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Muntajat signs Qatar choose 2-year deal to battle Spain with Milaha and Slovenia

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Monday 21 July 2014 • 23 Ramadan 1435 • Volume 19 Number 6133 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Bahrain opposition faces suspension Major labour for three months DUBAI: Bahrain has filed a lawsuit to suspend Al Wefaq’s activities for three months reforms on after the largest Shia opposi- tion group allegedly violated the kingdom’s law on associations, the official BNA news agency said yesterday. Political parties are banned in the anvil Bahrain and Al Wefaq has the status of an association. The ministry of justice said Al More living space for workers Wefaq must rectify its “illegal status following the annulment of DOHA: The Ministry of These are some of the meas- four general assemblies for lack Labour and Social Affairs is ures Qatar is taking to improve of a quorum, non-commitment mulling naming and shaming living conditions for foreign work- to the public and transparency construction companies that ers and bring them on a par with requirements for holding them,” flout summer timing rules for global standards. The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday met United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as per Bahraini regulations. site workers. The Cabinet has approved pro- at Al Bahr Palace and reviewed latest developments in Gaza. Ban briefed the Emir on the UN’s efforts for a Like eateries and foodstuff posals through some key amend- ceasefire. The Emir warned that the international community’s failure to end Israeli crimes would result in serious UN to vote on stores found breaching health and ments being made to regulations humanitarian consequences. safety rules, construction firms that govern labour lodgings, Ukraine today not following summer work tim- and working conditions. Other ings will face a ban for a month. changes being made to regulations UNITED NATIONS: The A hotline is being set up by the are regarding health and safety Ban, Abbas meet in Doha United Nations Security Council ministry for whistleblowers to file requirements, which are being is to vote today on a resolution complaints against erring com- made stricter for work sites. to condemn the downing of a panies. Outdoor work is banned A construction site that has 100 Malaysian passenger plane in in Qatar from 11.30am until 3pm and more workers would need to as Gaza death toll hits 438 Ukraine and demand that those from June 15 until August 31. This have a full-time nurse. And the responsible be held accountable is the season of sizzling heat and number of safety inspectors is DOHA: Diplomatic efforts He said Qatar was only con- of Palestinians and called for an and armed groups don’t com- humidity in the region. being raised to 243 from 200. intensified with Qatar playing a veying the Palestinian demands, immediate end to fighting. promise the crash site integrity. Meanwhile, the minimum liv- The measures (some of them key role to end Israel’s military which he said must include the Ban, in Doha on the first leg While Russia held negotia- ing space for a worker in a labour being implemented though offensive in Gaza, as at least 100 opening of Gaza’s border crossing of a Middle East tour to try to tions with the 15-member coun- accommodation is being raised to amended laws) were announced Palestinians were killed yester- points with Egypt and Israel. end the bloodshed that has cost cil on the resolution, drafted by six square meters from four. by the Minister of Labour and day, taking the toll to 438. “Consultations, discussions are more than 400 lives, met the Emir Australia which lost 28 citizens, Social Affairs H E Abdulla bin Qatar’s Foreign Minister, still underway to have a ceasefire H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al it was unclear if it would support Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi in a H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al in place, for the reason that the Thani and Palestinian President the final version, said diplomats. statement issued yesterday. Attiyah, called the killings a mas- Palestinian people can no long Mahmoud Abbas and Dr Al AGENCIES Inspectors made 4,335 field sacre and said Israel must not be accept the long siege.” Attiyah before heading for Egypt. See also page 8 visits in May and 5,083 in June, allowed to choose when to wage a Hamas demanded instead that “While I was en route to Doha, including raids on labour accom- war and when to stop. any accord must include lifting a dozens more civilians have been Ramadan Timing modations. At least 33 construc- “We condemn all atrocities blockade imposed by Israel and killed in the Israeli military tion sites were closed after they perpetrated by Israel against Egypt on the Gaza Strip and strikes... in Gaza... I condemn Todays Iftar: were found breaching summer the Palestinian people, said a return to an understanding the atrocious action,” he said in a 06:27pm timing directives and health and Al-Attiyah, addressing a press that ended a round of fighting statement after talks with Dr Al Tomorrow’s safety rules, the statement said. conference at Four Seasons Hotel, in 2012. Attiyah. AGENCIES Imsak: >>Page 9 THE PENINSULA in the presence of United Nations Ban condemned as an “atro- Continued on page 2 03:19am Continued on page 3 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. cious action” the killing of dozens See also pages 6 and 7 MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

PM visits Lusail City Project Emir meets Abbas and Norway FM DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yes- terday held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at Al Bahr Palace on develop- ments in Palestinian ter- ritories, especially the continued Israeli aggres- sion on Gaza Strip. Abbas briefed the Emir on efforts to end Israeli crimes against the inno- cent Palestinian people. The Emir reiterated UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Foreign Minister, H E Dr Khalid bin Qatar’s support of the Mohamed Al Attiyah addressing the press conference. brotherly Palestinian peo- ple, highlighting the impor- tance of making every effort to make interna- Israel ‘must exercise tional powers shoulder their responsibility with The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday visited regard to Israeli military Lusail City Project north of Doha. He was briefed on work progress and the transportation system, particularly attacks. maximum restraint’ The Emir also hosted light rail. He also saw stations’ designs. He was accompanied by ministers and senior officials. Iftar in Abbas’ honour. Continued from page 1 proposal for a ceasefire. The Emir also met “Israel must exercise maximum Hamas demanded instead that any Norway’s Foreign Minister restraint. I repeat my demands to all accord must include lifting a block- Borge Brende and his del- sides that they must respect interna- ade imposed by Israel and Egypt on egation at Al Bahr Palace. tional humanitarian law. The violence the Strip and a return to an under- Milipol online registration opens Talks dealt with lat- must stop now,” he added. standing that ended a previous round est developments on the More than 60 Palestinians and 13 of fighting in 2012. DOHA: The Milipol Qatar Brig. Nasser bin Fahad Al Palestinian arena, espe- Israeli soldiers were killed as Israel Hamas’s conditions also include the Committee has opened a web- Thani (pictured), Chairman, cially the situation in shelled Gaza’s Shejaia neighbourhood release of prisoners re-arrested since page to register VIPs, visitors Qatar Milipol Committee, urged Gaza. Ways to reach a just and battled militants in the bloodiest a 2011 exchange deal with Israel, the and media persons for the 10th concerned people and agencies to and lasting solution to the fighting in the 13-day offensive. opening of Gaza-Israel border cross- edition of internal security register as the number of par- Palestinian cause to ensure In an appeal filmed in Doha, ings and an end to an Israeli blockade devices exhibition — Milipol ticipants increased significantly the legitimate rights of the President Abbas called on the inter- on the Gaza seaport. Qatar 2014 — on October 20-22. in previous editions. Palestinian people were national community to protect “In general, Israel must end all It is as one of the biggest expos “Preparations and organi- also reviewed. Palestinians against what he called forms of aggression and attacks, end in the field of security in the sational works have completed the current “unbearable” situation. the blockade of Gaza and remove the region. according to action plans pre- Greetings sent “The UN Security Council has actions that resulted from its mili- Participants can register pared in 2012. The committee failed to protect Palestinians and I tary offensive in the West Bank after through www.mybadgeonline. visited international security to Colombia call on the Council to hold an emer- June 12,” Hamas spokesman Sami com/milipolqatar2014 and ensure exhibitions to promote Milipol. DOHA: The Emir gency meeting today (yesterday) to Abu Zuhri said in the Palestinian access to the event, which offers “With the growing importance H H Sheikh Tamim bin protect Palestinians... what Israel did territories. latest innovations and develop- of internal security in the region, Hamad Al Thani yester- today is crime against humanity,” Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb ments in activities associated with chemical, biochemical and nuclear media attention is needed to day sent a cable of con- Abbas said in the recording shown Erakat echoed the demands, saying internal security of countries. terrorism, forensic science serv- showcase latest tools, techniques gratulations to Colombian to reporters. He also called for an these should not been seen as con- Milipol Qatar is organised by ices, activation of counterterror- and equipment related to internal President Juan Manuel immediate ceasefire agreed upon in ditions, but rather as a “fair” set of the Ministry of Interior and Paris- ism laws, protection of industrial security. Santos on his country’s Cairo and stressed the importance commitments Israel must adhere to. based Comexposium Security. sites, fight against organised “Hence, for media represent- Independence Day. of unity among all factions in the “We are all united as one, we speak Activities include protection crime and securing public and atives, early registration will The Prime Minister Palestinian territories. as Palestinian people, not as Hamas of information and communica- urban places, security of ports, help avoid rush for permits and and Interior Minister Qatar has emerged as a possible or Fatah, and we are in contact with tion systems data, economic and airports and border control, road badges,” he said. H E Sheikh Abdullah bin peacemaker in the Gaza after the all factions,” Erakat said, adding that industrial information data, inte- safety and security of financial Details about the event can be Nasser bin Khalifa Al Islamist Hamas group, which con- Abbas had also called US Secretary gration of systems, risk manage- systems and prison, oil and gas found on www.milipolqatar.com Thani sent a similar cable. trols the area, rejected an Egyptian of State John Kerry. AGENCIES ment and analyses, countering sectors, among others. THE PENINSULA QNA MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Woqod signs deals for seven petrol stations across Qatar

DOHA: Qatar Fuel (Woqod) Derham [Bin Dirham Road] and Woqod, established through a “Woqod is determined to pro- has signed seven contracts with Al Rayyan Al Jadeed areas inside royal decree, is a services company ceed with this strategy of pro- two local companies for the con- Doha. providing high quality services to viding quality services at its fuel struction of fuel stations in dif- “The contracts also cover the meet latest local safety, security stations and its Butane gas and ferent areas of Qatar. construction of two stations at and environmental standards and retail services. The deals were signed on July Salwa International Road — in to set a model among modern fuel “Woqod reiterates its com- 17 at the headquarters of Woqod, Al Mseihabiyah and Sodanthell stations that operate in top indus- mitment as a national service at Woqod Tower in Al Dafna. Crossroads. trialised and high-tech countries company that seeks in the first The contracts were signed “In light of the pressing demand in Europe and elsewhere rather place to provide high quality serv- by Engineer Ibrahim Jaham Al in Al Shemal, top priority has than seeking mere profitability. ices to clients wherever they are Kuwari, CEO, Woqod and offi- been given to immediately build “We have been keen to provide located regardless of profit/loss cials from Al ’Uqab Company for stations in Ein Sinan [Fleiha] and services wherever needed, with- considerations. Trading and Contractions. Al Shemal city to meet the local out making profit our top consid- “As always, we will never spare Al Kuwari said, “We are glad demand for petroleum products eration, and this explains the fact any effort to provide services for today to announce and sign the and services.” that Woqod establishes fuel sta- our clients wherever they are and seven contracts to establish new He said there are plans to build tions in areas despite the absence we reassure our shareholders on fuel stations in different areas of and operate 13 new stations in of economic feasibility (not profit- our keenness to safeguard their the state. 2014-2015. Woqod plans to reach able), for the wider public inter- interests through continuous “Work will start immedi- 100 stations by the end of the new est and the benefit of residents in efforts to achieve their goals,” he Officials signing one of the contracts. ately in Al Qtaifyah, Freij Bin five-year plan for 2014-2018. these areas. added. THE PENINSULA

239 apply for Qatar Rota renovates KG classrooms, Science Leadership outdoor playground of school Programme course Over 80 volunteers and students refurbish Bangladesh M H M School DOHA: A total of 239 appli- strength in the coming years, DOHA: More than 80 Reach team of volunteers. They were cations have been received maintaining what has been Out To Asia (Rota) volunteers committed to the project from by Qatar Science Leadership a most impressive growth and secondary grade students start to end,” said Hazem Idriss, Programme (QSLP) for the trajectory. from Bangladesh M H M School Volunteers Outreach Specialist. eighth cycle of innovative “Most young people in the gathered in the past week to “The team showed enthusiasm course. programme will undertake renovate one of the oldest sec- and bonded well with one another, Following on the success activities aligned with Qatar ondary schools in Qatar. they enjoyed every aspect of the of the seventh cycle, which National Research Strategy, The project involved scraping project. It is great to see how attracted 243 participants, focusing on defined priorities the walls, painting, decorating much impact this experience had QSLP, a constituent pro- such as sustainable energy and refurbishing six kindergarten on volunteers and how their work gramme of Qatar Foundation development, water and food classrooms with 180 chairs and made a difference on other peo- Research and Development security, improved health in 50 tables. ple’s lives. I’m proud to be part of (QF R&D), has attracted an areas of identified need and Rota is also working with this journey and I’m looking for- impressive number of execu- cyber security. Qatar Foundation’s Facilities ward to seeing the final outcome tives keen to take part in its “Others will develop per- Management Directorate which of the school this week.” four programme tracks. sonal abilities and, therefore, is supporting the construction of OXY Qatar General Manager, QSLP supports and encour- future capabilities for Qatar in a new covered playground area at Steve Kelly, said: “At this very ages scientific research in other areas of research that are the school. special time of year, Oxy Qatar is health, biomedicine, energy, broader in their future applica- The project is part of Rota’s honoured to support the renova- environment, computer sci- tion such as social development Eighth Ramadan initiative, tion of one of the oldest secondary ence, information technol- and sustainability, economics ‘Sharing Blessings’. schools in Qatar. ogy, behavioural science and and finance, and international Sponsored by Occidental “Our partnership with Rota humanities. relations. Petroleum Corporation (OXY) demonstrates our commitment The Research Undergraduate “The programme will play an Qatar, the renovation of the to support our youth by help- Track received 59 applications increasingly important role in school aims to provide engaging ing them to improve their lives from Qataris and the Research Qatar’s future through contri- volunteering opportunities and in every way possible. Many of Management Track 25. butions its members will make raise awareness about volunteer- our volunteers took part in the The Research Scientist to society.” ism and community service. project, and it was a blessing to Track received 148 applications To date, 15 students have “We are delighted to witness see how engaged they were in the and the Research Postdoctoral graduated from QSLP. the successful renovation of the whole experience. Our thanks to Track seven. More than 100 members school by our volunteers. This them and everyone behind the Dr Wyatt Hume, Executive continue to pursue studies in Ramadan, our aim is to engage scenes.” Director, Education, Training various fields. Eighty-three our volunteers to continue to give The project is an addition to and Development, QF R&D, percent of programme mem- back and share their blessings Rota’s Ramadan 2014 volunteer said: “QSLP is a successful pro- bers are Qatari. with needy people in our com- effort, which has over the years, gramme, enriching the human The remaining members in munity. After seeing the com- engaged hundreds of volunteers. capacity of Qatar in research the Research Scientist track mitment of our volunteers to the This year, the support is expected Rota volunteers working in one of the classrooms. through the support of some of are young scholars based in project, I can say that they have to reach over 1,000 people. the most capable young people Qatar as long-term residents made an impact and a change on The Ramadan Project is spon- community partners, including Leukaemia Unit, and Qatar in the country. and have graduated from students’ lives,” said Mohamed Al sored by OXY Qatar for the third Rumailah Hospital’s Children’s Foundation for Elderly Care. “The programme will con- Qatari universities. Saleh, National Program Director, consecutive year. Rehabilitation Centre and Follow @reachouttoasia to tinue to grow in numbers and THE PENINSULA Rota. This year, Rota volun- Residential Care Compound, learn more about volunteering “This was an extraordinary teers will serve and support Hamad Hospital’s Paediatric with Rota. THE PENINSULA

Ministry finalises eParticipation draft policy

DOHA: The Ministry website. Public participation of social media analytics and the “The policy document aims of Information and in governance processes and national eParticipation portal. at promoting the culture and Communications Technology decision-making is a vital com- “eParticipation is the sum practices of eParticipation (ictQATAR) yesterday issued ponent in the new knowledge- total of the government’s pro- in government agencies and a public consultation on a based society. grammes to encourage public improving transparency and draft eParticipation Policy The policy provides provi- participation and the willing- public participation, assisting to improve citizens’ access to sions for government agencies ness of the public to do so. It Qatar in achieving its develop- information and public serv- to support the use of online is imperative that to success- ment goals,” he added. ices and promote participa- community engagement as an fully embrace eParticipation The draft policy is available tion in decision-making, which integral part of development, and ensure social and economic in Arabic and English at ictQ- affects the well-being of soci- implementation and evaluation progress of the nation, all gov- ATAR’s website www.ictqatar. ety in general and the individ- of its policies, programmes and ernment agencies implement qa. The ministry is also invit- ual in particular. services. The policy requires all provisions in the draft policy,” ing people to fill in the question- Views and comments should government agencies to take the said Hassan Jassim Al Sayed, naire at the Qatar eGovernment be sent to policyfeedback@ict. following steps: eParticipation Assistant Secretary-General, Portal (Hokoomi) at www. gov.qa on or before September administration, eParticipation Information Technology Sector, gov.qa available in Arabic and 15. Consultation survey may also webpage, online public consulta- ICT Government Programmes, English. be filled online at the Hukoomi tion and public engagement, use ictQATAR. THE PENINSULA

Online complaint system unveiled for workers Continued from page 1 recruitment agencies in major An electronic complaint manpower exporting countries Modern job contract to replace system has been launched for to ensure that fair standards foreign workers in different lan- are in place before workers sponsorship system: Minister guages, including Tamil, Urdu, arrive here. Hindi, Nepali and Bengali, The ministry said it welcomed DOHA: The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs H E besides Arabic and English. in this regard the decision of the Abdullah bin Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi has reiterated that The statement also talks of Nepali embassy in Doha to ban the present sponsorship system will soon be replaced with a labour accommodations being 55 Nepali recruitment compa- “modern” contract between worker and employer. made for 150,000 workers and nies found to have been exploit- Consultations in this regard will continue with non-govern- a wage protection system being ing migrant workers. mental organisations, businesses and workers groups. launched whereby all foreign “This shows how impor- “However, the direction we are taking is firmly set and every workers are to be paid salaries tant and effective action from effort is being made to put reforms in place as quickly as pos- through bank transfers. all parties can be,” said the sible as these most recent measures show,” said the Minister. The ministry is also step- minister. THE PENINSULA ping efforts to coordinate with THE PENINSULA MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar Museums opens ‘Pearls’ expo in Brazil A tribute to our ancestors who made sacrifices and depended on pearls trade to sustain livelihood: Official

DOHA: ‘Pearls’ exhibition, organ- Strategic Cultural Relations, QM, while promoting awareness ised by Qatar Museums (QM), said: “The idea behind organising and appreciation of each oth- o p e n e d a t Mu s e u d e A r t e B r a s i l e i r a the exhibition is to pay tribute to er’s culture, achievements and (Brazilian Museum of Art) in Sao our ancestors who made sacrifices heritage. Paulo, Brazil, yesterday. and depended on the pearls trade to The exhibition began with It runs until September 28, as sustain livelihood. By organising the an insight into the natural part of Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of expo, QM aims to enhance aware- history of pearls and the pearl Culture. ness among the Brazilian community fishing trade from the Arabian On display are over 200 pieces of about the significance of pearls in Gulf to Europe and Asia since jewellery and artworks showcasing a Qatari history. It highlights a com- antiquity. variety of colour and shape of natu- mon historical aspect for Qatari and A collection of rare pearls ral and cultured pearls. Brazilian people.” and pearl-bearing mollusks The expo examines how pearls The exhibition, supported by demonstrate how Gulf pearls have been employed over centuries Qatar Petroleum International and have long been some of the in East and West as a symbol of sta- Shell as platinum sponsors, is a high- most desirable and valuable in tus and wealth, how tastes vary in light of Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of the world. different cultures and the changing Culture which aims to forge new It also reveals often danger- designs of jewellery with pearls. partnerships in education, sport, ous working methods of pearl Safiya Saif Al Hajari, Director, creative industries and science, divers and shows trading prac- tices of pearl merchants in the Gulf, with examples of equip- ment required for weighing and valuing pearls. The second section of the exhibition explores the repre- sentation of pearls in jewellery and highlights how the design changed through history, taking the exhibition up to date with contemporary work made by designers. It also follows the A section of the exhibition. invention of the cultured pearl and its production on an indus- Mikimoto in Japan. The jewel- from QM’s collections, along- Co, Yoko London and Alfardan, trial scale initiated by Kokichi lery and artworks are drawn side objects from Mikimoto & Qatar. THE PENINSULA

Ooredoo hosts top Islamic scholar for Ramadan talk DOHA: Ooredoo hosted Director, Public Relations and training with Western education, a Ramadan lecture for its Communications, Ooredoo, said: and has been praised for uplift- employees by globally recog- “Having someone inspirational ing and spiritual messages in his nised Islamic scholar Dr Yasir like Dr Qadhi was important to talks. Qadhi (pictured). our holy month programme. He studied at Islamic University The lecture at Ooredoo’s HQ1 “We wanted to educate and of Madinah in Saudi Arabia, and building in West Bay aimed to remind our employees of the completed PhD in Islamic stud- enable staff to understand the teachings of Islam and the mean- ies at Yale University, New Haven, spirit of the holy month. ing of the holy month, and to cel- Connecticut, the US. He is an It was delivered in English, ebrate the spirit of this time.” instructor at Al Maghrib Institute with key messages translated to Dr Qadhi is one of the few and Al Kauthar Institute where Arabic. noted Islamic lecturers to com- he teaches theology, Seerah, Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, bine a traditional seminary Tajweed, and other topics.

Dr Qadhi appears on Islamic satellite TV chan- nels, including Peace TV worldwide, Islam Channel in England, Al Huda Channel in Saudi Arabia and Al Fajr Channels in Egypt. THE PENINSULA Property projects to hit QR35bn in five years DOHA: The real estate market in Qatar is set to see rise in new launches. According to Al Asmakh Real Estate Development, about 25,000 new housing units will be available in Qatar by the end of 2014. The total value of real estate projects is expected to reach QR35bn in the next five years. New launches are aimed at meeting the increasing demand for new housing units. Qatar is witnessing sharp rise in its popula- tion due to new infrastruc- ture projects launched for Football World in 2022 and Qatar’s National Vision 2030. The growing demand in the real estate sector has also led to an increase in the prices of housing units. A one bedroom hall kitchen (bhk) apart- ment costs about QR1m, a 2bhk QR1.2m and a 3bhk QR1.3m in some areas. The average price of apartments range between QR10,000 and QR11,000 per sqm. The price range in West Bay is around QR10,000 to QR12,000 per sqm while and around QR14,000-22,000 in Pearl Qatar. Prices of villas of around 400-500sqm in Doha, Al Thumama, Rawdat Al Matar, Ain Khaled range between QR3m and QR4m while in Garaffa, Al Laqta, Al Raya, Um Salal, Azghawa it is around QR2.5m to QR3.5m. In Al Khor and Al Zakhira, the price range for villa is QR1.8m to QR2.2m. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Deal to boost family Aljazeera documentary exposes FBI bid to spy on Muslims in US

DOHA: Shady characters entertainment scene recruited by the FBI to spy on Muslims in the US are revealed in a new documentary. q.media, SES to stage Rockin’ Ever After in September Informants, by Aljazeera’s Investigative Unit, premiered DOHA: Qatar residents “Our aim is to make Qatar a first engagement being Disney internationally yesterday. will see an increase in high- leader in family entertainment On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever It explores methods and quality, world-class family and a key tourist destination for After on September 24-27 at motivations of FBI informants entertainment following a the region. Qatar National Convention on the front line of the bureau’s recent joint venture between “We want to bring to the Centre. counterterrorism activities. q.media Events and Sport people of Qatar the world’s best “q.media Events is the leading Informants profiled by Aljazeera & Entertainment Solutions entertainers and create a strong media and events entity in Qatar admit they spied for money, not (SES), the agency promot- reputation for our events. Our and we’re pleased to be work- for country. ing Disney On Ice and Disney joint venture with SES will no ing in partnership with them to “It had nothing to do with Live! Across the Middle East. doubt achieve this.” bring quality and authentic live ‘my country, ’tis of thee,’ it had The joint venture not only Qatar Tourism Authority’s entertainment concepts to Doha. to do with, I wanted to be in aims to revamp Qatar’s family (QTA) National Tourism “Our five-year agreement on the big game and to be paid entertainment industry but also Sector Strategy 2030 focuses on with Feld also allows us to offer top dollar for it,” says Informant enhance Qatar’s opportunity to advancing the tourism industry residents continuity with Disney Craig Monteilh. host more live events such as across sectors, including fam- On Ice and Disney Live! brands,” Another informant, Elie the popular live motoring event, ily entertainment. The vision is he said. Assaad, tells Aljazeera how Monster Jam, and the soon to to make Qatar a world leader In 2013, Disney On Ice pre- he was often sent in to clean be launched Marvel Universe in hosting international events, sented 100 Years of Magic which up the botched work of other Live! conferences and exhibitions. set a record with over 40,000 informants. In 2013, SES signed a five-year QTA supported the first tickets sold for eight public and “I never lost a case all these deal with international fam- Disney On Ice production staged three private shows, making years, even sometimes when ily entertainment giants, Feld in Doha last summer and Disney it the most successful family they have cases where they feel Entertainment, the producer of Live! earlier this year. entertainment show in history. they’re going to lose and they Disney On Ice and Disney Live! Its investment proved to be a Families queued outside bring me to jump in and put it to bring more of Feld’s catalogue success with events attracting Virgin Megastores in Landmark back on track,” Assaad says. Informants of live events to the Middle East. regional visitors to Doha. and Villaggio to secure tickets. With access to FBI agents A scene from the documentary which premiered globally q.media’s Group CEO, Jaber Ali Haidary, SES Founder and About 15,000 tickets were sold and informants and undercover yesterday. Al Ansari, said q.media Events, CEO, praised q.media Event’s in the first week. recordings, the documentary part of q.media Group, plans commitment to revamp Qatar’s q.media Events and SES, with raises questions about whether or just paydays? Peter Ahearn, exposes how the FBI targeted to focus on investing in Qatar’s live entertainment scene, and the support of QTA and local the men targeted in sting oper- a retired FBI special agent, tells one young man for recruitment family entertainment industry. said the joint venture was a step partners, expect to see an influx ations would have acted were it Aljazeera that handling inform- as an informant; features an “This portion of Qatar’s live in the right direction to make of visitors from the GCC for not for paid informants working ants can be difficult. “They’ll lie interview with a man convicted event market has not seen huge the country the leading family Rockin’ Ever After. Tickets are on the cases. to you. They’ll misstate. They’ll on terrorism charges in one of investment to date, however entertainment destination and on sale at all Virgin Megastores “It literally boils down into, misrepresent.” the highest-profile federal cases q.media Events is set to change hub in the region. and online at www.virginmegas- if you cannot find terrorists But he says informants are of the last decade; and reveals that with our recent joint ven- He said the joint venture will tore.qa. Prices start at QR175. within the Muslim community, necessary for the FBI’s coun- the identity of one of the secret ture with SES. take effect immediately with the THE PENINSULA make terrorists. Create terror- terterrorism mission. There’s a informants. ists,” Yassir Fazaga, a Southern saying in the bureau: “To catch Aljazeera Investigative California Imam targeted by the the devil, you have to go to hell.” Reporter Trevor Aaronson, FBI, tells Aljazeera. In the documentary, who has reported on the FBI for Following the 9/11 attacks, Aljazeera’s Investigative Unit years, guides viewers through the FBI set about to recruit a broadcasts never-before-seen this shadowy world of inform- network of over 15,000 inform- video from FBI undercover ants and controversial counter- QNB campaign winners named ants. As Informants shows, sting operations; interviews terrorism operations. many were sent in to Muslim three former informants and The documentary will also be communities with incentives: reveals new information about available on Aljazeera’s website find threats and you’ll get paid. crimes they committed while and YouTube. But did they find real threats, working for the government; THE PENINSULA

Officials with the winners.

