, the coast Biden calls for raising the possibility of yet more ing first each time, though without guard said. French mayor bans elections. an absolute majority. The migrants were Serbia-Kosovo The PP’s executive committee The party won 137 parlia- picked up off the eastern “authorised me and party leaders to mentary seats out of 350 in June’s island of Kos by two patrol negotiate with Ciudadanos”, Rajoy elections, and Rajoy has since been boats. They were among Pokemon Go reconciliation told reporters. trying to garner support from his a total of 147 people who The committee’s green light rivals to form a coalition or minority arrived on three islands AP implies that it accepted the six government, which he will have to in the 24 hours between characters in village conditions set by Ciudadanos last push through a vote of confidence. Tuesday morning and yes- week, but Rajoy refused to be drawn In order to do so, he needs a terday morning. PRISTINA, KOSOVO: US Vice- into this, saying these had not been simple majority. Of the others, 44 AP Niantic asking for prior authorisation. President Joe Biden urged brought up during the two-hour- But even if Ciudadanos, which reached island of Kalym- “When a cafe or a restaurant wartime foes Serbia and Kosovo long committee meeting. gained 32 seats in June elections, nos and the remaining owner wants to open a business in yesterday to mend ties and nor- The conditions include anti-cor- accepts to back the PP after nego- 44 were picked up from any French town, they have an obli- malise relations, a condition for ruption measures such as creating tiations, Rajoy will still not have a another inflatable dinghy PARIS: A French mayor has gation to request prior authorisation both Balkan countries to join the a parliamentary commission to majority to push his government off the island of Lesbos. denounced “anarchical settlement” to the mayor. The rule applies to all European Union. investigate one of the PP’s most plans through. of “Pokemon Go” characters on the people wishing to set up an activity Speaking to reporters after “territory” of his eastern village and or occupy a space on a public prop- talks with Kosovo President has ordered the game’s creator to erty. So it applies to Niantic as well, Hashim Thaci, Biden said, “I know remove the virtual creatures. even though their settlement is vir- the scars of war are raw ... but rec- Bressolles Mayor Fabrice Beau- tual,” Beauvois said. onciliation is necessary.” Joyful moments vois said that he has mailed a decree Beauvois maintains the “Poke- Kosovo declared independ- to California-based Niantic Inc. and mon Go” phenomenon is spreading ence from Serbia in 2008, but The Pokemon Company to make in a “contagious” way, the game may Belgrade does not recognise its sure they stop setting up Pokemons lead to a “dangerous addiction” and former province’s statehood. in the village of about 800 inhabit- that it is his responsibility to ensure Serbia and Kosovo have signed ants northeast of Lyon. public tranquility and order. a series of EU-brokered deals to In his decree, the mayor says The mayor said he wants to raise regulate relations between the search for Pokemons puts pedes- a debate about the issue and local two. Some of those agreements trians and drivers at risk because citizens are happy with the decree. — including one giving more self- players get inattentive while watch- He acknowledged he is unaware rule to Kosovo’s Serb minority ing their smartphones and that it of any incidents related to a Poke- — remain unimplemented. may also result in groups of people mon search in his village but wants “It will be difficult, but it is forming at night. to keep his village “quiet.” He was necessary and important, urgent The game sends players into real told Pokemon figures have been work,” Biden said, adding that world to search for digital monsters found by Bressolles’ war memorial. he delivered the same message known as Pokemons, which appear Following recent complaints, to Serbian Prime Minister Ale- on their smartphone screens. Niantic has removed game stops ksandar Vucic on Tuesday in Beauvois insisted in a phone from sensitive sites, like US Holo- Belgrade. interview with The Associated Press caust Memorial Museum, Japan’s Later Biden attended with his that his order, issued last week, is Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park family an emotional ceremony only targeting the two compa- and Cambodia’s genocide museum. naming a road near an American nies, not the players. He said that Last week a Niantic spokes- military base after his late son, Bressolles is the first French munic- man said the company is “moving Beau Biden, who died last year of ipality to issue such a decree. quickly to review and address all brain cancer at age 46. The mayor lamented the set- such requests” and property own- Beau Biden, former Delaware tlement of Pokemon characters on ers can request removal of a stop by Attorney General, served in 2001 in People ride on a merry-go-round carousel during sunset in Stockholm, Sweden. “territory” of his village without visiting the “Pokemon Go” website. Kosovo as an interim legal adviser. AMERICAS THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 13

Geese walk past a chicken coop that burned with animals inside at the Bluecut Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County. (Right) Flames burn structures and vehicles as the Blue Cut wildfire rages near Cajon Pass, north of San Bernardino, California. Wildfires rage in California; 82,000 evacuated

AP than 34,000 homes and some Desert to the north. Countless big explosions — possibly from ammu- seeing houses,” he said. 82,000 people were under evacua- rigs were parked on both sides of the nition stored in homes — could be The blaze was among several The fire erupted in tion warnings. pass, waiting for Interstate 15 and a heard in the distance. large fires burning up and down Cal- Cajon Pass, a critical “This is not the time to mess web of other roads to reopen. Shannon Anderson of Blue Moun- ifornia, from Shasta County in the far SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA: highway and rail around,” said Battalion Chief Mark Alternate routes involved sig- tain Farms horse ranch in Phelan north to Camp Pendleton Marine base California’s newest huge wildfire Peebles of San Bernardino County nificant detours. The pass is a major had to evacuate 40 horses as the fire in San Diego County. It came after advanced on thousands of homes corridor through Fire Department. “If you are asked route for travel from the Los Angeles approached. “It’s raining ash,” Ander- several steady weeks of major fires yesterday, feeding on drought- mountain ranges that to evacuate, please evacuate.” region to Las Vegas and also carries son said, breathing hard. around the state, even though the full stricken vegetation and destroying Less than 24 hours after the blaze significant daily commuter traffic for The fire erupted in a landscape force of the traditional fire season has an untold number of structures as it separate Southern began 60 miles east of Los Angeles, the high desert residents. ready to burn after years of drought. yet to arrive. expanded to nearly 47 square miles. California’s major fire command assembled a fleet of 10 The speed of the fire’s spread The weather was hot, dry and windy — Governor Jerry Brown declared a Authorities could not say how air tankers, 15 helicopters and an army astonished those in its path. conditions not expected to begin easing state of emergency within hours of lat- many homes were destroyed in the population centers of 1,300 firefighters, many of them just “This moved so fast,” said Darren until late today or tomorrow. Devour- est fire breaking out. . first furious hours, but they prepared from Mojave Desert off the lines of a wildfire that burned Dalton, 51, who along with his wife ing ranchlands, the blaze surged west Six firefighters were briefly communities for bad news. for 10 days just to the east. and son had to get out of his house in to the Los Angeles County line and trapped by flames at a home where “There will be a lot of fami- to the north. At a dawn briefing, half the fire- Wrightwood. “It went from ‘Have you north to the Mojave Desert. occupants refused to leave, forcing lies that come home to nothing,” fighters raised their hands when an heard there’s a fire?’ to ‘mandatory Eric Sherwin of San Bernardino the crew to protect the house. As that San Bernardino County Fire Chief official asked how many had just evacuation’ before you could take it County Fire Department confirmed fire surged, a major blaze north of Mark Hartwig said after a morning come from earlier blaze, part of a all in. This is a tight little community early yesterday that the flames had San Francisco was fading, and about flight over a scene he described as flanks of the San Gabriel Mountains siege of wildland infernos. up here. Always in rally mode. Sud- burned at least a dozen buildings, some 4,000 people in the town of Clearlake “devastating.” toward the town of Wrightwood, The fire erupted in Cajon Pass, denly it’s a ghost town.” of them homes. He said he had seen were allowed to return home. “It hit hard. It hit fast. It hit with where authorities said that only half a critical highway and rail corridor Hundreds of cars packed with all kinds of things burn, including the Their relief, was tempered with an intensity that we hadn’t seen of the community’s 4,500 residents through mountain ranges that sep- belongings and animals left the town. Summit Inn, a historic diner near I-15. anger at a man who authorities before,” he said. had complied with evacuation orders. arate Southern California’s major The air for miles around the blaze “I’m looking up here and I’m see- believe set the blaze that wiped out Flames continued to climb the Officials estimated that more population centers from Mojave was filled with smoke. The sound of ing buses. I’m seeing outbuildings. I’m several blocks of a small town.

Peru court throws Rousseff suggests out Fujimori Flood waters recede in Louisiana; fresh elections embezzlement huge task to house many displaced conviction AFP AP

AP

BRASÍLIA: Brazil’s suspended pres- ALBANY, LOUISIANA: The smell of ident Dilma Rousseff (pictured) LIMA: A five-judge Supreme Court muddy water hung heavy in the air as admitted yesterday she had made panel unanimously overturned people began sorting through water- mistakes, but said she had done the embezzlement conviction logged belongings and ripping out nothing worthy of impeachment in of imprisoned former Peruvian carpets yesterday in flood-wracked an address just over a week before President Alberto Fujimori, who southern Louisiana, which now faces she goes on trial. was charged with diverting $40m a long-term challenge of how to house Rousseff, accused of using illegal from the military to pay for arti- thousands of displaced people. budgetary maneuvers to cover up cles in sensationalist tabloids that Even as water receded in some the depth of the country’s economic maligned his political foes. areas, it was rising in other commu- problems during her 2014 re-elec- tortured under the military dic- The verdict, which cannot nities downstream, sending people tion, faces trial in the Senate starting tatorship in 1970s, repeated her be appealed, outraged human fleeing to shelters. August 25, four days after the Olym- insistence forcing her out through rights activists, who said it flew Officials painted a stark picture pic Games end in Rio. She looks near impeachment amounts to a coup. in the face of a mountain of evi- of the crisis: at least 40,000 homes certain to be expelled from office. “It would be an unequivocal dence presented at the 2015 trial damaged and 11 people killed in A man navigates a boat of rescued goats past a partially submerged With her impeachment trial coup, followed by an indirect elec- at which Fujimori was convicted some of the worst flooding in Lou- car after flooding in Gonzales, Louisiana. looming, the Brazilian Federal tion,” she said. and sentenced to eight years. isiana history. More than 30,000 Supreme Court also authorised “We have to strengthen democ- Fujimori remains incarcer- people have been rescued since opening of an investigation into racy in our country, and for this it ated, serving 25-year sentences Friday. “The water was waist deep, so during this devastating time.” Rousseff and her predeces- will be necessary for the Senate for corruption and for authorising Amid scattered reports of loot- it’s iffy if I can take the sheet rock Entertainer Lady Gaga also sor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for to close the impeachment process death squads during his 1990- ing, Louisiana Governor John Bel and insulation half way or have to go said she is donating an unspecified allegedly trying to obstruct a cor- underway, recognising, given the 2000 presidency. He is due for Edwards said parishes with wide- to the ceiling,” she said. “If we don’t amount to flood relief efforts ruption probe into the state oil firm irrefutable evidence, that there was release in 2032, but his political spread damage were being placed make it in time, we trash it.” In Livingston Parish, one of Petrobras. no crime of responsibility. movement won a majority in Con- under curfew as of early yesterday. Officials started going house the hardest-hit areas with about In a letter to Brazilian people “I am innocent,” Rousseff gress in recent elections and his Residents donned surgical masks to house to ensure everyone was 138,000 people, an official esti- that she read out in the capital Bra- insisted. “There is no injustice more daughter Keiko lost the presidency and began the back-breaking job of accounted for. They also searched mated that 75 percent of the homes silia, Rousseff suggested that Brazil devastating than to condemn an by less than a half percentage ripping out soggy carpet, drywall countless cars caught in the flooding. were a total loss. hold new elections to get out of the innocent person.” point in a June runoff. and insulation. They cleared out “I don’t know we have a good Officials from Livingston Par- political crisis. The final judgment phase in the “It’s dangerous and damaging spiders and cockroaches that had handle on the number of people ish were in Baton Rouge to talk Rousseff said if she was spared by impeachment process is expected verdict for the fight against corrup- bubbled up through the sewer grates. who are missing,” the governor said. to federal officials about getting the Senate, she would back a referen- to take several days before a vote. tion,” human rights lawyer Carlos Chris Bankston was with work- About 60,000 people have temporary housing for their first dum on holding early elections and The Senate must vote by a Rivera told Canal N television. ers mucking out his family-owned signed up for assistance from Federal responders — a sign of the housing electoral reform to carry out a “deep two-thirds majority at the end The judges ruled there was no auto parts store yesterday. He said Emergency Management Agency, crunch likely to come with so many transformation” of a system that most of the judgment session in order evidence Fujimori had used pub- his father opened the business close and 20 parishes were included in people out of their homes for weeks Brazilians consider rotten. to remove her from office. If that lic funds to pay for headlines in to 70 years ago. He says water had the federal disaster declaration. and perhaps months. She also struck a humble note. happens, interim president Michel so-called “chicha” newspapers, never gotten within 200 yards of his And help was coming from quar- Rivers and creeks were still “I have listened to the tough Temer would stay on until sched- aimed at the uneducated brim- business, until the weekend. ters beyond the federal government. dangerously bloated south of Baton criticisms of my government, for uled elections in 2018. The Globo ming with true crime tales. More than two dozen volun- Performer Taylor Swift said she Rouge as water drained toward the the errors committed,” she said. “I news organisation reported that Yet Fujimori’s own spy chief, teers had arrived at Rhonda Brewer’s is donating $1 million to flood relief. Gulf of Mexico. Nearly 800 evacu- accept these criticisms with humil- the actual judgment vote will take Vladimiro Montesinos, was con- Baton Rouge home, helping her take “The fact that so many people in ees waited in a makeshift Red Cross ity and determination so that we can place between August 30-31. victed in 2005 in the same case. water-damaged belongings to the Louisiana have been forced out of their shelter in Gonzales at the Lamar build a new way forward.” The president of the Supreme He testified that Fujimori in some curb. Volunteers worked to remove homes is heartbreaking,” the 26-year- Dixon Expo Center, a multipurpose But Rousseff, a former leftist Court, Justice Ricardo Lewand- cases ordered up specific headlines wooden floor boards, sheet rock and old said. “I encourage those who can facility that has hosted rodeos, car guerrilla who was imprisoned and owski, will preside. to be used in the tabloid campaign. insulation before the mold set in. to help out and send love and prayers and truck shows and concerts. 14 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 AMERICAS

