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Monday 30 September 2013 24 Dhul-qa’da 1434 - Volume 18 Number 5838 Price: QR2

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12-year-old Syrian fighter Winter World More labour Cup 2022 won’t affect Winter inspectors Olympics: IOC ANCIENT OLYMPIA: Staging the 2022 Qatar World Cup in winter will not affect the Winter Olympics, International being hired Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said yesterday. Bach, who was attending the Massive crackdown likely Sochi 2014 Winter Games torch lighting ceremony in ancient DOHA: The Ministry of Labour in development projects being Olympia, said he had held talks and Social Affairs is gearing up launched for the 2022 World Cup with FIFA President Sepp Blatter to launch massive crackdowns soccer. It is also hiring additional and was confident the two major on private companies that translators so they could inter- events would steer clear of each breach the labour law and abuse pret complaints of workers of other. workers’ rights as the number of different nationalities, he said, “This is a FIFA discussion and foreign workers in the country replying to questions from report- Abboud, 12, with his weapons, stands near fellow Free Syrian Army fighters in Aleppo’s Sheikh Saeed neigh- the IOC will not interfere. I spoke has been going up considerably ers about an article that appeared bourhood yesterday. He and his brother Deeb, 14, joined the Free Syrian Army after the deaths of two of their with Blatter a couple of weeks ago to engage in mega development in a Western newspaper about the brothers and an uncle in the conflict. when he made the proposal to projects being launched for the labour situation in Qatar. have the World Cup in November 2022 FIFA event. The ministry takes the issues 2022 and we will follow this dis- The ministry says it is recruit- of labourers very seriously. The cussion in the FIFA executive ing an increasing number of inspection of contracting compa- committee.” inspectors to mount raids and nies is going on to check how they Qatar, where summer tempera- checks on companies to make are dealing with their workers. Dumped vehicles to be removed tures top 45 degrees C, bid for a sure they comply with the labour Companies are under scrutiny to traditional summer tournament law. Contracting companies are make them comply with the pro- DOHA: More than 10,000 to those removing abandoned through their municipalities. and was awarded the World Cup particularly under scrutiny as visions of the labour law regard- abandoned vehicles that occupy vehicles. The pile-up of these A senior official of the Doha three years ago. they are large employers of for- ing health, safety, accommodation public spaces in the Industrial cars are creating traffic prob- Municipality said the panel The IOC’s winter Games usu- eign workforce, and most worker and salaries, among others. Area will be removed in a mas- lems, encroaching upon public was expecting to remove more ally fall in the first three months complaints are lodged against The labour law is comprehen- sive campaign launched by the spaces and damaging the view than 10,000 abandoned vehicles of the year. “I am very sure that them. sive and should be implemented authorities yesterday. and the landscape of the area,” through the campaign, which will there will be a solution in the The ministry is also hiring cent per percent and it is a The campaign aims at remov- Al Sharq quoted Lieutenant continue until the last vehicle is mutual interest because neither more language interpreters so minimum requirement to pro- ing all old vehicles, machinery Ali Mohammed Suwaidan of removed. FIFA nor IOC wants a clash of workers’ woes can be redressed tect the rights of workers, said and other equipment littering the Lakhwiya as saying. Once the streets are cleared dates for such major events. by the Labour Department and the Minister, who headed the streets, parking areas and other Owners of abandoned cars will of damaged and neglected vehi- That is why I am not worried,” its branches efficiently. committee that framed Qatar’s public places in the area. be fined QR500 while owners of cles, the Public Works Authority said Bach, who succeeded Jacques This was disclosed by the Constitution a decade ago. The clean-up drive is spear- trucks abandoned in public places (Ashghal) will start working on Rogge at the helm of the IOC this Minister of Labour and Social The ministry is always keen headed by a special committee of will be fined QR800, said the daily. projects to develop the area. Many month. Affairs, H E Abdullah Saleh to resolve conflicts of labourers representatives from the Ministry The Ministry of Municipality projects have been lined up to Qatar has repeatedly said it is Al Khulaifi, yesterday on the with their employers amicably, of Municipality and Urban and Urban Planning has supplied develop the Industrial Area that open to a switch to winter dates sidelines of a function at Qatar therefore several branch offices Planning, Ministry of Interior 30 tow vehicles to support the is still facing crowding and con- but reiterated that despite the University of which he has been of the Labour Department have (represented by Lakhwiya) and campaign, while three additional gestion mainly due to its narrow heat the World Cup could be a president. been set up all over the country, the Doha Municipality. vehicles from Lakhwiya and seven and bumpy roads. staged in summer by building “We will not hesitate to take especially in areas with concen- As part of the campaign, the private vehicles are also partici- The presence of a large number AC stadiums using newly envi- necessary action to protect the tration of single workers such as panel has also launched a crack- pating. The discarded vehicles will of abandoned cars and equipment ronmentally friendly technology. rights of expatriate workforce,” the Industrial Area, he added. down on garages encroaching be first moved to street 1 in the has worsened the situation. There have been calls for the Minister told reporters. If the Labour Department upon public property to dump Industrial Area from where they The campaign follows compensation if the dates are The Labour Department and and its branch offices fail to set- vehicles awaiting repair. Garages will be shifted to the scrap yards strict warnings by the Traffic switched and Blatter said ear- its branch offices are adding tle workers’ disputes with their violating rules will face stern of the Ministry of Municipality Department recently to people lier this month it may have been more staff to deal with the grow- employers, the cases are imme- action, including closure, the com- and Urban Planning. leaving their vehicles in public a mistake to award a summer ing numbers of foreign workers diately referred to the court, said mittee has warned. Once they are taken away, the places for a long time. tournament to Qatar. REUTERS who are coming over to engage the Minister. THE PENINSULA “We are here to give support owners will be able to cancel them THE PENINSULA See also page 4

Cygnus joins ISS Bahrain jails Syria to honour UN arms resolution DAMASCUS: President Bashar Al Assad said yesterday Syria 50 Shias for will comply with a UN resolution to destroy its chemical arsenal as weapons experts prepared to head to the war-wracked country. He up to 15 years told Italy’s Rai News 24 TV channel that Damascus always respects treaties it signs, SANA news agency reported. He also said warm- DUBAI: A Bahraini court sen- ing relations between the US and Iran could benefit Syria and the tenced 50 people yesterday to region, “so long as the US is honest.” But he said most European between five and 15 years in countries “are unable” to play a role in the proposed peace process jail for setting up a group that for Syria. See also page 6 organises anti-government pro- tests, and that authorities say is Iran N-enrichment ‘not negotiable’ working to topple the govern- ment by force. WASHINGTON: Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Activists said the government said yesterday Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear enrichment was had accused those convicted of not negotiable but Iran does not need to enrich uranium to military- membership of the February 14 grade levels, in talks with the US. Zarif said Iran was willing to open movement, which has been organ- its nuclear facilities to international inspections but the US must end ising protests since February economic sanctions as part of any deal on Iran’s nuclear programme. 2011, when authorities crushed “We do not need military-grade uranium. That’s a certainty and we an uprising demanding that the will not move in that direction. Having an Iran that does not have Sunni government give up power. nuclear weapons, is not just your goal, it’s first and foremost our The head of public prosecution The unmanned US commercial cargo ship Cygnus approaching the International Space Station (ISS) yesterday. goal,” he told ABC’s This Week programme. See also page 7 had described the Shia group as Cygnus flew itself to ISS, completing its debut test flight before supply runs begin in December. a terrorist organisation. Yousif Al Muhafda from the Bahrain Center for Human Rights said there were human rights campaigners among those convicted “under the internation- Manama forum raises questions about GCC media freedom ally criticised and vague terror- DOHA: A two-day symposium kicks off region say the idea of holding such a forum organisers) doesn’t leave me happy. I do not information ministers from Europe. ism law”, and the sentences added in Manama today where media persons is irrelevant because some GCC states do favour imposing restrictions on the media,” “After the Arab Spring there is some up to more than 400 years in jail. and experts from the GCC region would not have updated media laws, there are Qatari columnist Faisal Al Marzouqi media freedom in the GCC countries, but “This was a sham trial with a likely argue and counter-argue if free others who think the event presents an reacted to reports of the event. exploiting the media for political reasons political verdict, they should be media is a threat to national security. opportunity to debate the issue of media “The symposium is a good idea but link- is not a good idea.” released immediately,” the group’s A highlight would be that the two sides freedom in the GCC region threadbare. ing the media to national security issues is But celebrated Qatari author and jour- acting President, Maryam Al would put their arguments in the presence Some sceptics say they look at the sym- annoying. nalist, Dr Ahmed Abdul Malik, said the Khawaja, said. of information ministers from the member posium as a move to restrict media free- “Why should media persons and experts role of the media in the GCC states needed Mohammed Al Maskati, head states. dom in the name of national security, while as well as information ministers talk about to be discussed openly since some media of the Bahrain Youth Society for The symposium is being held on the side- there are others who believe media free- national security? There are other agencies organisations were exploiting the freedom Human Rights, said a member of lines of the 21st meeting of GCC informa- dom is being misused by sections of media responsible for that,” he said. and breaching the code of ethics. the society’s board had been given tion ministers. organisations to serve their own end. Al Marzouqi said he could not imag- THE PENINSULA a 15-year sentence. REUTERS While some media persons from the “The very tone (of the seminar ine the same issue being discussed by Continued on page 6 MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Emir issues decrees ratifying MoU, protocol

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh an MoU in the health field signed in Quito on February 16, signed in Tunis on July 16, 2012. Decree No. 53 of 2013 rati- The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani between Qatar and Bulgaria, 2013. Decree No. 50 of 2013 ratifies a fies an agreement on coopera- bin Hamad Al Thani yester- yesterday issued decrees rati- signed in Sophia on May 17, Decree No. 49 of 2013 ratifies protocol on cultural coopera- tion and news exchange between day issued three instruments of fying a protocol and memoran- 2012. an MoU on cooperation in public tion in restoration, rehabilita- Qatar News Agency and Saudi ratification. dums of understanding (MoU) Decree No. 48 of 2013 ratifies prosecution work between the tion and development of tourism Press Agency, signed in Doha The first approves a draft with several countries. an MoU on tourism cooperation public prosecution in Qatar and sites and historical monuments on December 15, 2008. memorandum of understand- Decree No. 47 of 2013 ratifies between Qatar and Ecuador, the Tunisian Justice Ministry, in Tunisia, signed by Qatar and Decree No. 54 of 2013 ratifies ing between Qatar’s Ministry Tunisia in Tunis on July 16, a free trade agreement between of Energy and Industry and 2012. GCC states and Singapore, Oman’s Ministry of Oil and Gas Decree No. 51 of 2013 ratifies signed in Doha on December in the field of oil and gas, signed an MoU in the field of agricul- 15, 2008. in Muscat on May 28, 2013. ture and animal and fish wealth Decree No. 55 of 2013 ratifies a The second approves a draft between Qatar and Bulgaria, cultural and artistic cooperation MoU in the field of environment signed in Sophia on May 17, agreement between Qatar and between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, 2012. Iran, signed in Tehran on July while the other endorses a draft Decree No. 52 ratifies a coop- 18, 2008. MoU on cooperation in the field eration agreement in the cul- The MoUs and the protocol of meteorology between Qatar tural field between Qatar and shall have the power of law in and Saudi Arabia, both signed in Thailand, signed in Doha on accordance with Article 68 of the Riyadh on March 1, 2011. March 4, 2013. Constitution. QNA

Qatar University, Labour Ministry sign MoU to exchange data

DOHA: Qatar University (QU) and Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs yesterday signed an MoU to set up a link to exchange data in order to accomplish the “Labour Market Research and Information Project”. The agreement, which was signed by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs H E Abdullah Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi and QU President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad, will benefit QU and other institutions and policymakers in their planning and decision-makers in terms of the needs of the labour market. The agreement addresses the lack of information, statistics and research on the labour market, noting that there is no certified database or unified informa- tion source that gives integrated information about Qatar’s labour market. It builds on the strategy for the Qatari labour sector launched in 2011 by the then-Heir Apparent to promote Qatarisation policies, provide more job opportunities for citizens in related sectors and focus Dr Sheikha Abdullah Al Misnad, President of Qatar University, giving a on absorbing the largest number of memento to H E Abdullah Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi, Minister of Labour nationals in employment. and Social Affairs, after signing the MoU at Qatar University, yesterday. The labour information sys- ABDUL BASIT tem will improve the way labour market policies are planned and fields are emerging in Qatar. with QU especially as I gradu- developed based on precise statis- It is important for us as the ated from the College of Business tics and targeted research, and so national university to be part of years ago. The MoU establishes help in structuring effective poli- this collaborative effort that will a mutual beneficial relationship cies and procedures. be beneficial to a wide range of with QU and its various research Commenting on the agreement, stakeholders — academic, govern- centers to create an invaluable Prof Al Misnad said: “Labour ment, business, industry, and civil information system that helps market information system has society and advance the national students, researchers and deci- come at a timely moment when development strategies”. sion makers to better understand more graduates are joining the Minister Al Khulaifi said: “I am the local labor market”. workforce and new professional pleased to renew my relationship THE PENINSULA

Foreign Minister attends Forum on Combating Global Terrorism NEW YORK: Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah has participated in the Forum of the Coordinating Committee on Combating Global Terrorism, which was hosted by US Secretary of State John Kerry, on the sidelines of the 68th UN Assembly General session in New York. The Forum is to put forward strategic priorities to combat violence and strengthen civil institutions in the fight against terrorism. Justice Ministry begins evening services DOHA: The Ministry of Justice began providing serv- ices to the public from 5pm to 8pm at the documen- tation and real estate registration departments to alleviate the pressure faced by the ministry and the public during normal working hours. The services will be provided in a trial period for two months over three days a week (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday), before being implemented permanently seven days a week. A weekly report will be made on the progress of this service for evaluation in order to avoid any obstacles or observations that may be encountered during the trial period. Qatar in GCC legal meeting

MANAMA: Qatar has participated in the 7th GCC Public Prosecutors, Attorney-Generals and Heads of Public Investigation Authorities which concluded in the Bahraini capital yesterday. Qatar’s delegation to the meeting was led by the Attorney General H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri. The meeting reviewed the issues on the meeting’s agenda aiming to consolidate joint GCC action. The participants agreed to submit a recommendation to the Supreme Council concerning the exchange of mem- bers of public prosecution and investigation authorities among GCC states. They also endorsed the by-law of the Excellence Award for members of public prosecutions and investigation authorities and decided to submit it to the ministerial meeting for approval. QNA MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Ooredoo’s 4G services set for major upgrade Second headquarters and flagship shop inaugurated on Airport Road

LEFT: Ooredoo’s second headquarters (HQ2) on the Airport Road. MIDDLE: Chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani visiting the headquarters after the inauguration. RIGHT: Qatar’s Olympic medallist and rally driver Nasser Al Attiyah with the chairman.

DOHA: Ooredoo is set to launch month. More technical informa- services has seen major network paperless pricing, an SMS queu- covering every aspect of Ooredoo Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al a major upgrade of its 4G serv- tion will be available to the cus- upgrades across Qatar, increas- ing system, an interactive big services. Thani, Chief Executive Officer, ices from October 1, 2013. The tomers on that date”, Ooredoo ing the number of base sites to screen television and several Interactive screens enable cus- Ooredoo Qatar said: “This open- upgrade will help Ooredoo bring Chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin more than double network cover- play-pods where customers can tomers to check individual speci- ing is a big day for Ooredoo, and almost the entire country under Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani age in order to provide the best witness Ooredoo’s fibre broadband fications of different products, as our new prime location near the the ultrafast network services. said on the sidelines of the grand customer experience, he noted. speeds and try out the latest tab- well as up-to-the-minute details airport means we are here for With the new upgrade, both opening ceremony of Ooredoo’s Opening the new headquarters lets and smartphones. of new offers and promotions. every customer whenever they Shahry and Hala customers using second headquarters (HQ2), and Ooredoo’s new flagship shop, Joined by special guest Nasser The shop has special demon- arrive home in Qatar. Ooredoo is Hala weekly packs or Shahry a plush facility dedicated to Sheikh Abdullah said the HQ2 Al Attiyah, Olympic medallist and stration areas for both 4G and racing forward, bringing a new mobile data packs can access the Ooredoo’s customers in Qatar, at will work as the nerve centre for rally driver, the delegation of spe- fibre technologies enabling cus- type of shopping experience for service using the 4G key. Airport Road yesterday. all customer-facing operations in cial guests were led on the first tomers to experience the incred- our customers, and offering tech- Though Ooredoo launched the The upgrade also means that, Qatar, bringing together customer organised tour of both facilities. ible speeds and versatility of nologies and products that are 4G broadband network system for the first time, customers using services, sales, marketing and “The whole experience for Ooredoo’s top-of-the-range fixed entirely innovative.” this April, the key coverage areas compatible Smartphones can support staff together under one customers entering the store is and wireless Internet solutions. Ooredoo’s West Bay headquar- were limited and the company enjoy 4G services, as well as cus- roof in a futuristic environment seamless and paper-free. They are Customers can also see the flaw- ters (HQ1) will continue to be was in the process of upgrading tomers using MyFi and Ooredoo designed to streamline processes. provided with a customer number less transition that is now possible used by the company in parallel the services. “Now we are all set USB modems. Since its launch Ooredoo’s flagship shop is via SMS, and can move around between 4G mobile Internet and with its new HQ2. for a major upgrade from next in April 2013, Ooredoo’s 4G unique in many ways. It features the store to special sections hotspots fuelled by Ooredoo fibre. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar will host successful World Cup, says UK envoy Ambassador optimistic Qatar will protect migrant workers’ rights

BY FAZEENA SALEEM government,” and the Qatari authorities have not spoken to him about the reports DOHA: The new British ambassador as they understand the system in the UK.” yesterday said Qatar will host a very suc- Hopton, with 25 years of diplomatic serv- cessful World Cup in 2022. ice, took over as ambassador to Qatar in Qatar’s winning 2022 bid is a great oppor- July. Relations between the UK and Qatar tunity for countries such as the UK to work have become stronger in several areas closely with Qatar to help it have a very such as culture, trade and security and the successful World Cup, Nicholas Hopton told number of British people coming here has a press conference. increased by 16 percent. “Qatar has been chosen to have the World The Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture has Cup in 2022. I think Qatar will have great added valuable cooperation and exchange success in it,” he said. and helped celebrate cultures and friend- To a question about an article in The ship, according to Hopton. Guardian on deaths of Nepalese workers in “The number of people living and working Qatar, Hopton said: “I can’t talk on behalf in Qatar is rising, now there are more than of the newspaper. But, of course, I have read 20,000 people, about 16 percent higher than the report.” last year, more and more people are moving However, he remains optimistic Qatar is in and involved in Qatar’s development and taking steps to safeguard migrant workers’ business,” he said. rights. In 2013, the British embassy received ‘I think there is a question about human British Ambassador to Qatar, Nicholas Hopton 34,000 visa applications compared with rights. I’m very pleased that Qatari authori- 26,234 in 2012, up 29 percent. during a press conference at his residence ties have said that they are going to investi- Qatar remains as the UK’s third largest yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL gate these reports, very important that they export market in the Gulf. British exports do that and I hope very much that there are to Qatar rose from 363m in 2005 to 1.31bn issues abount treatment of workers that the UK functions independently. by 2012-end. would be addressed.” He said the media in “Journalists don’t speak for the THE PENINSULA

Al Attiyah to attend London meet

DOHA: The Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah and his accompanying delega- tion left for London for official visit to the United Kingdom. Al Attiyah will take part in the two-day ministerial plenary meet- ing of the Oil and Money Conference 2013 to be held in London tomorrow. QNA Sir Andrew Davis conducting the orchestra. BBC Symphony Orchestra to perform today

DOHA: As part of Qatar UK three composers closely associ- musical life since its inception 2013 Year of Culture the BBC ated with the orchestra’s his- in 1930, these British composers Symphony Orchestra will per- tory. Conducted by Sir Andrew have always remained close to form two concerts introduc- Davis, the repertoire will the orchestra’s identity. ing Qatar to the very best of include Edward Elgar’s Pomp Qatar UK 2013 Year of British classical music at the & Circumstance #1, Benjamin Culture is coordinated by the Katara Opera House today and Britten’s Four Sea Interludes British Council and the Qatar tomorrow. and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Museums Authority (QMA) This is the first time the Symphony No 2. All three with the support of Ministries orchestra has been visiting composers reflect the British of Culture and Foreign Affairs the country in its 83 years landscape they knew well in and Katara Cultural Village of history. The 90 strong their musical masterpieces. along with Platinum Sponsors London based BBC Symphony With the BBC Symphony Qatargas, Qatar Shell and Orchestra will perform the very Orchestra having played a cen- Vodafone Qatar. best of British classical music by tral role at the heart of British THE PENINSULA

Qatar Airways additional Defence Minister meets Tanzanian flights to Jeddah during Haj counterpart DOHA: Qatar Airways will On October 2, Qatar Airways DOHA: The Minister of State operate additional flights to will launch its sixth route in for Defence Affairs Maj Gen Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from Saudi Arabia, Ta’if. The air- Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah met October 8 to October 20 to line currently flies to Dammam, with the Tanzanian Minister of meet an expected increase in Jeddah, Madinah, Qassim, and Defence and National Service the number of passengers dur- Riyadh. Shamsi Vuai Nahodha. ing Haj. THE PENINSULA QNA MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Sacrificial animal Two-day ‘Discover QU to embark on $60m Education City’ from tomorrow

DOHA: Hamad bin Khalifa expansion projects University (HBKU) and its partner universities will host the annual student recruit- ment event for high school Varsity expects students strength to cross 20,000 in two years students, ‘Discover Education City’ (DEC), on Tuesday and DOHA: Qatar University (QU) the planning phase. It will offer The organization is also looking Wednesday. has embarked on a major expan- the full range of services and into offering online distance learn- The vent will be held at the sion project to meet the require- offices provided by the Student ing courses with a university-wide HBKU Student Center within ments of its increasing number of Affairs sector in one building: committee recently established the Education City. students which is expected to cross Admission and Registration, to determine their viability. In the Open to all high school students 20,000 over the next two years. Student Services (Financial Aid, coming phase, some courses will across Qatar, along with their Currently the university has about Counseling, Learning Support, be offered with the understanding parents and school administra- 15,000 students on its roll. Career Services and all other that the pilot may be expanded at a tors, DEC draws thousands of The university has allocated types of resources and support). broader level if effective. This term, visitors from across Qatar. The an annual budget worth $60m Al Misnad said that Career the core curriculum course Islamic event gives the public an opportu- (QR218.5m approximately) for Services will be enhanced to Education will be offered online as a nity to learn about HBKU and its scientific research, with a strong develop unique career advising pilot for the committee’s assessment. partner universities, including a emphasis on projects relevant programs and events for each col- Discussing campus expansion, look at the programs offered, out to the Qatari community, its lege, with special emphasis on 1st- Prof Al Misnad highlighted cur- of classroom opportunities, and President Dr Sheikha Abdulla Al year students; collaborate with rent buildings projects – College of information about admissions and Misnad said yesterday. faculty, governmental agencies Engineering, College of Pharmacy, standardized testing. The new plan will see QU’s tran- and HR associations on relevant Early Childhood Center, Central Representatives from HBKU sition into a residential campus. “It labor market research activities; Stores — and new entrances and and its partner universities will will provide a safe and engaging increase the use of technology to campus roads network. Planned be present to elaborate on the housing environment that is more improve the efficiency and effec- projects include a multi-sto- undergraduate academic pro- than just a place to study and sleep tiveness of all career-related serv- rey parking lot; a new College grams at Virginia Commonwealth but also where students are able to ices; and develop and implement a of Education, College of Law, University in Qatar (VCUQatar), participate in social, educational, comprehensive employer outreach Administration Building, faculty Weill Cornell Medical College in cultural and recreational opportu- and relations plan to increase offices, and a multi-purpose hall. Qatar (WCMC-Q), Texas A&M nities and so enhance the spirit of under-graduate and graduate Al Misnad pointed to several University at Qatar (TAMUQ), the campus,” said Al Misnad, in her recruitment activities. research projects that present Carnegie Mellon University in annual press conference at the uni- A First-Year Experience (FYE) good examples of the link between Qatar (CMUQ), Georgetown versity premises. Two student hous- Project is also being offered to QU research and national priori- University School of Foreign ing complexes each holding 450 help students, especially those ties such as a major partnership Service in Qatar (SFS-Q), and students are expected for comple- who do not go through the between QU, Qatar Airways, Northwestern University in Qatar tion in the second quarter of 2014. Foundation Program, to maximize QSTP and several leading national (NU-Q). DEC is the kickoff event They will include sporting and lei- their chances of success by build- and international organizations to The livestock market in Abu Hamour is witnessing huge rush ahead of for a wider calendar of programs sure facilities, cafeteria, supermar- ing their direction and identity, convert local into biofuel products Eid Al Adha, as a number of citizens and residents have started buying hosted by HBKU Student Affairs ket, and kids playing area. and developing long-term strate- for use in the aviation industry. sacrificial animals. Sheep and goat imported from Iran and Syria are throughout the academic year. A Student Center is also in gies in their first year at QU. THE PENINSULA in high demand, as well as the locally bred varieties. The prices this THE PENINSULA year have gone up by about 30 percent, say customers. ABDUL BASIT Sidra Medical and Research Center to open doors for patients in 2015

DOHA: The long waited Sidra standards in patient care for in answering a question during and everything should be ready for staff and other facilities and serv- Medical Corporation in regard Medical and Research Center women and children in Qatar a press conference held to offi- opening. Services at the Sidra are ices will be arranged. It will open to reaching three goals , rais- will open its doors for patients and the region will open its door cially announce about the World planed to be very innovative,” said with a very high level of compe- ing the standard of health care in 2015, said a senior official in the first quarter of 2015, said Innovation Summit for Health at Al Muhannadi. tence,” he added. Sidra will work throughout the country and pro- yesterday. Qatar Foundation’s new President the Four Seasons Hotel. “A hos- “The building will be completed closely with its academic partner viding valuable opportunities for The ultramodern medical Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi. pital is not a building, it includes, by the end of this year and then Weill Cornell Medical College in research and learning. center which aims to set new He revealed the information services, facilities and equipment training will be provided for the Qatar (WCMC-Q) and Hamad THE PENINSULA Fun Ville opens at Ezdan Mall

DOHA: Landmark Leisure, the entertainment divi- sion of the iconic Landmark Group launched its first ever Fun Ville centre yesterday at Ezdan Mall in Doha. It was a special moment when stu- dents of Ezdan Mall’s initia- tive “Education for All” had a fun filled time at the cen- tre to mark the launch in the presence of Malik Qaiser Awan, General Manager of Ezdan Mall, Santosh Pai, COO, Landmark Group Qatar and Silvio Liedtke, COO, Landmark Leisure. Fun Ville centre houses Fun N’ Learn play area that is designed Students of Ezdan Mall’s initiative “Education for All” cutting the ribbon to to engage younger children with open the Fun Ville at Ezdan Mall in Gharafa yesterday. ABDUL BASIT arts & crafts, singing, dancing, colouring and pretend play. Fun rides that enjoy a huge fan fol- For the 4 - 12 years old chil- In Learn allows children to make lowing like Happy Swing, Drop dren, Fun Ville is also equipped choices, achieve crucial develop- and Twist Tower, Bumper Cars, with its highly popular ‘Play Zone’ mental milestones and have fun Beach Safari, Tour de Paris and soft play area that aids their while they are learning in this Mini Dance Party 360 are also physical, social, mental and emo- process. A selection of popular present at this centre. tional skills. THE PENINSULA R MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME / MIDDLE EAST