DOHA: QNB has announced July 31. To be eligible for the raf- The campaign is open to all the first two winners of its fle draw, customers will have to QNB customers making inter- Internet Banking Transfers transfer a minimum of QR1,000 national transfers via SWIFT, campaign. to be eligible to win a monthly Partner Bank transfers (HDFC Karl Simon Bates and Lee R basic salary as a bonus up to a India and HBTF Jordan) and Unit Hedrick have been awarded one maximum of QR30,000. to Unit transfers between QNB month’s basic salary as bonus for Each transfer worth over units in other countries via QNB’s using QNB’s Internet Banking QR1,000 will get a chance to enter Internet Banking. It is part of services for international fund the draw; the more the chances QNB’s commitment to look for transfers during the campaign, the more would be the eligibility innovative ways to reward its cus- which began in May and ends on to win. tomers. THE PENINSULA

Sana Store holds raffle draw

FROM LEFT: Amir Faizi, Regional Manager, Sana Qatar, Mohammed Al Kuwari, Senior Market Monitor, Ministry of Economy and Commerce, and Haja, Supervisor, Sana Qatar, during the Sana Shop & Win raffle draw at Sana Store yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Bahrain to suspend opposition Shia bloc Al Wefaq blamed for violating kingdom’s law

DUBAI: Bahrain has filed a assemblies and the consequent of Al Wefaq, cleric Ali Salman, lawsuit to suspend Al Wefaq’s invalidity of all its decisions,” BNA and his political assistant, ex-MP activities for three months reported. Khalil Marzooq, with violating a after the largest Shia opposi- Al Wefaq slammed the deci- law on foreign contacts after they tion group allegedly violated the sion as a “spiteful” measure that met the US Assistant Secretary kingdom’s law on associations, is politically motivated. of State Tom Malinowski. the official BNA news agency It said that the ministry’s justi- Bahrain has said the meet- reported yesterday. fications are “false” and stressed ing at the US embassy violated Political parties are banned in that all general assemblies held the law stipulating that contacts Bahrain, as in other Gulf Arab by the association have abided by between political associations and monarchies, and Al Wefaq has the law. foreign parties “should be coor- the status of an association. “Al Wefaq had legally responded dinated with the foreign minis- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in Doha The ministry of justice said Al to all remarks, but it received try and in the presence” of its yesterday. They discussed ceasefire for the war raging in Gaza. Wefaq must rectify its “illegal no response from the ministry representative. status following the annulment because there was not any fault Manama had told Malinowski, of four general assemblies for in those general assemblies,” it who is the assistant secretary lack of a quorum and the non- said in a statement. of state for democracy, human Kuwait calls for end to Gaza commitment to the public and Al Wefaq has led the pro- rights and labour, that he was transparency requirements for test movement that started in “unwelcome” and should “leave holding them,” as per Bahraini February 2011 by Bahrain’s Shia immediately.” bloodshed, backs truce regulations, said BNA. majority against the ruling Sunni Bahrain is a strategic archi- The ministry said it “filed the regime and has repeatedly called pelago just across the Gulf from lawsuit following the insistence of for the establishment of a consti- Iran. Washington is a long-stand- KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait The foreign minister “reiter- wounded after 13 days of an Al Wefaq on breaking the law... as tutional monarchy. ing ally of the ruling Al Khalifa called on the international ated his call on the international Israeli assault on Gaza. At least well as its failure to amend viola- Earlier this month, Bahrain’s dynasty, and Bahrain is home to community yesterday to apply community to shoulder humani- 60 of them were killed early tions related to its illegal general chief prosecutor charged the head the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. AFP pressure on Israel to “stop its tarian responsibility by apply- Sunday in an Israeli attack on aggression” on Gaza following ing pressure on Israel to stop Shejaiya neighbourhood. a visit by Hamas chief Khaled its aggression, and providing Earlier this week, an Egyptian Meshaal to the Gulf state. protection for the Palestinian truce proposal was accepted by Kuwait, which holds the people,” Kuna reported. Israel, but snubbed by Hamas, 60 Syria soldiers rotating presidency of both The minister “affirmed which has since requested Libya militias locked in the Arab League and the Gulf Kuwait’s commitment and changes to the Egyptian plan. Cooperation Council (GCC), support for the Egyptian truce Hamas is demanding a com- among dead in also announced its backing for initiative which calls for an plete end to the Israeli blockade an Egyptian truce proposal immediate ceasefire.” on Gaza, that the Rafah cross- battle: Report deadly battle for airport which was turned down by He also stressed the emirate’s ing with Egypt be opened, and Hamas. support for the Palestinian peo- that Israel free scores of veteran BEIRUT: At least 60 soldiers TRIPOLI: Islamist-led militia- the government, responded Meshaal held talks on the ple and “condemned all Israeli prisoners re-arrested in recent and pro-regime fighters were men stepped up their assault with heavy fire. Islamist militias conflict with Emir H H Sheikh criminal and aggression acts in weeks. among the 270 killed in a bloody yesterday on Libya’s main air- have been joined by other armed Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah and Gaza that led to the killing and UN Secretary General Ban jihadist attack on a gas field in port, two days after the collapse groups, including the powerful met with Foreign Minister wounding of scores of innocent Ki-moon is due in Kuwait today central Syria, a pro-regime of a truce with rival ex-rebels Misrata Brigades which played a Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Sabah, victims”. for talks with the emir over dip- newspaper reported yesterday. who control the facility, a secu- key role in the 2011 UN-backed according to the state Kuna More than 400 Palestinians lomatic efforts for a Gaza truce, With the Syrian counter- rity official said. The renewed revolt that toppled and killed news agency. have been killed and thousands Kuna said. AFP attack to try to recapture the fighting, which killed at least strongman Muamer Gaddafi. Shaar field in Homs province in five civilians, was condemned The fighting has halted all its third day, Al Watan, citing a by the European Union, which flights and caused extensive dam- military source, give a toll of “60 urged restraint and dialogue. age to planes and airport infra- martyrs” among regime forces. A coalition of militias led by structure, with aviation officials The Syrian Observatory Islamist fighters launched an saying Tripoli airport could be for Human Rights had earlier assault on Tripoli international closed for months. reported it had documented “the airport, with clashes later spread- Pictures posted on social media deaths of 270 people killed in ing along the road to the capital. showed a Libyan Airlines plane on fighting or executed” by Islamic By Sunday evening, fighting fire as plumes of smoke billowed State (IS) militants. had subsided around the air- over the airport. The carrier said on “A large majority of the men port, security official Al-Jilani Al its Facebook page that one aircraft, a killed were executed at gunpoint Dahesh said, but clashes contin- Bombardier CRJ900, was destroyed. after being taken prisoner” in ued in the western suburbs of the Another aircraft, an Airbus A330, the seizure of the field, said capital, witnesses said. was also later reported to have been Observatory chief Rami Abdel “The airport was attacked this destroyed by fire. Rahman. “Eleven of the dead morning with mortar rounds, Loud explosions were heard were civilian employees, while rockets and tank fire,” Al Dahesh in the city centre, 25 kilometres the rest were security guards and said. “It was the most intense (15.5 miles) away, as battles raged National Defence Forces mem- bombardment so far,” since a along the airport road with rock- bers,” he added. week-old battle for control of the ets striking nearby homes. The Britain-based Observatory, airport erupted on July 13. At least five civilians were which relies on a network of activ- Dahesh said the militia which killed in the Qasr Bin Ghashir ists and medics on the ground, controls the airport, based in neighbourhood, Mohamed said at least 40 IS militants and Zintan, southwest of the capi- Abderrahman from the local 11 soldiers have been killed in tal, and seen by Islamists as the town council told private televi- Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah with Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal in Kuwait City the counter-attack, which was armed wing of liberals within sion channel Al Nabaa. AFP yesterday. backed by aircraft. AFP S Sudan rebels launch new Cairo summons Turkish diplomat over Erdogan’s criticism offensive CAIRO: Egypt’s Foreign from power by the army last year, of Hamas, which Egypt sees It is not the first time Turkey’s ambassador persona non grata. JUBA: South Sudanese rebels Ministry yesterday summoned called President Abdel Fattah as a security threat because it premier has lashed out at Sisi, Erdogan is hoping to become launched an offensive to retake the Turkish charge d’affaires Al Sisi an “illegitimate tyrant”, is an offshoot of the Muslim having previously accused him of Turkey’s first directly elected a key town near the border with in protest over derogatory according to media reports. Brotherhood. toppling Egypt’s Islamist presi- president in polls due on August Ethiopia yesterday in what the comments by Turkey’s Prime The prime minister also He has ratcheted up his rheto- dent, Mohamed Mursi, in a mili- 10. United Nations said was a clear Minister Tayyip Erdogan, slammed Egypt’s efforts to ric against Israel and its allies in tary coup. Anti-Israel and pro-Mus- violation of a truce agreement. aimed at the Egyptian presi- mediate a ceasefire to end the recent days, accusing the Jewish Late last year, Egypt expelled lim Brotherhood feeling is rife “This attack represents the dent, state media reported. conflict in Gaza between Israel State of “surpassing Hitler in bar- the Turkish ambassador to Cairo, amongst the largely Sunni con- most serious resumption of hos- Erdogan, a long time supporter and Islamist Hamas, which has barism,” and criticising the US accusing him of undermining servative voter base he is relying tilities” since President Salva of Egypt’s outlawed Muslim rejected the truce proposal. and the rest of the Muslim world the country. Ankara responded on to give him victory. Kiir and his former deputy, rebel Brotherhood which was removed Erdogan is a vocal supporter for failing to intervene. by declaring the Egyptian REUTERS leader Riek Machar, met in May and recommitted to a January ceasefire, the UN mission said in a statement. The fighters loyal to Machar struck Nasir, their former head- Pro-Al Qaeda cleric held quarters, located 500 kilome- tres north of Juba and close to Ethiopia, which was retaken by TRIPOLI: The army arrested Tebbaheh, a security official said. government forces in May. a Lebanese-Australian cleric Sabbagh, a prominent backer of UNMISS, the UN mission, with links to Al Qaeda while the armed revolt against Syrian laid the blame squarely for the a wanted man with Swedish President Bashar al-Assad, is sus- renewed fighting with Machar’s nationality was killed in a police pected of recruiting and sending forces. “The attack is a clear raid, security officials said yes- fighters across the border. violation of the Cessation of terday. The incidents in Tripoli The security official said he Hostilities Agreement,” it said. heightened tensions in the res- stands accused of “setting up an But a spokesman for Machar’s tive northern city, the frequent armed band and training terror- forces, Lul Kuang, defended their scene of deadly unrest linked to ists”, and of links to Al-Qaeda and moves as an act of “self-defence” the war in neighbouring Syria. radical group Fatah al-Islam. after what he described as several Sunni cleric Hussam Al Hours after Sabbagh’s arrest, government attempts to arrest Sabbagh, wanted for “terror- police raided the Tripoli home of their military commander. ist activity”, was stopped at a a suspect wanted in connection “The fall of Nasir now paves checkpoint by soldiers acting on with a Beirut hotel bombing last the way for military resources to “several arrest warrants”, the month. But as they moved in to be refocused on Poloich Oil Fields, army said. Angry supporters of arrest him, Monzer Khaldoun Al Maban and Malakal”, Kuang said Sabbagh, who was arrested along Hassan, a dual Lebanese-Swedish in a statement, referring to the Lebanese security members inspect the car of Monzer Khaldoun Al Hassan, accused of providing explosive devices with a bodyguard, later exchanged national, was killed by a grenade main remaining oil field still in to two Saudi suicide bombers for the attack at Duroy Hotel in Beirut last month, after a raid in Tripoli, yesterday. fire with the army in the Sunni- he was handling, a security source activity. AFP Al Hassan was killed in his home during the raid. majority district of Bab Al said. AFP MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Bloody Sunday as 100 Gazans killed Heavy shelling leaves casualties lying in the streets; 13 Israeli soldiers also killed

GAZA CITY: At least 100 ablaze, sending pillars of black Palestinians were killed yes- smoke skywards. There were also terday as Israel ramped up a bodies, blackened and charred major military offensive in the almost beyond recognition, some bloodiest single day in Gaza in with whole limbs missing. five years. As the violence raged, As regional leaders met in Palestinian President Mahmoud Doha for urgent talks on a cease- Abbas arrived in Qatar to dis- fire, the Gaza death toll soared cuss a ceasefire with Hamas to 438, with a spokesman for the leader Khaled Meshaal. So far, Palestinian emergency services truce efforts have been rejected saying more than a third of the by Hamas. victims were women and children. Undaunted by the Israeli bom- The Israeli army said 13 sol- bardment by land, sea and air, diers had been killed in a series of it has pressed on with its own attacks inside Gaza on the third assaults. day of a major ground operation. Following a night of terror in “Over the course of the day, 13 Shejaiya, thousands began fleeing soldiers from the IDF’s Golani for their lives at first light after Brigade were killed in combat in heavy shelling left casualties lying the Gaza Strip,” an army state- in the streets, a correspondent ment said. reported. Their deaths raised to 18 the Clouds of black smoke billowed total number of soldiers killed into the sky as the shelling con- since Israel’s ground operation tinued and Gaza’s eastern flank began late on Thursday. It was burned. the largest number of soldiers Among those fleeing was a killed in combat since the 2006 group of gunmen with automatic Lebanon war. weapons, some with their faces More than half of yesterday’s covered by scarves. Palestinian victims were killed Women and children were in a blistering hours-long Israeli among the dead, as were a assault on Shejaiya, near Gaza Palestinian paramedic and a cam- City, which began before dawn and eraman killed when the ambu- has so far claimed 62 Palestinian lance they were in was hit. lives, with another 250 wounded. “He wasn’t a fighter, he was a With ambulances unable to fighter for humanity,” wailed one Palestinians search for survivors in Gaza’s eastern Shejaiya district yesterday. At least 60 people were killed and nearly 400 wounded in Israeli shelling reach the area, the International relative as the family buried him. of Gaza’s northeastern Shejaiya district overnight, medics said. Committee of the Red Cross “He was an ambulance worker, called for an urgent temporary did he deserve to die?” had “very strong support” from attacks, Netanyahu said troops home to 1.7 million Palestinians Hamas for perpetuating the ceasefire to allow paramedics to So far, UNRWA has opened 61 the international community. could end their mission “fairly and is one of the most densely bloody conflict by “stubbornly” evacuate the dead and wounded, of its schools to shelter those flee- “We are carrying out a com- quickly”. And Defence Minister populated areas on the planet. refusing all ceasefire efforts. which was agreed on by the two ing the most heavily bombarded plex, deep, intensive activity Moshe Yaalon also suggested it Israel’s right to self-defence in By its behaviour, Hamas had sides. areas, with more than 81,000 inside the Gaza Strip and there could end within days. the face of militant rocket fire “invited further actions” by Israel, Inside the ravaged neighbour- people taking refuge in them, the is world support for this ... very “My assessment is that in from Gaza has won repeated sup- he said, in remarks which drew hood, there were hellish scenes of UN’s Palestinian refugee agency strong support,” he said ahead of another two or three days, port from Washington, with US an angry response from Turkey’s carnage and chaos as a convoy of said. a meeting of his security cabinet the lion’s share of the tunnels, President Barack Obama express- Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ambulances moved in to make the Israeli Prime Minister in Tel Aviv. from our perspective, will be ing concern over the loss of life in Erdogan who accused Israel of most of the calm, a correspond- Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed Although Israel said ear- destroyed,” he said at the same a call to Netanyahu on Sunday, killing Palestinians “mercilessly.” ent said. the civilian casualties on Hamas lier yesterday it was expanding press conference. saying Secretary of State John “How can we ignore this? How Entire buildings were collapsed using innocent civilians “as its ground operation to destroy But he demanded international Kerry would travel to Cairo to can a country like the United on themselves or strewn into the human shields” and yesterday he the network of tunnels used by action to “demilitarise Gaza” the seek an end to the fighting. States turn a blind eye to this?” streets, while others were still insisted the military campaign militants to stage cross-border tiny coastal enclave, which is Kerry, meanwhile, blamed he asked. AFP Hamas military wing claims capture of an Israeli soldier

GAZA CITY: The armed wing of the Palestinian Hamas group claimed yesterday night that it UN Security Council to hold had kidnapped an Israeli sol- dier, prompting celebrations in emergency meeting on Gaza the streets of Gaza City. “The Israeli soldier Shaul UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council Aaron is in the hands of the will hold an emergency meeting this morning on the situation in Qassam Brigades,” a spokesman Gaza, where the Palestinian death toll passed 100 in a single day. using the nom-de-guerre Abu Diplomats said the meeting set for 0130 GMT Monday was Obeida said in a televised address. requested by council member Jordan, following a call by Palestinian The Israeli military said it was president Mahmoud Abbas. checking on the reported capture. Mahmoud Abbas had called for an immediate session of the UN Israeli television stations ignored Security Council earlier yesterday, as the Palestinian toll on the 13th the report in their extended day of Israel’s Gaza offensive rose to 438. evening programming about the “I am calling for an urgent session tonight of the UN Security offensive. Ubaida said the capture Council,” he said in a televised speech from Doha. happened during the same battle “The situation is intolerable,” he said, describing the Israeli attacks in which 13 Israeli soldiers died as “crimes against humanity”. AFP earlier, near Shejaia. AGENCIES Palestinians flee their homes in Gaza’s eastern Shejaiya district. Kerry upset by civilian deaths in Gaza, but blames Hamas

WASHINGTON: US Secretary Kerry was expected to travel has the right to defend itself and of State John Kerry was over- to the Middle East soon to press he reiterated US condemnation heard yesterday expressing for a ceasefire. of attacks by Hamas against what appeared to be pointed “We got to get over there,” Israel. concern over the deaths of civil- Kerry said in his overheard com- “The president also raised seri- ians during an Israeli offensive ments, apparently to an aide. ous concern about the growing in Gaza. “I think, John, we ought to go number of casualties, including In a conversation caught on an tonight. I think it’s crazy to be increasing Palestinian civilian open microphone before an inter- sitting around.” deaths in Gaza and the loss of view, Kerry made what seemed When Kerry was asked to Israeli soldiers,” the White House to be a sarcastic remark about explain the comments, he did not said in a statement describing the Israel’s insistence it was doing its criticise Israel and emphasised its conversation. utmost to avoid civilian casual- right to defend itself. Obama told Netanyahu that ties in operations against Hamas “I reacted obviously in a way US Secretary of State John militants. that, you know, anybody does Kerry will travel to Cairo soon “It’s a hell of a pinpoint opera- with respect to young children to seek an immediate cessation tion. It’s a hell of a pinpoint and civilians. But war is tough,” of hostilities based on a return operation,” he said during the he said. to a November 2012 ceasefire call, which was broadcast on Fox US President Barack Obama agreement. News Sunday. told Israeli Prime Minister “The president underscored While Washington says Israel Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday that the United States will work has a right to defend itself from that he has serious concerns closely with Israel and regional rocket attacks launched out of about the rising number of casu- partners on implementing an Gaza, American diplomats have alties from clashes between Israel immediate ceasefire, and stressed called on the Israelis to restrict and the Palestinians. the need to protect civilians — in themselves to a precise operation Obama spoke by telephone to Gaza and in Israel,” the statement in the ground campaign launched Netanyahu for the second time said. on Thursday. in three days. He told him Israel REUTERS MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 INTERNATIONAL 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Rebels move MH17 crash bodies Kerry makes US case against Russia

GRABOVE, Ukraine: Pro- Bociurkiw described the stench ramp up sanctions against Russia Russian militiamen in Ukraine at Torez station, where armed as early as Tuesday -- barely a loaded almost 200 bodies from separatists were guarding the week after the last round of downed flight MH17 into grisly cargo of corpses, as “almost toughened embargoes. refrigerated train wagons yes- unbearable”. “Russia must understand that terday as an outraged United The bodies, some dismembered resolving the Ukrainian crisis States pointed the finger of and charred, had been left rotting is more than ever an impera- blame directly at Moscow and in cornfields amid the blackened tive after this tragedy which demanded it ensure full access piles of mangled wreckage of the has outraged the entire world,” to the crash site for interna- plane at the main crash site in the French presidency said after tional investigators. Grabove, with debris spread out President Francois Hollande held In what is the most unequivocal for kilometres. separate telephone talks with statement incriminating Russia, Possessions of the victims were British and German leaders. US Secretary of State John Kerry also all over the ground: suitcases Ukrainian Prime Minister Ukrainian State Emergency Service employees collect bodies of victims at the site of the crash of a Malaysia said the missile system used to torn open, passports, books, chil- Arseniy Yatsenyuk told a German Airlines plane in Grabove, in rebel-held east Ukraine yesterday. shoot down the Malaysia Airlines dren’s toys. newspaper that taking a plane jet was “transferred from Russia Ukrainian deputy prime min- down was an operation that in the hands of separatists.” ister Voldoymyr Groysman said would take professionals and not Mexico begins European leaders warned salvage crews on Sunday found “drunken gorillas”. Popular French PM Moscow of further sanctions 27 more bodies and 20 body parts, The Washington Post said moving over the crash while Kiev piled with emergency workers in sur- Ukraine’s counterintelligence on the pressure by releasing gical masks seen carrying black chief had photographs and related children out of fresh recordings of what it says body bags. evidence that three Buk M-1 anti- Valls loses shine are intercepted conversations Fighting continued to rage aircraft missile systems moved between rebels organising to between government forces and from rebel-held territory into PARIS: French Prime the start of July after a 5-point squalid shelter hide the flight’s black boxes from rebels in the east, with 13 people Russia early Friday, less than 12 Minister Manuel Valls has fall during the previous month, international monitors wounded in the last 24 hours just hours after the crash. slipped below a 50 percent leaving him with an overall rat- ZAMORA, México: Mexican Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 100 kilometres (60 miles) from The US embassy confirmed as approval rating for the first ing of 45 percent - the lowest authorities yesterday moved 161 was blown out of the sky on Grabove. authentic recordings released by time since he was nominated since he took office. children and six adults out of a Thursday by what is believed to And Ukrainian authorities Kiev on Thursday of an inter- in a March cabinet reshuffle, Hollande’s score was stuck shelter where investigators say be a surface-to-air missile, kill- said they could not guarantee cepted call between an insurgent a poll showed yesterday, as at 18 percent, confirming him hundreds of minors were kept in ing 298 passengers and crew and the safety of investigators on the commander and a Russian intel- President Francois Hollande as the most unpopular French squalid conditions and subjected dramatically raising the stakes ground. ligence officer as they realised remained deeply unpopular. president since World War Two to abuse. in Ukraine’s bloody three-month Kerry, whose government has they had shot down a passenger Valls, who replaced ex-PM as unemployment remained Police raided the home, known conflict. condemned reported evidence- jet. Jean-Marc Ayrault after the stuck near a record high and as “La Gran Familia” and located Insurgents said they had in tampering and lax security at the But top Russian officials and ruling Socialists suffered a France’s economic recovery in the western town of Zamora, hand material resembling black crash site, said the missile system state media have suggested that bruising defeat in local elec- lagged behind European peers. Tuesday amid reports that five boxes but promised to give them used to down the jet was supplied Kiev’s new leaders staged the tions, has presided over an Valls’ support level had kidnapped children were being to “international investigators if by Moscow. attack to blame the rebels. economic policy shift which declined most sharply among held there. they arrive”. “We know with confidence, with Dutch Prime Minister Mark centred around hefty payroll centre-right voters, with a 19 They found those children and They were also holding the bod- confidence that the Ukrainians Rutte -- his shocked nation flying tax cuts for companies meant to percent decline in one month, much more: 400 minors and 200 ies in refrigerated carriages until did not have such a system any- flags at half mast in mourning over improve their competitiveness. followed by far-left voters, with adults living among large piles of “the experts arrive”, said a rebel where near the vicinity at that 193 lost compatriots -- has urged Left-wing unions strongly 13 percent, the poll showed. rotting food and other fetid trash, chief who explained that fighters point in time. So it obviously Putin to “take responsibility” for opposed the move. Valls, for- The prime minister has as well as horror stories about had moved scores of bodies “out points a very clear finger at the a credible probe, with investiga- merly a tough-talking interior staked his credibility on a sleeping amid rats and insects -- of respect for the families”. separatists,” Kerry told CNN. tors from the Netherlands set to minister, remains the most reform package designed to and even being forced to perform “We couldn’t wait any longer He also slammed as “grotesque” arrive in eastern Ukraine. popular of Hollande’s cabinet, lower company labour costs in oral sex on adults. because of the heat and also the manner in which “drunken Across the globe relatives in but his support with the public exchange for their commitment The shelter is operated by because there are many dogs separatist soldiers” were allegedly the dozen countries whose citi- is falling quickly, the survey by to hiring targets, but the trade- Rosa del Carmen Verduzco, an and wild animals in the zone,” “unceremoniously piling bodies zens were killed when the Boeing pollster Ifop in weekly newspa- off has proven hard to achieve octogenarian known as “Mama said Alexander Borodai, prime into trucks, removing both bodies, 777 crashed en route from per JDD showed. given opposition from unions Rosa.” minister of the self-proclaimed as well as evidence, from the site”. Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur His approval score dropped and companies. The children and the adults Donetsk People’s Republic. The leaders of France, Britain pleaded for them to be brought by 6 percentage points since AFP were moved to shelters operated OSCE spokesman Michael and Germany signalled they could home. REUTERS by the DIF, the state-run fam- ily services office, in three other states and Mexico City, DIF Costa Concordia almost head Laura Vargas told report- ers yesterday. “We are going to give them a dignified place where they can live ready for final voyage with better conditions,” Vargas said, speaking from Zamora. GIGLIO, Italy: The massive There are 6.3 metres to go, he The remaining residents will hulk of the Costa Concordia is added. A convoy of 14 vessels, led be moved to other shelters next nearly ready to be towed away by the tug boat Blizzard, will then week, Vargas said. from the Italian island where it tow the Concordia to a port near Verduzco, who founded the struck a rock and capsized two- Genoa, where it will be broken up shelter some 60 years ago, was and-a-half years ago, killing 32 for scrap, completing one of the hospitalized due to hyperten- people, officials said yesterday. biggest maritime salvage opera- sion and kept under police guard The rusting prow of the once- tions in history. pending charges after the raid. gleaming white luxury liner was The president of the French By late Saturday all charges due to emerge fully from the Concordia survivors group Anne were dropped and Verduzco was water for the first time yester- Decre, who is on the island of allowed to go free. day, and the ship should be ready Giglio, yesterday that the depar- However six of the eight work- to tow today, but the departure ture of the ship will be an impor- ers who had been arrested with has been pushed back a day due tant symbolic moment for those her were jailed, local media to forecasts of rough seas. who were aboard the night of the reported, citing attorneys for the The 114,500-tonne Concordia shipwreck. workers. has been slowly lifted from the “It gives us the opportunity to At least one of those detained sea floor since today, when sal- try and collect ourselves and move has confessed to sexual abuse, vagers began pumping air into 30 forward,” she said, adding that the investigation spokesman Tomas large metal boxes, or sponsons, liner will take the same route to Zeron has said, adding that some attached around the hull. Genoa it should have taken more of the children at the shelter The air has forced water out than two years ago to complete reportedly suffered physical abuse of the sponsons, lifting the cruise its ill-fated cruise. “We hope that such as beatings or were kept in liner 7.5 metres off the undersea we will also be able to return to isolation with little food. platform where it had been rest- our route.” Prominent Mexicans rushed ing, Franco Porcellacchia, the The ship’s captain, Francesco The Costa Concordia cruise liner is pictured from a ferry as it emerges during the refloating operation at Giglio to Verduzco’s defence, including engineer in charge of the salvage, Schettino, is on trial on charges harbour yesterday. Technicians on July 14 began a complex operation to refloat and tow away the wreck of former president Vicente Fox. said. of manslaughter. REUTERS the Costa Concordia, two and a half years after the luxury liner capsized off the Italian coast, killing 32 people. AFP Nigeria’s media fears crackdown over Boko Haram battle ABUJA: Nigeria’s press is tra- editor-in-chief of Nigeria’s top President Goodluck Jonathan that Nigeria’s broadcast regulator 180 countries on the Reporters neatly displayed in 2012, when it ditionally free to write almost tabloid, The Sun, this awoke bad is largely tolerated. Spokesmen has ruled that stations must give Without Borders press freedom blew up the offices of mildly pro- anything about anyone - whether memories of life under military for the presidency and police at least 48 hours’ notice in writ- index, above India and Mexico, government This Day for what it it’s true or not. But reporters rule, when reporters were rou- and a spokeswoman for the state ing before airing a live political but below East African nations called “insulting the Prophet”. fear a government sensitive to tinely hauled in for questioning security service did not respond programme - a near impossibility Kenya and Uganda. Jonathan has The newspaper had angered criticism is now cracking down, over their news stories. to Reuters requests for comment. given the impromptu nature of repeatedly expressed his support Muslims a decade ago when one especially on coverage of the “You virtually had your heart in However, the military said it such coverage. for freedom of the press, while of its columnists suggested the battle against Boko Haram. your mouth. You wrote the story made the searches last month A local election in the west- also calling on its members to be Prophet Mohammed might have After 15 years of democracy, and you didn’t know whether after receiving intelligence on ern state of Ekiti in June that “professional and accurate”. wanted to marry a beauty queen. journalists believe the state is try- you should sleep at home or the movement of “materials was otherwise deemed free and “Under my leadership, journal- Jonathan, a southern Christian, ing to tame the vibrant, prolific sleep somewhere else,” recalled with grave security implications” fair was marred by allegations ists in our country will continue has been criticised at home and media during its faltering cam- Adesina, who is also president of through newspaper distribution of intimidation of local journal- to fully enjoy their constitutional abroad for his slow response to paign to stamp out the militant the Nigerian Guild of Editors. “If channels. One security source said ists, five of whom were arrested rights and freedom of expression,” Boko Haram’s April kidnapping of Islamist group. we are not careful as a country, there was a genuine concern that by police. he said in 2012. more than 200 girls from a school One Friday last month the we could slide back to those dark militants were using the vans to In Akwa Ibom state in the oil The government seems to be in the rural northeast, and for his army seized newspaper print- days.” transport explosives. producing Niger Delta, the editor losing patience with press cov- inability to quell the violence. runs, halted distribution vans While reporters accuse the Nevertheless, the press organi- of the Global Concord newspaper erage of its fight against Boko “Newspapers have reported this across the country and ransacked security forces from time to time sation says the military is using has been detained for two weeks Haram, an insurgent group which insurgency independently,” said offices of newspaper distributors of intimidation, conditions for national security as an excuse for after being bundled into a car by has killed thousands since 2009 in The Sun’s Adesina. “Apparently and agents, detaining staff for journalists remain a long way a crackdown on critical media state security agents. a push to carve out an they’re not comfortable with our several hours, the Nigerian Press from the era of military dicta- coverage before elections next The paper had repeatedly criti- Islamic state in the largely independent reportage of what Organisation said. torship. Newspapers are able year. cised the local government. Muslim north. Boko Haram’s own is happening in the country.” For Femi Adesina, now to publish vitriolic criticism of Adding to journalists’ anger, Nigeria ranks 112th out of attitude to press freedom was REUTERS

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Bloody Sunday Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