Trump names Hillary: Trump’s combative news executive in senior foreign policy role of campaign

Reuters bewilders me WASHINGTON: Republican pres- idential candidate Donald Trump overhauled his troubled campaign talk about national security,” Clin- yesterday, hiring combative head of a ton said, pointing to Vice-President conservative news website as chief exec- “What (Trump) Joe Biden’s dissection of Trump’s utive officer and promoting a seasoned often says hurts us. foreign policy at a Pennsylvania political operative to a senior role. event. “What (Trump) often says Stephen Bannon, executive chair- It sends the wrong hurts us. It sends the wrong message man of Breitbart website, was named message to friend to friend and foe alike.” Turning to CEO, while Kellyanne Conway, who the Olympic team, she said, “Team has been an adviser, will take role of and foe alike,” USA is showing the world what this campaign manager, the Trump cam- the Democratic country stands for.” paign said. The shake-up comes as Trump has said the country’s Trump faces criticism from many presidential nominee national security requirements Republicans over a series of contro- said. demanded “extreme” vetting of versial statements and opinion polls Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton works the rope line at a voter registration event at West immigrants seeking admission to show him falling behind Democratic the United States, pointing to the Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. candidate Hillary Clinton in the race. threat of the Islamic State group Selection of Bannon suggested AP and terrorism elements. Trump travelled to Milwaukee, Scranton, Pennsylvania, that the Mil- “Who can have a problem with Trump is aiming not so much to tone Clinton and Trump have each the site of ongoing protests over fatal waukee protests showed the nation that?” Trump said in an excerpt of down his aggressive style but to be more sought the upper hand as the chief shooting of a black man by a black had “urgent work to do to rebuild trust the interview. “If it is true, then peo- disciplined in emphasising themes that executive most capable of battling police officer. between police and communities” and ple shouldn’t be rioting.” resonate strongly with voters he is trying PHILADELPHIA: Hillary Clin- terrorism. While the GOP business Trump began his visit with a that “everyone should have respect for While polls have shown Clinton to court, such as his stances on immi- ton vowed to conduct a national mogul has vowed to project strength meeting with local law enforcement the law and be respected by the law.” building a lead following the Phila- gration and criticism of Clinton. security and foreign policy that and decisive action against terror, officers at Milwaukee County War In an interview on Fox News delphia convention, Democrats are “You’ve got a candidate who Americans could be proud of, saying Hillary has pointed to her deep for- Memorial Center on Lake Michigan, Channel, Wisconsin Governor Scott fearful that a depressed voter turn- wants to win. This is a clear indica- rival Donald Trump “just absolutely eign policy credentials and warned where he was joined by former New Walker accused Clinton of “inflam- out might diminish support among tion of that. It’s win at all cost,” Corey bewilders” her when he talks about that Trump could plunge the nation York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. ing the situation” with her comments. the minority, young and female vot- Lewandowski, Trump’s former cam- his policies around the globe. into another war. Among those present were Mil- “I think people understand in that ers who powered President Barack paign manager, said on CNN. Clinton embraced the US As president, Trump said he waukee County Sheriff David Clarke neighbourhood and Sherman Park and Obama to two victories. Lewandowski, who was ousted in Olympic team’s success at a voter would encourage immigrants and Inspector Edward Bailey. Clarke in Milwaukee, they want law enforce- Clinton said at voter registration June as the unorthodox Trump cam- registration rally in Philadelphia, to assimilate and urge parents, in an op-ed blamed liberal Demo- ment to step up and protect them,” he event at a Philadelphia high school paign tried to adopt more presidential pointing to Team USA’s gold as an teachers and others to promote crats and media for the unrest that said, adding “statements from Clinton that she’s “not taking anybody any- posture, likened Bannon to “a street example of an optimistic nation that “American culture.” But he declined has rocked the city. and a “lack of leadership” from Obama where for granted” in race for White fighter,” like himself. He said Conway, runs counter to what she considers to say which regions of the world Trump also posed for photographs “only inflame the situation.” House, saying the stakes “could not be who had backed Trump rival Ted Cruz Trump’s pessimism and negativity. would race “extreme” vetting and with veterans, including one wearing Trump told Fox News shooting in higher.” While guarding against com- in Republican primaries, could help “It just absolutely bewilders me how federal agencies would go a “Hillary for Prison” T-shirt. Milwaukee may have occurred because placency, Clinton is also preparing for Trump with “any gender gap problems when I hear Donald Trump try to about conducting the review. Clinton said during a stop in the officer had a gun to his head. a potential administration. that he has.” FBI delivers documents on Hillary email probe to US Congress

Reuters is being provided with the expecta- as much of it public as possible. by Republican Representative Jason Congress about the matter, for exam- forwarded to Clinton by staff, lacked tion it will not be disseminated or FBI Director James Comey told Chaffetz, had asked the FBI for com- ple, her statement that she had not “header and footer markings” indi- disclosed without FBI concurrence,” Congress last month that Clinton’s plete investigative file from its review sent or received information desig- cating the presence of classified the agency said in a statement. handling of classified information of Clinton’s use of a private email nated as classified. information, and only one email WASHINGTON: The Federal Bureau A spokeswoman for House of while using private email servers server. The FBI has also provided But the FBI, in a letter sent to was later determined by the State of Investigation (FBI) said early yes- Representatives Oversight and Gov- was “extremely careless.” But he said documents from its investigation to the committee, said the fact that Department to contain classified terday it had turned over to the US ernment Reform Committee said in he would not recommend criminal the House Judiciary Committee, an the agency had uncovered three information. Congress a number of documents an email that staff for the panel were charges be brought against her. aide said. instances in which Clinton had Clinton’s fellow Democrats were related to its probe into Hillary Clin- reviewing the information classified Comey’s statement lifted a cloud Chaffetz and Judiciary Commit- received emails containing “©” scornful that Republicans were refus- ton’s use of a private email server as “secret.” “There are no further of uncertainty from Clinton’s White tee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, also a markings, which denote “confiden- ing to let the matter drop. while she was secretary of state. details at this time,” the aide said. House campaign. But his strong crit- Republican, last month urged federal tial” information, was “not clear “The FBI already determined The FBI said it had provided “rel- Senate Judiciary Committee icism of her judgment ignited a new prosecutors to investigate whether evidence of knowledge or intent” to unanimously that there is insufficient evant materials” to congressional Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Repub- attack on her by Republicans, includ- Clinton had committed perjury. mishandle such material. evidence of criminal wrongdoing,” committees looking into the matter. lican, said an initial review of the ing Donald Trump, her Republican They said some FBI findings The letter, which accompanied said Representative Elijah Cummings, “The material contains classified material showed most of it was marked opponent in the November 8 election. about her email servers were at the FBI’s investigative documents, the top Democrat on the Oversight and other sensitive information and unclassified, and urged the FBI to make The Oversight committee, chaired odds with her previous testimony to noted relevant emails had been committee. Canadian cops want access to Internet passwords How do blind watch the Olympics?

AFP of obtaining digital evidence while allowing unusual control of inter- NBC helps them hear it protecting individual liberty. net, a person still cannot be forced The CACP said it “urges the gov- to reveal a password. ernment, for purpose of community The Canadian supreme court in AP veterans, devoted hours to study- programme, you need to know basis OTTAWA: Canadian police chiefs safety, to identify a legislative means June 2014 ruled that anonymity on ing sports and NBC commentators’ of what’s going on. The car chase, the called for the government to adopt a for public safety agencies inclusive internet is a right and police must speech patterns. They aim to wedge gun shots, the subtle or not-so-sub- law that could force a person to reveal of law enforcement, through judi- have a legal order to demand that in short sentences or even a few tle look across the room.” an online encryption key or password cial authorisation, to compel holder internet service providers release NEW YORK: Two people in a record- words amid often breathless But live TV events are much in the interests of public safety. of an encryption key or password to information on certain customers. ing booth deep inside a Connecticut announcing. At one point during a harder to narrate because there’s Canadian Association of Chiefs reveal it to law enforcement.” The government of liberal Prime office park are helping millions of beach volleyball match, Wick mostly no script, and as a result narrated of Police adopted the resolution at Though the previous conserva- Minister Justin Trudeau did not blind Americans feel part of the limits herself to reciting the score sports events remain rare in the US. an annual meeting in Ottawa, citing tive government adopted in May 2015 immediately comment on the police Olympics like never before. — otherwise invisible to those who The aim is to provide “what and technological and legal challenges a controversial anti-terrorism law chiefs’ request. For the first time in the US, NBC can’t see — in-between points. how,” says Van Horne — “what an is airing Olympics in prime time with While they try not to talk over individual is wearing, the expres- additional narrators who simply announcers, it happens. During sion on their face, how did they fall, report what’s happening on screen a pause, Van Horne notes that US how did they twist the ankle.” Not — a sort of closed captioning for vis- player Kerri Walsh Jennings was only can the blind follow the action, Under scanner ually impaired. Most viewers won’t waiting for wind to die down to they can also connect with emo- even know the additional narrators serve; the announcers started up tional upheavals that are as much are there; to hear them, you need to again before he finished his sen- a part of the Olympics as the sports. turn on special cable-box settings tence. Blind viewers say sometimes Karen Gourgey, 68, director of a to activate their audio track. But they can’t hear the NBC announcers centre that trains blind people to use their running blow-by-blow can in the crosstalk. technology at Baruch College in New open things up for the blind, who at Finding right words can be diffi- York, normally finds herself “bored” best get an incomplete picture from cult, said Wick, who keeps stacks of by Olympics, “for obvious reasons,” traditional sportscasting that takes notes in front of her. “When you say she says. Now, though, she’s getting visuals for granted. a spike, what does that mean? When more specifics when medals are pre- “I love the Olympics,” says Mar- you say a tumbling pass, well, what sented — “this one’s in tears, that laina Lieberg, 66, who is blind are they doing exactly?” one’s hugging, all the stupid stuff.” since birth and has long bugged her While closed captioning for deaf She’s learned that a gymnast used sighted husband to describe the ath- today is ubiquitous, most people who the whole floor during a tumbling letic events. “I’m so happy I’m going aren’t visually impaired have never routine and that swimmers perch to be able to sit back, watch the heard of “audio description” or “video on starting blocks before they dive Olympics like anybody else, know description,” as this sort of narration into the pool. “You can still get quite what’s going on, not have to imag- is formally known. It was developed electrified,” she says. ine or wonder. That’s huge.” in the 1980s, and is now available for Narration for blind isn’t always Narrator Norma Jean Wick opens certain prime-time series and chil- easy to find or operate on TV. Lori the Olympics broadcast in a neutral, dren’s shows on the major broadcast Scharff, a blind social worker can’t almost robotic tone, saying “Golden networks and a few cable stations. activate the setting herself because orange sunset in Rio de Janeiro” as For a long time, visually she’d have to navigate a TV-screen music swells over a shot of the city. impaired didn’t know how much menu. She can’t just leave them “Night has fallen,” she continues, they were missing from TV shows running all the time, either, right after NBC’s Bob Costas intones, and movies, says Paul Schroeder, because they share a track with Detained immigrants are searched after being captured by US Border Patrol agents in Roma, Texas. “Aaaand here we go.” head of programmes and policy Spanish-language audio that kicks Most of the times gangs use the route to smuggle drugs. Wick and Jim Van Horne, both at American Foundation for the in when a show isn’t narrated for Canadian sports broadcasting Blind. “If you’re trying to follow a the blind (as most are not). BREAK TIME THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 1517

TV LISTINGS

08:00 News 13:00 KumKum Bhagya 13:45 Gator Boys 13:10 Austin & Ally 08:30 Witness 13:30 Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi 14:40 Treehouse 14:00 Liv And Maddie 09:00 The Guantanamo Rani Masters 14:50 Dog With A Blog 22 14:00 Jamai Raja 15:35 Tanked 15:15 Hank Zipzer 10:00 News 14:30 Tashn E Ishq 16:30 Africa’s Trees Of 15:40 Bunk’d 10:30 Inside Story 15:00 Vishkanya Life 16:05 Disney Mickey 11:00 News 15:30 Jamai Raja 17:25 River Monsters Mouse 11:30 The Stream 16:00 Yeh Vadaa Raha (Best Of Series 16:10 Gravity Falls 12:00 News 16:30 Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi 1-5) 16:35 Miraculous Tales 12:30 People & Power Rani 18:20 The Wild Life Of Of Ladybug And 13:00 NEWSHOUR 17:00 KumKum Bhagya Tim Faulkner Cat Noir 14:00 News 17:30 Vishkanya 19:15 Tanked 17:00 Backstage Yesterday’s answer 14:30 Inside Story 18:00 Tashn E Ishq 20:10 Africa’s Outsiders 17:50 Girl Meets World 15:00 Witness 18:30 Kaala Teeka 21:05 Treehouse 18:15 Bunk’d Conceptis Sudoku: Conceptis Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle 16:00 NEWSHOUR 19:00 Meri Saasu Maa Masters 18:40 Mako Mermaids based on a 9×9 grid. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in 17:00 News 19:30 Yeh Vadaa Raha 22:00 The Wild Life Of 19:05 Austin & Ally the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3×3 box 17:30 20:00 19:30 contains the same number only once. The Stream Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Tim Faulkner Jessie 18:00 NEWSHOUR Rani 22:55 Gator Boys 19:55 Violetta 19:00 News 20:30 Jamai Raja 23:50 River Monsters 20:45 Good Luck 19:30 AJEats 21:00 KumKum Bhagya (Best Of Series Charlie 20:00 News 21:30 Tashn E Ishq 1-5) 21:35 H2O: Just Add 20:30 Inside Story 22:00 Vishkanya 00:45 I Was Bitten Water 21:00 NEWSHOUR 22:30 Pyaar Ka 01:40 The Wild Life Of 22:50 Sabrina Secrets 22:00 News Punchnama Tim Faulkner Of A Teenage 22:30 The Stream 01:30 Amma 02:05 The Wild Life Of Witch MEDIUM SUDOKU 23:00 Drone Tim Faulkner 23:10 Hank Zipzer BABY BLUES BABY

