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The Peninsula GDI contracts colourful start Donates sales proceeds to Gaza Business | 22 Sport | 32

Thursday 24 July 2014 • 26 Ramadan 1435 • Volume 19 Number 6136 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

Nine-day public Blatter reviews 2022 preparations holiday for Eid DOHA: The Emiri Diwan has announced nine days of Emir receives FIFA President Eid holidays for ministries, government institutions DOHA: FIFA President Sepp of further developing football in and public entities. The Eid Blatter yesterday called on the region.” break will start from Sunday the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim The Emir and FIFA President (Ramadan 29) till August 4 bin Hamad Al Thani and dis- reviewed the existing relations of Monday. Commercial banks cussed football matters besides cooperation between Qatar and and other financial institu- exchanging notes on the organ- the world body. Topics of dis- tions, supervised by Qatar isation of 2022 FIFA World cussion also included ways of Central Bank (QCB) and Cup to be held in Qatar. enhancing cooperation between Qatar Financial Markets During the course of the one- Qatar and FIFA. Authority (QFMA), will hour meeting, Blatter praised The meeting also reviewed the remain closed for three days Qatar’s role in pushing for social achievements made on projects on the eve of Eid Al Fitr. QNA change through football. related to the organization of the In a message posted on the fifa. 2022 FIFA World Cup. com website, Blatter was quoted The meeting, which took as saying: “I was very pleased to place at Al Bahr Palace, was also Huge rise in QNB meet today the highest political attended by H H Sheikh Jassim authority – the Emir of Qatar. It bin Hamad Al Thani, the Personal housing allowance was great to see his and Qatar’s Representative of the the Emir, DOHA: The country’s top commitment to use the 2022 and FIFA Secretary General lender, Qatar National Bank FIFA World Cup to achieve posi- Jerome Valcke. (QNB), has raised the housing tive social change and to promote This was Blatter’s first trip The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with FIFA President Sepp Blatter at Al Bahr Palace yesterday. allowance of its employees by 60 the host country and region.” to Qatar since his Doha visit to 130 percent in view of rising Blatter added: “Qatar takes its last November when he met house rents in the country. The responsibility as hosts seriously. H E Sheikh Mohammed bin the Q22 bid team. Qatar won World Cup at a historic FIFA December 2010. bank has also increased by 50 We also discussed the importance Hamad Al Thani, who headed the rights to host the 2022 Executive Committee vote in THE PENINSULA to 100 percent air ticket allow- ances to its employees. The raises are applicable to both Qatari and expatriate employ- ees of the bank, Al Sharq reported yesterday. QNB has branches and 3 die after weight representative offices in 26 countries No truce until siege ends: Hamas around the world and they total 602. loss surgeries It has a network of 1,275 ATMs, the DOHA: Health experts yes- DOHA: Hamas yesterday which also wants the opening of Egypt, whose President Abdel daily said. THE PENINSULA terday advised people against rejected a ceasefire to end 16 the Rafah border crossing with Fattah Al Sisi has sought to iso- undergoing surgeries overseas days of deadly fighting with Egypt and Israel to free prisoners. late Hamas in the neighbouring for weight loss called bariatric Israel unless the blockade on As international calls for an Gaza, had tried to broker truce surgery as three people have the Gaza Strip is lifted, its chief end to the fighting in Gaza mount, between Israel and Hamas. Ramadan Timing died after the operation and Khaled Meshaal said in Doha. Meshaal insisted that the Islamist Hamas had rejected the ceasefire many suffered life threatening “We reject today... and will reject Hamas “welcomes all efforts to proposal which it said was favour- Todays Iftar: complications. in the future” a ceasefire before end the aggression” and “does not able to Israel. It argues that Egypt’s 06:26pm Many people go abroad for negotiations on Hamas’s demands, object” to mediation by any party, proposal, which is backed by the Tomorrow’s the surgery mainly to avoid the which include lifting years of block- including Egypt. United States, United Nations and Imsak: waiting list and high prices but ade against the Palestinian enclave, “We will not accept any initia- Arab League, would allow Israel unfortunately they risk their life Meshaal told reporters. tive that does not lift the blockade to dictate if and when to ease its 03:21am and health. Lifting the eight-year block- on our people and that does not blockade on Gaza. AFP >>Page 9 Full report on page 3 ade is a main demand of Hamas respect their sacrifices,” he said. See also pages 7 & 8

THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Greetings sent to 3 die after weight loss surgery abroad Sultan of Oman

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Life-threatening complications reported; experts caution against bariatric procedures overseas yesterday sent a cable of con- gratulations to His Majesty BY FAZEENA SALEEM The National Health Insurance Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Scheme (Seha) also covers weight Oman on the anniversary of DOHA: Health experts yester- loss surgeries for Qataris. his accession to the throne. day cautioned people against This surgery to lose weight is The Prime Minister and undergoing surgeries overseas the most successful treatment for Interior Minister H E Sheikh for weight loss (bariatric sur- obesity currently available. Yet, it Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa gery) as three people have died is a very specific and complicated Al Thani sent a similar cable. after operation and many have surgery and can be harmful to the been suffering life-threatening patient if not performed in the Emir, Premier complications. right set-up. Many people go abroad for the “We have received 19 serious congratulate Sisi surgery, mainly to avoid the wait- complications and HMC has been ing list and high costs but unfor- notified by relatives of three peo- DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh tunately they risk their lives and ple who died due to weight loss Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani health, said Dr Jamal Rashid surgeries in foreign countries,” yesterday sent a cable of con- Alkhanji, Director, Healthcare said Dr Mohamed Alkwari, HMC gratulations to the Egyptian Quality and Patient Safety, Consultant (Bariatric Surgery). President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi Supreme Council of Health “The complications are seri- on his country’s National Day. (SCH). ous — blood clots in small intes- The Prime Minister and Although there are no specific tine, and in some cases surgical Interior Minister H E Sheikh details of countries or the number cuts are not closed properly and Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa of people going abroad for the sur- wound site infections. Such con- Al Thani sent a similar cable. gery, Dr Alkhanji said many come ditions are unacceptable surgical back with life-threatening com- complications,” he said. French envoy plications. “They are compromis- With 30 percent of the popula- ing on quality for money… Some tion in Qatar being obese, an aver- Dr Jamal Rashid Alkhanji, (left) Director, Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety, SCH and Dr Mohamed Alkwari, given farewell people are in a hurry to undergo age of 2,000 weight loss surgeries HMC Consultant (Bariatric Surgery), addressing the press conference yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP surgery, they can’t wait for two are conducted each year. DOHA: The Assistant months on the waiting list. We At HMC, it is done free for warned or their licences could cardiovascular diseases, high cho- a small upper stomach pouch Minister for Foreign Affairs H urge people not to go abroad for Qataris and at a cost of QR5,000 be cancelled depending on the lesterol or depression, the person to limit it. Malabsorptive sur- E Mohammed bin Abdullah Al bariatric surgery,” he told a press for expats, while it could cost nature of violation. could choose to undergo weight gery alters digestion, causing the Rumaihi yesterday hosted at conference at the SCH yesterday. QR50,000 in a private hospital. The body mass index (BMI) is a loss surgery. food to be poorly digested and Diplomatic Club a farewell cer- He said Hamad Medical As the national regulator for key factor in deciding overweight . There are two basic methods completely absorbed. Both are emony for French Ambassador Corporation (HMC) and some health services, the SCH has set It shows the relationship between of weight loss surgery — restric- implemented through procedures Jean-Christophe Peauchelle. private hospitals in Qatar have high standards for weight loss a person’s weight and height. If tive surgery and Malabsorptive known as gastric banding, gastric It was attended by a number the best surgical facilities and surgeries. Violators — physicians an adult’s BMI is over 40 or has surgery. Restrictive surgery balloon and sleeve bypass surger- of heads of diplomatic mis- surgeons for weight loss. and healthcare facilities — are health conditions such as diabetes, decreases food intake by creating ies. THE PENINSULA sions accredited to the coun- try, Ibrahim Youssef Fakhro, Head of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Protocols, and directors. International Union of Muslim Scholars’ website hacked Maintenance work DOHA: The website of International They warned that it is just the first part call those who are distorting the religion should agree on such a thing and the deci- at health centre Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) was of what is to come and that the worst is of peace, mind and humanity Muslims?” sion should not be made by a small group. hacked on Tuesday. yet to happen. they said. Established by IUMS on June 4, 2011, DOHA: Al Khor Health On the homepage, a message appeared “You ignorant Muslim union and preach- What was published by the hackers con- the website has been publishing news Centre will be closed tomor- saying, ‘This site has been hacked by Team ers of Sultans, do you think that we will tradicted the stand of IUMS which said on and statements of the union with its row for maintenance work and 313 and the seven domains of the website keep silent when you are misleading the July 7 that the announcement of the ISIS Chairman Sheikh Yusuf Al Qaradawi and will reopen on Saturday. have been taken out.’ Muslims and passing Israeli plans? Do you caliphate was illegal and had no religious Secretary-General, Dr Ali Mohiyuddin Al The Primary Health Care The hackers put an Iraqi flag on the think that the destruction of our great impact which showed that they were not Quradaghi. Corporation has urged patients website and cited Islamic scholars’ support civilisation in Ninawa by ISIS and humili- supporting ISIS. The last statement published on the to visit health centres in (ISIS) as the reason for hacking it. ation of our women will pass without con- The creation of the Islamic caliphate website was a call for solidarity with Gaza Madinat Khalifa and Al Shamal. They said it is Iraqis’ slap, which is the sequence? You are calling ISIS an Islamic has conditions and needs deep prepara- against Israeli aggression. THE PENINSULA/QNA nation of prophets and civilisations. sect and you want us to keep silent? Do you tion at different levels. Muslims in general THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Workers’ output up Qatar seeks UN resolution on due to ‘comforts at Israel to end Gaza violence accommodations’ Envoy Sheikha Alia stresses Qatar’s solidarity with Palestinians DOHA: Comforts and integrated influx of foreign workers, Barwa NEW YORK: Qatar has and payment of salaries due to facilities at labour accommoda- Real Estate Company has been striv- reiterated solidarity with the Katara cancels Eid celebrations employees. tions such as those provided by ing to shoulder some responsibility Palestinian people in their She said Qatar is work- Barwa Al Baraha workers’ city, to ensure adequate supply of hous- legitimate struggle and is DOHA: In solidarity with the people in Gaza facing a difficult ing with concerned parties to have significantly improved effi- ing units for low-income workers sparing no effort to achieve situation due to Israeli aggression, Katara has decided to can- defuse the tension and provide a ciency and productivity of work- by establishing projects such as Al just and comprehensive peace. cel its Eid Al Fitr celebrations. suitable and realistic ground to ers, say analysts from the real Braha.” Qatar also welcomed interna- Katara has taken the decision because it is convinced that what find lasting solutions outside the estate sector. Barwa is committed to building a tional efforts to reach a humani- is happening to the Palestinians has impacted all people. The move temporary truce that has not “With the establishment of strong society where different social tarian truce and ceasefire in follows Katara and Aspire Zone Restaurants’ donation of today’s and will not achieve the desired labour accommodations complying categories live in harmony, achieved Gaza Strip to end violence and income to the Palestinians in Gaza. THE PENINSULA peace and security. with international standards and by removing social differences and bloodshed. Meanwhile, Qatar’s the government’s recent initiative raising standards of living for those The state urged the United consider Israeli attacks on Gaza process, but what is being com- Permanent Representative to implement labour rights effec- with limited-income. Nations Security Council to a punishment for the murder of mitted by Israel is an obstacle to the UN Office in Geneva, tively, the condition of workers has The concept of Barwa Al Baraha adopt a resolution asking Israel three Israeli settlers don’t have to peace efforts. Ambassador Faisal bin Abdullah improved remarkably,” Mana Al was born in 2008, as project designs to immediately stop attacks and a legal basis or justification. The humanitarian situa- Al Henzab, also condemned Mana, Chairman, Qatar Property suggested constructing workers allow the delivery of humanitar- Instead of attacks, she said, tion in Gaza, the siege which Israel, labelling it an occupying Management Company, was quoted accommodation and building the ian aid to civilians. Israel should conduct a probe has affected over one-and-a- force, for the killing of innocent as saying by local Arabic daily Al largest truck park in Qatar and the This came in a state- and arrest those responsible as half million Palestinians, the civilians in Gaza, its policy of col- Arab yesterday. Middle East, to provide services for ment delivered by Qatar’s the crime had occurred in an continuation of the occupation lective punishment by closing all Al Mana said improved labour trucks and latest technologies in Permanent Representative to area under its control. which has made the Strip a border checkpoints and limit- conditions are having a positive surveillance. the UN, Ambassador Sheikha Similarly, Israel, as the occu- big prison without basic neces- ing transport, which amount to impact and Qatar is emerging as The integrated project is built Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, pying power and under interna- sities of life, the breach of the war crimes and crimes against a better suitable labour market, over about 1.8 million sqm, with during an open debate on the tional law, should punish those Armistice Agreement and the humanity. attracting more foreign workers. capacity to accommodate about situation in the Middle East, responsible for settlers’ crimes prisoners exchange agreement He was speaking during He said: “Qatar is committed to 53,000 workers. It is being developed including the Palestine question. against unarmed Palestinians. and withholding Palestinian tax an emergency debate at the protecting and safeguarding the into two phases. Phase one has been Sheikha Alia said the past What is going on against the money have Israel responsible, UN Human Rights Council interests of workers and their rights completed and allotted to compa- few days had witnessed sav- Palestinian people is an act of she said, stressing the need to in Geneva in light of Israeli as they are important partners in nies to house their limited-income age Israeli aggression on the revenge, collective punishment, hold accountable those respon- aggression. He described Israeli the country’s development. Without workers. besieged Palestinian people, state terrorism and dispropor- sible for war crimes and crimes attacks as irresponsible and their support, it would be difficult to The first phase also provides and highlighted Israeli viola- tionate use of force, she said. against humanity. uncalled for and said Gaza has implement projects.” Qatar’s largest truck and vehicle tions, killings and massacres of Israeli attacks are unaccept- Sheikha Alia said the Qatari been subjected to a cruel siege Abdullah Hajji, Director, Barwa parking space, with 4,200 spaces for innocent civilians, including the able and require a clear stance leadership attended an emer- for seven years. Al Baraha project, said the ongo- trucks of different sizes. recent massacre in Shojae’ya of the Security Council, as the gency ministerial meeting of He stressed that Israel’s poli- ing development of the integrated The second phase will have around in which most victims were number of victims is increasing. the Arab League last week in cies towards Gaza will adversely labour city in the Industrial Area is 32 buildings, each consisting of 130 children. Sheikha Alia said what is Cairo, and is looking forward to affect more and more civilians, playing an important role in provid- rooms. Once completed, this pack- “We condemn all acts of happening in Gaza is not in international efforts towards a and cited the bombing of four ing labour accommodations comply- age will accommodate nearly 24,000 aggression committed by Israel response to alleged terrorism as fair ceasefire agreement, inter- children near a Gaza beach on ing with international standards. workers, in addition to four dining in violation of international law resisting the occupation is not national protection for the July 16 as an example of crimes “At a time when the country is halls, two playgrounds, two mosques, of human rights and interna- terrorism and the Palestinian Palestinian people and their against humanity. witnessing high demand for work- restaurants and utility shops. tional humanitarian law,” she people is not a group of ter- territories, and humanitarian Al Henzab also stressed the ers’ accommodation to house a large THE PENINSULA said, adding the Israeli aggres- rorists, but are steadfast peo- assistance. Palestinian people’s right to live sion cannot be considered a ple insisting on restoring their Citing the council’s responsi- honourably and demanded the defence of the Israeli people. usurped rights. bilities, she said it must adopt application of international law The attacks will push eve- She said the international a resolution demanding imme- to protect them. He reiterated ryone to confrontation by all community has been exerting diate cessation of attacks and that Qatar has already called QRC implements Iftar means, every effort to reach efforts for decades to reach just facilitate delivery of aid in on the Human Rights Council peace in the region will be and lasting peace and the world Gaza, a sustainable solution to hold Israel responsible for undermined and the desired hoped that the Palestinian unity to the humanitarian disaster, attacks, reach a ceasefire, end project at Al Aqsa Mosque security will not be achieved, she will contribute to the creation the opening up of sea and land the siege on Gaza, and release said, stressing that those who of an environment for the peace ports, repairs of infrastructure those arrested recently. QNA DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) The second part involves the dis- carried out an Iftar project at Al tribution of food baskets to needy Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the families in Jerusalem and towns and Rock with a budget of QR203,700 villages on the outskirts of the holy Nature’s bounty since the beginning of Ramadan city, including villages northwest of Workers’ rights and distributed over 770 food bas- Jerusalem, Al Ayzariya, Abu Dis, kets to needy families in Jerusalem. Sawahra, Anata and the Shuafat ‘abuse due to lack The project, which QRC began to refugee camp. About 770 food baskets prepare from June, provided Iftar were distributed, one for each fam- of vigil on firms’ and Suhour meals for people coming ily and benefited nearly 3,850 people. to the mosque for prayers and I’tikaf The panel praised QRC’s efforts DOHA: Several mem- from Palestinian areas. to do good, support the Palestinian bers of Central Municipal The project, in cooperation with people and alleviate their suffering, Council (CMC) see a lack Jerusalem Zakat Committee, is especially in Jerusalem and at the of monitoring of con- divided into two parts: The distribu- mosque. struction and contracting tion of Iftar meals over two weeks in QRC has allocated QR2,338,700 firms by the Ministry of the courtyard of the mosque, where for the project being implemented Labour and Social Affairs about 3,000 fasting people benefited. in Palestine, Syria, Central Africa as responsible for abuse of QRC will continue to provide these Republic, Sudan, Nepal, and the workers’ rights. meals until the 28th day of the holy Philippines for the benefit of about At least one businessman month. 58,600 people. QNA and a CMC member have said most rights’ violations are committed by foreign construction firms but they largely go unpunished. Councillor Ahmed Al Sheeb, from Umm Salal, told local Arabic daily Al Raya that a major problem with firms was that their A Qatari collecting dates in front of his home in Abu Hamour. KAMMUTTY VP managers didn’t respect workers’ basic rights and threatened them that they would be sent home if they complained to the ministry. He welcomed the min- istry’s plans to name and shame erring firms after putting them on the black list. “What we need is stricter monitoring by the ministry on companies and their work sites.” These are the companies that are ruining Qatar’s image in the world. “So stricter monitoring is the need of the day,” agreed councillor Hamad Lahdan Al Mohannadi, from Al Dhakheera. Another councillor, Mubarak Fraish, said local firms involved in bigger development projects are very few and mostly foreign players in large numbers are doing major projects. “But the monitoring is weak and that explains why rights’ violations are continuing.” Businessman Ahmed Al Khalaf said some 70 to 80 percent firms doing mega projects were foreign and many were violating the law. “Action must be taken against them.” THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 QTA lines up Qatar Summer Festival events DOHA: Water fountain toddlers’ and food zones National Tourism Sector Strategy said: “The festival is part of QTA’s results of the first quarter of 2014 within the GCC countries. shows, an Entertainment and a stage to present 2030, launched by QTA in coopera- efforts to make Qatar the best tourist revealed continued growth in the Overall, GCC tourists were up by City and an inflatable shows and activities. tion with stakeholders in the public destination for families in the region. tourism industry, with the total 5 percent, with Saudi Arabia being Aqua Park are some of Outdoor activities such and private sectors. “Through it, we will offer qual- number of visitors from all parts of the largest single source of visitors the exciting activities as bike riding, kayaking The strategy serves as a road map ity performances to present Qatar’s the world rising by 26 percent, and with 188,621. at the Qatar Summer and other games will be for the development of the tourism entertainment options and warm from Kuwait by 42 percent. The average hotel occupancy rate Festival to be hosted by held in Al Khor along with industry and as a guide for QTA in its hospitality. Hotel occupancy also rose by more rose from 68 percent to 75, assisted Qatar Tourism Authority activities in malls, includ- efforts to position Qatar as a world- “We seek to stimulate the tour- than 10 percent compared to the by the 1.9 percent decrease in avail- (QTA) from August 4 to ing commercial sales, raffle class hub with deep cultural roots. ism sector and enhance its role in same period last year. able rooms from 13,551 in Q1 2013 to 27 at venues across the draws and prizes. QTA plays a key role in the effort the national economy. We support The total number of regional and 13,251 in Q1 2014 due to renovation- country. A highlight of the fes- to develop a sustainable tourism owners of tourist facilities and other international visitors in the first related closures. The evening water foun- tival is the ‘Disney On sector and increase the sector’s con- stakeholders in the sector, add- quarter reached 387,022, represent- Total revenue at four- and five- tain shows will be held on Ice presents Rockin’ tribution to a diversified national ing value to their efforts and help- ing a 9 percent year-on-year increase. star hotels increased by 5.4 percent, the Corniche, the inflatable Ever After’ show from economy. ing them promote their offerings at Visitors increased from most cor- reaching QR999.4m for the quar- Aqua Park is in Al Wakra September 24 to 27 at Rashed Al Qurese, Director, home and abroad.” ners of the globe, with particularly ter while three-star hotel revenue and the Entertainment Qatar National Convention Marketing and Promotions, QTA, Tourist data released by QTA on good performance coming from reached QR1m. THE PENINSULA City at Doha Exhibition Center. Center. The festival will give The Entertainment City citizens, residents and will comprise areas to pro- visitors from the region vide fun and entertainment an opportunity to enjoy to various segments of visi- activities that will appeal tors. They include adven- to all ages, especially kids. ture, freeze, interactive, It is part of Qatar

Karwa Driving School unveils website on training services

DOHA: Karwa Driving and contribute to training School has launched activities. a website on ‘Driving He said the website Training Services’. (www.karwadrivingschool. It represents a new com) provides a platform step to present benefits of for trainees and driving advanced training activi- professionals and support ties in Mowasalat and them in their career by highlights significant spe- communicating with them cialised training courses in and providing resources the field. and facilities that serve Khalid Al Hail, CEO, them to further improve Mowasalat, said the launch driving training activities of the website is in line across the country. with the development of Khalid Kafoud, eMedia and the growing Corporate Affairs and interest of large segments Communication Manager, of the Qatari, GCC and Mowasalat, said such Arab communities in such efforts are part of the genre of media. company’s commitment He said the website to sustainably develop the would support those performance of the school interested in training and and its programmes based involved with driving. on Mowasalat’s belief that Robert Makondo, training work is not lim- Director of the school, ited to a certain success, said the school, run with but rather an ongoing skilled efficiencies in line process. with Mowasalat’s objec- He said the website tives, is working to con- presents the most signifi- stantly enhance training cant training methods, programmes. covering defensive driv- He said the website has ing, safe driving, carriage been designed to enrich of dangerous goods, safe training offers, encourage loading, certificate of pro- those interested in driving fessional competence, light training, support them and heavy vehicles, cranes, theoretically and practi- latest technological meth- cally and develop the train- ods, international accredi- ing environment. tation, personal training According to him, this programmes and training will promote the wide experts. and comprehensive con- It includes information cept of training culture on the school, a corner in the community with its for communication with institutions and encour- visitors and latest achieve- age and incentivise the ments and news. public to participate in THE PENINSULA

Qatar Duty Free begins summer promotion DOHA: Qatar Duty Free purchase of QR550 and (QDF) has announced a above. summer promotion until Keith Hunter, Senior August 31 for passengers Vice-President, QDF, said: departing from, or tran- “Passengers are sure to be siting through Hamad impressed with the range International Airport of offers we have on display (HIA). this summer, especially for Having witnessed suc- those travelling through cess year-on-year, this HIA for the first time. year’s promotion offers a “We encourage passen- shopping voucher booklet gers to relax and enjoy that includes $5 off all pur- their time, and pick up a chases of $10 and above in free booklet of discount one transaction. vouchers, which highlights QDF offers latest prod- our special offers. Booklets ucts across various catego- will be available through- ries, including cosmetics, out the airport. The tre- electronics, clothing, jew- mendous response received ellery, confectionary and from customers over the much more. past years to the summer All QDF-branded con- promotion has encouraged cept stores, The Boulevard, us to bring it back again. Esquire, GMT, Junction, We hope passengers will The Bumble Tree, have an extra special gift Chocology and Marmalade to take home from their Market will also accept travels this summer,” he discount vouchers on every added. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Deal to provide 80MW solar energy for rail network Qatar Rail, QSTec sign MoU to explore opportunities

DOHA: A memorandum of environment-friendly meth- understanding (MoU) was ods at the heart of the execu- signed yesterday that could tive strategy of its projects. see solar technologies installed This comes after the company Officials at the MoU signing ceremony. in the upcoming rail network. conducted an intensive study Qatar Solar Technologies to assess the possible environ- (QSTec), building a 150MW mental impact of the railway solar module manufacturing network projects to ensure Qapco sponsors workshops facility and a 8,000MT polysili- the protection of any affected con plant in Qatar, said it had environment. entered into an MoU with Qatar “Solar energy development is to develop skills, creativity Railways Company (Qatar Rail) one of the main green aspects to explore opportunities that of our project. Our partnership DOHA: Qatar Petrochemical achievements. It has attracted many may lead to the installation of with QSTec helps us improve Company (Qapco) Q.S.C. has young Qatari talents who contrib- up to 80MW of solar technol- the eco-friendly feature of the signed a memorandum of under- uted significantly, with their vision ogy in the multi-billion-dollar rail network adopting ‘Green standing (MoU) with Cultural and creativity, to institutions and railway development. Building’ regulations, which Creativity Centre to sponsor activ- authorities. The first stage of the MoU consist of efficient use of ities and workshops for residents. “The centre has also increased will look at installing ground energy and water and reduc- Thanks to Qapco’s sponsorship, and diversified its cultural and cre- and rooftop mounted solar PV tion of waste and environmental Qataris and Arabic-speaking resi- ative programmes. It counts many installations on the proposed Officials signing the MoU. degradation.” dents will be able to participate in talents who are writing short novels 3,000,000sqm rail depot near Qatar is developing a world- free workshops and personal devel- and plays, supporting Qatar’s crea- Sheikh Hamad International class 750km rail infrastructure opment classes provided by the tive energies and preserving our Airport. will assist in achieving the Rail to develop sustainable solar incorporating Doha Metro, centre. social and cultural heritage in line Qatar Rail aims at build- rating. energy solutions that meet their Lusail light rail transit system The centre targets in particular with Qatar National Vision 2030.” ing one of the world’s most “We are honoured to be requirements for quality, reli- and Long Distance Passenger Qatari youth. A team of experts and The classes foster creativity, energy-efficient rail networks involved with Qatar Rail ability and exceptional serv- and Freight Rail to link with coaches offers classes and courses to encourage lateral thinking, improve through the use of sustainable through this partnership, which ice,” said Dr Khalid K Al Hajri, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain while encourage the development of skills communication skills, boost self- and energy-efficient technolo- will aim to utilise QSTec’s solar Chairman and CEO, Qatar creating a new industry for the and creativity and help discover confidence and personal develop- gies to achieve a four-star GSAS solutions to meet some of Qatar Solar Technologies. state. personal abilities and talent. ment, and enhance business skills. rating (Global Sustainability Rail’s energy requirements. Speaking at the signing, The three projects are Dr Mohammed Yousef Al Mulla, The programme for August Assessment System). “This is a long-term agree- Engineer Abdullah bin Abdulaziz dynamic; they work in inte- Vice-Chairman and CEO, Qapco, is: Career development (Fahad Sustainability and efficient ment that demonstrates the Turki Al Subaie, Managing gration to connect Qatar’s key praised the centre’s role and dedi- Bu Hendim, Expert Coach and use of resources is a key element essence of Qatar National Director and Chairman of the areas with each other and their cation and said, “We are delighted Workshop Leader); Time manage- of Qatar National Vision 2030 Vision 2030 and we look for- Executive Committee, Qatar vital extensions. to support the centre’s mission by ment (Abdulla Albuenain); How and the use of solar technologies ward to working with Qatar Rail, said, “Qatar Rail places THE PENINSULA sponsoring its workshops that allow to market yourself (Mohamed the development of skills that are Al Jufairi); Personality analysing highly beneficial on a daily basis. (Social Development Centre); How Gaza: RAF sends “Aligned with our commitment to to publish an E-book (Fahad Bu Steel bridge opens to traffic Qatar National Vision 2030 and as a Hendi and Maha Al Khramiz); How medical convoy responsible corporate citizen, Qapco to write a book (Fahad Bu Hendi); believes in supporting Qatari youth Cultural Forum (Moza Al Sehaq); DOHA: Sheikh Thani bin by offering free classes to allow Public Speaking (Arwa Al Khater); Abdullah Foundation for them to be equipped with tools and Poetry (Samira Al Obeid); Women Humanitarian Services know-how to attain their ambitions Self-development (Amal Al Subeai) (RAF) has sent a medical on personal and professional levels.” and Strategic Planning (Mohamed convoy dubbed ‘Convoy The centre builds bridges between Al Kubaisi). of the People of Qatar to generations of talented citizens who Experts offer customised classes Gaza’. aim to develop their abilities to full in Arabic, taking into consideration It contains medicine and potential, contributing to shaping a cultural specificities. More than 800 medical supplies for oper- sustainable future for Qatar. people are expected to take part in ating rooms and intensive Hassan Al Saee, Chairman, the workshops and 60 percent of the care units and intravenous Cultural Creativity Centre, said, seats are reserved for Qataris. For fluids worth $100,000. “Over the year, the centre has details, visit www.creativity.qa Ibrahim Ali Abdullah, accomplished cultural and creative THE PENINSULA Head of Media and Marketing, RAF, said the people of Gaza need these medical assistance which QR1m aid convoy sent includes first aid. He appealed to the peo- ple in Qatar to interact to refugees from CAR A s part of Expressway Project, a temporary steel bridge has been opened at the junction of E Ring Road and with RAF campaigns and Al Muntazah Street for traffic from the road to Abu Hamour towards the Industrial Area. ABDUL BASIT continue to donate to help DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC), in distributed to over 4,000 refugee fam- Palestinians. QNA collaboration with Organization ilies who were fleeing the unrest in of Islamic Dawa’s Office in Doha, their country, QC said in a statement. dispatched an aid convoy to sup- QC, in cooperation with port refugees from Central African Organisation of Islamic Dawa’s Office A summer of family fun at Four Seasons Hotel Republic (CAR) at the Seydou in Doha, seek to improve the living camp bordering with Chad. conditions of the refugees and provide DOHA: Kids can bid goodbye to collection and much more,” says John The relief worth QR1m will benefit them with care besides implement- boredom this summer as Four Denning, Wellness and Kids For All about 20,000 people. ing educational, water and sanitation Seasons Hotel Doha lays out the Seasons Manager. Last week, QC sent an aid convoy projects worth over QR250,000. QC red carpet for its youngest guests The hotel’s luxurious rooms, fam- carrying 140 tonnes of food items said it will build six furnished class with a packed calendar of activities. ily-friendly restaurants, grotto pools to provide basic requirements to rooms and provide 400 school bags The Kids for All Seasons ‘Summer and private beach offer plenty of refugees during Ramadan. It was for children. QNA of Fun’ programme offers a line-up of space for kids to wander around with themed activities – everything from the family, while supervised activities, pirates to cartoons, space, animals including toy camel racing, kite mak- and sports – with a chance to make ing and flying, beach games, treasure holiday memories that last a lifetime. hunts and Middle Eastern arts and “Summer holidays are all about crafts offer a fun retreat for kids doing new things, making new friends when adults need some quiet time. and memories and that’s what our “As a city resort, the hotel makes Kids for All Seasons seasonal line-up an ideal base for families looking to is all about. We’ve put together free spend some quality time together activities – physically-fun sports and while making sure kids are suffi- games, creative hands-on sessions on ciently challenged and entertained jewellery and cookie making, activi- during their vacation. While par- ties that encourage kids to interact ents take a bit of a breather from with nature through flower and shell their daily lives, kids are having