T WAS a bloody Sunday for Palestinians. At least 100 of them were killed yesterday and hundreds injured as Israeli tanks continued their death march through IGaza streets. Israel is out to inflict maximum damage on Gaza and snuff out maximum lives before a ceasefire is Selling out Western allies agreed. The Israeli military also suffered one of its worst combat days yesterday, with the death of at least 13 troops in battle and an unconfirmed claim from Hamas that it BY YURIKO KOIKE intervention in Ukraine, as well as the and steady partners. But frequent had kidnapped a soldier inside Gaza. At the same time, business-only focus of her just-con- changes in U.S. policy toward northeast diplomatic efforts intensified for a truce in which Qatar is uring the Cold War, the Soviet cluded visit to China. In both Germany Asia in recent years have disoriented playing a significant role. The UN Secretary-General Ban Union used every imaginable and South Korea, the idea that historic Seoul policymakers while Chinese pol- threat and inducement — alliances may offer fewer tangible ben- icy, though consistent, presents South Ki-moon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are Dincluding the ultimate prize efits — particularly in terms of exports Korea’s leaders with choices that they in Doha to discuss a ceasefire. Both leaders met the Emir of reunification — to bring about a neu- — appears to be taking root, especially appear unprepared to make. H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Foreign tral Germany. But German leaders of among business elites. As a result, South Korea’s elite Minister H E Dr Khalid Al Attiyah and addressing a both the left and the right, from Konrad Xi’s visit to Seoul was another bold appears to be splitting into pro-Chinese press conference later, Al Attiyah spelt out Qatar’s role Adenauer to Willy Brandt, spurned step in China’s systematic efforts to and pro-American factions that tran- every Soviet offer. Will authoritarian wean South Korea from its commit- scend party lines. Over a period of time, in the negotiations. He said Doha was only conveying mercantilism now succeed where com- ment to the US-led international the only beneficiaries are likely to be the Palestinian demands, which he said must include the munism failed? economic order. By offering both to those who call for “Finlandization” of opening of Gaza’s border crossing points with Egypt and Countries join alliances, or entities permit South Korea to settle its bilat- the Korean peninsula. Israel. such as the European Union, because eral trade accounts in Chinese currency Meanwhile, the impact of Germany’s Meanwhile, as the war rages, one story that has these groups make the benefits and and to launch the first-ever Sino-South deepening economic ties with Russia gone viral on social media is that of Israelis gathering obligations of membership as unambig- Korean initiative toward North Korea, on its foreign policy has been evident uous as anything Xi is seeking to convince Seoul’s lead- throughout the Ukraine crisis. Though on hillsides to celebrate the bombing of Gaza. “As the in international ers that their country’s future, includ- Merkel frequently admonished the sun begins to sink over the Mediterranean, groups of relations can be. ing reunification, will be determined Kremlin about its intervention, German Israelis gather each evening on hilltops close to the For Germany in Beijing. China’s invitation to South public opinion — particularly that of Gaza border to cheer, whoop and Through their and South Korea, Korea to participate in a new Asian the country’s business leaders — tied whistle as bombs rain down on huge purchases however, rela- Infrastructure Investment Bank fur- her hands. Indeed, German business has people in a hellish warzone a few tionships with thers Xi’s efforts to create an alterna- been the main obstacle to imposing the of goods and historic allies — tive financial system, with the bank type of systemic sanctions that might Even if Israel miles away,” writes a Guardia NATO and the mimicking the work of the Philippines- have dissuaded Russian President wins this war, reporter from the scene. The promises of even United States, based Asia Development Bank. Vladimir Putin from annexing Crimea report is a ghastly example of more to come, respectively — China’s embrace of South Korea is and continuing to fuel insurgency in it will lose the insensitivity of Israelis to the appear to be part of a long-term strategy to turn it eastern Ukraine. plight of innocent Palestinians, today’s regimes changing before into a subordinate state in terms of for- This is not the only recent case in our eyes. eign and national security policy (much which Germany has distanced itself the public and the extent to which right- in Russia and Through their as Finland kowtowed to the Soviet Union from its allies and partners. In Libya relations wing groups have been able to huge purchases of throughout the Cold War). And yet, in 2011, Germany refused to offer even radicalise Israelis. In another China may be goods and prom- though courted by all sides in the strug- rudimentary material support to the battle. equally shocking, dehumanising about to achieve ises of even more gle to maintain stability in Northeast intervention staged by its British and to come, today’s Asia, South Korea now runs the risk of French allies. Germany has also con- case, an Israeli soldier has sparked by commerce outrage by posting on Instagram regimes in Russia becoming isolated. Every gesture by the tinuously failed to meet its commitment and China may be South toward one of the protagonists to spend 2 percent of its gross domestic the photograph of a Palestinian what the Soviets about to achieve — China, the United States, Japan and product on defense while insisting that boy’s head in the crosshairs of his sniper rifle. This image could not achieve by commerce North Korea — elicits so much pressure troubled European Union economies too went viral, forcing Israeli military to investigate the what the Soviets by the others that it must somehow then stick to austerity budgets that limit incident. Similar violations in the past by Israeli soldiers with bribery and could not achieve devise a compensatory policy. their deficits to a fixed proportion of have resulted only in symbolic punishments by the threats. with bribery For example, following President Park economic output. military leaders. and threats. The Geun-hye’s request that Xi honor the Indeed, throughout the euro-zone scale of that com- Korean assassin of a former Japanese crisis, Germany did the minimum — But long after this war ends, the images of these merce is breathtaking, with German prime minister, to which Xi readily and always at the last possible moment celebrations will continue to haunt Israel and will exports to China growing from $25.9bn agreed, Park began to discuss joining — to assist its EU partners. And boomerang on it. The government of Benjamin Netanyahu a decade ago to $87.6bn in 2011, while the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership German leaders’ obsession with main- might win this war by killing hundreds of Palestinians, South Korea’s exports have increased free-trade negotiations, to assuage the taining their country’s “golden dec- but it has already lost the public relations war. This is from $53bn to $133bn during the same United States. As China continued to ade” of exports appears to have gagged period. pursue an anti- Japanese propaganda them on topics such as China’s human a military operation in which Israel has been cast as a A form of stealth neutrality, indeed, campaign throughout 2013, Park felt rights abuses and its aggressive behav- villain by the Western media. The huge turnout in anti- appears to be entering both countries’ obliged to send a private envoy to Prime ior toward its Asian neighbors. That Israel demonstrations in London and Paris testify to this diplomacy. Witness Chinese President Minister Shinzo Abe to seek talks on silence is being rewarded with the first- fact. Israel can ignore these global messages only at its Xi Jinping’s recent trip to South reconciling their disputes. ever joint Cabinet sessions between a own peril, despite all the support it has been receiving Korea and German Chancellor Angela Given its insecurity, a byproduct of democracy and a communist dictator- from the right-wing American media Merkel’s unwillingness to impose the Korean peninsula’s long division, ship, which will take place in Berlin this . effective sanctions on Russia for its South Korea requires, above all, calm fall. WP-BLOOMBERG The other side Quote of The debate on drones the day OR years, the publicly of evidence gathered, presumably, do not have any easy answers does not mentioning here: space for the civilian adversarial role the Pakistanis through intelligence and a host of mean that the right balance between government in these security decisions. took on drones while privately other legal and technical questions. But security and politics cannot be found That drone strikes stopped for several Feither condoning or even those may be some of the easier ones at all — or that it does not change with months as the government pursued encouraging them was one side of to resolve. What about, for example, changing circumstances. For example, peace talks with the TTP indicates that Israel must a seemingly intractable problem; the the potential for drone strikes to feed after years of pummelling Al Qaeda in where the civilians have the will and the other side being the arrogance of into the militant propaganda campaign the tribal areas, its presence there has space, they can also contribute posi- exercise maximum the US when it came to working with and the old equation of how many surely depleted. At the same time, the tively to national security-related deci- Pakistanis, who the American side new militants a dead militant creates? Punjabi Taliban and foreign militants sions. Surely, if a cooperative, mutually restraint and do seemed more interested in brushing And with public attitudes in much of linked to Central Asia have become beneficial attitude prevails at both levels off than finding ways to work with to Pakistan tending to be sceptical of or more of a menace. A cooperative — Pak-US and civil-military — then not far more to protect address legitimate Pakistani concerns. even outright hostile to American influ- Pak-US approach on drones, whereby only can vitally important relationships civilians. It also To be sure, drones raise many ence, do the political costs of a highly the most immediate and significant be stabilised and improved, the fight complicated questions. To begin with, active drone programme –— as it was threats are identified and acted against against militancy can also be boosted must respect the there are complex issues regarding the at its peak several years ago — out- in an evolving manner, can surely further by drones that can strike in areas where legality of their use in particular zones, weigh the security benefits? the fight against militancy in the region. troops find it difficult to operate. humanitarian law. Ban Ki-moon the selection of targets, the standards Yet, simply because the questions There is another aspect worth DAWN UN Secretary-General MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Russia risks burning bridges over jet crash Analysts say they doubt Moscow would ever agree with the conclusions of any international probe — if and when it takes place — that points the finger either at separatists or the Kremlin.

ussia risks burn- was used to bring down flight ing bridges with the MH17 as it flew at some 33,000 West over the deadly feet over Ukraine en route from RMalaysian plane crash Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, in Ukraine, as analysts warn that Kerry said. President Vladimir Putin might Russia denies the accusa- never accept responsibility for the tions, claiming to be a victim of disaster. a propaganda war and suggesting Observers said Thursday’s Ukraine may be responsible for shooting down of a Boeing 777 the crash. with 298 people on board over Analysts say they doubt Moscow Ukrainian territory held by pro- would ever agree with the conclu- Kremlin rebels would have unpre- sions of any international probe — dictable political and economic if and when it takes place — that consequences for Russia. points the finger either at separa- “We are witnessing a tectonic tists or the Kremlin. clash between Russia and the “I believe that Russia will con- West,” Yuly Nisnevich of the tinue to deny it is responsible even Moscow-based Higher School of if there is evidence, especially Economics said. “Russia’s isolation indirect evidence as it will most will very much deepen.” likely be the case,” Sergei Guriyev, Anger over the disaster has a Paris-based Russian economist, been directed largely at Putin, said in emailed comments. accused by the West of backing “If the investigation points at the separatist insurgency in east- Russia, it would deal colossal dam- ern Ukraine that erupted after age to the country,” added Yevgeny Moscow’s seizure of the Crimean Gontmakher, an economist and peninsula in March. member of the Civic Initiatives European leaders have already Committee think tank. warned Russia to allow investiga- Irrespective of who is eventually A protester carries placards with pictures of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a rally in Sydney yesterday demanding that Putin not visit Australia tors full access to the crash site in assigned blame, analysts said the rebel-held eastern Ukraine or face crash, capping the worst stand-off for the G20 leaders summit in November 2014. further sanctions. in East-West relations since the But the pressure on Moscow Cold War, had already dealt Russia Russia unless Moscow alters Kremlin policy as Putin’s approval an international pariah after the be difficult considering Moscow’s looked set to intensify, with Kiev huge damage. course in Ukraine. ratings soared after Crimea’s 1998 bombing of Pan Am Flight permanent seat on the UN and the West accusing it of pro- Australian Prime Minister Tony Gontmakher said the gap annexation, with dissident voices 103 over the Scottish town of Security Council, and its faithful viding Ukrainian rebels with the Abbott hinted on Saturday that between Russia and the West was relegated to social media amid a Lockerbie, at the cost of 270 lives. allies in Asia and Latin America, missile launchers that blasted the the Kremlin strongman would widening, pointing to anti-West- persistent clampdown on dissent. Kremlin critic Yulia Latynina, commentator Maxim Samorukov plane out of the sky. not be welcome at the next G20 ern official rhetoric and raging The crash of MH17 threatens to speaking on popular radio Echo argued on Slon.ru news website. US Secretary of State John summit in Australia in November anti-US sentiment on national “become the beginning of the end of Moscow, branded the downing “But on the other hand, there Kerry yesterday laid out what if he does not cooperate over the television. “The situation will only for the Russian president,” com- of the plane “a second Lockerbie”. is absolutely no need for everyone he said was “extraordinary cir- investigation. get worse,” he said, warning Russia mentator Ivan Yakovina wrote Others played down the parallel, including Venezuela and Myanmar cumstantial evidence” that the With the threat of new EU could eventually find itself as iso- for online news portal Novoye arguing that Russia’s diplomatic to join an embargo against Russia,” rebels hit the plane with weapons sanctions now on the table, British lated as Iran. “I am afraid we are Vremya. and economic clout meant it would for it to inflict significant damage. obtained from Russia. Prime Minister David Cameron moving in that direction.” Some even drew parallels with never be cut off entirely from the “Even China’s neutrality will US intelligence suggests that a said the West must “fundamen- Promoting Russia as an antith- the regime of late Libyan leader world stage. not save the situation.” sophisticated SA11 missile system tally change our approach” to esis to the West has become a key Muammar Gaddafi, which became Isolating Russia entirely would AFP

Reshuffle opened window Sri Lanka crackdown threatens free speech into Cameron’s soul Sri Lankan government train local journalists in exposing crackdown this month on corruption. ANDREW RAWNSLEY ANGOs has sparked claims Rights groups have long sought that President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to highlight problems for the media eshuffles open a window into the soul of the man or paranoid that he could be toppled, in Sri Lanka, where many journal- woman playing the cards. We are granted an insight is again attempting to silence crit- ists practise self-censorship after Rinto whether a prime minister is composed of ice or ics and tighten his grip on power. more than a dozen journalists and fudge or smoke, sugar or spice or some substance which may The defence ministry this month media workers were killed in recent not be all that nice. banned non-governmental organi- years. David Cameron’s latest effort did not tell us all that much sations from holding press con- The activists carried placards about the ideological trajectory of the Tory party or what the ferences, awareness campaigns, bearing the photo of local TI Conservatives might do with power if they win the next elec- training for journalists, workshops spokesman Shan Wijetunga and tion. But it did tell us something about the man wielding the and disseminating press releases the word “traitor”. Police ordered butcher’s knife. on everything from voter rights to the workshop to be shutdown, Cameron has, in some crucial respects, been a weak prime exposing corruption. rather than disperse the activists. minister. He has kept a loose rein on members of the cabinet, The ministry, which has regu- “I have also received telephone which has encouraged quite a lot of freelancing and infighting lated local and foreign NGOs since calls threatening me with death,” by departmental barons. He has grumbled a lot about obstruc- soon after the end of the island’s Wijetunga said. “These calls came tion by the civil service, but not actually done much about it. civil war in 2009, said the order was from numbers which cannot be He has been forced into a lot of U-turns, usually over Europe, necessary to stop them operating traced.” by his backbenchers. “beyond their mandate”. About 20 pro-government On the face of it, this reshuffle showed that there is some steel But NGO workers, many of Buddhist monks stormed another in his soul. The numbers suggest quite a bloodfest. Five cabinet whom have long suffered harass- journalism workshop in March in ministers gone; 44 ministerial changes in all; the head of the ment in Sri Lanka, said the order the island’s east organised by the civil service bundled towards the exit; one of his best friends was a new crackdown on dissent- US-based Search For Common demoted. But the numbers, and the headlines which they have ing voices ahead of possible snap Ground, forcing its closure. encouraged, are a bit deceptive. William Hague left the Foreign presidential elections. The US government has Office of his own volition having told the prime minister a year “The move... came from a gov- expressed concern at the crack- ago that he would be not standing at the next election. Sir ernment that finds itself a tad down on NGOs. George Young has retired once already. The Welsh secretary shaky as the country prepares for “We strongly urge the govern- is pretty much a non-job. The removal of Owen Paterson has presidential elections,” said Bob ment of Sri Lanka to allow civil infuriated him and his friends on the Eurosceptical right of the Dietz, Asia programme coordinator society organisations and NGOs... party. There’s another angry man to swell the ranks of older, for the New York-based Committee to operate freely,” US State male MPs who have been sacked or passed over. Many of them to Protect Journalists. Department spokesperson Jen never much liked Cameron anyway; more of them now have a “For all its efforts to silence its Psaki said in a statement. reason to hate him. That accumulated resentment could come critics, the government, with its Sri Lanka’s influential Bar back to bite him savagely, but not until after the election. new move to stifle NGOs, may Association (BASL) feared the ban I don’t think we should read too much into Philip Hammond’s have instead moved one more step could soon be extended to other move to the Foreign Office since he may well be off after less toward irrelevance.” civil society groups, including the than a year. Hammond wants to be chancellor of the exchequer. Authorities have often accused association and trade unions. Friends of George Osborne have been briefing that he fancies foreign and local charities of sup- About 1,420 NGOs have regis- the Foreign Office if the Tories get another term. There’s the Sri Lankan activists burn copies of a decree banning non-government porting dissidents, and introduced tered with the defence ministry whiff of someone planning a post-election job swap. regulations to control them in 2010, organisations holding media events or issuing press releases, in Colombo. as required, although some have There was nothing strong about the ejection of Damian Green a year after troops crushed Tamil refused on the basis that they and David Willetts, intelligent men from the moderate wing of rebels and ended an ethnic war. anonymity. “There are some (in months of the conflict, and was were charities operating as private their party who have displayed nothing but loyalty. Colleagues A cabinet minister said the government) who fear a conspiracy accused by the UN’s rights chief companies. smell in their dismissals the vindictive side of the prime min- administration was rattled by to engineer a regime change.” Navi Pillay last year of growing BASL president Upul Jayasuriya ister’s character. Both men have this in common: in the Tory a USAID move to fund a voter Senior ruling party officials have “increasingly authoritarian”. warned the country was headed leadership contest nine years ago they supported David Davis. awareness programme, after inde- said Rajapaksa, who has extended Authorities routinely block towards a dictatorship, with the The sternest test of prime ministerial character is how they pendent election monitors warned his powers since being elected in access to anti-government websites latest crackdown an attempt by treat their friends, which brings us to the fascinating case of of malpractices in preparing voter 2005, was likely to seek re-election that have replaced a largely inef- Rajapaksa’s regime to tighten its Michael Gove, who fought a lot harder and a lot more bitterly lists for future elections. in a snap poll early in 2015, two fectual political opposition. grip on power. than anyone is going to acknowledge publicly against defenes- The minister said the adminis- years ahead of schedule. This month’s ban came after a Two unidentified men on a tration from the education job that he loved. tration was paranoid about NGOs Rajapaksa is popular with the campaign of intimidation targeting motorcycle and another in a three- What has most wounded the fallen education secretary and which it feared would fuel criticism ethnic Sinhalese majority for end- the local chapter of Berlin-based wheeler taxi have been following fuelled the fury of his admirers is Number 10 letting it be known of Rajapaksa and his family, leading ing the decades-long war against corruption watchdog Transparency him around the city since BASL that he was being dispatched because he was regarded as “toxic” to its overthrow. Tamil rebels fighting for a separate International. issued a press release condemning with voters. The fate of Michael Gove shows that this prime min- “The government panicked when homeland for the Tamil minority. Hundreds of pro-government the move against NGOs, he said. ister does not seem to much care if his friends are humiliated. they heard that USAID was try- But his government faces inter- activists stormed a hotel north of “They left only after I raised the If anything is remembered about this reshuffle, it will be that. ing to educate voters about their national censure over alleged rights Colombo last month where the TI alarm and called the police.” THE GUARDIAN rights,” he said on condition of abuses against Tamils in the final staff were holding a workshop to AFP MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Indonesia poll MH17 victims’ kin hope to get remains SEPANG: Families of Malaysians aboard Flight MH17 urged authorities yesterday to bring back the remains of their result may be loved ones amid concerns over access to the crash site in strife- torn eastern Ukraine. The Malaysia Airlines jet is believed to have been shot down by a surface-to-air missile on its delayed way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 298 people aboard. Of the people aboard, 193 were Likely loser Subianto alleges fraud from the Netherlands and 43 from Malaysia, including the 15 crew JAKARTA: The Indonesian two-week counting process. members. ex-general widely thought to “So it’s just too much, it’s exces- Zulkifli Abdul Rahman, have narrowly lost this month’s sive to say that the KPU is not brother-in-law of MH17 chief bitterly contested presidential credible. In fact we have built flight attendant Azrina Yakob, election will not accept the offi- our credibility with transpar- said the family wanted to get the cial result until allegations of ency,” KPU commissioner Sigit mother-of-two’s remains to bury cheating are investigated, one Pamungkas said. her. “Her mother’s wish is for the of his top aides said yesterday. “So far the counting process is remains to be brought back so By law, the Elections going according to schedule. We that we can have a proper burial Commission (KPU) must have not thought about postpon- so that over time the children can announce the result by July 22. ing or making a new rule that visit the tombstone,” the 54-year- One commissioner said there alters our schedule.” old project manager said at the was no need to delay the result Jokowi’s claim of victory was family’s home near Kuala Lumpur announcement. based on quick counts of a sam- airport. After the Prabowo Subianto pling of the about 130 million “At this current moment I hope Malaysian Buddhist children carry candles as they pray for passengers and crew of the crashed Malaysia Airlines camp previously insisted that it votes by private pollsters and the world can assist the families to would abide by the KPU’s offi- which have been accurate in the bring back the remains.” flight MH17 at a temple in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. cial result of the July 9 election, past. Several polls showed Jokowi Azrina and her husband’s wed- it suddenly accused it of failing had won by about five percentage ding portrait hung on a wall of the “Her husband has told the chil- aboard MH17 with her husband to properly investigate alleged points. entrance hall to the single-storey dren (a boy, six, and a girl, three) Tambi Jiee and four children. MH17 flight cheating at the polls. Prabowo has countered that house. that their mother won’t come “Our main concern is for the “If they don’t, then that is a other quick counts show he won. In the living room, a model back: ‘Mummy is not coming bodies and any other remains to crime. This very much calls into However, two of those pollsters plane hung from the ceiling with back. The plane she was on has be brought back to Malaysia for code retired question the legitimacy of the have refused to allow their counts three others, including a Malaysia exploded’,” Zulkifli said. a proper funeral because we are KUALA LUMPUR: whole process,” the former spe- to be audited. Airlines jet, sitting on a cabinet “We were shocked by the news... Muslims so at least there is a Malaysia Airlines yesterday cial forces commander told a Once the Elections Commission shelf. Without her, this (Eid) will not grave for us to visit. said it would retire flight code hastily called news conference in does announce the result, the Zulkifli said Azrina and her be as happy as before... But as “It’s very sentimental for us,” MH17 as a “mark of respect” a Jakarta hotel after meeting his candidates can challenge it in family had planned to go to north- Muslims we have to accept (it) she said when met at a hotel near for the 298 people killed in a key coalition partners. the Constitutional Court, which ern Malaysia to celebrate Eid Al and move forward.” the airport where the airline has jet crash in violence-wracked Vice secretary general of would likely mean weeks of fur- Fitr, Islam’s biggest festival, at the A relative of another family opened a counselling centre. eastern Ukraine. Prabowo’s Gerindra party, Fadli ther delays in formally announc- end of the Muslim holy month of killed in the crash said they too Malaysian Prime Minister Najib The daily Amsterdam-Kuala Zon, said there was evidence of ing a new president who would Ramadan. hoped to receive the remains of Razak has vowed to do “our best Lumpur service will instead many instances of cheating. take over in October. Azrina, 41, had been working their loved ones. to bring back the victims of the take on the code MH19 from “We ask the election commit- Signalling his concern, outgo- for Malaysia Airlines for about Asfarina Kartika, 28, lost her tragedy”. July 25. tee to solve this problem with ing President Susilo Bambang 20 years. cousin Ariza Ghazalee, who was AFP “In light of the recent recounting,” Zon said. “We will Yudhoyono, before a dinner at incident, Malaysia Airlines’ not accept (the result),” he said, the presidential palace to which Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur demanding the announcement he invited both candidates, called service, MH17 flight number be delayed until the problem was for a peaceful end to the election Malaysia Airlines to refund cancellations will be retired out of respect resolved. of the next leader of the world’s for our crew and passengers,” Asked if he was challenging third largest democracy. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia postpone or cancel their travel wide-body Boeing 777-200s. the national flag carrier said in the credibility of the Elections “I urge all the people of Airlines said it would offer full plans can obtain a refund, includ- Malaysia Airlines said in May a statement. Commission, Zon said: “Yes, of Indonesia to safeguard the final refunds to customers who want ing for non refundable tickets.” that MH370’s disappearance “There are no changes to the course.” chapter of the election process,” to cancel their tickets in the Flight MH17 from Amsterdam had a “dramatic impact” on its frequency of our services, and The Prabowo camp has sounded said Yudhoyono, who is coming wake of the MH17 disaster. to Kuala Lumpur is believed to first-quarter results, with can- we will continue to operate daily an increasingly shrill note in the to the end of his second five-year Passengers can change or can- have been shot out of the sky by celled bookings helping push the services between Amsterdam wake of the election, accusing his term. cel their tickets without financial a surface-to-air missile, crashing company to a loss of 443 million and Kuala Lumpur,” the airline opponent, Jakarta governor Joko Analysts said Prabowo would penalty until Thursday for travel in strife-torn eastern Ukraine on ringgit ($140m). added. “Jokowi” Widodo, of jumping the find it difficult to provide the nec- throughout the rest of the year, Thursday with 298 people from a State fund Khazanah Nasional, The flight code retirement is gun by claiming victory shortly essary evidence to justify delaying the struggling national airline dozen countries on board. which holds the airline’s purse the second the airline has had after the polls closed. the election results. said. The disaster came four months strings, said in June that it would to do in four months. It retired Both camps have suggested the Suspected problems at polling “In light of the MH17 incident, after the disappearance of Flight announce a plan to revive the flight codes MH370 and MH371 other was cheating. stations appear to have been rel- Malaysia Airlines will be waiving MH370, which lost contact with carrier within six to 12 months. after the March 8 disappear- However, independent elec- atively small. Some analysts cal- any change fees for passengers air traffic controllers on March Malaysia Airlines had already ance of Kuala-Lumpur-Beijing tion watchers have praised culate it would need a change in who wish to make changes to 8 while en route from Kuala raked in losses amounting to flight MH370 with 239 passen- the Elections Commission for up to seven million votes to hand their itinerary to any MH des- Lumpur to Beijing with 239 peo- $1.3bn over the previous three gers and crew on board. its handling of polling and the Prabowo victory. tinations,” it said in a statement. ple on board. years. AFP transparency during the nearly REUTERS “Passengers who wish to Both planes were long-range, AFP

Philippine typhoon death toll at 94 False claim behind Myanmar clashes MANILA: The death toll are from falling debris and trees country’s largest power distribu- YANGON: Myanmar’s latest wounded as violence rocked the “After a detailed investigation from Typhoon Rammasun in while many of the missing are tor, said more than 400,000 homes religious clashes began after a city for several days, the latest in she confessed that she accused the the Philippines rose to 94 — from boats that went out to sea,” in the Manila area were still Buddhist woman was paid to a series of religious clashes that two men because she was paid” to with six missing — as another despite the storm, said Mina experiencing outages since the make false rape claims against have bedevilled the former junta- do so by two other people who storm brought rains to the Marasigan, spokeswoman of the first typhoon of the year hit on two Muslim brothers, state run nation for two years. apparently had a personal dispute ravaged areas, authorities said National Disaster Risk Reduction Wednesday. media reported yesterday. But a police investigation found with the tea shop owners. yesterday. and Management Council. There were no immediate Two men — a Buddhist and the woman was paid to fabri- The woman has been arrested The reports of fatalities came The typhoon has since blown to reports of damage from Typhoon a Muslim — died in riots in the cate the accusation against the along with one of the people alleged in as repairmen struggled to southern China but a new storm, Matmo, which is expected to pass country’s second city Mandalay men, the New Light of Myanmar to have paid her, the report said. restore electricity to hundreds of named Matmo, was packing gusts over the northern end of the that flared on July 1 following reported. Buddhist-Muslim clashes have thousands of households without of 150 kilometres and worsen- main Philippine island of Luzon social media reports that the The report said a medical exam- killed at least 250 people since power since the storm hit last ing rainfall in places affected by about tomorrow, the government Muslim men had raped a Buddhist ination of the woman — named as fighting broke out in Rakhine in week. Rammasun, she said. weather station said. employee at their tea shop. Phyu Phyu Min — found “no sign 2012. “The majority of the fatalities Manila Electric Co, the AFP More than 20 others were of rape or other violence”. AFP

Bikers protest Filipinos ordered Abe vows to continue to quit Libya MANILA: The Philippines yesterday ordered its estimated dialogue with Putin 13,000 nationals in Libya to flee that country due to the worsen- TOKYO: Japanese Prime the shooting down of the Malaysia ing unrest there. Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to Airlines jet. The Department of Foreign continue dialogue with Russian In his first year in office, Abe Affairs ordered the mandatory President Vladimir Putin, tak- met with Putin five times, while evacuation of Filipinos in Libya ing a softer line with Moscow failing to secure a summit with “in response to the extremely than some Western powers the leaders of neighboring China unstable political and security after the shooting down of a or South Korea. situation”, a statement said. passenger jet over Ukraine. Closer ties between Tokyo and The order also bars Filipinos Abe has worked to improve Moscow, despite a territorial dis- from travelling to Libya. Japan’s relations with resource- pute dating from the end of World Filipinos were told to con- rich Russia, a centerpiece of his War Two, are driven by mutual tact the embassy in Tripoli for foreign policy. energy interests. Russia plans to instructions on “mass evacua- “Russia should commit con- at least double oil and gas flows to tion”, the statement said without structively to various international Asia in the next 20 years. Japan giving details. issues as a responsible state. To has been forced to import huge Unrest has escalated in recent help that I will continue dialogue volumes of fuel to replace lost days with rival militia groups with President Putin,” Abe said energy from its nuclear power fighting around Tripoli airport, in a speech carried in Japanese industry, shut down after the which has been shut down as fears media. “Any conflict should be 2011 Fukushima disaster. Abe grow of all-out civil war. solved not by power but by dip- also wants to advance talks on About 10 million Filipinos live lomatic means based on interna- the dispute over islands north Filipino motorcycle riders protest in Quezon City against a law that requires riders to wear a vest with their and work abroad, many of them tional law,” he said. of Hokkaido, which Russia says plate number printed on the back. According to the Motorcycle Rights Organisation, the law will not curb in Middle East. Ukraine has accused Russia and are part of the Kuriles but Japan crimes committed by motorcycle-riding gunmen, and only violate riders’ rights. AFP pro-Moscow rebels of destroying claims as its Northern Territories. evidence to cover up their guilt in REUTERS MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Afghan vote audit slow as problems arise Exercise is expected to take longer than planned