Troops take over ‘Syria will comply with UN resolution’ checkpoints in Hezbollah bastion 16 dead after air raid hits school in Raqa; photographer killed in shelling buried BAALBEK: Lebanese soldiers took over security checkpoints DAMASCUS: Syria will com- immediately be verified. manned by Hezbollah in the ply with a UN resolution to “There was panic, with children party’s eastern stronghold of destroy its chemical arsenal, crying as they sought to take shel- Baalbek yesterday, a day after a President Bashar Al Assad said ter,” the Observatory quoted a sur- Shia-Sunni shoot-out killed four yesterday, as weapons experts vivor as saying. people, a Hezbollah source said. prepared to head for Damascus Raqa, the only provincial capi- It was the second time this to begin the task. tal in rebel hands, was captured week that Hezbollah has handed In the latest violence, an air raid from government forces in March control of its checkpoints to the hit a high school in the northern and is now largely controlled by army, after the military also rebel-held city of Raqa killing 16 Al Qaeda loyalists of the Islamic deployed in the southern suburbs people, including 10 students, as State of Iraq and the Levant. of Beirut. troops battled rebels on several It lies in the Euphrates valley “We have handed over to the fronts, a monitoring group said. 160 kilometres east of the Aleppo, Lebanese army our checkpoints A team of around 20 inspec- Syria’s second city. at the entrances and in the tors from the Organisation for the The air strike came after rebels centre of the city,” a Hezbollah Prohibition of Chemical Weapons overnight attacked army positions source said. is due in Damascus on Tuesday, an in Nasseriya Al Qalamun north “We are now working on hand- OPCW official said. of Damascus, killing at least 19 ing over other checkpoints, until “At this point, we have abso- soldiers and wounding 60, the the military takes control of them lutely no reason to doubt the infor- Observatory said. all and it becomes responsible for mation provided by the Syrian Rebels also seized a swathe of security.” regime,” the official told journal- land linking the southern Daraa Hezbollah set up its own ists at OPCW headquarters in The province to the Israeli-occupied security checkpoints in areas Hague yesterday. Golan Heights after four days of it controls after bombings that The regime and the rebels have fierce fighting which left 26 regime wounded more than 50 people on traded accusations of chemical soldiers and several rebels dead, July 9 and killed 27 on August 15. weapons use during the 30-month the monitoring group added. Militants were deployed for A Free Syrian Army fighter talks to his fellow fighters as they hold their weapons near the Justice Palace in Aleppo. war that has killed more than In the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, weeks to search vehicles and 110,000 people and forced two mil- Syrian photographer Murhaf Al check people’s identity cards. lion to flee the country. relations between the United “There can be no discussion of online by the Syrian Observatory Modahi, a contributor to AFP Yesterday’s handover comes The United States threatened States and Syria’s ally Iran could the future of President Assad. It for Human Rights showed carnage known by the pseudonym Abu a day after four people, includ- military action after the August benefit Damascus and the region, is in the constitution,” he said at at the school bombed in Raqa, Shuja, was buried after being ing two Hezbollah fighters, were 21 attack, in which it said regime “so long as the United States is UN headquarters. including mangled bodies. killed in shelling on Saturday. killed in a clash with Sunni gun- forces had deliberately killed honest.” Meanwhile, video footage posted Its authenticity could not AFP men in Baalbek. hundreds of civilians with rocket- But he said that most European A fifth man, a Lebanese sol- delivered nerve agents. countries “are unable” to play a dier, died yesterday after being Syria denied the allegations but role in the peace conference on UN experts carry out new inspection wounded during the clash. agreed to relinquish its chemi- Syria, which is being planned for It was not immediately clear cal arsenal to head off a strike mid-November in Geneva. DAMASCUS: UN chemical weapons experts, Other sites being investigated include the Sheikh what triggered the fighting at the under a US-Russian deal which UN chief Ban Ki-moon pressed in Syria to investigate alleged use of the banned Maqsud neighbourhood of Aleppo city, allegedly the Hezbollah-manned checkpoint. was enshrined in a landmark UN for the conference during his first arms, yesterday left their Damascus hotel to site of an April attack, and Saraqeb in the north- “We were preparing to hand Security Council resolution. meeting on Saturday with Syria’s carry out a new mission, a photographer said. west province of Idlib on the border with Turkey. over the checkpoints to the army In his first comments since the opposition National Coalition chief The United Nations has said the experts are The team is also continuing investigations into before yesterday’s incident, but resolution was passed on Friday, Ahmad Jarba, who said he was investigating seven alleged chemical weapons an August 21 attack in the suburbs of Damascus the incident delayed the hando- Assad told Italy’s Rai News 24 tel- ready to send a delegation to the attacks and expect to wind up their work on the that coincided with their first mission to Syria last ver by a day,” said the Hezbollah evision his regime “will comply.” meeting, a UN spokesman said. ground today. They hope to have a report ready month. In addition, the team is investigating three source. “Of course we will comply with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid “by late October”. alleged attacks — on August 22 in Bahhariyeh, near A correspondent in Baalbek it, and history proves that we have Muallem, meanwhile, insisted The alleged attacks being probed include a Damascus, on August 24 in the Jubar district of said Hezbollah militants had always honoured all treaties we there could be no talk of Assad’s March 19 incident in Khan Al Assal, in Aleppo the capital, and an incident reported in Ashrafiyeh withdrawn from the checkpoints, have signed,” state news agency departure — a demand of both province of northern Syria, that both the regime Sahnaya, Damascus province, on August 25. and that the city was calm despite SANA quoted him as saying. Western governments and the and rebels reported. AFP Saturday’s firefight. Assad also said warming Syrian opposition. AFP

World Health Day Forum to hear differing views on media

Continied from page 1 the four key sessions to be held utopian idea and impossible due Taking advantage of techno- “These media organisations on the two days would feature to the different needs and situa- logical developments, some sec- are pushing one viewpoint and participants representing both tions of member-states. tions of the media were inciting do not show any respect for the viewpoints — those favouring “There was such a proposal sectarian passions, encouraging opposing view. They are mak- media freedom in totality, and and I headed a forum in GCC violence and spreading lies and ing the region feel threatened,” those opposed to the idea and states for six years that debated rumours, the event organisers Malik said in remarks to this favouring restricted freedom in the proposal. Initially, the idea said. newspaper. the sense that the media must was approved by the informa- They were referring to online “The role of the media in each play a role in helping social sta- tion ministers and leaders of the and social media and said there GCC country should be to help bility and security. GCC states but it was eventually was a need for balance. maintain social stability as well as Malik said the symposium shelved.” Famous journalists from the security, and not threaten them.” was a good opportunity to listen The two-day Bahrain event region, like Jamal Khashoggi “You can see what is happening to both viewpoints and said he is being held by Manama-based from Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al in Syria, Yemen and Tunisia, for didn’t believe it would end up Information Affairs Authority, Fahad from Kuwait, Mohamed instance. Using media freedom imposing restrictions on media and some 150 media persons, Al Hammadi from the UAE, without responsibility can have freedom in the region. experts and educationists from and Anwar Abdul Raheem from an adverse impact.” Talking about a uniform media the region would discuss the Bahrain, will be among the Dr Manish Barman gives a presentation on ‘Latest Generation of Oral He said the good thing about law for the GCC states, Malik impact of media in the region on speakers. Anticoagulants and Anti-Platelets Drugs’ during a World Heart Day the Bahrain event was that all said such a legislation was a national security. THE PENINSULA Symposium at Al Ahli Hospital yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL Highway patrol personnel WISH to focus on eight healthcare issues

DOHA: Eight most challeng- on the global healthcare sector.” Denham, chairman of the Institute – the best changes happen when start training course ing healthcare problems will be The Summit’s forums, chaired of Global Health Innovation at other sectors contribute as well. in focus at the inaugural World by leading experts, will seek to Imperial College, London, and By bringing together global poli- DOHA: The National imposed on highways, investi- Innovation Summit for Health stimulate discussion and encour- executive chair of WISH, said, cymakers, academics, scientists, Committee for Traffic Safety gating traffic accidents, and on (WISH) in Doha in December. age the uptake of innovative “Innovation plays a pivotal role researchers, NGOs, and business has launched its first training equipment and devices necessary Chaired by H H Sheikha Moza approaches for dealing with in addressing global health chal- leaders, WISH will stimulate course for highway patrol per- for traffic police personnel and bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar some of the world’s most press- lenges. If we can make it easier for discussion and application of the sonnel, in which about 50 par- highway patrol vehicles. Foundation for Education, Science ing healthcare challenges includ- countries to look after their people most practical and innovative ticipants will be trained in safe The trainees will also attend and Community Development, the ing obesity, mental health, road in innovative and accessible ways ideas that can be implemented driving and traffic investigation lectures by experts from the international summit will unveil a traffic injuries, accountable care, then we will all benefit, regardless around the globe.”. techniques. Traffic Department on Qatar’s Global Innovation Diffusion Study. antimicrobial resistance, end-of- of where we live or what kind of The Summit will be held on The course, sponsored by traffic law, procedures for seiz- The first of its kind study will life patient engagement, and big lifestyle we have. December 10 and 11 at Qatar RasGas, is conducted by experts ing wanted vehicles, proper park- assess eight countries, includ- data and healthcare. “This is not limited to tradi- National Convention Centre. from Chicago-based Northwestern ing of vehicles on highways and ing Qatar, Brazil, UK, US, South Professor Lord Darzi of tional providers of healthcare THE PENINSULA University. The launch event was dealing with the public during Africa, Australia and Spain in held at the premises of the Traffic patrols. terms of how their systems con- Department in Doha. The team will be trained to pro- tribute to transformative change The director of the Traffic mote traffic law enforcement by – whether through innovation Department, Brigadier detecting violations like tailgating, in technology, processes or busi- Muhammed Saad Al Kharji, the use of mobile phones, speeding, and ness models, the organisers said director of Al Fazaa, Brigadier failure to wear seat belts. They will yesterday. Abdul Azeez bin Faisal Al Thani, be equipped with advanced acci- The Summit will bring together the secretary of the National dent investigation skills and driver more than 500 global health inno- Committee for Traffic Safety, interview techniques. vators, heads of state, ministers, Brigadier Muhammed Al Malki, The training programme has government officials, academics and the director of the safety been designed by Northwestern and influential business leaders. department at RasGas, Engineer University of Chicago and is Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, Fahad Muhammed Al Siddeequi an important tool for promot- President of Qatar Foundation, were present at the inaugural ing safety on roads, said Fahad said: “Qatar Foundation has ceremony. Mohammed Al Siddeeqi. a clear commitment to help Al Kharji said the new patrol- The training course is being develop Qatar into a global cen- ling team will promote safe driv- held under the ‘Joint Support tre for excellence in healthcare ing and good road manners. The Project between the National and medical innovation. Through Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer of UK and forum chair (antimicrobial resistance) at the World Innovation participants have been divided Committee for Traffic Safety and WISH, Qatar Foundation seeks Summit for Health (WISH); Professor Dermot Keller, Principal, Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London; into two batches and will undergo RasGas Company’ which aims at to produce concrete, permanent Professor Lord Darzi of Denham, Director of Institute of Global Health Innovation and executive chair of WISH; theoretical and practical les- reducing traffic accidents and solutions in healthcare advocacy, Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, President of Qatar Foundation; and Javaid I Sheikh, Dean of Weill Cornell Medical sons, including special training related casualties. policy, research and delivery – all College in Qatar, at a media briefing to announce WISH at the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha. SALIM MATRAMKOT in the application of speed limits THE PENINSULA critical to having a positive impact MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Israel arrests Iran ready to Iranian ‘spy’

JERUSALEM: Israel’s Shin Bet security service yester- discuss limits day announced the arrest on September 11 of an Iranian “spy” carrying photographs of the US embassy in Tel Aviv. The suspect, holding a Belgian passport, was sent to Israel by to enrichment Iran’s elite Republican Guards and arrested at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion international airport, Suspension of process ruled out Shin Bet charged in a statement. The domestic intelligence serv- TEHRAN: Iran is willing to and the nuclear issue were cen- ice identified him as Ali Mansouri, discuss limits in the level to tral to the historic telephone 58, and said he had enrolled in which it enriches uranium but conversation on Friday between a “special operations unit of the will never suspend the proc- Iranian President Hassan Revolutionary Guards responsi- ess altogether, the deputy for- Rowhani and his US counterpart ble for numerous terrorist attacks eign minister said in comments Barack Obama. around the world”. reported yesterday. In Washington, Iran’s Foreign He had been using the fake “Over the past 10 years, we have Minister accused Israeli Prime identity Alex Mans after being insisted that a total suspension of Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recruited last year, the agency uranium enrichment is out of the of peddling lies yesterday over said, naming his four alleged han- question,” said Deputy Foreign Tehran’s nuclear activities, and Kurdish security forces inspect the site of a bomb attack in the city of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan dlers as senior Iranian officials. Minister Abbas Araqchi, who defended his country’s “non-nego- region, about 350km north of Baghdad, yesterday. The Shin Bet said that under plays a key role in nuclear talks tiable” right to enrich uranium. questioning, the suspect had said with the West. Mohammad Jawad Zarif told he had been promised $1m to use “But during the negotiations we US television that Netanyahu — his position as a businessman to could discuss the framework, level, en route to the United States for set up companies in Israel on method and site (of enrichment) talks and a speech at the United behalf of the Iranian intelligence on condition that this does not Nations — was wrong to allege 52 killed in Iraq attacks services to “harm Israeli and undermine enrichment and Iran’s that Iran’s recent moves to coop- Western interests”. right,” the ISNA news agency erate with the West amount to lit- HILLA: At least 40 people were Militants launched a coordi- of the security forces were killed He had previously visited Israel quoted him as saying. tle more than an insincere charm killed when a suicide bomber nated suicide and car bomb attack and at least 42 others wounded, in July 2012 and last January. An His comments come after Iran offensive. blew himself up at a Shia Muslim on the headquarters of the secu- the authorities said. Security Iranian national, the suspect had held talks with foreign ministers Netanyahu has dismissed funeral in a southern Iraqi town rity services in the capital of the across the city was tight after in 2006 married a Belgian woman of the major powers on Thursday new Iranian President Hassan yesterday, while militants killed Kurdistan region yesterday, killing the attack. whom he had since divorced. on the framework for negotiations Rowhani’s drive to mend fences six people in a rare attack in six people in the first major assault No group immediately claimed Belga news agency quoted on its nuclear programme which with the international community. usually peaceful Kurdistan. there since 2007. responsibility for the explosions, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier are due to be held in Geneva on Netanyahu has accused The blast brought down the Security forces said the attack which occurred a day after results Reynders as saying yesterday October 15 and 16. Rowhani of being a “wolf in sheep’s ceiling of the mosque in Mussayab, began early last afternoon when of the region’s parliamentary there was nothing to indicate The West wants major conces- clothing,” whose talk of allaying 60km south of the capital Baghdad. they opened fire on a minivan elections were announced. the suspect had acquired Belgian sions from Iran, including the western concerns is a confidence Police said some bodies were still that tried to enter their com- “This shows that those who nationality in an irregular manner. suspension of all enrichment of trick and yesterday he called on trapped beneath the debris. At pound on Sixty Metre road in the resent Kurdistan do not want it uranium beyond the level required the Jewish state’s US ally not to least 50 people were wounded. capital Arbil without authorisa- to be victorious,” read the secu- VANDALS ARRESTED to fuel nuclear power plants, and be fooled. Those inside had been mourn- tion. The driver detonated his rity forces’ statement. “These Police yesterday caught four the closure of Iran’s underground “A smile attack is much better ing the death of a man killed a day vehicle at the entrance. kind of attacks will make us more young Israelis red-handed as they enrichment facility near the cen- than a lie attack,” Zarif said in an earlier by militants. Four suicide bombers armed determined to confront the ter- vandalised Christian tombstones tral city of Qom. interview with ABC Television’s “Until now, we are trying to with guns and grenades then rorists,” it added. in a cemetery in the holy city of Araqchi insisted that the talks “This Week” political talk show. retrieve bodies from under the tried to force their way inside The United Nations’ new envoy Jerusalem, a spokesman said. with the so-called P5+1 group — “Mr Netanyahu and his col- debris. Most of the bodies were but were shot down, the Iraqi to Iraq Nickolay Mladenov said “Four Israeli Jews aged between Britain, China, France, Russia and leagues have been saying since torn to pieces. Legs and hands Kurdish security forces added in he was shocked. 17 and 26, including two from set- the United States plus Germany 1991, and you can check your were scattered on ground,” said a a statement. “For many years, the city of tlements in the West Bank, were — must lead to the lifting of sanc- records, that Iran is six months policeman at the scene. An ambulance also exploded Arbil has benefited from peace arrested as they broke tombstones tions “and the recognition of Iran’s away from a nuclear weapon. It was not immediately clear at the scene. The statement said and security and I urge the in a Christian cemetery on Mount right to enrich uranium.” “We’re 22 years after that who was behind the bombing, it was driven by a militant but regional and national authorities Sion,” Micky Rosenfeld said. “Iran stands ready to lift any and they are still saying we’re which is the latest in a spate of another security source said the to work together to ensure that He said 15 tombstones were concerns” the West has about six months away from a nuclear attacks targeting both Sunni and blast was caused by a car blowing calm and tranquillity will con- vandalised in the graveyard. its nuclear programme, he said. weapon,” he added. Shia places of worship, particu- up nearby. tinue to prevail.” Rosenfeld said police were pur- He added that lifting sanctions AFP larly during funerals. Six militants and six members REUTERS suing two lines of inquiry — that the attack was “a criminal inci- dent motivated by nationalism” or that it was a “hate crime”. In July, two suspects were Sudan stands arrested after vandals set fire to Students clash as Egypt turmoil reaches campuses the door of a Trappist monastery in Latrun, 15 kilometres from firm on fuel CAIRO: Rival groups of stu- opposition yesterday when groups detention of two Canadians held yesterday, a region where Al Jerusalem, in September last year. dents, some armed with guns supporting and opposing Mursi without charge since political Qaeda-linked fighters have stepped Extremists from settler and far- price hike and Molotov cocktails, clashed clashed at Cairo’s Ain Shams clashes in mid-August as officials up attacks on security forces since right groups often commit hate in Egypt yesterday, state media University, leaving at least 12 investigate a small remote control the army deposed Mursi. crimes against Palestinian and KHARTOUM: Sudan and security sources said, as vio- wounded, security sources said. aeroplane and other items found in The soldier was killed late on Israeli Arab villages. Muslim and vowed yesterday to stand lence triggered by the overthrow Fifteen people were wounded the pair’s hotel room. Saturday while on guard at a secu- Christian sites, Israeli pacifists firm on fuel price hikes, of President Mohammed Mursi when rival students at Zagazig The Canadian government rity checkpoint in the town of Al and even the military have been despite days of deadly spread to universities. University, some armed with guns called earlier this month for Tarek Qusayma, the sources said. targeted in reprisal for govern- protests and criticism At least 29 people were wounded and Molotov cocktails, fought, the Loubani, a doctor, and John Greyson, On Saturday morning another ment decisions deemed hostile to from war veterans, hard- in fighting between groups for and state news agency said. a film-maker, to be released. Egyptian soldier was shot dead in their interests. line Islamic leaders and against the ousted Islamist leader State-owned newspaper Al The two men, who have been on the Sinai. AFP from within the ruling at at least three campuses, said the Ahram said unidentified gunmen hunger strike for 13 days, face a REUTERS party itself. reports. shot at students marching and range of charges including arson, Authorities say 33 peo- Egypt has been gripped by tur- shouting anti-army slogans in the murder, and attacking a police ple have died since petrol moil since the army ousted Mursi city northeast of Cairo where Mursi station which come with the and diesel prices jumped on July 3 after mass protests taught engineering. It did not say allegation they participated in last Monday, sparking the against his rule. whether anyone was hit. illegal demonstrations by sup- worst protests in the his- Pro-Mursi students have started Two people were wounded in porters of Mursi in the city on tory of President Omar rallying in campuses, traditional clashes at a university in the Nile August 16. Hassan Al Bashir’s two- hotbeds of Islamist and political Delta city of Tanta, sources said. In the Sinai Peninsula, a decade reign. activity. The army-backed authorities, sniper shot dead an Egyptian Activists and interna- They met their first significant meanwhile, have extended the soldier, security sources said tional human rights groups say at least 50 people were gunned down, most of them in the greater Khartoum area. The real toll is difficult to determine but “could be as much as 200,” a foreign diplomat said on condition of anonymity. Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman said there was no going back on the fuel price increases. “This is the only way out,” he said in a telephone interview, adding that the government knew “riots” would occur but could not sustain the cost of billions of dollars in subsidies. “Our economy cannot tolerate such support,” he said. “We have to carry on. We know it is a bit heavy for the people.” Sudan’s most popular newspaper, which criti- cised the decision to cut subsidies, meanwhile said it had been ordered to stop publishing. Al Intibaha is run by Bashir’s uncle, Al Tayeb Mustafa, who said that state security agents gave no reason for the suspension. AFP MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Travel warning Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

ENYA is yet to recover from the shock of the mall attack that claimed 67 lives. The upmarket mall in the capital Nairobi was raided by Al Shabaab gunmen who Ksprayed bullets indiscriminately and took hostages in Mexican president’s agenda a four-day siege that resonated across the world. This was the worst terror attack in Kenya after Al Qaeda bombed the US embassy in Nairobi in 1999 killing over 200 people. After the attack, comes the inquest. Even as the siege continued from enters decisive phase September 21 trapping hundreds inside the sprawling Westgate shopping centre, Kenyan police drew criticism for a ham-handed BY NICK MIROFF approach. In fact, it was many survivors who emerged as heroes undergone a democratic transforma- has led rallies in the capital under the tion,” Nuno said, referring to the seven banner “In Defense of Oil.” Andres in the aftermath of the carnage. As Kenyan troops fought the exican President Enrique decades of one-party rule by his own Manuel Lopez Obrador, the runner-up Islamist militia, there were conflicting reports of Israeli and US Pena Nieto is entering a PRI party, which ended in 2000 and to Pena Nieto in last year’s presidential troops helping them fight the Somalia-based rebels. critical stage of his term, was followed by 12 years of heavy politi- election, is also mobilising protests and Questions are flying thick and fast over the failure of the Manalysts say, as his admin- cal gridlock. “But that transformation calling for a national referendum on government in anticipating the assault. It has been said that istration faces growing resistance to lacked the structural changes to make reshaping Pemex. the Kenyan security establishment had prior warning of the its wide-ranging, fast-track push to the state efficient, to increase growth “Energy reform has the support of remake the country’s institutions. and competitiveness, and to reduce the upper class, but it’s not well under- attack. Claiming responsibility for the killings, Al Shabaab said Pena Nieto is under fire from poverty.” stood, most people don’t understand it carried out the attack because Kenyan troops are fighting Mexico’s left for taking on powerful Such changes, he said, will inevitably why opening up Pemex is a good idea,” them in Somalia. The US government yesterday issued a travel teachers unions and for a proposal to clash with the “interests” of Mexico’s said pollster Roy Campos. warning, advising its citizens to assess the security situation open the state oil monopoly to private status quo. The vote will also be a bellwether for before travelling to the east African country. Nairobi reacted investment. On the right, opposition is A crucial test for Pena Nieto might the president’s broader agenda, and a furiously to the travel advisory, terming it unnecessary and building to his plan for tax hikes on the come as soon as mid-October, with law- defeat would leave him politically weak- wealthy, corporations and a broad share makers expected to vote in the coming ened with more controversial proposals demanding that it be withdrawn. Kenya has a $1bn tourism of the middle class. weeks on his bid to rewrite energy laws — such as tax increases — still ahead. industry that thrives to a large More moves are still to come, aimed and jolt the sagging national oil com- Administration officials say Mexico’s Kenya should extent on western vacationers at breaking up telephone and broadcast pany, Pemex, which has long been closed low rates of tax collection benefit the and wildlife lovers. Chiding its monopolies, over- to private investment. wealthy and hurt the poor, leaving the have responded long-time ally, the United States, hauling the crimi- If approved, the changes could trigger government too dependent on Pemex, nal justice system, a flood of foreign capital, especially from which funds roughly a third of the fed- Kenya said the travel advisory differently to election rules and the United States, where energy com- eral budget but faces shrinking output the US travel is counterproductive in the fight The vote will also other targets, panies are eager to partner with Pemex as the country’s easy-to-tap oil wells against global terrorism. all stacked on to unearth the large reserves of oil and go dry. advisory that Interior Minister Ole Lenku said be a bellwether the president’s gas that Mexico lacks the technology Former foreign minister Jorge asked Americans that there have been several terror for the president’s lengthy, urgent and expertise to reach. Castaneda, now a columnist and politi- attacks across the world and friendly to-do list. Mexico’s economy has softened since cal analyst, said Pena Nieto made a stra- to assess the broader agenda, After 10 Pena Nieto took office in December, fur- tegic error by starting with his easiest countries have not reacted in a way security situation and a defeat months in office, ther raising the stakes for the energy agenda items and leaving the toughest that exacerbates the pain of the would leave Pena Nieto’s overhaul his administration says is the measures for later. before visiting the victim country. approval rating key to achieving its goal of 5 percent “He came in with a very ambitious African nation. Kenya’s response to the US move him politically — 56 percent in annual growth. The country’s financial agenda of well-intentioned, necessary, does not give the impression that weakened the latest national woes deepened this month as drenching intelligent reforms,” Castaneda said. much thought has gone behind poll — is lower tropical storms inflicted billions in dam- “But he’s proceeding in the wrong with more than those of his ages across a wide swath of Mexican sequence, and I see things getting more it. Though it is true that the attack has left the spirit of the controversial two most recent territory and were blamed for at least difficult for him, not easier.” country wounded and issuing a travel advisory by another nation predecessors at 139 deaths. Pena Nieto scored an early victory this may lead to terrorists feeling emboldened, Nairobi should also proposals — such the same stage. Mexico’s left has been galvanised by month when lawmakers overwhelmingly consider Washington’s position. The US is the country most as tax increases But his adminis- the energy debate, casting the presi- backed his proposals for broad changes targeted by terror groups across the world. American citizens tration says it is dent’s proposals as a resource grab by to public education. The new laws will — still ahead. pressing ahead, foreign interests and local elites seek- submit educators to periodic evaluations are the primary target of Islamist militants in almost all nations. backed by a rare ing to “privatise” the country’s national and begin curbing some of the practices As such, in issuing the warning, the US has acted responsibly and fragile consensus among the coun- patrimony. blamed for chronically low classroom for securing the interests of Americans who plan to visit Kenya. try’s major political parties to take on Nationalism has infused Mexican achievement, like the buying and selling It is standard practice to issue such advisories when a country long-festering problems as quickly as oil ever since former president Lazaro of jobs by union bosses. thinks that its citizens’ security might be compromised due to possible. Cardenas seized the country’s wells from The measures sailed through Mexico’s the existence of terror elements or other unusual circumstances. “This is a transcendental moment,” mostly US and British firms on March Congress but have met obstreperous said Aurelio Nuno, the president’s chief 18, 1938, an event celebrated here as Oil resistance from unions since then. As part of investigations into the attack, forensic experts are of staff, in an interview at Los Pinos, Expropriation Day. Their shifting, near-daily protests have examining evidence to get behind the plot and find the trail Mexico’s equivalent of The White Cardenas’ son, Cuauhtemoc Cardenas, snarled traffic in the capital for weeks, of the attackers. It is for Kenya to deal with the heightened House, calling his administration’s the former mayor of Mexico City and blocking access to the airport, govern- security situation with more focus and concentrate on agenda one of “radical reform.” the founder of the country’s leftist ment offices and the US Embassy. preventing further terror strikes • “Over the past 30 years, Mexico has Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), WP-BLOOMBERG The other side Quote of UN takes centre stage the day HE 68th session of the UN general debate, The Post-2015 and Iran was also a hot topic before unpopular, and the world body is General Assembly, which Development Agenda: Setting the the session began. So it is eye-catch- being looked upon to lead international officially started on Sept Stage, shows the world body is giving ing that the US and Iran have seized efforts to address many of the world’s Tember 17, has stepped into top priority to discussing a sustain- the opportunity to send each other woes today. the international limelight this week able new global agenda to succeed positive signals, which could help China, for its part, is committed to The only way is after the higher-level “general debate” the Millennium Development Goals, thaw decades of animosity between promoting the democratisation of inter- began on Tuesday. which galvanized the world in 2000. the two. national relations and multilateralism. It to proceed with As a parade of about 130 heads of World leaders are also likely to dis- Issues like these are significant to has been a staunch supporter of the state, heads of government and deputy cuss Syria, as more than 100,000 peo- the common development of mankind UN Charter and the norms governing conviction to prime ministers will address the confer- ple are thought to have died in violence and global security. The UN, as the international relations, because there ence on topics of national or interna- and millions have been displaced. most important platform and mecha- is no better venue to deal with issues elections as soon tional concern over eight days, there After the United States and Russia nism for coordinating and pushing of global interest. as possible. All the are expectations that the annual event brokered an agreement for Syria to give international cooperation, has an irre- With a more assertive UN chan- might help build a greater international up its chemical weapons earlier this placeable role in the world arena. neling global efforts to build lasting opinion polls tell us consensus on some serious issues the month, the countries are still at odds The return of the Syrian chemical peace and common prosperity, every that we will win. world is facing today. on what should be done next. weapons issue to the UN framework country will benefit. Silvio Berlusconi The theme for the 68th session’s The relationship between the US indicates unilateralism is increasingly CHINA DAILY Italian leader MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Gridlock takes firmer root in Washington

Yesterday marked the fifth anniver- Instead of bringing a sary of a moment of brinkmanship that occurred in the waning days of George resolution, each close W. Bush’s presidency. On that day, the House rejected a $700bn rescue plan for call has left the parties the nation’s financial system, sending the stock market into a tailspin at a moment further apart. Their of high anxiety. Although the bill passed a few days focus now rests almost later, anger about the bailout — known as the Troubled Assets Relief Program — exclusively on what became a rallying point for the populist right, and helped light the fire that ulti- mately became the tea party movement. cannot be reconciled It also helped end the careers of some of the establishment Republicans who sup- and on scores to be ported it. One of those elected in the backlash settled. is Senator Mike Lee of Utah, a leader in the drive to do what it takes to stop the BY KAREN TUMULTY healthcare law, even if it risks a govern- ment shutdown or the more dire prospect ashington once again stands of a default on US debt. at a moment of crisis — Also missing from the barricades are only this time, Democrats some of the influential figures who helped Wand Republicans are not resolve the past stand-offs. negotiating a way to avoid it. They are In late 2010, shortly after the not even speaking to one another. Republicans’ triumph in the midterm The cumulative effect of almost three elections, Senate Minority Leader Mitch years of governing by near-death experi- McConnell, Republican-Kentucky, and ence is becoming clear. Vice President Joe Biden negotiated an Instead of bringing a resolution, each agreement to extend the Bush-era tax close call has left the parties further cuts for two years. apart. These wrenching stand-offs have In the final days of 2012, the duo teamed only made them more entrenched. Their up again to cut the deal that pulled the focus now rests almost exclusively on what government back from the “fiscal cliff,” a cannot be reconciled and on scores to be combination of $500bn in tax increases settled, rather than on areas where they and across-the-board spending cuts that might actually find common ground. were set to take effect in the new year. It is as though Washington has taken Both have been all but invisible lately. evolution backward — and is operating as Biden has no room to manoeuvre, An American flag flies outside the United States Capitol building as Congress remained gridlocked over legislation to continue funding a primitive, leaderless village where petu- because Obama has insisted that he will the federal government. lance passes for governance. not negotiate. McConnell, meanwhile, is There has been but one set of high- believed to be constrained by the fact that stakes negotiations going on. That is “In 2011, there was an understanding on consideration anymore. appetite nor the aptitude for such delicate he is running for re-election and is facing between House Speaker John Boehner of both sides that we were trying to negoti- “There’s no real deficit reduction here,” talks. They say, for instance, that he gave a tea party challenger in the primary. Ohio and the fractious members of his ate a larger deal that would reduce the said G William Hoagland, a Republican away too much in earlier rounds, which But the minority leader has bristled at GOP conference. deficit,” White House communications and former chief of staff of the Senate produced — among other things — the the obstructionism of freshman Senator House Republicans are making a director Jennifer Palmieri said. Budget Committee. “That’s the difference arrangement under which discretionary Ted Cruz, Republican-Texas, and there demand that many of their members The Republicans’ stance — that they between 2011 and 2013.” spending is being affected by automatic still may be a role for McConnell to play. acknowledge is unrealistic: that President will agree to a bill that would keep the In 2011, a government default was spending cuts known as the sequester. “I don’t intend to participate in any Barack Obama, after being easily re- government operating for two months averted, but the near-miss nearly When the White House raised the pos- discussion, publicly or privately, that elected 11 months ago, surrender his big- in exchange for a one-year delay of the derailed the recovery. Consumer confi- sibility of assembling congressional leaders raises taxes or spends more than current gest domestic achievement. Affordable Care Act — amounts to “politi- dence plunged to its lowest point since at the White House this past week, Senate law,” McConnell told The New York Times “We will not repeal or defund cal extortion,” she said. the depths of the financial crisis. Hiring Majority Leader Harry Reid, Democrat- recently — a statement that had skirted Obamacare. We will not. And to think we And even some Republicans are per- stalled. The Standard & Poor’s 500-stock Nevada, quickly extinguished that idea, the issues immediately at hand. can is not rational,” Senator John McCain, plexed by how their party, in its drive to index dropped more than 10 percent. said Democratic sources on both ends Representative Jim McGovern, Republican-Arizona, has said. undermine the health-care law, has taken “It did grave, absurdly unnecessary of Pennsylvania Avenue. Congressional Democrat-Massachusetts, was a congres- That Obama is refusing to budge — or its focus off the fiscal issues that have been damage to the economy, and that is a Democrats think the best place for sional staffer the last time the government even to engage — reflects more than the so central for the GOP. process we would never undertake again,” Obama, at least for now, may be on the shut down, in 1995. importance he attaches to the healthcare Although the flow of red ink has slowed Palmieri said. golf course, where he was on Saturday. To him, those are starting to look like law. The White House is looking at this as a result of an improving economy and Democrats on Capitol Hill are not Republicans have made their own good times. battle through the lens of its past experi- spending cuts, the long-term outlook eager to see the president take a lead- reckonings with the past, and that is one “I don’t want to sound like I’m nostalgic ences negotiating with Republicans. remains dire, unless something is done ing role in any dealmaking to keep the reason so many — particularly newer for Newt Gingrich,” he said of the flame- Most searing was the failure of the about the increase in spending on entitle- government open, or to negotiate a new members of Congress — are willing to risk throwing former House speaker, “but the 2011 debt-ceiling talks, which brought ment programmes such as Social Security federal debt ceiling. so much in what by all appearances is a bottom line was by comparison he seemed Obama close to what he thought would and Medicare. In the view of many Democrats, futile effort to block or stall the health- more reasonable.” be a “grand bargain” on deficit reduction. None of those are under Obama has shown that he has neither the care law. WP-BLOOMBERG ‘Women-only’ spaces grow in India