Yesterday’s answer

CROSSWORD HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

NOVO SHOWING AT War Dogs (2D/Comedy) 10:30am, 12:45, 3:00, 3:15, 5:15, 7:30, 7:45, VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER 9:45pm, 12:00midnight & 12:20am TEL: 444933989 / 444517001 The Secret Life of Pets (Animation) 2D 10:10am, 1:50 & 5:30pm 3D 12:00noon & 3:40pm Skiptrace (2D/Action) 10:15am, 12:30, 1:00, 2:45, 5:00, 5:35, 7:15, 9:30, 10:10 & 11:45pm The Secret Life of Pets (2D/Animation) 7:20, 9:15 & 11:15pm Life on The Line (2D/Action) 10:00am, 2:00, 6:00 & 10:00pm Cell (2D/Thriller) 12:00noon, 4:00, 8:00pm & 12:00midnight BFG: Big Bad Friendly Giant (2D/Adventure) 10:00am, 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20 & 11:10pm Equals (2D/Adventure) 12:20, 4:40 & 9:00pm The Neon Demon (2D/Horror) 9:40pm & 12:00midnight Jason Bourne (2D/Action) 12:00noon, 4:20 & 8:40pm The Shallows (2D/Horror) 10:45am, 3:15, 7:45pm & 12:00midnight Manhattan Nocturne (2D/Suspense) 10:00am, 2:20 & 6:40pm Suicide Squads (2D/Action) 12:45, 5:15 & 9:30pm 3D IMAX 7:00, 9:30pm & 12:00midnight The Secret Life of Pets(3D IMAX)10:00, 11:45am, 1:30, 3:20& 5:10pm MALL

Cell (2D/Horror) 11:30am, 7:45 & 11:45pm The Secret Life of Pets (2D/Animation) 11:30am, 2:30 & 4:00pm Equals (2D/Drama) 2:00pm Skip Trace (2D/Action) 3:45pm Happy Bhaag Jayegi (2D/Hindi) 1:00 & 5:15pm Ice Age: Collision Course (2D/Animation) 1:00 & 3:30pm War Dogs (2D/Comedy) 11:00am & 5:30pm Skiptrace (2D/Action) 7:30 & 9:30pm Manhattan Nocturne (2D/Drama) 7:30pm IDI : Inspector Dawood Ibrahim (2D/Malayalam) 9:30pm Life On The Line (2D/Action) 9:30 & 11:15pm The BFG: Big Friendly Giant (2D/Adventure) 5:30pm Neon Demon (2D/Horror) 11:30pm ROYAL PLAZA ALL IN THE MIND The Secret Life of Pets (2D/Animation) 11:30am, 3:15 & 5:00pm Cell (2D/Horror) 11:30am, 8:00 & 10:00pm Equals (2D/Drama) 3:30pm The BFG: Big Friendly Giant (2D/Adventure) 1:30 & 5:30pm Ice Age: Collision Course (2D/Animation) 1:30pm Happy Bhaag Jayegi (2D/Hindi) 1:30 & 11:30pm Skiptrace (2D/Action) 11:30am, 7:00 & 9:00pm Wardogs (2D/Comedy) 4:00 & 7:30pm Life on Line (2D/Action) 6:00 & 11:45pm Manhattan Nocturne (2D/Drama) 9:30pm Neon Demon (2D/Horror) 11:00pm ASIAN TOWN IDI (Malayalam) 1:45, 3:30, 6:00, 7:00, 8:30, 10:15, 11:00pm 12:00midnight, 12:30 & 01:30am Thikka (Telugu) 12:30pm Rustom (Hindi) 4:45pm Happy Bhaag Jayegi (Hindi) 6:00pm Dharma Dhurai (Tamil) 4:15, 7:30, 9:15pm & 01:00am Aatadu Kundam Raa (Telugu) 1:00 & 2:15pm ADDER, ALLIGATOR, ANACONDA, ANOLE, Mohenjo Daro (Hindi) 8:15pm ASP, BOA CONSTRICTOR, BUSHMASTER, CHAMELEON, COBRA, COPPERHEAD, CORAL AL KHOR SNAKE, CROCODILE, FLYING DRAGON, GARTER SNAKE, GAVIAL, GECKO, GILA Secret Life of Pets (3D/Animation) 11:30am, 1:30, 3:30 & 5:30pm MONSTER, GRASS SNAKE, IGUANA, KOMODO Rustom (3D/Hindi) 10:30am, 3:45 & 9:00pm BFG 3:00 & 8:30pm DRAGON, LIZARD, MAMBA, MONITOR, Mohenjo Daro (Hindi) 12:00noon, 5:30 & 11:00pm PYTHON, RATTLESNAKE, SKINK, SNAKE, Skiptrace (2D/Action) TEGU, TERRAPIN, TORTOISE, TUATARA, 7:30, 9:45pm & 12:00midnight TURTLE, VIPER, WATER MOCCASIN. War Dogs (2D/Comedy) 1:15, 6:30 & 11:45pm

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 34o C Maximum: 42o C

FAJR 03.48 am ZUHR 11.38 am MAGHRIB 06.09 pm HIGH TIDE 04:00 - 17:30 Hazy to misty at places at first becomes hot with SHOROOK 05.08 am ASR 03.07 pm ISHA 07.39 pm LOW TIDE 10:00 slight dust and some local clouds, becomes rela- tively humid by night. thepearlqatar.com Your window to discovering a brilliant island

16 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST World’s longest and highest Dangerous shortcut glass bridge to open in China www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BEIJING: The world’s longest and highest glass bridge will open to visitors next Saturday in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, in central China. MOST READ The 430-metre long and 6-metre wide bridge, paved with 99 panes of three-layer transpar- 7kg of marijuana seized at ent glasses, hangs between two steep cliffs 300 1 Hamad International Airport metres above the ground, state news agency (Xin- hua) reported. 5 tonnes of watermelons The bridge has set 10 world records spanning 2 destroyed at Central Market its design and construction, according to the man- agement committee. Global Innovation Index: A maximum of 8,000 visitors are allowed to 3 Qatar third in Arab world cross the bridge every day and a reservation must be made one day prior to visiting. Construction was completed in December. In July, a 2-tonne truck was driven across in a show of the bridge’s sturdiness. The unique pillar-like mountain formation in TWEET OF THE DAY A man passing though a broken metal fence dividing the roads of Grand Hamad Street Zhangjiajie appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster movie “Avatar”. The Grand Canyon Scenic Area in yesterday. Many pedestrians squeeze through the broken fence as shortcut to avoid walking Zhangjiajie welcomed more than 1.2 million visi- to the nearest crosswalk posing great risk to their lives Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula tors from home and abroad in 2015. HBJ Foundation implements QR150m projects

QNA HBJ Foundation Chief Executive Officer Saeed foundation’s projects in Morocco is over QR25m. Mathkar Al Hajri revealed that the construction of He said the Foundation will work in Thailand Sheikh Jassim Vocational Training Centre in Dabul city and Mauritania and added that the planning of some - Maharashtra State in India, has been completed. The projects are under way, including the establishment of DOHA: Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable QR2m centre will accommodate 128 students annually an orphanage in southern Thailand and a construction Foundation (HBJ Foundation) announced that it has and its inauguration is planned in the coming months. of a housing city in Mauritania’s capital Nouakchott. carried out a number of development projects in Asia The foundation will shortly sign a contract to HBJ Foundation is progressing with Sheikh Jassim and Africa at a cost of more than QR150m as part establish a project for the construction of drinking hospital in the island of Anjouan in Comoros Islands. of its plan for this year which benefits thousands of water network in Tajikistan, Al Hajri said. The hospital will provide integrated health care services Muslims in a number of countries including India, Al Hajri said that HBJ Foundation is working to the poor as well as assisting in improving the level of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Comoros. on starting the implementation of 45-bed hospi- health services in the country. The estimated number The projects included building of housing units, tal in ‘Sidi Yosif bin Ali’ area in Marrakesh province of beneficiaries of this project is 790,000 in the three hospitals, vocational training centres, mosques and in Morocco, in addition to constructing 116 hous- islands (Grande Comore, Anjouan and Moheli). The total drinking water projects, HBJ Foundation said. ing units in the same province. The total cost of the cost of the project is more than QR100m. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 18 QE 11,408.75 +37.63 PTS PAGE | 19 DOW 18,560.75 +8.73 PTS Al Meera among Aqua Park GCC’s most FTSE100 6,859.15 -34.77 PTS immune to Qatar’s valuable firms BRENT $46.60 +$0.02 spending trend

THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 • 15 DHUL QA’DA 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Foreign investment in Qatar grows to QR525.7bn

the form of loans and investments, financial insurance activities (4 per- share of total FDI outward stock, 38 touched QR306bn, up QR17.3bn com- cent) at the end of 2014. percent. Transportation and Storage; Manufacturing pared to the previous year. Foreign Over 60 countries contributed Information and communication accounts for 52% Direct Investment (FDI) in Qatar to the stock of FDI in Qatar. The group received 32 percent of the of inward FDI. stood at QR141.1bn, while portfolio top four Group of countries’ share total outward stock, while real investments amounted to QR78.6bn. of FDI accounted for 94 percent. estate received 19 percent of the total During 2014, Qatar’s foreign direct They included European Union, US, outward FDI. inward flows witnessed a drop by Other American Countries and GCC. Qatar had FDI abroad in about 80 QR11.3bn. Other American Countries Group countries, with the European Union, By Satish Kanady According to the Ministry’s accounted for the major share of GCC, Other Arab Countries and The Peninsula updated data, Qatar’s outward FDI inward stock in 2014, with 34 Asian group of countries collectively investment increased by QR35.3bn percent, followed by European Union receiving 83 percent of the estimated to QR306.2bn. Other foreign invest- (33 percent) US (22 percent) and GCC QR117bn. While the maximum share ments consisting of long term loans (5 percent). went to European Union (29 percent), DOHA: The total foreign investment and trade related short term finan- The stock of outward direct GCC received 26 percent. The other in Qatar has touched an estimated cial instruments touched QR166bn of investment from Qatar stood at Arab countries and Asian countries QR525.7bn. The country’s total the total assets, while foreign direct QR117bn, an increase of 3 percent received 18 percent and 11 percent, inward investments increased by investment abroad stood at QR117bn over the previous year. Financial and respectively. QR1.6bn at the end of 2014, from a and portfolio investments or finan- Insurance activities, Transportation The Ministry compiled the year ago, “Qatar foreign investment cial securities clocked QR23.2bn. and storage; Information and investment data with the support survey 2015” released by the Ministry Outward flow of foreign direct communication, Real Estate activities of Qatar Central Bank (QCB). of Development Planning and Statis- investment amounted to QR3.1bn in and gas associated downstream investments, manufacturing activ- were the top groups that received the International financial transactions tics (MDPS) noted yesterday. 2014 against QR13.1bn in 2013. manufacturing and other activities ities accounted for 52 percent of the most of the FDI abroad, an estimated made by individuals and by the Other foreign investments, mean- Over 90 percent of the inward such as transportation and market- total value of FDI, followed by min- 89 percent. The Financial and Government are not covered in this ing transactions from aboard in FDI was accounted for by the oil ing. In terms of the book value of ing and quarrying (38 percent) and Insurance group received the major study.

Real estate market Saudi signals it may hit Development process makes strong recovery new oil output record in Lusail expected to The Peninsula Reuters holding it steady for the first half of the year. Higher production could ramp up from 2018 DOHA: Qatar’s real estate market made a significant MOSCOW/DUBAI: Saudi give it more leverage during recovery during the second week of August, both in Arabia is sending signals talks in September. terms of the value of deals and the number of trans- that it could boost its crude Last week, Saudi Energy By Mohammad Shoeb new smart city being developed actions. The total value of trading in real estate during oil supplies in August to a Minister Khalid Al Falih The Peninsula with very high quality buildings, the week (from August 7 to 11) touched QR400.7m, up new record level, overtak- (pictured) sought to clarify commercial facilities and connected nearly 80 percent compared to QR222.6m during the ing Russia, the world’s top why the kingdom hiked its with very advanced communication previous week, said Ezdan Holding’s weekly report. oil producer, as it gets ready production in July in an over and transportation systems such as The report, citing data from the weekly bulletin for tough talks next month supplied market. In a state- DOHA: Most of the individual inves- Lusail Light Rail. issued by the Real Estate Registration Department at for a global output freeze ment, Falih explained the tors and owners of land plots in the Commenting on the demand for the Ministry of Justice, noted that the list of properties pact. rise was due to rising sea- upcoming Lusail city are moving retail space, he said that this sector that were traded included open plots of land, houses Industry sources say sonal domestic demand and cautiously, and the development over all is doing well over the last and mixed-use buildings. the kingdomstarted to raise customers asking for more process is expected to pick up few years as the spending is very The number of total transactions increased to 43 production from June, after oil worldwide. momentum from 2018, say experts high. “If you see the prices of some from 36 during the previous week. from the local real estate industry. of the upcoming commercial estab- The basic infrastructure facili- lishments, such the Mall of Qatar ties has already been put in place in and Doha Festival City, and given the ambitious brand new smart city, their high pre-occupancy levels, the which will be hosting the opening asking rates are still very high. So and final matches of the 2022 FIFA at the moment they are doing well Vodafone rewards its best retailers World Cup. There is a lot of work and commanding high rents,” added going on there as part of the prep- Richard. “However, the challenges arations of the games. However, will increase when more and more market experts say that private malls open. And to support the rev- The Peninsula developers are moving slow given enues of these malls, the demand the tepid demand. will have to keep pace.” “The few projects which are Commenting on the reasons for already completed, I think they have delays in the opening of some malls, DOHA: Vodafone Qatar recently held completed at a wrong time as they he said that delays are not related an event to honour its best retailers’ are facing difficulties in attracting to leasing, “I think it’s due to infra- achievers. Under the Vodafone Al tenants and commercial occupiers… structure and civil defense”. Mumayaz Program and in line with The road network to the city is very On The Pearl Qatar (TPQ), Rich- the company’s steadfast commitment difficult as a result people prefer to ard said that there is not much to build and strengthen relationships stay in West Bay, Msheireb and other impact on the rentals in the Qatar’s with mass market outlets, Vodafone places,” said Richard Rayner, Char- man-made island. It is also doing invited over 300 retailers to celebrate tered Surveyor and Valuation Advisor well and a lot of transactions are their outstanding efforts. at DTZ Qatar, a leading real estate taking place. “The demand is good The event featured entertainment service provider. “The development at TPQ. Predominantly expatriates from all over India including celeb- is expected to ramp-up from 2018 to are investing in apartment build- rities. Vodafone gave away amazing 2020 so that the projects are com- ings, while locals are investing in prizes to the achievers. Participants pleted in time and Lusail becomes a plots of land to develop villas.” included retailers and distributors fully functional city before the World However, he noted that some in addition toVodafone Qatar Sales, Cup,” Richard added. recently completed new towers, Marketing, Operations, Networks Participants at the event. He noted that given the slow- with very high quality finishing, and Channels’ teams who joined down and ongoing correction in the are attracting more tenants and in the festivities. Rasha ElAzharay, Our Mumayaz Program and event with its mass retailers to update them performance. These meetings also aim real estate market, individual inves- commanding good rents. And in Consumer Business Unit Director of aim to reward and recognise our on the latest products and services at engaging and conversing directly tors are “holding-up” for another the coming days, towers which are Vodafone Qatar, said: “Our partners retailers for their efforts and com- besides networks improvement. The with shop owners and managers in year or two to being their projects. poorly finished may face some chal- are keys to our success and therefore mitment to support Vodafone and to feedback and insights Vodafone gleans order to collect first-hand input which “They do not want to finish too soon lenges as their tenants would like to we place very high importance on the be our ambassadors in the market.” out of these meetings is essential to forms the basis for developing bespoke because there is not much demand”. move to better towers with the same feedback they have about us as well. Vodafone holds regular meetings continuously enhance its mass market services and solutions to each area. Lusail is an integrated brand level of rents. 18 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 BUSINESS Al Meera among GCC’s most valuable firms

