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Thursday 29 August 2013 22 Shawwal 1434 - Volume 18 Number 5806 Price: QR2
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Business | 17 Sport | 24
www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Plan for police Emir receives Japan Premier OPINION Syria’s loss between academy gets red lines
ince the outbreak of the Arab Spring revo- Cabinet nod Slution in Syria in 2011, the Syrian regime has committed Curbs on catching king fish one crime after DOHA: The Minister of State Following the meeting, the another, for Defence yesterday unveiled Minister of State for Cabinet and details of a proposal for national Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah Syrians service at the first weekly meet- Al Mahmoud gave details, accord- have been ing of the State Cabinet after it ing to QNA. subjected was formed in June. The Cabinet also took up sev- to killings Khalid Al Sayed The proposal concerned a draft eral other issues on its agenda. The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe and his delegation at and tor- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF law to put national service in It decided to take measures on the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Talks dealt with cooperation and regional and international issues. The Prime Minister ture before place, Qatar News Agency (QNA) Advisory Council’s recommenda- and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani was present. See also page 17 the eyes of the whole world, reported, without giving details. tions to amend some provisions which has remained silent, not The Cabinet will discuss the of law Number 7 of 2007 concern- stirring a finger. draft legislation at its next ing settlement in administrative Last week’s massacre in meeting. disputes. East Gouta, in which the The Cabinet approved a draft A draft law amending some regime used chemical weap- law which, once enforced, would provisions of law Number 14 of Syria strike could be delayed ons that claimed the lives of see a police academy set up that 1999 on weapons and ammuni- hundreds of innocent civilians, would be purely Qatari. tions was also approved. LONDON: Allied air strikes against the Syrian August 21 in Ghouta that killed 1,300 people. including women and children, “The fact that the draft law has The Cabinet endorsed a draft government over the alleged use of chemical London undertook to return to the Security is clearly a war crime. been prepared reflects the gov- decision of the Minister of weapons could be delayed until next week in the Council in a renewed effort to secure a UN mandate The international media has ernment’s keenness to establish Environment organising the prac- face of strong opposition in the UK parliament to for military action after Russia blocked a British carried horrifying images of a purely Qatari police academy tice of fishing at sea. British involvement in immediate military action. resolution at an informal meeting in New York. But victims that depict the magni- that would help maintain the her- The draft decision prohibits the Prime Minister, David Cameron, conceded that the US State Department insisted it saw “no avenue tude of the crime and the cru- itage of the ancestors and care use of certain types of fishing nets MPs would be given a second vote to approve mili- forward” at the UN for finding a global consensus for elty of the Syrian regime, and for local traditions and customs, and sea fishing methods. tary action to defuse a parliamentary revolt, ahead armed action, because of Russian support for Assad’s at the same time has provided taking into account Qatar’s legal A draft decision of the Minister of a Commons debate today. Sources said the US, regime. The US and its allies say a UN veto will not evidence that the regime has approach,” QNA said. of Environment endorsing which had planned to launch strikes by the weekend, stop them. The US said it saw no need to wait for significant stocks of chemical The Cabinet also approved national and Gulf specifications is prepared to revive a back-up plan to delay the a report by UN inspectors. “We are going to make weapons. a decision of the Minister of as Qatari standard specifications strikes until Tuesday. our own decisions on our own timelines about our This is in addition to the Environment banning the use of was also approved. As UN chief Ban Ki-moon appealed for unity response,” the State Department said. However, the acknowledgement by the fishing nets to catch the popular The ministerial decision among world powers and sought more time for the UK is committed to wait for the UN report. spokesperson of the Syrian king fish between August 15 and includes some major Gulf-based inspectors to complete their probe in Syria, the US Syria warned of “grave consequences” if US-led Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 15 every year. specifications as Qatari standards and its European and Middle East allies said their military action goes ahead. In Jeddah, Organisation Jehad Makdasi, that Syria This was a regular weekly meet- and specifications applicable to minds were made up and that President Bashar Al of Islamic Cooperation blamed Syria for the chemical has chemical and biological ing of the Council of Ministers fol- electrical appliances, chemicals, Assad must face retribution. Ban’s special envoy attacks and called for “decisive action in response”. weapons, which he threatened lowing the summer break. textile, mechanical goods, vehicles to Syria, Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi, said Turkey put its forces on alert. Israel mobilised some would be used in case of any The Prime Minister and and tyres, electronics, measure- “international law is clear” in requiring UN Security army reservists and bolstered defences against mis- foreign attack. Interior Minister H E Sheikh ments and calibrations, food, con- Council authorisation for any military action. sile strikes from Syria or Lebanon. Nato said evi- Syrian authorities later Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa struction and building materials, The US and UK will today publish a joint summary dence pointed to Assad’s forces having used gas. denied his statement. Al Thani chaired the session at and oil and gas. of the intelligence they say points towards the Assad GUARDIAN NEWS/AGENCIES Continued on page 2 the Emiri Diwan. THE PENINSULA regime’s responsibility for the poison gas attack of See also page 5
86 killed in Iraq Emir approves border deal with Saudi DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday Study chance issued a ratification document approving a draft agreement in the field of regulation of border authorities between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in Japan for which was signed on March 4, 2013. The Emir also issued a ratification document approving a draft agreement in the field of crime between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, signed in Doha on March 4, 2013. The Emir more Qataris issued a document approving the ratification of a security agreement DOHA: Qatar and Japan have among the GCC countries signed in Riyadh on November 12, 2013. agreed to increase the number of Qatari students to study in Bahrain dialogue restarts Japan in a bid to strengthen cultural and educational ties DUBAI: Bahrain’s national dialogue launched in February to end between both countries. political deadlock since a 2011 Shia-led revolt resumed yesterday after The visiting Japanese Premier a two-month summer break. Opposition and government representa- Shinzo Abe said yesterday that tives took part in the talks. Led by the Shia group Al Wefaq, the oppo- Qatar has shown interest in the sition is taking part in the dialogue while keeping up street protests to Japanese education system and call for reform. In 2011, authorities crushed pro-democracy demonstra- that there are plans to expand the tions but sporadic protests have continued. At least 80 people have been Japanese School in Doha. killed since Arab Spring-inspired protests in February 2011, according Both sides agreed to cooperate to International Federation for Human Rights. in several fields, including safety and security, education, medical Death for Fort Hood shooter services and agriculture. Both countries seek to pro- FORT HOOD, TEXAS: A court martial yesterday sentenced a US mote exchange of youngsters Army officer to death for carrying out an Al Qaeda-inspired mass under short-term stay pro- shooting on the Fort Hood base in Texas that left 13 people dead. After gramme