BY ANNIE GOWEN they argue, not women. would calm a public increasingly “It’s appalling,” said Jayati agitated about sexual violence. n the months since a grue- Ghosh, an economics professor at They installed helplines for crime some gang rape riveted India, Jawaharlal Nehru University in victims, more street lighting, bet- Ia “women-only” culture has New Delhi. “It’s a way for a patri- ter surveillance cameras. been on the rise here, with Indians archal society to announce it’s not But it was the idea of creat- increasingly seeking out women- going to protect women. It’s sim- ing more safe places for women only buses, cabs, travel groups and ply going to segregate women and that really caught the atten- hotel floors. restrict their freedom, instead of tion of bureaucrats. The city of One city is preparing to open securing it.” Coimbatore, in the southern part a women-only park. And in “Must banks too go pink?” the of the country, announced plans November, the government is headline of an editorial in the to spruce up a decrepit park and launching a women-only bank Hindu, a leading newspaper, asked limit it to women, who would also it hopes will empower women recently. have access to a gym with a female financially. Some women-only spaces — fitness trainer. Localities from In a country where reported in trains, on Delhi’s Metro sys- Assam to Odisha created women- sexual violence is increasing — tem — already had existed before only bus lines. The ministry of despite heightened attention December, when a 23-year-old tourism began pushing even small to the problem — many say the physical therapy student was hotels to add female-only floors. Women sit in a women-only carriage on a train from New Delhi’s Nizamuddin Station destined for Gondwana in women-only spaces are a welcome gang-raped and injured so severely And the government announced Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state. refuge from lewd looks, groping she later died. The country’s male- plans for a $161m banking sys- and unwanted male attention. dominated culture is rooted in tem exclusively for women, the the long run. gang rape had watched the movie One of the young drivers, a The concept appeals to women religious customs and societal Bhartiya Mahila Bank, with a “The attempt is to shrink Life of Pi with a male friend before college student who goes by one across a broad spectrum of Indian norms that date back centuries, predominantly female staff and 25 women into limited spaces,” said heading home on a bus, where the name, Geeta, 21, said she thinks society, including a 60-year-old and the sexes were long kept sepa- branches across the country. It is Ranjana Kumari, the director of attack occurred. her female clients feel more secure named Sarita, who recently trav- rate in schools and temples. set to be launched on November the Center for Social Research in Kapoor’s mother was adamant: travelling with her than with a elled to New Delhi from a village But the December 16 rape and 19, the birthday of Indira Gandhi, New Delhi. “Women still have to The young woman could go to the male. in Maharashtra by train and said subsequent death penalty sen- the former prime minister and come out and walk on the same party only if she hired a cab driven And yet. she still had to squabble with male tences for the four attackers drew the country’s most revered female streets and work in the same by a female for the night. “I think it’s horrible women passengers who tried to sit next to intense attention to the problem of icon. offices and shop in the same mar- “Because in India, even though have to find watertight compart- her in the women’s coach. sexual violence against women in A spokesman for the finance kets as men.” Limiting such spaces we are in the 21st century, with ments, so to say,” Geeta said as she “It’s the ways of men,” Sarita India, where reports of rape have ministry, D S Malik, said that out of concern for women’s safety any (male) cab driver it’s not shifted gears and sped through said. “They’re not good. How can increased more than 25 percent in the new bank was a “major step” “is not at all a good message,” she really safe,” the young woman said. Delhi’s clamorous traffic, horns we coexist?” recent years, statistics show. toward correcting the gender said. “It encourages segregation The company Kapoor hired, honking in her wake. At four feet But critics argue that the trend Some women believe the harsh inequity in credit and banking and more violence.” Sakha Cabs for Women, was 9 inches tall and 99 pounds, she toward separation threatens the sentences will have little impact in India, where only 26 percent One recent evening, Aishwarrya founded in 2010 in Delhi and now has to sit on top of a tapestry pil- gains that women have made and feel the harassment problem of women have a bank account, Kapoor, 20, a recent college gradu- has 12 female drivers, with 62 low to see over the steering wheel. in education and access to new is getting worse, forcing them to compared with 44 percent of men. ate with a sociology degree, wanted others in training. After the gang “There should be women in all career fields over the past two retreat. But some women’s scholars and to attend a birthday party at a club rape, its founders say, business walks of life and all fields of life,” decades, as the economy has rap- After the gang rape, state gov- advocates don’t believe segregating near a mall in downtown Delhi. increased 50 to 60 percent, and she said. “Where we don’t feel idly modernised. It’s the men who ernments across India scrambled the sexes is empowering, saying it As it happened, it was the same they’re often booked several days isolated.” need to change their behaviour, to do something — anything — that could have a negative impact in mall at which the victim in the in advance. WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL

Greek police arrest Forty killed as five lawmakers in neo-Nazi crackdown ATHENS: The head of Greece’s neo-Nazi Golden gunmen storm Dawn party was facing a charge of leading a criminal organisation yesterday after he was arrested by anti-ter- ror police along with four fel- Nigeria college low MPs. Party founder Nikos Michaloliakos and the four Boko Haram behind attack: Police Golden Dawn lawmakers were held overnight after they DAMATURU, Nigeria: people in an attack on a Nairobi were arrested in dawn raids Suspected Islamist militants shopping mall a week ago. Saturday amid high tensions stormed a college in north- Bodies were recovered from in Greece following the murder eastern Nigeria and shot dead dormitories, classrooms and of a leftist musician, who was around 40 male students, some outside in the undergrowth yes- allegedly stabbed to death by a of them while they slept early terday, a member of staff at the party activist. yesterday, witnesses said. college said, asking not to be They were placed under judi- The gunmen, thought to be named. cial investigation along with 10 members of rebel sect Boko State police commissioner other party members facing Haram, attacked one hostel, took Sanusi Rufai said he suspected likely charges of belonging to some students outside before kill- Boko Haram was behind the a criminal organisation, a court ing them and shot others trying attack but gave no details. source said. Michaloliakos faces to flee, people at the scene said. Thousands have been killed US House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (centre) walks to the House floor for a series of late-night votes at the an additional charge of leading “They started gathering stu- since Boko Haram launched its US Capitol in Washington. a criminal organisation. dents into groups outside, then uprising in 2009, turning itself they opened fire and killed one from a clerical movement opposed group and then moved onto the to Western culture into an armed Austrian parties in next group and killed them. It militia with growing links to Al tough election fight was so terrible,” said one surviv- Qaeda’s West African wing. US government shutdown likely ing student Idris, who would only President Goodluck Jonathan VIENNA: Austria’s once- give his first name. declared a state of emergency in mighty two main political “They came with guns around three northeastern state in May, parties are projected to suf- 1am and went directly to the male including Yobe, and ordered a amid divisions over Obamacare fer their worst election result hostel and opened fire on them military offensive to crush Boko since 1945, as voters turn to ... The college is in the bush so Haram’s insurgency. WASHINGTON: The US a statement shortly after the Act and the repeal of the medical the far-right, the Greens and the other students were running There was an initial lull in the government was in deadlock vote. “Let’s get this done.” The device tax,” Reid said. two new parties. around helplessly as guns went violence as Islamists fled bases yesterday after the House of vote brings the federal govern- Boehner nevertheless ploughed The unloved coalition of off and some of them were shot in cities, forests and mountains. Representatives approved a ment dramatically closer to its ahead with the strategy, conven- Chancellor Werner Faymann’s down,” said Ahmed Gujunba, Then the militants began revenge Republican bill that attempts to first shutdown in 17 years, which ing a rare Saturday session as Social Democrats (SPOe) a taxi driver who lives by the attacks on schools, security forces delay President Barack Obama’s would require hundreds of thou- Congress struggled to break the with the conservative People’s college. and civilians believed to be help- healthcare law. sands of federal workers to stay funding impasse. Under pressure Party (OeVP) will likely stay Boko Haram, which wants ing them. Congress now has less than home. from his Republican party’s far- in power, however, but possibly to establish an Islamic state in In July, suspected Boko Haram 48 hours to strike a deal that After hours of raucous debate, right conservative wing, Boehner needing a third partner. northern Nigeria, has intensi- militants killed 27 students and a keeps the government open, but the Republican-controlled House doubled down on his caucus’s bid Opinion polls give the SPOe fied attacks on civilians in recent teacher at a school in Potiskum, a the ping-ponging of legislation is approved the measure just after to stop Obamacare. 27-28 percent and the OeVP weeks in revenge for a military town about 30 miles from the site making that unlikely. midnight Saturday, voting largely “The American people will not 21-22 percent of the vote, down offensive against its insurgency. of yesterday’s attack. The House measure funds along party lines. be extorted by Tea Party anar- from 29 percent and 26 per- Several schools, seen as the Several hundred people have the government at current lev- Republican leaders set off a chists,” said Reid, referring to cent at the last election in 2008 focus of Western-style education died in assaults over the past els until mid-December, but also political firestorm when they the ultra-conservative faction of -- and a far cry from scores and culture, have been targeted. few weeks. Some observers say includes a one-year delay of the announced Saturday that their Republicans. touching 50 percent in decades Boko Haram and spin-off the army offensive has only suc- president’s signature healthcare stopgap federal spending bill He derided the House measure gone by. Islamist groups like Al Qaeda- ceeded in pushing attacks away reform — dubbed Obamacare — sought to delay implementation as “pointless” brinkmanship that linked Ansaru have become the from well-guarded large towns and the repeal of a tax on medical of the health care law by one year. could end in economic crisis. biggest security threat in Africa’s and cities into vulnerable rural devices. The White House sharply Driving the point home, a Swiss army simulates second largest economy and top areas. The measure needs approval rebuked the move, and warned it Senate Democratic aide said that oil exporter. Boko Haram’s insurgency is in the Senate, where Democratic was a step toward shuttering fed- it was “highly unlikely” the cham- attack by France Western governments are also putting pressure on the econ- Majority Leader Harry Reid said eral agencies once the fiscal year ber would be in session before GENEVA: Switzerland’s increasingly worried about the omy of Africa’s most populous it will be rejected. ends Monday night. today. Given the Senate’s likely army simulated a French threat posed by Islamist groups nation. Nigeria’s security spend- “Now that the House has again Senate Leader Reid was rejection of the House bill in the attack against their coun- across Africa, from Mali and ing has risen to more than 1 tril- acted, it’s up to the Senate to pass uncompromising. waning hours of the fiscal year, try in training exercises in Algeria in the Sahara, to Kenya lion naira ($6.26bn) per year, or this bill without delay to stop a “To be absolutely clear, the a Republican aide acknowledged August, the newspaper Matin in the east, where Somalia’s Al around 20 percent of the federal government shutdown,” House Senate will reject both the one- that a temporary shutdown was Dimanche revealed yesterday. Shabaab fighters killed at least 67 budget. REUTERS Speaker John Boehner said in year delay of the Affordable Care the likeliest scenario. AFP The army imagined a sce- nario in which France was in financial turmoil and had split up into several regional enti- ties. One of these was prepar- Britain recruiting ing attacks on Switzerland to retrieve money it had appar- ently stolen from it. “The exercise has strictly cyber-warriors nothing to do with France,” said Daniel Berger, captain of LONDON: Britain is to set up a dedicated military unit to the Swiss armoured brigade. counter cyber attacks, the defence secretary announced yester- “It was prepared in 2012 day as he issued a call for tech-savvy new recruits. when fiscal relations between The Ministry of Defence is looking to recruit hundreds of com- both countries were less tense,” puter experts to help defend Britain’s national security. he added. The “cyber reservists” would work alongside regular forces in the new Joint Cyber Reserve Unit in a bid to protect key computer networks and safeguard data. Plagiarism charges The new capability would be able to “counter-attack in cyber- space and, if necessary, to strike in cyber-space as part of our full- against minister spectrum military capability”, Prime Minister David Cameron’s BERLIN: Germany’s former Conservative Party said. foreign minister and sen- “In response to the growing cyber threat, we are developing a ior Social Democrat Frank- full-spectrum military cyber capability, including a strike capability, Walter Steinmeier has to enhance the UK’s range of military capabilities,” Hammond said. became the latest German “Increasingly, our defence budget is being invested in high-end politician to face allegations capabilities such as cyber and intelligence and surveillance assets of academic plagiarism, an to ensure we can keep the country safe. “The cyber reserves will act which brought down two be an essential part of ensuring we defend our national security in of Angela Merkel’s ministers. cyber-space. “This is an exciting opportunity for Internet experts Weekly magazine Focus in industry to put their skills to good use for the nation, protecting cited university professor Uwe Emergency services attend to a tourist boat after it caught fire on the River Thames, in central London, yesterday. our vital computer systems and capabilities.” Kamenz as saying that he had As well as targeting regular personnel leaving full-time roles found 500 areas of suspicious and existing reservists with the right skill set, Hammond hopes “similarities” when comparing to attract experts who would not otherwise consider joining up. Steinmeier’s doctoral thesis Duck boat passengers rescued Recruitment starts in October. in law in 1991 with some 100 In January, parliament’s defence scrutiny committee warned in a sources. report that the British military’s dependence on information tech- He said would be open to nology meant it could be “fatally compromised” by a cyber-attack. a review of the thesis by his after fire on River Thames AFP former university. AGENCIES LONDON: Thirty people have hospital with minor injuries. In a “People are clearly cold, wet been rescued after an amphibi- tweet, it added that most of those and in shock but they were pulled ous bus caught fire on the river being treated at the scene were from the water really quickly and Thames opposite the Houses of wet and cold after spending 10 that’s testament to the work of Cargo ship docks with orbiting Space Station Parliament in central London. minutes in the water. our firefighters, other emergency Firefighters were alerted to A London fire brigade spokes- rescue teams and others who WASHINGTON: An the station’s Harmony module,” the manufacturers eventually figured the blaze on a London Duck just woman said: “We were called at rushed to the scene to help.” unmanned cargo ship success- space agency said on its website. out how to fix what they called a before midday yesterday and a 11.55am. One boat was 30 percent A spokesman for London Duck fully berthed with the orbit- The Cygnus capsule, built by data format mismatch. fire boat was dispatched. Many damaged by fire and approxi- Tours was not able to comment ing International Space Station Virginia-based Orbital Sciences, Orbital Sciences is one of just of the 28 passengers on board the mately 30 people were rescued by on the fire or say whether the yesterday following a one-week launched on September 18 on a two private US firms enlisted by vehicle jumped into the Thames a passing tourist boat. They were company would be suspending its delay due to a technical glitch, demonstration mission meant to Nasa to carry payloads to the ISS. to escape the flames and were removed to Lambeth pontoon and excursions. Nasa said. show it can successfully deliver California-based SpaceX already rescued by police, the fire brigade everyone is accounted for.” A statement on the company’s ISS astronauts “successfully cargo to the space station. showed it could send its reusable and a passing boat. She added that the fire had website says: “Our Ducks have captured the Orbital Sciences Orbital Sciences has a $1.9bn Dragon capsule to the ISS bearing A spokesman for the been extinguished by the fire boat. been modified to meet stringent Cygnus cargo spacecraft with contract with Nasa that requires cargo in May 2012. Metropolitan police said all the Neil Withers, the fire brigade’s safety regulations set by road and the station’s robotic arm” at 1100 the company to deliver freight to Cygnus’s delay, however, allowed passengers and both crew mem- group manager, said: “A number river authorities. Each vehicle GMT, Nasa said. “Following its the ISS over the course of eight time for three new ISS crew bers had been accounted for, while of people jumped into the water seats 30 passengers, has a public capture, the spacecraft is being flights by the beginning of 2016. members — Michael Hopkins of the London ambulance service but they were soon rescued, and address system and is fitted with manoeuvred by Luca Parmitano of However, a software prob- Nasa and Oleg Kotov and Sergey said seven people were being fortunately at this stage it doesn’t full and comprehensive safety the European Space Agency and lem delayed the Cygnus space- Ryazanskiy of the Russian space treated for smoke inhalation and look like anyone’s been seriously equipment.” Karen Nyberg of Nasa for installa- craft’s planned approach to the agency — to launch aboard a one woman had been taken to injured. THE GUARDIAN tion onto the Earth-facing port of research outpost. The capsule Russian Soyuz. AFP MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 ASIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Thousands seek Taiwan president’s resignation Ma asked to shoulder responsibility for economic woes

TAIPEI: Thousands of people “Down with Ma Ying-jeou!” At in Taipei in the afternoon. Ma took to the streets of Taipei in nearly the same time, hundreds swept to victory in presidential a series of protests yesterday, of people from another group polls in 2008 on a platform of beef- hurling shoes at the portrait of called the “National Alliance of ing up trade and tourism links the beleaguered President Ma Workers from National Factory with former rival China. He was Ying-jeou and demanding he Shutdowns” vented their anger re-elected for a second and final step down. at another corner of the capi- four-year term in January 2012. The demonstrators, from tal, hurling shoes towards the However, his approval ratings several groups, asked Ma, also portraits of Ma and some other took a severe hit later that year the chairman of the ruling politicians. after a bribery scandal implicat- Kuomintang (KMT), to shoulder Pressure on the Ma adminis- ing top cabinet official Lin Yi-shih, responsibility for the economic tration has mounted after local formerly a KMT vice chairman sluggishness and controversial workers lost their jobs follow- and one of his key confidants. government policies that have ing the mass shifting of assem- Ma and the KMT suffered a pushed his approval rate down bly lines from the island to the further blow when another of his to low levels. Chinese mainland to capitalise on top aides, Lai Su-ju, was taken Kicking off the series of dem- cheap manpower and land prices into custody in March 2013 on onstrations, hundreds of angry there. bribery charges. Demonstrators hold signs reading ‘Down with Ma Ying-jeou, approval rating 9.0 percent’ during a rally outside protestors gathered at a rally “People have been suffering The latest controversy came the National Dr Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei yesterday. barricaded by police outside the these days, we simply hope that about earlier this month, when presidential residence in down- our voice could be heard by Ma,” the ruling party cited phone call court case, rendering him unable of lawmakers’ phones, comparing Ma’s approval rating had hit a town Taipei in the morning. said the organiser of a third event, records and kicked parliamen- to serve as the speaker. the case to the Watergate scandal record low of around 9.0 percent Television images showed that gathered more than 1,000 tary speaker Wang Jin-pyng out The opposition accused the in the United States that resulted earlier this year before rising to the protestors chanting slo- demonstrators on the square in of the party on accusations of government authorities of what in the resignation of then-presi- more than 21 percent in a recent gans and holding signs reading front of the presidential office Wang meddling in a lawmaker’s they said was the illegal tapping dent Richard Nixon in 1974. poll. AFP