considered the most valuable in the The consumer goods GCC is not only a testament to Al Meera’s sound policies and carefully company is one of planned and executed expansion five Qatari firms strategy throughout the years, but also reaffirms our position as one of in GCC’s 30 most the main pillars of the national econ- valuable non-banking omy and an integral part of Qatar’s development program.” companies. He added: “Driven by the excel- lence of our people, our innovative approach and a solid development strategy that paces with Qatar’s The Peninsula urbanisation plan, Al Meera is committed to fulfilling its prom- ises to shareholders, customers and Doha Bank’s state-of-the-art branch in Kochi. stakeholders, as it continues march- DOHA: Al Meera Consumer Goods ing towards becoming the leading Company has been named as one of retail company for consumer goods five Qatari firms in Marmore Mena in Qatar and beyond.” Doha Bank to open branch in Kochi Intelligence’s ‘30 most valuable non- previous years and witnessed an Al Meera’s outstanding achieve- banking companies in the GCC’ list. increase in sales in 2015, while ment comes on the heels of the The selection was based on maintaining a low D/E ratio of 0.06. company’s disclosure of its semi- financial performance and quanti- “The average PAT growth percent- annual financial statements for The Peninsula management and the prominent in India though the RTGS and NEFT tative methods, taking into account age was 24 percent (2013-2015) and H1, 2016, in which it announced a local corporates who have business platform to any of the 85,000 bank three key parameters, namely the the ROE was 11.7 percent in 2015. 10.6 percent increase in sales from interest in GCC and across the globe. branches in India and offers ATM company’s Return on Equity (ROE), The company has planned for major QR1.22bn to QR1.35bn, compared Doha Bank commenced its oper- connectively through an extended Debt-to-Equity (D/E) ratio, and its expansions in the coming years and to the same period in 2015, the total DOHA: Doha Bank is set to open its ation in Mumbai the financial hub network in India. average profit after tax (PAT) growth has attracted investors from Qatar equity stood at QR1.33bn on a cap- branch in Kochi, the only branch of in India on April 29, 2015 at Sakhar The bank is focused on the GCC percentage for the past three finan- and GCC”, the report stated. ital base of QR200m, and earnings a GCC based bank in India. Kochi Bhavan and has been providing full- trade flows and is also poised to the cial years, with weightage of 40 In addition to Al Meera and per share for the period was QR5.12, branch will be located in the LULU fledged banking services which bank of choice for the “GCC based percent, 40 percent and 20 percent, Medicare Group, the other Qatari a 1.5 percent increase from H1, 2015. International shopping Mall at includes corporate banking, retail non-resident Indians” mainly from respectively. companies included in Marmore In addition to declaring that Al Meera Edapally. banking, treasury, trade finance Kerala and the business community Out of the 30 GCC companies Mena Intelligence’s ‘Top 30’ list are is now in the process of finishing the The branch will be inaugurated and foreign exchange services to who are based in the GCC countries that made it to the list, Al Meera Qatar Fuel (Woqod), Widam Food, final stages for the opening of 5 new by Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Min- its customers. and India. recorded the second highest annual- and Mazaya Qatar. stores out of the 14 announced last ister of the southern Indian state The bank provides technology Doha Bank has its operations in ised five-year returns (5 year CAGR) Commenting on the company’s year. Kerala, on August 27, in the presence driven customer centric solutions Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and India at 43 percent, following Qatar’s achievement, Dr. Mohammed Nasser The shopping centers announced of senior government functionar- to its customers, including Inter- besides its representative offices in Medicare Group, which registered Al Qahtani (pictured), Deputy Chief are due to be open in the near future ies from Kerala, senior businessmen net banking, mobile banking, App Singapore, London, Turkey, Korea, a five-year CAGR of 49 percent. Executive Officer of Al Meera, said: in Bu Sidra, North Sailiya (Al Miarad), from Qatar, Doha Bank Chair- based solutions, instant e-remit- Tokyo, Australia, Canada, South According to the report, Al Meera “Being recognised as one of Al Wakra (West), Leaibab 2, and Um man, Managing Director, Board tances solutions 24/7 from GCC Africa, Bangladesh, China, Frank- has expanded its operations in the five Qatari companies that are Salal Ali. members of Doha Bank, executive countries to Doha Bank branches furt, Sharjah and Hong Kong. Ford plans self-driving car for ride share fleets in 2021

Reuters “We’re not in a race to be first,” with key elements still unknown. instead committing to a full self- Nair said Ford’s investment was Fields said at the company’s Palo Alto “We’re saying to partners, we are driving car. $75m. research and development lab, add- the winning partner. It’s not a hollow “We abandoned the stepping- Earlier this year, Ford invested PALO ALTO/DETROIT: Ford Motor ing he was not concerned that rival promise, it’s a real intent,” Washing- stone approach,” Fields said, saying in Silicon Valley firm, Civil Maps, for Co plans to offer a fully automated General Motors had made a high- ton said. there are too many risks involved advanced mapping for self-driving driverless vehicle for commercial stakes play in ride services with its Ford Chief Technical Officer Raj in the safe “hand-over” of driv- vehicles. Ford rivals, including Gen- ride-sharing in 2021, the automaker $500m investment in Lyft in January. Nair said the company likely will not ing responsibility between car and eral Motors and Uber Technologies, announced, expanding its efforts in Ford does not yet know whether offer a similar driverless car without driver. are also developing self-driving vehi- driverless cars and ride sharing - it will partner with Uber, Lyft or oth- steering wheel or pedals to consum- The death of a Tesla driver in May cles for use in ride services. two areas where rivals have already ers, with Fields saying “all options are ers until 2025 or later. who was using the company’s “Auto- Ford said it expects to deploy 30 made inroads. open and on the table.” Launching a self-driving car pilot” system but had his hands off self-driving Fusion Hybrid proto- To help speed development Fields said Ford may choose not first for ride-sharing is a better way the wheel has underscored the con- types this year, and 90 next year. Renault Middle of self-driving cars, Chief Execu- to partner, and roll out such services to reach the mass market and make fusion over drivers’ responsibilities Nair said Ford, with its invest- tive Mark Fields said Ford is hiking on its own. the cars more affordable, the chief in a semi-autonomous car. ments and its acquisition of SAIPS, East appoints investments in Silicon Valley technol- Ford’s announcement leaves technical officer said. Ford also said it had, along with an Israeli machine learning star- ogy firms, tripling its investment in many crucial strategy details still In a philosophy shared by Alpha- Baidu Inc — China’s largest internet tup, now have the tools in place to semi-autonomous systems, and more undecided. Yet Ken Washington, bet’s Google, Ford does not intend to company — jointly invested $150 develop a fully driverless vehicle, but Marwan as MD than doubling the size of its Palo Alto Ford’s vice president of research, said develop incremental autonomous million in Velodyne, which makes said “there’s still a lot of engineer- research team while expanding its it was important to signal that Ford systems that would occasionally laser-based sensors that are a major ing development” between now and campus in Silicon Valley. intends to win in this space, even require drivers to take the wheel, building block in self-driving cars. 2021. The Peninsula

DOHA: Renault recently appointed Marwan Haidamous Norway’s sovereign fund (pictured) as Managing Director, Renault Middle East. He suc- ceeds Hakim Boutehra, who held the position for over three years. posts positive Q2 return Boutehra has been promoted CEO of Renault Commercial Romania. Marwan, who is 36, will man- age the Renault activities across AFP the Region. The territory spans over GCC countries, Levant, Egypt and Iraq. A French-Lebanese, he began OSLO: Norway’s sov- his career within the Renault ereign wealth fund, the group, 10 years ago, after graduat- world’s biggest, posted a ing from the prestigious Sciences positive return yesterday Po Paris. He holds a Masters in for the second quarter, Finance and began his career as despite market pressure financial controller at the Divi- from Britain’s decision to sion of International Operations leave the EU. for the North Africa Region. The fund registered In 2008, he was appointed a return of 1.3 percent, CFO of Renault Algeria, taking or 94bn kroner ($11.5bn), charge of a key market within putting its value at 7.18 tril- the Renault group. Algeria figures lion kroner ($876bn) at the A collage of Norway’s currency. among the Top 10 in Renault Glo- end of the quarter, the cen- bal performance ranking. tral bank said yesterday. Three years later, he took up Real estate, which represented 3.1 percent of every day, or 85bn kroner ($10.4bn) for the period. the position of Renault Nissan the portfolio, dragged the fund down, posting a “The fund’s fixed-income investments received CFO for the Adriatic Region which negative return of 1.4 percent. price gains due to falling interest rates. In the long includes Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Shares, which accounted for 59.6 percent of term, however, lower interest rates have negative Bosnia, and also Greece. the fund’s portfolio, and fixed income, which rep- implications for future returns on the fixed- In 2015, as he joined the Africa resented 37.4 percent, performed better posting income portfolio,” said Grande. Region Managing Director. The returns of 0.7 percent and 2.5 percent respectively. Norway’s government took more money out region includes more than 35 Trond Grande, deputy chief executive officer of of the fund than it put in for the second time in the countries with key Renault mar- Norges Bank Investment Management said: “After fund’s 20-year existence, syphoning off 24bn kro- kets such as South Africa, Tunisia, a period of relatively stable markets at the begin- ner to balance its budget. Ivory Coast and Nigeria. ning of the quarter, the British decision to leave The withdrawal aimed to compensate the He has worked in more than the EU sparked a sharp decline in Europe. state’s declining oil revenues, caused by lower 30 countries and spent consider- “Markets recovered relatively quickly, but with oil price. able amount of time travelling. A major variations between sectors. Financials, for However weakening in the kroner against multilingual, Marwan speaks flu- example, performed weakly.” other currencies meant that the fund gained 28bn ent Arabic, English and French. He The fund registered a negative return of 0.6 kroner in the second quarter alone — offsetting also has some knowledge of Span- percent in the first quarter losing some €100m the government’s withdrawals. ish and Finnish. BUSINESS THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 19

QE INDICES SUMMARY QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE QE Index 11,408.75 0.33 % QE Total Return Index 18,458.6 0.33 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,279.85 0.19 % QE All Share Index 3,129.76 0.24 % QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 3,140.18 0.35 % QE All Share Industrials 3,398.61 0.45 % QE All Share Transportation 2,664.11 0.00 % QE All Share Real Estate 2,753.44 1.63 % QE All Share Insurance 4,763.38 2.91 % QE All Share Telecoms 1,298.58 2.58 % QE All Share Consumer Goods & Services 6,559.19 0.14 %

QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON 17-08-2016 Today 16-08-2016 Previous day Index 11,408.75 11,371.12 Change 37.63 242.95 % 0.33 2.18 YTD% 9.39 9.03 Volume 10,792,357 17,638,714 Value (QAR) 451,724,821.29 815,684,394.66 Trades 5,782 7,962 Up 20 | Down 20 | Unchanged 03

WORLD STOCK INDICES Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low All Ordinaries 5628.145 2.476 0.04 5691.8 4762.1 Cac 40 Index/D 4427.68 -32.76 -0.73 4607.69 3892.46 Dj Indu Average 18552.02 -84.03 -0.45 18668.4 15370.3 Hang Seng Inde/D 22799.78 -111.06 -0.48 23084.52 18278.8 Iseq Overall/D 6083.38 48.33 0.8 6791.68 5286.65 Karachi 100 In/D 40057.52 7.35 0.02 40211.35 29785 Nikkei 225 Index 16745.64 149.13 0.9 18951.12 14864.01 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2193.81 1810.1