KABUL: Four days after the IEC was not ready for the the United Nations Assistance Afghanistan began a massive process (when it was announced), Mission in Afghanistan. audit of millions of votes cast in it is a new experience for them,” “The main thing is that the the run-off presidential election, Fahim Naeemi, spokesman for campaigns are still engaged and disagreements and a shortage of a group called Free and Fair talking with each other on how observers have slowed progress. Election Forum of Afghanistan, to go forward.” The audit of all 8.1 million bal- said. “There are no criteria for “The UN encourages both cam- lots cast in the June 14 run-off the invalidation of unclean votes. paigns to maintain this spirit of round was agreed by rival can- They can audit, but they cannot cooperation,” he added. didates Abdullah Abdullah and invalidate votes yet.” The auditing at IEC headquar- Ashraf Ghani, following a deal On Saturday the checking was ters is being watched by hundreds brokered by US Secretary of briefly suspended by a dispute of national and international audi- State John Kerry. over a batch of potentially spoilt tors including candidates’ agents, The bitter impasse over the ballots. local election monitors, UN and vote to succeed President Hamid The contested ballot papers, European Union observers. Karzai, following Abdullah’s whose number and origin were “The European support for this claims of massive fraud, had not specified, were deemed void audit in Afghanistan is unprec- plunged Afghanistan into crisis by one candidate’s team as they edented in the history of EU elec- and raised fears of a return to the lacked a full name and signature, tion observation missions around ethnic violence of the 1990s. according to an IEC spokesman. the world,” Thijs Berman, chief of The audit began last Thursday “The disagreement was on the European Union Assessment and the Independent Election signatures on data forms, a can- Team in Afghanistan, said in a Commission (IEC) said last week didate claimed they were not statement. it was planned to take around properly signed,” spokesman Noor “This audit is a necessary step. three weeks, with teams work- Mohammad Noor told reporters. We have repeatedly called for it.” Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah prays for the families of the victims of suicide bomb blast, in ing in two shifts auditing around As a result, the audit was sus- Abdullah led Ghani after the Paktika, Afghanistan, yesterday. At least 42 people were confirmed to have been killed and around 67 others 1,000 ballot boxes a day. pended on Saturday evening until first round of voting but pre- injured in the suicide attack in Orgun district of Paktika province. But with only 435 ballot boxes mid-afternoon on Sunday when liminary results of the run-off, checked since Thursday, the exer- agreement was reached, accord- announced on July 7, showed The audit is aimed at ending a from Tajiks and other northern They are being transported by the cise is expected to take longer ing to the IEC. Ghani ahead by over one million political crisis that threatened to Afghan groups, while Ghani is Afghan army and Nato forces to than planned. “In these kind of exercises, it votes. widen ethnic fissures as foreign backed by Pashtun tribes of the the capital where they will be “The process has been slower isn’t unexpected that there may Abdullah rejected the result, troops prepare to withdraw by the south and east. examined at 100 verification sta- than expected. There are not be some teething problems,” saying that most of his opponent’s end of the year. There are around 23,000 bal- tions. enough international observers, said spokesman Ari Gaitanis of ballots were fraudulent. Abdullah draws his support lot boxes that need to be audited. AFP

Pakistan wants Anti- Israel protest Obama to review Pakistan to reduce LPG Afghan policy prices soon: Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wants US President Barack Obama to ISLAMABAD: The minis- price of foreign and local LPG can review his Afghan policy which try of petroleum and natu- be sold on same price across the even his generals fear may not ral resources of Pakistan has country. “Taking cognizance of the work, says a senior Pakistani worked out a formula for bring- issue, MPNR has achieved the issue defence official. The official, who ing down the price of liquefied in its entirely and has concluded visited Washington last week, petroleum gas. Under the for- that price deregulation policy has said he had come with a mes- mula, the per kilogram price of failed to achieve intended objectives sage: “Pakistan wants the presi- the commodity will see a drop of availability of the products at dent to take another look.” by up to Rs108 if it is fixed at affordable prices. On Thursday, Gen Joseph RsRs92.50/kg for all parts of LPG is considered poor’s man Dunford, the commander of US the country. fuel, yet the same is being priced and allied forces in Afghanistan, According to a copy of the gov- at over 20 times higher than nat- told Congress that those in uni- ernment paper, the ministry has ural gas for domestic consumers. form did not necessarily support floated a formula in its summary to Since 2000, the domestic LPG President Obama’s decision to set the highest economic forum, ECC, market has been experienc- a deadline for withdrawing troops to set the price of LPG at Rs92.50/ ing various challenges includ- from Afghanistan. “I think all of kg for all parts of the country by ing demand supply imbalance, us in uniform, including Afghans, fixing it at Rs92529/tons. And, in cartelization, litigations and price would have preferred for that to this manner, per kilogram price of distortion, “petroleum ministry’s be a bit more ambiguous.” LPG can be reduced between Rs50 summary said. President Obama has to Rs108. As a result, domestic cyl- When contacted spokesman announced plans to end US com- inder will be available at Rs1092 petroleum ministry, confirmed bat missions in Afghanistan by Pakistani Shias torch Israeli and US flags during a demonstration against Israeli military operations in Gaza, across the country. the information and said that 2014 and withdraw all troops by It is pertinent to note here that in a bid to regulate the price of in Peshawar yesterday. December 2016. The Associated price of LPG during summer sea- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Press reported that the Pakistani son goes up by up to Rs150/kg and petroleum ministry has dis- defence official told its corre- in winter it witnesses new high by patched a summary to ECC for spondent that Pakistan felt “the shooting up to Rs200/kg, adding necessary approval to give an entire basis of the (US) drawdown woes to the people of remote and end to the policy of deregulation has not been met.” Troops kill 28 militants in hilly areas where the commodity of LPG price, which in accord- The official, who spoke on con- is used as a fuel for cooking and ance to the ministry has become dition of anonymity because he lightening purposes. inevitable to make an end to the wasn’t authorised to comment About setting the margin of cartelization causing price hike, publicly on the US policy, said North Waziristan airstrikes LPG distributors and marketing fleecing of poor masses, and also the withdrawal plan was based companies, the ministry has pro- to save fast decaying forests of the on having a peaceful transition BANNU, PAKISTAN: Local security officials con- of a faltering peace process with posed to fix it at Rs626 per cyl- country. from outgoing Afghan President Pakistan’s military yesterday firmed the account, but it was not the Pakistani Taliban. More than inder, while Rs307/ cylinder for More, LPG Price Deregulation Hamid Karzai to a new govern- bombed six militant boltholes in possible to independently verify 400 militants and 25 soldiers have marketing companies, and Rs159 Policy 2000 has been unfortu- ment, Afghanistan signing the a lawless tribal district, killing the casualties as the offensive is been killed in the assault so far, as GST on the sale of LPG. nately failed in achieving its tar- security agreement and assur- at least 28 insurgents, officials ongoing and media are banned according to the military. Under the proposed LPG Policy get. It was launched with a view to ances the Afghan security forces said. The airstrikes targeted from the area. Pakistani jets and There have been fears that 2014, Oil and Gas Regulatory promote competition in its busi- will be able to hold the country Shawal village in the troubled artillery began hitting rebel tar- many top militants also fled, Authority (Ogra) will issue price ness besides making it an invest- together once the international North Waziristan region, where gets in North Waziristan in mid- including fighters from the feared notification as the price will be ment friendly sector. Also, the forces leave. militants fleeing a military June to try to regain full control Haqqani network which is blamed regulated, and there will be the petroleum ministry has sought offensive in other parts of the of the district and ground forces for numerous bloody attacks in imposition of petroleum levy approval to LPG Policy 2014. India and Pakistan district had taken refuge. moved in on June 30. Afghanistan. More than 800,000 (PL) and Gas Infrastructure He was of the view that one “At least 28 local and foreign The assault by Pakistan’s people have been forced to flee Development Cess ((GIDC) on price of LPG will contribute commerce terrorists were killed in today’s military was launched after a from North Waziristan by the local LPG Producers, while the towards minimizing the inten- airstrikes and their six hideouts dramatic attack by militants on assault, with most ending up in collected amount under PL and sity of ongoing gas crisis of the ministers to meet were destroyed,” a senior military Karachi airport which killed doz- the nearby town of Bannu. GIDC will be used for giving sub- country. official said. ens of people and marked the end AFP sidy on imported LPG so that INTERNEWS ISLAMABAD: Two months after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met his Indian counter- part Narendra Modi in New Delhi, their commerce ministers will meet on July 24 at the eighth meeting of the South Asia Free Pakistan’s ICT sector to cross new benchmark Trade Area (Safta), ministerial council in Thimpu, Bhutan. KARACHI: The current employment growth rate, which $15 million and $25 million in rev- membership exceeds 370. The and freelancer — world’s famous When asked for confirmation, growth rate and employment is over 41 per cent. According to enues and receiving $100 million industry had 4,200 employees in online market places that count the spokesperson at the Foreign trend indicate that Pakistan’s P@SHA, the industry is already valuations,” it says. 2004 while current employment Pakistan among top 5 freelancing Office remarked: “They will be Information Communication grossing over $2 billion a year, up The country’s technology sector is at 12,000. The employers expect nations. meeting”, without giving any Technology (ICT) industry from less than a billion dollars a is fast becoming a hub of high per- a rise in employment growth rate “It’s hard to get the exact idea details and nor has there been any will exceed the $10bn mark few years ago. formance business. “What other to 50 percent this year to meet of how big the industry’s actual statement on this very important within the next five years, With most tech companies’ sectors and countries achieved in the demand. size may be. Those who are earn- meetings between the two neigh- Pakistan Software Houses growth exceeding 30 per cent a 15 to 20 years, Pakistan’s technol- The aforesaid estimates come ing high don’t disclose their rev- bours, given that trade is ‘high’ on Association for IT and year, the country’s ICT sector is ogy scene is poised to achieve in exclusively from members of enues for two reasons: personal the agenda of the Sharif govern- IT-enabled services (P@SHA) growing significantly. less than a decade. P@SHA and exclude the earn- security and the Federal Board ment. This will be a first meet for said on its website. From its nascent beginnings “Putting it all together, the ings of tens of thousands of of Revenue. Khurram Dastgir Khan, one of Though some industry experts in the late 1980s, the industry Pakistani technology industry freelancers working in indi- It is common for Pakistanis the new generation cabinet min- were sceptical of these estimates, has come a long way to the point is very different from what it vidual capacities. to hide their incomes because of isters and Nirmala Sitharaman the industry’s representative where its value proposition is vali- was in the early 1990s,” P@SHA According to Pakistan Startup threats from extortionists, partic- who is also Indian Minister of body is optimistic that the ICT dated over and over again. said. report, there are about 1 mil- ularly in Karachi,” said P@SHA State for Finance and Corporate sector would exceed $11bn in the “The largest players members From four founding compa- lion freelancers working from President Jehan Ara. Affairs. INTERNEWS next five years, especially the of P@SHA are grossing between nies in 1994, P@SHA’s current Pakistan mainly via elance, oDesk INTERNEWS MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Congress urges Congress, NC CBI probe into CWG-like scam

PANAJI: The Congress to go it alone yesterday alleged a Delhi Commonwealth Games-style scam and demanded a CBI probe into corruption in the organisation of the Portuguese Commonwealth Games, also in J&K polls known as the Lusofonia Games, in Goa. The state hosted the Games in Both parties end a long coalition 2014. Addressing a press confer- ence here, Congress spokesman SRINAGAR: The ruling Mir, Yasin and Tarigami are Durgadas Kamat said the pric- National Conference and its members of the 87-seat Kashmir ing of the Games’ medals, grand ally the Congress will fight the assembly. opening and closing ceremonies, coming elections in Jammu and A former chief minister, hiring of taxis, as well as laying Kashmir on their own, ending a Azad said many party workers out infrastructure for the third long alliance, it was announced Saturday expressed resentment Lusfonia Games was excessive, yesterday. against some Congress ministers and suggested that the scam was The Congress made the in the Abdullah-led government. worth Rs.100 crore approximately. announcement in Jammu, Ambika Soni said the issue of “Three quotations from com- prompting Chief Minister Omar Congress chief ministerial candi- panies in Delhi, Mumbai and Abdullah to say that he had con- date will be decided by the elected A man lies on a heap of fodder, which was removed from a sugarcane field, on a cart pulled by a bull in Bangalore for Games’ medals vened the National Conference members of the party and the Muzaffarnagar in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh yesterday. With this year’s monsoon rains several for Rs.500, Rs.400 and Rs.600 decision to Congress president high command after the elections. weeks late, the world’s second-largest sugar and rice producer is on the verge of widespread drought in the (respectively) were turned down Sonia Gandhi 10 days ago. The Congress has 17 legislators in face of a developing Pacific Ocean weather event known as El Nino, which is often associated with drought in and instead the government paid Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Kashmir. South Asia. Rs.6,500 for each medal,” Kamat Soni and Saifuddin Soz said the Omar Abdullah also said yes- said. Congress will field candidates in terday that he had conveyed to The firm which won the medal all 87 seats in the assembly elec- Sonia Gandhi 10 days ago that his tender was the India Government tions due here by the year-end. party will fight the assembly elec- Mint in Alipore, West Bengal, run Without naming its ally, Azad tions on its own. Drought worries ease by the central government. told the media: “Coalition politics “I met Gandhi 10 days ago (and) Sports Minister Ramesh is always a political compulsion thanked her for all her support. NEW DELHI: The spectre of deficient” in rainfall, had seen weeks is quite positive except for Tawadkar has called the allega- and we have decided not to form I conveyed NC’s decision to fight drought looming over parts of “good rains” over the past few peninsular India. But the mon- tions “baseless” and made by a any pre-poll alliance for the forth- the (coming) elections alone,” he the country has receded over days. soon period will last for another party which is frustrated being coming state elections.” tweeted, referring to his party. the past week due to the revival Agriculture ministry officials two and a half months. If there is in Opposition. He, however, said the “I explained the reasons but of the monsoon but officials are said the Met department has pre- a long dry spell, that will impact “All procedures and protocols Congress will have “poll adjust- also told her I wouldn’t be making keeping their fingers crossed as dicted good rains in the coming (the crops) negatively,” a senior were followed by us during the ments” with three parties in a public announcement because I a long dry spell in between the days but a dry spell for a fortnight agriculture ministry official told tendering processes. The Congress the Kashmir Valley: the Peoples didn’t want it to look opportun- rains can damage crops and lead or so during the remaining days IANS. is frustrated. They are not used Democratic Front (PDF) of istic,” he said. to inflationary pressures. of the monsoon can be damaging The official, who did not want to being in the Opposition and are Hakim Muhammad Yasin, the “For it to be spun now as a Officials said that many states for the crops. to be named, said that farmers making baseless charges,” he said. Democratic Party Nationalist Cong(ress) decision is wrong in central and northwest India, “We have turned away from a were sowing crops in areas where Incidentally, defective medals (DPN) of Ghulam Hassan Mir and (and) a complete distortion of the which account for a sizable pro- possible drought situation (due rainfall had been delayed and the had triggered controversy during the CPI-M, whose most promi- facts, not surprising but incorrect duction of pulses, oilseeds and to rains over the past week). The next 15 days were important for the Games, with several winning nent leader is Yusuf Tarigami. none the less,” he added. IANS coarse grains and were “highly IMD prediction for the next two “strengthening of crops.” IANS athletes having to return their medals which had lost their lus- tre immediately after they were Modi govt appeasing big presented. The 12-day Lusofonia Games featured countries and places like Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, business, says CPI-M East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Goa (India), NEW DELHI: The CPI-M to appease Indian big business Macau (China), Mozambique, yesterday accused the Narendra and international finance capital.” Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe Modi government of promoting The CPI-M also flayed the gov- and Sri Lanka. “Indian big business and inter- ernment’s failure to curb price Athletes competed in nine national finance capital”. rise. sporting disciplines -- Athletics, The Communist Party of India- “The government is pursuing Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Marxist’s politburo said in a state- the same policy of deregulation Football, Judo, Table Tennis, ment after a two-day meet here of petroleum prices... All this Taekwondo, Volleyball and that it had become clear that the has contributed to the price Wushu. IANS Modi government “will adopt poli- rise of essential commodities cies for the benefit of big business and there is no let up in the and international finance capital”. food inflation.” Kerala doctors It said the union budget Meanwhile, the Andhra appeared “to provide concessions Pradesh government yesterday to strike work to the corporates and the upper constituted an advisory com- classes at the expense of the mittee to examine the various THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: poorer sections” and “is a trajec- aspects of building a state capital Around 4,000 government doc- tory for significant privatisation and suggest a plan of action for tors in Kerala will today sit on of the economy”. its development. an indefinite ‘non-cooperation’ “The CPI-M is opposed to the To be headed by Municipal strike demanding immediate fill- increase of FDI in defence pro- Administration and Urban ing up of vacancies of specialists duction to 49 percent,” the state- Development Minister P and ensuring supply of quality ment said. Narayana, the committee com- medicines in state-run hospitals. Activists participate in a rally organised by “The Red Brigade - Bring Bangalore Back” to protest against the recent “Foreign arms companies get- prises nine members, majority of However, patients will not be incidents of sexual abuse, molestation and rapes against women in Bangalore yesterday. ting a controlling stake in the them industrialists. affected as the members of the defence production enterprises The state government yester- Kerala Government Medical will be detrimental to national day issued orders constituting Officers Association (KGMOA) One arrested in Bangalore rape case sovereignty. the committee which will advise will continue to attend their “Entry of US arms companies on conceptualization of a vibrant, duties at the various hospi- into this sector will only lead to diverse and inclusive city, crea- tals, KGMOA office bearer K.C. BANGALORE: Musthafa, a “The accused has been arrested Police also seized from the further dependence on the US for tion of a highly liveable urban eco Ramesan told IANS Sunday. 30-year-old skating instruc- under sections 376 and 406 of the accused a mobile handset and a lap- India’s strategic interests. system, efficient use of natural Ahead of announcing the indef- tor at a private school here, was Indian Penal Code (IPC) after he top, which contained incriminat- “The CPI-M is strongly opposed resources, urban planning poli- inite strike, the KGMOA had arrested yesterday on charges was interrogated with six other ing pornographic videos showing to the proposals for further disin- cies and other issues. observed a token protest July 11, of sexually assaulting a six- staff members of the school fol- school children being raped. “That vestment of shares in nationalised The panel includes ruling asking the state government to year-old student in a classroom lowing a complaint by the victim’s shows the state of his perverted banks and the proposed massive Telugu Desam Party (TDP) par- look into their demands. three weeks ago that rocked this parents July 14,” Commissioner mind. The videos were downloaded disinvestment in the shares of liamentarians YS Chowdary and There are 1,281 health institu- city and outraged hundreds of of Police Raghavendra Auradkar from porn sites through Internet,” public sector enterprises. G Jayadev. tions under the Health Services parents. told reporters here. police said. IANS “All these steps are being taken IANS Department in Kerala. IANS New emigration law must to protect Gulf workers oing by the words and the “important role” played by can’t ‘contem- that no time foreign employers from notified The new Bill further provides actions of top function- NRIs in her party victory in the plate’ something THE NR EYE limit could be countries will have to register for laying down performance Garies, Indian workers in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It is no that’s already given for its with the emigration author- standards, regular performance the Gulf are not on the radar of secret that the BJP got support been in existence Moiz Mannan introduction ity. There are 18 notified coun- audit and periodical rating of the new government, probably mainly from NRIs in the West. for more many and subsequent tries including those in the Gulf recruiting agencies, employers because they form a lesser polit- “It is our duty that we will have years. It was in 2002 that the passing. and Malaysia. The proposal for and sub-agents to encourage ically significant chunk among to live up to their expectations,” process to rehaul the archaic This legislation, the new mandatory registration has ethical recruitment practices. overseas Indians. the minister said. Emigration Act of 1983 began. government should know, is been mooted as workers want- In sum, the proposed Bill The National Democratic Interestingly, in the same First a bill to amend that act was a crucial piece in the jigsaw of ing to go abroad for work are will modernize the legislative Alliance which took power at speech, Swaraj was reported as drafted and discussed at length managing outbound migration. often cheated by the recruitment framework governing emigra- the centre, led by Narendra saying that her government was among the concerned ministries. Among other things it pro- agents and touts. The draft bill tion, facilitate legal emigration, Modi, has given enough signals “contemplating” an immigration Later a fresh act by way of the vides for the replacement of the also provides for more power discourage irregular migration, that NRIs to it means the rich bill which would take all such ‘Emigration Management Bill’ lethargic institution of Protector to the state police to deal with enhance protection and welfare and powerful diaspora in US people to task who lure other was prepared to entirely replace General of Emigrants with a cen- unscrupulous recruiting agents. of emigrants, encourage ethical and Europe. A strong indication people with false promises of the old legislation. Even this bill tral Emigration Management The proposed Bill has pro- recruitment practices, enable of this was the recent decision jobs abroad and issue fake visas. has been knocking at the doors Authority with greater and more visions to black list overseas market-friendly regulation of to hold the next Mini Pravasi If she actually said this, NRIs in of the Indian parliament for the encompassing powers. employers and debar them from recruiters and provide for more Bharatiya Divas (annual conclave the Gulf, particularly the blue- last three years or so. The proposed functions of the future recruitments if they deterrent penalties against crime of overseas Indians) in London, collar workers can’t expect the Surely, Madam Swaraj would Authority are managing and reg- indulge in malpractices. Upon such as human smuggling. UK. much-touted “acche din” (good have heard her junior minister, ulating recruitment and enroll- the ministry’s admission, the ille- The NDA government, there- In a speech made a few days days) any time soon. the retired General V K Singh, ment agencies, accreditation of gal practice of agents in engag- fore, needs to ensure its enact- back at a social function in That’s because the statement make a statement in the Lok employees, registration of emi- ing sub-agents to recruit from ment if only to prove it has not New Delhi, external and over- betrays gross ignorance of one of Sabha on July 9 saying that the grants and obtaining intimation remote villages is rampant. The abandoned the diaspora that’s not seas Indians affairs minister, the most important issues facing Bill was “ at the stage of inter- from students going abroad. new Bill will legalise and monitor important to electoral victories. Sushma Swaraj acknowledged poor Indians working abroad. You ministeral consultations” and Under the proposed law, the sub-agents as well. THE PENINSULA

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WEATHER

Today Monday Tuesday Weather Conditions: Clear Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Slight dust to dusty with some clouds. High: 45° High: 42° High: 43° Low: 33° Low: 35° Low: 35°

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 04:55 18:27 14:00 & 23:30 06:15 & 20:00 08-18/24KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Mini pony trotters compete in the “Duhner Wattrennen” (mudflat race) at the Wadden Sea in Cuxhaven, northern Germany, yesterday. Organisers expected up to 30,000 spectators to watch the event. MUSCAT 41/32 Clear 42/31 Clear MAKKAH 40/27 Partly cloudy 41/27 Partly cloudy KUWAIT 45/30 Clear 45/29 Clear BAHRAIN 38/34 Partly cloudy 38/34 Partly cloudy SANAA 29/18 Thunderstorm 27/18 Thunderstorm Group hopes to RIYADH 43/30 Clear 43/31 Clear Monkey study dampens DUBAI 41/28 Clear 41/28 Clear build Oklahoma BAGHDAD 42/25 Clear 41/28 Clear pop culture THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW hopes for AIDS cure HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER museum

ATHENS 31/24 Clear 32/24 Clear PARIS: The monkey version In the vast majority of people, interventions that activate the WASHINGTON 30/22 Thunderstorm 31/24 Chance of storm of HIV can take refuge from the virus starts proliferating as viral reservoir will be required.” TULSA, Oklahoma: Jamie SYDNEY 16/10 Partly cloudy 16/10 Partly cloudy anti-AIDS drugs within days of soon as treatment is stopped, Scientists in Melbourne, Oldaker toured the world LONDON 27/15 Chance of showers 27/16 Partly cloudy entering the body, a study said which means the drugs have to Australia, are experimenting with drumming for the likes of Eric PARIS 23/19 Thunderstorm 25/20 Chance of storm yesterday, dampening hopes for be taken for life. an anti-cancer drug to flush the Clapton, among others, but he ISTANBUL 28/22 Clear 28/22 Clear a human cure. Little is known about when and virus out of its hiding place, then never lost touch with Oklahoma, MANILA 27/25 Chance of storm 29/25 Chance of storm If the same holds true for where these reservoir cells are to be killed. where he honed the skills that DHAKA 29/25 Thunderstorm 30/24 Thunderstorm human beings, treatment may established during HIV infection. The authors of the Nature enabled him to spend his life DELHI 36/28 Partly cloudy 36/27 Partly cloudy have to start “extremely early” Some had assumed the res- paper stressed their findings have making music. ISLAMABAD 39/27 Partly cloudy 32/27 Partly cloudy after a person is infected with the ervoirs are “seeded” by virus yet to be confirmed in humans, as Oldaker, who grew up in Tulsa, virus that causes AIDS, according DNA during acute HIV infection there are important differences has lent his support to a group to researchers publishing in the -- when the presence of virus in between SIV and HIV infection. pushing for the construction of a journal Nature. the blood had already risen to a But if in humans the virus can museum that would showcase the 7th Melt! Festival in Ferropolis The findings come just high level. also enter the reservoir even many contributions to music, act- days after the disappointing But the new study found that before it is detectable in the ing, writing and the arts by people announcement that a Mississippi in rhesus monkeys infected with blood, it may be “very difficult” with ties to the state. baby thought to have been simian HIV, or SIV, the reservoir to start treatment early enough, “People just need to be aware cleared of HIV through a potent was established “strikingly early” as a blood test is required to that Oklahoma’s not just a bunch dose of antivirals administered after infection. diagnose HIV infection, said the of cowboys running around and 30 hours after birth and con- “The reservoir was established team. Indian casinos,” Oldaker said tinued for 18 months, has tested in tissues during the first days There is no cure for AIDS, and recently by phone from his home positive for the virus after two of infection, before the virus was antiviral drugs merely control the in Norman. drug-free years. even detected in the blood,” said virus’ replication, thus halting its “I’m proud to be an Okie and “The unfortunate clinical Barouch. spread. the state of Oklahoma that sup- findings of viral rebound in The monkeys were started on Last week, US scientists said ported us all those years.” the Mississippi baby appear to antiretroviral treatment at three, the Mississippi baby, who had Despite the support of Oldaker be concordant with the mon- seven, 10 and 14 days after SIV had no detectable level of HIV for and other accomplished art- key data,” study co-author Dan infection. more than two years after stop- ists for the Oklahoma Museum Barouch of the Beth Israel Once the drugs were stopped, ping treatment, had tested posi- of Popular Culture, which was Deaconess Medical Centre the virus replicated in all groups, tive for the virus. conceived of seven years ago, it (BIDMC) in Massachusetts told though slower in the monkeys Her case had raised hopes that has failed to secure the $40m AFP. treated earliest. doctors may have found a way to in state funding needed to con- “These data certainly raise “The strikingly early seeding cure children born HIV-positive, struct the building in Tulsa’s important challenges for HIV of the viral reservoir within the simply by treating them early. Brady Arts District. eradication efforts.” first few days of infection is sober- The new study was published With the project in limbo, many A key challenge for curing HIV ing and presents new challenges as experts and policy makers of the 100,000-plus donated items, infection is the presence of viral to HIV-1 eradication efforts,” the from around the world gath- including films, recordings and A visitor shows his funny shoes at the open air museum ‘Ferropolis’ reservoirs -- infected immune authors wrote. ered in Melbourne for the 20th other memorabilia, are sitting in near Graefenhainichen, Germany, yesterday. The 17th edition of the cells in which virus DNA can lie “Taken together, our data sug- International AIDS Conference, boxes at the state’s history center music festival Melt! ended yesterday. dormant for years, undisturbed by gest that extremely early ini- which will discuss advances in in Oklahoma City. antiretroviral treatment (ART) tiation of ART, extended ART prevention and treatment. The museum proposal has had or the immune system. duration and probably additional AFP a rough go of it in the Legislature. In 2013, plans to seek financing were withdrawn so the state could Chapel up for sale focus on rebuilding after torna- ‘Maverick’ star does raked several Oklahoma City suburbs. This year, the project took a back seat to a $188m budget shortfall. The museum, nicknamed Garner dies at 86 OKPOP, wasn’t the only high- concept development to fall victim LOS ANGELES: James The actor made his name on to the budget ax this year. Plans Garner, 86, star of the hit TV television as the wry, laid-back to appropriate $40m to match series “Maverick” and “The professional gambler and gun another $40m in pledges from Rockford Files,” has died, Los slinger Bret Maverick in the 1957- private donors to complete the Angeles police said yesterday. 1960 cowboy series that included building of the American Indian Police and fire department guest appearances by Hollywood Cultural Center and Museum in personnel responded to a call at stars such as Clint Eastwood and Oklahoma City went nowhere. Garner’s home at 0400 GMT yes- Roger Moore. That museum sits unfinished erday, said officer Alonzo Iniguez In the 1970s Garner starred along the banks of the Oklahoma at the West Los Angeles police as James Rockford, a witty and River. station. resourceful private detective Backers of OKPOP have vowed Garner “died of natural causes in the 1974-1980 series “The to lobby the Legislature again in and the body was released to the Rockford Files.” In 1977 Garner 2015, saying it’s vital to have a family,” Iniguez said, giving no won an Emmy for his work in the place that documents the story further detail. series. of popular culture in Oklahoma Garner had a stroke in 2008 Garner also appeared on the — from Leon Russell to Kings of and was confined to a wheelchair. big screen in movies like “The Leon, and just about everybody In 1988 he had quadruple bypass Great Escape” (1963) with Steve in between. surgery, US media reported. McQueen; “The Americanization Last year, Russell donated more of Emily” (1964) and “Victor than 4,500 items to the planned Victoria” (1982), both with Julie museum, including thousands of Andrews; and the romantic com- photos, more than 1,300 audio edy “Murphy’s Romance” (1985), recordings, 100 video recordings for which he was nominated for an and old concert programs, post- Oscar. He also co-starred in the ers and tickets, among other arti- 1994 movie version of “Maverick” facts in the Rock and Roll Hall of along with Mel Gibson and Jodie Famer’s vast collection. Foster. More recently Garner Oldaker has donated a drum kit appeared in Eastwood’s “Space The Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde chapel, perched on the cliffs of Etretat, is pictured yesterday in Etretat, northern he used while playing for Clapton Cowboys” in 2000. AFP France. The chapel is for sale for €280, 000. in the 1980s. AP Monday 21 July 2014 23 Ramadan 1435 Volume 19 Number 6133 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Unnamed Mena IPO proceeds jump 129pc in Q2 bidder offers $2.4bn raised from a total of 16 deals; Qatar’s MPHC launched region’s highest issue in H1