Cookie making is one of the activities lined up for children

fun on site at no extra three or more nights are cost,” says Rami Sayess, special benefits such as Regional Vice-President 25 percent off room rates, and General Manager, complimentary late check- Four Seasons Hotel Doha. out until 4pm, (subject to The programme is avail- availability), complimen- able daily from 9am to tary premium Internet 5pm for children aged 5-12 access, daily amenities, years (unaccompanied) or valet parking, access to Spa younger (with a guardian). & Wellness Centre facili- Families can look for- ties (excluding treatments) ward to availing special and complimentary access benefits such as intercon- to the programme for sum- necting rooms on request, mer getaways booked until special welcome amenities September 15 with the Get for kids, a kids “check-in” Away, Get More package. and much more. For details, visit www. Adding to the summer fourseasons.com/doha excitement for stays of THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Hamas tactics inflict high casualties on Israelis Israeli ground forces stunned by surprise strikes via tunnels in and outside Gaza

GAZA: Using tunnels, mines, group said. booby traps and snipers, Hamas Israel offered a different We’re not closing fighters have inflicted record account, saying the vehicle was casualties on Israeli troops part of a convoy and was hit my the door to a waging an offensive in the Gaza multiple anti-tank missiles. Strip, applying years of training Israel said six soldiers were humanitarian in urban warfare with a new killed, while another thought to tactical acumen and suicidal have been in the vehicle is miss- resolve. ing, believed dead. Hamas said it truce: Meshaal The Israelis say weapons and captured him but has not released know-how supplied by Iran and his picture. DOHA: “Let us agree on its Lebanese ally Hezbollah make The Israeli military acknowl- achieving our demands and we Hamas a more formidable foe. edges Hamas’ increased skill. will then agree on the zero-hour Four days after Israel launched “They have undergone exten- for a ceasefire,” says Hamas a withering ground assault on the sive training, they are well chief chief Khaled Meshaal. He Palestinian Islamist militants in supplied, well motivated and dis- was addressing a press confer- their stronghold of Shejaia fol- ciplined. We have met a more ence in Doha yesterday. lowing intensive air strikes, the formidable enemy on the battle- He appealed to the interna- army still does not have complete field,” said Israeli military spokes- tional community and NGOs to control of the area. man Lieutenant-Colonel Peter “come to the aid of Gaza and not Smoke from shelled homes and Lerner. Israel says it has so far wait until after the war ends.” the buzz of Israeli drones clog the killed more than 200 Palestinian “I call today for opening border sky above the wrecked district on fighters. crossings to allow the entry of Gaza’s eastern border. “We are not surprised about it aid convoys” to Gaza Strip which The thud of a buried explosive because we knew that they were needs “fuel, food and electricity,” aimed at a troop carrier is met preparing for this battle. They he said. with an hour-long rain of Israeli didn’t just invest in the tunnels “We are more concerned (than artillery fire that shakes the for the last two or three years,” any other party) about a humani- width of the coastal strip, send- he added. tarian truce, like last Thursday... ing the deafening sound bouncing for evacuating casualties and off buildings as far as the shore. “UNDERGROUND GAZA” assisting the population,” he said. Exploiting a vast network of Speaking off the record, “We are not closing the door secret tunnels to snipe at enemy another army official said: “They to a humanitarian truce... that troops and blast their vehicles have thrown everything at us. would not manuever around even inside Israel, Hamas has Missiles, ambushes, even (bomb- demands of the resistance,” he Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal addressing a news conference in Doha yesterday. killed 32 Israeli soldiers—almost laden) donkeys and dogs. It’s added. three times as many as in the last proving a real challenge ... We Meshaal insisted that his the face of any humanitarian that supplies of water and food Meshaal. major ground clashes in a 2008-9 have to break their motivation, movement wants the “aggression ceasefire backed by a real aid are dangerously low. “Nobody could disarm the conflict. show them it is not worth it. to stop tomorrow, today, or even programme.” The 16-day conflict has so far resistance,” he said, setting two “The al-Qassam brigades con- “We hope that if we break this minute. But lift the block- Charity Oxfam said Wednesday killed 695 Gazans, 34 Israelis and conditions to demilitarise Gaza, tinue to give repeated surprises, Shejaia, then that will show ade with guarantees and not that thousands of Palestinians a Thai worker. an Israeli demand: “The end of and every day the holy warriors them our determination. That is as a promise for future nego- have fled their homes but have “We do not want a war and we occupation and the disarmament arise from where the (Israeli) a real command centre for them... tiations,” he said, adding that nowhere safe to shelter from do not want it to continue, but we of Israel.” occupation could not foresee,” the What is remarkable is that in the “we will not shut the door in Israeli airstrikes and warned will not bow in front of it,” said AFP group said last week. past eight years they have basi- “They fight... face to face with cally built an underground Gaza. the enemy in retaliation for the It’s astonishing,” he said. blood of the martyrs that the Confined in the crowded sandy posing as an Israeli soldier. al-Qassam’s media arm appear to 2008-9 conflict, Hamas and other analyst Ehud Yaari told Reuters, occupier spills daily.” coast enclave of 1.8 million, where show the strength of the group’s militant groups largely melted but its stated aim of destroying The action has lived up to the poverty and unemployment hover NOT A HUGE LOSS arsenal. away, allowing Israeli tanks to the tunnels remains difficult. fierce rhetoric. Hamas has far around 40 percent, weary Gazans In addition to increasing the “The demonstrated use of anti- approach the outskirts of Gaza “It’s very painful, but I don’t outstripped fellow militants in say they hope the battle will range and payload of more than tank guided missiles against small City. The militants killed just six think anybody assumed that it Islamic Jihad and other groups in break the blockade that Israel 1,000 mostly homemade rockets it IDF units on foot, rather than soldiers then, and two more in an could be a ‘no casualties’ opera- sending drones, scuba comman- and Egypt impose on them. They has hurled at Israel in two weeks, against armoured vehicles, shows eight-day round of battle in 2012, tion ... It seems they’ve been able dos and tunnel raiders to take the have very little to lose. Hamas has stepped up its weap- a clear intent to simply inflict cas- which did not escalate into an to systematically uncover more fight into Israel. Hamas leaders hope to achieve ons procurement. ualties and a recognition of the Israeli ground incursion. and more tunnels, with the caveat In one such infiltration, Hamas that goal through the prowess of “Hamas leaders have tried to (Israeli army’s) superior armour Israel’s Lerner cited outside aid that I’m not sure the Israelis are fighters emerged wearing full their men at the front, trained to say through their statements that defence,” said Charles Lister, a for their new strength. prepared to sustain the damage Israeli uniform, but were let inflict casualties and grab soldiers everything Israel’s been hit with visiting fellow at the Brookings “(They were trained) by Iran. to uncover many more,” he said. down by one key detail - they to gain political leverage. so far was completely and purely Center in Doha told Reuters. Mostly Iran. It is the school of Subterranean warfare may be were carrying Kalashnikov rifles, Morale was high and Hamas Gaza-made. (But) Hamas did A senior Israeli intelligence Iran. It is the thought process of Hamas’s most potent innovation. not standard issue M16s or Tavor fighters were preparing for a fight not deny benefiting from foreign official briefing foreign report- Iran. It is Iran with Hezbollah. It After spending years and possibly assault rifles. during a visit by Reuters in April imports,” said Gaza analyst Adnan ers on Wednesday said “radical is the same type of tactics that we hundreds of millions of dollars on In the most deadly incident to a training camp of its military Abu Amer. axis” countries - Iran, Syria or have seen.” building the network, Hamas may for Israel yet, on the first day of wing on a vast sandy expanse in The Islamist movement is Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon Israel’s loss of 12 soldiers on be keen to preserve some of its its incursion to begin destroying northern Gaza. Kitted up in full unlikely to be deterred by the - had provided Hamas with a new Sunday was the largest single-day tunnels by stopping the fighting the tunnels on Sunday, Hamas Israeli battle gear, young cadets losses its has suffered at the generation of ground weapons. toll since its forces pushed into soon. “They’re popping up more says its fighters watched as an sat in classrooms taking notes on hands of a stronger enemy. He cited the Russian-made cor- South Lebanon in an attempt and more from underground to enemy armoured personnel car- lessons in combat tactics. “There are conflicting reports net and the shoulder-fired RPG- to dislodge Hezbollah militants try and hit something in hopes rier lurched into a web of booby They showed off manoeuvres about Hamas’s losses in terms of 29 which is “more of a rocket there in 2006. The Israeli intel- that a ceasefire will be established traps they had laid. where they simulated raining fighters. Since Israel has claimed than a missile. You can use it in ligence officer said Syria, Iran as soon as possible,” Yaari said. “Our holy warriors detonated down mortars on mock-up tanks, Hamas’s armed wing numbers an urban area when you have to and Hezbollah could have taught Abu Amer, the Gaza analyst, the minefield with such force that on which two groups of fighters 20,000 men, the martyrdom of fight against very close forces. Hamas new tactics over the believes both sides are smart- (the carrier) was destroyed. They then pounced from nearby tun- 60 or 70 can not be described as This is something you don’t make Internet. Nobody from the Israeli ing and the military gains may advanced on it, opened its doors nels, with one combatant hoisting a huge loss,” Abu Amer said. by yourself.” side expected an easy push into encourage Hamas toward a cease- and finished off all left inside,” the over his shoulder a limp volunteer Videos distributed by In 22-days of fighting during a Gaza, Israeli military affairs fire. REUTERS

Libya power handover agreed as airport battle rages on

TRIPOLI: The General National Congress, which has gov- erned violence-wracked Libya since dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow, said yesterday it will hand over legisla- tive power to a newly elected parliament on August 4. But hopes that the announcement would signal an end to fighting among rival factions were dashed as a more than week- long battle intensified for control of Tripoli airport. “Monday, August 4m has been set as the date for the transfer of power... to the elected chamber,” the GNC said in a statement signed by its speaker, Nuri Abu Sahmein. The handover is to take place within two weeks as specified in Monday’s publication of the election results. Iraq defence minister heads to Moscow with wish list

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s defence minister flew to Moscow yes- terday to ask his counterpart for military equipment, as his forces struggle to hold off a jihadist-led Sunni militant offen- sive, a spokesman said. “Defence Minister Saadun Al Dulaimi left Baghdad for Moscow,” Staff Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Askari said. He said the minister was carrying a letter from Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki to Russian President Vladimir Putin “explaining the security and political situation in Iraq and the need to strengthen military cooperation”. “Dulaimi will meet the Russian defence minister and other officials to urge them to provide Iraq with weapons, equipment and modern military aircraft,” Askari said. Canadian charged over Syria fighting

OTTAWA: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced terrorism charges yesterday against a 25-year-old Canadian for allegedly traveling to Syria to fight alongside Islamist fighters. The charges against Hasibullah Yusufzai, 25, are the Turkey’s ruling Ak Party (AKP) MP Cuma Icten leaves the rostrum after first ever laid against a Canadian under a new law passed last hanging a banner and speaking against Israel’s military action in Gaza year that criminalised travel abroad for the purpose of ter- during a debate at the Turkish Parliament in Ankara yesterday. rorist activities. AFP THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST UN rights body launches probe into Israel’s Gaza carnage

GENEVA: The UN Human member to vote against. The 17 Harper said, noting it lacked “any ambassador Eviator Manor lashed law has been violated, in a man- of an “independent, international Rights Council yesterday abstentions were by the council’s semblance of balance” because out at countries that piloted the ner that could amount to war commission of inquiry”. launched a probe into the Gaza European members, plus Japan it made no mention of Hamas’ vote. crimes,” Pillay told the council, The Gaza offensive marks the offensive, backing calls by the and South Korea. attacks. “Their Pavlovian instinct citing attacks that have killed worst violence since two spikes Palestinians to hold Israel to The probe team, yet to be Speaking for the European demands they react against Palestinian civilians, including in conflict in 2009 and 2012, and account despite fierce opposi- appointed, is tasked with report- Union, Italian ambassador Israel, in order to divert atten- children. She said Israelis also has already claimed the lives of tion from the Jewish state. ing back to the council by March. Maurizio Serra also criticised tion from their own human rights had a right to live without con- more than 685 Palestinians, most The decision came after a mar- Israeli Prime Minister the failure to mention Hamas or violations,” he said. stant fear of rocket attacks. of them civilians, and 34 Israelis, athon seven-hour emergency ses- Benjamin Netanyahu’s media recognise Israel’s right to self- Palestinian Foreign Minister “Once again, the principles of 32 of them soldiers. sion of the top UN human rights office slammed it as a “trav- defence, despite last-ditch efforts Riyad Al Maliki hit back. distinction and precaution are “Twenty-five Palestinians have body, where the Israelis and the esty” that ignored violations by by his team to have such language “What Israel is doing is a crime clearly not being observed dur- been killed for every single Israeli. Palestinians traded accusations Palestinian Hamas Islamists. included. The session was called against humanity,” he said. ing such indiscriminate attacks on How far is this going to go?” over war crimes. “This investigation by a kan- by Arab nations and fellow mem- UN human rights chief Navi civilian areas by Hamas and other Palestinian ambassador Ibrahim The 46-member council backed garoo court is a foregone con- bers of the Organization of the Pillay also said Israel’s military armed Palestinian groups,” she said. Khraishi asked. “When we ask a Palestinian-drafted resolution clusion,” his office said. US Islamic Conference. actions could amount to war The resolution condemned “the for a commission of inquiry, what by 29 votes, with Arab and fellow ambassador Keith Harper warned The council’s membership crimes, while at the same time widespread, systematic and gross we want to do is identify those Muslim countries joined by China the vote would undermine cease- rotates, and Israel is not cur- condemning indiscriminate violations of human rights and fun- responsible so they can be held and Russia, plus Latin American fire efforts. rently part of the UN body. rocket attacks by Hamas. damental freedoms” since Israel accountable, so that we can shed and African nations. “This resolution is not con- Non-members cannot vote but “There seems to be a strong launched its offensive last month light on the truth,” he said. The United States was the sole structive, it is destructive,” are entitled to speak. Israeli possibility that international and called for the urgent deployment AFP World airlines Three more shun Israel for second day Israeli soldiers WASHINGTON: Major air- lines shunned Israel for a sec- ond day yesterday amid fears that rocket fire from Gaza could endanger flights into Tel Aviv’s killed in Gaza Ben Gurion airport. In Washington, officials renewed a formal ban on American flights to Israel until Some progress in truce efforts: Kerry 1615 GMT today, and around the world many other airlines took TEL AVIV: Washington’s top as traffic to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion their own precautions. diplomat said global efforts airport slowed to a trickle after Previous conflicts in Gaza, to end 16 days of bloodshed in a rocket hit close to runways on which is under assault by Israeli Gaza were progressing yester- Tuesday. forces trying to halt Palestinian day as the fighting raged on and As US Secretary of State John rocket fire, have not endangered airlines kept flights suspended Kerry and UN chief Ban Ki-moon civilian flights in Israeli airspace. over rocket fears. held talks in Jerusalem, they said But the cancellations high- As US and UN diplomats they had pooled their efforts in lighted increased fears for pas- continued intensive diplomacy, the hope of boosting the quest for senger aviation in the wake of the Islamist Hamas movement a truce in a conflict that has killed last week’s downing of a Malaysia rejected any truce without the 695 Gazans, 34 Israelis and a Thai Airlines Boeing 777 over Ukraine lifting of Israel’s eight-year block- worker. with almost 300 on board ade on Gaza. “We have certainly made some The Federal Aviation “We will not accept any initia- steps forward, but there is still Administration issued its ban on tive that does not lift the blockade work to be done,” Kerry said as he Tuesday after a rocket fell on a on our people and that does not met the UN chief for the second neighborhood to the north of Ben respect their sacrifices.” Hamas time this week. Gurion, raising fears that a com- leader Khaled Meshaal said. “We are now joining our forces mercial flight could be struck. Hamas hailed the suspension in strength to make a ceasefire as But US Secretary State John of Tel Aviv flights by many world soon as possible,” Ban said, warn- Kerry did land in Israel, and the airlines as a “great victory.” ing there was no time to lose as State Department said that his “The success of Hamas in clos- concern mounted over the rising team “were very comfortable” ing Israeli airspace is a great civilian body count. despite the rocket threat. victory for the resistance, and The US diplomat offered a sim- “Hamas does have rockets that is the crown of Israel’s failure,” ilar message to the Palestinians can reach Ben Gurion airport... spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said as he met President Mahmoud although the accuracy of their Abbas in the West Bank city of rockets does remain limited,” Ramallah State Department spokeswoman Keep fighting, “We have in the last 24 hours The damaged area in Al Shejaeiya neighbourhood, during an Israeli military operation in the east Gaza City yesterday. Marie Harf said. made some progress in moving Delta, United and US Airways Iran leader urges toward that goal,” he said before In the occupied West Bank, a In Gaza City, hundreds of peo- President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, all cancelled their scheduled heading to Tel Aviv for talks with Palestinian shot by Israeli troops ple, mostly women and children, that he said provided a “frame- flights for Wednesday, as did a Palestinians Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin during a pre-dawn clash died of packed into the pews of Saint work” to end the fighting. raft of European carriers includ- Netanyahu. his injuries, Palestinian officials Prophyrios Greek Orthodox An initial Egyptian proposal ing Germany’s Lufthansa, Air TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme The men met for about two said. The army said three more church seeking shelter from the calling for a halt to hostilities France, Poland’s LOT and others. leader Ayatollah Ali hours but made no statements soldiers were killed in combat violence outside. ahead of talks was accepted by “We will continue to suspend Khamenei urged Palestinians after their talks. Kerry then left inside Gaza yesterday, raising to Kerry’s arrival in Tel Aviv Israel early last week but rejected flying to and from Tel Aviv ... and yesterday to keep fighting for Cairo and Netanyahu opened 32 the total number of soldiers came a day after a Gaza rocket by Hamas, which wants agree- will continue to coordinate with Israel and to extend a con- a meeting of his security cabinet. killed since the start of a ground struck close to the main interna- ment on a comprehensive pack- the FAA to ensure the safety of flict that has killed nearly Britain joined the truce efforts operation on July 17. tional airport, prompting the US age before holding its fire. our customers and employees,” a 700 Gazans to the occupied with new Foreign Secretary A Thai farm labourer also died Federal Aviation Authority to ban The Gaza-based Palestinian United spokeswoman said. West Bank. Philip Hammond holding late- when a rocket fired from Gaza commercial flights to and from Centre for Human Rights said “We plan these things con- “The only way to deal with night talks with Abbas. struck the greenhouse where he Israel for at least 24 hours. 81.5 percent of the dead were servatively,” added US carrier this savage regime is to con- was working in southern Israel, It renewed the ban for another civilians, 24 percent of them Delta’s chief executive Richard tinue resistance and armed DEATH TOLL MOUNTS police said. On the ground, the 24 hours yesterday, citing the children. Anderson, speaking on the CNBC struggle and extend it to the Palestinian medics said Israeli fighting was briefly suspended “potentially hazardous situation.” The UN Human Rights Council business news cable channel. West Bank,” the official Irna attacks on Wednesday hiked the in several flashpoint areas to And its European counterpart voted to launch a probe into “But we will need concrete news agency quoted Khamenei death toll to 695 with a Gaza- allow ambulances to extricate advised all carriers to avoid Tel Israel’s Gaza offensive. information from our government as saying. based rights group saying more the wounded, the International Aviv “until further notice” in a The United States was the sole that lets us draw an independent Iran, which does not recog- than 80 percent of them were Committee of the Red Cross said. move mirrored Wednesday by member to vote against, while conclusion ... that it’s going to be nise Israel, is a supporter of civilians. A spokeswoman said seven Royal Jordanian and Turkish European countries abstained. safe for our passengers and our the Palestinian Islamist groups Most of yesterday’s dead were ambulances had entered Shejaiya Airlines, prompting Hamas to hail A statement from the Israeli employees.” Hamas and Islamic Jihad that in Khuzaa on the Israeli border, near Gaza City and another nine a “great victory.” prime minister’s office said the Austrian Airlines, Brussels have been at the forefront of close to the southern city of Khan ambulances had entered Khuzaa, Kerry began his regional mis- council’s decision was “a travesty Airlines, Finnair, Iberia, the fighting in Gaza. AFP Yunis, the scene of very heavy while a third convoy had entered sion in Cairo, discussing cease- and should be rejected by decent Lufthansa, Air Berlin, Aegean fighting since before dawn. Beit Hanun in the north. fire proposals with Egyptian people everywhere.” AFP and SAS cancelled services to Tel Aviv. British Airways flights continued. “At the moment there is no reliable new information Oxfam warns food and water that would justify a resumption of flight service,” said Lufthansa in a statement. running perilously low in Gaza Austrian, which carries up to LONDON: Thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes but 700 passengers between Vienna have nowhere safe to shelter from Israeli airstrikes, charity Oxfam and Tel Aviv every day, and SAS said yesterday, warning supplies of water and food are dangerously said they would review the situa- low. tion for Thursday. Over 120,000 people are displaced but are prevented from escaping Aeroflot and Romanian car- violence because borders with Israel and Egypt are shut, Oxfam said. rier TAROM, on the other hand, “The terrible toll on civilians is shocking. Hospitals and water sup- said they would resume flights plies are under massive strain and the needs are increasing by the Wednesday after cancelling day. People are fleeing terrified,” said Nishant Pandey, Oxfam’s head Tuesday. Air Canada cancelled in Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. one flight on Wednesday and Normally such crises would cause people to flee the area, but this another Thursday. was impossible as the blockade prevented people escaping the violence, The FAA said it was “working Pandey said. closely” with Israel to “deter- “Lasting peace and security for both sides means ending the blockade mine whether potential risks to and the collective punishment of people in Gaza.” US civil aviation are mitigated so The charity said water supplies were disrupted to over one million the agency can resolve concerns people, raw sewage was at risk of contaminating the water due to the as quickly as possible.” destruction of sanitation plants, and only half of Gaza’s sewage plants Meanwhile, Israeli flag carrier are working. El Al declared on its website that Much of the area, a densely populated strip of land along the it was business as usual. Mediterranean Sea, has electricity for four hours a day or less, Oxfam “In light of flight cancelations said. The charity said it was trucking water supplies to 19,000 people to Israel by foreign air carriers we Rabbis holding placards, reading “authentic rabbis against Zionism and the State of Israel”, “Zionism is the sheltering in a mosque, a church, schools and Al Shifa hospital, but would like to inform you that El misfortune of the Jewish people” and “State of Israel do not represent the Jewish world”, taking part in a that airstrikes made it difficult to deliver aid, and that many of its Al, as always, will continue to fly demonstration in Paris yesterday to denounce Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and to show their support to staff had also had to leave their homes. from and to Israel,” it told travel- the Palestinian people. AFP lers. AFP

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Syria ignored Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

T SEEMS the global media can handle only a single conflict. As fighting rages in Gaza, with Israel continuing to rain bombs on innocent Palestinian Iwomen and children, another conflict in the region, equally disastrous in the human toll it’s taking, is being Europe must learn to deal with relegated to the background – in Syria. In the last week, more than 700 fatalities have been reported in a single battle in Syria, as government troops tried to retake a gas field seized by the Islamic State, an Al Qaeda entity that Moscow without US backing now controls much of eastern Syria and western Iraq. Fighting is also raging virulently between government BY MARY DEJEVSKY Samantha Power, the US ambassador in Washington, but deserved a better troops and the moderate rebel forces in the city of Aleppo to the UN, who loses no opportunity reception elsewhere than it mostly got at and between the rebels and the Islamists in the suburbs FTER a harrowing delay, the to rehearse her trademark denuncia- home. Russia and France both argued, in of Damascus. The fighting is continuing and even a bigger first bodies from MH17 arrived tions of Russia. But President Obama different ways, for a “multipolar” world. toll is unlikely to push it to the front pages as the crisis back at their point of depar- was always more cautious, and now Well, that is pretty much what we have. in Gaza deepens with efforts for a ceasefire gathering Ature on Wednesday. The send- US intelligence officials have expressly After Russia illegally annexed Crimea, off from Ukraine’s second city, Kharkiv, excluded “direct” Russian involvement in what has been condemned as the first momentum. had been dignified, in contrast to most in what happened, while blaming Russia enforced border change in Europe since The emergence of ISIS has given a new and dangerous of their treatment over the previous six for “helping to create the conditions”. 1945, the US showed the flag in fearful dimension to the conflict in Syria. If most of the world days. There were decent coffins, a short For the most part, though, the US Poland and the Baltic states. It offered doesn’t want to see President Bashar Al Assad in power, military ceremony and soberly dressed has remained on the sidelines. Where some missile defence here and some spe- they are also equally apprehensive of the gains made officials with heads bowed. A measure it has acted, for instance in sending cial forces there, but the commitment – by ISIS, forcing them to choose between the two. US of order had been restored. aviation safety officials, it has done so in financial and personnel terms – was These arrangements, it appears, were without fanfare. Rather than rush to minimal. Secretary of State Barack Obama is in the region to the result of highly complicated negotia- Kiev or Moscow or the Netherlands, the The message then, as it had been for negotiate a ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinians. tions between many parties. There were US secretary of state, John Kerry, has the best part of Obama’s presidency, was There is no denying the fact that a ceasefire is indeed representatives of Malaysia (because the remained in the Middle East, applying that if Europe wanted peace and secu- urgent, but after a truce is plane was theirs); of the Netherlands his efforts to the ever more destructive rity, it had to rely more on itself. When achieved, which is likely in (because this is where the plane had set conflict over Gaza. crisis hit, we could not expect the US a few days as Kerry himself off from, and the Whether US intervention would have knight to ride in on a white charger, still majority of the been welcome or not after MH17 is nei- less an allied tank to rescue us from our As war rages has said, he has to turn his passengers were ther here nor there. The downing of own disagreements. The 2011 interven- attention to Syria. The stakes Dutch nationals); the Malaysian plane soon turned into tion in Libya may be the last time that in Gaza, the for US are high in Syria and of the Ukrainian as much of a major international diplo- the US helps us out of our own over- Iraq too. The biggest question In the new government matic crisis (with Russia in the dock) reaching, just as Iraq and Afghanistan world is now whether the Iraqi state multipolar world, (because the plane as it was a human tragedy many times may be the last US military adventures came down within over. Somehow, as seen from Europe, that assorted Europeans will join. forged after the US invasion turning a blind with the US its borders); of you would have expected the US to have And there is a conclusion that Europe can survive, whether the ISIS the anti-Kiev been there. has been very slow to draw from this: if eye to the state will develop and take sometimes on rebels (because Maybe, though, we Europeans are we want to exercise any diplomatic clout, root and threaten Western they control the going to have to get used to the idea we will have to get our act together, Syrian conflict. interests. the sidelines, EU actual territory that in diplomatic and military – if not identify some Europe-wide priorities, The Obama administration where the plane economic – terms, Europe has ceased and decide how much we are prepared to unity is essential crashed); and of to be special in Washington. There were pay for the privilege. So far, the EU has and Europe should do more to for its approach Russia (because already hints, during Obama’s first elec- chalked up a mini-success with agree- address the conflict in Syria. it had some lines tion campaign, that “Yes, we can!” might ment between Serbia and Kosovo, and a It’s unfortunate that the to Russia. open to the rebels, one day be completed with “do without third-party success with the opening of president, who has devoted a large part of his schedule in if not as much Europe”. nuclear negotiations with Iran. But we recent weeks to political fundraising, doesn’t talk about real leverage as As a child born well after the second have not cracked the closest, but some- Syria. There are signs that the crisis will drag longer many still believe). world war, brought up partly in Asia how hardest, nut: Russia. Add in international organisations, and the Pacific US, and with no roman- Ukraine – not just Moscow’s grab for than expected and even the promised US support to such as the OSCE, and the various tic attachment to the old continent, Crimea, but the disastrously mishandled Syrian opposition is not materialising. The sole initiative official groups charged with investi- Obama always heralded the prospect EU association agreement – exemplifies announced by Washington on Syria since the collapse of gating air disasters, plus officials from of a post-Atlanticist US foreign policy. the discord, as does last week’s failure a peace conference last winter is foundering. According countries such as Britain that also lost The so-called policy pivot towards Asia of the EU to agree on a new high rep- to reports, a promised $500m effort to arm and train nationals and which can offer particular would have confirmed that – except that resentative to succeed Baroness Ashton. expertise, and the picture becomes still the US then sent its diplomats around The Italian foreign minister, Federica moderate rebels has emerged from the Pentagon as a more complex. When you consider this Europe trying to explain that the move Mogherini, was deemed too soft on miserably underpowered scheme that would produce a extensive list, however, what is striking was not what it seemed, but more of a Russia while the Polish foreign minister, force of just 2,300 over 18 months — and might not begin is not just who is there, but who is not. “rebalancing”, in which Europe would Radoslaw Sikorski, would be seen as too until next year. By that time, the fighting in Syria would Where, most conspicuously, is the US? still have an honourable place. harsh. The divisions between “old” and have taken a different course, thus defeating the very In the early days, some overheated To his post-Atlanticist outlook, Obama “new” Europe have suddenly become as purpose of the programme rhetoric wafted across the Atlantic has also added an apparent aversion to deep as they were a decade ago. . about blame for MH17, especially from world leadership that has drawn flak THE GUARDIAN

The other side Quote of More pieces fall into place in the Mers Puzzle the day SMALL potential breakthrough of an apparent genetic link between via their droppings. Most of those who Mers does not. Indeed, in contrast to and a small step along a long the Mers virus found in humans and a have caught the virus have not been in its close cousin Sars (Severe Acute road is probably the best similar disease found in camels. Since contact with camels, but been infected Respiratory Syndrome), Mers takes a Away to explain the latest such a link has not been found in other from other humans. Sometimes, the long time to be passed on. developments in the search for answers animals, scientists believe camels are first person in the infection chain has Many questions, then, and all of to key questions regarding the Mers the most likely source of transmission had no contact with camels, either. them with practical implications. But to We will not accept coronavirus. from animals to humans. This is where the small breakthrough defeat any disease, a full understanding any initiative that The small step, as reported in The A little way along a long path then. has occurred. Air samples taken from of its causes and routes of transmission National yesterday, is the decision by Because the Mers coronavirus is still a camel barn in Jeddah owned by a are essential. Month by month, step by does not lift the Saudi Arabia’s ministry of health to ban shrouded in mystery. If the assump- Mers victim have proven positive for step, medical science is unravelling the blockade on our the sacrifice of camels in Mecca during tion of scientists is correct, that still fragments of the virus. Mers conundrum. Until it is fully under- this year’s Haj. Camels will still be sac- leaves many questions unanswered. As we report in today’s newspaper, stood, the best advice is for everyone people and that does rificed elsewhere in the kingdom, but Take, for example, the method of trans- this has led to concern that the virus to practise basic hygiene of covering will not be performed by the pilgrims mission from animals to humans. One could be airborne – although there the mouth when coughing or sneez- not respect their themselves. working assumption, not yet proven, is still much to understand. Airborne ing, disposing of tissues carefully – and sacrifices. That is the small step and it has has been that the virus is wind-borne, viruses can be easily transmitted from frequent hand sanitising. Khaled Meshaal come about because of the discovery either from the camels themselves or person to person and spread quickly. The National Hamas leader THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Qatar working to end Israeli offensive

Today, Gaza is facing aggres- sion and we have not heard the BY JABER AL HARMY president of any Arab state speak about this tragedy or condemn the crimes being committed in rom the moment Israel Israeli crimes in Gaza, which do Gaza. started implementing its not spare children, the elderly or The only step taken was by criminal and aggressive women. the Emir on the first day of Fplan in Gaza, Qatar took This Qatari position reaffirms the aggression. He took serious several actions at various levels. the regional and international steps that had an impact on the Qatar was the first country role of Qatar under the leader- international community and its to denounce this new assault on ship of the Emir, and the stature institutions and some parties and Gaza and its innocent people. It and credibility it has. countries called on Israel to stop did not stop there, as the Emir H The Qatari stand during the massacre of innocent people H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al the Israeli aggression on Gaza in Gaza. Thani – May Allah Protect Him in December 2008 was also a Unfortunately, the Arab League – led an international campaign remarkable one. The then Emir has disappointed Palestinians, as to condemn the aggression and had called for an urgent summit usual. It even failed to hold a real decided to take a firm stand to in Doha to support Gaza, on the meeting that was supposed to bring to an end the suffering of second day of the aggression. result in an active Arabic stand the Palestinians. Qatar sought to heal the to support Gaza and end the Therefore, he communicated wounds of families in Gaza by unjust aggression. with leaders of the world and taking action, not by uttering The League just held a meeting various organisations, including mere words or giving promises. to approve the truce initiative of the United Nations, in order to Qatar and its leadership stood Egypt. The initiative later turned end the flagrant aggression on beside our brothers in Gaza. It out to have been crafted by Israel the Gaza Strip. was the first country to call for without consulting the resistance He also called on the inter- lifting the siege and the first factions in Gaza. national community to stop this country that worked on rebuild- The goal of this truce is to save assault on Palestinians and end ing what the Israeli aggression the Zionist entity from sinking the eight-year-old blockade that had destroyed. into the swamp of Gaza with- has seen no attempts to break it. Qatar did all this despite out taking any steps forward, The only attempt that aimed obstacles aimed at discouraging it while the resistance surprises at lifting the siege was made by H and foiled efforts to end its sup- to Zionists and “Zionised Arabs” H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al port for Palestinians in Gaza so every day. Therefore, allies of Thani in October 2012, when he that they know that they are not Israel rushed to submit the ini- visited Gaza, becoming the first alone and that they have brothers Palestinian girls walk amidst debris following an Israeli military strike in Gaza City yesterday. tiative to save it from what it had leader to do so. in Qatar who feel their pain and got into. Three days ago, the Emir seek to heal them. halt the Israeli aggression in state has donated to the fund projects. The conspirators against Gaza, called on the international com- This article is not meant to list Gaza and to get back the legiti- so far, which is unfortunate and Qatar also donated more than whether they are individuals or munity to fulfil its responsibil- the role played by Qatar to sup- mate rights of Palestinians to disappointing to our people in once to support the power sector countries, are being unveiled ity and restrain the Israeli war port the Palestinians and their live with dignity and move freely, Palestine. in Gaza and paid the salaries of every day. Their faults are being machine and its policy of collec- cause, as Qatar, represented and to lift the siege, which goes Before that, Qatar stood with employees in Gaza on more than revealed, their masks are falling tive punishment. by its leadership and citizens, against all humanitarian and Palestinians to rebuild Gaza after one occasion. A month ago, the and people are finally seeing their A few days ago, the Emir affirms that what it is doing is divine laws. the Israeli aggression, and it allo- Arab Bank refused to transfer true faces. was in Ankara, where he met just its duty towards its brothers Over the past few years, Qatar cated around $500m. It started the allocated amount to Gaza. Gaza and the resistance will the Turkish president and the in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, has developed a set of initiatives implementing vital projects Qatar works silently not only be victorious eventually. The prime minister and discussed the which is facing a brutal Israeli related to the Palestinian cause. related to the needs of citizens in the Palestinian case but also delay in victory is revealing that Palestinian cause. aggression. We do not expect any It supports the Jerusalemites despite obstacles created by some on many other issues related to those who claim to be support- Qatar also made other diplo- rewards or thanks from anyone. Fund with a capital of $1bn; parties, especially in carrying our Islamic and Arab nation, far ers of Arabs and Islam are more matic moves to form an inter- Today, the Emir is taking vari- Qatar alone donated $250m. construction materials required away from the spotlights and dangerous than enemies of the national consensus against the ous actions at different levels to Unfortunately, no other Arab for the implementation of the accolades that others seek. nation.