in both countries. Japan Residents gather at the site of a car bomb attack in Baghdad’s Hurriya District yesterday. A series of car four hours of deliberation, the forewoman of a jury of military officers, will also participate in the Ajyal bombings and other attacks across the Iraqi capital killed 86 people and wounded 263, police and medical a colonel, said it was their unanimous verdict that Major Nidal Hasan, Film Festival for the Young to be sources said. Report on page 8 42, should be executed. organised by Doha Film Institute See also page 10 this November that will focus on the popular Japanese Anime. THE PENINSULA Continued on page 2 Expat returns QR90,000 found in mall parking lot DOHA: A Sri Lankan who stumbled upon showed the Director, Brigadier Nasser Jabr even buy one a small home. Nebras is indeed Today’s edition of QR90,000 in the parking lot of a shopping Al Nuaimi, honouring Nebras. a man of exemplary character and honesty, The Peninsula complex and handed it to the security per- No details were given as to when and where said compatriots. includes a four-page sonnel of the facility to be given back to its the incident took place, how Nebras found the In no time, over 700 Sri Lankans had shared owner, has been honoured by police. cash and where he worked and in what posi- the news on Facebook and Twitter, saying The Ministry of Interior said on its Twitter tion. The news, however, went viral on social ‘Proud to be a Sri Lankan’ as soon as it was and Facebook accounts that Mohamed Nebras networking sites in the Sri Lankan community released by the ministry. was felicitated by the Director of the Capital in Qatar, with many showering praise on him One commentator, lauding Nebras, said: Security Department for his integrity and saying he had done them proud. “Great gesture, honesty will be rewarded Brigadier Al Nuaimi honouring honesty. In Sri Lanka, QR90,000 ($24,715) is huge well,”, while another said: “Proud to be a Sri Nebras. supplement The ministry posted a photograph that money (Sri Lankan rupees 33,00,000) and can Lankan; hats off to you”. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME
Emir meets Abbas PM meets Japanese premier Korean PM leaves Doha DOHA: South Korean Prime Minister Jung Hong-won left Doha yesterday after an offi- cial visit to Qatar. The Korean premier and his delegation were seen off upon departure at the Doha International Airport by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr Abdullah Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi, Qatar’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ali Hamad Mubarak Al Marri and the Korean Ambassador to Qatar Chung Keejong. QNA
Four Weddings and a Funeral at
The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser MIA Auditorium bin Khalifa Al Thani with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at DOHA: Tickets are now on The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Doha yesterday. the Emiri Diwan yesterday ahead of official talks. sale for the DFI UK Cinema Showcase screening of the BAFTA and Golden Globe award winning film, Four Weddings and a Funeral on September 26 and 27 at the Emir okays oil, gas Abe: Peace and stability in Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Auditorium. Featuring Hugh Grant in a Golden Globe-winning perform- Middle East vital for Japan ance, Four Weddings and a Funeral is a hilarious and charming story ties with Algeria Continued from page 1 of hopeless romance. Addressing a press conference, Abe said When Charles (Grant) and his that Japan ‘must play an active role in this coterie of friends attend the first Sheikh Tamim issues ratification documents region.’ of a series of friends’ weddings (to He said that peace and stability in the which he invariably arrives late), Middle East is vital for the livelihood of the he finds himself smitten with the DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim Hungary, signed in Doha on May 13. Japanese people, given the country’s depend- striking American Carrie (Andie bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday issued The Emir issued a document approv- ence on the Gulf countries for oil. McDowell), but soon finds that a document ratifying a Memorandum ing the endorsement of a memorandum “Japan is highly dependent on the Middle the road to love is a bumpy – if of Understanding between Qatar and of understanding between the Foreign East oil and gas energy. This region is indis- often hilarious – one. Algeria on cooperation in the oil and Ministry of Qatar and the Foreign pensable to the lives of the Japanese.” The film was the highest- gas sector, signed in Algiers on January Ministry of Peru on establishment of On the situation in Syria, Abe said the grossing British film in history 7. bilateral consultation agreement, signed possibility that chemical weapons were used at the time of its release and won The Emir issued a ratification docu- in the city of Lima on February 14, 2012. in Syria is ‘extremely high’, which cannot be the César for Best Foreign Film. ment endorsing a draft memorandum of The Emir issued a document approv- tolerated under any circumstances. For tickets, box office hours or understanding in the legal field between ing the endorsement of a memorandum “The responsibility of the worsening situ- any additional information, log in the Ministry of Justice in Qatar and the of understanding on cooperation in the ation of the Syrian people clearly lies with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the to www.dohafilminstitute.com or Ministry Justice in Sudan, signed on May field of education and scientific research Bashar Al Assad administration, which is press conference yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL visit the Museum of Islamic Art 30. between Qatar and the Ukrainian Council paying no heed to the situation. The gov- DFI Ticket Outlet. Tickets are The also Emir issued a ratification doc- of Ministers, signed in Doha on May 8, ernment of Japan will work closely with the through sharing its experiences from the priced at QR35 for the general ument approving an agreement on the 2012. international community to improve the Great East Japan Earthquake with Qatar. public and a special discounted encouragement and protection of recipro- The Emir issued a ratification docu- situation and stop violence.” Japan said it has decided to simplify visa rate of QR25 for students. cal investments between Qatar and Costa ment approving a draft agreement on Qatar and Japan have agreed on a high application procedures of ordinary passport THE PENINSULA Rica, signed on January 25, 2010. economic, trade and technical coopera- level defence exchange and they will also hold holders for Japanese visas, and that it is The Emir issued a ratification docu- tion between Qatar and Maldives, signed a joint security dialogue to discuss global and considering waiving visas for Japanese and ment approving an air services agree- in Doha on April 15. regional security issues. Qatari diplomatic or official passport holders. ment between Qatar and Kampuchea, The Emir issued a ratification docu- A Memorandum of Understanding was A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Doha on November 20, 2012. ment approving Qatar’s joining of the signed on policy dialogue between the foreign signed on oil and gas between Japan Oil, Gas The Emir issued a ratification docu- Budapest Treaty on the International ministries of the two countries. and Metals National Cooperation (JOGMEC) ment approving a draft memorandum Recognition of the Deposit of Micro- The Premier said that the Japanese self- and Qatar Petroleum (QP). of understanding on cooperation in organisms for the Purposes of Patent defence forces are contributing to the stabil- Among a host of other agreements, a the health sector between Qatar and Procedure. ity of the region. In the Gulf of Aden, from Japanese company will also establish a Macedonia, signed in the city of Skopje The Emir issued a ratification docu- where approximately 20 percent of the research institute on water treatment at the on April 16. ment approving a draft air transport world’s containers pass through, Japanese Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). Hugh Grant and Andie McDowell in The Emir issued a draft agreement on agreement between Qatar and Burundi forces are playing a major role. Japan will also participate in the 24th a scene from Four Weddings and cooperation in the field of economy, busi- signed in Doha on May 19. Japan aims to cooperate in the fields of Doha International Book Fair to be held later a Funeral. ness and technology between Qatar and THE PENINSULA natural disaster and risk management in December. THE PENINSULA