Japan takes issue with Google maps Australia defends response to refugee boat sinking over island names SYDNEY: Australia yester- today on his first foreign trip as told Meet the Press. Cormann possible.” Survivors told jour- of the sinking and Australia’s day insisted it provided “all leader where Australia’s contro- said reports that Australian offi- nalists in Java that they had response would be provided by TOKYO: Japan has asked appropriate assistance” to an versial new people-smuggling cials were first notified that the called the Australian embassy Immigration Minister Scott local authorities and state- asylum-seeker boat that sank policies — including plans to turn ship was in distress on Thursday for 24 hours after their boat Morrison today during the new run universities not to post off Indonesia, killing at least back boats to Indonesia — are morning were “incorrect”, insist- foundered and were told to send government’s weekly briefing on Google maps on their web- 22, after survivors claimed likely to dominate talks. ing the first contact was on Friday through GPS coordinates to assist its military-led operation against sites because some of them their calls for help had gone Finance Minister Mathias morning. rescuers. people-smugglers — a practice use non-Japanese names for unheeded. Cormann defended the govern- “It was a report that related “We did, and they told us ‘OK, that was condemned by refu- disputed islands, reports said The vessel, carrying an esti- ment’s response to the disaster to an event in the Indonesian we know where you are. We’ll gee rights protesters rallying in yesterday. mated 120 asylum-seekers from yesterday after survivors claimed search-and-rescue zone. And of come for you in two hours’,” Sydney yesterday. The disputed territory Lebanon, Jordan and Yemen, sank they had repeatedly called course, all of the immediate action Abdullah, from Jordan, told “The government cannot be includes the South Korean- in rough seas on Friday, claim- Australian authorities to request that was required was taken, in Fairfax newspapers. allowed to use its media blackout controlled islets in the Sea ing 22 lives — including multiple assistance and were promised particular, Australian authorities “And we wait two hours, we to cover up the role of Australian of Japan (East Sea) called children — with dozens more pas- help that never came. immediately contacted Indonesian wait 24 hours, and we kept call- authorities in this tragedy,” said Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo sengers unaccounted for. “Tragically, I mean, the events authorities,” he said. ing them (saying) ‘We don’t have refugee rights activist Ian Rintoul, in South Korea, and the Japan- It is the first fatal sinking since occurred in an area that was “There was very close cooper- food, we don’t have water for adding that Canberra “well knows held Senkaku islands in the conservative Prime Minister Tony under Indonesian jurisdiction, and ation, as is appropriate in those three days, we have children, just that Indonesia does not have the East China Sea, claimed by Abbott’s election win and comes of course, Australia did provide all circumstances, to deal with the rescue us’.” capability to carry out significant China as the Diaoyus, the ahead of his arrival in Jakarta appropriate assistance,” Cormann unfolding event as quickly as Cormann said the full details rescues at sea.” AFP Sports Nippon tabloid reported. The Russian-held islands off Japan’s northern main island of Hokkaido, referred to by Japan First appearance of panda cubs as the Northern Territories, are also included, the paper Protests ebb as Bangla said. In notices issued earlier this year the Tokyo govern- ment said that “some registra- tions in the electronic maps on garment factories the home pages are incompati- ble with Japan’s stance”, Kyodo News agency reported. agree for wage hike It said the government recommends that public bod- DHAKA: Bangladeshi garment workers, Baharine Sultan, said ies use maps compiled by factory owners promised yes- the employees had returned the Geospatial Information terday to raise wages for more to work. “We hope there won’t Authority of Japan, but it was than three million workers as be any unrest until the panel unclear if they have followed soon as a government panel sets announces a pay hike. And we the request because Google a figure, ending a week-long vio- also hope manufacturers will keep maps are apparently more lent protest. their word.” convenient. The manufacturers said they would raise wages by as much as MINIMUM WAGE the panel decides, despite earlier Chinese Internet insisting they cannot afford more Violent protests demanding than a 20 percent increase on the a minimum $100 monthly wage users slam giant existing minimum wage of $38 a erupted in the country’s key month. industry on September 21 after Tiananmen vase They made the announce- the owners announced their max- ment after holding talks late imum 20 percent offer. BEIJING: A giant vase on Saturday with the leaders of Tens of thousands of workers installed in Beijing’s more than 40 unions represent- hit the streets in protest, block- Tiananmen Square ahead of ing workers in 4,500 garment fac- ing roads, setting factories alight a national holiday has met tories in Bangladesh, the world’s and clashing with police, who with scathing criticism from Journalists take pictures of giant panda cubs lying on a platform during a photo opportunity at the Bifengxia second largest apparel maker responded with rubber bullets Chinese Internet users after panda breeding centre in Ya’an, Sichuan province, yesterday. Fourteen cubs, which were all born this year, after China. and tear gas. a newspaper revealed its cost were shown to the public yesterday at the breeding centre. The government has already The riots, in which hundreds yesterday. said wages would be raised by of people were injured, ebbed on An enormous psychedelic- November, a month earlier than Thursday but continued sporadi- looking red pot — 13 metres the previous deadline, but the cally in major industrial areas till high and 11 metres in diam- exact figures are still unclear. Saturday. eter — topped with huge fake No decision on extending US wartime Unions have demanded a mini- Protests over poor wages, ben- flowers and imitation peaches mum wage of $100. efits and working conditions are was installed this week on the “We told the unions that we’ll frequent in Bangladesh but have square, the symbolic centre of command of South Koreans: Hagel hike wages for all workers as soon gained in intensity since April the Chinese state. But it came as the new minimum wages are when a factory complex collapsed, at a cost of more than 570,000 announced by the government killing more than 1,100 people in yuan ($93,000), up 8,000 yuan ABOARD A US MILITARY each side maintains operational “There’s always a review and panel,” said Atiqul Islam, head one of the world’s worst industrial from similar displays the previ- AIRCRAFT: US Defence command of their own troops. realignment of responsibilities of the influential Bangladesh disasters. ous two years, according to the Secretary Chuck Hagel late South Korea agreed to take and forces.” Garment Manufacturers and Manufacturers and police said state-run Beijing Youth Daily. Saturday ruled out any quick over wartime operational com- The South Korean military has Exporters Association. production in “at least 500 gar- The cost prompted criti- decision on extending US war- mand of all troops starting in “become much more sophisti- “We are also ready to hike ment factories” — which make cal comments among Chinese time command over South 2015, a decision that was already cated, much more capable, much wages as much as the panel clothing for some of the world’s Internet users — even though Korea troops, a move authori- delayed from the 2012 target more qualified over the last 10 determines. We will accept even top retailers such as Tesco and the report said that the overall ties in Seoul are seeking. date. years in particular,” Hagel said. if it is more than 20 percent. But H&M — had been hit by the pro- number of flowers used around “I don’t think we’ll be in a posi- Tensions with North Korea Any changes would “not at obviously our hope is that the tests, costing owners some $40m. Beijing for China’s National tion to make any final decision,” however have made Seoul cau- all subtract from or in any way enhanced wages will be win-win Home Minister Muhiuddin Day had halved. “Who permit- Hagel told reporters aboard the tious about that date, and the weaken the US commitment for the industry and the workers,” Khan Alamgir had warned of a ted spending taxpayer’s money plane that was taking him to South has asked Washington to to the treaty obligations we he told said. crackdown on the demonstra- in this way?” one user of Sina South Korea. review the timing of the planned have and we’ll continue to have The announcement appeared tions, amid concerns about the Weibo, a Chinese equivalent In case of war with North transition. with the South Koreans,” Hagel to have quelled one of the biggest impact of the protests on the of Twitter, wrote. The report Korea, the alliance between The question of when opera- emphasised. wage protests in the industry sector. Manufacturers have long said that some money-saving Washington and Seoul currently tional control should be passed During the visit Hagel will in years. Industrial police chief resisted big wage rises, saying measures, including the use of calls for the US military com- to the South Koreans will feature attend celebrations commemo- Mustafizur Rahman said all fac- these would erode Bangladesh’s 800,000 small flower pots in mander to lead the 28,500 US prominently in Hagel’s talks with rating the 60th anniversary of tories were open on Sunday and advantage as a cheap source of the square and surrounding troops deployed to the coun- his counterpart and President the alliance between the two there was no report of violence. labour, with wages below other streets, compared to 1,000,000 try, as well as South Korea’s Park Geun-Hye. countries, a bond that dates back The president of the Jago major garment-making nations last year, had been introduced. 640,000-strong force. “I don’t think anything is fixed to the armistice that ended the Bangladesh Garment Sramik such as India, China and Vietnam. AGENCIES During peacetime however for decades at a time,” said Hagel. Korean War in 1953. AFP Federation which represents AFP MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PHILIPPINES PAL returns Troops hunt rebels in Zamboanga to Mideast Gunfire echoes a day after the military declared an end to its three-week campaign with new MANILA: Philippine troops sought to derail peace talks hunted the remnants of a between the government and Muslim rebel group in the key a rival guerilla rebel faction. Airbus jet southern city of Zamboanga More than 10,000 homes were yesterday, with residents hear- razed to the ground, forcing over ing gunfire a day after the 100,000 people — around a tenth MANILA: Another brand military declared an end to its of the city’s population — to flee. new Airbus A330-300 will be three-week campaign. The latest clash put the toll at added to the growing fleet The army on Saturday 189 MNLF fighters killed, with of Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced that police were tak- 292 captured or surrendering, with the arrival yesterday ing over from troops to clear sec- while 23 soldiers and police and from Toulouse, France of one tions of the city, a vital regional 12 civilians had also been slain. of the 20 long-range and wide- trading centre, of Moro National A total of 195 civilian hostages body aircraft that it ordered Liberation Front (MNLF) were rescued, and authorities last year. stragglers. believe there are no more still The new aircraft will serve But, just minutes after the mili- in the hands of the gunmen, said the airline’s new route to Abu tary said the threat to Zamboanga Zagala. The military said Nur Dhabi starting October 1, as the was over, soldiers killed three Misuari, who founded the MNLF carrier makes its return to the MNLF fighters in a clash that in the early 1970s, had sent hun- Middle East. also left six troops wounded. dreds of armed followers led by On November 1, PAL will also “What happened was not his top lieutenant, Habier Malik, fly to Dubai, the capital and organised resistance. These are to Zamboanga. largest city of the UAE with a stragglers trying to escape cap- Malik’s identification card had population of 921,000. ture,” Lieutenant-Colonel Ramon been found on the body of a slain PAL abandoned its Middle Zagala said yesterday, adding that MNLF member, Zagala said, Eastern routes several years only a handful of rebels remained. though it was too early to confirm ago because it was unable to “The mission is completed. his death and forensic examina- compete with Gulf carriers We have already neutralised the tions were being carried out. that receive subsidies on fuel threat to Zamboanga City.” The conflict area — 30-40 hec- Soldiers beside an overturned vehicle at the site which was controlled by rebels in the residential village in expenses. In Manila, President Benigno tares (74-99 acres) of densely Zamboanga city, yesterday. “This is a milestone for Aquino’s communications sec- packed communities, mangrove Philippine Airlines. We are now retary Ramon Carandang also swamps and ponds — could take government hospital that was at in the south of the mainly Catholic However, the group is opposed starting the next phase of our warned of the danger of strag- about two weeks to clear of possi- the border of the occupied area. Philippines. to a planned final peace deal fleet renewal, anchored on new- glers, saying: “It’s not completely ble MNLF stragglers, unexploded An unexploded 40mm grenade An estimated 150,000 people between the government and the generation A330-300 aircraft,” over yet”. bombs, booby traps and the buried shell was found on the hospital’s have died in the conflict. remaining major Muslim rebel PAL president Ramon Ang said Fighters swarmed into the bodies of dead gunmen, he said. roof, journalists on the scene said. The MNLF signed a peace group, the 12,000-strong Moro in a statement yesterday. city’s neighbourhoods 20 days The clearing operation started Muslim rebels have been fight- treaty in 1996 that granted Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “The A330-300 will be servic- ago, taking hostages and trig- with explosive experts and ing since the 1970s for an inde- limited self-rule to the south’s The MNLF believes the deal ing our guests and our very own gering weeks of violence as they bomb-sniffing dogs checking a pendent or autonomous homeland Muslim minority. could leave it sidelined. AFP overseas Filipino workers to fly back to their country using the flag carrier,” he said. The Airbus A330-300 aircraft features seating for 414 passen- gers configured in two classes: Reforms under Country celebrates its first Miss World triumph premium economy and standard economy. Standard economy will MANILA: The Philippines — have 375 seats while premium Aquino behind where beauty contests are a economy will offer 39 seats. serious affair — celebrated yes- The aircraft will be powered robust growth, terday its first victory in the by Rolls-Royce Trent 772B-60 Miss World contest, despite engines. hardline Islamic protests Last year, PAL placed an says Barclays against the event in the host order for 45 A321 aircraft and country Indonesia. 20 A330 aircraft to be delivered MANILA: Reforms imple- The triumph of 23-year-old between 2013 and 2019. mented and currently being Megan Young was the main So far, PAL has taken deliv- undertaken by the Aquino headline in major newspapers, ery of two A321 aircraft and administration is one of the who noted that it finally gave the one A330 aircraft. PAL said it reasons behind the coun- Philippines a winner in all major expects to receive an additional try’s robust economic growth, beauty pageants after several five A330-300 aircraft before the UK-based Barclays said. victories in the Miss Universe year ends. “With President (Aquino) and Miss International contests. PAL is seen to capitalise on remaining in power until 2016, we President Benigno Aquino’s the increasing air passenger expect positive momentum on fis- communications secretary traffic in the Asia-Pacific region cal consolidation and an improve- Ramon Carandang congratu- with its ambitious fleet build-up ment in the business environment lated Young in a statement, program, according to European to continue supporting overall saying the administration was plane maker Airbus. investment in the economy,” proud of her achievement. According to Airbus’ latest Barclays said in its Emerging “Over the course of the com- Global Market Forecast, Asia- Markets Quarterly report. petition, Ms Young displayed to Pacific will surpass Europe and “We expect Aquino to use the world the beauty, the grace, North America in air passen- his political capital to further and the compassionate spirit of ger traffic, with annual volume advance Mindanao peace proc- the Filipina and has become a expected to soar by 200 percent ess, though this will not be easy. source of great pride and inspi- in the next 20 years, fuelled by We also expect some progress on ration for the Filipino people,” economic growth, increasing reform of the mining sector but his statement said. A man shows local newspapers with front page photos featuring Megan Young, in Manila, yesterday. accessibility of air transport major changes are likely to be “May her triumph remind all services, ease of travel and challenging,” the bank added. Filipinos of what we are capable migration. The push for the tax incentives of,” he added. Thousands of protesters had on Twitter. “I’m so proud of you Philippine licensee of Miss World The region’s traffic, as meas- rationalization bill has also been “Finally, the blue-beaded earlier taken to the streets Megan. You prove that we’re charged that there was a “smear ured by revenue passenger kilo- noted, as this will recoup revenues crown for the Philippines,” the across Indonesia, the world’s beautiful. I’m proud to be a campaign by a negligible sector metres (RPK) or the number of for the government. Manila Bulletin said in its main most populous Muslim-majority Filipino,” another message read. of the Philippine pageant indus- paying passengers carried mul- At the same time, Barclays story. country, to denounce the contest. Beauty queens in the try” against Young. tiplied by the distance flown, is cited the government’s efforts in The newspapers also men- But in the mainly Roman Philippines have often gone on Although the details of the forecast to triple to 4.8 trillion in improving the business environ- tioned the tight security at Catholic Philippines, the victory to successful careers as actresses campaign were not given, 2032 from 1.6 trillion last year. ment in the country such as rais- the Miss World pageant in the of Young — a film student at a and fashion models. Philippine beauty pageant blog- As a result, the Asia-Pacific is ing its competitiveness ranking Indonesian resort island of Bali, prominent university — was a But Young is already a show- ger Joyce Ann Burton Titular expected to further expand its in the World Economic Forum’s following weeks of hardline cause for celebration especially biz veteran, having hosted and said steamy photographs of lead in air traffic to a 34 percent survey. Muslim protests that forced on social media. starred in several TV shows and Young, taken last year for local share in 2032 from 29 percent “President Aquino remains the event to be relocated from “Feeling proud. The beauty of movies since 2005. men’s magazine Rogue, had been last year. committed to addressing cor- its original planned venue near the Pinay (Filipina) has come Earlier this month, the circulating internationally. THE PHILIPPINE STAR ruption, and the latest focus is Jakarta. out on top,” said one message national director for the AFP on greater transparency and accountability for the Priority Development Assistance Fund (pork barrel),” Barclays further said. Official: Aquino-Obama talks on Release of new car plates delayed Aiming to secure peace in Mindanao also benefits the coun- try although achieving this is China territorial row inevitable MANILA: The scheduled seen to be challenging. Barclays release of new and redesigned has noted the ongoing conflict in MANILA: President Aquino and US President Barack Obama licence plates (pictured) for Zamboanga which has already will likely discuss the Philippines’ territorial dispute with motor vehicles and motorcy- killed civilians, soldiers and China during the latter’s visit this October, a Palace official said cles under a P3.85bn stand- policemen. yesterday. ardisation programme has “The Philippines remains our “I think discussing the issue (with China) is inevitable to enhance been deferred indefinitely, the preferred macro story in the our maritime security,” Presidential Communications Development Department of Transportation region — a favourable growth/ and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said over and Communications (DOTC) inflation trade-off, a political government-run radio dzRB. said over the weekend. environment conducive to reform, Obama will be in Manila on October 11 and 12. Transportation Secretary solid central bank credibility, Carandang said defence cooperation, economic matters and the Joseph Emilio Abaya confirmed strong external finances and sov- rotational presence of US troops in the Philippines are part of the that the release of the redesigned ereign rating on a positive trajec- agenda of the visit. plate numbers would not materi- tory,” Barclays pointed out. “We’re hoping his visit will be fruitful in strengthening our rela- alize within the month. The bank recently raised its tions with the US, not just defence cooperation. We also have eco- “Not yet,” Abaya said. forecast for Philippine economic nomic, cultural and historical ties,” he added. DOTC spokesperson Michael growth to 7.2 percent this year, The Palace official did not give further details of the Aquino- Arthur Sagcal announced on higher than the government’s tar- Obama meeting. Aug. 13 the new license plates five-year contract for the project. the release of the new license get of 6-7 percent expansion. “They are expected to discuss business in the international would be released this month. However, Abaya said the plates. The new licence plates will The Philippine economy has scheme. They will talk about defence, economic and trade issues,” This after the DOTC and Land DOTC and the Department of feature alphanumeric design such expanded 7.5 percent in the Carandang said. Transportation Office (LTO) Budget and Management (DBM) as three-letter and four-number second quarter, the fastest in The bilateral ties between the two allies will further be enhanced awarded to the joint venture of are still resolving issues regard- combination for motor vehicles Southeast Asia and at par with with Obama’s visit, he said. the Netherlands’ J Knieriem BV ing the release of funds for the and two-letter and five-number China’s growth. THE PHILIPPINE STAR Goes (JKG) and Power Plates project. combination for motorcycles. THE PHILIPPINE STAR Development Concepts Inc the He did not give a timetable for THE PHILIPPINE STAR MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Sharif, Singh meet in shadow of violence First talks after Pakistan Premier’s election in May

NEW YORK CITY: Pakistan’s divided Kashmir, killing 10 people on the sidelines of a Non-Aligned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in an attack seen as an attempt Movement summit in Iran. yesterday held his first talks to derail peace efforts. Sharif, who earlier in his with his Indian counterpart Singh said on Saturday that career maintained relations with Dr Manmohan Singh, who has Pakistan, where virulently anti- Islamist groups, has tried to reas- demanded Islamabad must Indian groups operate virtually in sure India as he puts priority on crack down on Islamic extrem- the open, must no longer be “the reviving Pakistan’s economy. ists for any improvement in ties. epicentre of terrorism” in South After his election, Pakistan Sharif, who has advocated an Asia. freed nearly 340 Indian fisher- end to tensions with India since “For progress to be made, it is men in a goodwill gesture and he came to power in May elec- imperative that the territory of Sharif called for greater economic tions, met Singh at a New York Pakistan and the areas under its cooperation. hotel on the sidelines of the UN control are not utilised for aid- Sharif said he was looking General Assembly. ing or abetting terrorism,” Singh for a “substantive and purpose- In front of flags of the two said from the UN podium. “It is ful dialogue” with Singh to offer nations, both shook hands and equally important that the ter- a chance for “a new beginning” held a brief meeting before enter- rorist machinery that draws its with India. ing closed-door talks with aides. sustenance from Pakistan be shut “Our two countries have wasted Sharif, in a speech to the UN down.” massive resources in an arms General Assembly on Friday, He resisted domestic pressure race. We could have used those called for a “new beginning” with for military retaliation after resources for the economic well- India and denounced the devel- Pakistan-linked militants stormed being of our people.” oping nations’ years of intense an iconic hotel in Mumbai in 2008, Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s military development as a waste killing 166 people and pressed calls for greater international of resources. Pakistan to prosecute the hard- attention on Kashmir, the trigger But Singh, while welcoming line group Lashkar-e-Taiba and for two nations’ three full-fledged Sharif’s overtures, said the proof said he had been disappointed by wars. Singh, while voicing readi- of good intentions will be whether Islamabad’s response. ness to talk through problems on Pakistan curbs Islamic extremists Singh, 81, was born in Pakistan Kashmir, vowed that Indian sov- who have attacked India. before Partition in 1947. ereignty over the region was not On Thursday, militants raided He met last August Pakistan’s open for discussion. Sharif (second left) meets Singh on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly at the New York Palace hotel yesterday. an army base on the Indian side of then president, Asif Ali Zardari, AGENCIES

Three rebels die 70 suspects in Waziristan Bomb kills 39 in Peshawar bazaar rounded up in drone strikes PESHAWAR: A bomb explo- Islamabad sion yesterday killed at least 39 MIRANSHAH, PAKISTAN: people in the northwestern city ISLAMABAD: Police A US drone strike killed three of Peshawar, officials said, the backed by commandos militants yesterday in a restive third deadly strike to hit the launched a search operation Pakistani tribal region near the city in the last week. and arrested over 70 sus- Afghan border, officials said. The blast took place in the Kissa pects and recovered weapons The attack took place in Khwani market in Peshawar, in Afghan camps near Sabzi the Dargamandi area near gateway to the troubled tribal Mandi yesterday. Sources Miranshah, the main town in the regions infested with Taliban and said 400 police and comman- North Waziristan tribal region. Al Qaeda-linked militants. dos conducted operation in The area is a bastion of mili- “The blast also wounded Sector I-11 and recovered a tants linked to the Taliban and more than 90 people,” top local huge cache of Kalashnikovs, Al Qaeda. administration official Sahebzada submachine guns, pistols, fake “A US drone fired two missiles Muhammad Anis said. number plates of vehicles and on a militant compound, killing Officials said the blast took two stolen motorbikes. The three rebels,” a senior security place near a police station but search followed a tip-off on official said. they did not initially believe the two large Afghan localities. However, an intelligence official station was the target. “The in Miranshah put the toll at four. police station does not seem to be Six die as bus The area targeted by the drone the target as it was away from the is said to be the stronghold of attack site,” bomb disposal chief slams into car Afghanistan’s Haqqani network, Shafqat Malik said. a guerrilla faction linked to the He said, “It looks like the ISLAMABAD: At least six Taliban. market was the target.” He people were killed when a US drone attacks are unpopu- said evidence suggested it was a passenger bus slammed into lar in Pakistan, but Washington remote-controlled bomb. “A car a car in eastern Pakistan yes- sees them as a vital tool in the parked along the roadside was terday, Geo News reported. fight against militants in the law- converted into a remote-control- It said the bus was on way less tribal areas along the border led bomb.” There was no immedi- Security officials, rescue workers and residents clear debris at the site of the bomb attack in Peshawar yesterday. from Lahore to Gujarat and with Afghanistan. ate claim of responsibility. the accident occurred due to The Pakistani government Last Sunday a twin suicide the bus driver’s recklessness. has repeatedly protested against attack at a Peshawar church through a bus carrying govern- Pakistan and across the border parties backed the idea of peace Police said they were hunting drone strikes as a violation of its killed 82 people, triggering coun- ment employees on the edge of in Afghanistan. The Tehreek- talks with the militants, floated for the driver who fled the sovereignty. trywide protests by the Christian Peshawar city, killing 18 people. e-Taliban Pakistan faction has by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. scene. But privately officials have been community and the civil society Peshawar runs into the semi- led a bloody campaign against But attacks since then, includ- reported as saying the attacks can demanding better protection for autonomous tribal belt that the Pakistan, with attacks on security ing the killing of a senior army 14 rebels killed be useful in removing militants minorities. US considers a safe haven for Al forces and government targets. commander, have led many to from the country. AGENCIES On Friday, a bomb tore Qaeda and insurgents fighting in Two weeks ago, main political question the strategy. AGENCIES in Afghanistan KABUL: At least 14 Taliban militants were killed during UK patrol base closed joint operations by Afghan and coalition security forces. Pakistan buries new quake victims The Interior Ministry said in a statement that operations AWARAN: The victims of a by the quake yesterday,” senior army and paramilitary Frontier were conducted by Afghan new earthquake to hit south- local government official Shafqat Corps have been heavily involved police, army and intelligence west Pakistan, days after a Anwar said. in relief efforts, along with NGOs. as well as coalition forces in massive tremor, were buried He said 14 truckloads of relief Awaran district’s population Faryab, Kandahar, Zabul, yesterday as officials distrib- including tents, blankets, food is scattered over more than Uruzgan, Ghazni, Paktiya uted fresh relief to survivors. packets, water, rice and lentils 21,000sqkm, with few medical and Paktika provinces in The 6.8-magnitude earthquake had reached the Mashkey area facilities or roads. the past the past during the struck on Saturday and killed at of Awaran and officials distrib- Relief efforts have at times been past 24 hours. At least three least 22 people in a region devas- uted goods to survivors in Gajjar, thwarted by insurgent attacks militants were injured and tated by a 7.7-magnitude quake Khaliqabad and Nokjah. on rescue convoys, and officials 12 were arrested. Forces also which killed more than 350 and Anwar said 16 more trucks with admit teams have been unable to seized weapons, ammunition rendered more than 100,000 relief goods had left Quetta, the reach survivors in the worst-hit and explosives. The Taliban homeless on Tuesday. capital of Baluchistan province, areas. The area is a stronghold of have not commented on the “All the 22 victims were bur- and would reach Mashkey today. Baluch separatist rebels waging operations yet. British t roops loading stores onto vehicles as they close down Patrol ied in Nokjah village of Awaran Infrastructure in the rugged and a decade-long insurgency against Base Ouellette in Gereshk valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. They district, which had been badly hit arid province is minimal and the Islamabad. AGENCIES Quake victims have handed over the control of the base to the Afghan National Civil Order Police. taken to Karachi ISLAMABAD: Sixty-four people, who received mul- tiple injuries in the dev- Donors may cut Kabul aid over graft, impunity astating earthquake in Baluchistan’s Awaran dis- KABUL: International donors will cut donors, who have propped up its economy over as chair of the OECD Working Group issue that they would cut their programme, trict on Tuesday, have been funding to Afghan projects unless action for decades. The launch of the MEC in on Bribery. but when deciding about a new one, this shifted to Karachi hospi- is taken to stop rampant graft from 2011 was hailed as a milestone in the fight The report cited the US-backed Civilian could be an influence. They will either not tals, Geo News reported going unpunished, the independent anti- against corruption by the British govern- Technical Assistance Plan (CTAP) within get into it, or limit the funding,” Kos said. yesterday. They were taken graft watchdog has warned. ment, one its sponsors, but progress has the Ministry of Finance, which has been USAID has been slammed by auditors in buses and ambulances to “The biggest problem in the country is been slow. awarded over $40m so far. for grand, wasteful schemes, some of which the Jinnah Post Graduate impunity. People don’t see the bad guys are Kos said some ministries completely Despite CTAP becoming synonymous have even faced opposition by people they Medical Complex. The vic- being sanctioned, people do not trust the ignore MEC recommendations and over with nepotism and fraud, neither the min- were supposed to help. tims include men, women government,” Drago Kos, Chairman of the the past six months, not one high-ranking istry nor the Supreme Audit Office had At last year’s Tokyo Conference, del- and children and officials Monitoring and Evaluation Committee official had been prosecuted or fired. shown any “willingness” to cooperate, it egates from 80 nations and international said they went to Karachi for (MEC), said at the release of group’s six- “There’s no reaction from police or the said. The US Agency for International organisations pledged $16bn over four better treatment as Awaran month report. attorney general’s office,” said Kos, who Development (USAID), its largest donor, years, but tied funding to a stronger effort district lacks medical facili- Afghanistan ranks among the most cor- began fighting corruption in his native has commissioned a review of the pro- to combat corruption. ties. AGENCIES rupt nations in the world and international Slovenia and at the start of 2014 will take gramme. “It would have to be a very serious REUTERS MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Modi vows to provide Praying for mall attack victims clean government BJP prime ministerial nominee attacks Manmohan

NEW DELHI: India’s oppo- prime minister has the courage sition prime ministerial can- to discuss the issue of terrorism didate Narendra Modi vowed unleashed on us by Pakistan,” yesterday a corruption-free Modi said. government and a tough stand “It is also doubtful whether our against rival Pakistan if his prime minister will discuss the party wins elections next year. issue of our soldiers being killed During his first rally in the on the borders. The nation wants capital, the Hindu hardliner the prime minister to bring back called Prime Minister Manmohan the heads of Indian soldiers sev- Singh weak and said his govern- ered by Pakistani forces,” he said. ment was riddled with graft, as Modi was referring to deadly tens of thousands of supporters incidents along the heavily milita- screamed Modi’s name. rised de facto border that divides “The coalition (government) Kashmir between Pakistan and is now addicted to corruption India. The countries have fought and instead of finding solutions two wars since independence over to end the culture of graft, it the Himalayan region. stops functioning,” Modi told the In front of diplomats and media crowd, many waving party flags A Bharatiya Janata Party supporter and amid a heavy police pres- and wearing Modi face masks. holds a mask of Narendra Modi at a ence, Modi attacked the ruling “India needs a dream team and rally in New Delhi yesterday. Congress party headed by Sonia not a dirty team in 2014 and peo- Gandhi and her son Rahul, whom ple must decide that during the with turning Gujarat into an eco- he said ran roughshod over pre- elections,” he said in a speech at nomic powerhouse. mier Singh. Indians in Kenya light lamps at the end of a 24-hour memorial service hosted at the Oshwal Centre for victims Japanese Park lasting just over Modi was also chief minister “Today dynastic rule is stran- of last Saturday’s attack by gunmen at the Westgate shopping mall, in Nairobi, yesterday. an hour. at the time of the riots, during gling democracy and the nation Modi was elected the opposition which as many as 2,000 people must decide whether India should Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) were killed, mainly Muslims. He be governed constitutionally or at prime ministerial candidate early is accused of turning a blind eye the whims of the Prince (Rahul this month before national elec- to the violence but denies any Gandhi), who has insulted the Top cop’s extension plea rejected tions due by next May. wrongdoing. prime minister, the cabinet and The rally helped launch the Yesterday, Modi branded pre- the constitution of India,” he said. BJP’s campaign for the Delhi mier Singh as too weak to raise Modi was referring to Gandhi’s HYDERABAD: The Andhra that declined to grant him interim Dinesh Reddy, a 1977 batch state elections, to be held later the issue of attacks on Indian soil, blistering rejection on Friday of Pradesh High Court yesterday relief to continue in the post till Indian Police Service officer, was this year and seen as a dry run which India blames on Pakistani- a government decree to protect dismissed a petition by state his plea seeking a term of one re-appointed DGP in September for the national polls. based militants, during his first convicted lawmakers. Gandhi police chief V Dinesh Reddy more year was disposed of by the last year after the high court had The BJP is seeking to over- talks with his Pakistani counter- turned on Singh’s government, seeking orders to the state gov- Tribunal. quashed his appointment follow- throw the Congress-led coali- part later yesterday. calling its move to allow convicted ernment to extend his term by The CAT, however, admitted ing a petition filed by fellow IPS tion government, which has been Singh sat down on the side- criminals to serve in parliament one year. the original petition and granted officer P Gautam Kumar. embroiled in a string of graft lines of the UN General Assembly “complete nonsense”. A division bench, which heard four weeks to the government to It was in June 2011 that Dinesh scandals and is desperate to boost with Pakistani Prime Minister Among the crowd, Modi sup- the motion moved by the director file a counter affidavit. Reddy was first appointed DGP, sluggish economic growth, after Nawaz Sharif, who has called porter Pradeep Kumar Singh general of police (DGP), directed The government had last week superseding five other IPS officers. almost a decade in power. for improved ties between the rejected concerns that the BJP him to relinquish his post. Reddy conveyed to the CAT that it will The Supreme Court recently But Modi, the chief minister of nuclear-armed neighbours since leader would alienate religious is attaining the age of superan- not extend Dinesh Reddy’s term. directed the Central Bureau of the western state of Gujarat, is he was elected in May. minorities if elected prime minis- nuation today. Challenging the government’s Investigation (CBI) to probe the a polarising figure — tainted by “Today the prime minister ter. “Modi does not hate Muslims. Dinesh Reddy had challenged decision, he had filed a petition in assets of Dinesh Reddy following deadly anti-Muslim riots on his meets Nawaz Sharif but the It’s the Muslim clerics who preach the decision of the Central the CAT but it refused to grant a petition filed by another IPS watch in 2002, but also credited country doubts whether the hatred, not Modi,” he said. AFP Administrative Tribunal (CAT) him interim relief. officer Umesh Kumar. IANS When Kerala CM’s wife wrote him a letter about their cook

KOCHI: Kerala Chief Minister around. When she delivered Oommen Chandy has been so their first child, Maria, Chandy busy a man during the four was assigned to accompany the decades of his public life that visiting Sushma Swaraj, the then he was not around when any Haryana labour minister who of his three children was born. now is leader of opposition in And his wife once had to send the Lok Sabha. And when their him a letter to complain about second child was born, Chandy the new cook at their official was drawn away for an urgent residence. party meeting. True or false? Whatever, anec- His two daughters and a son dotes about Chandy abound. And point out, with a tinge of rue, now they fill a book that also car- According to one anecdote, that it’s only when there is a ries his caricatures. The compila- even his wife, a retired banker, state-wide shutdown that they tion by his press secretary P T rarely sees her husband. On get to see their Papa at home, the Chacko is being made public here one occasion, after she got no book says. tomorrow by Minister of State chance to speak to him about a Chandy contested from the for Human Resource Shashi cook appointed in their official Puthupally assembly constitu- Tharoor. The book is being pub- residence, Mariamma Oommen ency in Kottayam district first in lished by DC Books. Chandy wrote a letter to the 1970, and he has not lost a single The 64 caricatures and the chief minister. election since then. anecdotes lucidly narrated by The book says:”... he spot- Another interesting incident Chacko reveal Chandy as a man ted a letter bearing a familiar the book talks about is an inter- of simplicity, without much handwriting. It was a complaint action Chandy had with super- thought to sartorial considera- against the cook, written and star Mohanlal on completing 40 tions. They also show him as a signed by yours truly, Mrs years as a legislator. When the man always on the move, with Chandy.” film star asked him about the last little time to spare for his family. Mariamma reveals that when film he saw, pat came the reply, Whether at home or in office, he she gave birth to their three “Manjil Virinja Pookal”. is surrounded by a crowd. children, her husband was not IANS Suspended leader pleads with party KOLKATA: Trinamool “I have written to them that I added. Trinamool Congress Lok Congress Rajya Sabha member could not reply to the show-cause Sabha leader Sudip Bandopadhyay Kunal Ghosh yesterday wrote (notice) as I never received it. I said his counterpart in the Rajya to the party leadership for with- have not indulged in any anti- Sabha Mukul Roy will write to drawing the suspension slapped party activity. the deputy chairman of the House on him, stressing he stood by “I had to interact with the seeking separate sitting arrange- the issues he has raised, but was media, as it has regularly caught ment for Ghosh. “sorry” if he has hurt anybody. hold of me when I came out after On Saturday, Chatterjee The journalist-turned MP, who my interrogation sessions at the announced that Ghosh has been has been grilled by police multiple Bidhan Nagar commissionerate,” suspended from the party with times in connection with Saradha he said. The commissionerate is immediate effect on disciplinary chit fund scam, maintained that probing the multi-crore Saradha grounds. “Despite being show he was yet to receive any show scam. caused, Ghosh has continued to cause letter from the party. “I have asked for a chance speak against the party, tarnish- Ghosh said he has also sent a to explain my stand. I want to ing its image. The disciplinary “personal letter” to party chief say whatever I have to say in a committee met on September 27 Mamata Banerjee, but refused to party forum. That is the reason I and unanimously decided to sus- disclose its contents. demanded the constitution of an pend him,” said Chatterjee. “I have written to discipli- intra-party probe commission,” Ghosh lashed out at the nary committee convenor Partha said Ghosh. “I have made it clear party leadership at an event on Chatterjee and party general that I stand by the issues I have September 20, alleging he was secretary Mukul Roy. I have raised. But I have also written that being made a scapegoat by those requested them to revoke my sus- I am sorry if my comments have involved in the scam. pension,” said Ghosh. hurt any Trinamool worker,” he IANS MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Demand for Garba beckons faster creation of Telangana TRS chief warns of agitation