BY FALEH HUSSEIN AL HAJIRI The new airport’s faults Blaming others for our miserable condition n his first appearance on the But who do Muslims blame for amad International Airport is a source of pride for both pulpit during a Friday ser- BY KHALED AL JABER their unhappiness and their mis- Qatari nationals and the residents of this country. The Imon, Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, erable conditions? They blame Hairport has turned into an important transit point for the leader of the militant move- neither their leaders nor their international travellers, being an exquisite artistic masterpiece. ment Islamic State, insisted in in the US are very good, and countries. They do not blame True, the airport was completed behind schedule. A huge that he had been weighed down Americans in general are not hos- themselves or their way of think- budget was earmarked for it, yet its inauguration, the artistic by a heavy burden, having been tile when dealing with Muslims. ing, either. They instead blame touch in it, and the organisation of the event itself drew atten- appointed imam and caliph for American Muslims are better off others. Worse still, Muslims seek tion and applause. Muslims across the world. compared to Muslims in other to turn the place in which they Sometimes language is incapable of expressing the beauty of Al Baghdadi asked everybody countries, according to a poll by happily and safely live into a mis- a work. But, there is another issue that needs to be discussed. I to pledge allegiance to him, citing the well-known American polling erable and unjust place. will dwell on this issue knowing that our leaders like construc- the speech of Caliph Abu Bakr Al institute Pew Research Centre, How do Muslims see the Islamic tive criticism. They also like to hear things that can contribute Sidik (May Allah be pleased with Who do Muslims which is based in Washington DC. caliphate which IS promotes? to advancing services in different sectors in this country. him), when he was appointed the blame for their What is the condition of IS’s It is said that Umar bin Al I visited Hamad International Airport to take a flight to first Muslim caliph. supposed state? What is the Khattab (May Allah be pleased another country. I was impressed by all the details inside. But The leader of IS also asked unhappiness and future of this state? It will surely with him), the second caliph of Qatar Airways, which knew the date of inauguration of the Muslims to migrate to his fledg- their miserable be a fertile soil for killing, blood- Muslims, travelled to the Levant airport before any other airline, was not up to scratch. Some of ling state, noting that it was condition? They shed, destruction, civil wars and with some companions. the services offered by the airline fell short. the duty of 120 million Muslims sectarian and doctrinal wars. On the way, Al Khattab came I asked one of the airline’s workers about the location of a worldwide to do so without excep- blame neither A story posted on the website to know that plague had spread in mosque close to the depar- tion. Although Al Baghdadi’s their leaders nor of CNN focused on the condi- the Levant and killed many peo- ture terminal. I did this speech was full of humour and tion of Muslims — those who are ple. As a result, he decided to go because I believed that this Clear markings irony, some people take him their countries. happy and those who are not. The back home and prevented those worker would know the place seriously, promoting and sup- They do not blame story says that Muslims are not accompanying him from entering more than anybody else. porting him with money, arms, happy in Yemen, Libya, the Gaza the Levant. I was stunned when the and directions equipment, fighters, prayers, and themselves or their Strip, Pakistan, Syria, Indonesia, Abu Ubaida bin Al Jarah, one worker told me that the religious sermons. They even sup- way of thinking, Algeria, Sudan, Afghanistan, of Prophet Mohammed’s (Peace mosque was located outside to the mosque port him with the weakest form Egypt, Morocco, Iraq and be upon him) companions, told the airport, near the shop- of faith, namely not speaking the either. They instead Lebanon. It says Muslims are not Umar: “Are we escaping from ping area. Having said this, should have been truth. blame others. happy in some of the oil-rich Gulf Allah’s fate, Emir of believers?” the worker went away. Nevertheless, will Muslims who countries either. The Emir of believers I decided to walk a little put in place. There decide to migrate to the supposed So where do the happy responded by saying: “If someone and in a short time I found “new caliphate”, which has been Muslims live? They can be found else has said that Abu Ubaida”, the mosque, a little distance created by the supposed first cal- policies, whose effects are still in Australia, Canada, Britain, meaning that if someone else had away to the left. I happily should be enough iph in the 21st century, be happy? being felt. Italy, France, Germany, Sweden, said that he would have pun- entered the mosque, but the For example, many American At the same time, the vast Switzerland, the United State, ished him. Umar Added: “Yes, lights there were dim. I did of these signs Muslims think they are discrimi- majority of American Muslims Norway, the Netherlands and we escape from Allah’s fate to not know why the lights were nated against by anti-terrorism say that the communities they live Denmark. Allah’s fate”. made dim inside the prayer because they are house. When I got out of the no less important mosque, I found a group of women searching for a women’s prayer area close than other Why are charitable activities being regulated? to the men’s prayer area. Unfortunately, the women requirements in haritable associations, than QR800bn annually, and the could not find a prayer area foundations, entities BY KHALID ABDULLAH AL ZIYARAH organisations have more than specifically for women. Clear the airport. “Cor individuals are not 11,000 employees. markings and directions to allowed to raise donations with- Those with blue eyes turn on the mosque should have been out permission.” This is what our humanitarian projects or projects major international charities and Islamic charities and accuse them put in place. There should be enough of these signs because they respectable Cabinet approved related to providing financial sup- attract leadership cadres that of supporting terrorism in order are no less important than other requirements in the airport. recently. port to poor families abroad and work to achieve their aims. to dry up their sources. Therefore, When I reached the departure terminal, I saw travellers in a The decision came following its in Qatar. The decision of our respect- we must comply with the decision state of confusion. There was crowding and long queues of people. review of a draft law on regula- The country has been spend- able Cabinet was dictated by the of the government, which sees a We were not accustomed to such queues and crowding at Doha tion of charitable activities which ing huge amounts of money due to administrative situation of some shortage in detailed information International Airport. Stranger still, business, tourist and first includes provisions on collecting the rapid course of events at the of our charities. about the income and expenses of class passengers all enter the plane from the same place. Was it donations and transferring money Arab, Islamic and international The third chapter of the cabinet our charities. difficult for the airport designers to make separate entry points for charitable or humanitarian levels. law regarding the financial situa- I hope officials from these for different classes of travellers? After all, there is a large dif- purposes. For years, our charitable soci- tion of charities and supervision charitable organisations coop- ference between the prices of tickets for different classes. A charity in Qatar relies heav- eties have been trying to avoid of their work contains ten articles erate with the authorities and Hamad International Airport is an artistic masterpiece. Still, ily on support from the rich or bureaucracy. They try to attract that prove that expenditure on reveal any violations based on the airport officials need to pay attention to some simple yet companies that are interested in businessmen and companies with charitable works is increasing, but the principles of transparency important details. Those who manage to accomplish difficult providing charitable support. modern regulations and laws. without checks and balances. and integrity. tasks must have solutions to small problems. This is particularly Because of this their financial However, this is not enough, Studies say that there are more important given the fact that the airport is the main official condition fluctuates year after as a lot more is required. The than 1,514,000 charities in the US, point of entry to our country. year and this disrupts many field of charitable activity here 40,000 in Israel and a few thou- The views expressed in the articles on this page do not reflect the viewpoint of the of their domestic programmes is witnessing significant develop- sand in the Arab world. Revenues newspaper. and activities, whether they are ment and it needs to deal with of charities in the US reach more THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Suicide bombs kill 82 in Nigeria Moderate clerics targeted by Boko Haram

KADUNA, Nigeria: At least the air. Smoke rose from another to inflame passions and exacer- 82 people were killed yesterday vehicle destroyed in the blast. bate disquiet, fear, insecurity and in two suicide bombings in the Buhari later said in a statement sectional divisions in the country.” north Nigerian city of Kaduna, that it was “mass murder” and The bomber did not injure one aimed at opposition leader “clearly an assassination attempt” Bauchi, several witnesses told and ex-president Muhammadu and that “when I came out of my Reuters. Mustafa Sani, a volun- Buhari and another at a moder- car I saw many dead bodies lit- teer for Bauchi’s mosque evacuat- ate Muslim cleric about to lead tered around.” ing bodies, said 32 were confirmed a crowd in prayer. Earlier, a suicide bomber on dead so far. The attacks bore the hall- foot targeting a moderate cleric “Somebody with a bomb vest marks of Islamist group Boko killed at least 32 of his congrega- ... was blocked. He detonated the Haram, which considers all those tion on a busy commercial road. bomb along with the person that who do not share its views to be Thousands were gathered tried to block him,” the police Military officers walk past the remains of a car after an explosion, yesterday, in Kaduna, north of Nigeria. A sec- enemies. But it may also have for prayers with Sheikh Dahiru commissioner said, adding police ond blast today in the city has killed at least 17 people, the national rescue agency said, after an earlier suicide been linked to politics before the Bauchi in Murtala Muhammed had been able to confirm 25 dead, attack in the city killed at least 25. 2015 elections. square. When his convoy pulled with 14 wounded. Police later said In the deadliest attack, a up, the bomber lunged at him just 14 died in the second blast, the past three months. The main northeastern Borno state. They Boko Haram leader Abubakar bomber in a car full of explosives before being stopped by his pri- but they often give lower casualty Islamic association, Jama’atu killed more than 2,000 civilians Shekau last week claimed respon- hurtled towards Buhari’s convoy vate security, witnesses and tolls than workers on the scene. Nasril Islam, called the bombs during the first half of this year, sibility for two explosions on at the crowded Kawo market, his police commissioner Shehu Umar The military used pick-up “acts of terror” and said Nigeria Human Rights Watch estimated June 25 at a fuel depot in Lagos, son told Reuters on the scene and Ambursa said. trucks to cordon off the area. was becoming “a theatre of loss of a week ago. Nigeria’s commercial hub, that police said later. Kaduna’s governor Mukhtar Sirens wailed as fire engines blood for no just cause”. The Islamists attacked the killed at least two people. A Red Cross official said at Yero declared a 24-hour curfew raced to the scene. Since launching an insurgency northeastern town of Damboa A military offensive since May least 50 people were killed there. on the city until further notice An angry crowd started in 2009, the militants have often and surrounding villages over last year that was meant to dis- Buhari was the main opposition and condemned the bombs as “the throwing stones at police, who attacked clerics, such as Bauchi, the weekend, killing at least 50 mantle their hold on the north- party contender against President height of cowardice”. responded with teargas. Some fol- who take issue with their Salafist people. east has caused the militants to Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 “The enemies of peace have vis- lowers had come from Senegal, ideology. If Boko Haram is respon- The rebellion has been in the react in two ways: brutal attacks election and remains a key fig- ited us with their ungodly venom Chad and Niger to see the popular sible for yesterday’s attacks, it international spotlight since Boko on civilians in the region have ure in the opposition alliance. He of wanton destruction,” he said sheikh. underscores the risks moderate Haram fighters kidnapped more surged dramatically, and efforts was riding in an armour-plated in a statement. “Those behind There was no immediate claim clerics take speaking out against than 200 girls from a school in the to strike out in areas far from the sports utility vehicle and was not the act have no notion of God, as of responsibility for either blast, it. northeastern village of Chibok on rebel strongholds have resumed. wounded. they have none for the sanctity of but Islamist militant group Boko The insurgents, who are fight- April 14. Jonathan met parents A blast in the central city of A crowd gathered at the scene human life.” Haram has been staging attacks, ing to carve out an Islamic state of the abducted girls, and some Jos, 170 km (105 miles) east of of the incident until the military President Jonathan in a state- especially with explosives, outside in Nigeria, have repeatedly tar- other girls who had escaped, for Kaduna, killed 118 people in May. dispersed them by firing shots in ment called it “an odious attempt its northeastern heartland for geted civilians, mostly in remote the first time on Tuesday. REUTERS

Italy’s cruise France starts ship wreck Dutch mourn as first MH17 tackling begins final bodies arrive in Netherlands immigration voyage reforms EINDHOVEN, Netherlands: The first bodies from flight MH17 GIGLIO ISLAND, Italy: Italy’s arrived in the Netherlands yes- PARIS: Two bills that aim to once-luxurious Costa Concordia erday almost a week after it was tackle France’s saturated, ineffi- cruise liner embarked on its last shot down over Ukraine, as the cient asylum system and reform voyage yesterday, as tug boats conflict flared yet again near the stringent immigration rules are began towing it from island Malaysian airliner’s crash site. already attracting controversy wreck site to scrapyard grave in Uniformed Dutch military before they have even been offi- one of the biggest salvage opera- personnel solemnly hoisted 40 cially introduced. tions in maritime history. wooden coffins from two planes Interior Minister Bernard Sunshine streamed down on and placed them in individual Cazeneuve, who was to submit the the Mediterranean bay where hearses at Eindhoven airport two bills at a cabinet meeting on hundreds of onlookers watched in the south of the country in a Wednesday, stressed in an inter- as the final cable attaching ship powerfully sombre ceremony, as view with daily Liberation that to shore was cut, finally severing a trumpeter played the Last Post France must continue to welcome ties between the Tuscan island of and a large crowd of the bereaved immigrants as “countries that Giglio and the ship two and a half watched, shielded from the press. are closed in on themselves are years after its capsize claimed 32 The televised two-hour cer- doomed to decline.” lives. emony watched across the The first bill on asylum seeks to “We’ve done it! She’s off!” Netherlands and abroad came in reform a system crumbling under shouted salvage specialists in hard stark contrast to the chaotic and the weight of requests for shelter. hats who popped champagne bot- disturbing scenes filmed in the In seven years, the number of tles and sprayed the crowd, while aftermath of the plane crash. asylum seekers has nearly dou- tourists cheered and church bells Church bells rang throughout bled to reach more than 66,000 rang out as the ship was pulled the country as the planes touched cases last year. As a result, there away. down in a much-delayed return is a severe lack of housing facili- “It’s hard not to get emotional,” for the first as-yet unidentified ties and half of all seekers have to said Franco Porcellacchia, an remains of the 298 people killed in A procession of hearses carrying the bodies of victims in the Malaysia Airlines flight MH-17 crash, depart after fend for themselves, resorting to engineer with ship owner Costa the disaster, most of them Dutch. a ceremony at Eindhoven Airbase, the Netherlands, yesterday. living in slums, squats or sleeping Crociere. In a dramatic new develop- rough. “Today, Giglio is once again ment in the conflict hampering home and over the way pro-Rus- Maxima, Prime Minister Mark the airport. Malaysia Airways Processing these asylum ours,” a local man, visibly relieved the recovery and investigation sian separatists have treated the Rutte and representatives of counted 11 nationalities on the requests takes an average of two to see the back of the Concordia, effort, Kiev said missiles fired site, the victims’ remains and per- the other nations that lost citi- passenger manifest, but some had years, and the bill aims to shorten said. from Russia -- accused by the sonal possessions. zens on the flight met the planes. double nationality. this to nine months by 2017, giving The rusting liner, roughly West of provoking the MH17 The planes left from Kharkiv in The bodies were then driven Motorways along the 100-kil- authorities dealing with the cases twice the size of the Titanic and disaster -- took down two of its Ukraine, where the remains were under police escort to a military ometre (65-mile) route from more funding and staff. now hoisted afloat by massive air warplanes in the rebel-controlled carried on board by army cadets base at Hilversum, southeast of Eindhoven to Hilversum were “We must reject unjustified chambers, will be tugged to the area of the crash. before a small party of officials. Amsterdam, where forensics closed for the long convoy to pass, requests so that those who legiti- port of Genoa in northwest Italy, The Netherlands has been Around 1,000 bereaved rela- experts will identify them. with crowds gathering on bridges mately claim asylum can rapidly where it will be dismantled and united in grief and growing anger tives of the 193 Dutch dead, King Flags of the 17 nations that overhead to throw flowers at the benefit from French protection,” scrapped. AFP because of delays in getting bodies Willem-Alexander and Queen lost citizens flew at half mast at hearses. AFP Cazeneuve said in the interview. The immigration bill, mean- while, seeks to attract more quali- fied people among the 200,000 non-EU foreigners that France admits legally every year.It creates Merkel pledges to protect Jews against attacks a new, four-year residence permit dubbed the “talent passport” which BERLIN: German Chancellor the strongest terms,” Streiter told Graumann said in a statement bloody conflict in Gaza. will replace the confusing plethora Angela Merkel (pictured) reporters. “These outbursts are that Gauck told him he took In Germany, protesters waving of existing documents. pledged the country’s Jewish an attack on freedom and toler- Jewish fears “very seriously”. Palestinian flags and signs of late Many foreigners in France also community yesterday her ance and an attempt to shake the “Many members of our com- leader Yasser Arafat in recent need to renew their residence unwavering support as she foundations of our free and demo- munity are very shaken, wor- days shouted anti-Semitic slogans permit every year, creating huge condemned anti-Semitic slurs cratic system. We cannot and will ried and absolutely shocked by at rallies against Israeli military bureaucracy and complicating and threats at pro-Palestinian not tolerate this.” the worst anti-Jewish slogans action in Gaza. their lives given that 99 percent demonstrations, a government Streiter said any violence that some out-of-control crowds Exclaiming “Allahu Akbar” of these renewal demands are spokesman said. against Jewish people or institu- have shouted, calling for Jews to (God is great), crowds in Berlin accepted. The bill therefore calls The spokesman, Georg Streiter, tions would be prosecuted to the be ‘gassed’, ‘burned’ and ‘slaugh- have reportedly yelled “Death for two- to four-year permits to said Germany would not tolerate full extent of the law. tered’,” Graumann said. to Israel” and chanted “Zionists be delivered after the initial one- aggression against the resurgent “The chancellor and the entire He said Gauck and several are fascists, killing children and year document has been handed Jewish population, after protests government welcome the revival other officials had assured Jews civilians”. out. But these longer-term per- against the Israeli offensive in of Jewish life in Germany and will that they are “welcome and not Further demonstrations are mits will only be delivered if Gaza where violent slogans were continue to stand up for the secu- Meanwhile German President alone”. planned this week. the person has followed French used. rity of Jewish citizens,” he said. Joachim Gauck telephoned German Foreign Minister Anti-Semitic slogans are illegal classes. And if a foreigner has “The chancellor and the entire He added that the German gov- the leader of the country’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued in Germany, where atonement for lived in France for five years or German government condemn ernment saw Israel as a “friend 200,000-strong Jewish commu- a joint statement with his French the slaughter of some six million more, he or she will only be able to the anti-Semitic remarks made and partner” and would work nity, Dieter Graumann, to discuss and Italian counterparts Tuesday European Jews in the Holocaust get the sacred 10-year residence at pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli with “all its strength” to main- “dreadful anti-Semitic incidents” warning of a rise in anti-Jewish is a foundation of the post-war permit if they can read French demonstrations in Germany in tain those ties. in recent days. incidents in Europe during the order. AFP and understand simple texts. AFP THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Court deals blow to Anti-Israel protest Obama health law Federal judicial ruling limits subsidies

WASHINGTON: A US federal “Obamacare is a bad deal. I as recipients. The plaintiffs were judicial panel yesterday dealt want to see it unravel,” said identified as a group of individu- a potentially devastating blow Senator Lindsey Graham of als and employers from states to President Barack Obama’s South Carolina, whose residents that did not establish their own healthcare law, throwing out a receive federal subsidies. “This is a marketplaces. provision that provides millions small step in the right direction.” “The fact is that the legisla- of Americans with subsidies for Analysts estimate that as tive record provides little indi- private health insurance. many as 5 million people could cation one way or the other of The 2-1 decision, which be affected if subsidies disappear congressional intent, but the could lead to a new showdown from the federal marketplace, statutory text does. (It) plainly over Obamacare before the US which serves 36 states through makes subsidies available only on Supreme Court, would prevent the website HealthCare.gov. The exchanges established by states. the administration from offering subsidies are available to people And in the absence of any con- premium tax credits to people with annual incomes of up to 400 trary indications, that text is who purchase insurance through percent of the federal poverty conclusive evidence of Congress’s the federal insurance marketplace level, or $94,200 for a family of intent,” wrote the two judges in that serves most of the 8 million four. the majority, Thomas Griffith and consumers who have signed up for “Practically, we think it’s very Arthur Randolph, both appointed Demonstrators protest in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills building in London, yesterday. private coverage for 2014. unlikely that the subsidies will by Republican presidents. The protesters said they were opposing UK funding of arms to Israel. The judges from the US Court actually be pulled back,” said “To hold otherwise would be of Appeals for the District of Caroline Pearson, a vice presi- to say that enacted legislation, on Columbia stayed the ruling to dent at consultancy Avalere its own, does not command our allow for an appeal. The Obama Health. Further litigation could respect - an utterly untenable administration said it would take a few years even if the case proposition,” their opinion said. Google offers big prize for small power box appeal to the full circuit court, a moves up to the Supreme Court, The panel’s dissenting judge process that could take up to six and the administration could Harry Edwards, appointed by SAN FRANCISCO: Google is promising to reward whoever converted into alternating cur- months, and stressed the ruling find a regulatory workaround, Democratic president Jimmy offering a million-dollar prize comes up with the best design rent, the system for which now would have no impact on consum- she said. Carter, said the majority’s judg- for a breakthrough that would for a device no bigger than a involves complex power grids and ers receiving monthly subsidies Plaintiffs in the case, known as ment “defies the will of Congress make solar or wind generated laptop that can efficiently con- sources such as fossil or nuclear now. Halbig vs Burwell, claimed that and the permissible interpreta- electricity more enticing for vert direct current to alternat- fuels. Republican opponents of Congress did not intend to pro- tions of the agencies to whom everyday uses. ing current commonly used in The challenge is to shrink Obamacare said the decision vide subsidies through federally Congress has delegated the Google teamed with the homes and businesses. power converters to about a tenth would help efforts to dismantle operated marketplaces because authority to interpret and enforce Institute of Electrical and Renewable energy sources such of their present size, which was the law which the Democratic the Affordable Care Act (ACA) the terms of the ACA.” Electronic Engineers to as solar panels and wind turbines described as on par with large president signed in 2010. specifies only state-run exchanges REUTERS back a “Littlebox Challenge” create direct current that must be picnic coolers. AFP

Six charged in Britain still global e-ticket US-bound migrants face abuses exporting arms hacking in Mexico, say rights groups to Russia: MPs NEW YORK: Criminal charges LONDON: Britain is still were filed yesterday against exporting arms and military six people in what authorities MEXICO CITY: Human rights son had cancer, prompting him from Guatemala, Honduras and Roberto Diaz Verduzco said. On equipment to Russia, accord- said was a global cyber-crime groups yesterday said that to try to reach the United States El Salvador. Monday, Attorney General Jesus ing to a parliamentary report ring that created fraudulent US-bound migrants passing to be able to pay for his medical US officials say they have Murillo Karam said Verduzco had released yesterday just hours e-tickets for major concerts and through Mexico routinely face care. detained more than 57,000 unac- apparent senile dementia and as after Prime Minister David sporting events. abuses, discrimination and even Colon Quevedo, who is black, companied children trying to such could not be tried, while Cameron rapped France for According to the Manhattan dis- torture. paid people traffickers in Tijuana enter the country since October acknowledging “many, many” selling weapons to Moscow. trict attorney’s office, the cyber- With the United States gearing $3,000 to get him across to San 2013. allegations of abuse perpetrated Cameron has urged the EU gang was able to hack into the efforts to curb a surge of unac- Diego, in the United States; The United States has called by her, mainly beatings. to ban military sales to Russia ticketing group StubHub, a unit of companied minors mostly from instead he was locked in a house it a “humanitarian crisis,” with The elder Verduzco, who -- accused of equipping and eBay, to take over user accounts, Central America, human rights by the traffickers once they had President Barack Obama urging is about to turn 80, founded training separatists in eastern steal personal information and cre- groups here aired concerns about his money. parents in Central America not the home, known as “La Gran Ukraine -- and said Monday ate fraudulent electronic tickets to bad treatment migrants young Four days later, on May 9, he to allow their children to risk Familia,” in the western town Britain had already halted such concerts by Elton John and Jay-Z, and old alike face in Mexico. was arrested during a Mexican abuse and death as unaccompa- of Zamora, more than 60 years arms exports. The British gov- sporting events including Yankees US-bound “migrants may police operation and then, insult nied migrants. ago. ernment promised in March to baseball games, and Broadway face jailing, accused of crimes was added to injury as he was Meanwhile, the elderly Police raided the shelter last stop military sales to Russia. shows such as Book of Mormon. they never committed” and legal “tortured by members of the founder of a Mexican shelter week amid reports that five kid- However the report found 251 An estimated 1,600 StubHub users rights, such as the right to consu- (Mexican) army and federal accused of serious child abuse napped children were being held licences were still in place for the had their accounts compromised in lar assistance, “essentially almost police to try to get him to admit has been released from hospi- there. sale to Russia of controlled goods the scheme, according to the inves- do not exist where they are con- to the crimes with which he was tal where she had undergone a They found those children and worth at least £132m ($225m, tigation by US, British, Canadian cerned,” said Denise Gonzalez of charged,” Gonzalez charged. series of tests. much more: 400 minors and 200 167m euro). The licences allowed and other authorities. the Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez Amnesty International said Doctors at the exclusive Puerta adults living among piles of rot- exports such as sniper rifles, small “Today’s arrests and indict- Human Rights Center. Colon was declared a prisoner de Hierro Medical Center near ting food and other fetid trash, as arms ammunition, body armour, ment connect a global network “Mexico is a deeply racist and of conscience since the group the western city of Guadalajara well as horror stories about sleep- military communications equip- of hackers, identity thieves, and discriminatory country... and believes he was tortured due to said Tuesday that Rosa Verduzco, ing amid rats and insects -- and ment, night sights, and “equip- money-launderers who victimized that is accentuated in the cases his racial group and subjected better known as “Mama Rosa,” even being forced to perform oral ment employing cryptography”, countless individuals in New York of migrants,” said Amnesty to a baseless trial in which he is responded well to heart cath- sex on adults. the report said. Just 31 licences and elsewhere,” District Attorney International’s representative in accused of organized crime. eterization and decided it was Since then prominent had been suspended or revoked, Cyrus Vance said in a statement. Mexico, Perseo Quiroz. The United States has seen no longer necessary to keep her Mexicans have rushed to the while on three others Russia was One of the members of the group, Quiroz cited the jarring exam- a huge surge in young migrants under observation. defense of Verduzco, including no longer permitted as an export 30-year-old Russian national ple of Honduran national Angel fleeing gang violence and poverty “It went very well at the hos- former president Vicente Fox. destination, the report found. Vadim Polyakov, was arrested July 3 Amilcar Colon Quevedo, whose in Central America -- mostly pital,” the woman’s nephew AFP AFP in Spain on an international arrest warrant, officials said. Authorities said Polyakov and others used the hijacked StubHub accounts to cre- Italy-US diplomacy ate some 3,500 e-tickets sold within British singer Adele hours of some popular events. The group distributed the pro- ceeds through a global network of accomplices in the United wins damages States, Britain, Russia, and Canada, according to a state- LONDON: British singer Adele first trip to play group, were ment from Vance’s office. Also has accepted a five-figure sum in photographed and published charged were Russian nationals damages on behalf of her two- worldwide expressly against his Nikolay Matveychuk and Sergei year-old son from a paparazzi family’s wishes.” Kirin, and Americans Laurence agency that took photos of his Corbis, which operates as Brinkmeyer, Daniel Petryszyn and “milestone moments”, her law- Splash News and Picture Agency, Bryan Caputo. A spokeswoman yers said yesterday. has offered to pay a “five-figure” for the office said Caputo and Adele, 26, and her partner sum in damages and legal costs Petryszyn would be appearing in Simon Konecki had brought to Angelo and agreed not to use a New York court on the charges. legal action against Corbis the pictures again, said law firm StubHub spokesman Glenn Images UK, arguing that it had Schillings, which represented Lehrman welcomed the arrests no right to intrude upon eve- Adele. and said it learned of the attacks ryday family occasions such as The money will be held in last year. their son Angelo Adkins’ first trust for the little boy to fund “In 2013, StubHub was alerted trip to play group. any further legal action “where to a small number of accounts In a statement read out at the necessary”, the lawyers said here that had been illegally taken over High Court, their lawyer Jenny yesterday. by fraudsters,” he said. Afia said that Adele “accepts and Adele shot to fame in 2008 with “Since then, StubHub has been even embraces her public profile” her debut album “19”, which won working in close collaboration and acknowledges how the pub- a Grammy award. with law enforcement agencies lic and press helped make her an Her follow-up album “21” won around the world to find those international star. six Grammys in 2012 and the fol- responsible and bring them to “But she is emphatic that her lowing year she won an Oscar for justice. Our investigation of two-year-old son Angelo is not, the James Bond movie theme tune these unauthorized transactions and must never be, ‘public prop- “Skyfall”. led to the case being opened The mayor of New York city Bill de Blasio (right) applauds beside his counterpart of Sant’Agata dei Goti, erty’,” said Afia. The Londoner guards her son’s by the New York City District Carmine Valentino in Sant’Agata dei Goti, southern Italy yesterday. Sant’Agata dei Goti is the village in south- “It is a matter of profound privacy so closely that for months Attorney’s Office. This combined ern Italy where grandfathers of mayor of NYC were born. Bill De Blasio is in Sant’Agata dei Goti for taking sadness that many of his mile- after his birth she would not even effort culminated with the arrests the honorable citizenship. stone moments, such as his disclose his name in public. announced today.” AFP first family outing and his AFP THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA 47 people die as Taiwanese plane crashes Eleven injured taken to hospital