DOHA: The Mena IPO market launched the region’s largest issue Phil Gandier, Mena “The regional IPO market has sectors. The Mena stock markets to buy out continued its recovery to end the in the first half, raising $903m in Transactions Leader, EY, said: seen some notable developments have continued the upward momen- first half of the year 2014 (H1, 14) January 2014. Saudi Arabia and “The IPO market is very strong in terms of new deals. Emirates tum from 2013 this year, remaining strongly. Tunisia had the highest number across Mena, particularly among REIT Ltd was the first listing attractive with average price-to- pay TV OSN There were a total of 16 deals of IPOs with four each across the the GCC countries which con- with a capital raise since 2008 on earnings (PE) of 13.9 at the end of raising $2.4bn in the first six first half of the year. The funda- tinue to attract large IPOs and Nasdaq Dubai and Marka was the June 2014. The stock exchanges of DUBAI: Middle Eastern pay- months of the year, an increase mentals of the Saudi economy drive the strong performance in first IPO on DFM since 2009. The Kuwait, Morocco and Saudi Arabia television operator OSN is the of 14 percent for both volume along with the increased appetite the region. In the first half of the upgrading of the UAE to emerg- had the higher PE ratios. subject of a full takeover bid and proceeds on the same period for equities and improved valua- year, the majority of IPO deals ing markets status in May 2014 The number of IPO focused from an unnamed buyer, its in 2013 and the highest amount tion have contributed to a better were in Q2, which is a good indi- will go a long way towards chang- funds in Mena could be on the parent company said yesterday, of capital raised in the first half IPO performance in Saudi. cation for a positive second half of ing investors’ perceptions and will rise with more IPOs set to enter a deal that could prove to be since 2008. In Q2, 2014, there GCC IPOs represented 90 per- the year. All the IPOs executed in help to boost the long-term pros- Mena markets in the next two one of the largest acquisitions were 11 IPOs raising $1.1bn, a 129 cent of all Mena IPOs in H1, with Q2, 2014 were within the regional pects of the market,” said Mayur years, which could bring in greater of a regional business in recent percent increase on the previous 10 GCC IPOs raising $2.26bn which market which shows a shift from Pau, Mena IPO Leader, EY. investment and IPO opportunities. years. quarter and a rise of 22 percent was 67 percent and 14 percent the trend of international list- Activity was spread broadly Currently, there are only a hand- Kuwait Projects Company compared to Q2 2013 by deal higher than H1, 2013. Saudi Arabia ings in the last few quarters. The across sectors in H1, with IPOs in ful of IPO-focused funds in Mena. (KIPCO), which owns 60.5 per- numbers, EY’s ‘Mena IPO update: led the GCC activity in the first half combination of improved liquid- the healthcare, power and utilities, The demand for such funds has cent of OSN, said in a bourse Q2, 2014’ noted yesterday. of the year with four IPOs, followed ity and reasonable valuations will retail, construction, oil and gas, tel- increased during the last two years filing it would evaluate the bid Qatar’s Mesaieed Petrochemical by the UAE with three, Oman with continue to drive the IPO activity ecommunications, leisure and tour- as they offer impressive returns. alongside its partner and update Holding Company (MPHC) two and Qatar with one. in the region.” ism and industrial manufacturing THE PENINSULA the market if there were any developments. Saudi Arabia-based Mawarid Group owns the rest of OSN, according to the TV firm’s website. QE index No value for the bid was given Muntajat signs 2-year deal with Milaha in the statement. However, bro- kerage Arqaam Capital last year closes 129.07 DOHA: Qatar Chemical and Management Systems of world valued OSN at $4.3bn. Petrochemical Marketing leading providers. This would OSN, which has operations points lower and Distribution Company definitely enhance the operational across the Middle East and North (Muntajat) signed a 2-year efficiency and lower the fuel con- Africa and posted earnings of DOHA: Qatar Exchange index contract with Qatar Navigation sumption. We aim to continue to Dh139.5m ($494m) in 2013, was closed lower yesterday, down by (Milaha) for the time charter serve Muntajat in the best possi- a candidate for an initial public 129.07 points, or 0.97 percent, to of the LPG/C ALMARONA to ble manner and bring added value offer of shares this year, although 13,155.58 points. primarily transport ammonia to this sector for Qatar.” the company dampened those The trading value at close was exports from Qatar to Muntajat Commenting on the agreement, expectations in recent weeks. QR720.098m with a traded vol- customers around the world. Abdulrahman Ali Al Abdulla said: KIPCO said early this year that ume of 18,886.237 shares from The contract was signed in “We are delighted to expand a flotation could happen on the 7,830 transactions. a ceremony held in Doha by our collaboration with Milaha London stock exchange in 2014, Yesterday, 34 companies ended Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, through this second agreement but OSN Chief Executive David in the red zone, seven advanced Chairman and Managing Director for this year. This agreement is in Butorac told reporters in May and one remained unchanged. of Milaha and Abdulrahman line with our vision of establishing that a share sale was not immi- Banks and financial serv- Ali Al Abdulla, Chief Executive Muntajat as the world leader in nent. Butorac also said OSN’s ices index went down by 35.07 Officer of Muntajat. the marketing and distribution of shareholders were looking at points to close at 3,155.36 points. The LPG/C ALMARONA is a Qatar’s chemical and petrochemi- future options for the business. All banks ended in the red zone 23,000 cbm capacity gas carrier cal products.” Should a sale be completed yesterday. Consumer goods and and is fully owned and managed “Muntajat’s partnership with at around the kind of valuation services index declined by 127.45 by Qatar Shipping Company, a Milaha will reinforce our efforts which Arqaam put on the com- points when it closed at 7,013.78 fully owned subsidiary of Milaha. in strengthening the reputation pany, it will be one of the largest points. The real estate sector “We have, over the years, built of the “Made in Qatar” brand in sales of a Middle Eastern business index was the only one in the a close relationship with QAFCO the global industry. The Milaha’s in recent years. green zone, marginally up by 18.49 and more recently with Muntajat, Gas Carrier Time Charter was OSN joins a number of Kuwaiti- points to 2,927.05 points. and we are very pleased to be able selected over competing interna- linked companies that are said Qatari individual investors to extend this relationship”, said tional vessels as it complements to have attracted interest from bought a volume of 12,165,737 Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani. our safety and reliability stand- potential buyers this year, with shares of 42 companies worth “In keeping with Milaha’s contin- ards in delivering our products consumer-focused businesses QR434.435m. Qatari individ- ued commitment to safety and the to customers worldwide”, added garnering the most attention ual investors sold a volume of protection of the environment, Al-Abdullah. Earlier this year, because of the Gulf’s young pop- 12,242,882 shares of 41 compa- this ship has been retrofitted Muntajat signed a 2-year feed- ulation and growing wealth. The nies worth QR442.944m. Qatari with the latest available energy ering transport agreement with majority shareholder of Kuwait institutional investors bought a efficiency enhancing devices, Milaha to export Qatar’s produc- Food Co (Americana) has hired volume of 2,140,338 shares of 34 which includes the Mewis Duct tion of polymers and melamine to Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani (left), Chairman and Managing Director of Rothschild to explore selling the companies worth QR92.745m. amongst others, together with Muntajat customers around the Milaha and Abdulrahman Ali Al Abdulla, CEO of Muntajat at the signing business, private equity firms have QNA the implementation of Energy world. THE PENINSULA ceremony in Doha. been eyeing a deal. REUTERS QIB makes global spending on cards secure Sonatrach to spend

DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank other hand, has a built-in micro- destination and period in order (QIB), Qatar’s leading and saf- chip which performs the same to activate their card accordingly. est Islamic Bank, has brought transactions as that of a mag- Should a customer wish to $100bn on oil output in a new level of security to netic strip but in a much more activate the use of the magnetic protect customers’ credit secure way. strip outside Qatar, he, she needs ALGIERS: Algerian state will be aimed at boosting reserves and debit cards from fraudu- Chip card technology offers first to call 44448444 and spec- energy group Sonatrach has and increasing oil and gas produc- lent transactions when travel- increased security because ify all the countries to which he approved a $100bn investment tion, APS said, citing an unidenti- ling abroad. it reduces the risk of card intends to travel and plans to use plan for 2014-2018 to increase fied source at Sonatrach late on All of QIB’s credit and debit skimming. his QIB cards, together with his oil and gas output and also aims Saturday. cards carry both a magnetic strip Also chip credit card trans- travel dates, both departure and to start producing shale gas The plan allocates $42bn to on the reverse side, and an elec- actions are authenticated by a return to Qatar, and also specify in 2020, the official APS news help develop oil and gas fields tronic micro-chip embedded in personal identification number if he wants to activate the mag- agency reported. from now through 2018. That their surface. (PIN) instead of a signature, netic strip for point-of-sale, or Opec member Algeria, a major figure includes $22bn for natural Both contain information which adds an additional level of automatic teller machines, or for gas supplier to Europe, has been gas development. specific to the customer and his security. both. struggling to raise energy output, Officials have said Sonatrach is account; but because of the fea- In Qatar all transactions are D Anand, General Manager of on which it relies heavily for state planning to start production at tures provided by the microchip chip and pin transactions. QIB’s Personal Banking Group, funds to finance development and six gas fields with a total capacity and the way they work, chip As part of QIB’s commit- explained that “this is another social programmes. of 74 million cubic metres per day feature in the card is the most ment to enhance the security layer of security that QIB is Oil and gas production has been in the next three years. secure solution available to pre- of electronic payment cards, all implementing to provide a safer stagnating since 2010 due to a fall The investment plan was vent duplication of cards or of magnetic strip transactions will banking experience.” in exploration activity and a lack reported as Algeria prepares to skimming data from them. now be permanently blocked “Our aim is to protect our of investment from foreign com- open bids for a new oil and gas Most merchants in the USA outside Qatar on both debit clients’ information and card panies, which have been wary of round, with 31 fields on offer in and some in Asia Pacific are still and credit Cards with immedi- D Anand, General Manager of QIB’s details when they travel as we Algeria’s contract terms and secu- September this year. reliant on the magnetic strip to ate effect. Personal Banking Group have noticed that all fraudulent rity since a 2013 militant attack For the first time, the bid- process their card transactions Only chip based transactions cases are happening outside the on a gas plant. But energy officials ding includes blocks for uncon- whereas most European, Africa, will be allowed, unless cus- country and are heavily relying are hopeful things will improve in ventional resources, with tax Middle East and Latin America tomers specifically ask for the Customers will not be able on the magnetic strip feature in the medium term through higher incentives for foreign companies countries are using chip-based magnetic strips on their cards to be to use the magnetic strip fea- order to access the customers’ spending in the sector. interested in investing in shale processing. activated while they travel ture unless they confirm to the data,” he said. The $100bn spending for the gas and shale oil. A chip based card, on the abroad. Bank prior to their travel, the THE PENINSULA five-year period through 2018 REUTERS MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

QAC posts UAE may issue govt bonds by 2018 sales growth First ever federal bonds to help the country’s banks meet global liquidity rules for second

DUBAI: The United Arab needs to accommodate Basel’s meet the forthcoming Basel III added. The law would also allow past, but the 2009-2010 Dubai consecutive year Emirates is expected to issue requests that the country’s banks liquidity rules, describing it as “a the central bank to issue short- debt crisis dented appetite for its first ever federal govern- maintain certain portions of sov- national priority”. term Treasury bills on behalf of federal bond issues in the Gulf DOHA: Qatar Automobiles ment bonds before 2018 to help ereign bonds, in which case the Khouri said the ministry was the government to better manage Arab country and oil exporter. Company (QAC) has reaffirmed the country’s banks meet global unavailability of bonds will make working with the central bank to liquidity in the banking system. Initially, the ministry planned its market leadership with a liquidity rules, but feasibility the requirement difficult to ful- establish the level of future issu- Longer-term bonds could help to merge the federal public debt record sales growth for a second studies are yet to be completed, fil,” Younis al-Khouri, undersec- ance that would be sustainable for finance federal government devel- law draft with those of the indi- consecutive year. a senior finance ministry offi- retary at the federal Ministry of the state. “It is difficult to deter- opment projects. It now gets most vidual emirates but abandoned The authorised dealer of cial said. Finance, said. mine the date of government bond of its funding from the oil-pro- the plan after a deep scrutiny, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation UAE banks, such as National A long-awaited public debt law, issuance as studies have not been ducing emirate of Abu Dhabi. Khouri said. and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Bank of Abu Dhabi and Emirates which would be required for any finalised,” Khouri said, according “The federal government is He did not indicate when the Corporation in Qatar achieved a NBD, could buy the dirham- future issuance of federal sover- to the ministry’s website. in no need to immediately issue bill could be approved. sales growth of 167 percent across denominated government debt to eign bonds, has been stuck in the “It is expected to take place bonds, given that its budget is The federal government the Mitsubishi Motors brand in help meet liquidity requirements government consultative process before 2018, because the Basel always balanced and in several planned to spend Dh46bn the year 2013. being phased in under the Basel for the past five years. panel set 2018 as the year to years even achieves a budget sur- ($12.5bn) in 2014, which is as lit- QAC received the coveted III global banking standards. The slow progress has led to begin implementing the Basel plus,” Khouri said. tle as around 14 percent of overall “Excellent Sales Growth Award” “The purpose of issuing bonds repeated calls by the central bank III standards, but there is no Some of the seven emirates in fiscal spending in the UAE, while presented by Mitsubishi Motors is to meet the requirements of to the government to expedite the comprehensive and final agree- the UAE, such as Abu Dhabi and the individual emirates account Corporation President Osamu Basel III, since the central bank law so that domestic lenders can ment regarding this issue yet,” he Dubai, have issued debt in the for the rest. REUTERS Masuko. The award presented on the basis of MMC’s evaluation of sales growth results of overseas distributors. According to MMC, QAC has ranked first among global dis- tributors in terms of year on year Greek banks can sales growth for a second con- secutive year, attesting to QAC’s steadfast commitment to sustain unmatched performance year-on- handle capital year. “I want to express our deep appreciation for QAC, for their achievement of outstanding sales growth for the year 2013. This needs in ECB test success stands as a testimony of the hard work, dedication, and creativity of QAC’s team, and I ATHENS: Any capital short- test), I believe they will be man- look forward to their continuous falls that the European Central ageable,” Anastasia Sakellariou, success in the years to come.” said Bank finds this fall at Greece’s chief executive of bank rescue Masuko. four big banks will be manage- fund HFSF, told the paper. On his part Ihab El Feky able, the head of the country’s The four banks, which control QAC’s general manager said: bank bailout fund told yester- about 90 percent of the industry, “Consumer confidence is the day’s Kathimerini newspaper in were bailed out by the European center of everything we do and an interview. Union and International our efforts have been reflected The ECB is conducting Monetary Fund, which set in the phenomenal sales growth regional stress tests to review aside €50bn ($68bn) in bank that we have achieved. Qatar the asset valuations of the euro- rescue fund HFSF to clean up Automobiles Company’s superior zone’s 128 most important lend- the sector after its battering product offerings ensure that we ers and assess their ability to in the country’s sovereign debt have built an extensive customer withstand future crises. National crisis. base with a strong allegiance for Bank of Greece, Piraeus Bank, The four banks have already Mitsubishi brand.” Eurobank Ergasias and Alpha been through two rounds of A man exits a Eurobank branch as a woman (left) makes a transaction at the branch’s ATM in Athens. He also added: “On behalf of the Bank will be part of the health recapitalization after two stress entire team at Qatar Automobiles check. tests by the Bank of Greece, the Company, it is indeed an honor The results of the stress test country’s central bank. National, a remaining cushion of €11.5bn. scrutiny. Greece’s banking sec- Non-performing loans reached to be felicitated by MMC presi- will be published in the second Piraeus and Alpha are majority- “The economic crisis gave tor is troubled by a mountain of €77bn, or 33.5 percent of bank dent. This Award is a result of half of October, before the ECB owned by the HFSF rescue fund. birth to a new but stabler bank- impaired loans after six years loan books at the end of the diligent work by this team and we takes on bank supervision on The HFSF pumped €25.5bn ing system,” Sakellariou told of deep recession and austerity first quarter, forcing banks to are delighted to see their efforts November 4. into the four banks and spent the paper, without forecast- policies that led to cuts in pay, continue to make provisions for honored by MMC.” “Even if some additional capi- another €14.4bn to wind down ing how much extra capital the record unemployment and an bad debt. As part of NBK group Qatar tal needs arise (in the ECB stress others deemed non-viable. It has banks may need after the ECB’s increased tax burden. REUTERS Automobiles Company is fully committed to deliver the best services constantly exceeding the expectations of the custom- ers, guided by its steadfast com- mitment to upgrading customers’ Brazil eyeing Japan’s experience and service. ADIB net profit jumps in Q2 THE PENINSULA

ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi “As was the case in the first still impacting the UAE bank- help in oil project Islamic Bank (ADIB), the larg- quarter of the year, it is note- ing system, while the impending est Shariah-compliant lender worthy that the record quarterly start-up of the country’s credit Qatar General in the emirate, beat analysts’ performance reflects the sustain- bureau — allowing banks for the TOKYO: Brazil plans to use Abe is scheduled to leave on estimates yesterday as it posted able strength of our core banking first time to check a customer’s Insurance posts Japanese technology in building a tour of Central and South a 22.5 percent jump in second- businesses,” Chief Executive Tirad borrowings from all UAE lenders a floating structure and ships America on Friday. Abe and quarter net profit as core busi- Al Mahmoud said in the state- — would bring ‘welcomed clarity’ QR53.78m profit for its huge offshore oil devel- Rousseff will also announce that ness income boosted revenues. ment, adding it wasn’t just relying to individuals’ risk profiles. opment project, media reports Brazil will launch a programme The lender, which in May on lower provisioning for higher ADIB is one of the banks on said yesterday. this year to upgrade its shipbuild- got regulatory approval to pur- profits. the creditor committee for Amlak DOHA: Qatar General Japanese Prime Minister ing industry by training experts chase much of Barclays’ retail Improving asset quality has Finance, which said earlier this Insurance and Reinsurance Shinzo Abe and Brazilian with Japanese help, according to operations in the United Arab been a key driver of UAE banks’ month it had made a new offer to Company has announced a net President Dilma Rousseff will the draft. Emirates, made a net profit of profit growth in recent quarters strike a deal on debt worth $2.7bn profit of QR53.78m for the six- announce the use of Japanese The business daily Nikkei said Dh454.8m ($123.8m) in the three as the country recovers from a and solve the last major hangover month period ending June 30. technology in building a so-called the leaders are expected to reach months to June 30 compared to sovereign-related debt crisis and from the property crash. This is a drop by 92.75 per- “logistics hub” for the project agreement during their talks Dh371.4m in the same period of the bursting of a local real estate ADIB booked Dh175.8m of cent compared to the net profit when they meet in Brazil on on cooperation in the project to 2013, a statement said. at the end of the last decade. provisions in the second quarter, of QR742.24m reported for the August 1, according to a draft of develop the field off Brazil. Three analysts polled earlier Fellow Abu Dhabi lender Union down 2.2 percent year-on-year. same period in 2013, according their joint statement, Kyodo news Petrobras, Brazil’s government- this month forecast an average National Bank posted a 5.6 per- Loans extended by the bank to a Qatar Exchange bulletin agency said. The massive float- affiliated oil company, aims to net profit of Dh406m. cent increase in second-quar- stood at Dh64.9bn at June 30, up yesterday. ing structure under consideration start production by 2020 at the ADIB cited a 13.9 percent ter net profit earlier on lower 15.4 percent year-on-year, while The company’s earning per would be about 300 metres long field which is estimated to hold increase in net revenue, which impairments. deposits grew 18.2 percent over share (EPS) slid to QR0.77 com- and 100 metres wide, Kyodo said, more than 50 billion barrels worth climbed to Dh1.08bn, for the Mahmoud added legacy issues the same timeframe to Dh79bn. pared to QR10.73 for the corre- citing government sources. of oil reserves, Nikkei said. AFP increase in profit. from the previous crisis were REUTERS sponding period in 2013. QNA

Hyundai’s Ramadan campaign a big hit

DOHA: Hyundai Ramadan in the customer walk-ins to the and the absolute pleasure of driv- campaign this year has really Hyundai showrooms located in ing. A FIFA world cup edition caught the imagination of car Doha and Aziziya where 2015 with added accessories is also on buyers in Qatar which is quite model range is already available display for those who love to keep evident from the overwhelming for sale. a memento of the Brazil World response. The sporty models, the inno- cup 2014 where Hyundai was the National Car Company, the sole vative three door Veloster, which official partner. The Santa Fe and distributor of Hyundai in Qatar, was named Best Hatchback at Grand Santa Fe models in the launched the ‘Hyundai Ramadan last year’s prestigious Middle 4WD segment, offering a whole Grand Surprize Campaign’ coin- East Motor Awards continue to new class of luxury with their dif- ciding with the Holy month of capture the imagination of those ferentiated design, cutting-edge Ramadan, where customers buy- who want to make a mark of their technologies and practical use ing a Hyundai sedan, coupe or own. The Accent and Elantra of space, stands out as a trend SUV gets a chance to win Grand sedans continue as the best-sell- setter. Prize of QR30,000 in cash. ing Hyundai in the region. The newly launched All New All these are in addition to The mid-segment sedans, Genesis, Hyundai’s premium flag- the special “Hyundai Rewards” Sonata and Azera have estab- ship model, has already made its on select models such as very lished a special place in the minds mark in the luxury car segment in attractive prices, free insurance, of the car lovers with the innova- the region and continues to chal- free registration and one year or tive design, class leading features lenge the established German and 20,000 Km free service. and great value for money. Japanese names in the luxury car Hyundai promotion has gen- The Tucson, embodying style sector, with improved premium erated interest across a wide in every curve, retains its lead- standards of comfort, technology cross-section of customers and ership position in the cross over and performance. The Hyundai’s Azera has resulted in a steady increase segment with superlative features THE PENINSULA MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Hong Kong grows faster Etisalat profit Oman likely to rescue jumps 26pc on Maroc Tele buy Bulgaria’s Corpbank DUBAI: Etisalat reported a 26 percent jump in second-quarter profit yesterday, beating ana- Omani sovereign fund owns 30pc of Bulgarian bank lysts’ estimates, as the UAE firm’s acquisition of a majority MUSCAT: An Omani sovereign which it bought in 2009. the source said, adding that the stake in Maroc Telecom bol- wealth fund and other share- Corpbank was forced into the SGRF wanted to help stabilise stered its bottom line. holders in Bulgaria’s Corporate control of Bulgaria’s central bank Corpbank because of its impor- The former telecom monopoly, Commercial Bank are seeking in June after customers, unnerved tant role in Bulgaria’s economy. which operates in 19 countries to stabilise the troubled lender by reports of shady deals by the “Oman sees Bulgaria as a across the Middle East, Africa and hope a feasible plan will bank’s main owner, withdrew friend, and we are confident that and Asia, made a net profit of be put together within three more than a fifth of its total the Bulgarian government and Dh2.5bn ($680.7m) in the three months, a fund source said deposits. the other shareholders will work months to June 30, up from yesterday. A subsequent audit showed toward getting the best out of this Dh1.98bn in the year-ago period. Bulgarian Finance Minister activities at the bank “incompat- delicate situation, and to reopen Etisalat, which beat the Petar Chobanov spoke to the head ible with the law and good bank- Corpbank with a more stable situ- Dh2.19bn average forecast of ana- of Oman’s State General Reserve ing practices”, according to the ation,” he said. lysts polled, did not give a quar- Fund (SGRF) last week about the central bank. Bulgarian authorities previ- terly net profit breakdown in its prospect of it helping out after a Corpbank’s biggest shareholder, ously estimated the cost of a pub- results statement. planned state bailout of the bank wealthy Bulgarian businessman lic rescue of Corpbank at about Net profit for the first six ran into opposition in Bulgaria’s Tsvetan Vassiley, has denied the 1.5-2bn levs (around $1bn-1.4bn). months of 2014 rose to Dh4.5bn, parliament. allegations against him. The SGRF originally paid about up 19 percent year-on-year, the “The Bulgarians have agreed The SGRF source said any $129m for its stake in Corpbank, statement said. to work with the shareholders to solution to Corpbank’s prob- according to a statement by the In May, Etisalat bought a 53 provide a feasible working plan lems would not necessarily mean bank at the time. Although Oman percent stake in Maroc Telecom, within a time frame of three Oman investing more money in is an oil exporter, the fund is not which also has operations in months, as a substitute for the the bank. nearly as large as those of wealth- Gabon, Mauritania, Burkina Faso nationalisation option,” the source Instead, he said, proposals ier Gulf states. and Mali, for €4.14bn. said, declining to be named under included diluting Vassiley’s stake The SGRF’s assets total about The purchase helped boost con- briefing rules. with funds from other interna- $13bn, according to an estimate solidated revenue for the second The Omani sovereign wealth tional investors. by the Sovereign Wealth Fund quarter and its subscriber base at fund is potentially a key player in Another proposal is to rein- Institute, which studies the People in a Hong Kong mall yesterday. Hong Kong’s economy June 30 by 27 percent year-on- Bulgaria’s banking crisis because force Corpbank’s management industry. in 2014 is expected to expand at its fastest pace in three years, year, to Dh12.6bn and 182 million it owns 30 percent of Corpbank, board with independent experts, REUTERS according to government estimations, with a forecasted growth users respectively. REUTERS of between 3 and 4 percent, up from 2.9 percent in 2013. Britain to unveil new pension rules today Al Khodari profit slumps

LONDON: Britain will today which converts a retiree’s pension following a consultation with way their savings are paid out. announce new rules for the pot into a guaranteed retirement industry, employers and consumer This will include outlines for new 68.8pc, misses forecasts pensions industry that will income. Osborne is keen to give groups. “The reforms to the tax annuity products which tailor for give retirees greater access to people more freedom to tap into rules are about encouraging inno- early lump-sum withdrawals and DUBAI: Major Saudi Arabian SR25.38m a year earlier. Al Khodari their savings, fleshing out plans the savings they set aside dur- vation and ensuring consumers regular payments that vary over construction firm Abdullah blamed cost swings for a drop in net announced earlier this year that ing their working life by forcing have the widest possible choice in the lifetime of the product to meet Abdul Mohsin Al Khodari Sons profit. Its manpower costs jumped shook the share value of British innovation in the country’s £12bn how they secure their economic the demand of retirement expenses Co reported a 68.8 percent slump by SR23.4m as it hired an addi- insurers. ($21bn) per year annuity market. future,” a finance ministry source such as care costs. in second-quarter net profit yes- tional 5,931 employees in the three Finance minister George The government will confirm said yesterday. Annuities will also be allowed terday, falling well below ana- months, compared to the year- Osborne stunned Britain’s pen- its intention to go ahead with such In response to the consultation, to provide a guaranteed payout, lysts’ forecasts as manpower earlier period. Analysts polled had sions industry in March when he plans, seen as the biggest reform the government will today morning even if the recipient dies, for much costs surged. forecast, on average, that Khodari scrapped a rule forcing people to of pensions in a generation, and set out its intention to give pen- longer than the current 10-year Net profit fell to SR7.91m in would record net profit of SR14.23m buy an annuity, a financial product will add detail to its proposals sioners greater flexibility over the limit, the source said. REUTERS the three months to June 30 from in the quarter. REUTERS ENBD repays SABIC net profit final $1.1bn govt support rises 7pc in Q2 DUBAI: Saudi Basic Industries company said in a bourse filing. DUBAI: Emirates NBD, Dubai’s Corp (SABIC), one of the world’s The company’s results are largest lender, has repaid the largest petrochemicals groups closely tied to global economic remaining Dh4bn ($1.1bn) of and the Gulf’s largest listed growth because its products — support which it received from company, reported a 7 percent plastics, fertilisers and metals the United Arab Emirates gov- increase in second-quarter net — are used extensively in con- ernment in 2008, the country’s income yesterday, matching struction, agriculture, industry finance ministry said. analysts’ forecasts. and the manufacturing of con- The UAE ministry of finance It earned SR6.46bn ($1.72bn) in sumer goods. injected Dh70bn into the country’s the quarter, compared to SR6.04bn There had been some concern banks to shore up balance sheets in the year-earlier period, SABIC in the stock market about SABIC’s after the collapse of Lehman said in a bourse statement. earnings after two of its subsidiar- Brothers in September 2008 trig- This was in line with the aver- ies, Yanbu National Petrochemical gered a crisis in the world’s finan- age forecast of analysts polled, who Co and Saudi Arabian Fertilizer cial system. had predicted a quarterly profit of Co , missed analysts’ second- “Emirates NBD informed the SR6.42bn. quarter earnings forecasts earlier ministry this week that it had SABIC, which is 70 percent this month. SABIC’s first-quar- repaid Dh4bn to the Finance state-owned, attributed the rise ter earnings dipped 1.8 percent Ministry which is the final pay- in profits to higher production and year-on-year, as chief executive ment of the government subsidies sales volumes as well as higher Mohamed Al Mady complained that the bank had received,” the prices for products. However, this that a lack of ample natural gas ministry’s website quoted under- was partly offset by a dip in sales supplies within Saudi Arabia had secretary Younis Haji Al Khoori as volumes and an increase in feed- emerged as a key constraint on saying in a statement. REUTERS stock costs for some products, the growth there. REUTERS

Cyprus Central Bank takes control of FBME bank

A woman walking past the FBME bank in Nicosia. The Cyprus Central Bank had taken control of the local operation of FBME bank after Washington accused it of being a prime money laundering facility. MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