Exchange houses see Indian rupee plunging further DOHA: The way the Indian literally falling by the day,” said According to media reports trick- “But the way the rupee is dipping rupee has been sliding against an operator. ling in from India, the rupee on in sort of a free fall, we hope you the riyal (which is pegged to Yesterday, the currency fell to Tuesday alone lost 3.86 percent to could soon see a riyal getting you the US dollar), foreign exchange an almost 18 to 19-year low to the the dollar to close at 68.80. `20,” said an operator. operators here say they expect Qatari riyal, with a riyal fetch- Foreign exchange operators But this is hardly good news for the rupee to plunge to a record ing as much as `18.58 (Al Dar here say they expect the rupee to Indians in Qatar, many of whom, 20 a riyal soon. Exchange rate between 10 and 11 touch the dangerous barrier of sadly, seem to be happy about the The rupee had already dipped am yesterday). 70 to a dollar within days. That rupee’s free fall, he added. “Costs to 18.58 to a riyal yesterday and The rate was `18.25 just the would bring the rupee rate to have been rising at home. This there is no hope of its recovery previous day (Tuesday). This riyal to 19.22. Earlier forecasts should concern all Indians and at least in the days to come, means that in less than 24 hours suggested the threshold might be not make them happy.” operators said. “The rupee is the rupee shed so much value. broken somewhere by 2013-end. THE PENINSULA
Curtain not likely to fall on tragic chapter of Syrian play Continued from page 1 weapons in Syria, and the state- not be painful for the regime. The intervene in regional and inter- A section of Barwa Village in Al Wakra, which Barwa says is waiting in the There are certain political and ment by French President proof of this is the statement by national conflicts, to protect oil wings to emerge as a major shopping hub after the new international airport moral responsibilities that the Francois Hollande that his coun- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei wells. becomes operational. KAMMUTTY VP international community needs try “is ready to punish those Lavrov two days ago that “Russia There is concern about the pos- to fulfil: The responsibility of who made the lowly decision of will not go to war against anyone sibility of an agreement between confronting a bloody regime that using gas against innocent peo- in case of a military intervention Russia and America to launch continues to violate the rights ple”? And after the Arab League’s against Syria”. dozens of missiles to hit several Wakra Barwa Village set to be of its people, especially children announcement that Bashar Al According to Britain’s targets in order to embellish and women, particularly since Assad is responsible for the chem- Independent newspaper, a possi- America’s image in the eyes of the latest crime coincided with ical attack? ble strike will be punitive for the the world, and to silence voices major shopping hub: Official the presence of UN inspectors By using chemical weapons, regime, which has crossed a “red condemning US inaction on Syria. in the country. This is a serious the Assad regime has crossed the line” by using chemical weapons. In the final analysis, there will DOHA: Barwa Village in Al Village, especially when the new challenge to the international “red lines” that President Barack Therefore, it will not lead be no painful strikes because the Wakra is poised to emerge international airport is opened,” community and defiance of the Obama spoke of a year ago. to the overthrow of the Assad West does not want to bring down as a major shopping hub once the company said. superpowers, except Russia and However, it seems there are regime or change the military the curtain on the tragic chap- the new international airport Barwa’s statement was a China, of course. several red lines regarding Syria. balance between the regime and ter of the play taking place in the located close to it becomes oper- rejoinder to a report carried by What is the international After talk of possible US-led mili- its opponents. Syrian theatre, where everyone ational, says Barwa Real Estate this newspaper entitled ‘Few cus- community waiting for after the tary action against Syria, Iran This explains the hesitation of is contributing to the killing of Company. tomers at Barwa Village shops’ confirmation by US Secretary of warned against “crossing the President Obama and the differ- Syrian children… starting with The Village, which is a com- yesterday. State John Kerry that chemical red line”, and threatened that ences between the US and other America, with its hesitation, and mercial-cum-residential com- “This is for clarification weapons were used in Syria by the any such action against Syria powers about what is happening including Russia, China and Iran, plex, is 100 percent occupied. The on what has been said in the regime and it was now trying to would have dire consequences for in Syria. with their strong support for the demand for shops and homes in report on Barwa Village shops,” obliterate the evidence? Washington. As is well known, Syria does Syrian regime, and the Arab the Village is so much that the the rejoinder signed by Hamad And after the statement by Although the nature of any not have oil wealth like Iraq states, which have shown weak- company said it has a waiting list. Rashid Al Kuwari, Director, the White House that there is no military action against Syria is or Libya, which is what makes ness and an inability to act. “More and more consumers Group Communication, said. way to deny the use of chemical not clear yet, it will most likely the US administration rush to THE PENINSULA are going to be attracted to the THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Barca welcomes Qatar QOC seeks public help Airways into ‘family’ First commercial tie-up in the club’s 114-year history
BARCELONA: FC Barcelona (FCB) President Sandro Rosell welcomed Qatar Airways and the airline’s Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker into the FC Barcelona family on the pitch of Camp Nou on Tuesday night. “Our Club has more than 100 years of history with many glorious moments. Qatar Airways is a young company which is full of enthu- siasm and which, like ourselves, strives for excellence in everything it does,” said Rosell presenting Al Baker with an autographed jersey. “Both of us are expanding globally in the world, with more and more supporters and customers and we share objectives which will consolidate our partnership” “We are proud to be uniting with a team that upholds one of my country’s core visions: Uniting the world through sport, enriching societies through sport, and creating opportunities through sport” said Al Baker, who in turn presented Rosell with a model of the Qatar Airways 787 Dreamliner. “FC Barcelona is a team that unites the world. And Qatar Airways is truly a global connector. A perfect match – bringing your fan base closer to your hearts and home.” The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has launched a new campaign to maintain sports facilities in the country. Guests had the opportunity to witness the official team photo which The committee has asked the public to help it by sending pictures of damaged property so that the QOC can included Rosell and Al Baker and the 22 members of the FC Barcelona take remedial action. ABDUL BASIT first team wearing this season’s new official jersey. Youngsters from the FCBEscola children’s squad joined the team on the pitch. During a reception following the launch, the airline presented its newest global television campaign entitled “The Arrival,” an integrated campaign supporting Qatar Airways’ sponsorship of FC Barcelona, the first commercial partnership in the club’s 114-year history. The 90-second ad centres on a Qatar Airways flight attendant touch- ing down in the Land of FC Barcelona, disembarking the Qatar Airways 777 and taking a journey through this incredible destination to the Qatar Airways Chief Executive famous Camp Nou Stadium. Officer Akbar Al Baker presenting Throughout her adventure she encounters some of the club’s most a model of a 787 Dreamliner to FC famous players, past and present, experiences the rich history of FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell. Barcelona and meets the fans at the heart of the club. THE PENINSULA