EXCHANGE RATE Currency Buying Selling US$ QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 UK QR 4.7096 QR 4.7765 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS - A LIST OF SHARES FROM THE WORLD Euro QR 4.0808 QR 4.1383 COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME CA$ QR 2.8024 QR 2.8578 NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED Swiss Fr QR 3.7599 QR 3.8130 Yen QR 0.0358 QR 0.0365 A C C-A/D 1674.6 9.85 14341 Eveready Indu-/D 257.8 -0.9 12941 Kg Denim-B/D 91.9 6 34656 Thirumalai-B/D 349.3 -3.85 7650 Aus$ QR 2.7555 QR 2.8097 Aarti Drugs-B/D 468 -1.8 3303 F D C-B/D 186 3.4 2781 Kilburnengg-Xd/D 49.5 -0.2 19447 Timexgroup-T/D 37 0.3 19767 Ind Re QR 0.0539 QR 0.0550 Aban Offs-A/D 212.4 -0.7 224255 Federal Bank-A/D 64.15 -0.8 644460 Kinetic Eng-B/D 80.25 -0.3 1079 Tinplate-B/D 85.05 1.2 74674 Pak Re QR 0.0345 QR 0.0352 Ador Welding-B/D 276 -1.7 1242 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.73 -0.16 29310 Kopran-B/D 51.1 6.95 411205 Ucal Fuel-B/D 138.6 3.3 217001 Aegis Logis-B/D 115.7 2.35 92810 Finolex-A/D 459.05 4.45 7560 Lakshmi Mach-A/D 3690.1 -16.6 715 Ultramarine-B/D 137.2 -0.45 17479 Peso QR 0.0787 QR 0.0793 Alembic-B/D 37.5 0.95 68720 Gail-A/D 369.6 -2.6 57760 Laxmi Prcisn-B/D 41.5 1.15 1091 Unitech P -A/D 5.23 0.12 15653943 SL Re QR 0.0248 QR 0.0255 Alok Indus-A/D 3.32 -0.07 1370489 Galada Power-B/D 12 -0.02 10873 Lloyd Metal-B/D 14.73 -0.08 7109 Univcable-B/D 81.5 -0.95 1631 Taka QR 0.0460 QR 0.0470 Apollo Tyre-A/D 175.15 2.55 463621 Gammon India-T/D 14.65 0.3 100832 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 4.74 0.14 23394 Uppergsugar-T/D 310.65 -25.5 235840 Nep Re QR 0.0337 QR 0.0344 Asahi I Glass-/D 191.25 0.75 11620 Garden P -B/D 28.35 -0.15 8973 Lumax Ind-B/D 670.1 10.15 4186 SA Rand QR 0.2687 QR 0.2740 Ashok Leyland-/D 86.85 0.15 591098 Godfrey Phil-B/D 1185.15 -16.9 9151 Lupin-A/D 1595.3 5.75 67410 LONDON Ballarpur In-B/D 13.57 0.02 70310 Goodricke-B/D 184.05 6.9 37522 Lyka Labs-T/D 68.75 1.85 37562 Bata India-A/D 542 6.1 45586 Goodyear I -B/D 539.7 0.85 5314 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 339.85 -3.5 2340 3i Group/D 619 -5.5 311241 GOLD AND SILVER Beml Ltd-A/D 1022.1 13.6 18822 Hcl Infosys-B/D 40.6 1.45 405031 Mah.Seamless-B/D 210.2 3.4 2968 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2985 3 111046 Bh Electronic-/D 1239.75 3.35 14120 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 16.3 -0.1 763745 Maha Scooter-B/D 1489 -12.65 2031 GOLD QR157.7422 per gramme Barclays/D 160.15 -1.6 9878507 Bhansali Eng-T/D 21.4 0.9 58573 Himat Seide-B/D 268.15 1.2 14200 Mangalam Cem-B/D 360.1 17.8 57592 Bp/D 435.7 -0.55 7341283 SILVER QR2.3121 per gramme Bharat Bijle-B/D 730 4.15 4359 Hind Unilever-/D 913.65 -8 95369 Maral Overs-B/D 27.25 0.4 12121 Brit Am Tobacc/D 4943.5 -24.5 679745 Bharatgears-B/D 85 0 1512 Hind Motors-T/D 5.39 0.16 41735 Mastek-B/D 129.65 0.45 7938 Bt Group/D 398.35 5.75 6181305 Bhartiya Int-B/D 554.15 0.4 2219 Hind Org Chem-/D 15.85 0 18166 Max Financial-/D 521 20.5 55615 Centrica/D 230.8637 -2.7 1913168 Bhel-A/D 137.85 0.5 455352 Hind.Petrol-A/D 1219.25 -0.85 132280 Mrpl-A/D 77.35 1.3 154864 Gkn/D 307 -1.6 1894932 Bom.Burmah-B/D 500.8 11.35 74032 Hindalco-A/D 155.9 1.7 1449770 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 35.5 0.2 2913 Hsbc Holdings/D 544 1.5 9463023 Qatar Exchange Bombay Dyeing-/D 44.75 1 321990 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1365.4 5.6 29224 Nahar Spg.-B/D 117.95 1.05 11370 Kingfisher/D 358.3 -1.4 2516369 Camph.& All-B/D 569.9 -3.4 2905 I F C I-A/D 27 0.1 303147 Nation Alum -A/D 47.45 -0.05 118705 Land Secs Grou/D1078.6364 -4 615940 Canfin Homes-B/D1428.65 -10.1 3430 Idbi-A/D 68.15 0.2 334705 Navneet Edu-B/D 100.25 -0.4 19007 Legal & Genera/D 211.9717 0.2 6254450 Caprihans-Xc/D 88.5 0.5 1892 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 391 3.3 3007 Nepc India-T/D 1.45 0.03 8260 index continues Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 53.797 -0.15 34171571 Castrol India-/D 412.55 -1.5 59706 India Cement-A/D 124.15 2.85 300749 Neuland Lab-B/D 964.1 59 12973 Marks & Sp./D 335.4634 -2 1215865 Century Enka-B/D 214.9 4.15 7722 India Glycol-B/D 95.3 -0.75 3137 Nrb Bearings-B/D 114.1 -1.25 2417 Next/D 5380 -5 110588 its upward swing Century Text-A/D 671.2 -2.35 73744 Indian Card-B/D 255 -3.2 3869 O N G C-A/D 237.75 2.65 294708 Pearson/D 883 -5.5 876266 Chambal Fert-B/D 65.6 -0.1 40037 Indian Hotel-A/D 133.4 5.75 63851 Ocl India-B/D 770 18.85 26593 Prudential/D 1391.5 -24 1754500 QNA/Reuters Chola Invest-A/D 1124 7.55 2891 Indo-Tcount-T/D 890.55 -0.2 7151 Oil Country-B/D 25.3 0.2 3452 Rank Group/D 221.07 4.3 170225 Cimmco-B/D 68.5 1.25 3003 Indusind-A/D 1155.25 -6.15 27634 Onward Tech-B/D 69.4 1.45 3465 Rentokil Initi/D 218.8 1 438150 Cipla-A/D 549.95 -3.6 901850 J.B.Chemical-B/D 277 1.45 10807 Orchid Pharm-B/D 36.35 0.5 88733 City Union Bk-/D 129 -0.4 15800 Jagson Phar-B/D 35.25 0.75 2973 Orient Hotel-T/D 23.4 -0.5 1818 Rolls Royce Pl/D 789 1 1594085 DOHA/DUBAI: Qatar Exchange index (QE) continued Colgate-A/D 972.2 17.9 24717 Jamnaauto-B/D 233.75 17.25 222234 Orient.Carb.-T/D 689.35 10.55 1091 Rsa Insrance G/D 504.5 -6.5 529410 its upward swing, adding 37.63 points, or 0.33 percent, Container Cor-/D 1410.35 10.35 7338 Jbf Indu-B/D 207.4 4.95 51238 Oudh Sugar-B/D 90 -4.7 80070 Sainsbury(J)/D 235.3 0.3 3451030 extending Tuesday’s 2.2 percent rise when the bourse Dcm Financia-T/D 1.26 0.06 2249 Jct Ltd-B/D 5.3 0.1 316419 Pacific Indu-B/D 144 1.35 1343 Schroders/D 2760 -25 136345 closed trading at 11,408.75 points yesterday. Dcm Shram Ind-/D 186.1 -7.85 6224 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 8.28 0.14 14494 Patspin India-/D 9.2 -0.23 2072 Severn Trent/D 2420 -9 76161 Meanwhile, most Middle Eastern stock markets Dhampur Sugar-/D 108 -0.35 170315 Jik Indust-B/D 0.82 0.02 2801 Punjab Chem.-B/D 190.35 -1.05 2457 Smith&Nephew/D 1266 -14 517967 fell yesterday with Saudi Arabia hit by a broad sell-off. Dr. Reddy-A/D 3000.8 -7.45 39353 Jindal Drill-B/D 171.5 2.55 2291 Radico Khait-B/D 101.4 8.4 528218 Smiths Group/D 1346.64 -4 307541 Qatar Insurance gained a further 3.9 percent after E I H-B/D 110.65 -2.55 4945 Jktyre&Ind-A/D 109 3.25 472518 Rallis India-A/D 221.85 2.9 48870 Standrd Chart /D 633.8 -19.3 4898603 rising 3.5 percent on the previous day on hopes the Tate & Lyle/D 733.5 1 444975 stock will among those included in the FTSE’s emerg- E.I.D Parry-A/D 250.65 2.4 45557 Jmc Projects-T/D 233.8 -4.8 7970 Reliance Indus/D 419.15 2 93680 Tesco/D 155.9 -1.8 6863514 ing market index. Qatar National Bank (QNB) added Eicher Motor-A/D 22208.6 -241.9 1514 Kabra Extr-B/D 105 1.15 4077 Ruchi Soya-B/D 22.05 -0.1 85398 0.4 percent to QR169.10, taking its gains over the last Electrosteel-B/D 21.55 0.4 35786 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 374.5 -7.6 35674 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 651 -3.95 5059 Unilever/D 3629.5 19 530564 two days to 7.0 percent. Emco-B/D 28.55 0 7961 Kalpat Power-B/D 262.1 4.4 3754 Saur.Cem-B/D 75.95 -1.55 155349 United Util Gr/D 988.5 -3 291797 Some analysts believe the market may stay strong Escorts Fin-B/D 6.9 -0.07 162124 Kalyani Stel-T/D 292.75 3.7 125407 Sterling Tool-/D 738 28.7 22207 Vodafone Group/D237.906 1.45 12808023 into mid-September, when the FTSE change takes effect Escorts-A/D 312.15 7.05 588735 Kanoria Chem-B/D 68.55 2.6 28942 Tanfac Indust-/D 45 1.1 6005 Whitbread/D 4050 49 171933 and passive funds will flow in tracking the index. Akber Khan of Doha-based Al Rayan Investment said: “Judg- ing by the experience of previous upgrades, strength should continue ahead of more than $500m of pas- sive buying in September.” Other analysts believe news of the upgrade has Aqua Park immune to Qatar’s spending trend now been fully priced in, leaving some shares vulner- able to pull-backs. QNB, for example, is now at a 6.5 percent premium to the mean fair value estimate of is sufficient evidence of that fact. revisit the park for more fun, rec- slides, speed slides and Space Boat. 10 analysts polled by Reuters. Between the Eid holidays and reation and family time. Although Aqua Park Qatar, the coun- Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index fell 1.7 Park is operated and now nearly 30,000 people have the standard entrance ticket try’s first water theme park, has percent to 6,220 points, its lowest close for four months. managed according visited the water theme park, rates are QR180 for adults and a capacity of over 3,000 visitors. All 14 listed petrochemical shares declined with bell- to the best practices which is witnessing its sixth sea- QR130 for children, those who This tourist attraction is man- wether Saudi Basic Industries dropping 2.1 percent. son since inception, according to book using the online platform aged by Kuwait-based Aqua Park Dubai’s main index retreated 0.9 percent to 3,557 and highest safety its General Manager, Mohamed are charged only QR155 (adults) Kuwait, which has been manag- points, pulling back further from technical resistance standards. Firdaus (pictured). “The Eid Al- and QR105 (children). So far vis- ing water theme parks in the Gulf on its April peak of 3,605 points. Fitr holidays and July are our itor turnout has been at par with region for nearly two decades. Emaar Properties lost 1.1 percent and Dubai Finan- peak season. We expect another last year’s figures, Firdaus said. During operating months it has cial Market, the only listed exchange in the Gulf, surge in visitor turnout after res- The tickets entitle visi- 115 employees as against 20 dur- dropped 2.8 percent. By M. V. A. Kumar idents return from their summer tors access to all rides, except ing non-operating months. Abu Dhabi’s index slipped 0.4 percent as blue chip The Peninsula break and up to Eid Al-Adha. We the Stingray Surfing machine, Developed by Hala Group Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank retreated 5 percent. are expecting many visitors from says Firdaus. Normally the park Enterprises, the park is oper- Cairo’s main index fell 0.5 percent, pulling fur- Saudi Arabia to visit the park dur- charges QR50 per person using ated and managed according to ther away from a 14-month high hit on Monday. The ing the Eid holidays.” the surfing machine, but it has the best practices and highest index had had risen for most of the past three weeks in DOHA: Recreation and entertain- He says visitors from Saudi an internal promotion at present, safety standards in maintain- response to Egypt’s talks with the International Mon- ment are a sure-bet business that Arabia comprise mainly families. which allows three persons to ing the cleanliness of water with etary Fund for a loan. Amer Group, a real estate firm, can survive changing consumer The park management relies enjoy this ride for QR100. Other the assistance of Qatar General slumped 6.3 percent to 0.30 Egyptian pounds after it spending patterns. The visitor on social media like Facebook offerings for adults and children Electricity and Water Corporation reported a 60 percent year-on-year drop in second- turnout at Aqua Park, despite to communicate with its tar- include wave pool, lazy river, (Kahramaa). Its parking area can quarter net income, after minority interests. the humidity and summer heat get audience and invite them to ‘Jacuzzi Cave’, lagoon pool, tube accommodate nearly 400 cars. BUSINESS VIEWS 20 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016

Asian funds pile Bank messaging system into alternative slow to address weak points investments