US jury awards No fix yet for some Cadillacs: GM $23bn punitive damages against Switch issues force car recalls RJ Reynolds DETROIT: General Motors Co worldwide with switch-related has ordered Cadillac dealers to issues and has linked at least 16 ORLANDO: A Florida jury has stop selling some versions of the deaths to those issues. awarded the widow of a chain CTS model-range because the Cadillac changed to a push- smoker who died of lung cancer automaker does not have a fix button starter switch on the punitive damages of more than yet for cars recalled in late June redesigned 2014 CTS, which does $23bn in her lawsuit against the over an issue where engines can not share the problem with older R J Reynolds Tobacco Company, be shut off if the driver’s knee models. Some versions of the older the nation’s second-biggest ciga- bumps the ignition key, the CTS, including the wagon, were rette maker. company said. carried over for model year 2014 The judgment, returned on Details of incidents leading and were included in the recall. Friday night, was the largest in up to the June 30 recall, includ- GM in documents provided to Florida history in a wrongful death ing three occasions where GM NHTSA, said the main problem lawsuit filed by a single plain- employees bumped the keys and with the SRX and the earlier tiff, according to Ryan Julison, shut off the engines in 2012 CTSs, versions of the CTS involved the a spokesman for the woman’s were made public on Saturday by potential for heavy key rings or a lawyer, Chris Chestnut. Cynthia the US National Highway Traffic “jarring event” such as a pothole Robinson of Florida Panhandle Safety Administration, which to turn the ignition key out of the city of Pensacola sued the cigarette oversees safety recalls. run position. maker in 2008 over the death of The so-called stop sale order If that happens, the engine can her husband, Michael Johnson. to Cadillac dealers on the 2003- shut off, causing loss of power Johnson, a hotel shuttle bus driver 2014 CTS and 2004-2006 SRX was steering and failure of air bags to who died of lung cancer in 1996 at issued on July 2 and updated July deploy in a crash, NHTSA said. age 36, smoked one to three packs 8, according to GM documents GM intends to remedy that a day for more 20 years, starting at posted by NHTSA. The recall issue by giving owners a new key age 13, Chestnut said. “He couldn’t involved about 554,000 Cadillacs with a small hole instead of a slot, quit. He was smoking the day he in the United States. which GM says makes it more dif- died,” the lawyer said. The order “is still in effect ficult to pull or jar the key out of After a four-week trial and 11 for the foreseeable future,” GM position. GM has a different prob- General Motors World Headquarters in downtown Detroit. hours of jury deliberations, the spokesman Alan Adler said. GM lem with second-generation CTSs jury returned a verdict granting engineers are “looking at one from model years 2008-2014, being switched off because of a position and turn off the engine. rings, including the key fob, leav- the widow $7.3m and the couple’s common solution” for all the which use a different ignition knee bump. The solution was to replace the ing only the ignition key. It also son $9.6m in compensatory dam- recalled Cadillacs, “but they don’t switch than earlier models. Even GM in late June recalled 2010- switchblade-type key and fob with warned drivers to adjust seats and ages. The same jury deliberated have it yet,” Adler said. after GM shifted to keys with the 2014 Chevrolet Camaros for a a single, lighter key. steering columns “to allow clear- for another seven hours before GM so far this year has recalled small hole in late 2010, the cars similar problem, where knee GM urged owners of the recalled ance between their knee and the deciding to award Robinson the about 14.7 million vehicles still displayed a susceptibility to bumps could switch the key out of cars to remove all items from key ignition key.” REUTERS additional sum of $23.6bn in punitive damages, according to the verdict forms. Lawyers for the tobacco company, a unit of Reynolds American Inc whose brands include Camel cigarettes, could not immediately be reached Germany warns ECB Google best placed for growth for comment. But J Jeffery Raborn, vice presi- dent and assistant general counsel for R J Reynolds, said in a state- on asset bubbles after transition to mobile ment quoted by the New York Times that the company planned BERLIN: German Finance Schaeuble backed the European to challenge “this runaway ver- Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble banking union as a big step in NEW YORK: Google Inc is the Brokerage Jefferies maintained software, and YouTube, the most dict.” Such industry appeals are warned the European Central the right direction and said he best placed of any company to its “buy” rating and $700 price popular video-streaming service. often successful. Chestnut coun- Bank yesterday that a loose did not foresee major problems benefit from the shift to mobile, target on the stock. Other online companies such as tered, “This wasn’t a runaway jury, monetary policy runs the risk in the “stress tests” of the bloc’s increased local advertising and Of the 46 analysts covering Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc are it was a courageous one.” of causing asset bubbles. banking sector. wearables, analysts said after Google, 36 have a “buy” or a also revamping their advertising Robinson’s lawsuit originally “We can’t just leave the The EU’s banking union, which the search giant posted its 18th higher rating on the stock and 10 businesses to take advantage of was part of a large class-action liti- avoidance of bubbles to govern- is expected to become operational straight quarter of 20 percent- have a “hold”. There are no “sell” the shift to mobile devices. gation known as the “Engle case,” ment supervision,” he told the in November, will give the ECB plus revenue growth. ratings, according to StarMine But Google has established unu- filed in 1994 against tobacco com- Handelsblatt business daily. the power to supervise eurozone At least eight brokerages raised data. Google earns most of its sually deep competitive “moats” panies. A jury in that case returned “Central banks also need to keep banks and prevent bank failures. their price targets on the stock revenue from advertising. around its business through scale, a verdict in 2000 in favour of the an eye on that in their decisions “The examination of assets and on Friday by as much as $75, to a The number of “paid clicks” aggressive product innovation plaintiffs awarding $145bn in puni- about the money supply.” the stress test are not yet com- high of $745. by consumers on ads serviced and substantial investment, RBC tive damages, which at the time Schaeuble, speaking in a joint pleted. But the banks have raised Google shares were up 2 per- by Google increased 25 per- Capital Markets analysts wrote in was the largest such judgment interview with his French coun- a lot of extra capital,” he said, cent at $593.37 in early trading cent year-on-year in the quar- a research note. in US history. That award, how- terpart Michel Sapin, said that adding that now “the risk of con- on the Nasdaq. ter. However, the average price Google’s capital investment ever, was tossed out in 2006 by “in parts of the property mar- tagion is much smaller”. The company, which is also of the ads declined 6 percent as budget has topped $17bn over the Florida Supreme Court, which ket there are signs that bubbles Sapin, meanwhile, stressed set to benefit from the so-called ad rates on mobile phones are the past five years, and the com- decertified the class, agreeing with are forming”, reiterating earlier that Paris is committed to the “Internet of things”, said last typically cheaper than tradi- pany has spent about $13bn on a lower court that the group was warnings. strict deficit rules laid out in the week that second-quarter rev- tional online ads because of their research, according to analysts. too disparate and each smoker But he rejected a French pro- European Stability Pact. enue rose 22 percent to $15.96bn, smaller screens. “Google is suc- The company is also spend- smoked for different reasons. But posal for a targeted depreciation “The rules exist, the treaties beating the average analyst esti- cessfully transitioning its business ing big to push into new markets the court said the plaintiffs could of the euro in pre-release extracts exist. Nobody is challenging them, mate of $15.61bn. from PC to mobile, and is argu- with innovations such as wear- file lawsuits individually. Robinson of the interview, which is due to and I would not recommend it to Growth was driven by the ably in a more favorable position able computers, ultra high-speed was one of them. The Florida high be published in full today. anyone, especially not in France,” company’s core search business, in mobile than it was in PC, which internet access and home auto- court also let stand the jury’s find- “I do not believe in political he said. “I want to stick to the YouTube and product-listing ads, should eventually be reflected in a mation — the “internet of things.” ings that cigarettes are defective, discussions about the exchange European rules and, together with which combined to drive three higher multiple,” Deutsche Bank Up to Thursday’s close, the dangerous and cause disease, and rate, which is set by the market,” partners, find the right timing to times as much mobile traffic for analyst Ross Sandler wrote in a stock had risen 26 percent in that Big Tobacco was negligent, he said, adding that government lower our spending and deficits merchants compared with last client note. the past year. The stock hit an meaning those issues did not have intervention had “never led to a and at the same time support year, Jefferies analysts wrote in Google also owns Android, adjusted life high of $615.03 in to be re-litigated in future lawsuits. good result”. growth.” AFP a note. the world’s most-used mobile February. REUTERS REUTERS

Truck firm Volvo expects $64.35m San Francisco looks to alter chain store rules SAN FRANCISCO: City lead- On Thursday, the city’s charge on court ers in San Francisco are look- Planning Commission voted five ing to modify limits on chain to two to approve a proposal that stores and eateries put in place would modify the definition of ruling in Q3 by a 2006 vote of residents, as a chain store from 11 locations officials express concern some nationwide to 19 international STOCKHOLM: AB Volvo small businesses the measure locations, officials said. said at the weekend it was meant to protect are being This would allow small busi- expected a 440m Swedish unduly squeezed. nesses to establish more loca- crown ($64.35m) hit to operat- The proposed change could help tions before being designated ing income in the third quar- smaller businesses, such as San as a chain store and subject to ter after a US court upheld Francisco Bay area-based Blue heightened restrictions when a fine over emissions rules Bottle and Philz Coffee, expand they look to open a new outlet compliance. on a small scale without being in San Francisco, according to a Volvo said the US Court of categorized under local rules as Planning Department memo. Appeals for the District of equivalent to a company such as “We don’t want to ignore the Columbia Circuit ruled it must Starbucks with its over 23,000 benefits chain stores can provide pay penalties and interest of stores, city officials said. in terms of jobs, but we recognize approximately 508m crowns San Francisco’s chain store they can have a homogenizing related to the emissions compli- regulation is one of a number of effect on neighbourhoods,” said ance of some Volvo Penta diesel measures designed to prevent Kanishka Burns, formula retail engines. runaway growth in the over- project manager for the Planning “Volvo will now review the whelmingly liberal city of nearly Department. ruling in detail, and consider 840,000 residents. Chain stores “San Francisco is known for whether to appeal or not,” the have been unpopular with many its unique neighborhoods and company said in a statement. of the city’s residents in recent we want to make sure that’s Volvo said it had previously years. retained,” she said. made a provision of around 68m Under Proposition G, which Meanwhile, a competing meas- crowns related to the dispute was approved by voters in 2006, ure also advanced on Thursday and had booked approximately businesses with more than that would step up limits on chain 422m as a contingent liability. 11 US locations that are looking stores. Last week, Sweden’s Volvo to open at a site in San Francisco The proposal from San posted core earnings well below must submit to a time-intensive Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar expectations for the second permitting process, including was approved by the Planning A woman shops for bargains at a Shoe Pavilion store that is going out of business in the Financial District in San quarter, hurt by slow demand for a public comment period, to Commission on a four to three Francisco, California. European trucks and a weak- determine how valuable the vote. ening market for construction business would be to a Mar’s proposal seeks to main- but to include international loca- regulations will go before the city’s vote, most likely in September. equipment in China. REUTERS neighbourhood. tain the current 11-store threshold tions in that count. Both sets of Board of Supervisors for another REUTERS MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

‘Europe’s got talent’, or Will US economy’s fate be set how not to fill top EU jobs BY PAUL TAYLOR by next two weeks’ earnings?

f “Europe’s Got Talent” were a television show, it would have been taken off the screen years ago as a slow-motion contest rigged to BY CAROLINE VALETKEVITCH July 1 forecast of 6.2 percent, while revenue heading into the second half, with growth Ireward mediocrity. growth, now 3.2 percent, is on track to be forecasts for the second quarter now top- Few things make the European Union look less attractive to its long hoped for improvement in the highest since the third quarter. ping a 3 percent annual pace. June’s payrolls citizens and the wider world than the secretive process of filling the the economy appears to be mani- Still, it’s easy to overestimate the excite- report showed a surge in job growth and top power positions in the 28-nation bloc every five years. festing itself in second-quarter ment. Many of the early reporting is by the jobless rate closing in on a six-year low. The winners are chosen in late-night horse-trading not so much for A US earnings, but the next two financial companies, not always the best One promising sign for the second quar- their experience, management skill or expertise but because no one weeks could be the real test. barometer of Main Street activity. ter: typically pessimistic analysts’ forecasts, feels strongly enough to veto them, they tick the right boxes and the Companies such as General Electric Co The next two weeks, however, will see 60 which most S&P 500 companies still tend judges are promised favours in return for voting for them. and Intel Corp have reported solid results. percent of the S&P 500 release their results. to beat, declined just 2.2 percentage points The EU’s 28 heads of state and government, some of whom may be In addition, GE believes now is a ripe That is key for investors looking for confir- between April 1 and July 1. candidates themselves, constitute the selection panel. moment to spin off its private label credit mation the anticipated economic rebound That is the smallest overall decline since Their failure to reach a package deal last week on a new EU foreign card division in the hopes growing con- from the first quarter is more than just the first quarter of 2011, Thomson Reuters policy chief, a president of the European Council to chair their sum- sumer demand will make it more attractive. weather related. data showed, and about half the average mits and a permanent chairman of euro zone finance ministers looked Intel declared that personal computer sales Among the companies set to release decline seen in the last five years. messy but is no disaster. have stabilised, while it forecast third-quar- figures are Apple Inc, McDonald’s Corp, Mike Jackson, founder of investment firm They will try again in late August and may have some better quali- ter revenue above Wall Street’s expectations. Coca-Cola Co and Caterpillar Inc. So far T3 Equity Labs in Denver, said his research fied candidates. Profit growth for the second quarter is in July, six of 10 S&P sectors — particularly shows eight out of the 10 S&P sectors — all But the first round highlighted some of the features of a system now estimated at 6.7 percent — excluding healthcare, consumer staples and energy — but staples and utilities — should post sur- that gives more weight to criteria such as party affiliation, gender bal- results from Citigroup Inc (C.N), which was have shown upward revisions from June, prises this quarter. ance, sharing between small and big countries, and a fair distribution hit by a big adjustment from a mortgage according to Citigroup. “It probably suggests the earnings of spoils among north, south, east and west, than to ideas or ability. settlement — better than where they stood “The second quarter is going to be much increases are occurring across a broader European Council President Herman Van Rompuy observed with at the end of June. stronger than the first for the reasons we sector of the economy than what was previ- frustration after trying to craft a deal that it is hard to balance all In addition, 68 percent of S&P 500 com- all know, the weather. Investors are try- ously believed,” he said. those factors when there are only two or three posts in play and 28 panies so far are beating analysts’ profit ing to decipher whether this improvement GE’s quarterly report on Friday showed nations required for a consensus. expectations, above the 63 percent long- is a weather-related bounce or if there’s the profit margin for its industrial busi- The summit ended in deadlock because Poland and Baltic states term average, according to Thomson actually internal growth happening,” said nesses, a closely watched barometer by Wall wanted one of the top jobs for a candidate from the ex-communist Reuters data. A similarly high percentage Bucky Hellwig, senior vice president at Street, expanded 0.2 percentage point to states that have been members for a decade now. of companies are beating revenue forecasts. BB&T Wealth Management in Birmingham, 15.5 percent. Federica Mogherini, 41, Italy’s foreign minister for just four months, “Analysts may be underestimating the Alabama. To be sure, not all reports are positive. appeared to be coasting towards the foreign policy job with strong level of prospective improvement in the sec- The US economy contracted at a 2.9 Container Store Group Inc and Lumber backing from Socialist Prime Minister Matteo Renzi until the east- ond quarter,” wrote Carmine Grigoli, chief percent annual pace in the January-March Liquidators Holdings Inc both warned about erners raised objections, saying she lacked experience and was too soft investment strategist at Mizuho Securities period, its worst performance in five years. upcoming results, suggesting that retail on Russia in the Ukraine crisis. in New York. Recent jobs and other economic data weakness remains. Her key selling points, apart from youth, are that she is a woman The latest profit estimate is up from a suggest the economy was growing briskly REUTERS from the centre-left, balancing out European Commission President- elect Jean-Claude Juncker, a centre-right male. Outspoken Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said she would not vote for a “pro-Kremlin” candidate. So frustrated was Renzi at failing to convert his recent European election victory into a top job for Italy that he suggested Van Rompuy should send leaders a text message in future if no deal was possible to spare them the air fare. Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, 47, started as favourite to succeed Van Rompuy but France was uneasy that her country is not a member of the 18-nation euro zone, and the job involves chairing summits of the currency union. In such opaque races, early front-runners often fall by the wayside and surprise contenders surface late in the game, leaving no time for cool-headed assessment of their suitability. No self-respecting company, civil service or charity would set about selecting a chairman, chief executive or finance director the way the EU does it. There are few declared candidates and no job interviews or oppor- tunities to set out a programme. Contenders often have to deny any interest in the job they seek for fear of political humiliation back home if they are rejected. Euroskeptic politicians cite backroom personnel deals as evidence of Europe’s “democratic deficit” and the lack of connection between voters and EU institutions. Yet possible alternatives such as directly electing the EU’s main office-holders, or having member states pick a president with a free hand to compose a team of top talents, are unacceptable to the 28 national governments. It’s hard to imagine Germany or France allowing the Commission president to pick, say, a distinguished economist critical of the govern- ment or a trade expert from an opposition party, however brilliant. Given the sub-optimal appointment process, it’s a wonder any of the EU’s top executives have turned out to be great leaders. Yet Jacques Delors, who was second choice in 1984 after leaders rejected another Frenchman seen as too federalist, was the most effective EU chief since the creation of the union, building the single market and laying the foundations for the euro single currency in his decade at the helm. After Delors, some governments quietly swore never again to pick such a strong figure. His successors were selected partly for their willingness to defer to the big member states. Van Rompuy himself was a late entrant into the race after former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s bid to become the first European Council president had burned out. Van Rompuy mostly stayed home, patiently forging compromises that held the euro zone together in the debt crisis. Perhaps the selection system has some advantages after all. Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate REUTERS Dive in minority lending pressures Fannie-Freddie BY CLEA BENSON five percent of conventional mort- it’s an issue we can and should Reinvestment Coalition. Now, she and Freddie,” Carr said. “They backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie gage borrowers in 2001, before the address,” said Julia Gordon, direc- said, some are being guided into have the staff and the platforms Mac were denied in 2012, com- inorities have been disap- housing bubble, according to data tor of housing finance and policy at FHA loans even when they could that allow them to be much more pared with 14 percent of whites, pearing from the ranks of collected by federal regulators. By the Center for American Progress qualify for less-expensive conven- entrepreneurial.” Fed data shows. Mhome buyers who seek and 2012, they were only two percent. in Washington, which has ties to tional mortgages. A first step, Carr and Wilson Housing advocates say there are receive conventional loans backed Over the same period, Hispanics the Democratic Party. “Prime African Americans said, is for Fannie Mae and many minority borrowers with by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a dropped from almost eight percent Homeowner advocates cite many should be getting Fannie and Freddie Mac to re-examine how steady incomes and responsible trend that poses risks for them and of such borrowers to 4.5 percent, reasons for the decline: a lack of Freddie loans just like prime white they determine creditworthiness. financial histories who aren’t get- for the US economy. With minori- even as their share of the popula- information about the process; borrowers,” she said. “Instead, The two companies buy mortgages ting mortgages because their FICO ties growing as a share of the popu- tion grew to 17 percent. lower average incomes and credit prime African Americans are from banks and package them into scores are in the 600s or they don’t lation, their home buying patterns The disparities are set to grow. scores; a history of lending dis- being served by FHA and more securities, on which they charge have large down payments. will have an increasing impact on By 2025, minorities could make crimination that destroyed prop- credit-constrained minorities fees to guarantee payments of “We’re talking about prime housing sales. The decline of black up almost half of the population erty values in racially segregated aren’t being allowed to buy at all.” principal and interest. They now credit individuals who are being and Hispanic buyers could also sap between the ages of 24 and 34, neighbourhoods; and less access to Fannie Mae and Freddie purchase about two-thirds of all locked out, not because they can’t demand in the broader economy, when most first-time buyers enter inherited wealth. Mac have more resources than new loans, so their underwriting handle a loan responsibly,” said since homeownership has been one the market, according to a June Blacks and Hispanics who do the FHA, an arm of the US rules have a broad impact on the Wilson. “They can.” of the best ways for Americans to report by Harvard University’s get mortgages these days tend to Department of Housing and Urban market. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac build wealth. Joint Center on Housing Studies. obtain them through the Federal Development, and could use them Though the two companies should decrease their reliance on “We have to ask ourselves how In response, the National Housing Administration, the gov- to develop programmes benefiting allow down payments as low as FICO, advocates say, which penal- healthy will the economy be and Community Reinvestment ernment mortgage insurer with a low-wealth borrowers, Carr said. five percent and credit scores ises borrowers who don’t have how competitive will we be as Commission and other advocacy mission of serving first-time and The companies, which have begun as low as 620 on a scale of 850, recent credit histories, who use a nation if the fastest-growing groups are urging the two govern- lower-income borrowers. The FHA posting record profits as the hous- banks are exercising caution after small lending institutions such as part of our population doesn’t ment-owned mortgage-finance has been raising its fees, making its ing market turns around, could absorbing hundreds of billions of credit unions, or who have previ- have access to wealth-building companies to change their under- mortgages more costly than con- create lease-purchase mortgages dollars in loan defaults during the ously relied on the payday and sub- tools,” said James Carr, a former writing and pricing practices and ventional loans. or shared-appreciation loans, in housing-market meltdown. The prime lenders that predominate in Fannie Mae executive who is create new loan products to help Bias also remains an obstacle. which the lender claims part of average credit score from the Fair minority neighbourhoods. now a scholar at the Opportunity bring blacks, Hispanics and other During the housing bubble, even any gain in the home’s value. They Issac Credit Organisation (FICO) Advocacy groups are also urging Agenda, a New York-based organi- minorities back into the housing creditworthy minorities were could also make housing counsel- on loans purchased by Fannie Mae FHFA, which oversees the compa- sation that works on racial equity market. disproportionately steered into ling more available to borrowers and Freddie Mac is now about 740. nies, to change their pricing poli- issues. “There is no doubt in anybody’s subprime loans by unscrupulous with weaker credit, he said, to That’s pushing out a lot of black cies and set new affordable housing The numbers are stark: Blacks mind that there has been a signifi- lenders, said Mitria Wilson, direc- help improve loan performance. and Hispanic borrowers. At least goals requiring them to buy loans are about 13 percent of the US cant drop-off in conventional lend- tor of legislative and policy advo- “Where the innovation really 40 percent of black applicants in disadvantaged communities. population, but represented about ing to people of colour, and that cacy at the National Community needs to be happening is Fannie seeking loans for home purchases WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 13,155.58 0.97 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 19,621.43 0.97 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,426.01 1.08 % RATE QE Total Return Index 19,621.43 0.97 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Index 3,315.46 1.01 % GOLD QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,155.36 1.10 % Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5509.94 5.466 0.1 5533.3 5072.7 QE All Share Industrials 4,373.19 0.70 % QR152.8658 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,317.47 0.83 % Cac 40 Index/D 4341.92 -27.14 -0.62 4598.65 4080.6 UK ...... QR 6.1938 QR 6.2801 QE All Share Real Estate 2,927.05 0.64 % SILVER QE All Share Insurance 3,723.24 1.32 % Dj Indu Average 17138.2 77.52 0.45 17139.3 14719.43 QR 2.4447 Euro ...... QR 4.9315 QR 5.0000 QE All Share Telecoms 1,650.08 2.55 % CA$ ...... QR 3.3519 QR 3.4175 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,013.78 1.78 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0303 QR 4.0882 QE Market Summary Comparison Hang Seng Inde/D 23520.87 -2.41 -0.01 23626.14 21137.61 Yen ...... QR 0.0356 QR 0.0363 Today Previous day Aus$ ...... QR 3.3826 QR 3.4500 Iseq Overall/D 4756.76 -7.95 -0.17 5195.97 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 20-07-2014 17-07-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0600 QR 0.0612 Index 13,155.58 13,284.65 Karachi 100 In/D 30177.11 400.94 1.35 29938.93 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0365 QR 0.0373 Change 129.07 111.31 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0829 QR 0.0846 Nikkei 225 Index 15370.26 -9.04 -0.06 16164.01 13885.11 % 0.97 0.84 SL Re ...... QR 0.0277 QR 0.0283 YTD% 26.74 27.99 $ 107.49 S&P 500 Index/D 1981.57 8.29 0.42 1985.59 1627.47 Taka ...... QR 0.0465 QR 0.0475 Volume 18,886,237 22,641,942 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0377 QR 0.0385 Value (QAR) 720,098,218.39 946,167,345.23 Straits Times/D 3306.89 2.46 0.07 3311.44 2953.01 Trades 7,830 9,737 $ 105.03 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3374 QR 0.3437 Up 07 | Down 34 | Unchanged 01 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 20-07-2014

Geopolitical upheavals weigh on markets HE US Dollar ral- not all of the necessary financial inflation acceler- likely helped forecasts as the survey stood at and factory orders slid more than lied against the world’s reform initiatives have been com- ates more than the US economy only 16.0. It is the strongest read- economists’ forecasted, in a sign major currencies last pleted”. Janet Yellens’ comments economists’ fore- rebound in the ing since March 2011. that growth slowed in the three Tweek, as the Federal suggests that the US economy still casted to its fast- second quar- Number of Americans filing for months through June. While the Reserve recognized improvement has a ways to go before reaching est pace since ter. Sales hiked unemployment benefits unexpect- Bundesbank predicts a stronger in the US labor market combined full capacity and therefore war- January, fueling Weekly Money Market Review less than the edly dropped last week, showing expansion in the current quarter, with escalated geopolitical turmoil rants the Federal Reserve to speculation that expected 0.6%, further improvement in the labor political tensions in the Middle in Europe and the Middle East. maintain interest rates low for the Bank of England could raise which is also lower than the pre- market. The number of people East and Ukraine pose down- The greenback gained against a a “considerable period” after the interest rates sooner than previ- vious month figure of 0.5% that continuing to receive jobless ben- side risks to the global economy basket of currencies, as Russia Fed winds down its asset purchase ously expected. The GBP touched a came out more than previously efits fell to a 7-year low, showing Germany relies on as an export. and Ukraine pointed fingers program, projected to conclude high of 1.7192. Cable eased against expected. US consumers are more that the world’s largest economy The United Kingdoms’ unem- to each other for the shooting following the October meeting. the greenback, after Yellen’s testi- comfortable in spending more for is increasing the pace of growth. ployment rate unexpectedly down of the Malaysian Airline. The Euro started the week at mony to touch a low of 1.7037 and wanted goods, as a strengthening Jobless claims declined by 3,000 to dropped to a 5 ½ year low, and Moreover, Fed Chairman, Janet 1.3602, gaining only slightly, only ended the week at 1.7088. labor market lifts earnings. The 302,000, against a forecasted rise the number of people in work rose Yellen, surprised the committee to drop significantly after Federal The Japanese Yen range higher wages gave the American to 310,000. The slowdown in dis- to a new record as the economic and the market with an unusual Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen, traded last week between 101.09 household the finances needed to missals signals that the labor mar- recovery strengthened. The job- comment, as she cautioned that testified in front of the Senate and 101.79. The JPY weakened endure the latest increases in food ket is gaining momentum 5-years less rate dropped to 6.5% in the some sectors within the US equity Banking Committee. The single since the beginning of the week and gasoline prices that affected since the end of the last recession. three months through May, from market, in particular social media currency continued to fall gradu- to touch a high of 101.79, as the the buying power in recent German economic expectations 6.6%. Moreover, the jobless claims and biotechnology, have excessive ally during the week to touch a greenback gained momentum months. fell in July for a seventh month, fell 36,300 in June from May, more valuations. That is the first time low of 1.3491, propelled by fears against a basket of major curren- The Federal Reserve Bank of as slower growth and geopoliti- than economists’ 27.1 forecast. The in 14-years that the Fed has com- in the Europe over tensions in the cies. The currency reversed its Philadelphia’s Manufacturing cal risks weighed on the outlook Bank of England Governor, Mark mented specifically on valuation of Ukraine following the crash of a trend on Wednesday, as investors index surged in June, suggest- for Europe’s largest economy. Carney put the labor market at a particular equity sector. commercial plane. The single cur- become more risk averse seeking ing a continued growth following The ZEW economic expectations the center of policy making earlier Yellen stated that, while rency ended the week at 1.3524. the safety of the Japanese Yen. weather-related slowdown since index fell to the lowest level since this year. In the three months to “progress has been made in The Sterling Pound endured a The Yen gained against the USD the beginning of the year. The December 2012, sliding more than May, employment rose by 254,000 restoring the economy to health volatile performance against the to touch a high of 101.09. The Philly Fed Index surged to 23.9 the forecasted 28.2, to 27.1, from to 30.6 million, the highest level and in strengthening the financial US Dollar. The Pound opened at Japanese Yen ended the week at this month, after it rebounded 29.8 the previous month. The since records began in 1971. system” she added that, “yet too 1.7117, fell to 1.7060, ahead of the 101.34. in March from a drop below the gauge reached a 7-year high of From a year earlier, employment many Americans remain unem- inflation data. The Pound then Retail sales in the US jumped 0.0 mark for the first time in 62.0 in December, and kept drop- rose 929,000, or 3.1%, the biggest ployed, inflation remains below erased its losses and more, reach- in March, indicating a gain in 8-months in February. The fig- ping since then. Industrial produc- annual increase ever. our longer-run objective, and ing a 5-year high, as the country’s consumer spending that most ure exceeded most economists’ tion fell for a third month in May THE PENINSULA MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Australia wary of home Bolt, Farah in quest to nations at CW Games