Some Muqawils likely Expat jailed to stop operations for stealing DOHA: A nu m b er of aut hor i s e d watches Haj tour operators (Muqawils) Minister appoints are likely to cease operations this year following a major cut Head of Qatar’s and laptops in the number of pilgrims and a failure to get sanction from the Haj delegation DOHA: A criminal court has authorities. sentenced an expatriate to Of the 30 licensed Muqawils DOHA: The Minister of three years in jail and ordered only 17 have been given permis- Awqaf (Endowment) and him to be deported after serv- sion to conduct the trips this year. Islamic Affairs H E Dr ing the prison term for steal- The Haj and Umrah Ghaith bin Mubarak Al ing 22 expensive branded Department at the Ministry of Kuwari issued a ministerial watches, several pens and Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has decision yesterday appoint- four laptops from a home. denied approval to the remaining ing Jassim Mohammed Al Details of the case sug- 13 operators on grounds that they Kubeisi as head of the Qatari gest that the owner of the had failed to fulfil the required Haj delegation. QNA burgled house had locked it procedures, a local Arabic daily safely before he left. He told reported yesterday. divided among 17 operators, each the police a group of Ashghal Before seeking approval, the will get more than 70 pilgrims. (Public Woks Authority) work- Muqawils were required to book However, some Muqawils already ers was inside his villa com- accommodations for the pilgrims have 470 pilgrims while some oth- pound engaged in some work in Makkah and Madinah, but ers have only 150. It is anybody’s when he left. many had not done that fearing guess how the remaining pilgrims He said when he returned a major cut in the pilgrim quota. would be distributed,” said a con- home he saw a door and a Saudi authorities have imposed cerned tour operator. window open. “I rushed in and a 20 percent cut in the quota this He pointed out that the was shocked to find 22 branded year due to massive expansion approved Muqawils have already watches, four laptops and some works in the holy premises in booked accommodations in expensive pens missing.” Makkah, said the daily. Makkah and Madina and if they He said he lodged a police Of over 15,000 applicants from fail to operate the trips, they complaint. The police found Qatar, only 1,200 people — 800 cit- would be blacklisted by the Saudi fingerprints on the glass panes izens and 400 expatriates — have authorities. of the window that was open. been given permission to perform Many aspiring pilgrims who The burglar had also left a the pilgrimage this year. have their applications rejected cigarette butt near the window. The Haj and Umrah are hoping for an increase in the The police caught him on Department announced the quota. the basis of the fingerprints. results of the online registration Meanwhile, some tour opera- Charges were filed against him early this week. tors have hinted at the possibility after necessary investigations Many more operators could of a slight decline in the tariffs but he denied in the court he quit the scene if they fail to get this year. was involved in any theft. a sufficient number of pilgrims. “Last year, a trip by air cost The court, Al Sharq reported Several Muqawils have called as high as QR25,000. This time yesterday, convicted him of the on the authorities to ensure a it could be around QR22,500,” Al crime on the basis on his fin- fair distribution of the pilgrims Sharq quoted an operator as say- gerprints found on the window among the existing operators. ing. THE PENINSULA pane. THE PENINSULA “If 1,200 pilgrims are equally THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Budding scientists get boost from QNRF awards Three projects to receive close to $500,000
DOHA: Qatar National programmes facilitate knowledge and gas industries. The research Research Fund (QNRF) has and technology transfer, which could help minimise overall awarded three new research are essential for the growth of processing costs for the industry grants to ‘junior’ scientists, Qatar’s research capacity.” in Qatar. in the fifth cycle of its Junior QNRF funds two cycles annu- Qatar University’s second Scientists Research Experience ally of JSREP, which was launched awarded project proposes to dis- Programme (JSREP). in 2010 and has since received 70 sect the urban structure of cities The three projects will receive applications. Successful propos- in the Gulf region into ‘places of total funding of almost half a mil- als are awarded grants of up to flow’, including the flow of capi- lion dollars over the next three $100,000 per project, per year, for tal, people, goods and information. years. a maximum of three years. The results of this research will Two of the awarded propos- QNRF’s Deputy Executive provide insight on Doha’s capac- als belong to Qatar University Director, Dr Abdulnasser Al ity and competency which could and one to Weill Cornell Medical Ansari, said JSREP gives these prove beneficial as Qatar gears up College in Qatar. Each project younger awardees the opportunity for the 2022 World Cup. falls under a different field of to compete for funding and then The third successful proposal, research, which are engineering lead their own reach projects and awarded to Weill Cornell Medical and technology, social sciences prepare these young research- College in Qatar, will study the and medical and health sciences. ers for advanced future research parasite that causes the disease QNRF’s Executive Director, Dr endeavours. Similar to the NPRP, toxoplasmosis, which affects Abdul Sattar Al Taie, said: “By awardees must report progress in approximately 25 percent of the supporting these junior scientists their research every six months world’s population. The research and their research we are invest- to continue receiving further aims to prevent transmission ing in Qatar’s future. The projects funding instalments. by felines, the disease’s primary funded under the current cycle One of the two projects hosts, and to reduce the risk of will help tackle some key chal- awarded to Qatar University aims infection in Qatar. A QNRF-funded team of junior scientists works on their project. lenges facing our society. Our to improve technologies for the oil THE PENINSULA
Qatari designer to be featured at Dubai show
DOHA: Qatari fashion designer Andrea Incontri from Italy, and audience of over 400,000 visitors. Wadah Al Hajri (pictured) will Esme Vie from Russia. An exhibition featuring 50 be among the eight upcom- Selected under Vogue Italia’s Vogue covers that have earned a ing designers from around the stringent international standards, place in fashion history books will world to be featured at Dubai the eight up-and-coming designers also highlight the event. Organised Mall’s ‘Vogue Fashion Dubai will have the opportunity to show- in partnership with Vogue Italia, Experience’ to be held on case their work at the inaugural the event will connect the Middle October 10. event to a distinguished audience East to the international fashion The other selected designers comprising international celebri- scene. The initiative will be the include Mohammed Ashi from ties and key players in the fashion definitive global conduit for talent Kuwait, Razan Alazzouni from industry. from different cultures and back- Saudi Arabia, Lulwa Al Amin from On the evening of the event, the grounds, coming together to set up Bahrain, Ituen Basi from Nigeria, talented designers will showcase the framework for new trends and Simone Rocha from Ireland, their collections to an expected fashion flairs. THE PENINSULA
Oryx GTL donates two ambulances to QRC