HYDERABAD: Thousands of status to two irrigation projects, people attended a massive pub- set up an Indian Institute of lic meeting here yesterday to Management (IIM) and sanc- demand that the central gov- tion new railway lines for the ernment speed up the proc- region. ess for formation of a separate Coming down heavily on Chief Telangana state. Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy The meeting organised for acting as a spokesman of by Telangana Joint Action Seemandhra, KCR predicted Committee (TJAC) at Nizam that he would be removed from College Grounds in the heart the post by October 6. of the city urged the central He also targeted Telugu government to take immediate Desam Party (TDP) chief steps to carve out the separate N Chandrababu Naidu and state. YSR Congress party leader Y S Telangana Rashtra Samithi Jaganmohan Reddy and said all (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhara leaders from Seemandhra were Rao said separate Telangana one in opposing Telangana. state would soon be a reality but TJAC convenor M Kodandaram warned of another agitation if any described the Telangana move- hurdles were created. ment as a movement for survival Making it clear that there will by the people who suffered injus- A girl in traditional attire takes part in a garba dance rehearsal ahead of Navratri festival in Ahmedabad yesterday. The festival, held in honour of Hindu be no compromise on Telangana tice under Andhra rulers. deity Durga, is celebrated over nine days during which thousands of youth dance the night away in traditional costumes. Navratri starts on October 5. state comprising 10 districts with Leaders of Bharatiya Janata Hyderabad as the capital, he Party (BJP), Communist Party of asked the people to remain alert India (CPI), government employ- and continue their movement ees from Telangana, students, with the same spirit till the goal women and people’s organisa- is achieved. tions addressed the meeting, the Did Sharif insult Manmohan with remark? Referring to the protests first major show of strength by against Congress party’s deci- Telangana groups after July 30 NEW DELHI: Did Nawaz Sharif call Manmohan Singh. Mir said: “Sharif smil- Story ended with how fights should be set- sion in Seemandhra, KCR, as decision of the Congress party to Manmohan Singh a “dehati aurat” (rural ingly told Barkha: ‘Looks like Manmohan tled between parties,” she said in a tweet. Rao is popularly known, said carve out Telangana state. woman)? If yes, did the Pakistan prime Singh went to Obama not like India’s prime Modi went on to hit out at Sharif over the there was no question of people Earlier, various people’s organi- minister mean to insult his Indian minister but like a dehati aurat to complain reported remark. of Telangana staying in united sations took out rallies and staged counterpart? to Obama’. “Nawaz Sharif, how dare you say this?” Andhra Pradesh as there is a sit-in at various places in the Once BJP’s prime ministerial candidate He later tweeted: “PM Nawaz never said Modi asked, raising his voice at a BJP rally vertical division between the city to highlight the demand for Narendra Modi made the alleged remark anything derogatory against Manmohan.” here. “What right you have to say this?” two regions. speeding up the process for for- public at a huge rally here, journalists Hamid NDTV’s Barkha Dutt added that “Sharif’s Modi called Sharif’s remark an insult to The TRS chief ridiculed mation of a separate Telangana Mir of Pakistan and Barkha Dutt of India allegorical account was all about how disputes Indian prime minister. He also demanded the demands for package to state. claimed that no offence was meant. should not involve third parties. Not once was to know why the Indian journalist — whose Seemandhra and said it was Women activists gathered at Mir told Geo TV that Sharif had told him a slur passed by him against the PM. name he did not take — at the breakfast Telangana which deserved a pack- Gun Park in front of the assembly and Barkha Dutt over breakfast in New “Sharif was upset that Pakistan (was) meeting with Sharif did not storm out in pro- age as it was the victim of injus- building. They were holding plac- York that Manmohan Singh had complained, raised by India with Obama. In this context, test. Manmohan Singh and Sharif are in New tice since its merger with Andhra ards which read ‘Hyderabad sirf like a “dehati aurat”, about Pakistan to US he told an allegorical tale... York to attend the UN General Assembly. state in 1956. hamara hai’ (Hyderabad is only President Barack Obama. “In Sharif’s tale, there was a dispute They later met yesterday to discuss bilateral He wanted the central govern- ours). Mir felt Sharif was unhappy with between two villagers, one was a woman. issues. IANS ment to accord national project IANS MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Man pretends to be police Chavez’s ‘voice from grave’ CARACAS: When Hugo Fajr (Dawn) 4:09 officer in front Chavez died eight months Shorook (Sunrise) 5:25 ago, hundreds of thousands of bereaved Venezuelans flocked Zuhr (Noon) 11:24 of police officer past his open coffin to say their Asr (Afternoon) 2:48 final goodbyes. It is no surprise WASHINGTON: then that a recording of the Maghrib (Sunset) 5:23 Impersonating a police officer late leader claiming to be alive Isha (Night) 6:53 is always a case of Bad Idea would cause a stir. Jeans. Even worse: impersonat- In the audio recording, a voice ing a police officer in front of an similar to Chavez’s says he is actual police officer. being held captive against his WEATHER Apparently nobody told his to will, accusing his former friends Roland Herrera. The 63-year-old of betraying him. tried his make-believe skills on President Nicolás Maduro to Today Tuesday Weather Wednesday Conditions: an off-duty detective at a Pueblo, declare it the latest attempt by Clear Clear Clear Colorado, cellphone store. The the opposition to destabilise the Hazy with detective was neither fooled nor government. some clouds. amused. The Pueblo Chieftain Maduro, chosen by Chavez as reports that the would-be Rich his preferred successor, accused High: 37° High: 37° High: 36° Little entered the store and the main opposition party, Low: 28° Low: 27° Low: 28° approached the off-duty detec- Primero Justicia, of faking the tive, who was speaking with a clip, in which a weakened Chavez Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro holds a copy of the new edition of sales clerk. Herrera then report- calls his brother, Adan Chavez, a Venezuela’s constitution, which displays an image of the country’s late edly asked the detective why he state governor, to say he is alive. President Hugo Chavez on its cover, as he talks during a Council of Ministers DOHA - SUN & SEA had so many phones. “They [the opposition] have no Things went off the rails after respect for the memory and the at Miraflores Palace in Caracas. SUN TIDE SEA Herrera accused the detective of love that the Venezuelan people SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND being a drug dealer and insisted have for Hugo Chávez and they hiding. Others think that this But some political analysts that he hand over his drugs. are capable of inventing these recording was done before his suggest the recording could have 05:25 17:23 01:30 & 13:45 06:00 & 21:15 03-12/16 KT “The man then identified him- recordings,” Maduro said at the death. It is all a great lie. been released by the government. self as a cop and ordered the weekend. “Hugo Chavez was buried “It is fundamental to monopolise THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW detective to turn over his drugs to The voice claiming to be Chavez alongside the love of his loyal the control [of Chavez’s image]. It HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER him. The detective asked the indi- says he is convalescing and his and revolutionary people, and also appears clear that this is an vidual to show him his creden- closest friends betrayed him. It he never sent me a message of opportunity to blame the oppo- tials and again the man told the pleads with his brother to tell this type.” The president of the sition of an attempt to destabi- MUSCAT 34/27 Clear 34/27 Clear detective to give him the drugs,” Venezuelans the truth. national assembly, Diosdado lise with which they maintain a KUWAIT 38/27 Clear 37/27 Clear the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office “Who would have thought our Cabello, said the release of this polarisation that benefits them,” BAHRAIN 39/22 Clear 39/22 Clear said in a release. enemy was within? How many recording was a political tactic says Luis Vicente Léon, one of SANAA 27/14 Partly cloudy 26/13 Partly cloudy That’s when, according to the hugs they gave me, how many aimed at discouraging United Venezuela’s leading political RIYADH 39/23 Clear 38/24 Clear Chieftain, the real police officer handshakes and how many lies,” Socialist party supporters from consultants. DUBAI 35/28 Clear 35/28 Clear flashed his own badge and placed the voice says. “I want you to tell voting in the December elections. This is not the first time BAGHDAD 36/20 Clear 36/21 Clear the imposter under arrest. the boys, that today, September “This is clearly to demoral- Chávez has been imitated. During In the media release, Sheriff 16, I am more alive than ever.” ise our people, to inhibit them his first presidential campaign in THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW Kirk M Taylor took the opportu- The recording’s veracity was like they did in the April polls,” 1998, a clip with a voice claiming nity to remind citizens that “any firmly denied by Adan Chavez. Cabello said of the presidential to be him and threatening to “fry HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER law enforcement officer, when “This disgusting montage has elections that gave Maduro a his opponents’ heads” caused a requested to, is required to show prompted some to believe that razor-thin victory over opposition national commotion. ATHENS 28/23 Clear 27/18 Chance of storm you credentials.” AGENCIES Chavez didn’t die and that he is leader, Henrique Capriles. THE GUARDIAN WASHINGTON 24/15 Partly cloudy 25/17 Partly cloudy SYDNEY 33/10 Mostly cloudy 28/13 Mostly cloudy LONDON 19/12 Mostly cloudy 18/14 Mostly cloudy Abandoned gold bars, banknotes baffle German police PARIS 21/17 Chance of rain 22/17 Partly cloudy ISTANBUL 25/18 Chance of storm 23/14 Partly cloudy BERLIN: Attention all passengers: in the western German city issued said they’re going public after being MANILA 30/25 Chance of storm 30/25 Chance of storm could the person who left a stash of Friday for information to track down unable to link the haul to any crime gold bars and a pile of banknotes the owner of the several kilos of gold and hearing nothing from any legiti- DHAKA 26/23 Chance of rain 30/24 Mostly cloudy in the luggage deposit at Cologne’s and a six-figure sum of euros in cash. mate owner. Whoever the owner is DELHI 30/24 Partly cloudy 30/25 T-storm main railway station kindly contact The stash was found in April in shouldn’t leave it too much longer. ISLAMABAD 33/24 Partly cloudy 32/24 Partly cloudy German police? a luggage locker at the station, a Police say that if nobody comes for- That was the appeal that police major European transport hub. Police ward, the stash will be sold. AP Monday 30 September 2013 24 Dhul-qa’da 1434 Volume 18 Number 5838 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Six percent rise in Qatar’s Gulf, Asian banks to fill void in plane financing: Airbus official second quarter GDP DUBAI: Cash-rich Asian and Middle Eastern lenders are taking a larger share of the $100bn global aircraft financing market as Western rivals step back due to the liquidity crunch and stricter regulations, a top executive at Airbus said. Rise in production of chemicals pushes manufacturing sector up European commercial banks, previously the primary funding source for airlines, have substantially cut their exposure to the aviation sector after the continent’s DOHA: The value of Qatar’s Gross ‘mining and quarrying sector’ at constant over the corresponding quarter figures debt crisis, leaving a funding gap for fast-growing airlines in emerging markets, Domestic Product (GDP) in second price in Q2, 2013 has been estimated at of QR 6.28bn in 2012. The sector during said Francois Collet, Vice-President for structured finance at Airbus . quarter of 2013, at constant prices QR37.25bn, which shows an increase of the period grew by 3.7 percent (year-on- “Some European lenders have halved their lending availability for the aviation (2004), is estimated at QR88.83bn one percent over the estimate of Q2, 2012 year basis). sector,” Collet said in an interview in Dubai. ($24.39bn) which shows an increase of placed at QR36.88bn. While the ‘transport and communica- “They have tried to fill the gap by bringing in other regional and local banks and six percent (year-on-year basis) com- Where as the GVA estimate of ‘non- tion sector’ generated a value addition of working together in syndicated deals. Traditional banks are now playing the role pared to the estimate of QR83.82bn mining and quarrying sectors’ in Q2, QR5.86bn in Q2, 2013 against QR5.16bn of arrangers,” he said. ($23.01bn) in Q2 2012. However, if 2013, totalled at QR51.58bn, which shows estimated in Q2, 2012. It shows a rise of French banks BNP Paribas, Societe Generale , Natixis and other European lend- compared to the previous quarter an increase of 9.9 percent over the esti- 13.6 percent. However, when compared ers said last year they would cut exposure to risky and dollar-denominated assets (Q1 of 2013), the total output of the mate of Q2, 2012 placed at QR46.94bn. to the previous quarter (Q1 of 2013), the such as shipping and aircraft financing to meet tougher capital rules and shore economy, during April-June quarter of The GVA of ‘manufacturing sector’ GVA estimate is down by 3.9 percent, a up reserves. 2013 registered a marginal growth of is estimated at QR8.34bn in Q2, 2013 seasonal phenomenon in the transport They have given way to Asian banks like Development Bank of Japan (DBJ), 0.6 percent, according to the prelimi- showing an increase of 6.4 percent over activities seen in earlier years also. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (SMFG) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial nary data released by the Ministry of the estimate of corresponding quarter For ‘finance, insurance, real estate & Group Inc, South Korean and Chinese banks, as well as Middle Eastern lenders Development Planning and Statistics of 2012 (QR7.83bn. As compared to the business services’, the GVA is estimated like National Bank of Abu Dhabi among others. (MDPS). previous quarter (Q1 2013), there has at QR10.08bn in Q2 of 2013, showing an DBJ expects its global aircraft financing business to double in the three years While the GDP at current prices or been a growth of 0.4 percent. increase of 15.4 percent when compared through 2013. nominal GDP, stood at QR181.07bn in The growth in this activity has to the corresponding quarter (Q2) esti- “We see Southeast Asian banks developing expertise and there’s lot of interest the second quarter (Q2) of 2013 up by resulted from the rise in the produc- mate of QR8.73bn in 2012. Compared from Japan and South Korea gaining an interest in the sector,” said Collet. 6.1 percent QR170.72 compared to the tion of chemicals, fertilisers, rubber and to the previous quarter (Q1 of 2013), a “They clearly want to grow outside of their region.” corresponding quarter last year. plastic products. The gross value addi- decline of 0.2 percent in the Q2 of 2013 Asian giants like Singapore Airlines, Malaysia’s low-cost carrier Air Asia, Japan’s The Ministry has released the pre- tion in the ‘construction’ sector stood at has been noticed. All Nippon Airways and Indonesia Lion Air are among companies that have ordered liminary estimates of GDP both at con- QR10.64bn in Q2 of 2013 witnessing a The contribution of the ‘Government planes worth billion of dollars to support growing passenger numbers. stant and current prices for Q2 2013. The growth of 11.4 percent compared to the Services’ which includes the provision of Airbus has recently raised its 20-year jet demand forecast, saying the world estimates have been produced by using GVA of QR9.54bn in the corresponding public health, education and other miscel- needed to double its fleet to meet demand. the data collected through the Quarterly quarter last year. laneous services, is estimated at QR9.83bn The planemaker says Middle East plane orders account for 8 percent of the Economic Indicator Survey and from The ‘trade, hotel and restaurants sec- in Q2 2013, which is 9.6 percent higher than planemaker’s total backlog as of end-August. other source agencies. tor’ is estimated at QR6.60bn in Q2 of the estimate of Q2 of 2012 (QR8.96bn). REUTERS The gross value added (GVA) of the 2013 recording an increase of five percent THE PENINSULA MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatar to supply 13m tonnes of LNG to Seoul this year: Minister

DOHA: RasGas hosted its world. Qatar is projected to sup- third annual reception in Seoul, ply over 13 million tonnes of LNG South Korea, under the patron- to South Korea this year sourced age of H E Dr Mohammed primarily from RasGas but also bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister from its sister company Qatargas. of Energy and Industry. The Qatar is projected to safely and event, attended by RasGas CEO, reliably deliver nearly one third Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, of Korea’s total LNG requirement oil & gas, industry and energy in 2013,” Al Sada added. ministers from neighbour- RasGas CEO said: “We are very ing Gulf states, senior officials privileged to serve the Republic from Qatar’s Korean custom- of Korea’s growing energy needs ers and business partners, was and make significant contribu- an opportunity for Qatar to tion to the economic cooperation recognise and consolidate its between Korea and Qatar. We long-standing relationship with look forward to sustaining and South Korea. strengthening this long-term Since delivering the first cargo partnership for years to come.” of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Al Mohannadi added, “In South Korea in 1999 under the January 2011, Hyundai Heavy first long term LNG agreement, Industries was awarded a major In his opening remarks at the engineering procurement and event, Dr Al Sada said: “Thanks construction (EPC) contract for to the trust and the excellent the offshore Barzan Gas Project working relationships established to supply natural gas, ethane and with our Korean buyers and part- field condensate to the local mar- ners we are very proud to be one ket in addition to the export of H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada with Qatari delegation and guests at the RasGas’ Korea Liaison Office Annual Reception in Seoul. of the largest suppliers of energy LPG, plant condensate and sul- to Korea and to have played a phur. This project is the largest completion of the offshore drill- completion mark.” helium from Qatar also play an EPC projects in Qatar, building small part in the ‘Miracle on the in the region and is progressing ing takes the country’s landmark While LNG takes the lion’s important role in meeting Korea’s LNG tankers that serve Qatar’s Han River’.” well. We look forward to the suc- energy project one step closer share of the energy trade between overall energy needs. LNG industry in Korean ship- “Kogas is the foundation cus- cessful completion of this mega to completion. Construction of Korea and Qatar, other products Similarly, South Korean con- yards and other joint ventures tomer of RasGas and is the larg- project, with production expected Barzan Gas Project offshore such as crude oil, liquefied petro- tractors have found a mutually between the two countries. est single buyer of LNG in the to be on line in 2014. Our recent facilities surpassed the 80 percent leum gas (LPG), condensates and beneficial relationship working on THE PENINSULA

QFB names EMRQ field-tests Ahmad Meshari Acting Chief remote gas Executive

DOHA: The Board of detection device Directors of Qatar First Bank (QFB), System expected to reduce plant risks the first independ- DOHA: ExxonMobil safety and enhance environmen- ent Shariah- Research Qatar (EMRQ) has tal performance.” EMRQ and compliant begun field testing its Remote RasGas Company Limited bank Gas Detection System, which (RasGas) deployed the Remote author- is designed to improve proc- Gas Detection system in a pilot ised by the QFC Regulatory ess safety and environmen- project near Ras Laffan 3 LNG Authority (QFCRA), announced tal performance at liquefied Train 7 located in Ras Laffan the appointment of Ahmad natural gas (LNG) produc- Industrial City. Field tests began Meshari (pictured) as Acting tion and transportation facili- in August and are expected to run Chief Executive Officer of the ties and other gas processing through 2014. Bank with immediate effect. facilities. “The Remote Gas Detection Ahmad will replace Emad ExxonMobil’s Remote Gas system has the potential to Mansour who recently resigned Detection System employs a spe- enhance the safety of our people, from the bank. cially developed computer algo- the integrity of our facilities, and Ahmad brings with him more rithm to autonomously analyse the protection of the environment than 30 years’ experience in the infrared camera images to detect – elements that are fundamen- financial sector gained through escaping hydrocarbon gases. The tal to successful RasGas opera- different senior management system provides an early warning tions,” said Brett Doherty, Chief The Remote Gas Detection System installed on trial basis at the plant. positions in regional banks and alert of hydrocarbon leaks with Safety, Health, Environment and key roles on high-profile boards, minimal false alarms. Quality Officer for RasGas. “We the Remote Gas Detection system enhanced version of the system in interference and enhancing the primarily with Islamic finan- “This system is a step forward appreciate the opportunity to under field environmental con- 2014 using a patent pending sys- infrared image. cial institutions. He joins QFB in mitigating risks in a plant envi- help ExxonMobil Research Qatar ditions such as heat, humidity, tem that incorporates a custom- This research effort dem- from Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) ronment, which is a top priority progress this important technol- sand and fog. EMRQ also plans built camera with two infrared onstrates EMRQ and RasGas’ where he served as Deputy Chief for ExxonMobil,” said Dr Andy ogy through field testing at our to incorporate feedback from sensors and image recognition commitment to process safety Executive Officer. Wigton, Research Director at facilities, and we look forward to RasGas operations and main- technology. and environmental performance Ahmad will have responsibility EMRQ. “By continuously and supporting this advancement in tenance personnel to further This dual-sensor Remote through innovative research, fur- for QFB’s business lines including autonomously scanning for fugi- process safety.” improve the system’s reliability Gas Detection system should thering the objectives of the Qatar the wealth management business, tive hydrocarbon emissions, we The pilot project is designed to and ease of use. increase detection accuracy National Vision 2030. principal investments, asset man- can potentially improve process test the accuracy and durability of EMRQ plans to deploy an by eliminating background THE PENINSULA agement and corporate finance advisory. QFB’s current invest- ment stands at QR1.8bn across various sectors including energy, financial services, industrials, real estate and healthcare in markets Back 2 Business networking event to begin on Wednesday as diverse as Middle East and North Africa, Turkey and in the United Kingdom. DOHA: The ninth edition of non-profit international busi- “The Back 2 Business is knowledge, learn from the success Qatar almost a decade ago, by the Abdulla bin Fahad bin Ghorab the ‘Back 2 Business’, one of ness councils in Qatar, including attended every year by approxi- of others, attain new clients and German Business Council, with Al Marri, Chairman of QFB, said: the largest business networking German, Italian, Scandinavian, mately 600 professionals and deci- tell others about your business and the purpose of reconnecting with “We thank Emad for his efforts event in Qatar, will be held on Dutch, Australian-New Zeeland, sion makers who believe in the be updated on market rumours,” business contacts after the long and major contributions in grow- October 2, the organising com- British, Spanish and Turkish. benefits of business networking. said Palma Libotte, Chairperson summer break. The Italians were ing the Bank and wish him all mittee said at a press confer- Tickets are on sale at Vodafone Doha businessmen are aware that of the Italian Business Council, soon asked to join, and today eight the success in his future endeav- ence here yesterday. stores and on the night (from Back 2 Business is unquestionably during the meeting. of the most influential interna- ours. We congratulate Ahmad on The event will be hosted by eight 7pm) at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. a valuable event to expand one’s The event was introduced to tional business councils in Qatar his new appointment. Ahmad run the show. brings a depth of experience to The Executive General this important role and we are Manager of Retail and Consumer excited to have someone with Banking at Commercial Bank of his calibre and talent to lead the Qatar, the Diamond Sponsor of team and grow the Bank to new the event, said: “Back 2 Business heights” is an innovative networking event Ahmad holds a Master’s of for the business community and Business Administration from our customers here in Qatar. We the University of Ottawa and a are delighted to support this year’s bachelor’s degree in Business event. Networking is an impor- Administration from Kuwait tant part of business and life but is University. He is a Fellow member especially vital for those who are at the Arab Academy for Banking new to Qatar and looking to build and Financial Services and has business and social relationships.” been a holder of the Certified Some of the other sponsors of Lender of Business Banking from the event include: Vodafone, Qatar the Institute of Certified Bankers Airways; GAC, Qatari-French in the USA since 2003Ahmad has Business Club, ABB, Qatar Today served as a board member at sev- and Al Futtaim Vehicle Rental. eral of QIB’s subsidiaries includ- “Vodafone Qatar is proud to be a ing QIB-UK (the investment arm strategic sponsor of the ninth Back of QIB in United Kingdom), Aqar, 2 Business event. This is the third Solidarity Group, Q-Invest, Arab year in a row that we’ve sponsored Finance House and Al Jazeera this event and have found it an Finance. invaluable opportunity to net- QFB reported strong financial work with leading people in their results in 2012, as net income rose field,” said Niraj Singh, Director of by 21 per cent from QR 94m in Representatives from various business councils in Qatar and sponsors of the ‘Back 2 Business’ during a pre-event press conference at Grand Hyatt Vodafone Qatar Business Services. 2011 to QR 113.2m in 2012. yesterday. (SHAIVAL DALAL) THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Qatari bourse Athens Flying Week index adds 45.53 points Highest Dubai turnover since June 3

DOHA: Qatar Exchange index lows dating back to 2009 points added 45.53 points, or 0.48 per- the index up to the 3,500-point cent advance to 9,626.30 points area in the long term. from 9,580.77 on Thursday. The World Expo committee will The volume of the shares traded make a decision on November 27 up to 6,733,015 from 6,106,602 on on whether or not Dubai will win Thursday and the value of shares the rights to host the world’s fair decreased to QR278,500,585.62 in 2020. Index compiler MSCI from QR338,467,035.34 on upgraded the United Arab Emirates Thursday. and Qatar to emerging market Among the top gainers were status earlier this year, which will Qatar National Bank which was bring in fresh foreign funds when up 0.36 percent to QR167.50, it takes effect in June 2014. Industries Qatar gained 1.08 Khan said that despite Dubai’s percent to QR149.10, Ooredoo hefty 2013 gains, the market was added 0.43 percent to QR140.10 not expensive in terms of valu- and Qatar Navigation up by 1.50 ations because of the positive percent to QR81. catalysts. Analysts are expect- The Banking and Financial sec- ing modest profit growth for the tor index was added 0.11 points third quarter, however, with the while Consumer Goods and hot summer having a dampening Services sector index lost 0.85 effect on some sectors. points. The industrial sector was Small-cap Gulf Navigation up 0.75 points while insurance surged 15 percent yesterday, leav- sector gained 0.05 points. ing it up 82.1 percent since the Meanwhile, Dubai’s shares rose firm’s announcement of plans to A group of FlyLatino FL-100RG planes of the Italian Pattuglia Acrobatica Blue Circe team perform a formation flight during the conclusion of the to their highest level in almost sell some ships and raise capi- Athens Flying Week 2013 (AFW) at Tatoi airport in northern Athens, Greece, yesterday. five years in heavy trading yes- tal a week ago. It accounted for terday as retail investors bet on more than a third of total shares small-caps ahead of third-quarter trading. earnings, while other regional Thursday’s news that Dubai markets were mixed. will double its land transaction Dubai’s benchmark advanced fee to 4 percent did not dampen Lebanon selling bonds to boost liquidity 1.2 percent to 2,771 points, its the real estate market or property highest finish since November stocks significantly. ABU DHABI: Lebanon’s cen- quality of our balance sheet in Lebanon’s economy has suf- since the banks use some of 2008, taking year-to-date gains “Even if the fee is increased by tral bank has been selling some terms of improving liquidity in fered over the past two years those deposits to buy state debt. to 70.8 percent. Turnover surged the DLD, in the global context, of its holdings of international foreign currency.” He did not as the civil war in neighbouring Salameh said: “Total deposits in to Dh1.3bn ($354m), the biggest purchase costs will still be rela- bonds issued by the Lebanese elaborate on the sales of Lebanese Syria has caused capital inflows the banking sector have grown by daily value since a spike on June 3. tively low,” property consultants government to improve its for- bond holdings. The central bank to dry up, although the total size eight percent — it is essentially “We have a lot of catalysts — Knight Frank said in a report. eign currency liquidity, central held 25.45 trillion Lebanese of its foreign reserves has held up driven by a non-resident increase real estate is doing well, the Expo In Saudi Arabia, the index bank governor Riad Salameh pounds ($16.9bn) worth of secu- and there does not appear to have in deposits. 2020 decision is coming up and declined 0.4 percent, down for a said yesterday. rities in July, down from a peak been heavy pressure on its cur- “Last year, we ended up with a later, people will start gearing up fourth consecutive session to hit “The central bank has sold of 26.92 trillion pounds in April, rency peg to the US dollar. 7 percent growth,” he added. for the MSCI upgrade,” said Amer a two-week low. from its own portfolio the equiva- according to central bank data. On Lebanon’s foreign exchange Salameh said the central bank’s Khan, fund manager at Shuaa Investors sold most large-cap lent of $5bn this year. During the The yield on Lebanon’s $650m reserves, Salameh said: “We are expectation of 2.0-2.5 percent Asset Management. “Political risk stocks ahead of third-quarter month of September alone we sold bond maturing in 2019 is up 52 running over $36bn of liquid growth in gross domestic prod- has dissipated and the outlook is earnings. Analysts and inves- $1.1bn,” he told reporters on the basis points since late May to 6.27 foreign assets. Gold is evalu- uct this year was in line with the positive.” tors are expecting most earnings sidelines of an Arab central bank- percent, outperforming the bonds ated around $16bn.... We have impact of political instability on Yesterday’s rise suggested a growth to come from sectors that ers’ meeting in Abu Dhabi. of many emerging market econo- improved from last year in terms the economy. He predicted infla- break above the August peak of rely on domestic demand, which “These are Republic of Lebanon mies. Lebanese commercial banks of liquidity.” tion would be below four percent 2,762 points, though another daily benefits from a strong economy Eurobonds that the central bank are often keen buyers of Lebanese Maintaining ample deposits in 2013, “which is in line with the close will be needed for confirma- and growing population. was carrying in its portfolio. We government debt offered in the in the banking sector is key to central bank objectives.” tion. A double bottom formed by AGENCIES liquidated that to improve the secondary market. keeping the government funded, REUTERS