SYDNEY: Australia have and expect at a Commonwealth topped the medals count at the Games,” he said. last six Commonwealth Games Once again the Australia team, and are expected to do so again numbering around 417 -- the larg- strike Glasgow gold in Glasgow although with a est ever for an offshore Games reduced number of medals, -- will be looking to their swim- according to team officials. mers for a kick-start to the multi- Wiggins set for action in Games after Tour de France’s loss Australia came away with 178 sports competition with a target medals, 74 of them gold, at the of between 53 and 55 medals in last Games in Delhi in 2010, but the pool. GLASGOW: Olympic cham- website. Double Olympic cham- team officials are expecting a The Australians have sent pions Usain Bolt, Mo Farah pion Farah is confident of being smaller total because of fewer a powerful team of swimmers, and Bradley Wiggins headline fit to run both the 5,000m and medal events than four years ago. including reigning world cham- a host of star names hoping to 10,000m despite pulling out of The federal government-backed pions Cate Campbell, Christian bury injury problems and selec- the Diamond League event in Australian Sports Commission is Sprenger and James Magnussen. tion snubs to strike gold at the Glasgow due to abdominal pains. targetting a total of 152 medals Magnussen is returning to the Commonwealth Games. Kenya’s David Rudisha is the in Glasgow through its Winning United Kingdom where he bombed The biggest ever multi-sport heavy favourite to claim 800m Edge strategy programme. out at the London Olympics when event to take place in Scotland gold after running the fastest Australian Commonwealth the much-fancied Aussie 4x100m will see 4,500 athletes from 71 time in the world this year on Games Association president relay squad missed out on a medal nations take part across 18 sports. his return from injury to win Sam Coffa said it will be difficult and he then was touched out on A total of 261 medal events will the Diamond League meeting at for Australia to surpass or match individual 100m freestyle gold by take place across the 11 days of Hampden. their Delhi total in Scotland. a mere one-hundredth of a second competition, including the highest With two-time Olympic cham- “There are 11 fewer medal to America’s Nathan Adrian. ever number of para-sport events pion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce events in Glasgow than there The Australian swim team now with 22 gold medals up for grabs also only competing in the 4x100m were in Delhi, 261 as against 272. has as their head coach Dutchman across five sports. relay, Trinidad and Tobago’s More athletes will compete for Jacco Verhaeren, who mentored The 20th edition of the Games Michelle-Lee Ahye is the strong fewer medals,” Coffa said. world record breaking Dutch leg- will officially be opened by Queen favourite for the women’s 100m as “We also expect increased end Pieter van den Hoogenband. Elizabeth II on Wednesday with a she is yet to be beaten this year. strong opposition from the teams Magnussen is convinced he can ceremony at Celtic Park. The absence of Jessica Ennis Britain’s Mo Farah in front of Tower Bridge during a photocall ahead of the from the home nations (England, lower his 100m personal best time Attention will then turn to due to the recent birth of her London Marathon in April, in this file photo. The double Olympic champion Scotland, Wales, and Northern of 47.10secs and break Brazilian the action itself with Bolt look- first child will give fellow English is confident to shine at the Commonwealth Games. Ireland), all of which received Cesar Cielo’s 100m record of 46.91 ing to add Commonwealth gold to heptathlete Katarina Johnson- significant amounts of prepara- seconds. his six Olympic and eight World Thompson a great chance to for England. Anna Meares will Olympic silver medallist Michael tion funding for both the London Campbell is the reigning wom- Championship gold medals. claim her first medal at senior be hoping to defend the three Jamieson as the Glasgow born 2012 Olympic Games the Glasgow en’s 100m sprint champion, while However, the 27-year-old will international competition. Commonwealth golds she won 25-year-old goes for gold in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Sprenger won the 100m breast- only be running as part of the Switching from the athletics four years ago in New Delhi 200m breaststroke. “India can also be expected to stroke at last year’s Barcelona Jamaican 4x100m relay team track to the cycling track, the and can surpass Kathy Watt “It’ll be a world-class field in have a carry-over benefit from the world championships. as he missed the Jamaican Tour de France’s loss with be the as Australia’s most decorated my race and I need to be in the home Games in Delhi, while the Australia’s track and field team championships which served as Commonwealth Games’ gain as Commonwealth Games cyclist of best shape of my life to give myself African and Caribbean nations will be spearheaded by Olympic the selection meeting for the Wiggins will represent England all time by claiming at least two the best opportunity,” he told the are competing strongly over a 100m hurdles champion Sally Commonwealth Games due to in the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome more medals in Glasgow. BBC. wider range of events at each suc- Pearson and world championships injury. in the 4,000m team pursuit on Australia are expected to The diving event will take place cessive Games.” javelin medallist Kim Mickle. Bolt said he didn’t want to take Thursday. dominate in the pool with 100m in the Royal Commonwealth Pool Team chef de mission Steve Pearson’s Games build-up has the place of any athlete who had Wiggins is returning to the freestyle world champions James in Edinburgh, which held events Moneghetti has warned his coun- been hampered by a hamstring qualified for an individual event, track for the first time since win- Magnussen and Cate Campbell at the two editions of the Games try’s “arm-chair experts” not to complaint, causing her to pull but would be available for selec- ning Olympic gold six years ago in both taking part. held in the Scottish capital in expect their athletes to be gold out of Diamond League meets tion as part of the relay team. Athens with an eye towards pos- South Africa will also be well 1970 and 1986, with England’s medal-winning machines. in Rome and New York last “I have received lots of requests, sibly building on his six Olympic represented at the Tollcross Park Tom Daley the star attraction. “I’m not panicking, but the month but she relegated reign- invitations and messages of sup- medals in Rio two years from now. Aquatics Centre by Olympic and And there will also be a world Australian public needs to be real- ing American world champion port from my fans in Scotland Fellow Olympic champions world champions Chad le Clos and class field on show in the rugby istic and understand this will be Brianna Rollins to third spot in who are looking forward to a Jason Kenny, Laura Trott and Cameron van der Burgh. sevens event at Ibrox on July 26 a very challenging Games to have the 100m hurdles in Lucerne lead- great event,” he told his official Joanna Rowsell will also line up Local hopes will rest upon and 27. AFP the success they take for granted ing into Glasgow. AFP MLB: Mariners edge out Angels

NEW YORK: The Seattle Oakland’s home winning streak Diamondbacks on July 6, blasted a two-out, three-run dou- Mariners scored twice in the ended at seven games but it still McCarthy (1-0) allowed a run and ble in the ninth inning and the top of the 12th inning and held has the best overall record in the six hits and won his third straight Cleveland Indians completed a on to beat the Los Angeles majors (60-37). decision after winning one of his doubleheader sweep of the Detroit Angels in the second straight The first four St. Louis batters first 16 starts. Tigers. REUTERS marathon game between the in the bottom of the first inning Marcus Stroman pitched seven American League West rivals. reached base and scored, provid- shutout innings and Dan Johnson A night after losing in 16 ing all the offense the Cardinals drove in two runs as the Toronto Baseball Results innings, the Mariners gained needed to beat the Los Angeles Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers. NY Yankees 7 Cincinnati 1 revenge behind star pitcher Felix Dodgers. Stroman (5-2) retired his final Hernandez, who gave up just two Starting pitcher Joe Kelly (2-1) 12 batters after allowing two sin- Toronto 4 Texas 1 hits in seven innings. allowed just four hits and a run gles to start the fourth inning and Cleveland 6 Detroit 2 Garrett Richards, who was 11-2 with a walk and four strikeouts the Blue Jays (50-48) halted their St Louis 4 LA Dodgers 2 with a 2.55 ERA coming in, also in seven innings. In matching three-game losing streak, winning Washington 8 Milwaukee 3 gave up just two hits and retired the longest outing of his 36 major for only their third time in their Pittsburgh 3 Colorado 2 the first 15 batters faced in a stel- league starts, Kelly retired the past 12 games. lar pitching duel that turned into last 13 hitters he faced. Corey Kluber struck out 10 in Cleveland 5 Detroit 2 a stalemate, with the bullpens Los Angeles starter Matt 8-2/3 innings and catcher Yan Boston 2 Kansas City 1 deciding the outcome. Greinke (11-6) did not allow Gomes had three hits and scored Chicago White Sox 4 Houston 3 Centre fielder Adam Jones hit another run after the first inning, three times as the Cleveland Tampa Bay 5 Minnesota 1 a three-run homer and tied his but took the loss for the first time Indians beat the Detroit Tigers in career high with five RBIs, leading in his last five decisions against the first game of a doubleheader. Philadelphia 2 Atlanta 1 the Baltimore Orioles to victory St. Louis. Kluber (10-6), who gave up only San Francisco 5 Miami 3 over the Oakland A’s. Shortstop Brandon McCarthy pitched six one run through the first eight Arizona 9 Chicago Cubs 3 JJ Hardy and first baseman Chris strong innings in his home debut innings, notched his fifth double- San Diego 6 NY Mets 0 Davis hit solo home runs for the to lead the New York Yankees to digit strikeout performance of the Washington Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth warms up prior to the game Seattle 3 LA Angels 2 Orioles, who took over the major- victory over the Cincinnati Reds. season while winning his third against the Milwaukee Brewers at Nationals Park in Washington, yesterday. league lead for homers with 119. Acquired from the Arizona consecutive start. Carlos Santana Baltimore 8 Oakland 4

NFL: Smith Bryant ‘scared’ about future NHL: Panthers extend sentenced to 11 days in jail post basketball career Kulikov’s contract LOS ANGELES: The Florida of the OHL last season. He led SAN JOSE, United States: NEW YORK: - Los Angeles seasons with the Miami Heat Panthers signed defenceman the IceDogs in goals and finished San Francisco 49ers linebacker Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (pic- and was a member of their 2013 Dmitry Kulikov to a three-year second on the team in scoring. Aldon Smith was sentenced to tured) said he is “scared” about NBA championship team. Last contract extension on Friday. The 18-year-old also had three 11 days in jail and three years’ his future after basketball. season, he averaged 4.5 points, TSN reported that the deal is goals and one assist in seven probation on weapons and drink Bryant, who turns 36 in August, 1.8 rebounds and 16.2 minutes in worth $13m. games and won a bronze medal driving charges. is under contract with the Lakers 60 games. Kulikov, 23, set career highs with Team Canada at the U-18 A US judge also ordered Smith for two more seasons. The Washington Wizards last season with 81 games played world championship. to pay $2,000 in fines, according to He played just six games last announced Saturday that they and eight goals. The Boston Bruins re-signed the San Jose Mercury News. season. After he returned from an acquired power forward Kris The Russian averaged nearly 22 forwards Jordan Caron, Craig The court on Friday reduced Achilles’ tendon tear, he sustained Humphries from the Boston minutes per game while finishing Cunningham and Tyler Randell, three felony counts of possessing a season-ending knee injury. Celtics for a protected 2015 sec- second among the team’s defense- along with defenseman Tommy illegal assault rifles against Smith. He is the subject of a docu- ond round draft pick. men in hits and fourth in blocked Cross, to one-year contracts. Under the terms of his pro- mentary that airs on Showtime Humphries averaged 8.4 points shots. The Bruins also signed defense- bation, the 24-year-old Smith is in November. muses and mentors going for- and 5.9 rebounds in 69 games (30 In 313 NHL games, all with the man Zach Trotman to a two-year barred from drinking alcohol for “Kobe Bryant’s Muse” looks ward, just as I did as a kid. It’s starts) with Boston last season. Panthers, Kulikov has 24 goals contract. In addition, the Bruins three years. into his life last season when the about having that next wave of The Wizards also retained with 75 assists and 201 penalty agreed to terms with forward Smith took a leave of absence Lakers went 27-55 as he recov- things, which is scary as hell, but power forward/center Kevin minutes. Justin Florek on a one-year, two- from the 49ers last year to ered from the injuries. it’s fun at the same time.” The Seraphin, signed a $3.89m quali- The Arizona Coyotes signed way contract. seek help for a substance abuse The absence forced Bryant to Dallas Mavericks signed free fying offer, according to multiple first-round draft choice Brendan Caron, 23, received a one-way problem. think more about his future after agent forward Rashard Lewis on reports. Perlini to a three-year entry-level contract worth $600,000. The He has been one of the NFL’s his playing days are over. Saturday. Seraphin averaged 4.7 points, contract. 25th pick in the 2009 draft, Caron elite pass rushers since being “I’m afraid, too,” he said on The team did not release terms 2.4 rebounds, 0.5 blocks and 10.9 Pelini, who was taken No. had one goal and three points in drafted seventh overall by the Friday. of the deal. minutes per game last season. 12 overall, had 34 goals and 37 35 games and one goal in seven 49ers in 2011. AFP “You really have to lean on Lewis spent the past two AGENCIES assists in 58 games with Niagara Stanley Cup playoff games. AFP MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Ukrainian Kristoff wins 15th stage Grivko rides for peace back home as Bauer misses chance TALLARD, France: Andriy Grivko, the only Ukrainian rider on this year’s Tour de France, Italy’s Nibali continues to head the race with a lead of 4min 37sec and he says his presence is essential to convey a message of peace back to his homeland. NIMES, France: New duo might hold on as the chase Grivko, speaking after the Zealander Jack Bauer came Tour de France was disorganised. shooting down of Malaysia within 100 metres of winning “There were a lot of rounda- Airlines flight MH17 over the yesterday’s 15th stage of the Standings bouts at the end which made rebel-controlled east of Ukraine, Tour de France after a 222km it very difficult to get the team insisted that fault for that “ter- breakaway before Alexander Overall standings after the 15th together to make a good chase,” rorist act” lies squarely with the Kristoff chased him down. stage of the Tour de France, a said Kristoff. Russian government, led by presi- The Norwegian won his second 222km ride from Tallard to The Norwegian admitted he dent Vladimir Putin. Katusha stage of this Tour following the Nimes yesterday: was also surprised to win because Ukraine has been embroiled in procycling team’s run from Tallard to Nimes, the 1. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/AST) 66h49min 37sec he didn’t think he would be able to a bitter civil war since Russian- third longest stage of 2014. 2. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) at 4:37. beat Germans Marcel Kittel and rider Alexander backed separatists gained control Kristoff of Norway Bauer and escape companion 3. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 4:50. Andre Greipel in a sprint finish. of the Crimea in late February. Martin Elmiger had attacked Giant’s Kittel, who had won celebrates as he The 30-year-old, a native of 4. Thibaut Pinot (FRA/FDJ) 5:06. from the off and held a lead of three of the first four stages, fin- crosses the finish the Crimea, rides for the Kazakh almost nine minutes after 26km 5. Tejay Van Garderen (USA/BMC) 5:49. ished 11th while Greipel, the sixth line to win the 15th Astana team of race leader but were gradually reeled in. 6. Jean Christophe Peraud (FRA/ALM) 6:08. stage winner, came home fourth. stage of the 101st Vincenzo Nibali and he hopes his Coming into the last kilome- 7. Bauke Mollema (NED/BKN) 8:33. “I was hoping to win the stage Tour de France, presence at the front of the pelo- tre they still had around 12sec 8. Leopold König (CZE/APP) 9:32. but I didn’t expect to beat Greipel over 222 km from ton marshalling the Italian can on the bunch and while Elmiger and Kittel today so I’m really very have a positive effect back in his 9. Laurens ten Dam (NED/BKN) 10:01. Tallard to Nimes, wilted, Bauer fought right to the happy,” said Kristoff, who rides yesterday. homeland. end, only to be overhauled by the 10. Pierre Rolland (FRA/EUC) 10:48. for Russians Katusha. “It’s great “I feel a bit alone to tell the peloton in the last 100 metres. 11. Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL/LTB) 11:02. to take a second stage, I didn’t truth but it’s important that I’m After crossing the line 10th, he 12. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP/TRE) 11:10. expect so much from this Tour,” here on the Tour to carry a mes- broke down in tears. 13. Rui Costa (POR/LAM) 12:57. he said. sage of peace,” he told Sunday’s “It’s just bitter, bitter disap- “I was hoping for one and now edition of l’Equipe. 14. Frank Schleck (LUX/TRE) 14:37. pointment. It’s a childhood dream I have two so it’s better than “Above and beyond my work for to win a stage of the Tour and 15. Richie Porte (AUS/SKY) 16:19. expectations.” Vincenzo I see my presence on the for a domestique, like myself, I’m Australian Heinrich Haussler Tour as a mission.” normally working for others,” said Thursday’s 12th stage in Saint- took second on the stage with But Grivko cannot help but get the 29-year-old. Etienne, said he thought the pelo- Peter Sagan third. For Slovak and fourth at 4:40 and 5:06 Tejay Van Garderen had taken up down about the events back home. “This was my first chance to be ton had left it too late. Sagan it was his eighth top-four respectively. Chinese rider Ji pace-setting duties on a stretch of His parents and sister still live up the road and with the chance “I was scared of course that finish at this Tour and 10th inside Cheng remains 171st and last at road where crosswinds were a risk. in Simferopol, where he was born, in the wind and the weather, me they would keep ahead but there the top nine, but he still hasn’t more than four hours, as well as Realising the danger, Nibali in the Crimea and he is sad to see and Martin realised we had a were some strong pulls at the end won one. being 24 minutes adrift of the sec- accelerated alongside the long line how they are suffering since the chance for the win. by Giant-Shimano to pull them Race leader Vincenzo Nibali ond last rider. of riders to ride up to the front events of last March. “I faked to be tired but felt I back,” said the 27-year-old. had a relatively calm day in the Nibali may not have been in the and tuck in behind the leading “It’s hard to concentrate on had more punch left. I left it until “At the end I had the best lane saddle, coming home in the bunch action much but he did impress in BMC riders. “There was a lot of cycling when you know your fam- 400 metres to go. I thought I had but I wasn’t sure I’d win until 100 to maintain his 4min 37sec lead one instance on a day of strong wind coming from the side at that ily is still over there,” he said. it but then I realised in the last metres to the finish.” over Spain’s Alejandro Valverde, winds, rain, storms and generally time and I saw BMC all massing “I’ve tried to speak to them 50 metres, that I had nothing.” With a 45-second lead and 8km with young French pair Romain awful weather. at the front,” said the 29-year-old regularly since the start of the Kristoff, who also won left it looked like the breakaway Bardet and Thibaut Pinot third The BMC team of American Italian. AFP Tour.” AFP Langdon secures fifth, AlBalooshi seventh in Denver qualifying race

MORRISON, Colorado: Hamad Al Thani. Shawn Langdon just 3.868 seconds at more than session, the third-year Top Fuel Denver is called the “Mile- is fifth, and Khalid AlBalooshi is 315 mph. driver’s car stayed hooked up all High City” because, located seventh after the first day of qual- Langdon is fifth after two of the way to the finish line. in the foothills of the Rocky ifying for the 35th annual Mopar the four qualifying rounds. His 3.893-second effort at Mountains, it is more than a Mile-High NHRA Nationals, the “We didn’t make a good run in nearly 313 mph placed him sev- mile above sea level. 14th of 24 events that make up the first round,” Langdon said. enth in the order with two quali- That’s great for those who the United States’ 2014 NHRA “We were a little down on fying attempts remaining. enjoy outdoor activities, but it’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series power and smoked the tires. The “It was a good start for the Al hard on racing engines. season. track got a little bit better in the Anabi team,” AlBalooshi said. Despite the thin air at that Langdon’s opening qualifying second round, and we made a “In the first round, we were on elevation, it was a solid opening attempt began well, but the 2013 pretty good run.” a good run when the car had some Reigning World Champion Shawn Langdon makes his day of qualifying for the Qatar World Champ ran into problems AlBalooshi’s day was striking in problems. In the night run, we opening qualifying round in front of a packed grandstand Al Anabi Racing Top Fuel team, later in the run. its similarity to Langdon’s. In the were much better. The car did at the 35th annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals near Denver, the three-time and defending In the evening qualifying ses- first session, he began brilliantly just what we wanted it to do; that Colorado. NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel sion, Langdon once again started before having problems later in is good news for our team. We are World Champions owned by His well, but this time, he finished the run. excited about the rest of the race,” Excellency, Sheikh Khalid bin well reaching the finish line in However, in the evening he added. THE PENINSULA Curtain falls on Aspire’s ‘best’ Ramadan Festival