TAIPEI: A TransAsia Airways A few empty apartment buildings turboprop plane crashed on its adjacent to the runway caught second attempt at landing dur- fire, but no one was inside at ing a thunderstorm on an island the time and the fire was extin- off Taiwan yesterday, killing 47 guished.” About 100 firefighters people and setting buildings on were sent to the scene, besides fire, officials said. 152 military personnel and 255 The plane, a 70-seat ATR 72, police, he added. crashed near the runway on the Television footage showed island of Penghu, west of the anxious relatives of passengers mainland, with 54 passengers gathered at TransAsia’s counter and four crew on board, they at Kaohsiung airport, with one Indonesia’s president-elect, Joko Widodo, and supporters celebrate Widodo and his running mate Jusuf Kalla’s election victory in Jakarta yesterday. said. No one was killed or hurt woman sitting on the floor and in the buildings. wailing after she could not get in Eleven injured people on the touch with her daughter. plane were taken to hospital, the An airline official speaking government said. on local television identified the Loser to challenge Indonesia election result The aircraft took off from pilot as 60-year-old Lee Yi-liang JAKARTA: The ex-general his only rival Prabowo Subianto. Constitutional Court, as had been uncertainty, as the court will Taiwan’s southern city of and co-pilot Chiang Kuan-hsin, who lost Indonesia’s presiden- Before the result was widely expected, because he was likely issue a ruling on August Kaohsiung, headed for the island 39, saying they had both accu- tial election to Joko Widodo will announced, Prabowo -- who was no longer a participant in the elec- 21. of Makong, but crash-landed in mulated more than 20,000 flight challenge the result in court, his a senior general in the years of tion. But in a surprise announce- Prabowo team spokesman Huxi township of Penghu County, hours. campaign team said yesterday, authoritarian rule and has been ment yesterday, a spokesman for Tantowi Yahya announced the the main island of the chain also TransAsia Airways is a a move that could spell weeks dogged by human rights abuse Prabowo insisted that he had not decision to contest the result and known as the Pescadores. Taiwan-based airline with a fleet of uncertainty for the world’s allegations -- angrily announced withdrawn from the whole elec- said a challenge would be filed “It was thunderstorm condi- of around 23 Airbus and ATR third-biggest democracy. he was withdrawing from the tion process, only the vote count within three days. tions during the crash,” said His aircraft, operating chiefly short- Widodo, the reform-minded election process. -- meaning he could still contest He said the challenge would be Wen-guang, a spokesman for the haul flights on domestic routes as governor of Jakarta seen as a Prabowo accused his opponent the result and planned to do so. directed at the election commis- Penghu County Government Fire well as to mainland China, Japan, break from the autocratic era of cheating in the vote count. Analysts do not expect a court sion, which Prabowo has accused Bureau. Thailand and Cambodia, among of dictator Suharto, was named Members of his campaign challenge to succeed given the of mishandling the vote, adding “From the crash site we sent 11 its Asian destinations. the winner Tuesday after results team indicated Tuesday he would size of Widodo’s victory but it his side considered 21 million people to hospital with injuries. AGENCIES showed he resoundingly defeated not challenge the result in the nevertheless signals weeks of votes to be in dispute. AFP

Thai junta head could be PM under provisional rule One killed as typhoon Matmo BANGKOK: Thai General remainder of her cabinet was General Paiboon Koomchaya, retain control of the govern- government and Paiboon said Prayuth Chan-ocha has run ousted in the coup two weeks later. in charge of legal affairs for the ment either as prime minister or martial law, imposed on May 20, the country flawlessly since he The junta tore up the old con- junta, suggested Prayuth could do defence minister. would remain in force. “It is still batters Taiwan seized power in May and would stitution and a provisional charter the job perfectly. Alternatively, she wrote in a necessary for the peace and safety TAIPEI: Typhoon Matmo make a good prime minister was endorsed by head of state King “I don’t see he has any flaws note, he could wield influence by of our country,” he said. slammed into Taiwan yester- under a provisional administra- Bhumibol Adulyadej on Tuesday, in performing his duties. As of staying on as army chief after his Junta adviser Wissanu said the day with heavy rains and strong tion to be set up shortly, a junta allowing the appointment of a par- now he is already performing scheduled retirement from the interim constitution would prob- winds, shutting financial mar- colleague said. liament, the National Legislative the duties of a prime minister. army in October while former ably be in force for around a year, kets and schools, with at least The military said it intervened Assembly, which will nominate a For the past two months, he has army chief Prawit Wongsuwan after which a new constitution one person killed and some to restore order after months of new prime minister. been sitting at the head of the was installed as prime minister. would take effect and elections damage reported. political turmoil as protesters Asked at a news conference table at every meeting and the “Such a move would signify a then held under its provisions. Typhoon Matmo, a category two tried to topple the government of whether Prayuth would continue administration of the country has failure to find a neutral figure to A national reform council is to on Tropical Storm Risk’s scale of former Prime Minister Yingluck as leader under the interim char- gone smoothly during these two navigate the political conflict and be set up with a broad remit to one to five, packed gusts of 155 kph Shinawatra. ter, Wissanu Krea-ngam, a legal months,” Paiboon said. strong distrust of those outside the draw up political and economic and made landfall early yesterday, Yingluck was forced to step adviser to the junta, said: “The Ambika Ahuja, a specialist on army,” she said. reforms, including the reshaping the central weather bureau said. down on May 7 after being constitution allows it, but whether Thailand at Eurasia Group, a New The military will remain in of national and local government, A man in northern Taiwan died found guilty of abuse of power he is appointed or not is down to York-based political risk consul- charge of national security along- energy policy and other matters. after falling into a pool on his by the Constitutional Court. The the National Legislative Assembly.” tancy, believed Prayuth would side the incoming provisional REUTERS farm. News reports said a tourist was missing after taking pictures on a shore. When trains collide The storm’s powerful winds tore off roofs and uprooted trees, including one in Taipei that Malaysian foes unite, crashed into a taxi, injuring its driver and a passenger. Emergency officials said three other people were injured in the denounce MH17 attack capital and four elsewhere, either by falling trees or flying debris, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s divisions, but the latest tragedy bringing the total hurt to nine. bitterly divided political forces has contributed even further to Typhoon Matmo had slightly put aside their differences yes- a sense of national unity. weakened before it crossed the terday to denounce the attack In unusual scenes of politi- island to enter the Taiwan Strait on flight MH17 as a heinous cal amity, Najib thanked fierce and head for China’s south-east- international crime and call political opponents — including ern Fujian province yesterday. jointly for swift justice for those opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim It was located around 180 kilo- responsible. — for their support on MH17. metres south of Matsu, a Taiwan- Prime Minister Najib Razak Anwar, a harsh critic of Najib controlled island off Fujian, at led the charge, condemning the who accused the Malaysian gov- 0300 GMT, according to the Malaysia Airlines flight’s shooting ernment of hiding information Central Weather Bureau. down by a surface-to-air missile. related to MH370’s loss and pos- Typhoon Matmo dumped up to “Shooting down a commercial sible complicity in that disaster, 0.6 metres of water in the east plane like MH17 is a violent and took the lectern to pledge back- and the mountainous areas in the cruel crime,” Najib told the ses- ing for Najib on pursuing justice southeast, the bureau said. sion of parliament in the capi- for MH17. Taiwan’s military had distrib- tal Kuala Lumpur following a “(The Malaysian govern- uted sandbags in anticipation of moment of silence in honour of ment’s) negotiations with the flooding. the plane’s 298 dead. rebels have invited controversy. Matmo was expected to head Najib, who on Tuesday But I congratulate Najib,” Anwar north towards China later in the announced a breakthrough deal said. day. with pro-Russian separatists in “Any responsible leader must Two South Korean passenger trains collided head-on on an eastern coastal track, killing one person and AGENCIES the crash zone to release pas- choose to protect the interests injuring more than 80 on Tuesday. senger remains and the plane’s of those lost.” “black box,” also said he was The United States and several “angry and disappointed” over other nations accuse the pro- delays in accessing the site. Russia rebels of bringing down The separatists “did not the aircraft, allegedly with a mis- S Korea police slammed over ferry owner’s body respect the site of the tragedy as sile supplied by Moscow. a restricted area and did not fol- Najib, whose step-grandmother SEOUL: South Korea’s police 300 people died -- most of them that of a homeless man, although “The incompetence of police low international standards and was on the flight, refrained from force was pilloried as dolt- schoolchildren. it was clothed in an expen- and prosecutors is simply norms to ensure evidence was not assigning blame until proof ish and incompetent yesterday Yoo was the patriarch of the sive Italian jacket and a nearby astounding,” it said. lost or contaminated,” he said. emerges, but said: “Whoever it after announcing that a body family that owned the ferry oper- bag was found to contain Yoo’s The Dong-A Ilbo noted that The delays and handling of is must be brought to justice.” found six weeks ago was that of ator Chonghaejin Marine Co, and autobiography. police had failed to check den- evidence have raised fears of a Following days of intense a fugitive tycoon at the heart of was wanted for questioning over The fact that it took so long to tal records in what it called an cover-up. international pressure, the sepa- a months-long manhunt. lax safety standards and regula- identify the body was “pathetic at “utterly preposterous” lapse. Forty-four Malaysians died in ratists have released passengers’ Most major newspapers car- tory violations. best,” said the JoongAng Ilbo daily The site where the body was the attack, which has shocked a remains and the plane’s black ried articles and editorials that On Tuesday, the police in an editorial. found was just outside the city of country still coming to grips with boxes. ridiculed the police for expending announced that DNA and finger- “Should we really spend our tax Suncheon, 300 kilometres south the stunning and unexplained A Dutch-led international massive financial and personnel print tests on a badly-decomposed money on such police and pros- of Seoul. disappearance of Malaysia investigation team will probe resources in the search for a man body found in a plum orchard on ecutors?” the editorial said. Addressing a press briefing on Airlines flight MH370 in March, what happened, Malaysia has already in one of their morgues. June 12 showed it to be that of The top-selling Chosun Ilbo Tuesday, Suncheon police chief which had 239 aboard, including said. Dutch travellers comprised Yoo Byung-Eun, 73, became Yoo. ran a front page headline mock- Woo Hyung-Ho had acknowl- 38 Malaysians. 193 of those aboard MH17, which South Korea’s most wanted man Police said they initially ing the “dumbfounding” failure edged the “imperfect” nature of MH370 helped to mute some was flying from Amsterdam to following the April 16 Sewol believed the body -- found near to pick up on clear clues to the the investigation. of Malaysia’s bitter political Kuala Lumpur. AFP ferry disaster in which around Yoo’s final hiding place -- was body’s identity. AFP THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 One dead as hundreds flee false tsunami alert Nearly thousand people crammed into trucks and mini-buses and gathered at Candelaria’s town hall for safety

MANILA: A false tsunami alarm left on a motorised tricycle had a heart Nearly a thousand people, many anonymous cellphone text messages may dead. Super Typhoon Haiyan the follow- one person dead and prompted hun- attack and died, Buzar said, citing a local crammed into trucks and mini-buses, have helped trigger the confused exodus ing month sent a tsunami-like storm dreds of others to flee their homes in hospital. gathered at Candelaria’s town hall for even though Matmo never hit land, dis- surge inland, eventually leaving over the Philippines, where natural disas- “We really don’t know where the safety. But when no tsunami material- aster officials said. 7,300 dead or missing. ters are frequent, a civil defence official rumour came from. We suddenly received ised, they went home after a few hours, At least 20 storms lash the country Around eighteen typhoon could visit said yesterday. information that there were some peo- he added. each year and earthquakes are a constant the country within a year, and about four The cause of the sudden panic that ple evacuating from the area” late on Buzar said he was puzzled by the sud- threat. or five can be destructive hit Candelaria, 88 kilometres south of Tuesday he said. den evacuation as there had been no The most recent disaster was Typhoon The Philippines is included in the list Manila, and other impoverished towns “It was really chaotic. I told our staff report of any earthquake that might Rammasun which slammed into the of countries located on the ‘Ring of Fire’, was being investigated, said Henry Buzar, to block the people and tell them there cause a tsunami, and many of those who country last week, leaving 98 dead and an area where a large number of earth- head of the area’s disaster management is no truth to these rumours but they fled did not even live on the coast. five missing. quakes and volcanic eruptions occur in council. told me they could not stop the rush of The darkness and heavy rains brought Last October an earthquake in the the basin of the Pacific Ocean. A 63-year-old woman who was fleeing people,” Buzar said. on by the passage of Typhoon Matmo and central Philippines killed more than 200 AFP Philippine Arena Philippines deports US to give two C-130s to AFP Australian ‘jihadist’ MANILA: The United States will give two Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” planes to the MANILA: An Australian behest of the Australian govern- Philippines, newly appointed Islamic preacher who openly ment. His Filipino girlfriend, Joan Armed Forces of the Philippines supports jihadists online was Navarro Montayre, a freelance (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt-General deported from the Philippines costume production designer, Gregorio Pio Catapang has said. and local authorities would con- was also arrested for allegations In a state report, Catapang tinue to keep him under sur- of fraud. Police in Lapu-Lapu disclosed the impending donation veillance after his return to the City said she and Cerantonio had in a visit to the 1st Air Division Oceanic country. failed to settle their hotel bill. headquarters in Clark Field, Robert Edward Cerantonio, The Australian Federal Police Pampanga, citing American mili- commonly known as Musa, has met him at the airport when he tary officials. suspected links with the extrem- arrived in Melbourne last morn- The United States military has ist militant group Islamic State, ing and interrogated him. deployed a humanitarian mission previously known as Islamic Cerantonio was deported due to the Visayas after the onslaught State of Iraq and the Levant, to “invalid travel documenta- of deadly typhoon Yolanda, which fighting a war in the Middle tion” and overstaying. He boarded took thousands of lives and East against the Syrian and Iraqi Passenger Airlines flight PR209 to destroyed countless homes. governments. Melbourne at 10 pm on Tuesday Catapang said that the Cerantonio, who used to be a night (Manila time). Police believe Americans extended the offer Catholic and converted to Islam he had been living in the country after learning of President when he was 17, was arrested in since 2013. Aquino’s plans to acquire new Lapu-Lapu City on July 11 at the THE PHILIPPINE STAR President Benigno Aquino will inaugurate Philippine Arena, a $200m indoor arena touted to be the world’s largest, cargo aircrafts for the military. and built by a Christian sect, on Monday. The arena has a total floor area of 99,000 square metres and a seating The existing C-130 planes of capacity of more than 50,000. Its dome spans over 36,000 square metres. the Air Force figured heavily in the transport of relief goods for victims of typhoon Yolanda and equipment needed by gov- ernment troops involved in the Army warned against ‘meddling’ as coup rumours swirl efforts last year. In November last year, former AFP chief Gen MANILA: Philippine soldiers because of the fund scandal. process to take its course and let His Disbursement Allocation “You cannot discount the range Emmanuel Bautista announced should keep clear of politics, the “We should be reminded that as the judicial, the executive and leg- Programme was a P145bn fund of possible scenarios in which the that the country seeks to procure military’s new chief said yes- members of the Armed Forces of islative branches of government to boost public spending, but plotters would resort to extra- two more C-130 planes to improve terday, as rumours of a possible the Philippines, we should remain deal with this,” he said. some of the money went to allies constitutional measures,” said disaster relief operations. coup swirled in the capital after professional and non-partisan,” “We should not meddle (but) in Congress in violation of the Ramon Casiple, executive director Ideally, he said the Philippine the Supreme Court declared military chief Lieutenant-General concentrate on our mission.” constitution, the Supreme Court of the Institute for Political and Air Force should have at least President Benigno Aquino’s Pio Gregorio Catapang told troops Aquino, the only son of the ruled. Electoral Reforms, an independ- nine C-130s. economic stimulus fund illegal. at an air base in Pampanga prov- country’s democracy icon, former Aquino has become politically ent advocacy group. The 120,000-member armed ince, north of Manila. president Corazon Aquino, is fac- vulnerable to his opponents who The Philippine Army is the forces has a history of coups and “The DAP (Disbursement ing the biggest challenge to his have mobilised street protests main branch of the Armed Forces Militants free attempted coups. Last month, Acceleration Programme) has four-year rule after his popular- ahead of his State of the Nation of the Philippines responsible for rumours sprang up of a plot become a political issue. We ity ratings dropped to the lowest Address before a joint session of ground warfare. aid workers against the Aquino administration should allow the democratic levels last month. Congress next week. REUTERS MANILA: Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants have freed Colourful pets three abducted aid workers in the southern Philippines after the government withheld anti- SC judges reject plea on asset details poverty funds, prompting an impoverished town to pressure MANILA: Supreme Court Henares earlier said the BIR The high court decided to the rebels to release the cap- (SC) justices have rejected a intends to determine whether make public the SALNs of the tives, officials said yesterday. request from the Bureau of the magistrates of the high court justices following the impeach- Social Welfare Secretary Internal Revenue (BIR) to look had paid the right taxes. ment of former chief justice Corazon Soliman said the three into their assets. Henares argued that everyone Renato Corona, who was found aid workers and a companion In a resolution promulgated in government service should guilty of culpable violation of the were kidnapped last Thursday on June 17 and released last file and provide copies of their Constitution and betrayal of pub- in remote Talipao town in Sulu week, the high court rejected SALNs upon request. lic trust on accusations that he province where they were check- the request of BIR Commissioner This developed while the exec- did not declare millions worth of ing on families who could receive Kim Henares to obtain copies of utive branch is perceived to be properties in his SALN. the aid and working on another the statement of assets, liabili- attacking the high tribunal fol- In previous years, the assets anti-poverty project. Due to the ties and net worth (SALN) of the lowing its recent ruling declar- of SC justices were not released kidnappings, the government justices. ing portions of Malacañang’s under the May 2, 1989 resolution withheld the cash grants to thou- The high court cited “lack of Disbursement Acceleration where magistrates unanimously sands of poor families to ensure sufficient basis” in rejecting the Programme (DAP) as illegal. ruled to deny the request of the safety of aid workers. Talipao request, but did not elaborate. The SC, for its part, had petitioner Jose Alejandrino for officials then exerted pressure A member of the high court, released earlier this month the release of their SALNs. on the militants, who freed their who asked not be named, SALNs of the justices for 2013, The high court stood by the hostages this week without any explained that the request was which were published on June 10. previous rule with another reso- ransom payment, Soliman said. rejected for being unnecessary. The SALNs of the justices lution in 1992, saying it wanted to A military official said armed “There is already a mechanism were released for the first time protect justices and judges from relatives of one of the kidnapped in place for release of the SALNs. after 20 years in August 2012, acts that may “endanger, dimin- workers threatened the family Also, we have already released some two months after the high ish or destroy their independence of an Abu Sayyaf militant, help- them to the public. That’s now court laid down guidelines for and objectivity in the perform- ing to ratchet up pressure on the open to scrutiny,” the magistrate releasing the SALNs of judges ance of their judicial functions.” kidnappers. Coloured chicks on sale at a street in Manila yesterday. The chicks said. and justices. THE PHILIPPINE STAR THE PHILIPPINE STAR are sold for 5 pesos ($0.10) each. Coloured or dyed chicks are often bought as house pets. Bay watch President Aquino slams Supreme Court again

MANILA: President Aquino Malacañang’s belief that the DAP legal processes. With the SC deci- executive was supposed to be resumed his tirade against the was in accordance with the law. sion, the executive branch had to doing,” Aquino said. Supreme Court (SC) yesterday He stressed that Malacañang suspend some projects for lack of He said the high tribunal again even as he allayed fears of a was not defying the tribunal even funds and seek a supplemental sought cross-border transfer of constitutional crisis. as he cited the SC’s own DAP- budget from Congress, he said. another P100m for the con- Aquino devoted much of his like cross-border fund transfers In July 2012, Aquino said the struction of the Malabon Hall of speech during the commemora- involving P1.865bn for projects of SC utilised its P1.865bn savings Justice. tion of the 150th birth anniversary the executive branch. to augment funds for the con- The two cases were cited by of Apolinario Mabini, the brains “The truth was that we fol- struction of the Manila Hall of Malacañang in its motion for of the Philippine revolution, to lowed not just the main points Justice. The truth was that a reconsideration of the unanimous the legal battle being fought by of the decision, we also moved to ground-breaking ceremony was SC ruling. Malacañang at the SC. consider all the opinions included held for that building in August In declaring DAP unconstitu- Reiterating arguments in in it,” the President said, refer- of the same year, he said. tional, the SC said the executive a motion for reconsideration, ring to the SC ruling last July 1 “The only problem is that the cannot pool savings and enforce Aquino stressed there was noth- declaring certain acts under DAP budget item for this project was cross-border transfer of funds as ing wrong with his Disbursement unconstitutional. under the Department of Justice. this would usurp Congress’ power Boys watch waves brought by Typhoon Matmo, locally named Henry, Acceleration Programme, and said He said the filing of an appeal It is clear: Judiciary funds were of the purse. slamming the bay in Navotas City, Manila. similar acts by the SC bolstered showed the Palace’s adherence to allocated for a project that the THE PHILIPPINE STAR THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Pakistani, Indian top diplomats to meet Islamabad’s business leaders believe greater trade would be a major boon to country’s stuttering economy

ISLAMABAD: The for- counterpart Narendra Modi in dialogue process,” the ministry after attacks by Pakistani gun- fomenting a separatist insurgency reports the all-powerful military eign secretaries of Pakistan New Delhi following the Hindu said in a statement. men on India’s commercial hub in its southwestern province of is against such a move. and India are set to meet in hardliner’s inauguration in May. “In keeping with the vision Mumbai in 2008, in which 166 Baluchistan. The nuclear-armed neighbours Islamabad next month in the “Indian foreign secretary of the two Prime Ministers to people were killed, though rela- Trade between the two coun- have fought three wars since their neighbouring countries’ latest Sujatha Singh spoke to her improve and establish good neigh- tions have recovered slightly since tries is presently around $2.5bn, independence from Britain in attempt at improving ties. Pakistani counterpart Aizaz bourly relations, the foreign sec- then. with Indian exports accounting 1947, as well as a smaller conflict The proposed meeting, Ahmad Chaudhry over the tel- retaries agreed that the dialogue An unresolved territo- for the majority. in 1999 when Modi’s party was announced by Pakistan’s foreign ephone this afternoon and... it was process between the two coun- rial dispute over Kashmir in Pakistani business leaders last in office at the national level office yesterday, comes after agreed that the two foreign sec- tries should be result-oriented,” the Himalayan region is also believe greater trade would be and Sharif was in power during a Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz retaries would meet in Islamabad it added. a source of on-going tension, a major boon to their stuttering previous stint as premier. Sharif held talks with his Indian on August 25 to carry forward the Bilateral relations broke down while Pakistan accuses India of economy -- though according to AFP

German minister in Afghanistan Deal on martial law revealed LAHORE: Pakistan People’s stakeholders of their promises. complaints with the Election Party (PPP) leader Shehla She said the US had extended Tribunal and he should file his Raza has disclosed that it had protocol to the ex-president and complaints there. been agreed under the National the Pakistani ambassador to the Commenting on the prime Reconciliation Ordinance US had also met Asif Zardari in minister’s Saudi visit, she said the (NRO) that no martial law the US. She said the guarantee country was in a state of war and would be imposed in the coun- against martial law until at least the PM had gone for performing try until three general elections three general elections were held Umrah. had been held. was a ‘silent clause’ in the NRO. She said the ex-president (Asif Speaking on Geo News pro- “Political activists will be used Zardari) did not leave the coun- gramme ‘News Room’, she said to derail democracy by those try during such situations, add- that at the time of the imple- who are busy enjoying cricket ing that he only went abroad at mentation of the NRO, the US, matches and foreign nationals the time of floods in Sindh but the UK, the UAE, and the then who arrived here on the call of the Sindh government was very ISI chief had said that no martial someone else.” active in helping the people and law would be imposed until three She said it was very important this was the reason the PPP was general elections were held in the to remind all the stakeholders once again given a mandate by the country. of their promises, and that they people of the province. “America, Britain, the UAE and could not use the masses in our Shehla Raza said this was the the then ISI chief had held out country to derail democracy. time when Nawaz Sharif and their guarantees,” Shehla Raza She said Prime Minister Nawaz Imran Khan should discuss prob- told anchor Aisha Bakhsh dur- Sharif and PTI chief Imran Khan lems being faced by the displaced. ing the programme. had proved by their acts that they She said the PM met with The PPP leader said that did not back the military opera- Saudi Prince Muqrin, who took recently, her party’s co-chair- tion in North Waziristan and that Nawaz Sharif away from the man, Asif Ali Zardari, along the military was fighting the ter- country after he was imprisoned, with former interior minister rorists on its own. and was also a guarantor in the Rehman Malik and nine other She said the PPP would never deal between him and Pervez party leaders, had proceeded become a part of Imran’s machi- Musharraf. to the US to remind all the nations, adding that Imran had INTERNEWS A US soldier talks about a bomb disposal robot to German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen (2nd left) during a demonstration of ground equipment of various ISAF forces at Camp Marmal, outside Mazar-i-Sharif, yesterday. Govt to renovate Torkham, Move against Khan awaiting Senate’s verdict Wagah, Chaman borders ISLAMABAD: National The speaker, in his letter appropriate in accordance with Assembly Speaker Sardar addressed to the Senate chair- the law, rules of procedure ISLAMABAD: The govern- New designs and lay out options Ayaz Sadiq has referred the man said, “Having considered and established parliamentary ment of Pakistan has decided to are proposed in Road Boarder privilege motion moved in the the parliamentary practices and practice.” upgrade the Torkham, Wagah Crossing points of Wagah, Lower House of Parliament rules the Honourable Chairman The Senate chairman had and Chaman border crossings Torkham and Chaman crossings. this February against Imran Senate may proceed further in also written that in the Senate to the standards of European The committee has decided Khan for uttering derogatory the matter in Senate itself as the sitting on February 17, Senator border crossings to enable to construct world-class infra- and scurrilous remarks against Senate had already taken cogni- Zahid Khan on his behalf and greater and faster transit trade structures and install equipment senators to Senate Chairman zance of the matter, therefore, on behalf of 30 members of the from neighbouring and regional of latest technology at three bor- Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari the presiding officer of the other House sought leave to raise a countries. der points to quicken imports, for taking action as per rules. House cannot take cognizance of question of breach of privilege of The Asian Development Bank exports and transit process. According to sources, the the matter particularly when its the House arising out of state- will provide a $150m grant as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has Assembly speaker, in his decision, admissibility had already been ment of Imran Khan MNA as technical assistance for this directed all stakeholders and rel- has asked the Senate chairman determined by the Senate and reported in the press, wherein he project to the FBR and this will evant departments to speed up to proceed against Imran Khan nothing was left to be decided by stated that senators are elected change Pakistan into a regional processing of the project. under the rules. the Speaker National Assembly.” on the basis of money and Imran trade hub. Torkham is one of the major The said privilege motion It is to be mentioned here Khan further stated that every Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif border crossings between against Imran Khan was moved that after receiving the privilege person knows the going rate of has set up a high-powered steer- Afghanistan and Pakistan, located in the Senate on February 13, motion in February, Chairman every member of the Senate. ing committee headed by Finance on the Durand Line border. It 2014, held admissible by the Senate Syed Nayyer Hussain PTI Chairman Imran Khan “Keeping in the view the Minister Ishaq Dar to expand connects Nangarhar province Senate and referred to its privi- Bokhari had referred the issue gravity of matter and argu- strong trade relations with of Afghanistan with Pakistan’s leges committee which found it in of privilege motion against ments solicited by the movers, neighbours and focus on regional Federally Administered Tribal order and subsequently sent it to Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e- parliamentary practice. the deputy chairman, who was markets. Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. the chairman for onward trans- Insaf Imran Khan for his remarks In his letter to the Assembly occupying the chair at that time The committee includes repre- It is the busiest port of entry mission the Assembly speaker against the Senators to Speaker speaker, the Senate Chairman held the privilege motion in order sentatives of ministries of foreign between the two countries, serv- to proceed in the matter against National Assembly Sardar Ayaz had stated that, “I am refer- and referred it to the privileges affairs, defence, communications, ing as a major transporting, ship- Imran Khan as Imran Khan Sadiq for take any decision as per ring the matter to your good committee for consideration and railways, finance, interior and ping, and receiving site. is a member of the National law and Rule of Procedures and self to look into it and to take report,” he stated in a letter. economic affairs. INTERNEWS Assembly. also on the basis of established such action as you may deem INTERNEWS

Israeli attacks denounced 37 rebels killed during Afghan Speculation rife as army operations Zardari meets Biden KABUL: At least 37 Taliban ISLAMABAD: Former Zardari has met and will meet militants were killed during President Asif Ali Zardari’s several senior US officials, tell- military operations by Afghan Iftar dinner with US Vice ing them that “they should ensure national army soldiers during President Joe Biden, although a the continuation of the current the past 24 hours. social event hosted by Pakistan’s political system in Pakistan.” Defence ministry spokeman former ambassador-at-large, They point out that recent Gen Zahir Azimi said the opera- Ray Mahmud, has generated a reports in the Pakistani media tions were conducted in various lot of interest and also political suggest that at least some peo- provinces of Afghanistan. Azimi heat. ple in Pakistan are talking about further added that three leaders Both PPP and PML-N circles “a government of national unity.” of the anti-government armed in the United States are claiming One report even published a list militants were also arrested dur- that Zardari is here to solicit US of the people who may be included ing the operations, according to support for the current political in such a government. the Afghan (Khaama Press). system in Pakistan. “Zardari believes that He said various types of weap- But the host - Ray Mahmud although the current govern- ons, ammunition and explosives who had played a key role in ment has many drawbacks, it’s were discovered and confiscated improving ties between the a legally elected government and by Afghan army soldiers during Bush administration and former should complete its tenure,” said the same operations. prime minister Benazir Bhutto a PPP source. “There should be Azimi also added that Afghan - insists that the iftar-dinner is no government change before army soldiers neutralized 14 a social event with no political the election.” rounds of improvised explosive undertones. A former diplomat with links device (IED) planted by anti- The host also hints that to the PPP and the US adminis- government armed militants. media reports have alarmed the tration, however, insists that this Meanwhile, six suicide bombers Americans and may force Biden is a private visit and Zardari has were killed in a premature explo- Pakistani lawyers torch Israeli and US flags during a demonstration against Israeli military operations in Gaza, to reconsider his participation. not come to Washington with any sion in eastern Logar province of in Hyderabad yesterday. PPP and PML-N circles in political agenda. Afghanistan. AGENCIES Washington, however, say that INTERNEWS THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 ‘Force-feeding’ Cremation ground on banks of river Ganges sparks outrage Sena MPs force fasting Muslim worker to eat