By Nichola Saminather the five years through March Reuters 2016, from 6.5 percent in the five years ended in March 2015, and it warned difficult investment con- ditions would persist for a decade. s returns on traditional A survey by State Street Glo- assets have nosedived bal Investors in July found that 44 or turned more vola- percent of 72 Asian pension funds, tile in Asia, conservative which must keep a steady income Ainvestors such as pension funds flowing to pensioners, are seek- and insurers have been pouring ing higher-risk, higher-return cash into alternative investments strategies. that bring the yield they need, but South Korea’s National at significantly higher risk. Pension Service, facing lower Many countries in Asia only domestic bond yields than US started to cut interest rates in Treasuries, plans to increase its 2015 or 2016, but they are now at alternative holdings to 35 per- or near record lows and expected cent of assets by 2020 from 10.7 to fall further; India, South Korea, percent in 2015, and will begin Indonesia, Taiwan and Thailand investing in hedge funds this year. are all likely to see rate cuts this It reported preliminary year, according to economists at returns of 4.6 percent for 2015, Nomura. down from 5.25 percent in 2014. The number of countries and territories covered by SWIFT swelled from 126 in 1994 to 212 now. The resulting decline in bond The trade-off in this hunt for yields has hit the region later than yield is an increase in risks that many other parts of the world, but require careful management. is now forcing a strategy rethink Chief among them is a lack of By Tom Bergin of the system.” Schrank said he was broadly terminals. “Hindsight is always a wonder- for investors who need predict- liquidity. Many alternative invest- Reuters aware that users’ terminals were a weak ful thing,” he said. “Sometimes it takes a able income to match their fixed ments, such as property or private link in SWIFT’s overall security, but paid crisis to change things.” commitments. equity, can’t be readily turned to too little attention to it. “So I am partially In the Bangaldesh heist, hackers broke Zurich Insurance’s Asian divi- cash, so investors can’t get their responsible,” he said. into a computer interface called Alliance sion, for example, is considering money out in a hurry. In a fall- ore than a dozen current and The messaging business failed to act Access, a piece of software sold by SWIFT investing in private debt includ- ing market, buyers for such assets former board directors and in part because the risks were not prop- for accessing its central network. It is still ing collateralised loan obligations become yet more scarce, exacer- senior managers of SWIFT, erly appreciated, the former directors and unclear exactly how the thieves gained and commercial real estate and bating the falls. the bank messaging system managers said. entry. Bank Bangladesh has alleged that infrastructure debt. They are also typically that helps transmit billions SWIFT did not comprehensively track a botched upgrade of its system left vul- “We simply have to accept that unlisted, so they are much less Mof dollars around the world every day, have security incidents or monitor the extent of nerabilities in it. SWIFT has rejected any returns going forward will be transparent than traditional said the organisation for years suspected sloppy security practices among users. It responsibility for the way Bangladesh Bank lower than what they have been investments, which are priced there were weaknesses in the way smaller saw smaller banks as a potential — but not upgraded its systems. historically,” said Michael Vos, in real time on formal exchanges banks used its messaging terminals — but immediate — threat to the security of the Whatever specific weakness the thieves Asia-Pacific investment manager that typically demand more strin- did not address such vulnerabilities. network, according to the former manag- in the Bangladesh case exploited, former at Zurich. “There is no free lunch gent governance and disclosure The sources said that until February, ers and directors. SWIFT directors and managers said the — if you want higher returns, you requirements. when hackers tried to steal nearly $1bn SWIFT never acted, former board system became more vulnerable as it got need to take more risk.” “There are also not many reli- by breaking into the messaging system at member Arthur Cousins said, because the bigger. Alessandro Lanteri, a former exec- Risks include a dearth of able or accepted benchmarks out Bangladesh’s central bank, SWIFT had not organisation believed bank regulators — utive with Italian bank Unicredit who buyers when you want to sell, a there, so how do you measure regarded the security of customer terminals rather than SWIFT — were responsible for served on SWIFT’s board between 1995 and greater chance of loan defaults, the performance of your portfo- as a priority. Top executives either did not ensuring smaller banks’ security proce- 2000, said security challenges increased and lower levels of disclosure lio versus the performance of the receive information from member banks dures were robust enough to repel hackers. when smaller banks in emerging markets about the underlying assets. market?” said Beng-Eu Lim, Asia about specific attempts to hack the messag- A spokeswoman for SWIFT, a coop- joined the SWIFT network. “The difficulty Credit Suisse said it, too, was Pacific head of asset owner sector ing network, or failed to spot those attempts erative owned by banks, defended the is always to keep the security system very increasing allocations to hedge solutions at State Street. If inves- themselves, the managers said. organisation. effective when you deal with little banks funds and senior secured bank tors are stepping down the yield In SWIFT’s annual reports and strategy “SWIFT and its Board have prioritised and emerging countries,” he said. “There, it loans on behalf of Asian insti- curve to instruments that don’t plans from the past 17 years Reuters could security, continually monitoring the land- is very difficult to be sure that all the pro- tutional clients. Swiss private carry an investment grade impri- find only one reference to SWIFT helping scape and responding by adapting the cedures of security are managed in the bank Union Bancaire Privee matur from credit rating agencies, its users to secure their specific security focuses as threats have correct way.” (UBP) said it was switching the risks of default are also higher. systems. That reference evolved. Today’s security threats are not The number of countries and territories more of its high-net-worth cli- Vos at Zurich acknowledges — to helping “our com- the same threats the industry faced five or covered by SWIFT swelled from 126 in 1994 ents’ money from low-yielding that investors in alternative assets munity to strengthen ten years ago — or even a year ago — and to 200 in 2003 and 212 now. Bigger western bonds and volatile stocks into need to take protective measures. their own infrastruc- like any other responsible organisation we banks considered SWIFT more cost effec- hedge funds, real estate debt “When you take higher risk, it is ture” — was in the adapt as the threat changes.” tive and secure than alternative means of and insurance-linked securi- important you have sufficient cap- 2015 annual report SWIFT was, and still is, dominated by communication, Cousins said, and encour- ties. “There is no doubt that the ital to absorb the extra volatility published in June this large Western banks, including Citibank, aged smaller banks to become members. risk/reward of equity and fixed that comes with taking this addi- year, months after the JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank and BNP Pari- But despite the rise in the number of income markets have deteriorated tional risk so we are not forced Until February, when Bangladesh heist, in bas, that built the network decades ago. smaller institutions as members, the big dramatically over the last six to 12 sellers at the bottom of the mar- hackers tried to which the fraudsters That contributed to the lack of concern banks continued to dominate SWIFT. The months,” said Ted Holland, Hong ket,” he said. ended up making off over security, said the former directors, organisation’s revenues, which hit 710 Kong-based Asia-Pacific head of But even private individuals steal nearly $1bn by with $81 million. “The because the larger banks tend to have suf- million euros last year, are driven by a business development for UBP. are pouring into such investments. breaking into the board took their eye off ficient defenses to prevent criminals from concentrated number of large western cor- “Finding ‘low-risk’ yield in this Alternative investments made the ball,” said Leonard hacking into their SWIFT systems. But since respondent banks like Citigroup and HSBC, environment has been particu- up 15 percent of Asian high-net- messaging system at Schrank, who was chief the 1990s, many smaller banks in emerg- former SWIFT staff said. larly difficult.” worth individuals’ portfolios as Bangladesh’s central executive of SWIFT ing markets have joined SWIFT, and some Traditionally, 90 percent of messaging This rapid change in climate of May 2016, almost double the bank, SWIFT had not from 1992 to 2007. may have weaker computer security. In all, revenue comes from banks in just 25 coun- is demonstrated by GIC Pte, Sin- level from three years ago, and “They were focus- more than 10,000 institutions are now con- tries — almost all developed nations — data gapore’s biggest sovereign wealth are expected to rise further over regarded the security ing on other things, nected to SWIFT. in the decade to 2011, the last year for which fund. Its portfolio return slowed the next year, according to market of customer terminals and not about the fun- Gottfried Leibbrandt, CEO since 2012, SWIFT published a breakdown, shows. to 3.7 percent per annum over research firm East & Partners Asia. damental, sacred role said it was only with the benefit of “hind- Some people working at the coalface as a priority. of SWIFT, which is the sight” that one could see that SWIFT needed spotted evidence of deteriorating security security and reliability to put more focus on security at customer well before this year’s Bangladesh case. Hold the lift: Japan Inc’s answer to the rising yen

By Makiko Yamazaki — a one yen rise against the dollar can cost lower than 28 degrees Celsius, said one Sharp comforted that the corporate response has and Naomi Tajitsu as much as 40bn yen ($400m) for Toyota and HQ worker, who asked not to be identified. largely consisted of minor inconveniences, Reuters 1bn yen for Panasonic. “I used to secretly lower the AC to 26 not another exodus. Toyota, which this month cut its full-year degrees, but our manager ordered some- Many Japanese corporations have already operating profit forecast by almost $1bn, shut one in the division to make sure it is always shifted chunks of their manufacturing down two elevators at its Tokyo headquar- at 28 degrees,” he said. abroad, and a survey at the end of last year hile previous bouts of strength ters as part of its response. Half the lights in the office corridors have found barely any were considering moving in the yen have pushed Japa- “It’s not clear how long the latest period of also been removed. Panasonic says it will production back to Japan even when the yen The yen, a safe haven in nese manufacturers to shift yen strength is going to last, so the company continue to squeeze expenditure where it was below 120 yen to the dollar. troubled times, has been production overseas, exporters tries to promote a mindset where employees can. That trend appears fixed, but is driven Ware coping with the recent currency stresses are always conscious of costs,” said spokes- As the yen began rising in the wake of the more by the need to be closer to the cus- climbing in the unsettled by penny-pinching — turning off lights and woman Shino Yamada. The elevator savings global financial crisis — reaching a peak of tomer than currency movements, according period before and after cramming elevators in the hope that noth- were to show solidarity with the rest of the about 75 yen to the dollar in 2011 — it intro- to the survey by state-financed Japan Bank ing more drastic will be needed before the company, she added. duced teams of “cost busters” tasked with for International Cooperation (JBIC). Brexit upset global tide turns. The company expects tighter cost cut- finding savings in manufacturing from raw Overseas production will be just shy of markets, moving nearly The yen, a safe haven in troubled times, ting and improved marketing will contribute material procurement to product delivery. 40 percent by early 2019, up from just under has been climbing in the unsettled period 50bn yen to operating profit this year, which “We no longer have need for cost busters, 25 percent at the turn of the century, JBIC 10 yen against the dollar before and after Britain’s June 23 vote to won’t make a dent in the 1.12 trillion yen pain because it is now ingrained in our business,” forecasts. since early June to just leave the European Union (Brexit) upset glo- inflicted by the yen’s recent gains. a company spokeswoman said. Nobody is blaming Brexit for that. under 100. bal markets, moving nearly 10 yen against At electronics company Sharp, recently That’s why the office lights go off during “It’s very difficult to revise production the dollar since early June to just under 100. acquired by Taiwan’s Foxconn, measures lunch breaks and even the company presi- plans after sudden currency moves,” said For big exporters like car giant Toyota to take the heat out of the currency gains dent needs approval to raid the stationery Tetsuya Otake, a managing officer in Toyo- and electronic goods maker and Panasonic, include putting the heat on staff — workers cupboard. ta’s accounting division, after the company that makes a sizeable dent in operating profit are not allowed to have the air conditioning But, at least for now, workers will be released results this month. THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 21

Herath wrecks Aussies, SL sweep series

SCOREBOARD Spinner takes FIVE ODIS TO FOLLOW Sri Lanka (I innings): 355 Did not bat: L Sandakan. TEST SERIES 13-wicket haul in big Australia (I innings): 379 Australia (II Innings): win as whitewash Sri Lanka (II innings): S Marsh c Mendis b D Perera 23 D Perera lbw Starc 8 D Warner b D Perera 68 costs Australia Test Warner brought up his first fifty crown D Karunaratne st Nevill b Lyon 22 S Smith b Herath 8 of the series after lunch before the K Silva c Smith b Holland 115 A Voges lbw Herath 1 wheels came off Australia’s challenge K Perera c Nevill b Holland 24 M Henriques (run out) 4 with Herath striking a double blow in Reuters K Mendis lbw Starc 18 M Marsh c K Perera b Herath 9 his 10th over. The wily left-arm spinner bowled A Mathews c Smith b Lyon 26 P Nevill c Mathews b Herath 2