Winner of Qatar Businesswoman of the Year 2012 award, Bothaina Al Ansari, with Editor-in-Chief of ITPLifestyle, Nadine El Chaer. Doha to host second edition of Arab Woman Awards DOHA: The Arab Woman Director for the Anti-Doping Awards in Qatar will be held Laboratory Qatar, Mashael M Al for the second consecutive year Ansari, one of Qatar’s leading art- in partnership with the Qatari ists, Amal Al Aathem, Creative Businesswomen Association, Director for Darz Designs, Aisha magazines publisher ITP Al Bedded, and representing ITP Consumer announced yesterday. is Editor-in-Chief at ITPLifestyle, The event, which will be hosted Nadine El Chaer. by Aljazeera News Presenter Vice Chairwoman at Qatari Officials of Qatar Red Crescent and Oryx GTL Ltd with one of the donated ambulances. Fairouz Ziani, will take place on Businesswomen Association, October 21 at the W Doha Hotel. Aisha Alfardan, said: “Hosting DOHA: Two ambulances were donated to Qatar Red Drawn from the worlds of this prestigious award in Qatar Crescent (QRC) on Tuesday by Oryx GTL Ltd as part of its commerce, medicine, the arts for the second year is a testament ‘corporate social responsibility’ efforts. and journalism, the board to the development of women in The donation was announced in a ceremony held at QRC’s of judges includes Senior our society and economy.” headquarters. Director, Human Resources at The winner of the Inspirational “I would like to stress that one of the values and directives of Ooredoo, Bothaina Al Ansari, Woman Award in 2012, Bothaina Qatar Red Crescent is to promote a sense of social responsibility in Director Communications for Al Ansari, said: “The recogni- all sectors of business and give them the opportunity to apply their the Securities and Exchange tion of female achievements in humanitarian orientation on the ground,” said Rashid Mohannadi, Commission, Dr Nawal Sheikh, the Arab world is an important Director of QRC’s Al Khor Branch. THE PENINSULA Marketing and Communication step in encouraging greater empowerment and eco- nomic participation. Setting an example for younger generations that dedication and determi- nation can result in great achievements.” The awards recognise the accomplishments of women within the spheres of the arts, entrepreneur- ship, fashion, medicine and charity; mirroring the judges own areas of excel- lence and expertise. The Arab Woman Awards now run annually in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and will be launched in KSA in 2014. To date, the Arab Woman Awards has recognised the accomplishments of over 130 females from differ- ent walks of life. Among the previous winners were Aisha Hussein Alfardan, professor of Physics at Qatar University Ilham Yousef Al Qaradawi and Vanity Room owners Aisha Al Mesned, Alia Al Attiya and Al Banderi Al Attiya. The Arab Woman Awards will be presented at a gala lunchtime cere- mony attended by 300 VIP female guests. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 UN inspectors need four days in Syria: Ban Team takes samples from ‘chemical victims’; rebel rockets hit Damascus ‘to avenge attack’
THE HAGUE: UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon said US sleuths heard Syrian army yesterday that UN inspectors needed four days in total to on chemical weapons: Report conclude a probe into chemical weapons use in Syria. WASHINGTON: US intelligence services overheard a Syrian “My mandate and my responsi- defence ministry official in “panicked phone calls with the leader of bility at this time is to conduct a a chemical weapons unit” after last week’s deadly chemical attack, thorough and complete investiga- Foreign Policy magazine reported on Tuesday. “Last Wednesday, in tion,” Ban told reporters in The the hours after a horrific chemical attack east of Damascus, an offi- Hague. “Let them (inspectors) cial at the Syrian Ministry of Defence exchanged panicked phone conclude their work for four days,” calls with leader of a chemical weapons unit, demanding answers for he said, speaking at the centenary a nerve agent strike that killed more than 1,000 people,” the report anniversary of the Peace Palace, said. “Those conversations were overheard by US intelligence serv- seat of the International Court of ices,” the magazine said in a statement. “That is the major reason Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ why American officials now say they’re certain that the attacks highest court. were the work of the Bashar Al Assad regime — and why the US The UN chief added that the military is likely to attack that regime in a matter of days.” team’s findings would then be analysed and the result sent to US rules out unilateral military action the UN Security Council for “any action they would deem to take”. WASHINGTON: The United States has ruled out unilateral mili- UN spokesman Martin Nesirky tary action against Syria and is conferring with allies on potential said later that Ban was referring punitive strikes that could last for more than a day, a senior US to a total of four days. This sug- official said. “Any military action would not be unilateral. It would gests that the inspectors, who include international partners,” the senior administration official, began their probe of the alleged who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters. The strikes chemical weapons site on Monday UN chemical weapons experts wearing gas masks carry samples collected from one of the sites of an alleged against Syria, if ordered, could extend beyond a single day, the offi- but whose work was suspended chemical weapons attack while escorted by Free Syrian Army fighters in the Ain Tarma neighbourhood of Damascus. cial said. “The options are not limited just to one day.” on Tuesday, needed at least until Friday to complete their work. the parties to the negotiating near Syria’s capital, and took Opponents of President Bashar Israel deploys missile defences Ban’s comments came as the table,” he said. He also warned blood, urine and hair samples Al Assad’s regime say more than United States and its allies were that any move to supply weapons from reported victims. 1,300 people, including children, JERUSALEM: Israel ordered a small-scale mobilisation of reserv- building their case for military to either side would only worsen Rebels who control the area died when his forces unleashed ists yesterday and strengthened its missile defences as precautions action against the Syrian regime the situation. said they had travelled in a six- toxic gases on Eastern Ghouta against possible Syrian attack should Western powers carry out over the alleged chemical weapons “To those providing weapons to vehicle convoy to the outlying and Moadamiyet Al Sham. threatened strikes on Syria. Israel Radio said moblization of several attacks, despite stern warnings either side, we must ask: What Damascus suburb of Eastern Meanwhile, rebel fighters said hundred troops in intelligence and air defence had been author- from Russia. have those arms achieved but Ghouta, one of the areas hit in they fired Katyusha rockets at ised. Army Radio reported the military was using all of its missile The UN chief earlier called on a more bloodshed? The military the suspected August 21 attacks. government positions in central defences, which include the short-range Iron Dome, the mid-range divided Security Council to unite logic has given us a country on the “We took blood, urine and hair Damascus in retaliation for alleged Patriot and the long-range Arrow II. and find a diplomatic solution to verge of total destruction, a region samples” from people in a field chemical weapons attacks by the escalating Syrian conflict. in chaos and a global threat. Why hospital in Eastern Ghouta, one of Syrian regime forces against civil- Syria envoy alleges rebel gas attack “Syria is the biggest challenge add more fuel to the fire?” the inspectors said. Asked if they ians. Opposition activists distrib- of war and peace in the world Ban said however that all per- had done the same with those who uted video footage showing what UNITED NATIONS: Syria’s UN envoy asked the United Nations today. The body entrusted with petrators of chemical attacks died in the incident, the inspector they said were two locally produced to order chemical experts in Damascus to investigate three rebel maintaining international peace would be brought to justice, but said that was not necessary. “The Katyusha rockets being launched attacks in which he said Syrian troops “inhaled poisonous gas”. and security cannot be missing in that the facts had to established test (for the presence of chemi- “in response to the chemical weap- The United Nations has received at least 14 reports of possible action,” Ban said, referring to the first. The UN inspectors have cal agents) can show positive even ons massacre in Eastern Ghouta”. chemical weapons use during Syria’s two-year civil war, and after Security Council. “collected valuable samples” and after weeks,” he said. The insurgents also fired mor- months of diplomatic wrangling a team of experts, led by Swedish “The Council must at last find have conducted interviews with The 13 UN inspectors, seven tar shells at air force intelligence scientist Ake Sellstrom, arrived in Syria on August 18. Syrian UN the unity to act. It must use its victims and witnesses since arriv- interpreters and backup staff headquarters in the east of the Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari said he has written to U.N. Secretary- authority for peace,” Ban said. ing in the country. “They need arrived in Syria on August 18 capital, without causing casual- General Ban Ki-moon to ask that Sellstrom’s team also “investi- “The Syrian people deserve solu- time to do their jobs,” Ban said. to start an investigation into ties, said the Syrian Observatory gate three heinous incidents that took place in the countryside of tions, not silence,” Ban said. “We UN experts visited the site of whether chemical weapons for Human Rights. Damascus on (August) 22, 24 and 25 where members of the Syrian must pursue all avenues to get a second alleged chemical attack have been used in the conflict. AGENCIES army inhaled poisonous gas.” AGENCIES Syrian army may use kamikaze pilots