NEW DELHI: Parliament Vichare said he was not trying by describing it as a “trivial” erupted in anger yesterday to break the supervisor’s reli- matter. Though all BJP lead- after television footage showed gious fast. Instead he was trying ers and ministers, including a hardline Hindu nationalist to demonstrate that the chapatis union Home Minister Rajnath lawmaker apparently trying to being served were too hard. Singh, refused to comment on force-feed a Muslim man during “This was only a protest against the matter, party patriarch LK the fasting month of Ramadan. the quality of food and other Advani just said “this is wrong.” Opposition Congress MPs arrangements at the Maharashtra But the opposition was launched raucous protests in the Sadan (guest house) where all unrelenting. parliament, saying the lawmaker the important dignitaries come Vichare’s action had hurt had violated the man’s religious and stay,” Vichare told Headlines the religious sentiments of the beliefs by aggressively trying to Today news channel. Muslims, MP after MP said. shove a chapati or piece of bread “The canteen management The Congress, which was on a in his mouth. here is in a bad state. The chapa- back foot for the past two days “It is absolutely reprehensi- tis they made didn’t even break, following Press Council of India ble and should be condemned the quality of vegetables and chief Justice Markandey Katju’s in the strongest possible man- pulses is bad.” allegation of corruption in judi- ner,” Congress party spokes- “Making this a religious issue cial appointments during the People watch as pyres burn at a cremation ground on the banks of river Ganges in Varanasi, in the northern man Manish Tewari later told doesn’t make sense,” he said. Manmohan Singh government’s state of Uttar Pradesh, yesterday. reporters. The catering company’s general tenure, lapped up the oppor- The lawmaker is from the manager said the supervisor had tunity to hit out at the Modi hardline Hindu nationalist out- been “deeply pained and hurt” government. fit Shiv Sena, a key ally of Prime over the incident as “religious The Congress slammed the Minister Narendra Modi’s party sentiments are attached”. National Democratic Alliance which swept to power at May The manager said the lawmak- (NDA) government both inside Footage of tutor beating elections. ers had marched into the dining and outside parliament. The incident is likely to fan con- hall last week flanked by tel- In the Rajya Sabha, opposi- cern among Muslims and other evision crews and threw kitchen tion members disrupted the pro- religious minorities over Modi’s items around. ceedings of the house after the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya “They also issued physical question hour, forcing Deputy child creates uproar Janata Party (BJP) government. threats to the kitchen and serv- Chairman PJ Kurien to adjourn The footage, aired on national ice staff while using highly objec- the house for 10 minutes. KOLKATA: A shocking video and blows rained on him as he did not pay any heed and went television, showed a group of Shiv tionable language,” the manager The issue was later raised again footage of a private tutor mer- was thrown on to the bed and on assaulting him,” the complaint Sena lawmakers confronting a said in an email to a Maharashtra by Ali Anwar Ansari of the Janata cilessly beating a three-and-a- pinned down. alleged. catering supervisor last Thursday government official, which was Dal-United in the zero hour, who half-year-old child here sparked The child’s mother lodged a “He has gone mute and is men- in New Delhi. obtained by the Indian Express called it an insult to Indian cul- outrage across the country police complaint, but the accused tally traumatised. The lawmakers were com- newspaper. ture and social tolerance. yesterday. is untraceable. “The entire family is shocked plaining about the quality of Shiv Sena, which has a his- Responding to the mem- The clippings broadcast by tele- In the complaint filed at the at the barbaric act of the food offered at a guest house tory of intimidation and creat- bers, Minister of State for vision channels from the incident Lake Town police station, the accused person which has sent a for officials from the state of ing unrest against minorities, Parliamentary Affairs Prakash at Lake Town in northeastern toddler’s mother alleged the vic- negative message to the civilised Maharashtra, where Shiv Sena won 18 seats at the election and Javadekar said that government Kolkata showed the child fall- tim sustained injuries all over the society,” the mother said in the is based. is now the sixth biggest party in will probe the facts. ing to the ground as the woman body after being brutally tortured complaint. The footage showed lawmaker parliament. “These are unsubstantiated teacher forcefully kicked him by the teacher yesterday. She later told media persons Rajan Baburao Vichare attempt- Party chief Uddhav reports. We should not take it twice on his chest. “My son was bleeding and hav- the teacher Pooja Singh had been ing several times to push the Thackeray decried attempts to the next level. Let us under- The horrified child, a nursery ing chest pain. From the CCTV coming to her residence for three bread into the supervisor’s mouth to ‘communalise’ the issue stand what exactly happened,” class student in a reputed English footage, one can see that my child days to give private tuition to the as a crowd gathered. and attempted to play it down Javadekar said. AGENCIES medium school, was also slapped was begging for mercy but she child. IANS Congress moves SC over Encephalitis outbreak kills more than 150 foreign funding NEW DELHI: Recent out- newer areas,” Parthajyoti Gogoi, breaks of encephalitis in India regional director of health and have killed more than 150 peo- the family welfare department NEW DELHI: The Congress ple, with health officials on alert in Assam, said. yesterday moved the Supreme fearing the death toll could rise In West Bengal, Banerjee said Court challenging a Delhi High further, state government direc- fumigation has been ramped up Court verdict that held it and tors said. to kill mosquitoes, along with the BJP guilty of receiving funds Some 102 people have died in health education campaigns for from the subsidiaries of Britain- West Bengal state from the mos- residents. based Vedanta Resources, quito-borne virus which affects “We are hopeful that the situ- flouting norms of the Foreign mainly malnourished children ation will come under control Contribution (Regulation) Act and can cause brain damage and soon,” Banerjee told the Press (FCRA). seizures, said medical education Trust of India late on Tuesday. The Congress sought stay of director Sushanta Banerjee. Hundreds die across India each the order which had prima facie Many of the deaths have year, mainly children, from dif- found both the Congress and the occurred since the onset of ferent forms of the disease, but Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the monsoon season in June West Bengal is not normally the guilty of violating the foreign con- when mosquitoes breed in large worst-hit state. tribution statute and had asked numbers. Encephalitis can be transmit- the central government and the Another 56 people have died ted by mosquitoes from pigs to Election Commission to initiate in the remote, northeast state humans and officials have pointed appropriate action against them. of Assam with more than 300 to the fact that farmers in West The high court had directed the infected with the virus, an official Bengal’s worst-affected districts home ministry and the poll panel to said yesterday. breed pigs. “relook and reappraise the receipts “We have alerted health offi- India’s most populous states of of the political parties” to identify cials across the state to take pre- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar further foreign donations and take action A patient (left) receives an injection while being treated for Japanese encephalitis at the North Bengal Medical ventive measures to stop Japanese north are ravaged by encephalitis within six months. IANS College Hospital (NBMCH) on the outskirts of Siliguri yesterday. encephalitis from spreading to every year. AFP Bombay HC upholds conviction of Pune rogue driver

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Bombay High Court, Mane chal- Transport Corporation (MSRTC) family members after the second the satisfaction” of his family custody, said his brother-in-law Court yesterday upheld the con- lenged the conviction and claimed from the Swargate depot and sped autopsy. members. “Following an appeal Lal Babu Kamath. Uttar Pradesh viction of Santosh Mane, a state he was of unsound mind at the it through the crowded roads of Claiming Chowdhury was from Chowdhury’s family, the Police claimed he fell ill in custody transport corporation driver time of the incident. Pune, catching morning peak killed in judicial custody in Uttar Darjeeling district magistrate and died in a hospital Monday. who had mowed down nine Both matters -- the confirma- hour commuters unawares. Pradesh, the demonstrators ordered a second post-mortem NBMCH forensic department pedestrians and injured 37 oth- tion of the death sentence and In his wild 15-km ride, last- demanded a proper investigation examination which was done dur- head Rajiv Prasad said the vicera ers in Pune in 2012. his challenge to the conviction ing 45 minutes, he knocked down and the opening of a murder case. ing the day (Wednesday) at the report will be available after a A division bench comprising -- were heard simultaneously by scores of people and damaged They also demanded “exemplary North Bengal Medical College and month. Justice VM Kanade and Justice the court. more than two dozen public and punishment” to those responsible Hospital (NBMCH),” Siliguri sub- In Ghaziabad police yesterday PD Kode also rejected Mane’s plea Rejecting his plea for psychi- private vehicles before he was for his death. divisional officer Deepap Priya P registered a criminal case against that he was ‘insane’ at the time of atric examination, the Bombay nabbed. The demonstrators pelted said. two unidentified people over the the incident. High Court in September 2013 Meanwhile in Siliguri, a fresh stones and fought pitched battle Chowdhury of Bagdogra mysterious death of 31-year-old The court fixed August 5 for had set aside the death sentence autopsy of a West Bengal school with police when the authori- was employed as a teacher in Rajya Sabha TV producer Milita awarding the quantum of sen- awarded to Mane on grounds teacher who died in judicial ties tried to remove the road Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. Dutta Mandal, who died at her tence to Mane, who was convicted that the lower court had not custody in Uttar Pradesh was blockades. He died in judicial custody in residence in Vaishali. by a lower court in Pune last year. heard him on the point of the conducted Wednesday, as demon- “We were attacked by the mob. Azamgarh after his arrest in a “We have registered a case. The Pune Sessions Court Additional sentence. strators carrying his body blocked So, we were forced to baton- kidnapping case. two people have not been iden- Sessions Judge V.K. Shewale had It referred the matter back to the national highway and fought charge the demonstrators,” said His family members claimed tified as the CCTV camera was April 8, 2013 pronounced the the Pune Sessions Court, direct- pitched battles with police in Siliguri Deputy Commissioner of he was in a relationship with the not working at the time when the death sentence for Mane, term- ing it to hear Mane again on the Darjeeling district. Police OG Pal. school owner’s daughter. As the crime took place. But the apart- ing it as “a rarest of rare” crimes. issue of the death sentence. Trouble broke out for the sec- Earlier, a few hundred people girl’s father was against the mar- ment’s security guard told us that Mane (36), was convicted The Pune court heard him out, ond day yesterday night, as a mob demonstrated with Chowdhury’s riage, the couple eloped. two people had come by a car at under Indian Penal Code sections and again awarded the death pen- put up road blocks on national body outside the Bagdogra police Following a police complaint, the time of the incident,” a police pertaining to murder, attempt to alty, which he challenged in the highway 34 at Bihar More in station, demanding a repeat post- the teacher’s father and brother official said. murder, theft and damage to pub- high court. Bagdogra. mortem examination. were arrested. Asked about the post-mortem lic property. On January 25, 2012, Mane The fresh disturbances started Uttar Pradesh Police had ear- When Chowdhury came to report, Ghaziabad police said their However, when the sentence had hijacked a Satara-bound bus after police handed over the body lier conducted a post-mortem know of this, he surrendered to Delhi counterparts were looking came up for confirmation by the of the Maharashtra State Road of Ganesh Chowdhury to his examination, which was “not to police and was sent to judicial after that. IANS

Thursday 24 July 2014 26 Ramadan 1435 Volume 19 Number 6136 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Ooredoo posts QR1.7bn profit UDC net profit surges Telecom major’s revenue hit QR16.5bn in the first half of 2014 by 34pc to QR521m

DOHA: Telecom major percent of total group revenue, as are building a global platform of time in the company’s history. DOHA: United Development Ooredoo’s revenue touched customers increasingly consume growth that will generate cus- The net profit of Indosat Company (UDC), a leading QR16.5bn in the first half of data based services. Customer tomer and shareholder value in Indonesia was QR99m. As developer, recorded a net profit 2014 (H1, 14), down 3 percent base grew by 2 percent to 93.9 over the long term. We are mak- reported on July 23, 2014 Wataniya of QR521m for the first half of compared to a year ago. The million in H1, 14 as Ooredoo cap- ing great progress in developing Telecom’s revenue increased 3 2014, up 34 percent compared to group’s strong performance in tured an increasing share of its revenues from our core areas of percent to QR4.9bn in H1, 14 while the same period in 2013. The net Qatar, Oman and Algeria was markets through best-in-class growth: data and B2B. Our data EBITDA stood at QR1.7bn. profit attributable to owners of offset by decline in revenue in telecoms services. revenue has reached 20 percent Ooredoo Algeria continues to the company stood at QR499m Indonesia, Kuwait and Iraq. Commenting on the results, of total revenue across the Group perform strongly as it benefits from compared to QR325m for the Ooredoo’s net profit attribut- Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed demonstrating both the demand its re-brand to the global Ooredoo same period last year. able to its shareholders fell by 2 bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of for data and our ability to deliver brand and the rapid roll-out of its Earnings per share reached percent to QR1.7bn year-on-year. Ooredoo, said: “Ooredoo has pro- to our customers, wherever they 3G offering in Algeria. Ooredoo QR1.41 for H1, compared to Announcing the results, the Group duced solid revenue, profitability are. Costs are being managed Algeria’s revenues increased by 24 QR0.92 in H1, 2013, a strong yesterday said excluding the impact and customer growth for the first proactively across the Group percent to QR2.3bn. growth of 53 percent from H1, of Indonesian foreign exchange, its half of 2014 against a backdrop of and we are evaluating all oppor- Ooredoo Kuwait is re-capturing 2013. Gross profit was reported at revenue would have increased by 1 challenges in some of our mar- tunities to share infrastructure a growing share of the market as QR702m, compared to QR508m. percent. Net profit would also have kets. Our strategy is based on the with competitors and partners to it targets a return to revenue “I am pleased with our revenue grown by 1 percent if the impact enormous positive power of glo- ensure we are competing from a growth with a 19 percent increase performance as we continue to of Myanmar start-up costs and the bal connectivity which Ooredoo highly efficient cost base..” in customers to 2.33 million in H1, invest in our capabilities and grow Board’s expectations and dem- foreign exchange were excluded. is delivering across its markets Ooredoo Qatar delivered strong 2014 compared to H1, 2013. our ranks with the aim of enhanc- onstrating the Company’s ability The shares of Ooredoo edged 2.32 through its continued invest- results during the period, with Ooredoo Tunisia registered a ing our market position while we to perform in a very competitive percent down to QR130.50 on ment in world-leading broadband revenue growth driven in par- revenue of QR1.19bn. Wataniya pursue our long-term strate- marketplace,” Al Khater said. Qatar bourse yesterday. networks and services. With the ticular by an increased focus on Palestine’s revenue remained gic initiatives,” Turki Al Khater During the past few years, UDC Ooredoo’s EBITDA decreased right level of investment, we can business services and the on-going stable for the half year 2014 at (pictured), UDC Chairman and has established successful strategic by 10 percent to QR6.8bn in H1, continue to transform people’s development of the data market. QR 156m, a 3 percent reduction Managing Director, said. partnerships with major interna- 14 (H1, 2013: QR 7.6bn) with lives in markets from Algeria Revenue was up by 9 percent compared to H1, 2013. Ooredoo Al Khater had said earlier this tional companies operating in dif- EBITDA margin decreasing to to Myanmar, attracting grow- year-on-year to QR3.5bn (H1 Maldives delivered a net profit of year that UDC’s results in 2014 will ferent fields. UDC’s target areas 42 percent (H1 2013: 45 percent) ing numbers of customers to our 2013: QR3.2bn), while EBITDA QR 2m. Nawras’ (Oman) revenue improve drastically and more visi- of interest include: infrastructure due to lower revenues and the global network.” performance showed a healthy growth of 10 percent was driven bly by mid-year. “We are confident and utilities, real estate, hydro- continued investment across the Dr Nasser Marafih, Group increase of 9 percent year-on-year by mobile and fixed data revenues. we will keep up this momentum in carbon and energy, urban devel- business into customer acquisi- Chief Executive Officer of to QR1.7bn. Customers increased Ooredoo Myanmar continued the second half of this year. Given opment, environmental-related tion and retention, global brand Ooredoo, said: “Ooredoo’s results by 9 percent to 2.99 million (H1 its preparations to launch services this encouraging trend, UDC will businesses, hospitality and leisure, roll-out, service launches and cus- for the first half of 2014 reflect 2013: 2.8 million) — almost reach- in Myanmar following the official continue to deliver strong results fashion, information technology, tomer experience. our commitment to investment ing the three million consolidated award of its licence. across the group, posting profit business and facility management Data revenue reached 20 across our markets to ensure we customer milestone for the first THE PENINSULA levels that are in line with the services. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS N-KOM gets QR400m worth GDI contracts Deals are for construction of liftboat and rig repairs

DOHA: Gulf Drilling The contracts were signed by understand their requirements. International (GDI), a sub- Ibrahim J Al Othman, CEO of Having already established our- sidiary of Gulf International GDI, and Abdullah Fadhalah Al selves in the ship repair market, Services (GIS), Qatar’s larg- Sulaiti, Chairman of N-KOM, in our next step is to capture the est oilfield service company, the presence of H E Dr Mohamed robust regional offshore market has awarded two contracts bin Saleh Al Sada, the Minister of by leveraging on Nakilat and worth about QR400m ($110m) Energy and Industry. Keppel O&M’s expertise to pro- to Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Dr Al Sada, said: “Today vide quality and value-added off- Marine (N-KOM), a joint ven- marks an important milestone shore solutions. In this regard, we ture shipyard between Nakilat in the development of Qatar’s are committed to deliver a high- and Singapore’s Keppel O&M. offshore industry with placing quality liftboat to GDI to support The first contract is for the the order for the first built-in- their offshore fleet.” construction of a self-propelled Qatar liftboat. It also highlights Al Othman, added: “GDI is and self-elevating liftboat, which the impressive growth of our off- pleased to sign this contract with is customised for field transit shore industry and of the Erhama N-KOM for the construction of Abdullah Fadhalah Al Sulaiti (left), Chairman of N-KOM, and Ibrahim J Al Othman, CEO of GDI, exchanging contracts operations in the Middle East and Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard their first liftboat. It will add to after signing in the presence of H E Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada (second left), the Minister of Energy and Industry. North Africa (Mena) region in (where N-KOM is located).” our growing fleet of quality rigs, water depths of up to 65 metres. He expressed confidence that which N-KOM will also be main- When completed at the end of the collaboration between GDI taining for us. We look forward to include the liftboat “Rumailah”, undertake a wide range of serv- for a specially designed gangway 2015, the liftboat will provide and N-KOM, will help ensure receiving a “best in class” liftboat the accommodation jack-up ices such as well servicing, com- bridge to link it to the customer’s accommodation and platform the continued success of Qatar’s on the scheduled delivery date.” “Zikreet” and another liftboat missioning, maintenance and platform for emergency escape support services for a customer Energy and Industry sectors for This will be the fourth vessel that GDI is managing through a decommissioning of offshore and other safety purposes. with operations in Qatar. many years to come.” in GDI’s fleet that is dedicated Charter Party. platforms. The customized lift- Liftboats are more efficient and N-KOM has also been awarded Al Sulaiti, said: “N-KOM has to providing accommodation and Designed by Bennett Offshore, boat is equipped with two deck cost-effective alternative to tra- a six-year repair and mainte- delivered a significant number of platform support services, which a naval architecture and marine cranes, a large open deck space of ditional offshore service vessels, nance contract for GDI’s existing repairs for GDI’s offshore drill- are complementary to GDI’s core engineering arm of Keppel O&M, around 800 sqm, a helideck, and as they can be mobilised without fleet of jack-up rigs operating in ing fleet over the past three years business of drilling. The other in collaboration with N-KOM, accommodation capacity for 130 requiring third party assistance. the Middle East. and we have come to intimately diversified vessels in GDI’s fleet the LB310- design liftboat can persons. The liftboat also allows THE PENINSULA

JCDecaux World Bank lauds India PM, unveils digital India will not back screen network offers billions for development WTO protocol unless at Oman airports NEW DELHI: The World Bank leaving (about India’s prospects) to block a landmark world trade yesterday offered India up to than when I arrived,” Kim said deal that would make it easier for DUBAI: JCDecaux SA, the $18bn in financial support over following talks with Modi and goods to cross borders and inject concerns addressed number one outdoor advertis- the next three years while lav- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley an estimated $1bn into the global ing company worldwide, has ishly praising new right-wing to discuss the new government’s economy. NEW DELHI: India will not programme. unveiled a new network of Prime Minister Narendra development priorities. India has been threatening support a trade protocol ahead Modi has vowed to spur eco- HD digital screens at Muscat Modi’s “ambitious vision” for the Modi, 63, “has an extreme sense not to ratify the World Trade of a July 31 deadline unless con- nomic growth through sweeping International Airport and country. of urgency”, Kim said, as he out- Organisation (WTO) agreement cerns about its food subsidies changes to policies that many peo- Salalah Airport, in conjunction Modi’s Hindu national- lined an offer to India of “financial reached last year in Bali unless it are met, two senior government ple felt had stagnated under the with OAMC. ist Bharatiya Janata Party was support worth $15bn to $18bn over gets assurances that it can help its officials said yesterday, a position outgoing administration, and his The 103” premium quality elected in May with the biggest the next three years” to help lift poor citizens with food subsidies. that threatens to derail a land- every step is being closely moni- screens, with high perform- electoral majority in three decades hundreds of millions of Indians out “Freer trade and more trade mark global trade deal. tored at home and abroad. ance and cutting-edge design on pledges to revive India’s slug- of poverty. have been extremely important The determination to link its India has come under intense which are located in the baggage gish economy, ousting the scan- India is already the Bank’s larg- for poor nations,” Kim said as the food subsidy programme, aimed pressure from rich countries to reclaim areas of both airports, dal-tainted, left-leaning Congress est cumulative borrower. July 31 deadline for acceptance of at supporting the poor, to backing drop its demands ahead of the offer a unique proposition for party. “His (Modi’s) intention is to the treaty by all 160 WTO mem- the protocol raises the stakes at a WTO meeting in Geneva today, advertisers. Speaking at the end of a three- grow this economy quickly, grow bers loomed. World Trade Organisation meeting where member states hope to The central positioning of day visit to India, World Bank the number of jobs quickly and While Modi is pro-business, his today, with one Western diplomat adopt the protocol — a key step these new HD landscape for- President Jim Yong Kim told demonstrate to the Indian people government says the trade facilita- calling India’s position “suicide.” before the deal is ratified. mat screens provides advertisers reporters he was hugely impressed you can do things at scale with tion agreement or TFA is biased in India is the most prevalent The deadline for adopting the with optimal visibility thanks to with Modi’s “comprehensive and great speed,” Kim said. favour of wealthier nations which among a group of developing protocol is July 31. The trade row the way in which they have been extremely ambitious vision for the As part of Modi’s anti-poverty assert that food subsidies lead to nations angry at rich countries for comes days ahead of the first visit integrated into the architecture country”. “I am more optimistic drive, Kim strongly urged him not distortions in global trade. AFP failing to address their concerns by US Secretary of State John of the buildings. about the deal on trade facilita- Kerry to Delhi since Modi took The digital screens are strate- tion — struck by WTO member office, and is a reminder that bitter gically placed along the passenger states in Bali last year. Proponents trade battles that have tarnished journey, delivering strong stand- believe the Bali deal could add $1 ties between the nations in recent out and cut-through in a highly trillion to global GDP and 21 mil- years may not be easily resolved. targeted advertising space. lion jobs. India has a history of resorting The new network of screens India is trying to win guaran- to brinkmanship to get its way at will also feature JCDecaux’s spe- tees to protect a $12bn annual the WTO, including in Bali where cialized content management programme to feed its poor that it won a four-year respite for its system, which allows tailored risks breaking WTO rules on price food subsidies. However, while advertising in the form of tar- support subsidies to farmers. “We in opposition, Modi’s party was geted or live campaigns. have no problem with this trade fiercely critical of the agreement, The system can for instance facilitation (protocol), but unless saying India should not have set- target specific flights from specific they agree with us we will not tled for anything less than a total countries, change the creative allow it to happen,” one of the gov- exemption for its food programme. from day to night, or broadcast ernment officials said. “They want “This is a big test. This could be live content. to cap our subsidies, which are just a huge turning point for them on Samer Ahmed Al Nabhani, a fraction of what the developed how they are viewed in the devel- Chief Commercial Officer OAMC countries are giving to their rich oped world,” said a Republican aide said: “We are pleased to see these farmers,” he added. in Washington. impressive screens, which are The deal was the first global One Western diplomat com- the first of their kind in Oman, trade pact reached by the WTO plained that, at a meeting of going live in Muscat International and was hailed as having restored trade ministers in Sydney last Airport and Salalah Airport.” credibility to the group and reviv- week, India had not been specific David Bourg, CEO Middle ing the Doha Round of trade in explaining what it wanted to East from JCDecaux said: “The negotiations. happen in order to support the installation of this new network of As well as causing concern protocol, adding that it would be high-definition digital screens at abroad, the tough position has been self-defeating to block it. Muscat International Airport and criticised by a leading industry Feeding the poor is a matter of Salalah Airport marks a signifi- group in India and surprised those urgency for India, home to about cant step forward in enhancing who expected newly elected pro- 25 percent of the world’s hun- the outdoor advertising landscape business Prime Minister Narendra gry, according to the World Food in Oman.” THE PENINSULA World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (left) and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi yesterday. Modi to radically slash the subsidy Programme. REUTERS

Daimler earnings up on Masraf Al Rayan UK unit offers new schemes

DOHA: Islamic Bank of Britain local expertise and insight into IBB advisers are regulated for Today, IBB offers the largest strong Mercedes sales plc (IBB), a subsidiary of Masraf the property buying process in real estate advice, and provide range of Islamic retail financial Al Rayan UK, has announced the UK. individualised customer care to products in the UK. In February FRANKFURT: Daimler, maker to €31.5bn, while sales rose four to extend its UK real estate As part of the Masraf Al assist clients through the local, 2014, the Bank was acquired of Mercedes-Benz and Smart cars, percent to a new record of almost finance product to Gulf-based Rayan group of companies, the legal property-buying process. by Masraf Al Rayan QSC (Al reported a sharp rise in second- 628,900 vehicles. “We are growing clients this summer. largest Islamic bank in Qatar This is complemented with help Rayan). Al Rayan intends to build quarter underlying profit driven profitably, our strategy is bearing The offering is tailored towards (by market capitalisation), the for time-pressed clients to find upon IBB’s excellent foundations, by record sales in its luxury car fruit. We are steadily continuing discerning individuals seeking to IBB offers attractive financing the right property and dedicated and has invested over £100million division. along our path,” said chief execu- purchase a property in London, or rates. This is complemented by support during the finance appli- to support its expansion. Daimler’s earnings before tive and chairman Dieter Zetsche the UK, for investment purposes assistance from a dedicated team cation process. These include Sharia compli- interest and taxes, or Ebit, from in a statement. The group con- or as a holiday home, said a press based in the Knightsbridge area Since the bank opened its doors ant savings and property finance ongoing business rose 12 percent firmed its growth forecast for statement yesterday. of London, specialised in assisting as the UK’s only wholly, Shariah- products for retail and commer- from a year earlier to €2.46bn the full year 2014, with a rise in As the oldest Shariah- GCC nationals with their prop- compliant retail bank in 2004, it cial customers based locally, and ($3.3bn). This was above analysts’ unit sales, revenues and earnings compliant retail bank in the UK, erty purchase in the UK. has attracted over 50,000 custom- for those investing in the UK expectations of a 9-percent rise. before interest and taxes from IBB is offering a premium serv- Offering a bilingual Arabic ers and earned a reputation for from the Gulf. Group revenue rose six percent ongoing business. AFP ice for clients seeking established and English-speaking service, product innovation. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Conflicting signals from job market: BoE Wage growth may be key in assessing inflation pressure and raising interest rates

GLASGOW: - The Bank of and the timing of any increases in was “balancing the implications as wages suggest that there was would give it a chance to update England is weighing up con- interest rates will be determined for inflation of hard evidence of more labour supply than we had its thinking. He reiterated the flicting data on Britain’s labour by the data.” sustained economic momentum previously thought, it is also true Bank’s guidance that when inter- market as it prepares to start Earlier yesterday, the BoE said against conflicting signals over that spare capacity is being used est rate increases begin, they will raising interest rates off their its policymakers discussed at the degree of slack in the labour up a bit more rapidly than we had be “gradual and limited” because record low of the last five years, their July meeting if there was a market”. expected,” he said. the British economy will still face BoE Governor Mark Carney case for an early interest rate rise Earnings rose just 0.3 per- The Bank earlier this year headwinds, including from the 12 said yesterday. but were held back in part by pay cent in the three months to May pointed to a broad range of percent appreciation of sterling Britain’s economy is now back growth that was strikingly low compared with same period last measures of spare capacity as over the past year. to its size of before the financial given Britain’s strong job creation. year, according to official data, the best guide to when it might Pressed on the likely “new crisis but the mismatch between The Bank has held inter- although changes to income tax start to wean the British econ- normal” level for interest rates strong jobs growth and weak pay est rates at a record low of 0.5 levels distorted the comparison. omy off its super-low interest by a conference moderator, was posing a challenge for the percent since the depths of the Carney acknowledged the rates. Previously it had said it Carney limited himself to say- central bank, Carney said. financial crisis in 2009. A strong difficulty of judging how much would start to consider raising ing: “Materially less than it was “As the economy normalises, recovery since last year makes it inflationary pressure might be rates when unemployment fell previously.” Bank Rate will need to start to likely to be the first major central building up, despite the low pay to 7 percent, but that happened Carney also repeated his view rise in order to achieve the infla- bank to raise interest rates, either growth seen so far, something much faster than the Bank had that the biggest home-grown Bank of England Governor tion target,” he said in a speech late in 2014 or in early 2015. that is expected to cause a split predicted. risks to Britain’s economy were Mark Carney speaking at the to business leaders in Glasgow. In his speech, which covered among BoE policymakers soon on Carney said the publication of in the housing market but that Commonwealth Games Business “But the MPC (Monetary Policy similar ground to his recent the need to tighten policy. the Bank’s new quarterly eco- household debt levels did not pose Conference in Glasgow yesterday. Committee) has no pre-set course comments, Carney said the MPC “While some indicators such nomic forecasts on August 13 an immediate threat. REUTERS Jet Airways eyes profit by 2017 with boost from Etihad