rival skipper Steve Smith (8) for the

D Chandimal lbw Lyon 43 M Starc c K Perera b Herath 23 fifth time in six innings with the first COLOMBO: Sri Lanka completed a D de Silva (not out) 65 N Lyon lbw Herath 12 delivery of the over and trapped rare 3-0 sweep over Australia after R Herath c Smith b Lyon 5 J Hazlewood st K Perera b Herath 0 Adam Voges leg-before with the last. left-arm spinner Rangana Herath S Lakmal (not out) 4 J Holland (not out) 0 Perera cut short Warner’s fluent spun the hosts to a comprehensive innings at 68, bowling the south- Extras (B-8, LB-3, W-1, NB-5) 17 Extras (B-4, LB-6) 10 163-run victory in the final Test in paw around his legs in a dismissal Colombo yesterday. Total (for 8 wkts decl) 347 Total (all out) 160 that was a microcosm of the series Chasing 324 in a bid to salvage Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-44, 3-69, 4-98, 5-156, Fall of wickets: 1-77, 2-100, 3-102, 4-114, in which the Sri Lankan spinners some pride, Australia surrendered 6-246, 7-276, 8-297. 5-115, 6-123, 7-140, 8-157, 9-159, 10-160. tormented the touring batsmen on to Herath’s guile and folded for 160 Bowling: Starc 19.3-4-72-2; Lyon 37-7-123-4; Bowling: Herath 18.1-3-64-7; D Perera 22-3- tracks that suited them. before tea to lose their number one Holland 20-4-72-2; Hazlewood 14-2-33-0; 71-2; De Silva 4-0-15-0. After Moises Henriques ran him- ranking to India and slip to third Smith 2-0-13-0; M Marsh 3-1-3-0; M Henriques Result: Sri Lanka win by 163 runs self out, Herath mowed down the place behind Pakistan. Australian lower order to complete 2-0-9-0; A Voges 2-0-11-0. Man-of-the-match & Series: Herath (SRI) Herath (7-64) claimed a 13-wicket the whitewash. match haul to bag the man-of-the- “It’s been a tough series,” Smith match award while his 28 wickets said after Australia exposed their spin from three Tests also made him the run, he couldn’t jump. He was fantas- from David Warner and Shaun Marsh frailties and slumped to their ninth obvious choice for the Man-of-the- tic with one leg. One leg was enough who raised 77 runs, the highest open- consecutive Test defeat in Asia. Series award. for him to have a bowl on this type ing partnership in the low-scoring “We’ve been outplayed in all “What a fantastic moment,” of wicket.” series. three matches in this series. I think home captain Angelo Mathews said Sri Lanka batted for 4.3 overs in Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera Sri Lanka have played some great after lifting the Warne-Muralitha- the morning to add 35 runs to their dismissed Marsh for 23 when the cricket over this series. Disappoint- ran trophy. overnight score of 312 for eight before batsman defended a delivery and ing but a big learning curve for the “Credit to Herath, for doing his declaring. Kusal Mendis thrust out his hands at guys as well.” Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath celebrates victory in the third and final thing. You just can’t keep him away Set an improbable victory target forward short leg to parry the ball The teams will now compete in a Test against Australia at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in from the game. on a final day track, Australia needed and twisted his body backwards to five-match one-day series beginning Colombo, yesterday. “He had a groin strain, he couldn’t a good start and the tourists got that complete a stunning catch. in Colombo on Sunday. South Africa vulnerable against India topple New-look Pakistan switch Australia as No.1 to one-dayers in Ireland fast improving New Zealand Test side AFP giant Mohammad Irfan. The only AFP uncapped player in the squad is also Reuters Kane Williamson, who has blos- Mike Hesson told a news conference. a seam bowler, 22-year-old Hasan somed into one of the world’s top The touring team must decide Ali who impressed in England in the batsmen, started his reign as New whether to use two spinners to back COLOMBO: India has regained MALAHIDE: It’s all change for recently completed Pakistan A tour. Zealand Test captain with two easy up a pace attack of Tim Southee, its title as the world’s number one Pakistan as they return to white- Ireland were dealt a huge blow DURBAN: Two successive series wins in Zimbabwe in recent weeks. Trent Boult and South African-born Test team after Australia suffered ball cricket for two one-day on Tuesday with the news that defeats, the loss of their captain The matches on flat surfaces in Neil Wagner. a 3-0 series defeat against Sri internationals against Ireland in former England pace bowler Boyd and a dramatic drop from the top Bulawayo gave the Kiwi batsmen “We wouldn’t be afraid of play- Lanka yesterday, the International Malahide near Dublin, starting Rankin has not only been ruled out of the Test rankings leaves South plenty of time at the crease to pre- ing two spinners if we felt the pitch Cricket Council said yesterday. today, ahead of their five-match of the series but the rest of the sea- Africa vulnerable as they prepare to pare for a formidable South African was going to be dry and turn,” added series with England. son, including the ODIs in Benoni at host New Zealand in a two-match seam attack that is likely to welcome Hesson. Conditions are uncertain for RANKINGS Only six of the players who the end of next month against South encounter. back Dale Steyn after he injured his what will be a first-ever Test in Dur- 1. India took part in the exciting Test series Africa and Australia. South Africa, the top-ranked shoulder in December. ban at this time of year, making it an in England -- which they drew 2-2 Today’s game will be the seventh 2. Pakistan Test nation before defeats by India Also returning is Vernon Philan- even more difficult assignment for with a four-day victory at The Oval ODI between the teams and the side and England saw them slide to der who was injured in November replacement captain Faf du Plessis. 3. Australia on Sunday – stay on for the ODIs, batting second has never lost. sixth, return to the five-day for- playing a game of football. He is back for South Africa after 4. England in a 15-man squad captained by Pakistan have won four. Ireland, mat at Kingsmead tomorrow after Kagiso Rabada, who took 13 being dropped for the previous test 5. New Zealand Azhar Ali. famously, knocked Pakistan out of a seven-month hiatus without wickets in South Africa’s last test against England in January. 6. Sri Lanka Gul, 32, who played against Ire- the 2007 World Cup at Sabina Park, injured skipper AB de Villiers and outing against England, is set to com- This will be the 15th series 7. South Africa land in Pakistan’s shock World Cup Jamaica, winning by three wickets. pace bowler Morne Morkel. plete a three-man pace attack. between the two countries. New defeat back in 2007, has not played The teams tied the first game in 8. West Indies In their absence the hosts face a “From a seam bowling point of Zealand have never won, with 11 50-over cricket for 16 months but the last series in Ireland in 2013, the tough examination against a youth- view they are strong, they have got South African victories and three 9. Bangladesh his experience of English condi- only other time Pakistan have bat- ful and confident New Zealand side. a lot of variety,” New Zealand coach draws. 10. Zimbabwe tions has seen him replace the ted first.

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Qatar continue training camp in Zurich

Scenes from Qatar football team’s training camp under way in Zurich, Switzerland. The Al Anabi are preparing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers under head coach Daniel Carreno. The team will face Iran in the qualifying match in Tehran on September 1. 22 THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 SPORT

China laments Semenya gold drought Double-chasing Farah survives breezes into in Rio ‘flop’ 5,000m scare to reach final 800m semis AFP AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO: South Africa’s BEIJING: Chinese sports fans The Briton finishes Caster Semenya sailed into the turned on the country’s ath- semi-finals of the 800m yester- letes and administrators third in heat to day to remain on track for a gold yesterday as the Asian giant preserve his hopes of medal almost certain to divide languished behind Britain opinion. – once dismissed as an “old retaining two Olympic The 25-year-old is the over- declining Empire” – in third distance titles whelming favourite to add an place on the Olympic medal Olympic gold in Rio to the silver table in Rio. she won in London four years ago, In the early days of the with a 2016 time that is nearly a games, Chinese media sought second faster than her closest AFP to play down the athletes’ rel- rivals. atively poor showing, instead She bided her time in yester- praising their competitive spirit day’s heats, smoothly accelerating and arguing that medals were through the field in the final 200m not “the be-all and end-all of RIO DE JANEIRO: Reigning to win in 1min 59.31sec, around the Olympics”. champion Mo Farah survived a four seconds slower than her sea- But by yesterday even the “nerve-wracking” trip from behind son best of 1:55.33. official Xinhua news service to secure his place in the Olympic Afterwards Semenya dis- could not help showing a lit- final of the men’s 5,000m in Rio tanced herself from speculation tle annoyance. yesterday. that she could be poised to break “Even #GBR has one more The Briton, who recovered from a the oldest record in women’s track gold than China,” it wrote on fall to retain his 10,000m crown last and field – Jarmila Kratochvilova’s a verified Twitter feed, snap- weekend, was clipped by American 33-year-old world best of 1:53.28. ping that China’s gymnasts had Hassan Mead but stayed on his feet “I am not focused on any “suffered the worst Olympic to finish third in his heat and pre- world records, I am focused on flop” after failing to win any serve his hopes of a double-double. enjoying my championship and it’s Britain’s Mo Farah (right) leads the field in the men’s 5,000m Round 1 during the athletics event at the Rio golds. “I’ve got such a long stride, I going to be a tough 800,” Semenya It was even blunter a day find it hard,” he told reporters after 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, yesterday. said. earlier in a post showing Brit- clocking 13 minutes, 25.25 seconds Semenya has been at the ain leading the world’s most behind Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet centre of a raging controversy populous country in golds with and Albert Rop of Bahrain. defending his titles in Beijing last I was on the edge and nothing was following his 10,000m fall, was in recent years because of her the comment: “I always get tripped or tangled year. “But you look at these guys going to get in my way. Now it’s like thankful to survive his latest scrape. naturally occurring condition, That post was rapidly up with someone but I managed to and they’re ready for me. I just have (I’m) a little bit distracted and I need “You’ve got to get through the hyperandrogenism, which causes deleted. stay on my feet. It was quite nerve- to get myself back in that frame of to get back in the zone and focus. rounds, no one’s going to give it to elevated testosterone levels. But in a report on the gym- wracking again.” mind and get ready. But I’m still hun- “You do take yourself away from you,” he said. Some of Semenya’s fellow nastics results it lamented that On Saturday, Farah will be seek- gry and I still want it -- and that’s the it sometimes,” he added. “Now I’ve just to recover -- ice 800m runners yesterday indi- the “traditional powerhouse” ing to become the first man since important thing.” “That’s what I did as soon as I bath, the whole stuff, see the medi- cated, when pressed, that they only took two bronzes in the Finland’s Lasse Viren in 1976 to Farah confessed to still being won the 10,000. It’s just normal stuff. cal team and get in that zone again,” wanted authorities to revisit rules team events, adding it was the retain two Olympic distance title fatigued from his exertions in the You go through a lot and it’s a wake- he said. that limit the amount of testoster- first Olympics where China after completing the double in Lon- 10,000m, when he overcame a fall up now, you go: ‘look, the job ain’t Asked if he thought he would be one allowed in competitors. had failed to win an individ- don four years ago. midway through the race to power done yet.’ I have to lock myself in a targeted for more rough tactics in US runner Ajee Wilson, who ual gymnastics medal. “It’s possible,” said the 33-year- home ahead of Kenya’s Paul Tanui. room and get ready for this race.” the final, Farah rolled his eyes and finished second in Semenya’s The nationalistic state- old, who has already achieved the “I was a little bit tired today,” said Farah, who complained his laughed: “As always, as always!” heat, echoed Everard’s sentiments, run newspaper Global Times world double-double, successfully the Somali-born star. “In the 10,000 shoulder still hurts when he sleeps albeit hesitantly. -- which has previously dis- Semenya exploded onto the missed Britain as an “old global athletics scene in 2009, declining empire” whose winning gold at the World “national strength cannot be Championships in Berlin as an placed in the same rank as Lin survives scare to set up semis 18-year-old prodigy. China now” -- tried to keep However her muscular spirits up with an article head- appearance immediately raised lined “Happy Without Gold: clash against arch-rival Lee Chong suspicions, and a furore erupted Chinese public unfazed by when it emerged the teenager had sluggish medal winning”. been ordered to undergo a test to But the mood online was determine whether she was a less upbeat. AFP “It was difficult for me because the audi- woman. Some fans complained the ence were cheering for the Indian player,” Partially in response to com- Team China athletes owed tax- Lin told reporters. plaints from rival runners and payers a better return for the Competing in his fourth and probably coaches that the condition gave money invested in their train- RIO DE JANEIRO: Chinese badminton super- final Olympics in Rio, the 32-year-old shut- her an unfair advantage, world ing, and criticised the efforts of star Lin Dan survived a major scare to set tle star Lin is going for a third singles gold athletics chiefs implemented failed medallists who said they up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with after triumphing at his home Beijing Games restrictions on testosterone lev- were simply happy to compete Malaysian arch-rival Lee Chong Wei at the in 2008 and again in London four years ago. els in 2011. in Rio. Rio Olympics yesterday. Malaysia’s Lee had earlier turned his Following the introduction “The athletic skills every Two-time Olympic champion Lin attentions towards Lin after hailing a rou- of those rules, Semenya’s times athlete possess are half owned required three games and one hour eight tine victory to set up the semi-final clash with slipped, with many assuming she by the state,” wrote one user on minutes to defeat ninth-seed Srikanth his arch nemesis. was taking medication to control the WeChat messaging service Kidambi of India after top-ranked Lee can- Top-ranked Lee, who has never won a her testosterone production. cited by the Global Times. tered to a routine victory against Taiwan’s world or Olympic title, lost the last two Games Even so, Semenya was still On China’s Twitter-like Chou Tien-chen. finals to his Chinese rival and the Malaysian good enough to claim silver in the An overview shows China’s Weibo microblog service hun- Lin, who is bidding for a third consecu- is desperate for that elusive gold. 2012 Olympics, denied gold by a dreds of commenters debated Lin Dan returns against tive Olympic gold, won the first game easily, “I don’t think so much about playing Lin Russian runner, Mariya Savinova, an article that claimed to India’s Srikanth Kidambi triumphing 21-6, but succumbed in the sec- Dan in the semi-final. I just focused on my who was later exposed as a drug reveal “The Secret Behind during their men’s singles ond, losing 21-11, before scraping the third condition and match,” said Lee after brush- cheat. Britain’s China-beating Gold quarter-final badminton game 21-18. ing aside the Taiwanese Chou to set up the But a Court of Arbitration Medals”, which it attributed to match in Rio de Janeiro, At one point “Super Dan”, currently last-four clash. for Sport ruling last year judged an ambitious national plan -- yesterday. ranked third in the world but regarded by “But now I’m thinking about Lin Dan,” the International Association of implicitly defending China’s some as badminton’s greatest-ever player, added Lee, who took just 42 minutes to Athletics Federations restrictions system of sports academies. was 11-8 down in the final game and in dan- complete a routine 21-9, 21-15 victory over illegal, freeing Semenya to com- ger of crashing out of the Olympics. sixth-ranked Chou. pete in her natural state. AIBA drops referees, judges after scoring controversy

Reuters judges will no longer officiate at the fight again in any AIBA-organised robbed in the final.” Questions were forward and provide evidence in SEVERAL BOXERS PROTEST Rio 2016 Olympic Games,” it said, competition and sent a message to also raised after Russian Evgeny order to take appropriate and imme- AGAINST DECISIONS adding that the results of all bouts the official Twitter channel of Rus- Tishchenko won the heavyweight diate action.” would stand. sian president Vladimir Putin saying: gold to boos from the crowd that Scoring systems in Olympic box- RIO DE JANEIRO: Olympic box- It did not name any of the “Hey Vlad. How much did they charge clearly felt Kazakh opponent Vasily ing have long provoked controversy, ing’s governing body has removed dropped officials. you bro?”. Levit had done more. and allegations of underhand activity. That too proved controversial, some judges and referees from the The judging was thrown into the US coach Billy Walsh, who is AIBA said it would use legal and The biggest and most blatant with US light-flyweight favourite Rio Games after a controversy over spotlight this week when Irish and Irish, joined in the criticism after disciplinary means to protect the rep- injustice was the decision against Eric Griffin losing out to local man fight decisions. US boxers protested they had been his light-welterweight Gary Russell utation of the sport and of its referees light-middleweight Jones, who lost Rafael Lozano in Barcelona in 1992 The International Boxing Asso- ‘robbed’ in quarter-final fights. missed out on a medal when a split and judges “whose integrity is con- the gold medal fight at the Seoul because the judges had not reacted ciation (AIBA) said in a statement Irish world champion bantam- decision went to Uzbekistan’s Fazlid- stantly put into question”. Games to home fighter Park Si-hun fast enough to register many of his that it had reviewed all decisions in weight Michael Conlan went on an din Gaibnazarov. “The organisation will not be after dominating the fight. blows. the 239 bouts to date and found “less expletive-laden rant on live televi- “The judging has been atrocious,” deterred by subjective judgements The scoring system was changed The computerised system was than a handful” were not at the level sion after losing to Russian Vladimir he told reporters. made by discontented parties,” it in 1989 to a computerised system, replaced for the ongoing Rio Olym- expected. Nikitin. “The last time I saw it as bad was added. with judges pushing a button when- pics with a professional style 10 point “The concerned referees and He told reporters he would never in Seoul in 1988 when Roy Jones got “We welcome all parties to come ever a scoring punch was made. system. SPORT THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 23