LONDON: The Syrian air which time he provided reliable process, but then we were shocked force is considering using kami- information about battles between to learn about the chemical weap- kaze pilots against attacks by the troops of Bashar Al Assad and ons in Al Ghouta.” western forces, a Syrian army rebel groups. He has declined to He said the morale of the officer operating air defences provide accounts of events where Syrian army was high. “They have near Damascus has claimed in he has not served. to know that Iran and Hezbollah an interview with the Guardian. He claimed: “We have more fighters will be fighting with us, The officer said 13 pilots had than 8,000 suicide martyrs within hand-in-hand. We have an alli- signed a pledge this week saying the Syrian army, ready to carry ance of protection. We are ready they would form “a crew of suicide out martyrdom operations at any for anything. Only God can take martyrs to foil the US warplanes”. moment to stop the Americans our souls, not America or Britain The Assad loyalist, in his 30s and the British. I myself am The Syrian army is at the high- and serving with the Syrian ready to blow myself up against est state of alert now. We have army’s air defence section 10 miles US aircraft carriers to stop them taken all measures to avoid the from the capital, said: “If the US attacking Syria and its people.” air onslaught and all our rockets and British armies launch a sin- Speaking about the chemi- are ready now to be launched. We gle rocket we will launch three or cal attack last week on the out- are expecting the US and British four, and if their warplanes raid skirts of Damascus, he denied forces to attack specific targets, our skies they will face hell fire. the involvement of government so the Syrian army has changed If we are unable to shoot down forces and said news of the gas- most of its positions and many their warplanes with artillery, we sing had come as a shock. “Why barracks and brigades have been have military pilots who are ready would we use chemical weapons moved to different sites.” to attack these foreign warplanes in Al Ghouta, when we have gov- Reuters news agency said by their own warplanes and blow ernment forces where the attack Assad’s forces appeared to have them up in the air.” happened? Over the last few evacuated most personnel from The Guardian has been unable days we have launched a military army and security command to verify the information. The operation called Capital Shield to headquarters in central Damascus officer has been in contact with protect Damascus and its coun- in preparation for a western mili- the paper on several occasions tryside. We managed to get 75 tary strike. over the last 12 months during percent of the way through the GUARDIAN NEWS
Egyptian soldiers will no longer Egypt cabinet swear loyalty to president approves $3.2bn CAIRO: Egyptian soldiers will Ali said. “This way makes the loy- stimulus plan no longer swear loyalty directly alty to the leadership and not to to the president of the republic, a person,” he said. CAIRO: Egypt’s cabinet yester- according to a published decree, Analysts saw another sym- d ay ap pr o v e d a n a d d it i on a l 2 2 . 3bn a symbolic change analysts bolic aspect to the shift. Nathan Egyptian pounds ($3.2bn) in said underlined the military’s Brown, a professor at George spending on investment projects independence from any civilian Washington University and a to boost the economy over the control. leading Egypt expert, noted that coming 10 months, Deputy Prime Officers will vow to “execute the text of the decision showed Minister Ziad Bahaa El Din said. the orders of my leadership”, that it was based on material He said the government according to the amended oath presented to the president by would present its economic pro- of allegiance, that removes the army chief General Abdel Fattah gramme to Gulf Arab countries, phrase: “I will be loyal to the Al Sisi. in particular the UAE, which has president of the republic”. Sisi also serves as a vice presi- already agreed to finance medical The decree was issued on dent and as the defence minis- projects and 10 wheat silos. The Tuesday by interim head of state ter in the interim government new investments would be aimed Adly Mansour, head of the army- formed after the army overthrew towards labour-intensive projects backed administration installed Mursi last month. “I don’t think and services that helped the poor, by the military after it deposed anyone would believe that this is Bahaa El Din said. president Mohammed Mursi of likely to be the president’s initia- The cash will be directed to the Muslim Brotherhood on July 3. tive,” he said. building railways, roads, bridges “The change is a positive one. It “In short, this is a military- and 131 potable water and sewage was meant in order not to make initiated step, rubber-stamped by treatment plants as well as to an the oath personal. It already an acting president,” he said. “It extension of the Cairo metro and includes reference to the presi- is clear from this who is calling other improvements to the city’s dent, as he is one of the army’s the shots.” transport network. leaders,” army spokesman Ahmed REUTERS REUTERS THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 06 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com
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Strategic equation Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate
REPORT by the International Atomic Energy Agency has said that Iran has further boosted its capacity to enrich uranium. Tehran, the report says, Bashar Al Assad can afford Ahas installed more than 1,000 advanced centrifuges at the Natanz enrichment plant. The report of the capacity boost comes after Iranians elected Hassan Rowhani as their new president following the controversial reign of hardliner a little humiliation Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Iranian nuclear question has been one of the biggest rows between the Islamic Republic and BY IAN BLACK the West, led mainly by the US. Iran has been continuously wars since Vietnam. Walid Al Muallem, little comment from Revolutionary increasing its nuclear capability, deepening the furrows on the his foreign minister, insisted that the Guard commanders. heads of western leaders and the Israeli establishment. ASHAR Al Assad’s goal since the government would not surrender. Its Hezbollah, his other key ally, is Ahmadinejad stood his ground over the nuclear question Syrian uprising began has been defences, in the event of attacks by capable of serious offensive action Bto preserve his regime and his the US and its allies, would “surprise”, against Israel, as it proved in the 2006 and his stance was often seen as one not given to compromise. leadership of it — at all costs. Now, amid he said. war. “Syria is an existential issue for Even after many rounds of talks, the enrichment standoff western preparations to punish him for That could be a reference to an air Hezbollah,” argues Nicholas Noe, an never came close to a resolution. Western powers kept piling allegedly using chemical weapons, that defence system improved with Russian expert on the Lebanese Shia militia. the pressure in the form of debilitating sanctions. remains the bottom line. help, or to retaliatory strikes against “They are very clear that, for them, the Though Rowhani is a relative moderate, he is not likely to It is always difficult to fathom what “soft” targets such as US embassies in Assad regime is a red line that cannot is really going on in Damascus, an the region or British bases in Cyprus. be crossed. And they are the ones who slow the pace of enrichment, which Iran says is for peaceful impenetrable place at the best of times. Turkey and Saudi Arabia clearly have have the capability to turn this into a purposes. The latest information on the installation of But official pronouncements since last reason to worry. regional