NEW DELHI: Jet Airways, Ball was speaking at the air- fast-growing growing middle India’s second-biggest carrier, line’s first news conference with class. forecast yesterday a return to Etihad since India cleared in May India’s carriers lost a total profit in three years through the fast-growing Abu Dhabi air- $1.3bn in the financial year to cost-cuts, route-sharing with line’s purchase of a 24-percent March, the Centre for Asia Pacific new partner Etihad Airways stake in the Indian carrier for Aviation consultancy calculates. and restructuring of hefty debt. Rs21bn ($330m). Jet’s net loss in the last finan- The publicly traded airline, Jet’s shares jumped nearly six cial year ballooned to Rs41.3bn which has not posted an annual percent on the turnaround plan from a Rs7.8bn loss the previous profit since 2007, has been strug- before finishing up 3.5 percent at year. Debt stood at $1.8bn. gling in an overcrowded mar- Rs264.95. Etihad’s Jet stake enables it ket beset by cut-throat fare Ball, an Australian, said Jet to compete better with regional wars, high fuel costs and shoddy was already profitable on inter- rivals such as Qatar Airways and infrastructure. national routes which contribute Emirates which transport a large “The game plan is in place, it’s 43 percent of revenues, a figure he slice of Indian passenger traffic to now about delivery,” Jet Airways’ projected would rise to 63 percent the Gulf and beyond. new Chief Executive Cramer Ball by 2015. Etihad’s purchase of a minority told reporters in New Delhi. “It’s All six major airlines, except stake in Jet came after the gov- a three-year plan — 2015 we will leading carrier IndiGo, have been ernment relaxed foreign own- reduce losses, 2016 we will con- haemorrhaging money but ana- ership rules to allow overseas solidate and 2017 we’ll have prof- lysts project a brighter future carriers to buy up to 49 percent Naresh Goyal (left), chairman of Jet Airways, with James Hogan, chief executive of Etihad Airways, during a itability,” he said. longer-term thanks to India’s of local airlines. AFP news conference in New Delhi yesterday. Egypt’s CIB Japan to count Saudi, posts 31pc UAE for crude storage rise in profit TOKYO: Japan will start treat- worth of oil under International ing as “quasi-strategic reserves” Energy Agency (IEA) obligations. CAIRO: Egypt’s Commercial some of the crude stored by Saudi The panel also said Japan would International Bank, the country’s Arabia and the United Arab delay by a year its plans to boost biggest listed bank, posted a 31 Emirates in the Asian nation, as national stockpiles of liquefied percent rise in net income in the a way to help meet Tokyo’s stra- petroleum gas (LPG) to 1.5 mil- first half of 2014, earning 1.74bn tegic reserve obligations, a trade lion tonnes until some time in the Egyptian pounds ($797.20m). ministry panel said yesterday. financial year starting April 2017, The bank said it posted record Japan has been lending 10.7 mil- to account for the expected lower revenue of 3.79bn pounds, up 17 lion barrels of crude tank capac- cost of imports from the United percent from the previous year. It ity to the two countries, in a deal States from next year. said its net income for the second that gives them a supply depot About 60 new large LPG vessels quarter rose to 932m pounds, 39 close to their largest customers will be introduced in 2015 and 2016, percent up from the same period in exchange for priority access to and the start of a new shipping a year ago. “CIB stands ready to Japan in an emergency. route, with the completion of the utilise its robust balance sheet to The volume of loaned tanks is Panama Canal expansion, is pro- fund Egypt’s expected economic set to grow to a total of 12.6 million jected to bring a significant saving recovery over the coming period,” barrels next fiscal year and pos- in LPG costs from 2015. Hisham Ezz Al Arab, the chairman sibly higher in the following years, Japan boosted its national LPG and managing director, said. in a move to strengthen Japan’s stockpiling capacity by 850,000 Egyptian banks such as CIB ties with the two main suppliers tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes in have been able to keep bottom of crude. The panel said it would March 2013 by completing the con- lines improving thanks partly to seek to add half of the crude tank struction of two bases in its west, high interest rates paid by the capacity used by the producers to one in Namikata in Ehime prefec- state for its short-term borrow- the national strategic reserves to ture, and the other in Kurashiki, in ing. REUTERS meet a storage target of 90 days’ Okayama prefecture. REUTERS

Japan pushes for FCVs

Toyota Motor Corp’s Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) concept car is seen at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show in Tokyo. Japan is readying subsidies to help Toyota and key suppliers take the lead in hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles that could top $400m over the next several years if the most bullish projections for the technology play out. THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Boeing profit Microsoft profit hurt by Nokia buy up 52pc in Q2,

about 14 percent of Microsoft’s Revenues jump on cloud services global payroll of some 127,000. raises outlook The company will take a charge NEW YORK: Microsoft said and cloud-first world, and we are of between $1.1bn and $1.6bn for WASHINGTON: US aero- profits took a hit from its newly driving growth with disciplined costs related to the layoffs. space and defense giant Boeing acquired Nokia phone division decisions, bold innovation, and In the latest earnings, reported yesterday strong sec- but that revenues got a strong focused execution,” said Nadella. Microsoft said revenues from its ond-quarter earnings lifted lift from cloud services. “I’m proud that our aggres- Windows division rose three per- by higher commercial aircraft The US tech giant’s new Chief sive move to the cloud is paying cent from a year ago, in a sign of deliveries and raised its profit Executive Satya Nadella said the off — our commercial cloud rev- some stabilisation in the PC mar- outlook for the full year. results suggested that Microsoft’s enue doubled again this year to a ket and upgrades to devices with Boeing’s net profit soared shift to services amid declining $4.4bn annual run rate.” the newer operating systems. 52 percent from a year ago to personal computer sales was The earnings came just days The company saw a 40 per- $1.65bn, while revenues rose one starting to pay off. Net profit for after Microsoft announced its cent jump in advertising reve- percent to $22.05bn. the three months ending June 30 biggest job cuts ever with Nadella nues from its Bing search engine Core earnings per share rose 45 dipped seven percent from a year calling for a new focus at the US and gains from subscribers to its percent to $2.42, soundly topping earlier to $4.6bn, below market tech giant while integrating the online Office 365. The new Nokia analyst estimates of $2.01. expectations. But revenues grew Nokia phone division acquired phone division acquired this year The second-quarter results a strong 17.5 percent, lifted by the this year. The company said it added some $2bn to revenues but included a $272m after-tax cloud services. would slash 18,000 jobs from its dragged on profits. The Nokia charge to reflect additional work “We are galvanised around our global workforce over the next unit subtracted some $692m from on the KC-46A Tanker program core as a productivity and plat- year, the majority from the Nokia the Microsoft’s bottom line, the for the US Air Force, and a total form company for the mobile-first handset unit. The cuts represent A Microsoft logo displayed on a Nokia phone in Vienna. company said. AFP of $524m in tax benefits. “Strong operating perform- ance across our production pro- grams and services businesses drove revenue and earnings- per-share growth and healthy operating cash flow, which sup- Apple profit up at $7.7bn on China sales ported $1.5 billion in additional share repurchases in the quar- SAN FRANCISCO: Apple quarterly to $94.23 in after-market trades that fol- for use on the job. The earnings release, ter,” said Boeing’s chairman and profit climbed with strong demand for lowed the release of the earnings figures. as expected, contained no hint of any new chief executive Jim McNerney in iPhones, particularly in China where the In a disappointment, Apple said iPad iteration of the popular iPhone despite a statement. California company’s revenue surged. sales fell 9.2 percent from a year ago to numerous reports that Apple is preparing The Chicago-based company The only damper in strong earnings 12.27 million, a figure weaker than most versions with a larger display. raised its 2014 full-year fore- reported was a decline in iPad tablet sales. analysts had expected. The soft demand for “We have an incredible pipeline of new cast to core earnings per share The California-based company posted iPads also hurt revenues, which were below products and services that we can’t wait between $7.90 and $8.10, from a profit of $7.7bn on revenue of $37.4bn the consensus forecast of nearly $38bn. to show you,” Cook said. $7.15 to $7.35. in the three months period to June 28, an “iPad sales met our expectations, but we A US patent made public yesterday bol- “With 783 new commercial air- increase of 11.6 percent from a year ago. realize they didn’t meet many of yours,” stered rumors that Apple has designs on a plane orders to date this year and Apple said it sold 35.2 million iPhones Cook said during an earnings call with smartwatch. The patent describes an wrist significant contracts in the quar- in the quarter, a rise of nearly 13 percent financial analysts. “We are very bullish band, possibly with a touch screen, con- ter for military aircraft and sat- from the same period a year earlier. about the future of the tablet market and figured to connect wirelessly to a mobile The Apple logo inside a Tokyo store. ellites, our backlog remains large “Our record June quarter revenue was confident that we can continue to bring device such as a smartphone. and diverse. Overall, our strong fuelled by strong sales of iPhone and Mac significant innovation to this category.” Disclosure of the patent added fuel to had for the quarter, climbing 28 percent first-half financial performance, and the continued growth of revenue from He stuck to his belief that the tablet talk that Apple intends to wade into the when compared with the same period a year sustained focus on growth and the Apple ecosystem, driving our highest market will eventually surpass the per- blossoming wearable computing market earlier. “China, honestly, was surprising to productivity, and positive market (earnings per share) growth rate in seven sonal computer market, saying that Apple with a smartwatch. Apple has remained us,” Cook said. outlook support our increased quarters,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook needed to do a few things to “get it moving tight-lipped about product plans, but Cook Apple’s recent deal with China Mobile, the earnings guidance for the year,” said in an earnings release. on a faster trajectory, and we are on track has stated repeatedly that impressive new world’s biggest mobile carrier, is expected McNerney said. Apple also declared a cash dividend of to do that.” He billed a freshly-announced products were in the works, and that he to help lift iPhone sales globally at a time Investors welcomed the finan- 47 cents per share of common stock to be partnership with IBM as way to catalyse sees the wrist as a preferred spot for a when the rival Google Android system has cial results. Dow component paid at the close of business on August 11. sales of iPad and other Apple devices to wearable computing gadget. Sales in China grabbed some 80 percent of the market. Boeing shares were up 1.7 percent Apple shares slipped less than a percent businesses by ramping up mobile software went well past strong expectations Apple AFP at $132 in pre-market trade. AFP

BHP posts Google made failed bid for Spotify Argentina, creditors record iron NEW YORK: Internet titan acquiring companies or technol- Apple or Google-backed Android Google tried last year to buy ogy abroad. Google also revealed software. streaming music service Spotify that it had recently looked into Songza features that have asked to meet until ore output but backed off for reasons buying a foreign company, which resonated with users will be including a whopping price tag, it did not name, for from $4bn woven into Google Play Music the Wall Street Journal reported to $5bn but that the deal did not and YouTube where possible, the deal reached on Tuesday. work out. California-based technology titan in Australia The Journal cited an unnamed Google has its own music said in a post at its Google+ social source as saying that Sweden- service at its Play online shop network. NEW YORK: A US judge dollar-denominated bonds slid fol- SYDNEY: BHP Billiton posted based Spotify was asking for more and set out to bolster its offer- New York-based Songza has ordered Argentina and inves- lowing the hearing, before recov- record annual iron ore produc- than $10bn despite being valued ing with the recent purchase of been likened to Spotify-rival tors who did not participate in ering some of the losses. The bid tion in Western Australia for about $4bn in its latest round of startup Songza. Songza is a free Pandora, which has a leading the country’s past debt restruc- price on the Discount bond was the fourteenth consecutive year, equity funding. online streaming music service ad-supported streaming music turings to meet “continuously” down 1.1 percent on a day earlier while Queensland coal produc- Spotify is the world’s leading that recommends tunes based on model. Google, Amazon and Apple with a court-appointed media- at $86.65 at 1725 local time (2025 tion also hit an all-time high. service for streaming music on what people might be in the mood have music services that compete tor until a settlement is reached, GMT) while the Par bond was 0.8 The Anglo-Australian mining the Internet, claiming 40 million to hear. in a market where Pandora and warning of the threat of a new percent lower at $50.80. giant’s operational review for the users in 56 countries as of May. Financial terms of the deal Spotify have found success. default. “Clearly Argentina is running year ended June 30 also showed While the bulk of Spotify users disclosed early in July were not Apple in May bought Beats US District Judge Thomas out of time,” said Ignacio Labaqui, copper production rose two per- opt for advertising support ver- disclosed, but unconfirmed online Music and Beats Electronics in Griesa in New York told Argentina an analyst for consultancy Medley cent year on year and petroleum sions of the service, the company reports valued the deal at around a deal worth $3bn to bolster its and lawyers for investors who Global Advisors. “Today is the first up 4 percent. reports having 10 million sub- $15m. position in the hotly contested declined to restructure their time I have seen the market believ- “Our focus on productivity has scribers to an ad-free option. Songza suggests playlists based online music sector. bonds after the country defaulted ing that Argentina might default. resulted in a significant improve- In a letter filed late last on where people are and what Apple executives said Tuesday on about $100bn in 2002 that time It’s up to Argentina to decide what ment in operating performance at year with regulators at the they are doing, such as starting a that the Beats buy should be com- was running out to reach a deal it will do.” each of our major businesses this US Securities and Exchange day at home; grinding away at an pleted by the end of September. and avert a fresh default. “That is Argentina has been pushed to year, with a nine percent increase Commission, California-based office, or out exercising. Beats reportedly has several hun- about the worst thing I can envi- the brink of a fresh debt default in group production and record Google said that it planned It has applications tailored dred thousand paying subscribers. sion. I don’t want that to happen,” by US court decisions that it pay output at 12 operations,” chief on spending $20bn to $30bn for mobile devices powered by AFP the judge said. $1.33bn plus interest to bondhold- executive Andrew Mackenzie Jonathan Blackman, a lawyer ers who did not participate in debt said. for Argentina, Latin America’s swaps in 2005 and 2010. The hold- Rival mining giant Rio Tinto No. 3 economy, said even with outs are led by NML and Aurelius last week said its iron ore pro- Honda launches Mobilio in India around-the-clock talks, it would Capital Management. duction and shipments surged be “unlikely, if not impossible, to The country argues paying to record highs in the first-half result in settlement.” “It simply the holdouts would open it up of the year as it boosted output can’t be done by the end of the to as much as $15bn in claims despite a recent fall in commod- month,” he said. from other investors and further ity prices. Iron ore prices have Griesa ordered the parties to strain its financial condition. At dropped almost 30 percent this meet with Daniel Pollack, a New Tuesday’s hearing, Argentina year —falling below $100 a tonne York lawyer appointed to oversee renewed its request that the judge in May for the first time since settlement talks, “continuously stay enforcement of his orders. 2012 — owing to a supply glut as until a settlement is reached.” Griesa said the step was not nec- miners lift output on expectations Pollack, who was appointed June essary, as there are “ways to do of continued Chinese demand for 23 as a mediator, has been holding something to avoid default.” the steel-making material. meetings with the parties, publicly A lawyer for Aurelius, Edward BHP said iron ore production acknowledging talking twice with Friedman, meanwhile urged him in Western Australia significantly Argentine officials. to reconsider part of a decision exceeded initial full-year pro- Argentina is sending a delega- last month allowing Citigroup Inc duction guidance with volumes tion to meet with Pollack, but a to process payments Argentina increasing to 225 million metric government source said Economy made for bonds governed by the tons (Mt). “We now expect pro- Minister Axel Kicillof would not country’s local laws. Friedman said duction of 245 Mt (100 percent be among the group. payments should not be allowed basis) from the Pilbara (region) The presidency of Argentina on US dollar-denominated bonds. in the 2015 financial year,” the said in a statement that “Judge Bank of New York Mellon Corp world’s biggest diversified miner Griesa ... resolved absolutely noth- asked the judge to allow it to hold said in a statement. ing on any of the issues which had onto $539m Argentina depos- Metallurgical coal production been brought before him.” ited last month for a payment was 45 Mt — beating full-year A lead holdout creditor, Elliott to the restructured bondholders. guidance as Queensland Coal Management’s NML Capital Ltd, Griesa previously ordered the achieved record production and said in a statement it was prepared sum returned, saying it violated sales volumes, it said. A Honda Mobilio car is pictured at the production line at a Honda plant in Greater Noida on the outskirts of to meet with Pollack to resolve the his orders. Griesa on Tuesday Copper production rose to 1.7 New Delhi. Honda Motor Co is looking to boost its market share in India with the launch of a seven-seater, dispute. “We are confident this issued no ruling on the Citigroup Mt, while petroleum produc- multi-purpose vehicle which has been a runaway success for the Japanese carmaker in Indonesia. Since matter could be resolved quickly issue, and told BNY Mellon and tion was supported by signifi- the launch in January of the Mobilio in Indonesia, Honda’s sales and market share in the southeast Asian if Argentina would join us in set- the holdouts to see if they could cant growth at Onshore US and country have soared, hurting rivals such as Toyota Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co. tlement discussions,” NML said. reach an agreement. Atlantis. AFP Argentine over-the-counter REUTERS THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Silicon Valley’s economy We really should listen to is not the future of work Murdoch’s hushed minorities BY SARAH JAFFE

ike many of the other tech companies — Lyft, Zaarly, BY ROB COX his consolidated voting stake rises to 46.4 as powerful for fund managers as it is for Fiverr — that have gotten bucketloads of venture capital percent. the “Glee” demographic. Owning Fox has to match underemployed people with no-commitment ime Warner shareholders pon- In rejecting Murdoch’s approach, Time proven lucrative. Over the past five years, Lgigs, TaskRabbit taps into an existing need — any kind dering whether to surrender to Warner boss Jeff Bewkes argued that his the shares are up 258 percent, pacing Time of income in an economy increasingly built on low-wage jobs or Rupert Murdoch would be well company’s shareholders wouldn’t want to Warner’s gain, though trailing the perform- no jobs at all — and fulfils a real desire for flexibility among 21st- advised to listen to the media swap their shares, which grant them the ance of larger Walt Disney. century workers. The company’s CEO has said that TaskRabbit’s mogul’s muzzled minorities. Most democratic right of a corresponding vote, And for all their gripes with Fox’s gov- goal is to “revolutionize the world’s labour force”. TTwenty-First Century Fox believers are rel- for securities that leave them voiceless and ernance, and clear disdain for Murdoch’s But TaskRabbit, like all the others, is just a site and an app egated to owning non-voting stock in the powerless. The Fox camp retorts that since offspring, they sure like the man himself that matches workers — “taskers”, in the company’s terminology entertainment conglomerate, the same sec- up to 70 percent of Time Warner sharehold- and his right hand, Chase Carey. — with one-off jobs that other people want done for them. In the ond-tier paper on offer as part of the $80bn ers also own Fox shares, they clearly are not The schizophrenia isn’t unusual. Investors old days — as in, a couple of weeks ago – workers would bid on takeover bid for the owner of HBO, CNN fussed by the discrepancy. generally dislike dual-share structures that jobs posted by potential clients on the TaskRabbit site, and clients and Warner Bros studios. Despite broad Adjust the votes to remove the Murdochs strip away their rights but are often willing would select the best bid for “outsourcing” chores like cleaning investor overlap in the two companies, the and Alwaleed, however, and a different pic- to tolerate them as a quid pro quo for riding the oven, wrapping gifts or assembling Ikea furniture. The pay record shows a clear distaste for Murdoch’s ture emerges. Start with the board, where the coattails of a visionary entrepreneur might have been low at that point, but workers determined it imperialism. Murdoch’s sons Lachlan and James were with years of value creation ahead of them. for themselves, just as they determined when and what kind of It takes a little simple division to work opposed by the vast majority of minor- It’s why similarly Murdochian arrange- work they would do. out the fair-and-balanced view from Fox ity investors – 91 percent and 72 percent, ments have been adopted by hot tech com- Now, TaskRabbit has changed its rules. Attempting to capital- shareholders not named by Murdoch. That’s respectively. The compensation plan secured panies like Facebook and GoPro. ize on the explosion in the so-called “gig economy” and set itself because the bulk of the company’s equity 431 million yes votes and 78 million nays. There are important distinctions, apart from the ever-growing competition, TaskRabbit this month capital – 65 percent to be precise – com- Subtract the approvals of Murdoch and though. The founders of those firms, Mark has begun using a new algorithm to match workers with clients, prises Class A securities, which prevents Alwaleed and just 60 million shares landed Zuckerberg and Nicholas Woodman, respec- who then contact a given worker to see if she is available, and the their owners from voting on most matters of in the yes camp. On that basis, some 56 tively, are in their 30s and still in the early worker has 30 minutes to accept or reject the bid. The taskers interest, like choosing the board of directors percent of shareholders opposed it. Perhaps stages of their careers. Though both own are not pleased. Jamie Viggiano from TaskRabbit tells me the or vetting executive compensation. There are most tellingly, on a Murdoch-adjusted basis, super-voting stock, their economic inter- new experience was designed based on eight months of feedback about 1.5 billion of these shares outstanding. every share that did not abstain voted in ests in Facebook and GoPro are also still from both clients and taskers. “We built a solution for the major- Fox’s less liquid Class B shares carry all favour of the resolution calling for an inde- substantial. ity,” she says. “On average, our taskers are getting 400 percent the voting clout. There are about 800 mil- pendent chairman, despite Fox’s exhorta- By comparison, Murdoch is 83. And if more working opportunities than they got in the old experience.” lion of these, with Murdoch entities con- tions that they oppose the measure. his Time Warner offer were to succeed as Taskers can, if they’re not getting enough tasks at the rate they’ve trolling approximately 315 million of them. So if the majority of Fox’s voting share- initially proposed, he’d own less than 10 per- set, use a “rescue tasks” app in order to find work that may be That translates into an economic interest holders who are not part of the Murdoch cent of the combined company. While there below their normal rate. of about 13.6 percent in the company, but or Saudi kingdoms disagree with the cor- are merits to uniting the two film and TV But it’s notable that the updated site looks a lot like, well, any an outsized 39.4 percent of the vote. Fold in porate chieftain, then why do they own the empires, there is no reason for Time Warner other employer these days. The company now touts its “skilled another 56.2 million shares held by Murdoch company? For starters, the fear of missing shareholders to rush to kiss Murdoch’s ring. professionals” who undergo criminal background checks and in- pal Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and out, or FOMO in the popular vernacular, is REUTERS person interviews. And, if that’s not enough, you can ask specifi- cally for the TaskRabbit “elite”, a top-tier workforce that is both highly active and highly rated by clients. TaskRabbit, Zaarly, Agent Anything and the other supposedly high-tech companies bill themselves as new and improved takes on the modern working world, but their model actually comes from a much older concept: piecework. It was common in the late 19th and early 20th century that, instead of working in a factory for a wage or a salary, workers sewed or assembled goods at home and were paid by the finished item rather than for their time. The new wave of piecework may look different — working for an individual rather than a big company, working for many different clients instead of just one, and having a website act as a broker (and take 20 percent off the top) — but it has very similar roots. This “revolutionary” work built out of Silicon Valley convenience is not really about technological innovation — it’s just the next step in a decades-old trend of fragmenting jobs, isolating workers and driving down wages. And, as Paul Mason noted the other day on these pages, there’s a whiff of the “shape-up” in these gigs — that is, when workers lined up on the docks to be chosen for a day’s work ... or not. They pit tasker against tasker for the prize of some work, giving already- atomised workers an added incentive not to share information about employers, wages and fees. As Mercedes told me: “I have ended up on tasks where I learned I was making significantly more than the others, which is always interesting to discover.” But while technology has made it easier for clients to find work- ers to do low-paying gigs, it has also made it easier for workers to find each other. And despite the competitiveness engendered by the TaskRabbit system, there are multiple groups on Facebook where TaskRabbit workers and users of other “gig economy” apps talk to one another — including at least one that formed specifically in response to the latest changes, and multiple location-based groups. It might be a big step from a Facebook group to a union, but getting together to express grievances is a first step toward organ- ising. Worker’s organisations are going to — and going to have to — look different in this century from the unions we’re accustomed to. They will need to be as flexible, streamlined and quick as the tech companies they target — but the basics won’t change. And, as the long-time labour movement saying goes, the boss is often the best organiser: TaskRabbit’s changes may have finally given gig-workers something to get together about. THE GUARDIAN Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

Puerto Rico debt crisis headed for US-style bankruptcy resolution

BY NICK BROWN & to be in the weakest condition of such groups, which are a staple in Guaranty Ltd, bond insurers with eventually amassing a collective once it cuts the debt associated TOM HALS the agencies. big bankruptcy cases that involve more than $10bn in combined debt of $72.6bn. with its three biggest public Municipal bond mutual funds disparate creditor factions, is an exposure to Padilla, who took office in corporations. omentum is building including Oppenheimer & Co and indication of a restructuring in Puerto Rico, are being rep- January 2013, has been aggres- Recent market activity sug- toward a deal that Franklin Templeton sued to block its infancy, restructuring special- resented by financial advisers sive in addressing the island’s gests some investors believe that would make painful the law. Some of their funds have ists said. with workout expertise at The fiscal crisis, raising taxes, reform- could well be the case. While Mlosses inevitable for suffered negative returns since One key role for the commit- Blackstone Group and Houlihan ing public pensions and slashing many long-term PREPA bonds investors holding about $20bn the Recovery Act triggered the tee in Puerto Rico, which includes Lokey, respectively. The three spending. But his move to push remain at prices in the mid-40s or in bonds issued by Puerto Rico’s decline in Puerto Rico bonds, a Fir Tree Partners and Aurelius have a combined exposure of through the restructuring law below, the commonwealth’s gen- highway, water and electricity long-time favourite among fund Capital Management, among oth- $2.4bn to PREPA, according to last month shocked investors. eral obligation bonds have rallied. authorities even as some big US managers thanks to their triple ers, could be to finance a restruc- Moody’s Investors Service. Prices on PREPA bonds and those Prices on its benchmark offer- mutual funds launch a legal battle tax-free status and fat yields. turing for PREPA through a Others involved include law issued by its sister corporations ing of $3.5bn of GO bonds sold in to squelch a new law that author- Supporting the law is a group so-called debtor-in-possession, or firms Weil, Gotshal & Manges, plunged, with some PREPA debt March — the largest municipal ises a restructuring. of distressed debt investors who DIP, loan. Early projections peg which took Lehman Brothers falling by nearly 50 percent in a junk bond offering in history. The Puerto Rican govern- bought more than $3bn of Puerto a DIP for PREPA in the $1.5bn through bankruptcy, Debevoise matter of days. Still, it’s clear that some inves- ment and most of its creditors Rico’s general obligation (GO) to $2bn range, people close to the & Plimpton, which was involved Credit ratings agencies, which tors aren’t ready to simply accept have hired US-based bankruptcy and governmental development matter have said. with American Airlines’ Chapter had already cut most Puerto Rico the inevitability of a restructur- experts to advise them through bank (GDB) bonds, which can’t be With prospects that the situ- 11, and Cadwalader, Wickersham bonds to below-investment grade ing. Oppenheimer and Franklin the Caribbean island’s efforts to restructured under the law. ation will unfold like a US-style & Taft, which has been involved earlier in the year, slashed them allege in their lawsuit that the solve its debt problem, and the Padilla is trying to protect the bankruptcy, top turnaround in Detroit’s bankruptcy. deeper into junk territory, saying Recovery Act violates the US resolution figures to look a lot like commonwealth’s ability to make experts have jumped into the The restructuring efforts follow the law raised questions about the Constitution on multiple fronts, a US-style bankruptcy. payments on about $52bn of fray. Puerto Rico’s government a decade during which an index administration’s commitment to including by allowing the com- The crisis came to a head bonds not subject to the law by development bank has hired Jim of the island’s economic activity honouring its debts. Many hedge monwealth to impair contracts late last month when Governor restructuring the debt of agen- Millstein, who oversaw the US has fallen by 18 percent and the funds are accustomed to plough- over the objections of certain Alejandro Garcia Padilla pushed cies like PREPA and the sewer rescue of American International number of employed people has ing more money into a situation if bondholders. through the Public Corporations and water authority known as Group. Lawyers at Cleary Gottlieb fallen by 11 percent. it offers a chance of boosting their Indeed, the aggressive meas- Debt Enforcement and Recovery PRASA, said Suzzanne Uhland, Steen & Hamilton, which has The government runs chronic returns, and due to the current ures taken by Padilla have won Act to create a bankruptcy-like a lawyer and municipal insolvency advised Greece and Argentina, budget deficits and has a weak dearth of big corporate bankrupt- some admirers among the new process for restructuring the expert at O’Melveny & Myers in teamed with Proskauer Rose’s track record for collecting eve- cies, funds are scrambling for ilk of investors. Commonwealth debt of commonwealth-run cor- San Francisco. Martin Bienenstock, the bank- rything from sales and corpo- investment opportunities. bought itself breathing room ear- porations. That’s caused prices Late last week, the distressed ruptcy expert who helped struc- rate income taxes to power and Indeed, a restructuring of lier this year with the bond sale on some of the bonds of the elec- debt investors who bought the ture the auto bankruptcies of water bills. To plug the gap, the PREPA’s debt could provide relief and circumstances would have to tric utility, known as PREPA, to GO and GDB bonds said they had 2009, to write the bulk of the new government and its agencies for the bonds owed directly by the change drastically before a reck- fall to 40 cents on the dollar or formed a committee in support bankruptcy law. have turned repeatedly to the island’s government. Puerto Rico’s oning is inevitable. below. PREPA is widely viewed of the new law. The formation of MBIA Inc and Assured $3.7tr US municipal bond market, debt becomes more manageable REUTERS THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 13,189.56 0.52 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 19,672.1 0.52 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,446.49 0.14 % RATE QE Total Return Index 19,672.1 0.52 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Index 3,325.04 0.58 % GOLD QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,199.65 0.14 % Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5567.015 33.011 0.6 5545.9 5072.7 QE All Share Industrials 4,344.08 1.34 % QR153.4584 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,257.13 0.26 % Cac 40 Index/D 4393.08 23.56 0.54 4598.65 4080.6 UK ...... QR 6.1685 QR 6.2555 QE All Share Real Estate 2,956.75 0.04 % SILVER QE All Share Insurance 3,746.79 0.69 % Dj Indu Average 17113.54 61.81 0.36 17151.6 14719.43 QR 2.4623 Euro ...... QR 4.8769 QR 4.9446 QE All Share Telecoms 1,612.88 1.68 % CA$ ...... QR 3.3657 QR 3.4319 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,089.13 0.24 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0124 QR 4.0687 QE Market Summary Comparison Hang Seng Inde/D 23971.87 189.76 0.8 23803.17 21137.61 Yen ...... QR 0.0356 QR 0.0362 Today Previous day Aus$ ...... QR 3.3883 QR 3.4570 Iseq Overall/D 4727.08 3.1 0.07 5195.97 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 23-07-2014 22-07-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0601 QR 0.0613 Index 13,189.56 13,258.42 Karachi 100 In/D 30465.43 63.34 0.21 30493.33 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0366 QR 0.0373 Change 68.86 168.46 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0836 QR 0.0853 Nikkei 225 Index 15328.56 -14.72 -0.1 16164.01 13885.11 % 0.52 1.29 SL Re ...... QR 0.0277 QR 0.0283 YTD% 27.07 27.74 $ 107.35 S&P 500 Index/D 1983.53 9.9 0.5 1986.24 1627.47 Taka ...... QR 0.0465 QR 0.0475 Volume 14,459,863 14,938,110 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0376 QR 0.0384 Value (QAR) 628,314,812.44 687,016,237.68 Straits Times/D 3340.7 23.79 0.72 3321.62 2953.01 Trades 11,074 8,470 $ 105.36 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3430 QR 0.3500 Up 11 | Down 27 | Unchanged 04 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 23-07-2014