Jamaica, Kenya and US strike TUESDAY’S MEDAL STANDINGS Countries G S B T

United States 28 28 28 84 Great Britain 19 19 12 50 China 17 15 19 51 Russia 12 12 14 38 gold in Rio de Janeiro Germany 11 8 7 26 Italy 8 9 6 23 Netherlands 8 3 3 14 only for the Court of Arbitration for France 7 11 11 29 Athletes from Croatia Sport to over-rule. Australia 7 8 9 24 In the hurdles, McLeod beat Japan 7 4 18 29 and Canada also pick Cuban-born Orlando Ortega who South Korea 6 3 5 14 up medals as poor won silver for Spain, and Frenchman Hungary 6 3 4 13 Dimitri Bascou, who took bronze. The Spain 4 1 2 7 attendances make for left the United States with a medal New Zealand 3 6 1 10 sorry pictures in Rio in the event for the first time in 120 Brazil 3 4 4 11 years - with the exception of the boy- Kenya 3 3 0 6 cotted 1980 Moscow Games Canada 3 2 9 14 Kipyegon bided her time through Croatia 3 2 0 5 the slow early stages of the 1,500 race Jamaica 3 0 2 5 Reuters before setting off on a blazing sec- Kazakhstan 2 3 5 10 ond half with Genzebe Dibaba but North Korea 2 3 2 7 then pulling clear of the world record Cuba 2 2 4 8 RIO DE JANEIRO: Jamaica, Kenya Jamaica’s Omar holder. Poland 2 2 3 7 and the United States added to McLeod celebrates High jumper Derek Drouin Colombia 2 2 0 4 their athletics medal tallies in the winning the Men’s earned Canada’s third gold medal Belgium 2 1 2 5 110metres hurdles, women’s 1,500m 110m Hurdles Final of the Games, clearing 2.38 metres Switzerland 2 1 2 5 and men’s triple jump on Tuesday, during the athletics to beat Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim. Greece 2 1 1 4 while Russia’s sole track and field event at the Rio 2016 In the morning session, American Thailand 2 1 1 4 competitor survived to compete Olympic Games at the Taylor earned a second straight tri- Argentina 2 1 0 3 another day at Rio. Olympic Stadium in Rio ple-jump gold with a 17.86m leap that Uzbekistan 2 0 4 6 Athletes from Kenya, Croatia and de Janeiro. is the furthest anyone has jumped Iran 2 0 2 4 Canada also claimed Olympic gold this season, sailing 10cm longer than South Africa 1 5 1 7 in a largely empty stadium, where team mate Will Claye. Ukraine 1 4 2 7 announcers urged rowdy Brazilian Sweden 1 4 1 6 fans to restrain themselves after pro- medalist French Renaud Lavillenie, Denmark 1 3 5 9 voking a French pole vaulter with a ignoring Da Silva’s gestures asking Kenya’s Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon reacts after Armenia 1 3 0 4 chorus of boos the night before. for quiet. she won the Women’s 1500m Final. Jamaica’s Omar McLeod earned Lavillenie, who the night before Belarus 1 2 2 5 the country its first gold in the men’s had complained about the booing Slovenia 1 2 1 4 sprint hurdles, Kenya’s Faith Kipy- during his final attempt, apologised Czech Republic 1 1 5 7 egon devastated the field in the on Tuesday for having compared his Ethiopia 1 1 3 5 1,500m and American Christian experience to the hostility of Nazi Georgia 1 1 3 5 Taylor successfully defended his tri- Germany towards Jesse Owens at Romania 1 1 2 4 ple-jump gold. the 1936 Berlin Games. Bahrain 1 1 0 2 However, the loudest cheers of The announcer at the Rio Olym- Slovakia 1 1 0 2 the night came for native pole vaulter pic Stadium at least four times during Vietnam 1 1 0 2 Thiago da Silva as he received the Tuesday’s evening competition asked Chinese Taipei 1 0 2 3 gold medal he won on Monday night. the crowd to be respectful to the Neutral Olympic Team 1 0 1 2 The crowd once again booed silver competitors, a reaction the Carioca Bahamas 1 0 0 1 Fiji 1 0 0 1 Kosovo 1 0 0 1 Puerto Rico 1 0 0 1 Serbia 1 0 0 1 Singapore 1 0 0 1 fans’ flashes of belligerence. But the 25-year-old silver medal- Azerbaijan 0 2 3 5 Russian athletes in particular ist had one more good jump left in Turkey 0 2 1 3 have faced hostile crowds in Rio as him, into the stands where he pro- Indonesia 0 2 0 2 the result of a doping scandal that posed to long-time girlfriend and Ireland 0 2 0 2 has shaded the Games. former Olympian Queen Harrison, Lithuania 0 1 2 3 Long jumper Darya Klishina, the who burst into tears and accepted. Malaysia 0 1 1 2 sole athlete from her country com- “When I woke up I was like, today Mongolia 0 1 1 2 peting in track and field after the rest is going to be the best day of my life,” Algeria 0 1 0 1 of the team was banned, escaped Claye told reporters. “I’m going to go Grenada 0 1 0 1 their wrath, but that was probably out there and do what I have to do on Philippines 0 1 0 1 more a result of her slipping in unan- the track and I’m going to make her Qatar 0 1 0 1 nounced and unnoticed rather than my fiancee.” Venezuela 0 1 0 1 an overnight change of attitude. Croatia’s Sandra Perkovic also Norway 0 0 3 3 After earning a spot in Wednes- retained her shot put title with a Egypt 0 0 2 2 day’s final with a leap of 6.64m third-round throw of 69.21 metres, Israel 0 0 2 2 Klishina said she missed having 2.48 metres further than Melina Austria 0 0 1 1 team mates. Robert-Michon, who at 37 became Estonia 0 0 1 1 “It is very hard being the only France’s oldest Olympic medal win- Russian,” she said. “Unfortunately, ner in athletics. Kyrgyzstan 0 0 1 1 I am here alone and this is a big “I have been working for this for Moldova 0 0 1 1 A handout released by Omega shows Jamaica’s responsibility.” 20 years,” Robert-Michon said. “An Morocco 0 0 1 1 Omar McLeod (right) crossing the finish line to win She looked to have missed her Olympic medal is above all other Portugal 0 0 1 1 the Men’s 110m Hurdles Final. chance to compete at all when the medals and it is the reward for a lot Tunisia 0 0 1 1 IAAF suspended her last Saturday, of sacrifices and work.” UAE 0 0 1 1 Biles bows out with four gold and name in lights

AFP which gave her bronze. She is the fifth Her long-time coach Aimee Boor- grandfather Ron Biles and his wife won more world championships than woman to win four gold at the same man believes the sport will never be Nellie. The children had been in foster any other woman in history, taking Games after Hungarian Agnes Keleti the same after the Biles whirlwind. care as their mother struggled with two gold at her first worlds in 2013. RIO DE JANEIRO: Simone Biles (pic- (1956), Soviet Larissa Latynina (1956), “Right now I would say she’s the alcohol and drug addiction. Four more gold at worlds in Nan- tured) bowed out of her fabulous Czech Vera Caslavska (1968) and greatest gymnast,” said Boorman, For Biles it all seems normal. ning 2014 made her realise it was no Olympic debut in Rio with a record- Romanian Ecaterina Szabo (1984). who has coached Biles since she was She calls her grandparents ‘Mom’ fluke. equalling fourth gold, short of the But Biles remains unfazed. six years old. and ‘Dad’ and says that when she was “When I was young like every kid record five she sought, but with her “To walk away from your first “She has really raised the bar. But small she thought all children were I always said I wanted to go to the name in lights among the gymnas- Olympics with five medals and then four years ago nobody thought adopted. Olympics but I wasn’t really serious tics greats. four in gold, how can you be disap- they would see a Simone Biles.” She started gymnastic lessons about it,” recalls Biles. “Everything “It’s been a long journey, but I’ve pointed,” she said. “It’s exciting it’s Her epic Olympic adventure has after a daycare field trip to a Hou- just hit me. I thought maybe I’m good! enjoyed every moment,” said the over, but kind of sad too.” seen Biles photographed alongside ston gym aged six. Her raw talent It’s unreal how it happened,” she said. Texan whose early life struggles had Biles missed London 2012 Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt and and ability to do amazing flips soon She is the first woman to win not set her out as the future face of because she was too young to com- US swimming greats Michael Phelps caught the attention of Boorman. three straight world all-around titles women’s gymnastics. pete but has dominated gymnastics and Katie Ledecky. But she brushes “When I first saw her, I was like, and first to win ten gold medals at The 19-year-old took gold on in the four-year cycle since. aside all comparisons. ‘Wow, this kid has something’. But world championships. Everything floor on Tuesday ahead of US team- Finishing off on the podium “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or what it was and how far she could go has been geared towards her drive mate Amy Raisman, muscles flexed beside her idol Raisman, 22, was Michael Phelps, I’m the first Simone with it, I had no idea,” Boorman said. to become the greatest gymnast ever. and with the steely determination she more than she could have hoped for. Biles,” she says. Biles’ talent developed from a Biles spent all her secondary educa- had shown on her way to the team, “I remember watching her (in It has been a long journey for the bungling novice who could not stay tion being homeschooled. all-around and vault titles. London) and saying ‘I just want to 1.45m (4ft 9ins) gymnast who moved on the beam and struggled with une- “I wanted to see how far I could The only blip standing between be like her’. Just standing next to her to Texas from her native Ohio at the ven bars because her hands were so go in this sport. I don’t have any her and history, a slip on the beam on is amazing. It’s the cherry on top me age of three, adopted with her lit- small. regrets, because of how far I’ve the penultimate day of competition, and Aly finishing 1-2 on the floor.” tle sister Adria by her maternal Under Boorman, 43, Biles has come.” www.thepeninsulaqatar.comwww.the PAGEPAGE | 222 PAGE | 23 Farah survivessurvive Biles bows out scarescare toto reachreac with four gold 5000m5000m finalfin at Rio Games

THURSDAY 18 AUGUST 2016 • 15 DHUL QA’DA 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Rio star ‘satisfied’ with silver show

Qatar’s high jump star Mutaz Barshim is a picture of absolute delight after winning his second Olympic Games medal

By Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula

RIO DE JANEIRO: Qatar’s track and field star Mutaz Barshim yesterday said his silver medal winning per- formance on Tuesday night at the Olympic Stadium was ‘satisfying’. Barshim finished behind Cana- da’s Derek Drouin who won the gold by clearing 2.38m while the Qatari star’s best height was 2.36m. Ukraine’s Bohdan Bondarenko finished with 2.33m to claim the bronze medal. At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Barshim finished with a bronze medal in front of 80,000 fans. “I am satisfied with this per- formance,” Barshim, 25, said after the draining competition that fin- ished at 4:30am yesterday. “Yes, I would have preferred a gold but winning the silver medal is by no means a small effort,” Barshim said. “Obviously now that I have won a bronze and a silver, I will attempt to go for gold at the Tokyo Games,” he said confidently. When asked about feeling the pressure in the final, Barshim said: “To be honest, there was no stress as I am fairly experienced now. I train hard. I know my competitors well. “It is because of experience that I have reached this point in future also.” and your country,” Sheikh Joaan feels so good,” the Qatari explained. my career,” the 2014 World Indoor Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al tweeted. Barshim pointed out his season Champion said. “If you are an expe- Thani, President of the Qatar Olym- Barshim also thanked the QOC still has two more stops - Switzer- rienced athlete, then you don’t have pic Committee (QOC), was one of for the ‘support’ in his build-up land and Belgium. to worry about stress during a com- thousands to congratulate Barshim before the Games kicked off on “I will be in action after resting petition,” he said. on Qatar’s first ever silver medal at August 5. for two weeks,” Barshim said. “Once Barshim quickly added: “H H the Olympic Games. “I want to thank Sheikh Joaan, I am done with this season, then I the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad “First silver medal in the history Dr Thani Al Kuwari (Secretary will plan again for the next season,” Al Thani called and congratulated of Qatar. Congratulations Mutaz. General of QOC), and all of my sup- the affable Qatari said. me. The Emir wished me well in the You have honoured your people porters at QOC for the way they help When asked about his family me prepare for big events like this,” members, Barshim said: “My fam- Barshim said. “I take this opportu- ily is everything for me. My parents, nity to thank my coach, the Qatar my siblings - they always support Athletics Federation President Dah- me and pray for me. They are the lan Al Hamad and staff for their ones who have urged me to go for time and dedication as I prepared my dreams from the very begin- for the Olympic Games,” Barshim ning,” he said. said. “Even during difficult times, Barshim said the support of they never left my side. The are General Supervisor Khalifa Khamis, always there for me,” he added. Director of National Teams Khalifa Mohammed Al Fadala, Qatar’s Abdul Malik, his assistant Khalid Al Chef de Mission in Rio, was all Marri and all the staff members at praise for Barshim. QAF ‘deserved a round of applause’ “Mutaz is our pride. He is a star for this concerted efforts. for the youngsters back home,” Al “I think my coach is happy too Fadala said. with my silver medal,” Barshim said “He is a role model for the track QATARI ATHLETES WITH MEDALS AT OLYMPIC GAMES about the usually sombre-looking and field enthusiasts in Qatar. Stanislav ‘Stanley’ Szcyrba. “He plays hard and never gives Mohammed Sulaiman (1,500M, Barcelona 1992), “He has wished me well and up. He has gained a lot over the he says I can win many competi- years. He is very experienced now. Said Saif Asaad (weightlifting, Sydney 2000) tions,” he said. “He says the road is It is because of the high standards Mutaz Barshim (high jump, London 2012) long and will be tough but nothing set by Barshim that he has been able Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (skeet shooting, London 2012) is impossible,” he said. to achieve so much in such short “For me, listening to the national period of time,” he told Al Sharq Mutaz Barshim (high jump, Rio de Janeiro 2016) anthem after the competition ends newspaper.