Yemen may issue sukuk to Oman looks beyond Iran fund imports of sanctions for gas lifeline oil products DUBAI: If Iranian President Said the first head of state to were “necessary and inevitable” ABU DHABI: Yemen’s gov- Hassan Rouhani’s dream of meet Rowhani after his inaugu- because Qatar and Saudi Arabia ernment may issue a local-cur- reaching a deal with world pow- ration in early August. had turned down his supply rency Islamic bond this year to ers on Tehran’s nuclear pro- On that trip, the two coun- requests. finance its imports of petroleum gram in six months comes true, tries’ energy ministers signed a The US embassy and Oman products, its central bank gov- Oman, an important intermedi- gas supply agreement that Iran’s energy ministry in Muscat ernor Mohammed Awad bin ary in the dispute, could be a big energy minister valued at $60bn declined to comment on the latest Hamam said yesterday. winner. over 25 years, which would be by gas deal but the Western diplo- “We might issue a sukuk during There have been too many false far the biggest trade deal between matic source said it had not been the coming short period,” Hamam Saoud Al Darwish receiving the award. dawns in Iran’s decade-old stand- the two neighbours, if any gas done with US approval, despite said on the sidelines of a meeting off with the West over Tehran’s ever flows between them. a brighter outlook on relations of Arab central bank governors nuclear programme to bank on “The new government of Iran with Tehran. A US official in in Abu Dhabi. Arabian Business honour Rowhani’s call in New York last has a different approach. We Washington said: “US concerns He said the sukuk could be week for a deal within 3-6 months. are very optimistic that all the have been conveyed to Oman,” but worth about 50bn Yemeni rials But in the weeks leading up to political issues between Iran and did not elaborate. ($233m) and use a salam struc- Rowhani’s first foreign trip since the West, particularly, will be Oman’s ever-growing gas appe- ture, which resembles a forward for Bader Al Darwish he became president in August, resolved,” Oman Energy Minister tite has already taken a bite out contract in conventional finance. Omani officials have been visiting Mohammed bin Hamad Al of its potential LNG exports and “It will be around the prevail- DOHA: Bader Al Darwish, Tehran in a bid to buy Iranian gas Rumhy said in early September unless it can find a lot more feed- ing interest rate, maybe even Chairman of Darwish Holding – in the hope that some day sanc- after signing the gas deal in late stock those exports could dry up less. Maybe it will be around 10 a pioneering business conglom- tions on Iran will be lifted and August. altogether over the next decade, percent, something like that,” erate in Qatar, was honoured Oman can finally get the sup- “This is our wish in Oman and analysts say. Hamam said, adding that the with Lifetime Achievement plies it desperately needs over the we’re working towards it... The Iranian officials have said they maturity would be more than one Award of the Year by Arabian Strait of Hormuz. feeling in Oman is that things are expect gas exports to Oman to year, perhaps three or five years. Business at ceremony held at Iran sits on the world’s largest changing.” start in under two years, but Yemen’s economy has improved the Grand Hyatt hotel in. The reserves of gas and Oman has US officials have been warn- Rumhy has said it is unlikely con- since 2012 after years of political award was received by Saoud been trying to buy some of it since ing that building a gas pipeline struction of the physically chal- instability and violence, but the Al Darwish, Vice-Chairman of 2005 to feed energy intensive to Iran would likely be in violation lenging subsea pipeline could even recovery is fragile and the coun- Darwish Holding. industries and liquefied natural of sanctions since an early trade start in that time. try remains the second-poorest The Arabian Business Award gas (LNG) export plants planned deal was signed in 2007, according His talks with Iran coincide Arab state after Mauritania. is a premier event in the regional before it cut its own reserves to US Embassy cables published with continuing negotiations to Asked whether the central bank business calendar, which consist- estimate. by Wikileaks. finalise British energy company might cut interest rates again in ently attracts and honours the Price disagreements, Western The US ambassador to Oman BP’s Khazzan project to extract coming months, Hamam replied: biggest names in the Gulf business Bader Al Darwish sanctions that have stunted wrote in a September 15, 2008 hard-to-reach gas in Oman that “Of course, yes, but we have to look community. Each year, the awards Iranian energy projects and US cable published by Wikileaks could supply around 1 billion cubic at that. We have to watch inflation. celebrate the very best in business business map. Our name has been pressure on Oman to find other that his office would “continue to feet a day by 2018. Inflation is only one factor. We achievement, both on a corporate closely linked to that of our coun- suppliers have prevented any real remind relevant officials as appro- Oman will still need more have look at more than one factor.” and individual level. The Arabian try owing to a stellar track record progress with the pipeline project priate of the potential applicabil- imports in the longer term, so it The central bank last cut its Business Achievement Awards with milestones that have helped since then. ity of the Iran Sanctions Act,” but makes strategic sense to do the key interest rate in February, by have been hosted in Kuwait, raise the bar in the industry.” But Oman is ahead in a noted that “Oman’s urgent need political groundwork even if sanc- 3 percentage points to 15 percent, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia This award reflects Bader’s out- queue like that which formed for new gas supplies and dearth of tions hold back progress. but inflation hit a 15-month high and the UAE. standing business achievements at Myanmar’s door as sanctions potential suppliers severely limits “Given the recent changes in the of 14.2 percent in May. On the occasion, Bader Al stemming, particularly, from the against the southeast Asian state receptivity to our message”. political leadership in Iran, this is “I guess inflation when you Darwish said: “This award is an innovative retail concepts that were eased. Oman started importing Qatari good time to start working towards look at it from the commodity honour for the entire Darwish he introduced to Qatar such as Muscat has moved quickly to gas through a pipeline across a mutually beneficial agreement,” aspect, it is not that high. By the Holding as it is a solid testament Fifty One East, which has also cement ties since the election the United Arab Emirates in Richard Quin, Lead Analyst Middle end of the year it will amount to to the fact that Darwish has been been recognized as the Best Retail of moderate Iranian President 2007. But it was not enough. A East & North Africa Upstream something around 6-8 percent, I a key partner for the development Company of the Year 2013, for the Hassan Rowhani improved US embassy cable dated May 6, Research at consultants Wood guess,” Hamam said. and recognition of our nation on third year consecutively. long-term trade prospects, with 2009, quoted Minister Rumhy Mackenzie in Edinburgh, said. REUTERS the regional and international THE PENINSULA Oman’s HM Sultan Qaboos bin saying gas imports from Iran REUTERS MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Brazil oil firm French stores OGX allowed delay in debt rebel against payment RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian oil company OGX Petróleo e Gás SA won a six-month delay in a debt payment that will reduce Sunday ban the risk of default by the firm controlled by Brazilian tycoon Eike Batista, according to secu- 14 stores defy court order rities filings. OGX Austria GmbH, which PARIS: Braving a court ban, trade until 1pm. “Some stores owns 100 percent of OGX Brazil 14 home improvement stores can open on Sundays without a bonds in circulation, agreed to in France opened to the pub- problem and others must ask for delay a debt payment to March lic yesterday in an increasingly special dispensations. It would be 25 from September 25, OGX said bitter tug of war with the gov- good if everyone received equal in a securities filing. ernment over a law prohibiting treatment,” a Castorama spokes- The amount of the debt pay- trading on the traditional day of woman said. ment was not specified in the fil- rest. Leroy Merlin, meanwhile, ing. OGX officials in Brazil were The move comes amid intense blasted a “staggering imbroglio” not immediately available for debate over France’s labour prac- when it came to permits given to comment after business hours. tices. The government is seeking some stores to open, and not to OGX is rapidly running out to continue a long tradition rul- others. Some government min- of cash after output from its ing out Sunday and late-night isters have acknowledged that first offshore oil field, Tubarao work, but at a time of record high changes need to be made. Azul, turned out to be lower unemployment, many employees In an interview with yester- than expected and efforts to put regard the ban as antiquated. day’s Journal du Dimanche news- another field into production are Last week, both Leroy Merlin paper, Sylvia Pinel, minister for delayed. Efforts to raise new capi- and Castorama, two home commerce and the crafts indus- A Siemens mechatronics apprentice works on a bench vice during a class at the Siemens training centre in Berlin. tal by selling stakes in oil and gas improvement chains, were try, acknowledged that there was fields has also stalled. ordered by a court to stop opening “a complexity in the law” that A plunge in the company’s their stores in the Paris area on demanded clarification. share price, as well as those of Sundays or face a fine of ¤120,000 And Bruno Le Roux, head of Siemens to cut 15,000 jobs other companies in Batista’s EBX ($162,000) per shop and per day. the ruling Socialists’ lower house energy, mining, shipbuilding and But yesterday, they opened any- National Assembly faction, said BERLIN: German engineering warning in two months. When representatives. port-operation group, caused his way amid anger among employees on Radio J that retailers should and technology giant Siemens Kaeser took over at the helm “We are sticking to the rule: fortune, once Brazil’s largest, to and customers. be given the “possibility” of work- said yesterday it plans to slash of Siemens, he stressed that the first we speak with the employees, shrink and limited his ability to “I’m outraged by the court deci- ing Sundays. 15,000 positions worldwide by company was “certainly not in then we go public,” the company keep financing OGX, a startup sion: All of a sudden, I risk ending But other politicians have late next year as part of a cost- crisis, nor is it in need of major said in its statement. with more investment expenses up without a salary, which threat- rebuked the two home improve- cutting drive, including 5,000 in restructuring”. Earlier on Sunday, the Welt am than revenue. ens my studies,” said Eleanor ment chains. its home country. “However we’ve been too pre- Sonntag newspaper had quoted Batista is also challenging Leloup, a 24-year-old chiropractic Benoit Hamon, Consumer The company aimed for many occupied with ourselves lately analysts as expecting about 10,000 OGX’s request that he put $100 student who works every week- Affairs Minister, said on Saturday voluntary redundancies and to and have lost some of our profit job cuts next year. million into the company under end at one of the affected Leroy it was “unacceptable that a brand redeploy some staff within the momentum vis-a-vis our competi- Siemens has about 370,000 a promise known as a put option. Merlin stores in Ivry-sur-Seine, does not implement a judi- vast conglomerate, which makes tors,” he said in late July, vowing to employees worldwide, including The put option commits him to next to Paris. cial decision”. Justice Minister products from gas turbines to rail get Siemens “back on an even keel”. 119,000 in Germany. put up to $1 billion into OGX at Smahene, another employee at Christiane Taubira, meanwhile, equipment to health care goods. Of the job cuts in Germany, During the leadership change the board’s request. the store, wore a T-shirt blazoned said rules must be respected as “The ongoing and planned 2,000 positions will be slashed in at Siemens, even Chancellor OGX Austria has sold the fol- with the words “Yes week-end”, in “we are a state ruled by law”. workforce adjustments in the the company’s industry division, Angela Merkel, via her spokes- lowing bonds: $2.563bn of 8.5 a nudge to the “Yes we can” slo- By-and-large, customers who context of Siemens 2014 are 1,400 in energy, 1,400 in infrastruc- man, had commented, saying she percent debt due in 2018 and gan used by US President Barack came to the DIY stores yesterday about 15,000 positions world- ture & cities and 200 in the corpo- viewed the Siemens group as a $1.063bn of 8.375 percent debt Obama in his 2008 campaign. said they supported the decision wide, of which about 5,000 are rate division, the spokesman said. “flagship” of the German economy due 2022. It was not immediately Spokespeople for both chains to remain open. in Germany,” the Munich-based The steps had been “discussed and a company which needed to clear if OGX’s payments are used denounced a confusing ban that “I’m ashamed, I think it’s out- company said in a statement. with all those concerned”, with “return to calm waters”. to honor those bonds. allows some stores to open in cer- rageous that in this country, peo- The ongoing “Siemens 2014” about half the redundancies to Shortly after announcing the Both are rated CCC-, or likely tain cases. ple are not being allowed to work. drive in total aims to save more take effect in 2013 and the rest changes, the company released its to default, by Standard & Poor’s. Under French law, retailers And then people are surprised than ¤6bn ($8.1bn). by the end of 2014, he said. results for its fiscal third quar- The OGX Austria bonds due in can only open on a Sunday under that there is unemployment,” said The company in July appointed Siemens said the cost-cutting ter, posting a 43-percent jump in 2018 are trading at 17 percent of very specific conditions — if they Elisabeth Armani, a Parisian DIY Joe Kaeser as the new chief plans were not new, just the net profit to ¤1.1bn, mostly due to face value and the bonds due in are located in a tourist area, for lover shopping at the Ivry Leroy executive, replacing ousted Peter number of layoffs which resulted the spin-off of lighting company 2022 are trading at 17.5 percent instance. Any shop selling food, Merlin store. Loescher, days after Siemens from them, and that the job losses Osram. of face value. such as a butcher, can also do AFP had announced its second profit had been discussed with workers’ AFP REUTERS

Etisalat talks to buy Vivendi’s ANZ, UOB eye Hong Kong’s Wing Hang Bank Maroc Tel stake HONG KONG: Singapore’s and UOB were among the com- part of our super regional strat- more incentive not to hold out for finance and commercial lending United Overseas Bank Ltd panies considering a bid for the egy however we don’t comment more lofty premiums that other units but withdrew on concerns extended to Oct 31 and Australia & New Zealand Hong Kong bank. The Wall Street on market speculation.” city lenders commanded before about its ability to integrate the Banking Group Ltd are con- Journal also cited people familiar Wing Hang Bank could not be the global financial crisis. units with its Esanda financing DUBAI: Exclusive talks for sidering a bid for Hong Kong’s with the matter as saying UOB reached for comment. Hong Kong’s Fung family, arm, the Journal reported, citing Etisalat to buy Vivendi’s 53 Wing Hang Bank Ltd, accord- and ANZ had shown interest. China’s economic clout and the along with BNY International people familiar with the matter. percent stake in Maroc Telecom ing to people familiar with the Wing Hang Bank is the second growth of the offshore yuan fixed Financing Corp, control about 45 ANZ, Australia’s third largest have been extended to October matter. family-run Hong Kong lender to income market has made Hong percent of the Wing Hang Bank, bank by value, has been seeking 31, the United Arab Emirates’ Wing Hang, with a market cap- get a takeover offer since August. Kong’s mid-sized banks increas- whose stock has soared since to expand its business across Asia former telecom monopoly said italisation of $4.7bn, announced Chong Hing Bank Ltd said that ingly attractive to foreign lenders takeover talk started. for several years, a vision held yesterday. earlier this month that its con- it had received offers from mul- seeking a gateway to the main- The Wall Street Journal by current CEO Mike Smith, a Vivendi in July entered into trolling shareholders had received tiple parties, without naming the land market and seeking growth reported earlier this month that former top executive at HSBC. exclusive negotiations with preliminary offers from independ- suitors. outside home markets. ANZ dropped its over $900m bid Banks across Asia, from Japan Etisalat — the UAE’s No.1 tele- ent third parties to purchase A UOB spokesman on Saturday New capital rules and competi- for the main Australian busi- to Singapore, are also aggressively com operator — to sell its majority their shares in the bank. It did said the bank does not comment tion from bigger rivals like HSBC nesses of British lender Lloyds expanding beyond their bor- holding stake in Maroc Telecom not name the bidders. on market speculation. An ANZ Plc and Standard Chartered Bank Banking Group. ders, looking for higher growth for ¤3.9bn ($5.28bn) in cash. People familiar with the mat- spokesman said: “From time to Plc have also given controlling ANZ was among four parties markets. The previous deadline for ter said on Saturday that ANZ time we look at opportunities as shareholders of Hong Kong banks shortlisted to buy Lloyds’s asset REUTERS these exclusive talks to end was September 25, but have now been extended to October 31, accord- ing to an Etisalat statement. The Malabar Gold & Diamonds opens 100th showroom statement did not say why talks were extended or at which party’s Nigeria inks $1.3bn power behest. Morocco’s government owns 30 percent of Maroc Telecom, with the remaining 17 percent pub- plant deal with China licly traded. On September 11, Morocco’s Minister Saadeddine ABUJA: Nigeria has signed a to the country’s current 4,500 Othmani told reporters that “We deal for Chinese state companies megawatt electricity capacity have agreed on all main terms and to build a $1.3bn power plant, the and is scheduled to be finished a deal may be finalised in one to finance ministry said yesterday, in four years, although Nigerian two months”. part of efforts to end chronic projects usually run over time and Etisalat’s statement yesterday electricity shortages that are a over budget and many are never struck a more cautious tone, say- major brake on growth. completed. ing a final agreement was subject Nigeria produces only a few The building of a hydro plant to “execution of a shareholders’ hours of electricity a day, forc- in Zungeru, Niger state, was first agreement with the Kingdom ing those who can afford it to rely announced three decades ago but of Morocco regarding Maroc on expensive diesel generators this is the most significant effort Telecom, and securing competi- that drain billions of dollars from yet to get the project underway, tion and regulatory approvals Africa’s second largest economy experts say. in Morocco in addition to cer- and discourage foreign investment. “This project will create thou- tain other jurisdictions in Maroc President Goodluck Jonathan sands of jobs for Nigerian engi- Telecom’s footprint”. is on a drive to increase invest- neers, technicians and artisans Maroc Telecom offers fixed- ment in the power sector and has during the construction phase ... line, mobile and Internet serv- nearly completed the privatiza- It will also boost the economy,” ices in the kingdom and is one tion of its inefficient state elec- Nigeria’s Finance Minister of Africa’s biggest telecom firms, tricity company. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in a with units in Burkina Faso, A loan from China’s Eximbank statement. Despite holding the Gabon, Mali and Mauritania. will pay for 75 percent of the world’s ninth largest gas reserves, Vivendi’s planned Maroc planned 700 megawatt Zungeru Nigeria only produces a tenth of Telecom sale is a step in the con- Malabar Gold & Diamonds, a South India-based jewellery chain, opened its 100th showroom at sector 43, hydro-electric power plant, while the amount of electricity as South glomerate’s attempt to remake Gold Souk, Gurgaon, near New Delhi. Cricket legend Padma Shri Kapil Dev opened the showroom in the pres- the Nigerian government has put Africa for a population three itself as a media-focused company. ence of Malabar Group Chairman M P Ahammed, Group Executive Director Asher O, directors and guests. up the rest of the cash. times the size. REUTERS The plant would be a boost REUTERS MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Eurozone surplus puts Wall Street feels new heat Germany in the dock

BY ALAN WHEATLEY from trio of officials

SHARP rise in the eurozone’s current account surplus puts BY DANIELLE DOUGLAS else in common: They want companies to normally does to improve economic growth.” the focus firmly on what Germany’s new government can admit they did wrong. The government, he said, is giving into A do to boost consumption and revive investment in Europe’s N THE years after the financial crisis Rakoff, 69, has used the bench to pressure public pressure to go after “what people largest economy. nearly toppled the US economy, few federal agencies to extract such admissions. believe were illegal actions,” but in most Stronger domestic demand in Germany would suck in more government officials were successful in And through a broad interpretation of a fed- cases were simply bad business judgements. goods from countries on the southern rim of the eurozone and so holding Wall Street accountable. eral statute, he helped enhance the powers Some consumer advocates note that help them to keep improving their own external payment positions That is changing. of prosecutors by giving them more time to despite the growing number of cases against by expanding exports rather than crushing spending. IThe reckoning for Wall Street’s sins, go after financial-era crimes, allowing them Wall Street firms, it is unlikely that sen- The austerity policies pursued by the bloc’s weaker economies while still in the early phases, may finally to impose bigger penalties and expanding ior executives will face jail time or lifetime to reduce unsustainable debts are one reason why the eurozone be at hand. And some analysts and officials whom they could subpoena. bans from financial activities. Others won- has swung from a current account deficit of 0.2 percent of gross point to three figures in New York and Bharara, 44, has used Rakoff’s rulings to der whether the three of them will be able domestic product (GDP) in 2009 to a surplus of 2.1 percent in the Washington who have been at the forefront forge ahead with a major case against Bank to sustain this pace. 12 months to the end of July. of the effort: a prosecutor, a judge and a of America for allegedly selling mortgage Of course, Bharara, Rakoff and White But the main reason is Germany, which ran a surplus with regulator. securities to investors that the firm knew are not alone in their pursuit of Wall Street non-euro countries last year of ¤94.93bn ($129bn), according to There is no formal collaboration between were worthless. He also successfully pros- crimes. Scores of other federal prosecutors, Bundesbank data. The surplus for the whole of the currency bloc the three — US Attorney Preet Bharara in ecuted Deutsche Bank for a similar case regulators and state attorneys general have in 2012 was ¤122.44bn. Manhattan, US District Judge Jed S Rakoff of mortgage fraud and Bank of New York spent years gathering evidence of malfea- Germany’s overall current account surplus last year was 6.9 and Securities and Exchange Commission Mellon for overcharging clients for currency sance that is producing new cases. percent of GDP — higher even than the six percent threshold Chairman Mary Jo White. But their col- trading. But the three officials “are in the van- that the European Commission considers excessive. lective efforts have helped usher in a more White, 66, who hired Bharara when she guard,” said Dennis Kelleher, chief execu- Martin Wolf, writing in the Financial Times, said Germany’s aggressive era in prosecution and, some ran the Southern District office, is largely tive of Better Markets, which advocates for ‘beggar-my-neighbour policies’ were exporting bankruptcy and analysts say, may have even helped lay the untested with only six months on the job at financial reform. “The question is, is this unemployment and were inconsistent with the eurozone’s com- legal groundwork for many of the govern- the SEC. But she has also vowed that her going to be a passing fancy? Or are they mitments to the Group of 20 leading economies. ment’s probes against megabanks such as agency will extract admissions of wrongdo- going to begin a pattern that changes the Within the eurozone, Germany’s surplus with other members JPMorgan Chase. ing from companies. way Wall Street does business?” has halved as a share of GDP since 2007. But the surplus is nev- That firm, saddled with several federal Financial industry officials and analysts A major moment in Washington’s pursuit ertheless the mechanical counterpart of deficits elsewhere. investigations at once, is now trying to say there is a downside to the government’s of financial-era crimes came last month in Putting the onus of adjustment entirely on the southern rim pay a record fine of at least $11bn to settle growing aggressiveness. An overreach in a case that Bharara had put before Rakoff. without any offsetting stimulus measures could threaten the very most of its legal troubles with the Justice litigation could backfire and drive firms out In his mortgage fraud case against Bank survival of the shared currency, said Paul de Grauwe, a professor Department. of certain lines of business lines or disrupt of America, Bharara asked Rakoff whether at the London School of Economics. Ties exists between the three officials. the fragile economic recovery. It could also he could apply a powerful 1980s era law Unemployment is at a record high in the periphery, where They were all prosecutors originally. Two embroil the government in endless litigation. known as the Financial Institutions Reform, investment has fallen almost three times more than in core coun- of them worked together in their previous “There’s a real danger here,” said Peter Recovery and Enforcement Act, commonly tries. “Politically this is not acceptable and therefore these coun- jobs. And in interviews they speak highly Wallison, a senior fellow at the American called FIRREA. The law has a low burden of tries will be pushed into default,” de Grauwe said. of one another. Even Rakoff, who has rou- Enterprise Institute, a conservative think proof, strong subpoena power and a 10-year Germany is in the dock even though its output is now two tinely clashed with the SEC, holds White tank. “Every time a bank gets sued it statute of limitations, twice as long as the percent above its pre-crisis peak thanks to increases in private in high regard. devotes a huge amount of time defending usual limit for financial fraud cases. consumption and government spending, whereas the eurozone as The three officials also have something itself, instead of spending time on things it WP-BLOOMBERG a whole is still three percent below it. Tight labour markets are feeding through into wage rises and increased purchasing power. “It’s not that people can point to Germany and say ‘you are suppressing domestic demand’ because conditions are already supporting domestic demand,” said Andrew Benito, an economist with Goldman Sachs in London. Where critics might have a point is that Germany needs to liberalise parts of its service sector, which would shift resources gradually from export industries and so boost domestic demand, Benito said. In the shorter term, a revival of capital spending was possible once post-election uncertainty lifted, he added. Investment subtracted one percentage point from growth last year and is still 7.5 percent below its pre-crisis peak. Given that the economy is operating with little slack, Benito said the weak- ness was puzzling. Philippe Gudin, an economist with Barclays in Paris, said a recovery in investment was key to Germany’s economic outlook. Internationally, the eurozone surplus is not big enough to set alarm bells ringing. Indeed, policy makers can take comfort that the imbalances of the world’s two biggest economies have shriveled. China’s surplus crested in 2008 at around 9.3 percent of GDP, while the US deficit peaked at 5.8 percent of GDP in 2006. This year both are set to be less than 3 percent. Yet Stephen King, chief economist with HSBC, said the global picture was still uncomfortable. “The problem is that the imbal- ances that have narrowed in those two countries have reappeared elsewhere,” he said. After all, the global current account must by definition be in bal- ance. Increased savings in some countries must be accommodated by falling savings in others. So it is that Turkey, India, Indonesia, Brazil and South Africa, for instance, have ended up with worry- ingly high current account deficits as foreign capital seeking high yields has stoked unsustainable, credit-fueled domestic demand. Disagreements over how to reduce imbalances has echoes of the debate at the Bretton Woods monetary conference in 1944 when John Maynard Keynes, leading the British delegation, argued unsuccessfully that surplus countries should share the burden. The United States, in surplus at the time and bankrolling Britain’s war effort, had the power to insist that it was deficit states that must adjust in the post-war order, much as Germany is prevailing with its prescriptions for the euro zone. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Make or break for Poland as EU cash floods in

BY MARCIN GOETTIG Bienkowska, unfazed by the if they work together. “In this strategy of fostering clusters of travel times and IT systems have needs 29 permits to build a ware- AND CHRISTIAN LOWE responsibility, has a plan. “What programme a university must innovative companies is beginning increased the administration’s house on the outskirts of the is very important, maybe it is a find a partner on the market,” to bear fruit. efficiency. capital, a nearly world-beating LZBIETA Bienkowska, kind of dream and it may sound Bienkowska said. “I am always Poland’s so-called “Aviation Bienkowska said projects number. a 49-year-old mother funny, is to build a Polish Nokia,” calling it a kind of a blackmail: Valley” cluster near the south- funded with European money “Sometimes we are forced with a tattoo on her she said in an interview. this money is for you, but only eastern city of Rzeszow has have created about 300,000 jobs repeat the whole procedure,” arm and back, has The Finnish Nokia, which if you invent something that the attracted global leaders such as so far, raising living standards of said Zbigniew Kmicic, head of more money to invest started as a rubber company, market will use.” United Technologies, whose sub- the population of 37 million. construction firm Poleksbud- Ethan any other Polish minister in became a dominant global player Nearly five decades of sidiary Sikorsky Aircraft pro- Foreign Minister Radoslaw Trade and vice-president of the history. on the mobile phone market over Communist rule left Poland with duces its renowned Black Hawk Sikorski has called EU structural Employers of Poland lobby. “This As minister for regional 2000-2010, creating wealth and run-down infrastructure and helicopters there. funds Poland’s “Marshall plan”, is painful.” development, she is responsible high-value added jobs for the firms that were not able to com- Also local companies are start- drawing parallels to the vast sums In July, the government for allocating ¤73bn ($99bn) of sparsely populated Scandinavian pete on increasingly competitive ing to have global aspirations. the United States transferred to approved new legislation to sim- European Union money over the country. global markets. Poland’s top software maker, western Europe to rebuild it after plify the process. Bienkowska said next seven years with the aim Nokia sales have since col- Over the last 20 years of mar- Asseco Poland, plans to team up the Second World War. the changes could come into force of closing the gap between ex- lapsed, ravaged by nimbler rivals ket economy, local firms have with a larger partner to become Since 2006, Poland’s gross next year, but it will likely take communist Poland and western such as Apple, but Bienkowska grown stronger, benefiting from Europe’s No.2 over the next five domestic product has increased longer for businesses to feel the Europe. believes that Polish companies foreign capital and technology years and challenge market leader by over a third in real terms. difference. But with wealth comes should follow the example set by pouring into the country. Germany’s SAP. Bienkowska said about half of Despite the challenges, responsibility. This will be the Nokia in its growth years and But Poland is one of the “One day we will find a Pole this growth in output was attrib- Bienkowska said she believed last time Poland will get such a work with scientists to develop European Union’s least innova- who will manage to achieve such utable to EU structural funds. Poland was now living through huge amount of EU development new products. tive members, something that success as Bill Gates,” Asseco Poland’s GDP per capita now one of its most prosperous funding, and if it does not use the “Our companies do not spend has to change if Poland is ever to chief executive Adam Goral said. accounts for 66 percent of the times in its turbulent 1,000-year opportunity to re-make its econ- money on their own innovations. join the world’s wealthier nations. In less than a decade, Asseco EU average. history. omy, it will have blown a once-in- They prefer to buy the ideas from Bienkowska said IT, medicine and managed to increase its revenue Over the same period the coun- Asked what Poland will look a-lifetime opportunity. abroad. We will try to change this aviation were among the most from around 40m zlotys ($13m) try moved 19 places up in the like in 2020, when most of the And it is not as easy as it may way of thinking,” Bienkowska promising sectors. to more than 5.5bn and is now World Bank’s ranking of ease of funds are spent, she leaned back sound. Poland needs to go from said. “We have quite a lot of inno- present in around 40 countries. doing business and now ranks 55. in her chair in the freshly ren- being a low-cost economy to one Poland wants to make local vative companies,” she said. “We EU-funded infrastructure has But red-tape still hinders growth. ovated ministry compound in based on knowledge and technol- firms innovate more by setting have to really push them and give already transformed the every- The World Bank says an out- Warsaw and said: “Poland will ogy — a complicated task that aside ¤10bn of EU money and them a chance to develop, by giv- day life of Poles. Since the coun- dated and inefficient construc- be a beautiful, boring European cannot be achieved just by throw- making it available for compa- ing them a lot of money.” try entered the bloc in 2004, tion code is one of the most acute country.” ing money at it. nies and universities, but only There are signs the country’s new highways have reduced problems. A Polish company REUTERS MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 9,626.30 0.48 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 13,753.77 0.48 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,761.88 0.74 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,422.49 0.39 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,341.39 0.11 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5288.163 18.016 0.34 5292.2 4610.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,845.86 0.85 % QR156.9406 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4187.5 -7.85 -0.19 4227.21 3575.17 QE All Share Industrials 3,053.28 0.75 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.8418 QR 5.9273 QE All Share Insurance 2,243.08 0.05 % Dj Indu Average 15273.26 -61.33 -0.4 15709.6 12471.5 Euro ...... QR 4.8796 QR 4.9784 QE All Share Real Estate 1,757.31 1.54 % QR 2.5867 CA$ ...... QR 3.5018 QR 3.5711 QE All Share Telecoms 1,446.49 0.39 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,793.97 1.36 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9792 QR 4.0699 Hang Seng Inde/D 23125.03 -84.6 -0.36 23944.74 19426.36 Yen ...... QR 0.0366 QR 0.0375 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.3534 QR 3.4385 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4265.63 -7.6 -0.18 4332.05 3396.67 CRUDE OIL 29-09-2013 26-09-2013 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0576 QR 0.0589 Index 9,626.30 9,580.77 Karachi 100 In/D 22780.82 -280.08 -1.21 23944.99 16036.31 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0343 QR 0.0350 Change 45.53 15.57 BRENT Nikkei 225 Index 14799.12 178.59 1.22 15942.6 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0826 QR 0.0852 % 0.48 0.16 $ 108.49 SL Re ...... QR 0.0273 QR 0.0279 YTD% 15.16 14.62 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1729.86 1343.35 Taka ...... QR 0.0465 QR 0.0477 Volume 6,733,015 6,106,602 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0365 QR 0.0372 Value (QAR) 278,500,585.62 338,467,035.34 Straits Times/D 3194.31 -14.27 -0.44 3464.79 2990.68 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3616 QR 0.3688 Trades 2,471 3,128 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 106.10 Up 21 | Down 14 | Unchanged 03