confrontation.” centrifuges shows that Iran is pulling no punches. Thursday’s (AUG 22) deadly attacks in Syria’s long-standing enemy Israel Overall, though, the signs are that The IAEA is to resume talks with Iran on September 27. the Ghouta area have been a familiar is far more dangerous militarily. Assad this will not happen if, as an avalanche All eyes will be on the negotiations — the first after Rowhani mixture of rhetorical defiance and — so has usually exercised restraint when of briefings and leaks suggests, the has taken office. far, at least — fairly cool calculation. provoked by Israel in the past, nota- US-led operation is carefully calibrated. Syrian statements describe a “con- bly when it bombed Syria’s fledgling “I believe that if the [western] strike is Iran’s nuclear question has to spiracy” to overthrow the regime or nuclear reactor in 2007 and (almost limited to one or two military targets in If US-led strikes be seen in the light of the changed force it, in Assad’s certainly) assassinated the Hezbollah Syria, I doubt there will be any military on Syria are strategic situation in its vicinity. words, to become commander Imad Mughniyeh in the reaction from Syria, Hezbollah, or Iran,” This is not the Iran that held its a puppet of the heart of Damascus a few months later. Abdallah Bou Habib, Lebanon’s former launched, Iran own against world powers pestering west. But to all He also ignored two recent Israeli air ambassador to the US, told Beirut’s it to call off enrichment. It is now A US-led attack appearances the strikes near Damascus. Daily Star. may feel more US, Britain and Like his father, Hafez, before him, For Assad and his regional allies, the pressurised the Iran — Syria’s neighbour — may even allies are draw- Bashar has combined political prag- key question remains the scope and that is supporting a regime under serve Assad’s ing up a limited matism with military passivity on the duration of the operation. Flattening to rethink its intense siege and in the cross-hairs punitive cam- occupied Golan Heights — facing pun- a brigade headquarters — for example, enrichment of a US-led coalition. interests, feeding paign, which they ning taunts for behaving like a “lion” ones found responsible for mounting After the purported chemical his narrative of appear at pains (Assad in Arabic) in Lebanon and a chemical weapons attacks — sends a strategy. to signal is not “rabbit” while confronting the “Zionist different signal to destroying a divi- attack in the suburbs of Damascus, resistance and intended delib- enemy”. sional HQ, which has wider strategic Syrian president Assad’s regime allowing him to erately to inter- Bashar negotiated with Israel for significance. “The risk,” warns Eyal faces US-led punitive strikes. Russia, China and Iran have vene in the civil eight years and came close to a deal Zisser, the leading Israeli expert on been vocal supporters of Syria. turn up the rhetoric war, let alone to with it while continuing to employ the Syria, “is that what looks limited to Yesterday, Rowhani matched words with Russia’s Putin to and carry on provoke regime rhetoric of a leading member of the the Americans may not look like that say that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable. Russia change. Their “resistance front” along with Iran, and to Assad.” undisturbed with inaction and dis- Hezbollah (and the Palestinian Hamas, A US-led attack may even serve and Iran maintain that the chemical attack in Syria that what matters to array over the until it changed sides). Assad’s interests, feeding his narra- killed hundreds was not launched by the Assad regime. last two and a Threats to attack Israel have been tive of resistance and allowing him It is a matter of time when Syria will be the target of him: defeating half years lends made by a senior Ba’ath party offi- to turn up the rhetoric and carry on western strikes. With western armaments in its vicinity, the rebels and credibility to that cial, but they were not broadcast undisturbed with what matters to him: Iran will feel the heat of the onslaught that might make the guaranteeing the interpretation. inside Syria. Warnings from Benjamin defeating the rebels and guaranteeing Islamic Republic rethink its strategy. The West sees Iran “If the strikes Netanyahu and his chief of staff of a the survival of his regime and family. survival of his follow the tem- partial call-up of Israeli army reserves “The kind of strike the Americans as all the more culpable in what Assad’s forces are doing as plates as adver- will have served as a reminder of the are planning will not be a debilitating the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah is propped up by Tehran. regime and family. tised, they will dangers of risk-taking. one or erode Assad’s military superior- Hezbollah’s fighters are on the ground in Syria helping regime not be a game- Assad can count on political sup- ity vis-a-vis the rebels,” said Hokayem. troops battle the rebels. The US-led strikes on Syria are changer,” said Emile Hokayem of the port from Iran, which was quick to fol- “Assad may find himself humiliated, going to complicate matters in the Middle East. Iran’s nuclear International Institute for Strategic low the Damascus line of accusing the but not so much that he has to esca- Studies. Syrian rebels of using chemical weap- late against the Americans. Sure, he enrichment drive is an important element of the strategic Assad himself told the Russian news- ons. Otherwise, Tehran — which is still will have to calm down for a couple of equation in the region. The imminent armed confrontation paper Izvestia that the US would face adjusting to the new president, Hassan days, but then he will be able to go after may make Iran rethink its enrichment strategy • failure in a war on Syria, as it had in Rowhani — has been fairly muted, with the rebels again.” GUARDIAN NEWS The other side Quote of Bo trial may become genesis of power struggle in China the day HE administration of Chinese maintaining his showdown with the Xi China’s Weibo microblogging service. in going against the party leadership. Communist Party General administration. The trial, in the eyes of the Xi admin- Bo used to be an influential figure Secretary Xi Jinping has faced The Xi administration, having made istration, should have been a scrupu- among the “princelings,” as high-rank- Ta problem, the settlement a crackdown on corruption a focus of lously prepared “political show.” ing party officials’ offspring are known. of which can never be forgotten in its first year, appears to be attempting In the public hearing, however, Bo, When he was the party secretary in the consolidating Xi’s power base. Of to condemn Bo as the embodiment of who had admitted his culpability on top post in Chongqing, he achieved To secure the course, we are speaking of the case corruption. In China’s one-party sys- some of the charges during investiga- fame through such acts as cracking in which Bo Xilai, the former top tem the judiciary is controlled by the tions by the Communist Party, changed down on the city’s business leaders gains this official of the southwestern megacity Communist Party. The first public hear- his stance. and branding them “crime syndicate of Chongqing and former member of ing of the Bo trial was set following a A factor behind this may be the members.” country has made the Communist Party’s Politburo, was key conference this summer of party strong support for Bo that remains He also used public money to pro- charged with bribery, embezzlement elders, following Xi’s official inaugura- among left-wingers within the vide the poor with low-priced housing. requires constant and abuse of power. In the public tion in March. Communist Party. The development His apparent goal was to assume one vigilance, not hearing of the case held in Shandong Apparently in a bid to emphasize the may be a major miscalculation by Xi, of the seats on the ruling Communist Province, Bo thoroughly dismissed “fairness” of the trial, Beijing took the who appeared to have intended to use Party’s all-powerful Politburo Standing complacency. all accusations, bringing the five- extraordinary step of allowing the court the trial to unify different views in the Committee. Barack Obama day trial to an end on Monday, and proceedings to be reported live on party by making clear Bo’s malfeasance The Washington Post US President THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Assad’s chemical attack, Obama’s Syria policy The pending action is as much intended to protect the president’s credibility as the people of Syria.