DOHA: Sports fans across on-hand with basketball, foot- the dozens of female players who Qatar waved goodbye to a fan- ball, table tennis and flag football took part in the festival’s handball tastic fortnight of free com- coaches available to offer expert competition. munity events this week as advice to participants.” Full of praise for the Aspire the Aspire Zone’s third annual Commenting on the overall Zone, Sameera said: Ramadan Sports Festival came success of the festival, Abdulla Al “I feel so lucky to have taken to an end. Khater, Acting Events and Venues part in the Ramadan Sports Billed beforehand as the “most Manager at AZF, said: Festival and I have had such a exciting edition yet”, the 2014 fes- “When our team began to plan fantastic time.” tival lived up to all expectations for this project many months ago Iraqi schoolboy Youssef Salim by encouraging almost 1,000 Doha we were all determined to make was amongst the 64 junior residents, including 246 female Ramadan 2014 the most suc- athletes who took part in the players and 64 junior players to cessful edition of the festival yet. Ramadan Sports Festival as cap- engage in some form of physical What I have seen at many of the tain of volleyball side Team Yolo. activity with its impressive line- events over the past fortnight has Having made plenty of new up of events and competitions. exceeded our expectations and friends during the events, Youssef Aspire Zone Foundation cor- gone further then we ever could said he was disappointed to see porate communications manager have been hoped,” he said. the festival end: Nasser Abdullah Al Hajri said: Highlights from the two-week “Everything about the festival Aspire Zone’s officials and participants pose for a group photo at the conclusion of Ramadan Festival 2014, “The event’s success this year extravaganza included 11 differ- this year was just superb and the dubbed as the ‘most exciting edition yet’. can be explained by a number ent sport competitions including standard of sport itself was very of different factors. Over the football, volleyball, basketball, high. I’ve met lots of new people last five months a dedicated and table tennis for disabled whilst competing and I have been remote-controlled car racing, Mohammed Hassan, a schoolboy Kansas City Chiefs. During the 20-strong team of Aspire Zone tournaments. really impressed by the range of beach soccer, children’s football with hopes of one day represent- competition participants even staff have been working full-time In addition, the ladies hand- activities on offer to people,” said matches and a table tennis tour- ing his country as part of the had the chance to interact with planning the events, doing their ball, flag football, and beach soc- the 16-year-old. nament for disabled athletes that Qatar Paralympic team. Speaking Hussain. best to identify potential sport- cer tournaments were held for the Meanwhile it wasn’t just fans was organised in collaboration after the games, Mohammed said: Another area that staff were ing activities, creating marketing first time in Doha. of more traditional sports that with the Paralympic Committee. “I really enjoyed taking part in able to improve upon in 2014 was strategies and organising overall Open to all amateur teams in benefitted this year. Also, the ladies tournaments this competition and I have made the increased use of digital mar- logistical issues.” Doha, these just-for-fun events With the Aspire Zone were organised with Qatar some really good friends,” he said. keting to promote the festival. “Their experience gained over attracted many hundreds male Federation (AZF) looking to Women Sports Committee. This For the American flag football With all event details put the last two years’ events also and female participants from provide events for all members of year, Ramadan Sports Festival tournament – one of the most online this year via the recently- brought further benefits for across the local community. the community during the Holy was sponsored by the Sports popular activities this year – the launched lifeinaspire.qa website, attendees,” he added. From the local commu- Month of fasting, local sports Corner. games were launched by famous participants were able to locate “This year witnessed an nity, Qatari student Sameera enthusiasts could also take part in One of the participants in NFL player Hussain Abdullah all activity details in one conven- increase in specialist sports staff Abdulla Al-Abdulla was one of a men’s flag football competition, this latter event was 16-year-old who currently plays for the ient location. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Mighty Mcllroy claims Open title Irishman joins Woods, Nicklaus as only golfers to win three of four major events HOYLAKE, United Kingdom: It was a magnificent wire-to- Rory McIlroy joined the elite list wire win from McIlroy, who is of golfers to have won three of just the seventh player in Open Factbox: British the four major titles at Hoylake history to to so, but the day was yesterday, but he had to bat- not without its share of drama. Open Champion tle all the way against Sergio Starting with a whopping six- Garcia and Rickie Fowler before stroke lead, McIlroy confidently Rory McIlroy bagging his first British Open birdied the first, but back-to-back title. bogeys at five and six saw his lead Rory McIlroy Factbox on Northern Ireland’s At 25, McIlroy joined legends halved as Garcia emerged from Rory McIlroy, who won the of Northern Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the chasing pack. British Open Championship at Ireland poses the only players to have achieved But he birdied the 10th to keep Royal Liverpool by two strokes that feat by the time they were his challengers at arm’s length with the trophy yesterday. 25 and he is the first European to and then stood firm down the after winning the have won three majors. back nine against Garcia and a British Open Golf Born May 4, 1989, in Holywood, Northern He also becomes the second late push by Fowler. Championship at Ireland. most successful British golfer of His third major title follows Hoylake, Britain, Early promise the modern era behind the six eight stroke triumphs in the 2011 yesterday. major titles won by Nick Faldo. US Open and the 2012 US PGA % Supplied early evidence of his golfing The Irishman closed with a 71 Championship. skills when he hit a 40-yard drive at the age for a 17-under par total of 271, two Such was the majesty of of two. strokes clear of Garcia who closed McIlroy’s three first rounds of %Represented Europe at the 2004 Junior with a 66 and Fowler with a 67. 66, 66 and 68 at Royal Liverpool Ryder Cup and capped a glittering amateur A further two strokes back that few believed he was in any career by reaching the top of the world rank- came American Jim Furyk with danger of repeating his collapse ings and winning the European championship a final round of 65. at the 2011 Masters when he led in 2006. Australians Adam Scott (66) by four strokes going into the final and Marc Leishman (65) were round only to shoot 80. at the 11th and playing behind victory with 62, trailing only Lee of the 72 players who made the %Turned professional in 2007 and claimed on 12 under. And despite some early move- him, McIlroy grabbed another Westwood who has two more. cut - his worst performance in the his first European Tour title at the 2009 Dubai “It feels incredible. Today ment from such as Robert birdie at 10 to ease back to three Fowler, a 25-year-old American 18 Opens he has played in. Desert Classic by one stroke over Justin Rose wasn’t easy, a few guys were mak- Karlsson, Marc Leishman and ahead. also seeking a first major title, Defending champion Phil and finishing second behind Lee Westwood in ing runs at me, I needed to stay Victor Dubuisson, the rest of the Garcia saw his chances all but never really got close enough to Mickelson was never in the hunt the 2009 European order of merit. focused and concentrate,” McIlroy field were too far behind to be able vanish when he took two shots to worry to McIlroy apart from play- as he closed with a 68 to get to % said. to apply any real pressure on the get out of a greenside pot bun- ing in the final pairing with him. five under and one of the biggest Produced a storming rookie season “To win three legs of the four leader. ker at the par-three 15th and a “It was a battle for me, I didn’t rounds of applause of the day on the PGA Tour in 2010 and clinched his majors at 25 is a pretty good But suddenly it changed after superb chip by McIlroy to set up hit my best but I had to fight went to 64-year-old five-time first title on the U.S. circuit after shooting a achievement, it is not going to McIlroy’s back-to-back bogeys, par at the 17th sealed the deal. through it. I made a late run but former Open winner Tom Watson course record 10-under-par 62 to win the sink in for a while. followed shortly after by an eagle The man from Holywood out- got on the gas a little bit too late. who had a fine 68. Quail Hollow Championship by four strokes. “The lead never got less than from Garcia at the 10th. side Belfast had a three-stroke Rory played very steady. He hit But the day deservedly belonged Major breakthrough two, I always felt I had that lit- The lead was back down to two lead with a hole to play and he some great shots, a great par save to McIlroy and the focus will tle cushion. Coming into the back and the Spaniard had a sniff of was able to enjoy a victory walk on 17 ended my hopes,” he further now inevitably switch to Augusta %Blew a four-shot lead in the final round nine I know I had holes where I possibly finally winning a major down the last added.. National next April when he will of the 2011 Masters at Augusta, closing with could make birdie. Sixteen was title at the age of 34 after a long For Garcia, it meant the Much prior to the day’s main be in a position to become just the an 80 to finish tied for 15th. the hole that settled the champi- run of near misses. Spaniard remains ranked second action Tiger Woods struggled in sixth player to win all four major %Rebounded from his Masters meltdown onship I think.” But he narrowly missed a birdie in most major starts without a with a 75 which left him 69th out titles during their career. AFP to win the 2011 U.S. Open by eight strokes with a record score of 16 under par. % Continued his fine form in 2012 and won the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Woods upbeat about Ryder Cup team Golf Resort in South Carolina by a record eight shots, finishing 13 under par. %Won the 2012 Honda Classic in Florida to replace Luke Donald at the top of the PGA selection despite failing at Hoylake rankings, becoming the 16th player and sec- ond youngest to become number one. HOYLAKE, England: Tiger coming weeks to ensure Watson Jason Dufner on the 18th tee. “I % Became the first European to win four Woods believes he justifies a gives him the go-ahead to play in was coming off an injury as well PGA Tour events in a single season and is the place in the United States Ryder an eighth Ryder Cup match. there with my Achilles and I sat only person other than Tiger Woods to win four Cup team despite missing the Watson hinted this week that out most of the summer. And I events in a season since 2005. year’s first two majors through the former world number one felt like I was able to contribute injury and finishing dismally at would need to qualify for next to the team. %McIlroy capped off an impressive 2012 US golfer Tiger the British Open yesterday. month’s FedExCup play-off series “That’s all you want as a pick, by duplicating Luke Donald’s 2011 feat of win- Woods on his The 14-times major champion in order to secure a place. you want someone who can con- ning both the PGA Tour and European Tour way to the fifth is well outside the automatic “I’d like to win the next two tribute to the team, whether it’s money titles in the same year. tee during his nine places for the match against tournaments I’m in. That should in support or it’s in play. Return to form fourth round, holders Europe at Gleneagles in take care of that,” said Woods Asked if Watson should pick % on the final day September and may require one whose final three rounds at Royal him, Woods said: “I would say yes. Signed a lucrative multi-year sponsor- of the 2014 of captain Tom Watson’s three Liverpool were littered with wild But that’s my position, my take ship deal with the U.S. sportswear firm Nike British Open Golf wildcard selections. tee shots and uncharacteristic on it. He’s the captain. Obviously in January 2013. Usually it would be unthinkable mistakes around the greens. it’s his decision. He’s going to field Championship at % Struggled to get to grips with his new that the 38-year-old’s place in the The American, who carded a the best 12 players that he thinks Royal Liverpool equipment for much of the year and was criti- biennial match would be in doubt. fourth-round 75 yesterday for a will win the Cup back. And I hope Golf Course at cised for withdrawing from the Honda Classic However, after back surgery six-over total of 294, a figure so I’m on that team.” Despite a dis- with tooth pain. Hoylake, North in March he managed only two far exceeded by only three other appointing return to Hoylake, West England, competitive rounds in the build- players, was adamant that he scene of his third Open win in % Announced split from Danish ten- yesterday. up to this week’s Open at Hoylake could be a vital cog in Watson’s 2006, Woods said there were some nis player and fiancée Caroline Wozniacki and apart from a flurry of back team. encouraging signs that his form just days before the start of the BMW PGA nine birdies on Thursday when “I got picked by Corey (Pavin) and fitness were returning. Championship at Wentworth in May 2014. he carded a three-under-par 69, when we played in Wales in 2010,” “The fact I was able to play a % he has looked rusty. Woods told reporters after a few weeks ahead of time, and I’m McIlroy bounced back to win the Woods will need to show a low-key round during which he only getting stronger and faster, Wentworth showpiece event by one shot, his marked improvement over the shared jokes with playing partner that’s great,” he added.REUTERS first title in 18 months. S Africa’s Smith calls Master CC, Wings Doha register wins at time on Surrey stint West End Park Ramadan Tournament LONDON: South Africa great in achieving the goals that both Graeme Smith (pictured) will Surrey and I set out to accomplish DOHA: Master Cricket Club all out in 19 overs with Arvind not be returning to Surrey when I first arrived,” Smith told recorded close victory at the (33) & Raabi (21) their main next season, the English county www.kiaoval.com. West End Park Ramadan contributors. announced yesterday. “They have made me feel very Tournament when they edged Mavoj and Numan took two The former Proteas captain, welcome and it is very apparent out Ramaco Cricket Club by one wickets apiece to help stifle the who was the London club’s skip- that the current cricket man- wicket, here at the West End Wings attack. per, played just three agement and personnel Part Stadium on Saturday. Galfar were unable to capitalise matches for Surrey last in the dressing room are Masters CC won the toss and during their batting innings and season because of an already well on their way elected to bowl. produced a 98 all out performance ankle injury and was to achieving these goals. Ramaco’s Raheel hit 76 runs in the full stipulated 20 overs. ruled out for the rest of Smith played eight and Noman 42 to help secure a Arvinda (17) & Samadho (19) the ongoing campaign championship games in 154/6 total in their batting innings were the highest scorers. after fracturing his knee total for Surrey, scor- of 20 overs. Wings’ Sri Lankan interna- in May, subsequently ing 383 runs including Masters’ Khadeer was in tionalist Dilhara claimed three undergoing surgery. an innings of 103 against majestic form scalping 4 wickets wickets and Arvind (adjudged Now doctors have told Gloucestershire at The to earn the official Man-of-the Man-of- the-Match for his all- 33-year-old left-handed Oval this year. Surrey Match Award. round performance) took two opener Smith, who retired from director of cricket Alec Stewart Masters CC took to the crease wickets to edge their side to a 16 Master CC’s Khadeer receives Man-of-the-Match award after helping his international cricket in March said: and thumped 157/9 in 18.1 overs to run victory. team in one-wicket victory over Ramaco CC at Ramadan Tournament. after 117 Tests, he will not be able “On behalf of the club, and clinch a one-wicket victory. The Ramadan Tournament to “fulfil the day-to-day duties of particularly the dressing room, I The main contributors were matches are currently in the a full county season”, with both would like to thank Graeme for Mihira (48) and Chamara (25). group stages which are conducted the Qatar Cricket Association A public. Event partners of the West club and player agreeing to end the impact he has had in the time In impressive form for in a round robin format. Division (and the two Challenge End Park Ramadan Tournament his three-year stay at the Oval a that he was with us over the last Ramaco were Farukh and Wajid There are two groups of six Cup Finalists will be eligible). include Vodafone, Doha Bank, year early. two years. who claimed 4 and 2 wickets teams while eight teams will The tournament creates added Sprite, Century 21, U Save Cars, “I thoroughly enjoyed the privi- “As a person and leader his respectively. qualify to the quarter-final stages. excitement with prize money up Solo Events, Green Facilities & lege of captaining Surrey but due qualities have helped lay the foun- In other match, Wings Doha The West End Park Ramadan for grabs (Winners = QR 50,000) Gulf Bridge Services, each provide to my injuries in 2013 and 2014 I dations for the progress that we CC won the toss and chose to bat. Tournament started on July 6with Matches are being played at valuable services. have been unable to fulfil my role all want for the club.” AFP They posted a modest total of 114 twelve teams entering - ten from 7:45pm and entry is free for the THE PENINSULA MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Emotional Pacers bowl South Africa Shakib promises to rare win in Sri Lanka to behave DHAKA: Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan Steyn takes 9-99 to give Proteas first win on island nation since 2000 yesterday pledged to “behave in a more mature way” in future as he begged Bangladesh cricket GALLE: South African fast authorities to review a six- bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Scoreboard month ban for bad behaviour. Morkel ripped through the Sri Shakib, the country’s most pop- Lanka batting lineup to seal a South Africa (I innings): ...... 455-9 decl ular sportsman, made a passion- 153-run win in the first test yes- Sri Lanka (I innings): ...... 292 ate public plea to the Bangladesh terday as Hashim Amla started South Africa (II innings): ...... 206-6 decl Cricket Board (BCB) which his captaincy in fine style. Sri Lanka (II innings): imposed the ban this month Steyn took four for 45 and U Tharanga c de Kock b Steyn ...... 14 because of his “severe attitude Morkel finished with four for K Silva c de Kock b Steyn ...... 38 problem”. 29 to dismiss the hosts for 216 K Sangakkara c Amla b Duminy ...... 76 “Nothing can be more painful shortly before the tea break and M Jayawardene c de Kock b Morkel ...... 10 than staying away from cricket,” seal a first win in Sri Lanka for L Thirimanne c de Villiers b Steyn ...... 12 Shakib, the world’s leading all- 14 years. A Mathews (not out) ...... 27 rounder, said in his first com- Sri Lanka had started the final D Chandimal c de Kock b Morkel ...... 1 ments since the ban. day on 110 for one, optimistic of D Perera c de Kock b Steyn ...... 0 “I sincerely apologise to the chasing down the 370 victory tar- R Herath c de Villiers b Duminy ...... 20 BCB and the Bangladesh cricket get after Amla had declared on S Lakmal c Tahir b Morkel ...... 12 team if they are embarrassed at 206-6, but collapsed under the S Eranga c Elgar b Morkel ...... 0 my behaviour,” the 27-year-old pressure of the two quicks to lose Extras (B-1, LB-4, NB-1) ...... 6 said. nine wickets for 106 runs. Total (all out) ...... 216 Reading out a statement after Steyn ended with match figures Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-118, 3-138, 4-149, filing for a review of his sus- of nine for 99 to take the man of 5-153, 6-158, 7-161, 8-190, 9-216, 10- pension at BCB headquarters, the match award after the best 216. Shakib said he accepted that he bowling figures by a quick at Bowling: Steyn 17-3-45-4; Philander 11-4- had not acted “properly on many Galle. 34-0 (1nb); Morkel 13.3-6-29-4; Tahir 19-4- occasions”. “His figures speak for them- 64-0; Duminy 10-4-38-2; Elgar 1-0-1-0 He apologised to the fans “who selves, he bowled excellently,” Result: South Africa won by 153 runs. were always supportive of the Amla said of Steyn. Bangladesh cricket team”. “The lengths he bowled, the “The bowlers were really hun- “I am determined to behave in pace, the aggression — a great gry — Dale and Morne asked for a more mature way in the future,” performance from a great bowler. the ball regularly, which was bril- he said outside the headquarters “I could look in the dictionary liant,” said Amla. in Dhaka. for a million adjectives to describe “We picked up a few early wick- Shakib, the best cricketer him, but I think it suffices to say South Africa’s Dale Steyn celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Kaushal Silva (not pictured) during ets which made it a lot easier to Bangladesh has ever produced, that it was a great performance the fifth day of the first Test match in Galle yesterday. maintain the pressure,” the South was banned from all forms of com- by a great bowler.” African captain added. petitive cricket for six months, Steyn started South Africa’s firm against the barrage before he edged a ball from Steyn outside 12 runs as the hosts fell to 161-7. Sri Lanka captain Angelo ruling him out of Bangladesh’s victory push by grabbing an early the former skipper fell to one of his stumps to AB de Villiers in the Duminy then ended Rangana Mathews blamed his middle order tour of the West Indies in August. breakthrough yesterday when he the worst balls of the day. slips for 12. Herath’s 18-ball cameo for 20 batting for the defeat. Shakib, who has a history of had Kaushal Silva edge to wicket- The left-hander pulling a woe- Dinesh Chandimal then com- when he top edged a sweep and “Where we lost the test was discipline problems, was also keeper Quinton De Kock to end ful long hop delivery from JP pleted the miserable session by was caught by a darting De the failure of our batsmen to barred from playing in any cricket his innings on 38 and the second Duminy straight to Amla at mid- departing for one as he gloved an Villiers, who ran from slip to score runs on the first innings,” leagues abroad until December wicket stand of 104 with Kumar wicket to depart for 76 and leave attempted pull off Morkel to de short fine leg to take the catch. said Mathews, who reckoned Sri next year — even after his ban Sangakkara. the hosts in big trouble on 149-4. Kock to leave the hosts six down Morkel wrapped up the victory Lanka were at least 100 runs on international cricket expires. Morkel then struck with the Sangakkara could not believe at lunch. by claiming the final two wickets short in their first innings when The suspension came after first ball after the drinks breaks what he had done, staring at the Steyn returned in the second in two balls, dismissing Suranga they folded for 292. he reportedly threatened to when Mahela Jayawardene edged pitch before walking off with his session to take his fourth wicket Lakmal at long leg for 12 and then “When we started the day at quit international cricket when behind for 10 to leave Sri Lanka head down. when he had Dilruwan Perera Shaminda Eranga fending a short 110 for one, our plan was to go he was called back to Dhaka on 138-3. Lahiru Thirimanne was the caught by de Kock for his second ball to short leg to leave Angelo after the target but like in the before his planned appearance in The hosts still held hope, next to go, falling in similar cir- duck of the match. It was the Mathews unbeaten at the crease first innings we didn’t bat well the Caribbean Premier League though, with Sangakkara holding cumstances to the first innings as fourth wicket to go down for only on 27. enough.” REUTERS Twenty20 tournament. AFP England battling to save Test Vaughan voices Cook LONDON: India were on the Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) captaincy fears brink of just their second Test as only the third player to have victory at Lord’s as Alastair both scored a fifty and taken five Cook’s latest failure with the bat wickets in successive Tests. LONDON: Michael Vaughan against South Africa and really prolonged the debate about his Left-arm spinner Jadeja struck (pictured) has joined the list struggled in Sri Lanka. It was future as England captain. with his first ball yesterday when of former skippers questioning killing me going to my room at England were 105 for four he had Australia-born opener whether Alastair Cook should night hating this job,” he added. at stumps on the fourth day yes- Sam Robson lbw. continue as England captain. Then-England coach Duncan terday, needing a further 214 Cook and fellow left-hander After nine Tests without a win Fletcher — now in charge of India runs to reach the winning target Gary Ballance added 58 for the and 26 innings since he made — helped Vaughan regain his form of 319. second wicket. the last of his England record 25 by suggesting he move down the But the odds were on India But Ballance, who made 110 Test hundreds, Cook’s position order. going 1-0 up in this five-match in the first innings, was caught has come under intense scrutiny, “He looked me in the eyes series, after last week’s draw behind off Mohammed Shami to with the opener out for just 10 in over coffee and said what about at Trent Bridge, and recording leave England 70 for two. his side’s first innings during the dropping down the order to give their second victory in 17 Tests Bell did not last long, clean ongoing second Test against India yourself space and time to gather at Lord’s following their lone win bowled off stump by a Sharma at Lord’s. your thoughts and make the tran- back in 1986. delivery that kept a touch low. The likes of Geoffrey Boycott, sition from captaincy to batting,” Joe Root was 14 not out and Then Cook, after more than Alec Stewart and, most recently, Vaughan recalled. Moeen Ali 15 not out at the close, two hours at the crease, fell in Mike Brearley, have suggested “That one chat with Duncan the pair having come together familiar fashion when Sharma the burden of leading England saved me as a captain. If I had after England lost three wickets had him pushing out at a good may now becoming too heavy for been stubborn ... I wouldn’t have for two runs in collapsing to 72 length ball, with wicketkeeper 29-year-old Essex left-hander lasted because my form would for four. Dhoni taking the catch. Cook to carry. not have been good enough to stay Left-handed opener Cook Cook had now scored a mere Vaughan said England in the side.” fell for just 22 to make it 27 115 runs in seven Tests innings at were in danger of doing However, Vaughan innings since he had scored the home to Sri Lanka and India so permanent damage to said a similar move was last of his England record 25 far this season. Cook’s ability as a bats- not an option for Cook hundreds. Ali, on 11, survived a confident man if he was allowed to and added the best His exit came shortly after lbw appeal from Jadeja and was remain as captain. course of action might Ian Bell, the other experienced dropped of the spinner on 15 when “We have reached the be simply to remove the batsman in England’s top order, Dhoni failed to grasp a chance stage with Cook when captaincy in the hope had been dismissed for one — under the Lord’s floodlights. he cannot be enjoy- it allows him to con- his 19th innings without a Test India resumed yesterday England’s captain Alastair Cook edges the ball to India’s wicketkeeper ing cricket. You don’t centrate solely on his century. in overcast conditions on 169 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (not pictured) during the fourth day of the second when you are not play- batting. Fast-medium bowler Ishant for four, with opener Murali Vijay Test match at Lord’s in London yesterday. ing well and the team The new hierarchy at Sharma removed both Bell and 59 not out and Dhoni unbeaten is struggling,” Vaughan, the ECB installed after Cook in a burst of two wickets for on 12. England’s 2005 Ashes-winning England’s 5-0 Ashes thrashing in no runs in seven balls. After Dhoni fell for a laboured Scoreboard captain, wrote in his Telegraph Australia have staked plenty on At lunch, India were 267 for 19, it was not long before James column. Cook’s leadership, even saying the seven, a lead of 243. Anderson was bowling to Jadeja, India (I innings): ...... 295 Bowling: Anderson 29-11-77-1; Broad; 23-6- “It is easy for the England and need to support his captaincy was Three quick wickets early in with both players facing a possi- England (I innings): ...... 319 93-1 (w-1); Stokes 18.1-2-51-3; Plunkett 22- Wales Cricket Board hierarchy to a reason for sending star batsman the second session and England ble ban as a result of their alleged India (II innings): 6-65-3; Moeen 11-3-28-2. say it is going to stick by him but Kevin Pietersen into exile. would have been on course to end confrontation in the Trent Bridge M Vijay c Prior b Anderson ...... 95 England (II innings): it has to ask what is best for the But Vaughan insisted any con- their run of nine Tests without pavilion last week. S Dhawan c Root b Stokes ...... 31 S Robson lbw Jadeja ...... 7 team and for Cook. cerns the management had about a win. Vijay, in sight of a second C Pujara c Prior b Plunkett ...... 43 A Cook c Dhoni b Sharma ...... 22 “The ECB has a responsibility being seen to perform a U-turn or But the first 10 overs after hundred of the series following V Kohli b Plunkett ...... 0 G Ballance c Dhoni b Shami ...... 27 to Cook the person to do the right “give in” to Cook’s critics missed lunch saw Ravindra Jadeja and his 146 in Nottingham, fell for A Rahane c Prior b Broad...... 5 I Bell b Sharma ...... 1 thing and if that means taking the the point. seamer Bhuvneswhwar Kumar 95 when he flicked an Anderson M S Dhoni c Bell b Prior ...... 19 J Root (batting)...... 14 captaincy away then so be it.” “English cricket has to get him score 66 runs. delivery to wicketkeeper Matt S Binny c Cook b Moeen...... 0 Moeen Ali (batting) ...... 15 For the 39-year-old Vaughan, back to batting consistently at the Jadeja made a dashing 68 while Prior after more than six hours R Jadeja c Cook b Stokes ...... 68 Extras (W-1, B-5, LB-13) ...... 19 Cook’s plight was reminiscent of top of the order,” Vaughan said. tailender Kumar was last man out at the crease B Kumar c Bell b Stokes ...... 52 Total (for 4 wkts) ...... 105 the situation he found himself “He needs a bit of honest feed- for 52 — his third fifty in four However, the swashbuckling M Shami c Prior b Moeen ...... 0 To bat: M Prior, B Stokes, S Broad, L Plunkett, J in when struggling to combine back. The ECB and Alastair can- innings this series after his Test- Jadeja drove both Broad and I Sharma (not out) ...... 0 Anderson. the roles of England captain and not be stubborn and just carry best six for 82 in England’s first Anderson back over his head for Extras (W-1, B-19, LB-9) ...... 29 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-70, 3-71, 4-72. opening batsman. on because they fear giving in to innings. four while Kumar made England Total (all out) ...... 342 Bowling: Kumar 8-4-10-0; Shami 7-1-20-1; “I went through terrible his critics. Plenty of great players His innings saw Kumar join two pay for Root dropping him on Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-118, 3-118, 4-123, Sharma 10-5-13-2; Jadeja 16-4-32-1; Vijay moments opening the batting have had to relinquish the cap- of cricket’s greatest all-rounders two before India were eventually 5-202, 6-203, 7-235, 8-334, 9-338, 10-342. 4-1-11-0 (w-1); Dhawan 1-0-1-0. and captaining the side. I could taincy to carry on being a player.” in Ian Botham (England) and bowled out for 342. REUTERS not buy a run in my first series REUTERS MONDAY 21 JULY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Rosberg coasts to German GP victory Mercedes driver leads from pole to flag but Hamilton third from 20th on grid

HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY: Nico Rosberg German GP Results completed a memorable week 1. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) 1hr 33min for himself and his nation yes- 42.914sec, terday when he cruised to his first win in his home German 2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) Grand Prix. 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) The pole sitter, cheered on 4. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull) by Germany World Cup winner 5. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari) Lukas Podolski in the Mercedes 6. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) pits, extended his lead to 14 points 7. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Force India) over team-mate Lewis Hamilton, 8. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren) who charged up to finish third from 20th on the grid, in the title 9. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/McLaren) race. 10. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap “It’s an amazing feeling to win 11. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) at home. It’s a very special day,” 12. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Lotus) said Rosberg. 13. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA/Toro Rosso) Splitting the Mercedes men in 14. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Sauber) second was the Williams car of 15. Jules Bianchi (FRA/Marussia) Valtteri Bottas. Rosberg came home a comfort- 16. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN/Caterham) able 20.7 seconds ahead of the 17. Max Chilton (GBR/Marussia) Finn at the end of an enthralling 18. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Caterham) 67-laps contest. Overall standings (after 10 races) Hamilton was only 1.8 seconds 1.Nico Rosberg (GER) 190.0pts behind Bottas ahead of defending 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 176.0 champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, Fernando Alonso of Ferrari 3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 106.0 and Daniel Ricciardo, in the sec- 4.Fernando Alonso (ESP) 97.0 ond Red Bull. 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 91.0 Rosberg’s win came after a 6. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 82.0 week in which he had married 7. Nico Hülkenberg (GER) 69.0 his long-term girlfriend Vivian 8. Jenson Button (GBR) 59.0 Sibold, signed an extended con- 9. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 37.0 tract with Mercedes and cel- ebrated Germany’s World Cup 10. Felipe Massa (BRA) 30.0 victory. It was his fourth win of the sea- happened. It’s another race and son and the seventh of his career. another car that has pushed me But even such joyful supremacy out and finished my race.” was overshadowed in an incident- The race resumed two laps filled race by the bold passing pace later with the circuit cleared. of Hamilton, who started at the Hamilton rose steadily through rear of the grid following his high- the pack, scrapping his way past speed crash in qualifying. all his rivals in a feat of speed and The Englishman delivered a courage that provided thrills at thrilling series of dramatic moves every corner, notably when he muscling his way through the negotiated his way past a clus- field, but in the end was unable ter of cars driven by Ricciardo, to grab second in the closing laps Raikkonen and Alonso to reach as Bottas hung on to register an seventh on lap 13. historic podium for the resurgent By lap 35, despite damaging Williams team. his front wing after the Button I had great fun,” said Hamilton. altercation, Hamilton was third “I did as good as I could. It was behind Rosberg and Bottas. Even hard to get through the pack damaged, he was the fastest man safely... it was hard to overtake so on track, but Rosberg was cruis- I’m glad to get some points today.” ing at this time with a controlled Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the German F1 Grand Prix at the Hockenheim circuit yesterday. On one passing move Hamilton’s advantage of 15 seconds with 30 car clipped the McLaren belong- BOTTOM: Williams driver Felipe Massa’s car crashes in the first corner after the start of the race. laps to go. ing to Jenson Button. Bottas pitted on lap 41, “I had a little bit of a collision Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen, recorded on Friday and 55 on the back, but the drama was all on the safety gravel with Massa Hamilton taking second but com- with Jenson,” he reflected. and Sergio Perez who finished Saturday. up ahead. sitting upright and, amazingly, plaining that his “front left isn’t “I thought he was going to open 10th in the second Force India. A morning shower played havoc As pole sitter Rosberg pow- unhurt. going to last” before, in a strategy the door which he has done a cou- After the searing heat of the with the team’s tyre-wear calcu- ered through the first bend there “I am ok,” he said. “The acci- change, following Rosberg into the ple of times lately but that was my previous three days, the race lations in front of an improved was a cloud of dust and debris as dent was a little bit more scary pits on lap 43 for super-soft tyres. bad judgement.” started in cooler conditions with attendance after so many empty Magnussen collided with Felipe watching than being inside. I just This set up a final high-speed Nico Hulkenberg of Force India an air temperature of 26 degrees seats on Saturday. Massa, sending the Brazilian’s car saw everything the other way chase with Bottas managing to finished seventh ahead of Button Celsius and track equivalent of When the lights went out, into a spectacular somersault. around, but I am fine. hold on in a thrilling climax. and his McLaren team-mate, 33 degrees, compared to the 58 Hamilton made a fast start from His car bounced back to a halt “I am so disappointed at what AFP Defoe, Cahill, Keane in MLS Enrique wins first team to face Bayern Munich game as Barca coach

NEW YORK: English stand- City midfielder Graham Zusi HUELVA: Barcelona’s new outs Jermain Defoe and Bradley and Salt Lake midfielder Kyle coach Luis Enrique notched up Wright-Phillips, Australian Beckerman. a 1-0 win on Saturday in his first Tim Cahill and Ireland’s Robbie game in charge, a pre-season Keane were among those named Lampard set to join friendly against second division on Saturday to the Major League club Recreativo de Huelva. Soccer All-Stars who will play New York FC Controversial Uruguayan striker In the absence of star strikers Bayern Munich. LONDON: Former Chelsea Luis Suarez (in file picture Lionel Messi, Neymar and new The US league announced midfielder Frank Lampard is above) and his wife Sofia Balbi signing Luis Suarez, Enrique a 23-player roster that will expected to complete his move were mobbed by Barcelona fans gave a workout to substitutes and be drawn upon when the elite to New York City FC next week, during a walk around the Spanish B-team youngsters such as Joan MLS lineup faces the reigning according to British media city. The 27-year-old looked a Roman, 21, who scored Barca’s Bundesliga champions and 2013 reports on Saturday. little uncomfortable when he was 65th-minute winner. Barcelona’s captain Sergi Roberto European Champions League Lampard has been strongly grabbed by one female supporter Seconds earlier Barcelona’s poses with the trophy during the winners on August 6 at Portland, linked with a transfer to the returning first-team forward as he was trying to make a quick Trofeo Colombino friendly football Oregon. Major League Soccer team since Gerard Deulofeu, 20, had a pow- getaway on Saturday, according match at the Nuevo Colombino Wright-Phillips, a striker for leaving Chelsea when his contract erful shot blocked by Huelva’s Stadium in Huelva on Saturday. the New York Red Bulls, leads expired at the start of June. to reports. goalkeeper Dani Sotres only for MLS with 16 goals in 18 matches The 36-year-old England inter- Roman to slam home the rebound Barcelona have said good- while Defoe has 11 goals for national received a host of pro- from close range. bye to stalwarts such as Carles Toronto in his first MLS season posals from across the world, but New manager Barcelona dominated posses- Puyol, goalkeeper Victor Valdes after leaving Tottenham. it is believed he has decided to sion over their Andalusian hosts and midfielder Cesc Fabregas, and Cahill, a Red Bulls midfielder, accept an offer to move to New for Qatar team but laboured to hit their target in have made several new signings. netted two World Cup goals last York, a new MLS franchise part- the first half. These include two new goal- month for the Socceroos while owned by Manchester City owner DOHA: The Department of In the second half Enrique keepers, Ter Stegen and Claudio Keane, the Irish captain and all- Sheikh Mansour. National Teams has announced changed the line-up, introducing Bravo, and Croatian midfielder time scoring leader with 53 goals, It is understood Lampard was the appointment of Abdullah Deulofeu, who has returned to Ivan Rakitic. The latter two did has 43 goals in three MLS seasons highly impressed with the club’s Jassim, former Qatari interna- the club after a season on loan to not play on Saturday. for the Los Angeles Galaxy. vision and he is expected to sign a tional and Al Ahli footballer, Everton. As well as his saved shot, Argentine ace Messi and France boasts two MLS all- contract with the franchise next as the manager of the Olympic he hit the crossbar two minutes Brazil’s Neymar were on holiday Stars in Red Bulls forward Tim Cahill (top) and Frank Lampard week. Football team. from full time after being played after playing for their countries Thierry Henry and 2012 MLS The New York club was formed He will succeed Fareed through by Ibrahim Afellay. in the World Cup. Defender of the Year Aurelien forward Erick Torres of Chivas in May 2013, but will not start Mahboub. Jassim was the Sports The Catalan club’s new goal- Uruguay’s Suarez, the club’s Collin for reigning MLS champion USA. competing in the American league Director of Al Ahli Sports Club keeper, German international latest star signing, is serving a Sporting Kansas City. Clint Dempsey of Seattle and until March 2015. and also occupied the position of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, also four-month FIFA ban for biting Other internationals on the Landon Donovan of the Galaxy As a result, Lampard could football manager at the club. played in the second half for his an opponent in the World Cup. roster included Cuban midfielder lead the Americans in the MLS spend some time with New York’s He possesses strong admin- first game in a Barcelona strip. Saturday’s friendly match Osvaldo Alonso and Nigerian for- lineup, which also includes US sister club Melbourne City FC istration experience that will, Enrique is overhauling the marked the 50th edition of the ward Obafemi Martins of Seattle, World Cup midfielder Michael over the next few months. hopefully, bring success in his new squad after a disappointing sea- Colombino Trophy, an annual fix- Canadian midfielder Will Johnson Bradley of Toronto, Galaxy Lampard is currently taking assignment and provide a better son in which Barcelona narrowly ture hosted by Huelva that cele- and Argentine midfielder Diego defender Omar Gonzalez, Seattle a short holiday with his fiancee atmosphere to the Olympic team. failed to defend their Spanish brates its proud history as Spain’s Valeri of Portland and Mexican defender DeAndre Yedlin, Kansas Christine Bleakley. AGENCIES QNA league title. oldest football club. AFP Monday 21 July 2014 23 Ramadan 1435 Volume 19 Number 6133 Sport Price: QR2

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FROM LEFT: Leon Kalin, Chairman of the IHF Commission of Organising and Competitions, Dr Thani Abdulrehman Al Kuwari, General Director of the 24th Men’s Handball World Championships, IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa, and Qatar Handball Association President Ahmed Mohammed Al-Shaabi at the draws ceremony in Doha yesterday. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT Qatar choose to battle handball big boys Spain and Slovenia Doha hosts glittering draw ceremony of 24th Men’s Handball World Championships

BY RIZWAN REHMAT specially built for this World Championship, will add a new Men’s World DOHA: Defending cham- flavour to the event,” he added. pions Spain and European Dr Thani Abdulrehman Rankings giants Slovenia were yesterday Al Kuwari, General Director, drawn in the same group of 24th Men’s Handball World Rank Team the 24th Men’s Handball World Championships, said Qatar’s 1 Germany Championships which will be promise to stage a unique event 2 Sweden held in Doha next January. in one city will be delivered next 3 Denmark At a glittering draw ceremony January. 4 Russia attended by the International “We are close to building three 5 France Handball Federation (IHF) fam- new venues. This means handball ily, Qatar — who were at a liberty fans from all over the world won’t 6 Serbia to join any one of the four groups have any travel woes,” he said. 7 Spain — decided to jump into Group A “When we had bid for the 8 Hungary and face the defending champions World Championships, we had 9 Romania and four other sides in their bid promised that all venues would be 10 Croatia for the world title. built in one city. We are about to 11 Poland Spain, who beat Denmark complete all three venues soon,” at the last edition of the World Dr Thani said. 12 Iceland Championships in 2013, will be “The fans can easily watch the 13 Czech Republic joined by Brazil, Chile and Belarus games without having to worry 14 Slovakia in Group A besides Qatar and Leon Kalin, Chairman of the about travelling from one city to 15 Egypt Slovenia. IHF Commission of Organising another,” he said. “That’s why we 16 Norway In Group B, Croatia will be and Competitions, holds up a feel this will be a unique World joined by teams from Tunisia, Championships.” 17 Switzerland chit during the event in Doha 18 Tunisia Iran, Austria, Bosnia and yesterday. “We have been in constant Herzegovina and Macedonia. dialogue with the IHF since we 19 Republic of Korea Arab sides Egypt, Algeria and “Group C and D are groups of began our preparations for the 20 Algeria the United Arab Emirates (UAE) death,” he said. World Championships,” Dr Thani 21 Slovenia were drawn in Group C, which France — the defending explained. 22 Japan also has the Czech Republic, European champions — will face “We will make sure every Sweden and France. Sweden in the re-match of the effort is made to make this 23 Cuba In Group D, Bahrain will 2012 Olympic final. event the greatest-ever World 24 Argentina have to do battle with Germany, The 4th Men’s Handball World Championships,” he said. 25 Austria Argentina, Poland, Denmark and Championships will be held from “We are thrilled that the 2015 26 Brazil Russia. January 15 to February 1, 2015. World Championships will be an 27 Kuwait Qatar’s coach Valero Rivera of Six Qatari children assisted important milestone in the devel- 28 Ukraine Spain minced no words when he Leon Kalin, the Chairman of the opment of the game,” Dr Thani admitted Group A had “tough IHF Commission of Organising said. 29 Greece teams”. and Competitions, in conducting “This edition of the World 30 Macedonia “It is a very, very difficult the draw. Championship will leave a lasting 31 Belarus group,” Rivera said at the draw “We are thrilled to be in a city legacy for generations to follow,” 32 Portugal ceremony, which was attended that has a passion for sports,” IHF Dr Thani said. “A legacy not just 33 Morocco by H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad President Mostafa said yesterday. for our people but for all handball 34 Saudi Arabia Al Thani and IHF President Dr “Handball has always won great fans in the region.” Hassan Moustafa. support from the stakeholders The match schedule — which 35 Australia Sheikh Joaan is the chairman here. I am sure the new venues, will be confirmed in close co- 36 Qatar of the organising committee of operation with the IHF, the Qatar 37 Lithuania the 24th Men’s Handball World The Result of 2015 Organising Committee and 38 United States Championships. TV rights partner beINsport, will 39 Bulgaria “This will probably be be announced in due time, officials 40 China the toughest-ever World the Draws said. Championships. We have Bosnia, Group A: Spain, Belarus, Qatar, Slovenia, Chile, The venues for the 24th 41 Greenland Denmark, Argentina, Croatia Brazil Men’s Handball World 42 Angola and other teams at this World Group B: Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, FYR Championships are the Qatar 43 Italy Championships,” Rivera, who Macedonia, Austria, Iran, Tunisia Handball Association Complex, 44 Chile guided Spain to the world title in Group C: France, Sweden, Algeria, Czech Al Sadd Sports Centre, Lusail 45 Montenegro 2013, added. Multipurpose Arena and the Republic, United Arab Emirates, Egypt 46 Bahrain The French team’s technical temporarily-built handball arena IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa speaks at the draw event of the 24th Group D: Denmark, Poland, Russia, Argentina, director, Philippe Bana, described at the Aspire Dome. 47 Nigeria Men’s Handball World Championship in Doha yesterday. Bahrain, Germany his feelings in one line. THE PENINSULA 48 Canada