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED

A C C-A/D 1455 -30 14180 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1924.8 22.4 5800 Hind.Petrol-A/D 395.35 8.9 146985 Kopran-B/D 51.2 0.35 414190 Reliance Indus/D 574.15 -10.55 93649 Land Secs Grou/D 1055 4 869445 Aarti Drugs-B/D 608.45 -17.95 4073 Colgate-A/D 1673.5 32.45 17016 Hindalco-A/D 193.1 4.85 1679676 Laxmi Prcisn-B/D 53.45 -1.5 3789 Ruchi Soya-B/D 42.6 -1.1 44301 Legal & Genera/D 235.9 1 2008055 Aban Offs-B/D 771.05 -12.85 189165 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 98.55 1.3 36557 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1035.75 -4.95 73009 Lgb Broth-B/D 436 9.7 8625 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 667.75 4.55 15608 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 73.9 0.6 32254724 Aegis Logis-B/D 284.6 -1.65 22146 Dcm Financia-T/D 1.21 -0.06 3500 I F C I-A/D 38.1 -0.6 1751712 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 14.5 0.1 81450 Salora Inter-T/D 36.4 1.65 13562 Marks & Sp./D 448.4 5.8 1052565 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 274.9 -2.35 33384 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 113 -0.6 14962 Idbi-A/D 92.35 -0.05 356054 Lupin-A/D 1090.8 -4.75 29481 Samtel-T/D 4.11 0.19 17500 Next/D 6530 25 64047 Alembic-B/D 28.05 1.25 859863 Dhampur Sugar-/D 57.55 0.35 24197 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 154 -4.05 27829 Lyka Labs-T/D 16.55 -0.7 9207 Thirumalai-B/D 95.9 -1.1 10110 Pearson/D 1110.93 7 405942 Alok Indus-B/D 13.49 -0.28 4294292 Dr. Reddy-A/D 2733.95 14.7 22250 India Cement-B/D 102.25 -2.2 129510 Maha Scooter-B/D 701 15 3680 Til Ltd.-T/D 421.95 -15.8 6819 Prudential/D 1383 5.5 434523 Apollo Tyre-A/D 184.95 0.35 430438 E I H-B/D 96.9 0.85 48173 India Glycol-B/D 131.9 0.3 113216 Mangalam Cem-B/D 215 -6.35 13175 Timexgroup-T/D 15.05 0.05 14517 Rank Group/D 161 3.8 3885 Asahi I Glass-/D 87 -1.6 42171 E.I.D Parry-B/D 197.5 -1.15 11053 Indian Hotel-A/D 93.95 -0.6 45290 Maral Overs-B/D 26.4 0.45 8349 Tinplate-B/D 84 -3.45 317501 Rentokil Initi/D 120.1 1.8 362100 Ub Engineer-T/D 16 -0.25 6286 Ashok Leyland-/D 33.6 0.3 1663544 Electrosteel-B/D 31.4 -1.65 701589 Indo-Tcount-T/D 110 -2.75 39388 Mastek-B/D 201.45 -10.4 66839 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1049.17 6 575501 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1315 4.8 5535 Emco-B/D 43 -0.9 69081 Indusind-A/D 555.95 -1.7 52027 Max India L-A/D 319.45 1.95 189531 Ultramarine-B/D 66.5 0.3 12699 Rsa Insrance G/D 460 1.5 505686 Ballarpur In-B/D 17.95 -0.05 538390 Escorts-B/D 125.25 -0.85 183563 J.B.Chemical-B/D 175.4 -2.55 143283 Mrpl-A/D 68.5 -0.9 63489 Unitech P -A/D 27.5 1.35 7606326 Sainsbury(J)/D 314.186 0.3 2288449 Bata India-A/D 1324.15 -9.6 9273 Essar Oil-T/D 107.8 0.55 206903 Jagson Phar-B/D 20.2 0.35 82868 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 30.7 -0.75 2998 Schroders/D 2498 2 49670 Beml Ltd-B/D 661.1 -26.3 9060 Eveready Indu-/D 84.45 1.65 80018 Jbf Indu-B/D 139.75 -3.35 17450 Nahar Spg.-B/D 144 -4.3 18275 LONDON Severn Trent/D 1953 1 100694 Bh Electronic-/D 1860.9 19.75 20185 F D C-B/D 143.7 0.95 81204 Jct Elect P -T/D 0.67 -0.02 29687 Nath Seeds-T/D 10.15 0.17 34409 Smith&Nephew/D 1050 2 296296 Bharatgears-B/D 66.85 -2.7 3670 Federal Bank-A/D 124.6 0.9 2166155 Jct Ltd-T/D 2.7 0.02 85860 Nation Alum -A/D 59.6 -0.9 1189506 3I Group/D 388.7 0.1 228753 Smiths Group/D 1249 0 169108 Bhartiya Int-B/D 350.2 -3.6 13144 Ferro Alloys-B/D 8.55 -0.18 37609 Jik Indust-T/D 0.95 -0.04 22340 Navneet Edu-B/D 82.35 -1.15 35745 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2872 41 226969 Standrd Chart /D 1219 3 1052900 Bhel-A/D 234.35 0.05 338576 Finolex-B/D 275 -3.15 12457 Jindal Drill-B/D 268.05 -3.3 49622 Nepc India-T/D 4.65 -0.08 23187 B Sky B/D 909 -1 941399 Tate & Lyle/D 667.02 -0.5 201165 Bom.Burmah-B/D 142.65 -5.35 40768 Gail-A/D 438.4 -3.05 35924 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 328.9 14.1 390829 Nrb Bearings-B/D 89.55 -1.75 33064 Barclays/D 212.05 1.45 12579224 Tesco/D 276.8563 -0.5 10222031 Bombay Dyeing-/D 76.15 -1.95 882863 Gammon India-T/D 27.35 -0.65 31278 Jmc Projects-T/ D 157.55 7.5 139347 O N G C-A/D 405.1 -3.7 474115 Bg Group/D 1211.3181 9 1315793 Unilever/D 2706 18 1269739 Canfin Homes-B/D 440.8 -12.3 3466 Garden P -B/D 46.25 -0.35 4125 Kabra Extr-B/D 62.8 -4.55 40303 Oil Country-B/D 57.3 -3.25 87412 Bp/D 501.2 2.7 3349719 Caprihans-B/D 47.05 -3.35 7521 Goodricke-B/D 177.3 0.6 27976 Kajaria Cer-B/D 596.1 12.15 11356 Onward Tech-B/D 64.05 3.05 5728 United Util Gr/D 901.05 0.5 358629 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3546 17.5 436837 Cast.Bo/D 336.5 8.5 111646 Goodyear I -B/D 581.65 -9.5 16536 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 118.35 -1.9 3593 Orchid Chem-B/D 78.25 -1.65 317788 Vodafone Group/D 197.3845 1.75 22158891 Bt Group/D 389.8 0.8 1514638 Century Enka-B/D 187.3 -0.45 46841 Hcl Infosys-B/D 76.55 5 2249163 Kalpat Power-B/D 169.3 -3.9 29284 Orient Hotel-T/D 22.75 0.25 3388 Whitbread/D 4331 16 76049 Centrica/D 310.8 -1 2116562 Century Text-A/D 641.15 14.2 235101 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 16.3 -0.3 732256 Kalyani Stel-T/D 109.1 -3.25 341893 Orient.Carb.-T/D 274 -10.7 17824 Gkn/D 353.5 6.1 1486101 Chambal Fert-B/D 58.2 -0.15 79049 Himat Seide-B/D 79.4 -0.35 19783 Kanoria Chem-B/D 46.05 -1.6 19615 Orient.Carb.-T/D 274 -10.7 17824 Hsbc Holdings/D 609.3 4.4 2874607 Chowgule St-T/D 16.4 -0.45 18660 Hind Motors-T/D 8.82 -0.18 86114 Kg Denim-B/D 20.6 0.3 91282 Radico Khait-B/D 101.4 0.5 102095 Imperial Tobac/D 2625 -3 395136 Cipla-A/D 442 1.3 106786 Hind Org Chem-/D 17.9 -0.6 32520 Kilburnengg-T/D 31.7 -1.3 28676 Rallis India-B/D 215.1 -0.3 124884 City Union Bk-/D 78 0.9 61017 Hind Unilever-/D 632.5 -0.05 64216 Kinetic Eng-B/D 44.85 0.2 8749 Rallis India-B/D 215.1 -0.3 124884 Kingfisher/D 339.4 2.1 964270 THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Mountains jersey tactic helps Majka to second stage win Pole extends lead in King of the Mountains standings as Nibali gains more ground

SAINT-LARY-SOULAN, wheel. But when the Pole went a France: Rafal Majka won his third time he got clear and gradu- second stage of the 2014 Tour ally chased down Visconti. de France yesterday and also The pair rode together for extended his lead in the King of a while before Majka attacked the Mountains standings. and the Italian, who finished And the 24-year-old Pole second on the stage, could not revealed that it was his team respond. manager Bjarne Riis’s tactical Nibali gobbled up the strag- nous that helped him win both glers from the breakaway group the tough 124.5km Pyrenean stage and crossed the line third, with and hold onto the polka dot jersey. Peraud fourth. Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez Valverde showed his expe- had started the day just a point rience by hanging in when he behind Majka in the mountains was dropped by an acceleration classification but picked up 24 from Pinot, that was followed by points to Majka’s 10 over the first Bardet and American Tejay Van three first category climbs. Garderen. But the 35-year-old was But Valverde let two team- nowhere to be seen when Majka Rafal Majka of Poland puts on the best climber’s polka-dotted jersey on mates pace him back up to the crossed the line at Saint-Lary at the podium after winning the 17th stage of the Tour de France race at young trio and he even gained the end of the final hors category Saint-Lary-Soulan, Pla d’Adet, yesterday. 5sec on them with a little burst ascent. just before the line. AFP “Bjarne told me not to go for the King of the Mountain points Tourmalet and Hautacam moun- gain some seconds. (Peraud) is (on the first three climbs), he said tains will be climbed — Peraud is quite far behind (6:08) so he’s not Stage 17 Results ‘wait, wait, wait, you’ll get double in a good position to finish on the a danger to me,” said the 29-year- 1. Rafal Majka (POL/TIN) 3hr 35min 23sec points at the finish’,” said Majka. podium. old Astana leader. Majka picked up 50 points for He is a better timetriallist than “I was looking to gain time 2. Giovanni Visconti (ITA/MOV) finishing first with Rodriguez any of those competing for a top on my main rivals. It was a very 3. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/AST) 0:46 coming over the line in 31st three finish. tough day so I’m very satisfied 4. Jean Christophe Peraud (FRA/ALM) place, meaning the Pole now leads Just as he did in the second with how it went.” 5. Alessandro De Marchi (ITA/CAN) 0:49 Vincenzo Nibali, the yellow jersey of the two Alpine stages, Peraud Even so, Nibali refused to pop 6. Pierre Rolland (FRA/EUC) wearer, by 31 points. proved the only rider capable of the champagne corks just yet. 7. Frank Schleck (LUX/TRE) Nibali extended his overall holding onto Nibali’s wheel when “It’s true that Valverde lost lead by 49sec to 5:26 ahead of the Italian accelerated on the final some time today but he’s going 8. Bauke Mollema (NED/BKN) Alejandro Valverde. climb. well. There’s still another tough 9. Nicolas Roche (IRL/TIN) French veteran Jean- “I’m very happy with my form: day tomorrow and then we’ve also 10. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) Christophe Peraud was the big hanging onto Nibali in the third got a 54km timetrial before I can Overall Standings mover amongst the leading six, week! I had the good fortune of weigh up where I am.” 1. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/AST) 76hr 41min 28sec closing to just 8sec of Thibaut having him as a point of reference. A series of different breakaway 2. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) Pinot in third place as he finished He worked with me and I thank groups throughout the day even- alongside Nibali. him for that,” said the AG2R tually ended up with a 14-strong 3. Thibaut Pinot (FRA/FDJ) On Tuesday morning Peraud rider, who was ninth at the Tour one at the foot of the final climb. 4. Jean Christophe Peraud (FRA/ALM) was sixth overall and more than in 2011. Four men got away before 5. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) a minute behind his teammate Peraud spent a lot of time just Giovanni Visconti, who like Nibali 6. Tejay Van Garderen (USA/BMC) Bardet in third. tagged onto Nibali’s back wheel is Sicilian, took off on his own. 7. Bauke Mollema (NED/BKN) But the 37-year-old has stead- but the Italian said that didn’t Majka had accelerated a cou- Saxo Tinkoff procycling team rider Rafal Majka of Poland celebrates while 8. Laurens ten Dam (NED/BKN) ily climbed the standings and bother him as he put time into ple of times out of the bunch but crossing the finish line to win the 17th stage of the Tour de France race 9. Leopold König (CZE/APP) at Saint-Lary-Soulan, Pla d’Adet, in France yesterday. with one mountain stage left on Valverde and Pinot. Rodriguez refused to work with Thursday — in which the epic “For me it was important to him and just settled behind his 10. Pierre Rolland (FRA/EUC) Nibali relieved after nervous stage in Pyrenees

SAINT-LARY-SOULAN, behind Pole Rafal Majka and fel- they were more compact on France: Although he started low Italian Giovanni Visconti, said Wednesday and Nibali was never the day with a comfortable the stage, a 124.5-km trek from St in danger. lead on Alejandro Valverde, Gaudens, had all the ingredients “The team did an amazing Vincenzo Nibali knew that yes- to be explosive. job. I’m a bit relieved. I feared terday’s 17th stage of the Tour “It was a very nervous stage, this stage a little bit,” Nibali de France was potentially the it got off to a very fast start this said. “Yesterday, some of our most treacherous. morning and the four climbs in a rivals were really strong, like Instead, the Italian rider fur- row really hurt,” said Nibali, who (Valverde’s) Movistar who set ther extended his advantage with is looking to become the sixth a very high pace. With such an an acceleration midway through man to win all three grand tours intense stage, you never know the final ascent to the Plat d’Adet after claiming the 2010 Vuelta what can happen. It can explode after his Astana team had nursed a Espana and last year’s Giro in the first climb and then, what him through the first three d’Italia. do you do? The plan, anyway, was climbs. Before him, Frenchmen Jacques to stay calm and stay altogether.” He now leads Spain’s Valverde Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Nibali now has to hold off poten- by 5:26 with France’s Thibaut Italian Felice Gimondi, Belgian tial attacks in today’s 18th stage, a Pinot six minutes off the pace Eddy Merckx and Spain’s Alberto mountain ride finishing at the top as both riders failed to sustain Contador achieved that feat. of the climb to Hautacam, before Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali (left) wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey rides during the 17th stage of the Tour Nibali’s pace. After his Astana team mates wrapping it up in Saturday’s time de France race between Saint-Gaudens and Saint-Lary-Soulan, Pla d’Adet, in southwestern France yesterday. Nibali, who finished third struggled in Tuesday’s 16th stage, trial. REUTERS India ‘outraged’ Cavaliers gain salary Cancellation anger in Manila after Sikh MANILA: Organisers of a visit back our money!” echoed through by NBA stars to the basketball- the stadium, organisers told the players told to room for Love deal mad Philippines have apologised crowd they would be offering and offered refunds after an refunds while reminding them CLEVELAND: A salary- seek the aid of a third club in exhibition game was abruptly that the event, co-sponsored remove turbans dumping deal on Tuesday by the order to make the trade work. cancelled. by Philippine Long Distance Cleveland Cavaliers could help Andrew Wiggins, the top pick Tycoon Manny Pangilinan, Telephone Co. (PLDT), was for NEW DELHI: India yester- the new NBA team of superstar in last month’s NBA Draft by whose company sponsored the charity. day said it was “shocked and LeBron James swing a deal with Cleveland, could be on the trade scheduled match yesterday night PLDT, which is chaired by outraged” after learning Sikh the Minnesota Timberwolves block once he signs with the between a visiting NBA contin- Pangilinan, said in a statement members of the national bas- for star centre Kevin Cavaliers, a move that gent and the national team, issued that “it was informed by the ketball team were not allowed Love (pictured). could come this week. a profuse apology amid growing organisers a few hours before the to wear turbans on court at the The Cavaliers After that, he could anger at the cancellation. event that “the five-on-five game recent Asia Cup. obtained guard John not be traded for 30 “We wish to apologise to our was... not allowed by the NBA”. Sports minister Sarbananda Lucas III and forwards days but then could Filipino basketball fans for the It was not stated why the Sonowal said wearing a turban Malcolm Thomas and be part of a move for sudden and disappointing turn NBA did not sanction the event, on court did not impact on “fair Erik Murphy from Love. of events... we ourselves are intended as a tune-up for Gilas play” and he was surprised to Utah for second-year Landing Love extremely disappointed by this NBA basketball players Brandon Pilipinas before this year’s FIBA learn about the incident at the guard Carrick Felix, a together with 2012 unexpected development,” he said Jennings of the Detroit Pistons, World Cup. FIBA Asia Cup in China earlier second-round pick in Olympic gold medal in a statement. James Harden of the Houston PLDT later said a “meet-and- this month. next year’s NBA Draft teammate James and The NBA team, including the Rockets and DeMar DeRozan of greet” event with the NBA play- Sonowal said he has asked the and $1m. guard Kyrie Irving Houston Rockets’ James Harden, the Toronto Raptors at a press ers and another scheduled game International Olympic Committee All three players who went to would give the Cavaliers a “Big the San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi conference in Manila on Monday. yesterday had been cancelled. to issue guidelines on the wearing Cleveland have contracts that are Three” to rival what James Leonard, Damian Lillard of the The Philippines’ professional of turbans so that “such incidents not guaranteed for next season, enjoyed with Dwyane Wade and Portland Trailblazers and DeMar a large crowd — some of whom league often brings in American do not take place again.” meaning the Cavaliers would have Chris Bosh in Miami, where he DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors, had paid as much as 23,300 players to spice up the game. “We are aware that some play- about $3.3m toward Love’s $15.7m led the Heat to two titles and four were supposed to play “five on pesos ($530) — it was abruptly NBA veteran Andray Blatche ers of the Indian basketball team salary should they swing a deal NBA finals before announcing five” games with the national announced that the players would was speedily given citizenship in were not allowed to play with for him with Minnesota. earlier this month he was leaving team, Gilas Pilipinas, on Tuesday instead just engage in practice June to boost the national team’s turbans in the Asia Cup held in The Timberwolves are looking to return to the Cavaliers, which and yesterday. drills. chances during the World Cup. China recently,” he said in a state- at a deal involving other players he spurned in 2010 to join Miami. But on Tuesday night, before As boos and shouts of “Give us AFP ment. AFP that could force the Cavaliers to AFP THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Statistics for Hungarian Grand Hamilton eyes Hungary win Prix Statistics for Sunday’s Briton needs victory to reduce Rosberg’s 14-point championship lead Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix, race 11 of the 19-round championship: BUDAPEST: Lewis Hamilton added with a laugh. Hamilton, like may not be putting the Buddha most Formula One drivers, is a Lap distance: 4.381 km, Total distance: into Budapest this weekend believer in the old adage that you 306.630 km, 70 laps. but he could be tempted to make your own luck in motor rac- 2013 pole: Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes Mercedes AMG one minute 19.388 seconds. seek divine assistance if luck ing and he said he would never Petronas drivers goes against him in Sunday’s pray for it. 2013 winner: Hamilton Lewis Hamilton Hungarian Grand Prix. But it would be nice if some of Lap record: 1:19.071, Michael Schumacher (right) celebrates The Mercedes Formula One the bad stuff went away in the last (Germany), Ferrari 2004. driver needs a win to cut into Grand Prix before the three-week on the podium with his team-mate Start time: 1200 GMT (1400 local) team-mate Nico Rosberg’s European summer shutdown. Tyres: Medium (white), soft (yellow) 14-point championship lead after “A clean weekend is what I’m Nico Rosberg Wins 10 of the 19 races and Hungary looking for, to come away from after winning % offers the perfect opportunity. there with some strong points the Formula One Mercedes have won all but one race so far Hamilton has won there four going into the break, get some Bahrain Grand Prix this season. The exception was Canada, won by times in the last seven seasons, rest time and then head back at Sakhir Circuit Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo. % including the last two, and the into the last part of the season,” in April, in this file Red Bull’s quadruple world champion Briton shares the record for he said. photo. A tough Sebastian Vettel has 39 career wins, Fernando Alonso 32, Lewis Hamilton 27, Kimi Raikkonen victories at the slow and twisty “Maybe I need to go and visit competition is 20 and Jenson Button 15. Championship leader Hungaroring with Michael some Indians, go and visit the expected among Schumacher. Buddha, rub the Buddha belly or Nico Rosberg has seven. the team-mates in % Hamilton is level with triple champion Rosberg’s best result at the cir- whatever,” joked the Briton, with Hungary on Sunday. Jackie Stewart in the all-time list of winners. cuit, outside Budapest, remains a big grin. The only British driver to have won more is 1992 a fourth place with Williams in “Try all the different religions champion Nigel Mansell (31). 2009. to see if I can get some luck.” %Ferrari have won 221 races, McLaren 182, However, Hamilton’s season While Rosberg will be Williams 114 and Red Bull 48. Mercedes have has also been beset by bad luck, Hamilton’s main rival, with won 22 and one more would lift them level with with two race retirements and Mercedes having won nine of the another good weekend. Bottas has should help us get the set-up “The Hungaroring is a great now-defunct Tyrrell. problems such as the front brake 10 races so far, Hungary is more been second in the last two races, right. track. Everybody thinks of it as %McLaren have not won for 29 races, a run disc failure in qualifying that led about aerodynamics and down- and third in the one before that, “There are always a few fans a slow circuit, but, out the back, that dates back to Brazil 2012. to him starting last weekend’s force than having the best engine. and Hungary has long been seen from Finland, it’s almost like a it’s got some pretty decent cor- % Ferrari’s last victory was in Spain in German Grand Prix from 20th That could put Red Bull more as a home race for Formula One’s Finnish GP, so I hope to pay the ners...the sequence of S-bends May 2013 - the last time a team other than on the grid. into the mix - although quadru- Finnish drivers due to linguistic fans back with a good result.” that make up Turns Eight to 11 Mercedes or Red Bull won. “I’m going there (Hungary) ple champion Sebastian Vettel has similarities and proximity. Hungary also has happy memo- are really satisfying to drive,” said Pole Position to try and win,” he told report- never won in Hungary despite fin- “We know it’s not the best ries for McLaren’s Jenson Button Button. % ers after finishing third at ishing on the podium three times. circuit for our car but we are and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, “Nonetheless, it’s still a circuit Mercedes and Williams are the only teams Hockenheim. Williams - and particularly working on getting more grip in who both took the first wins of where you require lots of down- to have started a race on pole position this year. % “I just hope that the car sticks Finland’s Valtteri Bottas - have the corners and we have some their F1 careers at the circuit. force and grip, and I think we Rosberg (Bahrain/Monaco/Canada/ together so I can go out and do been the team pushing Mercedes upgrades that should help as Button has won there twice, are making positive steps in that Britain/Germany) has had five poles this year the job...I’m not planning on hardest of late and the revived well,” said Bottas. most recently in 2011, while direction.” to Hamilton’s four (Australia/Malaysia/China/ starting from the back there,” he former champions are hoping for “A good few practice sessions Alonso’s sole victory was in 2003. REUTERS Spain). Brazilian Felipe Massa was on pole for Williams in Austria. %Vettel has 45 career poles. Hamilton has 35 - more than any other British driver in the Al Anabi upbeat about retaining history of Formula One. % Ferrari’s last pole was in Germany with Alonso in 2012. supremacy in California race Points %Mercedes have scored more points in 10 SONOMA, California: This more often; Langdon has won a most efficiently at last weekend’s races this year (366) than in all of 2013 (360). season’s trials and tribulations race and advanced to at least the high-altitude race near Denver. % Caterham, who came into the sport in of the Qatar Al Anabi Racing semi-finals in six of the last 10 Now, with the NHRA Mello 2010, are the only team on the grid who have Top Fuel team have been well races and is third in points. Yello Drag Racing Series headed yet to score a point. documented. Returning to Sonoma this back down the mountain to race %Ferrari have finished a record 77 succes- Drivers Khalid AlBalooshi and weekend as the defending cham- at a more normal altitude in sive races with at least one car in the points, a Shawn Langdon and their teams pion, Langdon knows Sonoma California, the team can return run that dates back to the 2010 German Grand have been working to return the Raceway is a race track at which to its path to tune-up efficiency Prix. % teams to championship form, his team can certainly excel and improvement and hopefully Only two drivers have scored points in but last week’s race in Denver, take another step towards the get back to winning rounds on every race this season - Alonso and Force Colorado forced all of the teams long-awaited return to champi- Sunday. “Denver was not a good India’s Nico Hulkenberg. % to change their setups to race at onship form. With just four races race for our team, and I know we Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat is Formula One’s an altitude of more than a mile. remaining in the NHRA regular are happy to race in Sonoma this youngest point scorer aged 19 years and 324 Teams can resume their evo- season, the time has come to get week,” AlBalooshi said. days. % lution at sea level at this week- the tune-up dialed in. “In Sonoma, we need to forget Sauber have gone 10 races without scor- end’s 27th annual NHRA Sonoma “Sonoma is a good track for the what happened in Denver. I think ing, their longest barren run since they entered Nationals in Northern California, Al Anabi team; we’re very famil- over there (in Sonoma), it will be the sport in 1993. They went nine in a row the 15th of 24 races making up iar with it,” Langdon said. different. We can go back to work between October 1995 and May 1996, at a time when only the top six cars scored points. the United States’ 2014 NHRA “It’s always nice to go back to on the things we were doing on Team-mates Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. a track as the defending cham- the car before we changed every- %Ferrari’s Raikkonen is the only driver who Qualifying is set for tomorrow pion. We obviously ran really well thing in Denver,” he added. has yet to beat his team mate this season. and Saturday with eliminations there last year so we’re familiar “We have been fighting to find scheduled for Sunday. with how to make our car run our tune-up this year, and we Hungary Langdon and the silver Al well at Sonoma - especially when are very close. Sonoma is a good %Hungary’s debut in 1986 made it the first Qatar Al Anabi Racing Driver Khalid AlBalooshi performs a pre-run Anabi team have made great the track heats up on Sunday.” track for our team; Shawn won F1 race in eastern Europe behind what was burnout in front of the massive crowd near Denver, Colorado last strides this season. AlBalooshi and his gold Al Anabi the race last year. We can look then the ‘Iron Curtain’. This weekend’s race is the 29th Hungarian GP. weekend. AlBalooshi and the team will compete in Sonoma, California Despite the first-round loss last team were also making major back at all our notes from past to %The track is the slowest permanent circuit as the defending champions. Al Anabi is confident to do well in the race. weekend in Denver, the team has improvements before the team get our car back.” been making more excellent runs changed the car around to run THE PENINSULA on the calendar.