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 29-09-2013

Threat of a historical debt default looms across markets

AST week, the dollar move- indicators in the US, the consumer of the ECB’s rate rose 0.1 percent exports weaken. The Ifo survey time, saying the central bank was ment was hampered by the confidence index fell slightly. decision due next during last month, strengthened those hopes by show- “very sensitive” to risks to finan- Lthreat of a historical debt However, the manufacturing sec- week, also the after a large 7.4 ing retailers more upbeat about cial stability stemming from low default and the lack of clarity tor continued to perform strongly, AUD/USD, fol- percent dropped their business outlook than at any rates, and would act against those over when the Federal Reserve and the Jobless Claims dropped lowed suit trad- in July mostly point since February 2011. risks, if needed. Weekly Money Market Review will scale back its 85 Billion to its lowest level since 2008, sug- ing in a tight because demand Germany’s Flash PMI United Kingdom quantitative easing programs. gesting that US economic activity range of 0.9295- for aircrafts fell. Germany’s private sector Investors are now focused on the has been expanding at a moderate 0.9460 ahead of RBA’s rate deci- The durable orders report showed improved in September at its fast- Final Gross Domestic Product Federal Reserve Bank meetings pace. sion early next week. that shipments of non-military est rate since January, last week The United Kingdom’s economy in October 29-30 and December In Europe, the ECB president US Treasury yields neared the capital goods other than aircraft Germany’s Flash PMI Service grew at its strongest pace in three 17-18. Although some suspect the Mario Dragi told the European 2.6 percent mark as investors grew 1.3 percent, snapping two index, suggested that Europe’s years, supported by one-off tax Federal Reserve would not start Parliament that he is ready to issue moved to a safe haven as both the straight months of declines. largest economy will grow again change, but business investment its tapering process until early another Long Term Refinancing debt ceiling and the Fed Reserves Europe this quarter. The Purchasing fell, raising some questions about 2014 .Chicago Federal Reserve Operation if needed to maintain tapering plan encouraged buyers. Managers’ Index, which tracks the recovery’s prospects. GDP President Evans ,said that the a low interest rates environment. The US consumer conference German Ifo Business Climate growth in both the manufactur- Growth between April and June third quarter GDP data that is In addition, Germany, Europe’s Board, said its index of con- German business confidence ing and services sector and cov- was 0.7 percent compared with the due to come out on Oct 30th would largest economy, had positive sumer attitudes fell to 79.7 from increased for its 5th straight ers more than three quarters of revisions to growth over the past give more insight on the timing of economic indicators especially in a revised 81.8 in August, slightly month in September amid signs the German economy, moved up year, it meant that last quarters the FED’s tapering . the business, manufacturing and missing market expectation of the economic recovery is continu- to 53.8 in September from 53.5 in GDP growth was the strongest The US House of consumer confidence sector. 79.9.The drop in the confidence ing in the Euro Zone. The Ifo busi- August. quarterly expansion since 2010. Representatives refused to give More news that is positive index was due to the resurfacing ness climate index is based on a Mario Draghi Addresses the Asian Markets in to President Barack Obama’s came out of the Far East with of concerns over jobs and earnings. survey of 7,000 companies about European Parliament demand for straightforward bills the Chinese manufacturing index Consumers’ assessment of current how they think the situation is The ECB President Mario Growth in China’s factory sec- to run the government beyond rising to a six-month high and business and labor market condi- now, and how they see things Draghi told the European tor rose to a six-month high in Oct 1 and avoid a debt default that Japanese exports rising 14.7 per- tions, however, was more positive. going in the coming months. The Parliament in his quarterly tes- September, supported by stronger could threaten a fragile economic cent year on year. Also in Japan, While overall economic condi- index edged up to 107.7 points from timony “We are ready to use any foreign and domestic demand. The recovery. The US debt is at a new August headline CPI came in tions appear to have moderately 107.6 in August. Market analysts instrument, including another flash HSBC Purchasing Managers’ record high of 16.7 Trillion dollars. stronger than expected, rising to improved, consumers are uncer- had expected it to rise slightly LTRO if needed, to maintain Index climbed to 51.2 this month Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew 0.9 percent y/y from the 0.7 per- tain whether the momentum can more, to 108.0. Germany is ben- the short term money markets from August’s 50.1, hitting a high calculated that the United States cent pace in July suggesting that be sustained in the months ahead. efiting from unemployment near at the level that is warranted by not seen since March. The Chinese would run out of money by October the Bank of Japan easing program US Durable Orders Improve a two-decade low and the end of our assessment of inflation in the government has set a growth tar- 17 and would have less than $30bn is helping Japan move out of the US manufactured goods moved the Eurozone longest ever reces- medium term.” At the same time, get of 7.5 percent this year, already cash in hand if Congress fails to deflationary conditions. higher in August, signaling that sion. The German government is Draghi said the central bank was the weakest expansion in over two pass its spending bill. The EUR/USD, traded in a the factory sector improved in the depending on domestic demand monitoring the impact of having decades. We had mixed economic tight range of 1.3460-1.3564 ahead third quarter. Durable goods orders to support growth this year as ultra-low interest rates for a long THE PENINSULA MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang poses after setting a new world record time of 2hrs 3mins 23secs at the Berlin Marathon, in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. Kipsang was knocking 15 seconds off the previous best mark of compatriot Patrick Makau set two years ago in Berlin. More than 40,000 participants, including hand bikers, wheelchair drivers and runners from all over the world joined the start of the race in the morning, which is regarded as one of the fastest city marathons worldwide. Kipsang breaks world record The 31-year-old Kenyan clips an astonishing 15 seconds off the previous tally

BERLIN: Kenyan Wilson Kipsang made Berlin Marathon was the first to be ratified as better the mark. Today there was a lot of the most of the notoriously flat and fast a world record by governing body the IAAF, wind... but if the wind would have been a lit- Berlin streets to smash the marathon world who previously recognised fastest marathon tle bit then it (the time) would come down.” record by 15 seconds en route to taking the times as world bests. Nevertheless, the victory boosted Kipsang’s title yesterday. Makau’s mark had looked safe as the lead- chances of winning the world marathon majors The 31-year-old Kipsang clocked a time of ing bunch dropped more than 20 seconds off series which awards points during a two-year two hours, three minutes and 23 seconds to the pace after 30 kilometres but they clawed cycle from finishing positions in the Tokyo, Kenya’s Florence better the previous mark set two years ago in back the deficit over the next five kilometres. Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York Kiplagat the same race by compatriot Patrick Makau, With the group whittled down to three run- marathons. He will move up to second behind celebrates on who was forced to pull out through injury two ners, Kipsang made his decisive move at the Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Kebede in the race to win a the podium weeks ago. 37 km mark and held off former 5,000 metres cut of the million dollar jackpot split between after winning Kipsang, who won the 2012 London world champion Kipchoge before pulling well the men’s and women’s winners. in the women’s Marathon and also took bronze at the clear in the final two kilometres on the fastest In the women’s race, Kenya’s Florence category of the Olympics, produced a storming finish to leave of the big city courses. Kiplagat took the title after she overcame 40th edition of the compatriot Eliud Kipchoge a distant second Kipchoge’s time of 2:04:05 was a personal a duel with compatriot Sharon Cherop, who Berlin Marathon in almost a minute behind. best with Geoffrey Kipsang third in 2:06:26. faded to finish 45 seconds back. Berlin, Germany, “I’m very happy that I have won and broken It was the ninth world record at the race Kiplagat repeated her 2011 success in the world record,” Kipsang said in a televised - which celebrated its 40th running yesterd- Berlin with another strong run but her time yesterday. interview after the race. day - and fifth by the men in the last decade. of 2:21:13 was six minutes shy of the women’s “I was really inspired by Paul Tergat when Despite running under cool and sunny skies, world record set by Briton Paula Radcliffe a he broke the world record here 10 years ago Kipsang said calmer conditions could have decade ago. and I’m very happy that I was in a position to produced an ever quicker time. Germany’s Irina Mikitenko was third in break the record on the same course.” “If I prepare very well and stay in shape 2:24:54, breaking the world masters record Kenyan Tergat’s time of 2:04:55 at the 2003 then maybe,” he said when asked if he could for over 40s. REUTERS

Baseball Results Texas 7 LA Angels 4 Cleveland 5 Minnesota 1 UCI investigates Sky rider over doping fears Pittsburgh 8 Cincinnati 3 Toronto 7 Tampa Bay 2 LONDON: Team Sky cyclist Jonathan biological passports to monitor riders’ blood “We have no doubts over his perform- “It is not our policy to discuss individual San Diego 9 San Francisco 3 Tiernan-Locke faces an investigation by readings for signs of doping offences. ance, behaviour or tests at Team Sky and cases until they are concluded and all Seattle 7 Oakland 5 the UCI over unexplained discrepancies Sky said that the data being assessed understand any anomaly is in readings appeals heard. Milwaukee 4 NY Mets 2 in his biological passport and has with- came from Tiernan-Locke’s time with taken before he joined the team. “Until then, information is considered St Louis 6 Chicago Cubs 2 drawn from racing, his team announced former team Endura. “Team Sky has tried to respect what personal and confidential and its release is Baltimore 6 Boston 5 yesterday. “Team Sky has been informed by should be a confidential process, allowing absolutely at the discretion of the athlete. The 28-year-old, who joined Sky in Jonathan Tiernan-Locke that the UCI has the rider to explain in private, without “We remain committed to respecting C W Sox 6 Kansas City 5 January after winning last year’s Tour notified him of a potential discrepancy in prejudice, and the anti-doping authorities what should be a confidential process which Philadelphia 5 Atlanta 4 of Britain, had been due to compete for his biological passport data,” Sky said in a to do their valuable job. allows the anti-doping authorities to do NY Yankees 2 Houston 1 Great Britain in the road race at the World statement. “He has withdrawn from racing “At this stage in the ongoing process we their job in the right way and an individual Miami 2 Detroit 1 Championships in Florence yesterday. whilst his response to the UCI is prepared will not add any further detail.” the chance to explain privately and without Washington 2 Arizona 0 World governing body the UCI uses then considered by the UCI. A spokesman from British Cycling said: prejudice.” REUTERS Colorado 1 LA Dodgers 0 Indians open AL wild-card lead NBA round-up Adonis CHICAGO: Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said he felt over Tampa, Texas Stevenson great after the team’s first practice of the season yesterday. celebrates MINNEAPOLIS: The play- Rose was pleased with how his surgically-repaired left knee off scenario for the Cleveland winning responded. Indians is simple: win Sunday his light- “I feel (like I am) back,” Rose told ESPNChicago.com. “I’m not wor- and they are in. heavyweight ried about anything. I’m reacting when I’m out there, just trying to The Indians moved into sole WBC world win every scrimmage and just trying to push everybody to be better.” possession of the AL wild-card championship Rose missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in the first lead on the next-to-last sched- bout against round of the 2012 play-offs. He practiced during the second half of uled day of the regular season, Tavoris Cloud last season, but never felt comfortable enough to play in a game, even beating the Minnesota Twins 5-1 (not pictured) at though he was cleared to play. yesterday behind Scott Kazmir ‘s the Bell Centre, “I got confidence in my knee,” Rose said. “There’s no testing any- strong start to extend their win- Montreal, more. It’s me just going out there and playing hard and attacking.” ning streak to nine. Canada. It was the first time Rose participated in five-on-five drills since Seeking their first postsea- the injury. Prior to yesterday, Rose worked on his own or with small son appearance since 2007, the groups. Indians (91-70) took a one-game “I think he’s comfortable,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “His lead over Tampa Bay and Texas body is strong, real strong, and he’s attacking. Today he attacked (both 90-71). the basket a lot more than he ever did last year. ... He doesn’t have “We want to keep this roll to pace himself like he did so that part’s a lot better. The change of going. This is so much fun,” Nick Boxing: Stevenson stops Cloud direction is much better. The driving and finishing is a lot better. Swisher said. His timing’s still not there but it’s a good start.” Cleveland is assured of at least Rose’s team-mates are glad to have him back. a tie for the AL wild card. With “It felt great,” centre Joakim Noah said. “He looks a lot more three teams seeking the two wild for light-heavyweight title comfortable. I think everybody’s healthy. A good Day One.” cards, Sunday’s results could ❑ Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant said at the team’s media day decide the matter or lead to one MONTREAL: Haitian-born my movement. I was training for although referee Mike Griffin he has no idea when he will return from his Achilles tendon injury. or two tiebreaker games at the Canadian Adonis Stevenson that. I’ve been seven rounds, I still ruled it was a slip and not a Bryant, 35, was confident throughout the offseason that he was start of next week. defended his World Boxing can box him.” knockdown. ahead of schedule, but was unsure of his status when questioned Carlos Santana homered for Council light-heavyweight title Cloud, a 31-year-old American, Cloud was bleeding by the end about it yesterday. the Indians, who have won 14 of on Saturday night by stop- suffered the first loss of his of the fourth round. Stevenson When asked if he would make it back some time in the preseason their last 16. ping US former world cham- career six months ago, dropping dropping his guard at times and or even the start of the regular season, Bryant repeatedly said he If the three teams are tied pion Tavoris Cloud after seven a unanimous decision to 48-year- taunting the challenger as the did not know when he would play again. He gave a similar answer after Sunday, Cleveland would rounds. old Bernard Hopkins to lose the crowd chanted Stevenson’s nick- when asked about how he was progressing in rehab. host Tampa Bay today afternoon, Stevenson, a 36-year-old south- International Boxing Federation name, “Superman.” “I don’t really know how to answer that question,” Bryant said. with the winner advancing to the paw, won his ninth fight in a row version of the weight class’ world A hard left to the head in the “I feel good. postseason. The loser would play and improved to 22-1 with his title. It has been nearly six years seventh staggered Cloud and a “I don’t really have a timetable. I need to get in shape. I’ll wait at Texas tomorrow afternoon for 19th victory inside the distance. since Stevenson, who left Haiti right hook followed by a body until I’m ready. Then I’ll get out there and go.” the second wild card. Cloud fell to 24-2 with his second for Canada at age four, had a fight blow opened cuts over both eyes, Bryant tore his left Achilles tendon against the Golden State In the event Sunday ends with loss in a row. that went the distance. prompting Cloud’s corner to ask Warriors in April. Recovery time is typically six to nine months. a tie for the second wild-card Stevenson was a hometown Stevenson’s only loss came in for the bout to be halted just ❑ The Philadelphia 76ers announced that they signed free agent berth, Texas would be home favorite in Montreal. In June he 2010 to American Darnell Boone, moments after the seventh round centres Solomon Alabi and Nayal Koshwal. against Tampa Bay in a one-game successfully defended his world a defeat the Canadian avenged six ended. Alabi was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round in tiebreaker tonight. The two wild title by knocking out American months ago. “He was covering more so I 2010 and his rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors, for whom he cards would then meet in a posts- Chad Dawson in only 76 seconds. Stevenson slammed a solid left went to the body,” Stevenson played two seasons. He spent last season with the Idaho Stampede eason game Wednesday night to “I’ve beaten two great champi- into Cloud’s left eye in the first said. “Sometimes I went for the of the NBA Development League and Ikaros Chalkidas of the Greek determine which advances to the ons,” Stevenson said. “Just basic round and the American went to head and sometimes the body. It League. REUTERS division series. AGENCIES boxing, connecting, use my jab, the canvas in the second round, worked out well.” REUTERS MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Qatari medal winners pose with the national flag on the eighth day of the Third Islamic Solidarity Games in Sumatra, Indonesia, yesterday. Qatar have won three medals so far. CENTRE: Gold winner Mabrook Saleh of Qatar is flanked by silver medallist Hakmal Lisauda of Indonesia and bronze winner Negom Gabriel of Cameroon after the 20km final walk. RIGHT: A Qatari judoka in action during one of the many heats held at the Games yesterday. QOC PICS: MOHAMMED AL EMADI

Dunhill Links Championship Scores Howell rolls back the years GLASGOW: Scores from the European Tour Dunhill Links Championship at the par-72 course yesterday in St Andrews. David The Englishman birdies second extra hole to top the field in Glasgow Howell wins play-off at the first extra hole 265 David Howell (Britain) 67 68 63 67 265 Peter Uihlein (US) 71 60 65 69 GLASGOW: Englishman David 266 Tom Lewis (Britain) 64 65 73 64 Howell birdied the second extra Shane Lowry (Ireland) 68 66 64 68 hole to beat American Peter Uihlein in a sudden-death play- 267 Tommy Fleetwood (Britain) 65 66 69 off and win the Alfred Dunhill 67 Links Championship at St 268 Garth Mulroy (South Africa) 66 69 65 Andrew’s, Scotland yesterday. 68 Howell and Uihlein were tied 269 Chris Wood (Britain) 66 69 69 65 at 23 under par at the end of the Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 68 68 tournament, a pro-am event in 66 67 which players alternate between Thomas Levet (France) 68 64 68 69 three courses over the first three Martin Kaymer (Germany) 69 66 63 71 days, before the top 60 pros and R Gonzalez (Argentina) 67 69 63 70 the top 20 teams compete in the final round. 270 Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) 70 65 67 Uihlein, 24, who carded a 60 in 68 his second round, took a two-shot Darren Clarke (Britain) 69 66 66 69 lead into the final day but Howell M Madsen (Denmark) 66 74 66 64 came home with a five-under par Chris Paisley (Britain) 72 62 66 70 67 to Uihlein’s 69 to force the Hennie Otto (South Africa) 68 63 69 playoff. 70 England’s Tom Lewis put him- The referee (left) is called after Neels Els (not pictured) accidentally 271 Scott Jamieson (Britain) 71 65 67 68 self in contention with a final- played Ernie Els’s (right) ball out of a bunker on the 9th hole during the Pablo Larrazabal (Spain) 70 68 63 70 round 64 but he fell just short on final day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championships on the Old Course Ernie Els (South Africa) 69 65 64 73 22 under par for a share of third at St Andrews, Scotland, yesterday. place with Ireland’s Shane Lowry. 272 Paul McGinley (Ireland) 70 68 67 67 Former Ryder Cup player Julien Quesne (France) 69 66 67 70 English golfer David Howell, 38, has struggled in Kawamura, 20, started the final to happen in my career. Now I David Horsey (Britain) 66 70 65 71 Howell poses on the recent years to find his form. round two shots behind overnight get to play in Japan and on the Chris Doak (Britain) 70 67 63 72 Swilcan Bridge with the “As a pro, to win at the home of leader Park Sung-joon but fired a Asian Tour as well. I’m sure it will 273 Alejandro Canizares (Spain) 69 65 70 trophy after winning golf is quite amazing. It has been a four-under-par 67 at the Ibaraki brighten my future and help me 69 the Alfred Dunhill Links long, long road from the depths of Country Club to edge the South improve,” the Japanese told the Joost Luiten (Netherlands) 67 63 68 Championships on despair,” he told Sky Sports. Korean by one shot and claim the Asian Tour. 75 the Old Course at St “I have had a lot of support 150m yen ($1.53m) title. Kawamura reached the turn 274 Soren Kjeldsen (Denmark) 66 66 72 70 Andrews yesterday. from people around me and this Park dropped shots on the 16th one-over for his round but came is for them, too. It is sweet (to and 17th but still had a chance to life on the back nine with five Jamie Donaldson (Britain) 65 67 71 71 win) and a dream. “ to force a playoff at the co-sanc- birdies and no drop shots to claim Eddie Pepperell (Britain) 66 67 69 72 It was Howell’s fifth appear- tioned event but he misread his the breakthrough victory with a Matthew Baldwin (Britain) 65 70 70 69 ance in a playoff - and his first 10ft birdie putt on the par five to nine-under 275 total and moved Michael Hoey (Britain) 68 66 67 73 victory. leave Kawamura celebrating. him up to seventh on the Japan J Walters (South Africa) 68 69 70 67 Meanwhile Osaka, Japan’s “I am more surprised than any- Golf Tour moneylist. Richard McEvoy (Britain) 64 67 67 76 Masahiro Kawamura birdied the thing as I was expecting a play- Park’s sloppy finish meant he 275 Richie Ramsay (Britain) 69 70 68 68 final two holes to claim the Asia- off,” Kawamura was quoted as signed for a one-under 70 and Pacific Panasonic Open yesterday, saying by the Kyodo news agency. eight-under total and his fourth 276 Marc Warren (Britain) 70 66 66 74 his first Asian and Japan Golf “This win is really big. runner-up finish on the Japan Golf Alessandro Tadini (Italy) 66 70 70 70 Tour title. Obviously it is the biggest thing Tour this season. AGENCIES Graeme Storm (Britain) 67 69 70 70

President of the Sochi in final stretch Greek Olympic Committee Spyros Kapralos (left) escorts International as flame lit in Olympia Olympic Committee (IOC) ANCIENT OLYMPIA, seconds as the sun’s rays bounced epic journey for the Olympic President Thomas Greece: The Sochi 2014 Winter off a concave mirror at the birth- torch,” Sochi Games chief Dmitry Bach to attend Olympic torch was lit in ancient place of the ancient Olympics, a Chernyshenko said. “A journey a torch lighting Olympia yesterday heralding the ritual first established for the that will change Russia forever.” ceremony of the start of what will be the long- 1936 Berlin Games. It will not be plain sailing for Sochi 2014 Winter est torch relay for any Winter “I hope the Games show the the Russian organisers until the Olympic Games at Games, including a trip to space, world that Russia is not only salt Games opening, however, with the site of ancient as Russia prepares to showcase cucumbers and vodka,” Denis mounting international criti- Olympia in Greece its modern post-Soviet face. Kruzhkov, 40, a university profes- cism over a new anti-gay propa- yesterday. The Black Sea resort of Sochi, sor from a town near Sochi, said. ganda law which critics believe is the first Russian city to stage a Wrapped in a Russian flag repressive. Winter Olympics, will receive the on the green slopes hugging the Security in the city near the flame on October 5 after a short ancient stadium, he said: “I hope volatile North Caucasus region is reminds us to be aware of our own measures, including hundreds his first official assignment since relay in Greece, to kick off a 123- Sochi represents the new Russia. also a major concern with Putin Olympic limits.” of police on the ground and heli- succeeding Jacques Rogge. day odyssey culminating at the Sochi is multi-national and safe, saying more needed to be done. Human rights groups and some copters clattering overhead. “The Ice hockey player Alexander opening ceremony on February 7. and sport unites people.” “Just as in ancient Greece, the athletes have criticised the IOC IOC is not a supra-national par- Ovechkin was the first Russian Russian President Vladimir After leaving Greece, the flame Olympic Games cannot settle for failing to do more to press liament or government which can to run with the torch after Greek Putin is eager to deliver a “bril- will travel to outer space, the bot- political problems or secure last- Russia over the new law. impose laws outside the Olympic Alpine skier Ioannis Antoniou liant” Games to show how far tom of Lake Baikal, the North ing peace between peoples,” new “The IOC is not meant to be Games on a sovereign country. kicked off the relay. It will even- Russia has come since the collapse Pole and Europe’s highest peak International Olympic Committee a government who imposes laws But we are very clear that we tually travel across 83 regions of the Soviet Union in 1991. in the mammoth trek across the (IOC) President Thomas Bach and regulations,” Bach said after will not tolerate any form of dis- in Russia and 2,900 settlements On a hot autumn day, Greek vast country, carried by a record said in a brief speech from the the ceremony, conducted amid an crimination. The task of the IOC on its 65,000kms route through actress Ino Menegaki, playing 14,000 torch-bearers. ruins of the ancient stadium. unusually small crowd of spec- is that the Olympic Charter is the world’s largest country. a high priestess, lit the torch in “This is the beginning of an “The Olympic flame thus tators and draconian security applied 100 percent,” Bach said on REUTERS MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Volleyball: Qatar beat India 3-2 at 17th Asian Senior Men’s Championships All Blacks a point away from title

LA PLATA, Argentina: New Zealand headed for South Africa yesterday knowing they are just one point away from sealing another Rugby Championship title. Right-wing Ben Smith scored 27 seconds from time in La Plata Saturday to grab a four-try bonus-point 33-15 vic- tory over spirited but unimagi- native Argentina. The latest All Blacks tri- umph came 10 hours after the Springboks outplayed Australia 28-8 in Cape Town, but scored only three tries and missed a bonus point. After the penultimate round of southern hemisphere cham- pionship league matches, title- Qatar volleyball national team players and officials pose for a picture after beating India 3-2 (17-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13) in the 17th Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championships holders New Zealand have in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday. RIGHT: A Qatari player attempts to spike the ball during the match. Besides Qatar, India and hosts UAE, Australia, Bahrain, Myanmar, Iran, 23 points, South Africa 18, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, China, Saudi Arabia, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Oman, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Lebanon and Thailand are competing in the event Australia four and Argentina that will end on October 6. Qatar will play their next match tomorrow. two. To snatch the title from their greatest foes, the Springboks must win and score at least four tries in Johannesburg next weekend while prevent- ing the All Blacks collecting any points. Oxy Qatar to sponsor New Zealand coach Steve Hansen told a media confer- ence in La Plata that the situ- ation going into the final round suits his world champions. “They are going to have to play some rugby to get four tries and that will suit Al Firjan playgrounds us as much as it will suit the Springboks,” he said. “Our guys are looking for- Oxy Qatar signs sponsorship inititiative with QOC for three years ward to this match -- they are already starting to talk about DOHA: The Qatar Olympic He said the sponsorship initia- it so I don’t think there will Committee (QOC) and tive reflects the company’s pro- be any problem getting them Occidental Petroleum of Qatar found belief in the importance of motivated.” Ltd (Oxy Qatar) named Oxy sport and social activities for the All Blacks No. 8 and skip- Qatar as the sponsor and sup- domestic society. per Kieran Read said the clash porter of Al Firjan (Areas) Al Mohannadi also assured with fellow two-time world playgrounds for three years. that Oxy’s initiative will support champions South Africa was a Steve Kelly, Oxy Qatar QOC efforts in promoting the challenge he relished. President and General Manager, sport culture inside the domestic “It is going to be a big signed on behalf of the com- community. match next weekend. We face pany, and Khalid Hamad Al He confirmed that sport and a long flight and then we must Mohannadi, the QOC Assistant exercise will benefit individuals recover and prepare for the Secretary General for Technical and community members of all Springboks,” he said. Support, inked for the governing ages in terms of public health, New Zealand have to decide sport body. public morals and behaviors. whether flank and first-choice In attendance at the signing Oxy Qatar President and captain Richie McCaw will be ceremony were, from Oxy Qatar, General Manager Kelly said: fit -- he travelled to Argentina Hassan Al Malki, Deputy General “Oxy Qatar wholeheartedly sup- as part of the squad but did not Manager, Khalid Al Hammadi, ports the objective of promoting play. Director of the Human Resources healthy lifestyles through active Adding spice to the Ellis Department, Hana Al Asadi and participation in sport. By equip- Park Test is the controversial Nama Al Hail. ping the two Al Ferjan sports red-carding of South African From the QOC, Abdulrahman facilities and supporting their hooker Bismarck du Plessis Abdullah Al Malki, Director of maintenance, operation, events when they lost 29-15 to the 20 Engineering Project Manager, management and marketing, we in Auckland earlier this month. Hamad Lahadan Al Mohannadi, hope to encourage widespread Du Plessis was wrongly Director of the Maintenance and community engagement in sport sin-binned during the first Operations Department, Faisal in a clean, safe environment.” half after a legal tackle on Saleh Al Mansoori, Director Al Firjan playgrounds project star fly-half Dan Carter and of the Public Relations and serves the strategic objectives of another yellow card soon after Marketing Department, and both QOC and Qatar sport sector Khalid Al Mohannadi,(left) Assistant Secretary-General for Technical Support at Qatar Olympic Committee half-time triggered automatic Hassan Abdullah Al Mohammadi, strategy (2011-2016) as a part of (QOC), and Steve Kelly, President and General Manager of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, shake hands expulsion. Head of the Media Section were National Development strategy after signing a sponsorship contract at QOC headquarters yesterday. PICTURE BY: KAMMUTTY VP The hooker did not start in attendance. 2011-2016 to achieve the Qatar against the Wallabies, but Al Mohannadi appreciated the Vision 2030 objectives, which are Springboks coach Heyneke company’s pioneering role in sup- based on three main pillars. improving and preparing special It is anticipated that develop- participate in sport and physical Meyer said he will be in the porting the sport events staged These are increasing com- and public sport facilities, and ing such playgrounds will encour- activity. Ellis Park starting line-up. inside Qatar. munity participation in sport, developing talented athletes. age citizens and residents to THE PENINSULA However, South Africa may lack Flip van der Merwe, who has been cited after push- ing his elbow into the face of Australian wing Joe Tomane. South Africa captain Jean De Villiers said after his side’s Portuguese cyclist Alberto Costa pips favourites 28-8 victory over Australia that Rui Costa, celebrates he expected a massive contest after winning the Elite against the All Blacks. men road race of the “Next week is a whole new UCI Road Cycling World ball game. We will be playing to win the world title Championships 2013 in against the number one team Florence, Italy, yesterday. in the world. All the tickets FLORENCE, Italy: Portugal’s Rui Costa kept his composure in Selected Results BELOW: FROM LEFT: have been sold and and we will a tense finale to upset the favourites and clinch the cycling world Results from World Championships (Lucca - Second placed Joaquim have the whole of South Africa championships road race yesterday. Florence, 272.26 km) yesterday Rodriguez of Spain, behind us. We want to test our- After sitting behind and refusing to take turns at the front, Costa 1 Rui Costa (Portugal / Portugal) 7:25:44” Costa and the third selves against the best.” made his move some 1.5 kilometres from the finish to bridge the gap 2 Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Spain) ST placed Alejandro Valverde French referee Jerome with Joaquim Rodriguez and beat the Spaniard in a sprint finish to 3 Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Spain) +15” Belmomte celebrate on the Garces showed the lock a yel- become the first Portuguese to win the event. low card, but the citing com- 4 Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Italy) podium. Another Spaniard, Alejandro Valverde, took third place for his fifth missioner said in a statement 5 Andriy Grivko (Ukraine / Ukraine) +31” podium at the event although he has never won the coveted rainbow that the incident met the red- 6 Peter Sagan (Slovakia / Slovakia) +34” jersey. card threshold for foul play. Home favourite Vincenzo Nibali, who launched the decisive attack 7 Simon Clarke (Australia / Australia) Argentina, still seeking a in the Fiesole climb despite being one of several riders to crash during 8 Maxim Iglinskiy (Kazakhstan / first Championship win after Kazakhstan) the rain-hit 272.3-km race, had to settle for fourth. 11 Tests spanning two seasons, The move left one-day race specialists Fabian Cancellara of 9 Philippe Gilbert (Belgium / Belgium) led New Zealand three times Switzerland, Peter Sagan of Slovakia and defending champion Philippe 10 Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland / before early second-half tries Switzerland) Gilbert of Belgium stuck on the tarmac on the final of 10 laps on a from flank Sam Cane and 16.6-km circuit. 11 Bauke Mollema (Netherlands / Smith turned the tide. Netherlands) About half of the peloton had already abandoned midway through A two-point advantage 12 Lars Petter Nordhaug (Norway / the race, and the whole British team had gone out with five laps to go became a 26-12 lead and Norway) on a woeful day for Tour de France champion Chris Froome and his although fly-half Nicolas 13 Daniel Moreno (Spain / Spain) team mates. Sanchez cut the deficit with 14 Simon Geschke (Germany / Germany) Only 61 riders of the 208 on the start list finished the race that his fourth penalty, Smith had almost turned into carnage. 15 Sergio Henao (Colombia / Colombia) the final say. Multiple crashes and the Italian team’s pace at the front caused 16 Michele Scarponi (Italy / Italy) The Pumas host fellow strug- splits in the peloton but Sagan, Cancellara and Gilbert held on until 17 Filippo Pozzato (Italy / Italy) +1:05” glers Australia in Rosario next Nibali attacked and was followed by Rodriguez, Valverde, Costa and 18 Arthur Vichot (France / France) Saturday and skipper and No. 8 Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran, who was ruled out of contention when he 19 Maciej Paterski (Poland / Poland) Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe crashed in a descent. 20 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway / is optimistic. AGENCIES REUTERS Norway) MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Suarez scores twice in