Feed probes as Queen’s Jamaica’s Blake out for horse fails drug test season after surgery LONDON: A horse owned by those horses was Estimate, the Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II five year-old filly trained by Sir which won one of England’s Michael Stoute and owned by KINGSTON: Jamaica’s double and the fans. Thanks for all the most prestigious races has The Queen. Olympic sprint silver medallist good wishes. It really means a failed a drugs test, Buckingham “Initial indications are that Yohan Blake has been ruled out lot,” added the 2011 world 100m Palace announced. the positive test resulted from Yohan Blake for the rest of the 2014 season champion. Estimate, which lifted the the consumption of a contami- of Jamaica after undergoing a surgery on Meanwhile,Katarina Johnson- Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2013 nated feed product. falls during an injured hamstring, coach Thompson, favourite to win and came second in this year’s “Sir Michael is working closely the men’s Glen Mills said yesterday. gold in the women’s heptathlon edition, has tested positive for with the feed company involved 100m event The 24-year-old sustained the at the Commonwealth Games, morphine, a banned substance. to discover how the product may during the injury in the 100 metres at the announced she was withdrawing A statement by the Queen’s have become contaminated prior IAAF Diamond Glasgow Grand Prix on July 11. after suffering a foot injury. racing advisor said initial indica- to delivery to his stables. League “Right now he’s on crutches, he The 21-year-old Briton said: tions were the positive test had “Her Majesty has been athletics meet had to have an operation a couple “I’m absolutely devastated that resulted from the “consumption informed of the situation.” at Hampden of days ago,” said Mills. I’m not going to be able to compete of a contaminated feed product”. Morphine is banned by the Park in “The injury was quite severe at the upcoming Commonwealth The Queen, renowned for BHA because it can be used to Glasgow, and the original prognosis was Games in Glasgow. a love and knowledge of horse numb pain. Even though mor- earlier this misdiagnosed and he went “I was so looking forward racing which dates back to the phine is not deemed to be a Germany and when they had a to competing in another home month. The 88-year-old monarch’s childhood, performance-enhancing drug, good look, they realised that it games and this time as one of the sprinter had cheered on Estimate when the trainer and qualified vet James was more serious and required favourites.” now five-year-old filly won at Given, speaking on Sunday to undergo surgery, so he’ll be out for quite a Johnson-Thompson is still hop- Ascot last year. before Estimate was revealed a hamstring long time.” ing to recover in time to compete A statement by John Warren, to have failed a test, said it was surgery due to Blake, who could not defend in the long jump at the European the Queen’s bloodstock and rac- right it remained banned. “ the injury that his 100m world title in Moscow Championships in Zurich next ing advisor, said: “On Thursday You are not allowed to use ruled him out last year because of a hamstring month. July 17 the British Horseracing prohibited substances and if for the rest of injury, had opted against racing She added: “My season so far Authority (BHA) announced you open the door just an inch 2014 season. at the Commonwealth Games in with a World Indoor medal in the that a number of post-race then it will be kicked open and Glasgow to concentrate on his long jump, winning at Gotzis and samples, obtained from recent abused, as we saw last year with build-up to the 2016 Olympics in becoming World number one in race meetings, had been found anabolic steroids,” he told the At Rio de Janeiro. heptathlon had really given me to indicate the presence of mor- The Races television channel. “I am down but just a little. I’m the confidence going in to the phine, which is a prohibited sub- Estimate made sporting his- still going to fight even harder Games that I could post a big stance on race days. tory for the Queen in 2013 when for everyone who continues to score and hopefully come away “Five horses, under the care of she became the first reigning support me,” Blake said in his with that gold medal. various trainers, were affected. monarch to own a Gold Cup- Facebook message as he vowed “But sadly it’s just not meant “I can confirm that one of winning horse. AFP fans to fight back. to be.” “I feel I owe it to the sport AGENCIES THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 29 I don’t need Manchester United ‘ready to change for Chelsea, says Costa LONDON: New Chelsea striker to break transfer records’ Diego Costa said yesterday that manager Jose Mourinho has told him the team will play to his The English Premier League giants begin their pre-season training strengths next season. “One of the main things he said was that he doesn’t want me to LONDON: Manchester United change,” the Brazil-born Spain are prepared to break transfer Manchester striker told the club’s in-house records in order to give new United assistant television channel, Chelsea TV. manager Louis van Gaal the coach Ryan “It was Jose’s and the club’s players he wants, according to Giggs (right) chats decision to buy me and the reason executive vice-chairman Ed with new head they signed me was because of the Woodward. coach Louis van way I played at Atletico (Madrid). The English giants have already Gaal during a “I don’t feel I have to change spent over £50m ($85m, €63m) training session much. I just have to improve fine on England left-back Luke Shaw at the Rose Bowl details to become a better player. and Spanish midfielder Ander in Pasadena, Hopefully I will have a similar Herrera, and Woodward says California where season to the last one.” that they are ready to spend even the English Costa, 25, scored 36 goals last more. Premier League season, inspiring Atletico to a Some of United’s European side plays Major first La Liga title in 18 years -- as rivals have spent big recently. Real well as a place in the Champions League Soccer’s Madrid on Tuesday signed James League final -- and taking his LA Galaxy Rodriguez from Monaco for a fee tally at the club to 64 goals in 134 of around £63m ($107.4m), while today. RIGHT: appearances. Barcelona paid Liverpool around Manchester It convinced Chelsea to part £75m ($127.8m) for Luis Suarez. United’s new with around £32m ($55m, €40m) Asked if United were able to signing Luke in order to secure his services pay a similar amount for a player, Shaw speaks and Costa is confident that he Woodward said: “It is in our capa- during a press can cope with the burden of bilities. The club are not afraid of conference. expectation. doing that -- spending significant “I’d say to the fans that you amounts of money in the transfer need to be confident that I per- market.” “I get pointed in the direc- still needs to prove his worth to sonally will fight for this club to United are rebuilding under tion of a target that the manager the club’s supporters. make sure we are in contention Van Gaal after a dismal 2013-14 wants and there is an assessment “You gain credibility through Beckham visits United as to win as many trophies as pos- season and Woodward says that of what that might cost and I’ll experience and through time,” sible,” he said. in the context, the club will have negotiate hard to do the best I can said the former investment Van Gaal debut nears “I’m part of a great group here no qualms about sanctioning big- on the trade.” banker. of players and we will do every- money signings. United have been linked with “You can’t expect credibility LOS ANGELES: Former Manchester United star David thing we can to give the fans what “Whether it’s a record or not a host of players in recent weeks, from day one and I wouldn’t ask Beckham visited his former English club yesterday on the eve they want, and that’s titles.” doesn’t really resonate with us,” including Germany centre-back that of the fans. You keep learn- of new Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal’s debut match against Costa’s exploits in the Spanish he added, in comments reported Mats Hummels, Belgium defender ing on the job and I’ll continue to another of Beckham’s clubs. capital turned him into one of by the British media yesterday. Thomas Vermaelen, and the learn for a long period of time. Beckham, on holiday in the town where he once played for Major Europe’s most coveted strikers, “What resonates is a top, top Dutch trio of Daley Blind, Stefan “I don’t mind reading (criti- League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy, stopped by United’s pre-season but although he had no short- elite player that the manager de Vrij and Kevin Strootman. cism), because it’s extremely training camp to visit some former team-mates, including assistant age of suitors, he said joining wants that is going to be a star Woodward endured a trying important for me to listen to the manager Ryan Giggs. Chelsea had been a straightfor- for Manchester United. We are first close-season last year, when fans. Criticism can change into United will open a pre-season tour today at the Rose Bowl against ward choice. in a very strong financial position. United missed out on a succession positive comments over a period the Galaxy with the English “It was an easy decision for me We can make big signings. of major targets, and he admits he of time.” REUTERS Premier League side booking to make,” he said. matches against Roma, Inter “We have some of the best play- Milan and Real Madrid in a ers in the world, the best manager Shakhtar Al Arabi sign contract with US tour. in the world, and it’s a club with Van Gaal said yesterday he great history. Brazilian striker Paulinho was pleased with the focus on “I want to improve, not only as move games his new players in training a player but as an individual, and I DOHA: Brazilian player Paulo Sergio Betanin, more commonly sessions. believe this is the perfect place for known as Paulinho, has signed a three-year deal which will see him “Training has been fantas- me to do that. That’s the reason I away from stay at the Grand Hamad Stadium until 2017, it was announced tic,” Van Gaal said. “You may chose Chelsea and why I want to yesterday. think every new trainer or defend this shirt.” REUTERS Donetsk Al Arabi was in desperate need of attacking players after releasing coach would say that, but it’s all of their foreign strikers during the summer break. true. They seem anxious to do Negredo facing KIEV: Shakhtar Donetsk will Paulinho has arrived from Serie A side Livorno and started training what I and my assistants say. shift their headquarters to last Monday. After passing a medical at Doha-based Aspetar Sports “Their focus is at a top level three months out: Kiev and play their Champions Hospital, the player signed his contract. and I am very happy with what League and domestic games The striker is said to be lacking fitness and will need more training I have seen in the first three Pellegrini in the western city of Lviv to session to reach his previous levels before the start of the new season days of training here.” escape from Ukraine’s strife- in August. United are far from peak fit- LONDON: Manchester City torn east, CEO Sergei Palkin ness while the Galaxy are in striker Alvaro Negredo will confirmed. mid-season form given the US be out for up to three months Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk also Muriqui okays three-year deal league season began in March. after breaking a bone in his foot, announced yesterday that UEFA “I expect a very organised, manager Manuel Pellegrini has had ordered the first leg of their with QSL giants Al Sadd tactical, aggressive team in revealed. Champions League third qualify- attack, who want to press “Alvaro has had surgery ing round tie against Danish side DOHA: Al Sadd have unveiled their new Brazilian forward Luiz the ball,” Van Gaal said of the (Tuesday) on his broken foot and FC Copenhagen to be played in Guilherme da Conceição Silva ‘Muriqui’. The Brazilian has signed a Galaxy. he will probably be out for two Kiev. three-year deal with the Wolves and is set to replace Spain legend “They are already in their or three months,” Pellegrini said. Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Raul as their main attacking threat. season but we have only had “It is a blow for us because were forced to move from Jassim Al Rumaihi, the club secretary, attended the press conference three days. We’re not well Alvaro is a very important mem- Donetsk, a major industrial city with Mohamed Ghanem Al Ali, the Head of Football, and Khalifa bin prepared. We’re not fit yet. Manchester United’s Spanish ber of our squad, so obviously we in the East which has become a Hamad Al Attiq, a member of the board of directors. But I hope we can give a good will miss him.” Negredo, 28, frac- goalkeeper David de Gea crosses the stronghold of pro-Russian separa- Jassim Al Rumeyhi said that negotiation had started as far back as performance and every match tured the fifth metatarsal bone pitch during a training session at the tists who are fighting army forces last season and because the Brazilian striker was of the highest calibre, is a step in our progress.” in his right foot during City’s 2-1 controlled by the government. the club decided to continue with his recruitment in the off-season REUTERS Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. win over Hearts in a friendly in Offered a choice of four venues from Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande FC. THE PENINSULA Edinburgh on Friday. REUTERS by European soccer governing body UEFA, Shakhtar chose to play their games at Lviv Arena, a Barcelona buy defender stadium that hosted matches dur- ing the European championship in 2012. Shakhtar opened the new Mathieu for €20m season with a 2-0 win at rivals Dynamo Kiev in the Super Cup BARCELONA: Spanish giants Barcelona said yesterday they have game in Lviv on Tuesday. bought 30-year-old French defender Jeremy Mathieu (pictured) The conflict, which was brought from Valencia for €20m ($27m). into sharp focus by the downing Barcelona have been seeking to bolster their defence since Carlos of a Malaysian Airlines flight near Puyol ended his career. Donetsk last week, has rocked the Though he is not an established French international, Mathieu is club, with six of its players refus- recognised as a powerful operator at left back and in central defence. ing to return to the country. Barcelona called him a “physically imposing defender”. Shakhtar, who represent the The Catalan club had made several offers to Valencia for Mathieu pro-Russian region of Donbass, who last week issued a public letter calling on the side to negotiate face a challenge to win support in his release. western Ukraine. Palkin agreed “I have a chance to play for the world’s biggest club and that’s all I Shakhtar did not have the same want right now,” he said. level of support in the stands in Barcelona said in Lviv, located more than a thou- a statement it had sand kilometres from Donetsk, as reached agreement on their rivals Dynamo during the a transfer and Mathieu season-opener on Tuesday. would sign a four season “Let us be honest, there was contract. not 50-50 support in the stands,” “The cost of the he said. “But I think we could fix transfer is EUR20 mil- it in the future. I mean Lviv, in lion and the buyout particular. Because we are plan- clause will be EUR50 ning to hold our domestic and million,” it said. Champions league games here.” Mathieu played at Palkin said the club was still Sochaux and Toulouse working on persuading the five Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a football clinic for Japanese children in Nagoya in in the French first Brazilians and one Argentine who Aichi prefecture, central Japan. Ronaldo, 29, is currently on a two-day visit to Japan. Ronaldo plays for Real division until he joined have refused to play in Ukraine. Madrid in La Liga. Valencia in 2009. REUTERS REUTERS THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 30 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Black Cap South Africa mull extra Williamson banned from bowling WELLINGTON: New Zealand pace option for Test win batsman Kane Williamson has been banned from bowling his occasional off-spin in interna- Hashim Amla hopes his bowlers are well rested for series-decider tional cricket because of an ille- gal action, New Zealand Cricket said yesterday. COLOMBO: South Africa, on quite considerable. “We’ve tried Williamson was reported by the the verge of a rare series win in to manage the quick turnaround, match officials during the second Sri Lanka, are considering play- South Africa have not won a South Africa’s test against West Indies in Port ing an extra fast bowler on the Test series in Sri Lanka since Dale Steyn of Spain in June and independent Singhalese SC track which is 2003 under the leadership of (right) talks analysis confirmed that his elbow not as conducive to spin as the Kepler Wessels. with team extension exceeded the 15 degrees one in Galle. “I don’t think that record is coach Russell permitted by the rules. South Africa played leg-spinner playing on our minds what’s “I will concentrate on changing Domingo Imran Tahir and the off-spin of more in our minds is playing good whatever’s necessary to return to during a JP Duminy in the first Test which cricket over the next five days,” the bowling crease,” Williamson they won by 153 runs to take a 1-0 Amla said. practice said in a media release. lead in the two-match series. “We tried to basically forget session ahead “Clearly, the onus is on me to “I think it’s unlikely we’re going what happened in the last Test of the second satisfy assessors as to the legality to go with two frontline spinners and we managed to play really Test cricket of my action, and I’m aware I have in this Test, Galle was probably good cricket there and come up match against some hard work in front of me to the ideal venue if we were going with a victory. Sri Lanka in achieve that goal. to go down that route,” captain “From a team perspective we’re Colombo. “It’s never nice, going through Hashim Amla told reporters addressing this game as if we’re South Africa this sort of process but it will be ahead of today’s second match. coming in on a clean slate,” Amla beat Sri Lanka worth it if I can manage to bowl “Traditionally it doesn’t turn as added. by 153 runs at again at international level.” much as early here. South Africa are likely to retain the first Test Williamson, 23, has taken 24 “Over the last few years in this Quinton de Kock as wicketkeeper to take a one- wickets in 34 Test matches, 23 team the fast bowlers have man- after he came into the team in nil lead in the wickets in 54 one-day outings aged to do the job wherever we’ve Galle because AB de Villiers two-match and three wickets in 19 Twenty20 been in the world. was struggling with a hamstring series. appearances for New Zealand. “In some ways it doesn’t injury. The suspension will stand until he come as a big surprise that Dale Amla backed struggling leg- has submitted independent bio- (Steyn), Morne (Morkel) and spinner Tahir to come good, say- mechanical analysis that satisfies Vern (Vernon Philander) have ing he had the qualities to be a assessors that his action is legal. done it everywhere in the world. match-winning bowler. all. He has been exceptional in the Mathews, the Galle Test is harder to improve to be able to compete “Kane’s disappointed, clearly - “Coming to this venue, I haven’t The 35-year-old Pakistan-born shorter format of the game,” said to forget. The famed Sri Lankan against them. We’ve got to be on anyone in his situation would feel had a look at the wicket as yet spinner took just one wicket off Amla. batting line-up unravelled against top of our game.” the same way,” said New Zealand today, but I’ll see what kind of 45 overs in the first Test at Galle, “Test cricket is a challenging some top-notch fast bowling from With the wicket at the coach Mike Hesson. “He now has team we’ll have to go to get the raising doubts about his role as an place. He will come good, it will Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. Sinhalese Sports Club ground a challenge on his hands if he’s to best results,” he said. attacking spinner in a side which take a few good performances to “We were on that flat wicket once again expected to be a flat bowl again at the top level, but Amla hoped his fast bowlers has traditionally struggled to pro- get his confidence back. (in Galle) and their seamers were batting track, Mathews is hoping we’re hopeful he can manage it.” who did the bulk of the bowling at duce quality slow bowlers. “He is a wonderful bowler. I’d the ones who really troubled us. his batsmen will put a winning He plays for Northern Districts, Galle had enough time to recover. While his one-day record is say he is one the most highly They bowled pretty well,” said total on the board this time. making his first-class debut in “It was a physically demanding commendable, Tahir has failed to skilled leg-spinners in the world.” Mathews, stressing that his team “The wicket here does a bit in December 2007. He made his U-19 test. From a recovery perspec- translate that success into Test Such high praise from the would have to raise their game the morning session and then it debut against the touring Indian tive, we’ve tried to give the guys cricket, having taken 37 wickets captain is likely to boost Tahir’s to win against the world number turns out to be a batting paradise. U-19 team in 2007 and was named time to get their bodies in the in 14 Tests at an average of 45.67. morale as he gears up for the sec- two side. Our batters need to score runs to captain of the New Zealand U-19 best nick possible, especially the “Imran is a quality performer. ond Test. “We’ve got to sharpen our game give the bowlers a chance.” team for the 2008 U-19 Cricket fast bowlers, whose workload was I am not concerned about him at For Sri Lankan captain Angelo in every aspect, everything has AGENCIES World Cup. AGENCIES Trott claims first century Pakistan unveils new domestic league LAHORE: Pakistan’s cricket would struggle to compete finan- added. Also yesterday, PCB said weaken the influence of the administration yesterday cially. “The PCB don’t know how next week it will adopt a new national prime minister because since illness unveiled a new domestic league to administer the game. When constitution intended to make he will only nominate two of the revamp, though demands to regions don’t have full fledged the appointment of its chairman board’s 10 members. break remove commercial and govern- offices and no marketing people more democratic and weaken Sethi has announced he would ment department teams from they can’t do this,” Sohail said. political influence. not contest the election but would LONDON: England bats- the competition were ignored. Former Pakistan captain The changes come as the board remain part of the board. man Jonathan Trott scored Pakistan has long suffered from Imran Khan has also been a vocal prepares to hold a fresh election The new chairman must hold his first century since return- a below-par domestic structure. critic of the domestic champion- to end a long-running power a bachelors degree, be a citizen of ing to top-level cricket after Many of its cricket heroes, such ship, demanding that commercial struggle for the top job. Pakistan and have a clean crimi- a stress-related illness dur- as Javed Miandad, honed their organisations be excluded. “The amended constitution is nal record. ing Warwickshire’s County skills in street games rather than The PCB’s director of game approved by the Supreme Court A PCB chairman will be elected Championship game against with teams. development Haroon Rasheed and is a truly democratic docu- for a three-year tenure but can be Sussex yesterday. The new championship will said the new domestic cricket ment and will guarantee an end voted out by the board. He may be The 33-year-old right-hander, have two divisions. championship would have two to the uncertainty in the PCB,” re-elected once. who scored 138 in a reserve game Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) first-class divisions. acting chairman Najam Sethi said The International Cricket last month, reached 106 in the chairman Najam Sethi (pictured) “The division one tourna- yesterday. Council had warned member Division One match at Horsham said that under the new struc- ment will be called ‘Gold league’ The post of PCB chairman has countries of sanctions unless they before being caught behind off the ture regional teams could receive comprising six regional and six changed five times since May over ended government interference in bowling of Steve Magoffin. private sponsorship so that they departmental teams while the an electoral dispute. the sport by June 2013. Trott withdrew from England’s can compete with better-funded division two will be ‘Silver league’ According to the new consti- But the world body later backed tour of Australia after the first government departments and with seven department and as tution, the holder of the post -- down on the warning, saying it Test last November due to anxi- teams run by private companies many regional teams,” he said. which was previously filled by the was not viable in Pakistan, Sri ety issues and took a five-month such as banks. But former captain Each year, the bottom two government of the day -- will now Lanka and Bangladesh where break from cricket. and chief selector Aamir Sohail teams from division one will be be elected from a ten-member existing governments have a He returned to action for slammed the proposed changes relegated and the two top teams Board of Governors. major say in cricketing matters. Warwickshire against Sussex in and said the regional teams from division two promoted, he Observers say the move will REUTERS April, but the recurrence of his symptoms forced him to spend another spell on the sidelines. Trott brought up his century yesterday with a four off England Afghan chief promises bowler Chris Jordan. In total he Sri Lankan faced 242 balls and scored 14 boundaries. cricketer Mahela Jayawardene to Jayawardene World Cup upsets walks to the sign off at the SSC field during MUMBAI: Afghanistan’s tri- “Our vision is big and the tar- “We had rested a few seniors a practice umph over Zimbabwe yester- get is very high.” from the squad (for Zimbabwe) COLOMBO: Mahela session day was far from a surprise to Cricket gained popularity in and a few new guys were Jayawardene’s farewell will be at the R the man who runs the game in Afghanistan after the refugees included,” Noor added. at his home ground, after SLC’s Premadasa the war-torn nation and he has who had fled while the country “They have done very well and Executive Committee decided International warned cricket’s establishment was ravaged by the Soviet war that was the most positive aspect to move the second Test against Cricket to brace itself for more shocks started returning home in the of the victory. It bodes well for Pakistan from the P Sara Oval Stadium in at the World Cup next year. 1990s. the future of Afghanistan cricket. to the SSC ground. Jayawardene Colombo The Asian greenhorns beat In June 2013, the International “The very clear message is that has been prolific at the venue, yesterday. Zimbabwe by two wickets in Cricket Council, the world gov- Afghanistan shouldn’t be taken piling up 2698 Test runs at an Sri Lanka Bulawayo for their second win erning body, granted Afghanistan lightly. We will play a good and average 77.08. against a Test-playing nation in associate status, which is the sec- tough game and we will surprise and South Jayawardene also hit the high- the 50-over format, following a ond tier of membership behind some full members at the World Africa play est score for a Sri Lankan and the 32-run victory over Bangladesh the 10 Test-playing nations. Cup. highest score by a right-hander, second Test in the Asia Cup in March. In their Asia Cup debut in “We hope the full members will at SSC, when he made 374 against match at the The victory added to the fes- March, Afghanistan claimed take us more seriously and con- South Africa there in 2006. Sinhalese tivity for the Afghans in the holy their first win over a Test-playing sider us not just for ICC events He has played for SSC since Sports Club month of Ramadan and celebra- nation against Bangladesh while but also bilateral series,” Noor his late teens, following a highly Ground tions had not stopped since, Noor playing only their fourth one- said. successful school cricket career (SSC) in Muhammad Murad, the chief day international against a full “Afghanistan has a huge fan with Nalanda College. The change Colombo executive of the country’s cricket member. following across the world and of venue means Jayawardene’s starting board, said. Afghanistan will make their you will witness that during next final series will be played at his today. “Frankly speaking, we were 50-over World Cup debut next year’s World Cup. two favourite grounds, with the expecting this win. We don’t want year and Tuesday’s win proved “We have the ability to attract first match against Pakistan the players to underestimate their preparation for the tour- more crowd to the ground and the in Galle. No batsman has made themselves and so there will be no nament in New Zealand and players have also shown that they more Test runs at any venue than added incentive or bonus,” Noor Australia was on the right track, can play good cricket,” Noor said. Jayawardene. AGENCIES said from Kabul in an interview. Noor said. REUTERS THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 31 12 to watch at Glasgow Games Can they do it again? Here are a dozen athletes to look out for in the next 2 weeks

Usain Bolt David Rudisha Mohammed Farah Sally Pearson DJ Forbes, NZ – Nicola Adams JAM – Athletics KEN – Athletics GBR – Athletics AUS – Athletics Rugby Sevens GBR – Boxing The tall Jamaican is arguably the The 800m world record holder Somali-born Farah stormed to The Australian will compete in her The 31-year-old has been with Adams won the first ever Olympic biggest name in world sport and has made an impressive long- British acclaim when he won both usual 100m hurdles but yesterday the all-conquering New Zealand women’s boxing gold medal at his presence in Glasgow, albeit awaited return from injury, clocking the 5,000 and 10,000m at the it was reported that she has almost rugby sevens team since 2006. the London Games in 2012. She solely in the 4x100m relay, is a the world’s fastest two laps this London Olympics, becoming one certainly decided to pull out of The shaven-headed flanker is started boxing at the age of 12 huge boost for the Commonwealth season at no lesser place than of the “local” faces that helped set competing in the 100m sprint a stalwart of Gordon Tietjen’s and had her first bout a year later. Games. The 27-year-old six-time Glasgow. That appearance was the Games out as one of the most at the Glasgow games. Coming squad that has so far won all four In 2007, she was the first ever Olympic gold medallist and double Rudisha’s first since he stormed to successful ever. He went on to win back from injury, the 27-year-old Commonwealth Games titles and English female to earn a medal sprint world record holder ensures his world-record setting Olympic the double at the 2013 Moscow Queenslander has at times strug- dominated the International Rugby in a major tournament when that the world media’s attention gold medal showing in London in worlds but was unsure whether gled this season. “It’s not really Board world circuit throughout. she won silver in the European will be focused on Scotland. Fans 2012, covering 800m in just over he would actually compete in that disappointing, I think it would Forbes’ abrasive defence ties Championships. She plans to will only be hoping that he might 101 seconds. But he will face stiff Glasgow after dabbling with the be more disappointing if I couldn’t in perfectly with a great linking wear a tartan bandana, gifted still be able to compete in indi- competition in Glasgow, notably marathon. After an eighth place in run the hurdles or if I couldn’t be and supportive game that makes to her by a six-year-old Scottish vidual events and really light up from his own team-mates and London, he stepped back to dis- here at all because of my injury,” the All Blacks tick, more often to schoolgirl, for luck when she the Games. Ugandan rivals. tance running. she said. victory. steps into the ring tomorrow.

Alicia Coutts Sushil Kumar Anna Meares Bradley Wiggins Nicol David Abhinav Bindra AUS – Swimming IND – Wrestling AUS – Cycling GBR – Cycling MAS – Squash IND – Shooting The 26-year-old Coutts has won The performance of the dou- Meares will be defending her 500m The 34-year-old Wiggins made The 30-year-old seven-time world Like in the Delhi CWG in 2010, the 21 medals for Australia in major ble Olympic medallist would be time trial and individual sprint history in 2012 when he became champion and global number one shooters are yet again expected championships over the past four watched keenly as he would be titles in Glasgow and equal fellow the first British rider to win the David completed her collection to contribute most to India’s med- years. That haul included five participating in the higher weight cyclist Kathy Watt’s Australian Tour de France cycling race before of major international titles with als tally and the man likely to lead medals at the 2012 Olympics, category of 74kg because of the record of competing at four going on to take the gold medal Commonwealth Games gold in the show would once again be including one gold. At the 2010 new FILA rules. The CWG will Commonwealth Games. Meares in the Olympics time trial. He Delhi. In Glasgow, Nicol will also the 2008 Olympic gold medallist Commonwealth Games in New be the first major tournament for is also a four-time world cham- had already won three track gold be out to win Malaysia’s first medal Abhinav Bindra. In the last edi- Delhi, Coutts was the most the Delhi boy after his 66kg silver pion in the time trial. The 30-year- medals in the 2004 and 2008 in the women’s doubles with team- tion, the 10-metre rifleman had to decorated swimmer, winning medal win in the 2012 Olympics. old from Queensland is also a Olympics. Knighted for his serv- mate Low Wee Wern. David is an be satisfied with the silver medal gold in the 100m freestyle, 100m After skipping the Asian and World two-time Olympic gold medallist ices to the sport, his record didn’t eight-time Asian champion and after being pipped to the post by butterfly, 200 individual med- Championships, Sushil took part having won the 500m time trial in guarantee him a place at the 2014 once also enjoyed a 13-month, Gagan Narang. This time, Bindra ley, 4x100m freestyle relay and in an international competition in 2004 and sprint at London eight Tour de France when he was 51-match winning streak, from remains India’s best hope as 4x100m medley relay. Italy recently and won the silver. years later. dropped by his Sky team. March 2006 until April 2007. Narang has failed to qualify. Thursday 24 July 2014 26 Ramadan 1435 Volume 19 Number 6136 Sport Price: QR2

Majka wins Hamilton eyes 17th stage of fifth triumph in Tour de France Hungary

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Games off to a colourful start Opening ceremony takes place in front of a 40,000 capacity crowd at Celtic Park

GLASGOW: The 2014 Commonwealth Games got Olympic medallist Evans under way with a colourful opening ceremony at Celtic Park in Glasgow, yesterday. denied entry in Games Around 4,500 athletes from 71 nations are participating GLASGOW: Olympic silver was fined. However, athletes in the multi-sporting gala. A medallist Fred Evans has been with criminal records have 40,000-strong crowd and a glo- denied the chance to compete in been allowed to compete in past bal TV audience up to one billion the Commonwealth Games after Commonwealth Games. people were believed to watch the his accreditation was refused. England boxer Simon Vallily, opening ceremony. The Welsh welterweight has gold medal in Delhi in 2010, had Scotland’s traditional parade been told he will not be allowed been jailed for four years in 2006 around the stadium was followed to compete in Glasgow follow- for a knife attack. by a live show featuring about ing checks by the Home Office Welsh boxing performance 2,000 cast members. Commonwealth Games officials. director James Thomas said: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II Wales team chief Brian Davis “Fred is the Olympic silver med- was to formally open the Games, said in a statement: allist and European champion and till filing of this report. “Team Wales can confirm that he wanted to come to the Games Adventurer Mark Beaumont boxer Fred Evans has had his and win a gold medal. landed on the city’s river Clyde accreditation refused by Glasgow “Obviously we were aware of in a seaplane carrying the 2014 based on checks completed his conviction earlier this year baton to Celtic Park, having by the Home Office and the and we certainly don’t condone tracked its progress across the Commonwealth Games accredi- that kind of behaviour but sport Commonwealth on a 288-day tation decision board. is a fantastic vehicle for rehabili- journey spanning almost 120,000 “Sadly, he is therefore unable tation and we hoped Fred would miles. to compete at the Commonwealth have been able to continue to box Star Wars actor Ewan Games. and improve his lifestyle.” McGregor opened proceedings Dancers perform during the opening ceremony for the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow, “Fred is a world class boxer and Commonwealth Games with a pre-recorded video mes- Scotland, yesterday. has handled this difficult situation Federation chief Mike Hooper sage, before Glaswegian come- in a very disciplined manner, con- refused to comment on Evans’s dian Karen Dunbar struck up an tinuing to work hard in the hope specific case but said: elaborate song and dance number My Heart. The Scottish Regiment Games in Delhi in 2010, were the loudest reception of the night of a satisfactory resolution. “Before any of our member celebrating Scotland, accom- Pipe Band arrived in the stadium first team to enter the arena and was reserved for the host nation “We thank him for his profes- nations submit applications for panied by Torchwood star John to accompany Susan Boyle per- received a warm welcome. Scotland. sionalism and wish him all the they sign an agreement that if Barrowman. forming the Paul McCartney and The remainder of the compet- The Games will feature 17 best for his future ambitions.” there is a negative background Rod Stewart was joined on Wings song Mull of Kintyre, as ing nations arrived according sports in 11 days of competition, It was not immediately clear check they will not be eligible.” stage by Bishopbriggs singer- the Red Arrows performed a fly- to geographical region, led by starting today. why Evans had been barred from Meanwhile a Home Office songwriter Amy Macdonald past over the city to signal the a Scots representative wearing The closing ceremony will take the Games, although in April spokesperson said: “Proportionate alongside hundreds of ordinary arrival of the Queen and the Duke tweeds and walking a Scottie ter- place at Hampden Park on the he did admit being involved in a and stringent checks are being Glasgow citizens to perform a ver- of Edinburgh. rier bedecked in a jacket bearing south side of the city on August 3. nightclub assault in Birmingham, undertaken on all those seeking sion of his classic song Rhythm of India, the hosts of the previous the name of each country. The AGENCIES central England, for which he accreditation to the Games. AFP Pearson set to focus solely on hurdles

GLASGOW: Olympic champion being over in Europe, that ended in tears a lot of people including my coach Sally Pearson (pictured) said so coming to the after she was firstly and at this stage we are not sure I yesterday she would likely focus Commonwealth Games reinstated in the 100m can do two events,” with the hur- solely on her favoured 100m hur- with that under my belt final after a false start dles heats scheduled for July 31. dles and pass on the 100m and a is a huge confidence and subsequently dis- Pearson added: “It’s disappoint- possible attempt at a double gold boost and sign things qualified post-race ing that my injury has led me to at the Commonwealth Games. are heading in the right following a protest -- this decision, but at the same time Pearson’s form has been off-kil- direction. after crossing the line the 100m in Delhi was a bonus. ter this season because of injury, Pearson said she in first place. “I think it would be more dis- but the Australian said she had would likely sit out the women’s “The latest I can pull out of the appointing if I could run the hur- been buoyed by a third place in 100m, instead choosing to focus 100m is 48 hours before and right dles or if I couldn’t be here at all 12.79 seconds in London recently. on the sprint hurdles, an event in now it is more likely that I’m because of my injury, so I’m just “The preparation has probably which she won gold in Delhi four going to pull out,” she said, with happy to be here right now and A pipe band performs during the opening ceremony of the 2014 been the best it can be,” she said. years ago. heats for the 100m on Sunday, the hopefully give it everything I can Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow, yesterday. “My time in London was the The 27-year-old also attempted semi-finals and final a day later . to win the gold medal again in the fastest I’ve run all season since a double in the Indian capital, but “I’ve had a few discussions with hurdles.” AFP Loew to stay as German coach, A picture taken on July 15, 2014 shows Germany’s head wants to capture Euro 2016 now coach Joachim Loew playing BERLIN: German coach “I simply kept to what we had after extra time in the World team. But I accept and respect his with a ball upon Joachim Loew said yesterday agreed before the World Cup that Cup final after humiliating hosts decision.” arrival for a that he never considered leaving we were going to calmly sit down Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals. Lahm meanwhile said that it victory parade his post after winning the World and analyse the tournament as It was their fourth World Cup had been a difficult decision to Cup title and insisted he would we have done after every tourna- title and the first since reunifica- leave but one he had taken in at Berlin’s see out his contract which runs ment,” he explained. tion in 1990. Their previous titles late 2013. Brandenburg until Euro 2016. Loew said that he was already were in 1954, 1974 and 1990. “It’s not easy to leave. But I’m Gate to “I didn’t think of stopping for looking forward to leading Since the rapturous celebra- proud of this decision,” he told celebrate their one second,” said Loew, 54, in Germany to a fourth European tions in Berlin after the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit. FIFA World an interview published on the title at Euro 2016 which will be team’s return home, Loew has “Maybe I could have main- Cup title. The German Football Federation played in France. been holidaying in Freiburg, tained my level until the Euros, World Cup- (DFB) website. “I can’t imagine anything more southwest Germany. but I’m happy and liberated,” said winning coach Loew took over as German beautiful than to continue work- One of his first tasks will be to the 30-year-old Bayern Munich announced head coach in 2006 after two years ing with this team, to lead them find a new captain after defender captain. yesterday that as assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann to the European championship in Philipp Lahm’s surprise interna- “My life belongs to me again. I he will see out and extended his contract until France, to continue to develop the tional retirement, with Bayern want to remain happy, in addition his contract 2016 before the World Cup in group and each of the players,” Munich midfielder Bastian to my footballing career, I have with Germany Brazil. he said. Schweinsteiger favourite for the to stay in control, that is to say which runs “I didn’t extend my contract “I’m as motivated as the first job. to make decisions before they are until the 2016 with the DFB until 2016 to pre- day. We celebrated a huge suc- Loew said: “His retirement is a made for me.” European maturely break it,” said Loew, cess in Brazil, but there are other big loss for us from a sporting and “I still feel in form and com- championship. who had refused to answer ques- objectives that we want to achieve. human point of view. “I couldn’t petitive. But it is time to bring tions about his future after guid- The 2014 World Cup was a sum- have wished for a better captain new structures to my life and in ing his side’s defeat of Argentina mit but it wasn’t a conclusion.” than him. That’s why I regret that the Nationalmannschaft,” added in this month’s World Cup final. Germany beat Argentina 1-0 he is no longer available to the Lahm. AFP