Real Madrid’s Liverpool’s 3-1 victory Gareth Bale (right) vies for the ball with Atletico Madrid’s Filipe EPL: Norwich earn first away win at Stoke City Luis during their Spanish First LONDON: Luis Suarez crowned Division match his Premier League return with Stuttgart at Santiago a brace as Liverpool won 3-1 at Bernabeu bottom club Sunderland yester- Stadium in day to climb to second place in hammer Madrid on the table. Saturday. Having completed a 10-game bottom-side ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last season, Suarez scored in each half at the Stadium Braunschweig of Light as Liverpool ended a run of three games without victory. BERLIN: VfB Stuttgart Daniel Sturridge had given moved up to sixth in the Bale home bow Liverpool the lead with his Bundesliga with an emphatic fifth goal of the season, with 4-0 rout of bottom side Emanuele Giaccherini replying Eintracht Braunschweig for Sunderland early in the sec- yesterday. ond half after Suarez had made After Bosnia striker Vedad ends in 1-0 it 2-0. Ibisevic headed Stuttgart It was Sunderland’s first league ahead five minutes before game since the dismissal of man- the break, Guinea midfielder ager Paolo Di Canio, but although Ibrahima Traore’s parried they are now four points from long-range shot was netted by derby defeat safety, interim coach Kevin Ball Romania’s Alexandru Maxim will have been heartened by their Liverpool’s Uruguayan for a 2-0 lead. MADRID: Gareth Bale’s long-awaited Real Madrid home debut second-half reaction. striker Luis Suarez (left) The 25-year-old Traore then ended in disappointment as Atletico Madrid beat Los Blancos 1-0 to Both sides threatened from celebrates scoring his scored his first league goal of register their first league victory over Real for 14 years on Saturday. early set-pieces, Keiren Westwood team’s second goal the season when he latched Bale started on the bench and had to watch on as Koke played in denying Liverpool captain Steven during the English Premier onto Christian Gentner’s pass Diego Costa to slot Atletico into an 11th minute lead. Gerrard and Sebastian Larsson behind the defence to slot home The Welshman was then called upon by Carlo Ancelotti at half-time League match against rattling the visitors’ bar, before on 76 minutes. to turn things in Real’s favour, but he wasn’t able to impact the game Sunderland at the Stadium the away side went ahead in con- Traore then found acres greatly as Atletico maintained their 100 percent start to the campaign. tentious circumstances in the of Light in Sunderland, of space on the left wing and They have 21 points from seven games and are second on goal dif- 28th minute. northeast England, his cross was converted by ference behind Barcelona who also have seven wins from seven after A left-wing corner found yesterday. Austria’s Martin Harnik four clinching a 2-0 win at Almeria. Sturridge unmarked at the back minutes from time to inflict a After a cagey opening 10 minutes, the Madrid derby burst into life post and although he shaped to sixth defeat from seven games when Koke played Costa in behind the home defence and the Brazilian head the ball, it actually struck since completing his suspension. react though, and after former on Braunschweig. slotted home his eighth goal in seven league games. his elbow before bouncing over The Uruguayan celebrated Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Earlier, Werder Bremen and Even the goal though couldn’t shake Real out of their early malaise the line. by lifting his jersey to reveal Mignolet had saved with his feet Nuremberg fought out a six- and it took until the 20th minute for Thibaut Courtois to be forced into Sunderland’s defenders did a T-shirt bearing a picture of from Craig Gardner and Adam goal thriller with Dutch winger a save as he palmed Karim Benzema’s flicked header behind. not appeal, however, and eight his family with his new-born Johnson had shot narrowly over, Eljero Elia scoring twice for The French striker had a much clearer headed opportunity from minutes later Sturridge’s teasing son Benjamin, who was born on they drew level in the 52nd the hosts for a 3-3 draw. another Angel di Maria pass six minutes later but this time failed to low cross from the right allowed Thursday. minute. Japan midfielder Hiroshi even find the target. Suarez to slide home his first goal The hosts were quick to Mignolet could only parry a Kiyotake played a key role in And it was Atletico who should have doubled their tally before half- low drive by Ki Sung-yueng and sparking Nuremberg’s fight time on more than one occasion. Giaccherini swept the loose ball back from 2-0 down with Firstly, Tiago squandered a glorious chance as he headed over when home with his left foot to reduce a first-half goal before his completely unmarked from Koke’s header before Diego Lopez made a Coach Moyes casts doubt on the arrears. superb pass saw Czech mid- fine save to deny Gabi and then Costa just couldn’t bundle home the There were chances for both fielder Adam Hlousek hit the rebound as Real struggled to cope with another corner. United’s European success teams, Mignolet denying Gardner equaliser. Ancelotti reacted to his side’s flat first-half display at half-time as again, while Westwood saved from Bremen raced into a 2-0 he introduced both Bale and Luka Modric with Asier Illarramendi LONDON: Manchester United manager David Moyes says his Victor Moses and Kolo Toure, lead after Nuremberg defender and Di Maria making way. team do not possess enough “world-class players” to mount a before Suarez tucked in his sec- Berkay Dabanli turned the ball However, Lopez again had to keep Real in the game with an excellent serious challenge for Champions League success this season. ond goal from another Sturridge into his own net before Elia low block as Costa raced clear on goal 15 minutes into the second period. United have lost three of their first six games in the Premier cross in the 89th minute. bagged his first with a superb Bale forced Courtois into his first stop after the break with a low League since Moyes succeeded Alex Ferguson, with Saturday’s 2-1 Earlier, Norwich City won 1-0 shot on 34 minutes. drive which the Belgian handled confidently. loss at home to West Bromwich Albion leaving them in 12th place against Stoke City to register Nuremberg fought back Cristiano Ronaldo then fired a free-kick wastefully over the bar and in the table. their second victory of the league after Kiyotake produced a goal saw another effort from distance spilled by Courtois. It represents the club’s worst start to a league season since 1989. season and only their second away from nothing just before the Koke was desperately unlucky not to seal the three points for Atletico Moyes missed out on targets including Cesc Fabregas, Leighton win of 2013. AFP break, then Josip Drmic made 10 minutes from time when his curling effort from the edge of the area Baines and Ander Herrera during the close-season transfer window, it 2-2 early in the second half. came back off the crossbar. and he is now worried that his team will come up short in European Former Juventus star Elia And Courtois had to come to Atletico’s rescue moments later to beat competition. English Premier restored Bremen’s lead with a away Alvaro Morata’s acrobatic effort. “To win the Champions League, you need five or six world-class thunderbolt shot from outside Morata also fired into the side netting from a narrow angle as the players,” he told yesterday’s editions of several British newspapers. League Results the area with 66 minutes gone game entered stoppage time but Atletico held on to register their best “Look at Bayern Munich; they have it. Look at Barcelona, who Yesterday before Kiyotake’s through ball ever league start. AFP had it in the past and Real Madrid, who have maybe got it now. Stoke City 0 Norwich City 1 (Howson 34) saw Hlousek hit the equaliser “That’s the level you have to be at to win it. We’ve not got that to share the points. yet, but what we have got is experience.” Sunderland 1 (Giaccherini 52) Liverpool 3 The result left Bremen joint United opened their Champions League campaign with a (Sturridge 28, Suarez 36, 89) eighth and Nuremberg in 15th, Your TV guide for 4-2 home win over German side Bayer Leverkusen earlier this Playing Today (1900GMT): but still chasing their first win month. AFP of the season. AFP Everton vs Newcastle United live matches today Event Competition Time Channel Messi out for Yalla Score kicks off new Everton vs Newcastle Barclays Premier League 21:00 HD6 Fiorentina vs Parma Serie A 21:45 +3 two to three Sebutal vs Gil Vincente Portuguese Leagu 22:15 HD4 weeks: Club wave of football fever Granada vs Athletic La Liga 23:00 .HD2 DUBAI: A fresh wave of football fever is expected different, and it has the potential to become bigger MADRID: World Player of the to sweep Qatar and the rest of the Middle East than fantasy football, which is massively popular Year Lionel Messi (pictured) with the launch of a unique new platform for the among the world’s 3.5 billion football fans. Pogba nets the has been ruled out for up to game. “Since we gave it a soft launch two weeks ago three weeks by a thigh injury he Yalla Score, which is designed to revolutionise we’ve already attracted nearly 5,000 registered users suffered in Barcelona’s 2-0 win interactive online football entertainment, is forecast who have made more than 100,000 guesses. We’re over Almeria on Saturday. by its Dubai-based creators to ultimately attract targeting 500,000 unique visitors per month within winner for Juventus The Argentine had put the millions of fans across the region. the first few months, and expect numbers to grow Catalans in front Football supporters go to yallascore.com to pre- many times over as the concept catches on with FLORENCE, ITALY: A sec- Juventus had several chances to with a sublime dict the outcome of games in top European and football fans across the region and we expand into ond-half header from French put the match beyond the reach of left-footed strike Middle East leagues, as well as the FIFA World other areas.” midfield sensation Paul Pogba Torino, but had to rely on Pogba’s from 20 yards, but Cup 2014. He added: “Yalla Score has a big advantage over secured a 1-0 derby win for header in the 54th minute. had to be replaced The big attraction for fans is the chance to win fantasy football, which requires very heavy engage- Juventus at Torino yesterday to The French midfielder, soon after and will trips to the World Cup and UEFA Champions ment, and penalises you if you miss a week and don’t send the champions up to sec- signed on a free transfer from now definitely miss League finals, and watch their favourite teams play update your team. In contrast, Yalla Score offers ond place in Italy’s Serie A. Manchester United prior to last Barca’s Champions on home turf. monthly prizes. If you don’t do well one month, you Juventus’s fifth win in six games season, found himself in the right League trip to Celtic According to the ‘Special One’ behind the idea, can the next.” leaves them level on 16 points with place at the right time when a in midweek as well entrepreneur Ahmed El Rayes, Yalla Score can Players guess the results of matches in their leaders Napoli but second due to corner came flying in from the as Saturday’s game become a habitual attraction for hundreds of mil- chosen league, name the goalscorers, and predict inferior goal difference. right. against Valladolid. lions worldwide, while also helping pioneer the con- the order in which goals hit the net to accumulate Inter Milan were seven minutes Carlos Tevez rose to meet the “The tests carried out this cept of ‘gamification’ in the Arab world. points. They can compete on an international basis, from also going on to 16 points ball and after his glancing header morning have confirmed a small Football fans in Qatar have a special incentive to or create their own groups to compete with friends, when Argentine striker Mauro came off fellow striker Sebastian muscle injury in his right thigh,” register online before 1st November, 2013 to start colleagues or family members. Icardi gave them a 1-0 second half Giovinco, Pogba was on hand to said a statement on the club’s predicting the outcome of matches in the Qatar Live scores and results of all matches are available lead at Cagliari before Belgium’s nod the ball into the net past goal- website. Stars League, the English Premier League and through streaming feeds from Stats.com. Radja Nainggolan levelled for the keeper Daniele Padelli. “The approximated time out is Spain’s La Liga. The overall 2013-14 season winner will receive two home side in a 1-1 draw. Juventus, who face Galatasaray two to three weeks, and there- They are just three of 19 competitions on the tickets to next year’s FIFA World Cup final in Rio de The result keeps Inter fourth in the Champions League on fore he will miss the meetings Arabic-English Yalla Score platform, which is free to Janeiro, with flights and hotel included. The runner on 14 points, two back of Napoli Wednesday, should have scored this week against Celtic and register and play. Those signing up before November up, and the and player finishing third, earn tick- and Juventus. more in a dominant second half Valladolid.” 1 enter a draw to win a pair of tickets to watch ets to next year’s Champions League final and the AS Roma, however, who began when Tevez proved a constant Following next weekend’s their favourite team play at home - flights and hotel Europa League final at Juventus Stadium in Turin, the weekend with a two-point threat. match there is a two-week break included - and also become founding members. respectively. cushion on their pursuers, will The Argentinian striker hit a due to international commit- El Rayes, Founder and CEO of Dubai-based Monthly prizes include tickets for fans to watch restore that lead with a win superb first-time strike which ments and Messi is expected to Gamified Labs and a London Business School MBA their favourite teams play at home, also with flights against Bologna at the Olympic brought a great diving save from be fit against Osasuna. AFP graduate, said: “Yalla Score is new, it’s fun, it’s and hotels. THE PENINSULA Stadium. Padelli. AFP MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Li, Serena reach second Panesar feared round at China Open his England Former champion Radwanska of Poland cruises through career was over LONDON: England spinner Monty Panesar (pictured) has admit- BEIJING: Li Na said she was ted that he thought he had destroyed his international career after enjoying her most consistent being fined for urinating on a nightclub doorman. season ever after she won her The incident occurred two months ago, after Panesar was asked to first match at the China Open leave a club in Brighton on the English south coast. yesterday, joining top seed The 31-year-old was fined by police and released by county side Serena Williams in the second Sussex, but he was nonetheless named in the England squad for the round. return Ashes series in Australia later this year. The Chinese star opened her He says that he regrets the incident, but insists that it was not a bid for her biggest title on home deliberate act. soil in stunning fashion by win- “I know it looks terrible, but I wasn’t as drunk as people believe,” he ning every game in the first set told British weekly newspaper The Mail on Sunday. against Daniela Hantuchova, “Yes, I’d had a lot to drink, but I wasn’t paralytic. I was asked to much to the enjoyment of her leave and then got caught short. The next thing I knew the bouncers fans at Beijing’s National Tennis were shouting at me and running after me. Centre. “I swear I didn’t see them and I had no intention of purposefully But the world number five had urinating on them or near them. To be honest, I barely went (urinated) to overcome a late surge from her at all and I’m pretty sure I didn’t hit them.” Slovakian opponent which sent He added: “The next morning I woke up and thought, ‘What have jitters through the home crowd. I done?’ Hantuchova did not get on the “My first reaction was that I’d just thrown scoreboard until the hour mark, my England career away, maybe even my with the 2011 French Open sin- whole cricket career. I felt very lonely and very gles champion cruising at 4-0 in depressed. It was a very dark time.” the second set and seemingly in However, after joining Essex for the remainder command. of the domestic season, he called the England The 30-year-old, who has management to apologise for his behaviour and beaten Li four times in their pre- was rewarded with an international recall. vious six meetings, then staged “I just can’t tell you how thrilled I am with the an impressive comeback until Li selection,” Panesar said. regained her composure to close “It’s an incredible boost I needed as a cricketer in on victory. and as a person, after a chapter in my life I’m The Chinese star has faced ashamed of.” scrutiny in the past for seem- Matters were made worse when a video of ingly breaking down in matches. Panesar being restrained by bouncers from the She blamed herself for losing her club emerged a few days after the incident, which his new Essex team- US Open semi-final match this Serena Williams of US reacts after winning a point against Elena Vesnina of Russia during their match at China mates took great delight in showing him. month after being overwhelmed Open in Beijing, yesterday. Serena Williams won 6-4, 6-2. RIGHT: Li Na of China hits a return against Daniela “I knew it was out there, but I hadn’t seen it and had no wish to, by the occasion. Hantuchova of Slovakia during their match. Li Na won 6-0, 6-4. either,” Panesar said. But the 31-year-old said her “But the boys showed it in the dressing room and had a friendly only problem in Beijing could laugh at my expense. It’s how sport deals with things like this. be that she was too relaxed this Li also said she was not under Another former champion, “I was fine with it but, of course, it didn’t make great viewing. I’ve year, following a strong season pressure to perform in Beijing, Agnieszka Radwanska, overcome China Open Results seen it now, I lost whatever dignity I had, and I have no intention of which has also brought a seventh adding: “I think this season I am early tournament nerves to cruise BEIJING: Results from ever seeing it again.” career title, her second Australian having the most consistent per- through to the next stage. the China Open in Beijing Panesar was the subject of fresh controversy this week when the Open final and a strong run at formances of my career.” The Polish world number four yesterday(x denotes seeding): England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) handed him a suspended Wimbledon. Li has twice reached the semi- and 2011 winner in Beijing lost Women’s singles one-game ban for acting in a “potentially threatening and intimidat- “I think I had a pretty good finals at the prestigious Beijing the opening set of her first-round First round: Lucie Safarova ing” manner towards Worcestershire’s Ross Whiteley. match until I was 4-0 up in the event without being able to go match to a feisty Stefanie Voegele, (CZE) bt Samantha Stosur “I wouldn’t say I was either threatening or intimidating,” Panesar second set, and then I thought all the way. She has won twice in who is ranked 52 places behind (AUS x15) 7-5, 6-3; Agnieszka said. ‘OK, maybe I should relax a lit- China, in Shenzhen this year and her. Radwanska (POL x3) bt Stefanie “But I will admit to becoming incredibly frustrated because I was tle’,” Li said. in Guangzhou in 2004. But the tournament’s third Voegele (SUI) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4; Kaia having no luck at all, with inside edges and catches falling just short. “But at this level you cannot Joining her is top seed and seed recovered her composure to Kanepi (EST) bt Julia Goerges “I have to be aggressive when I bowl, but it was a minor incident that do this,” she added. “It just gives 2004 champion Williams. The seal a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory which (GER) 7-5, 6-4; Madison Keys I accept. The ECB and I have spoken about it and I must be mindful the opponent time to take their American claimed victory over sent her Swiss opponent out at (USA) bt Dominika Cibulkova of my behaviour, but it’s not seen as a problem by England.” AFP chance.” Russia’s Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-2. the first hurdle. (SVK) 6-4, 6-3; Li Na (CHN x4) British number one Laura bt Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) Robson also won her opening 6-0, 6-4; Serena Williams (USA game in Beijing, with a three x1) bt Elena Vesnina (RUS) Srinivasan re-elected Milos Raonic set victory over Czech Klara 6-4, 6-2; Laura Robson (GBR) of Canada Zakopolava. bt Klara Zakopalova (CZE) holds up the But it was heartbreak for 7-6(7/3), 4-6, 6-1; Lauren Davis trophy after Australia’s top player, Samantha (USA) bt Mona Barthel (GER) as BCCI chief his victory Stosur, at the dual WTA and ATP 6-0, 5-7, 6-4; Misaki Doi (JPN) over Tomas tournament. bt Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) NEW DELHI: India’s embat- held if Srinivasan is subsequently 6-1, 6-1; Maria Kirilenko (RUS) Berdych of The 15th seed lost in two sets tled cricket chief N Srinivasan barred from holding office. bt Zheng Jie (CHN) 7-5, 6-2; the Czech to Czech Lucie Safarova, 7-5, 6-3. (pictured) won a third term in Srinivasan temporarily The second day of women’s Sabine Lisicki (GER x13) bt office yesterday even though stepped aside as president in June Republic Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 6-3, in the final matches also saw Estonia’s a Supreme Court order bars when Meiyaappan was named in Kaia Kanepi claim victory over 6-2. him from taking charge imme- the scandal, and handed interim of the ATP Germany’s Julia Goerges 7-5, diately due to a corruption control to Jagmohan Dalmiya, a Thailand Malaysian Open 6-4, and American Madison scandal. former head of the International Result from the Malaysian Open Open in Keys defeat Slovakia’s Dominika The 68-year-old cement Cricket Council. Men’s Singles Final yesterday. Bangkok Cibulkova 6-4, 6-3. tycoon, one of the most powerful However the tycoon has con- yesterday. The China Open tournament Joao Sousa (Portugal) bt 5-Julien men in world cricket, was elected tinued to pull the strings behind will reach its climax on October Benneteau (France) 2-6, 7-5, unopposed for another the scenes and on 6. AFP 6-4. year at the annual Wednesday ensured meeting of the Board that his bete noire, of Control for Cricket IPL founder Lalit Raonic beats Berdych Nadal says it will be in India (BCCI) in Modi, was banned for Chennai. life from the sport. “Mr. N Srinivasan Srinivasan has was unanimously publicly distanced to clinch Bangkok title ‘tough’ to become No.1 elected as President of himself from his son- the BCCI for the year in-law, who was the BANGKOK: Canadian Milos beat him. It was great to be back BEIJING: Rafael Nadal (pictured) said it will be “very tough” to 2013-14,” a statement team principal of Raonic used his thumping serve on hard court. I got some confi- seize Novak Djokovic’s crown as the top ranked men’s tennis player, from the cricket board the Chennai Super to ace his way to victory over dence and that is what I needed paying tribute to his “unbelievable” opponent at the China Open said, without elaborat- Kings, the IPL fran- top seed Tomas Berdych yester- this week.” yesterday. ing. It only detailed the chise owned by India day, with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win at Raonic also beat Berdych at The world number two can unseat names of office-bearers Cements and cap- the Thailand Open. their only previous meeting, in Djokovic from the top spot with a good and members of vari- tained by national Third seed Raonic took full Cincinnati in 2012. performance in Beijing, but the Serb ous committees. skipper Mahendra advantage of his big serve to beat Berdych, the only member of will go into the tournament with con- The Supreme Court Singh Dhoni. his Czech opponent, firing 18 the ranking top 10 without a title fidence he can retain the title he won had on Friday barred The Bihar associa- aces -- his last to set up a pair of in 2013, admitted he was out- last year. Srinivasan from taking charge tion had argued in court that an match points. played in the Thai final. Djokovic is unbeaten in three visits until it has ruled on a peti- internal BCCI probe panel had After winning the first set in “Today he was even more to the China Open, following up wins tion against him over a spot- absolved Srinivasan, Meiyappan, a tiebreaker, the Canadian tight- exceptional, he served even better in 2009 and 2010 with victory over fixing scandal in the Indian India Cements and other IPL ened his grip in the second to earn and didn’t give me many chances,” Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in last year’s final. Premier League (IPL), a popular officials of wrongdoing even the fifth title of his career, con- said the Czech, ranked number six Spaniard Nadal has been in fine Twenty20 event. before police had filed charges verting his first match point with on the ATP. form since coming back from injury A cricket body in the east- in court. a down-the-line winner after 77 “I was playing this final to win, earlier this year, and defeated Djokovic ern state of Bihar which is not Sanjay Patel was confirmed as minutes. it was my third of the season. at this month’s US Open final. affiliated to the BCCI had asked the new BCCI secretary, three His second title of the season, Even if I lost I felt I played con- But the 2004 champion in Beijing the court to prevent Srinivasan months after he took temporary after San Jose in February, will sistently. Of course I would have says overcoming Djokovic is no easy from heading the BCCI on moral charge from Sanjay Jagdale, who serve him well in the points chase loved to win the title, my goal is feat. grounds because his son-in-law resigned in the wake of the spot- to a possible place in the eight- to be as high as possible in the “I know that my opponent is unbe- had been charged in the scandal. fixing scandal. man ATP World Tour Finals in rankings,” he said. lievable. He’s able to not lose many The son-in-law, Gurunath Former first-class cricketer London in November. Raonic, who has reached nine matches during the whole season and it will be very tough to become Meiyappan, is among several Ranjib Biswal was appointed “Of course, it feel great to win finals, has achieved all of his five number one,” Nadal said to reporters in Beijing. officials, players and bookmak- chairman of the IPL, succeeding the title,” said Raonic. trophies on his favoured fast hard “But if I am still playing the same way that I did the last couple ers charged with cheating and Rajiv Shukla who too had quit “The first set was about find- courts. of months, I hope to have my chance here or in the next few weeks.” criminal conspiracy, although after the scandal broke. ing rhythm. Once I did I was solid The Canadian went one win The men’s tournament at the dual WTA and ATP was still at the the BCCI chief himself has not Srinivasan’s hold on world after that.” further than his new coach, qualifying stage yesterday. been accused of any wrongdoing. cricket stems from India’s vast “I knew I had to play slightly Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, who Djokovic is the top seed in Beijing, ahead of number two Nadal. The BCCI did not say who television audience which ena- more aggressive, not just put the played the final in Bangkok in The reigning champion will play Czech Lukas Rosol, who is ranked will head the body until the bles the country to generate ball in play. I did that and was 2006 but lost. 46th in the world, in his opening game, while Nadal will face a qualifier. Supreme Court’s verdict, or almost 70 percent of the game’s able to take control, I got some Raonic said his win will not The women’s tournament at the China Open began on Saturday. whether fresh elections will be revenues. AFP insight into what I needed to do to lead to complacency. AFP The tournament reach its climax on October 6. AFP Monday 30 September 2013 24 Dhul-qa’da 1434 Volume 18 Number 5838 Sport Price: QR2 Kipsang breaks Li, Serena world record in reach second Berlin round

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Aragon Grand Prix Results Marquez wins Aragon GP ALCANIZ, SPAIN: Leading results from the Aragon motorcycling Grand Prix at Motorland yesterday: Honda rider inches closer to championship title; Pedrosa crashes out MotoGP 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 42min ALCANIZ, Spain: Spaniard As in many races this season it 03.459sec, 2. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) at 1.356sec, 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) Marc Marquez closed in on the was Lorenzo who made the fastest 12.927, 4. Alvaro Bautista (ESP/Honda) 13.787, MotoGP world championship in start as he leapfrogged Marquez, 5. Stefan Bradl (GER/Honda LCR) 13.973, 6. Cal his rookie season with a sixth who had started on pole, to move Crutchlow (GBR/Yamaha) 14.662, 7. Bradley race victory of the year in the into the lead. Smith (GBR/Yamaha) 31.220, 8. Andrea Aragon Grand Prix yesterday. However, after losing some Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 40.671, 9. Nicky Hayden The 20-year-old passed reign- time as he ran wide in the colli- (USA/Ducati) 53.413, 10. Andrea Iannone (ITA/ ing world champion Jorge Lorenzo sion with Pedrosa, Marquez was Repsol Ducati) 55.067. with 10 laps remaining to move gaining on Lorenzo all the time Honda Team’s Moto2 39 points ahead of his compatriot and eventually made his move with just four races remaining. down the inside of the Yamaha Spanish rider 1. Nicolas Terol (ESP/Suter) 40min 15.232sec, Seven-time world champion rider with 10 laps remaining. Marc Marquez 2. Esteve Rabat (ESP/Kalex) at 1.736sec, 3. Pol Valentino Rossi was third as he “I made an error as always at celebrates on Espargaro (ESP/Kalex) 3.530, 4. Scott Redding held off pressure from Alvaro the start and that is something I the podium (GBR/Kalex) 3.783, 5. Mika Kallio (FIN/Kalex) Bautista and Stefan Bradl in a have to improve on for the future after winning 4.049, 6. Jordi Torres (ESP/Suter) 11.602, 7. fantastic battle for a place on the races, but I only lost a second so the Aragon Johann Zarco (FRA/Suter) 16.298, 8. Julian podium. I was able to be aggressive on the Grand Prix at Simon (ESP/Kalex) 18.765, 9. Mattia Pasini However, it was a disastrous tyres and recover. the Motorland (ITA/Speed Up) 22.266, 10. Sandro Cortese (GER/Kalex) 23.757. day for Marquez’s Honda team- “It was a very tough race but in racetrack mate Dani Pedrosa as he crashed the end I’m delighted to get these in Alcaniz, Moto3 out seconds after he and Marquez very important points.” yesterday. 1. Alex Rins (ESP/KTM) 40min 04.214sec, touched wheels to all but end his Lorenzo had pulled himself 2. Maverick Vinales (ESP/KTM) at 0.426sec, championship hopes. back into championship conten- 3. Alex Marquez (ESP/KTM) 12.377, 4. Luis “I braked as I saw I was touch- tion with back-to-back victories Salom (ESP/KTM) 16.416, 5. Miguel Oliveira ing him (Pedrosa) so I went wide. in Britain and San Marino head- (POR/Mahindra) 16.496, 6. Philipp Oetl (GER/ Maybe I touched a cable of his but ing into the race, but he admitted KTM) 21.539, 7. Jonas Folger (GER/Kalex KTM) I am very disappointed for Dani. that after a shaky start Marquez 25.255, 8. Romano Fenati (ITA/FTR Honda) It is very bad luck for him because had simply been the better man 27.711, 9. Arthur Sissis (AUS/KTM) 27.888, it is very rare that this happens.” on the day. AFP 10. Efren Vazquez (ESP/Mahindra) 28.977. Qatargas to sponsor children’s chess event

DOHA: Qatar Chess organising this tournament which has such benefits as developing Association (QCA) will host a is aimed at bringing together a mental skills of children and is chess championship for chil- large number of young chess directly linked to their education. dren in the age group of 6-14 enthusiasts in Qatar. Our support This noble gesture from Qatargas years at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for the game of chess forms part manifests the Company’s deep from October 24 to 26, it was of a strategy we adopted in devel- commitment to the local commu- announced here yesterday. oping a group of sports activities nity and its keenness in develop- Qatargas is the title sponsor that are fast gaining popularity in ing a generation with high mental of the three-day championship it Qatar. This strategy aims prima- capabilities,” the QCA president was announced at a press confer- rily at introducing young talent said. ence held at the Qatargas Doha available at the grass roots level Elaborating on the details of Head Office which was jointly and nurturing them in the best the tournament, Al Hitmi said addressed by Mansour Rashid Al possible manner, thereby con- that the championship will start Naimi, Public Relations Manager, tributing to achieving the goals at on October 24 at 5.00pm and Qatargas and Khalifa Mohammed of Qatar National Vision 2030,” will conclude on October 26 at Al Hitmi, President of QCA and Al Naimi said. 8pm. Vice President of the World Chess Al Hitmi, President of QCA Registration of players will Federation (FIDE). praised Qatargas for supporting begin at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Commenting on Qatargas’ the tournament. on October 24 from 4 pm onwards. support for the championship, “We thank Qatargas for its Attractive prizes are being Al Naimi said chess is gaining in commendable support for this offered to winners and par- popularity in Qatar. championship which will help ticipants, informed the QCA “Qatargas is pleased to sup- promote the game of chess in President. port Qatar Chess Association in Qatar. Chess, as we all know, THE PENINSULA

Khalifa Mohammed Al Hitmi (left), President of the Qatar Chess Association (QCA), addressing a press confer- ence at Qatargas head office in Doha, yesterday. The QCA announced that Qatargas will be the title sponsor of a Chess Championship for children in the age group of 6-14 years. The championship will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel from October 24 to 26. Mansour Rashid Al Naimi, Qatargas Public Relations Manager was also present. PICTURE BY: KAMMUTTY VP