BY DAVID ROTHKOPF to do with this. Surely it makes no dif- ference to the families and friends of the he reason it is now commonly Syrian dead whether their loved ones die assumed that it’s only a mat- from chemical weapons, bullets, bombs or ter of time before the United disease. The idea that somehow chemical States and its allies launch weapons are a special prohibited category an attack against the Syrian of ways by which a government can mur- Tregime is that President Bashar Al Assad der its own people rings as hollow as a has left President Barack Obama with crypt. no other choice. He must either attack We have clearly waited too long to or lose what little remaining influence act in Syria. The international commu- he might have both in the Middle East nity bears at least some responsibility and with potential enemies and friends for the losses associated with this most worldwide. recent gas attack, because in failing to While the rhetoric around the attack respond to prior attacks it sent a mes- has been — and will continue to be — sage to Assad that such abuses would be about the intolerability of chemical weap- tolerated. (Russia’s role as enabler and ons, that is hardly the only reason the protector of Assad has earned it a much United States will finally take action. greater share of culpability.) Given that, according to reports like And while our guilt over the massive those in Tuesday’s Washington Post, the death toll and the suffering caused by the US and allied military initiative is almost broader humanitarian crisis in Syria is certainly to be both brief and narrow in clear, we’ve done precious little to effec- scope — and therefore of limited effect tively abate it. as a deterrent against future WMD use It is remarkable how little shame there Men search for survivors amid the rubble of collapsed buildings after what activists said was shelling by forces loyal to Syria’s President — one can only conclude that the effort is among US officials, such that even the Assad in Aleppo. must also serve another purpose. paltry commitments we made to assist The pending action is as much intended those fighting the criminal regime in Leaders or insurgents who wantonly ourselves: If humanitarian relief is the Any system of law that protects state to protect the president’s credibility as Damascus — including providing light slaughter civilians need to know that goal and the regime is a repeated mass actors — or those who cloak themselves the people of Syria. weapons and equipment support — have they will instantly and assuredly become abuser of its people, it must go. We will in the protections of acting on behalf of Months ago, Obama declared the exist- yet to make their way to the conflict zone. international pariahs, be prosecuted for have to come to terms with the possibility a nation state, to the degree ours still ence of a “red line” with respect to the Such massive attacks as those that their crimes, not be acknowledged as of a successor regime we don’t much like does — is fundamentally and profoundly Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons. took place during the two and a half leaders, and, should they claim or seek to sooner or later. flawed. Then, despite repeated evidence that months of the 1999 campaign are impos- retain high office, see their governments Given the lessons of Syria to date, we Finally, in the case of Syria, we must such weapons had been used, Obama sible to imagine in the current situation suffer severe sanctions. Military proto- should be thinking ahead and crafting also consider what the “too little, too late” failed to act as he had implied that he given the will of the United States and cols can be just as clear: The systems and what we want a strong international message sends to others in the region would. As the red line faded, so too did its allies. military or paramilitary units that carry message to that new regime to look like, who might consider violating the most his standing. Based on current reports, it seems that out such crimes are legitimate targets, especially if we want to ensure that it important norms of international behav- Now, with the evidence surrounding when it comes to planning for the limited as are the assets that protect them and doesn’t pose the same kind of destabilis- iour — like the Iranians with regard to the most recent attack, in Damascus, as use of force in this instance, more empha- the economic entities that support them. ing threat as Assad or this war. their nuclear weapons development pro- strong as it is and the death toll signifi- sis has been placed on “limits” than on Responses also must be severe enough If But if the message we send is too gram — if they assume they can act with cantly higher than in past attacks, were “use of force.” This will be a problem if that any would-be war criminal realises little, too late — as may well be the case impunity with very few real limitations. he not to act, the president might as well the message to Assad is not clearly that that the cost of such behaviour is far too with the upcoming attack — we are right Alternatively, if we recognise that early, publicly acknowledge that the United the cost of using WMDs is so high that high to undertake. Empty gestures that to fear transition, because any successor effective, coordinated, targeted, tough States is accepting a role in the balcony it must be avoided in future. do more to create the illusion of action government could also become a threat. international responses can be a worth- of the theatre of global affairs, as a spec- One clear lesson of this whole sorry than they do to truly deter future wrong- In such a case, we may well have to accept while investment and a more humane tator and no longer a player. episode is that it’s essential for the inter- doing — like brief fusillades of cruise mis- the current horrors of Syria indefinitely. approach to managing global affairs, per- If you doubt this and feel that the US national community to set clear stand- siles — must be avoided. This is the cost of having an interna- haps there’s still time to make a useful and allied action is based on the princi- ards for the early identification of and The current initiative and any under- tional system that, despite the lessons of lesson out of the carnage of Syria. ple of humanitarian relief, you need only response to atrocities. taking in the foreseeable future in Syria history, lacks the will or the foresight to In any event, it must make us hope note that while the estimated toll from While it is impossible to set a threshold certainly will not have regime change as a have created clear, dependable, potent that our efforts going forward in Syria this recent attack, according to Doctors number of casualties that should trigger goal. Not only is enforcing regime change mechanisms for identifying evolving are not limited to what seems likely to Without Borders, is 355, the total death action, suffice it to say that 100,000 is considered too messy, but the alternatives atrocities and then immediately and amount to little more than a military toll from Syria’s civil war has now likely too many to die before effective action to Assad are either too unclear or equally assuredly penalising those who under- gesture, made via cruise missile. exceeded 100,000. Principle has nothing is taken. as odious. Still, we need to be honest with take them. WP-BLOOMBERG After Bo, China’s trial is just beginning Miliband’s Syria dilemma: What should Labour do? him. But justice can never be achieved par- With its arbitrary rule, tially. There is either justice, or there is none. Even the simplest of games requires a clear BY POLLY TOYNBEE the party nurtures set of rules. Otherwise the game can only be seen as “insanity,” as Bo described his wife’s rumbeats of war thunder in Washington, and No 10 is con- video testimony. vinced that the die is cast: Obama will act with or without an official mentality If the regime didn’t manage to convey its allies. What should Labour do? intended message with Bo’s trial, what mes- D Those close to Ed Miliband suggest he has been misre- that undermines sage was received? Cadres were supposed to ported by those assuming he has signed up to Syria action. There is no learn that bribe-taking wouldn’t be toler- done deal. His conditions need to be met: any action must be legal and ated, no matter how illustrious the official. limited to defusing further chemical attacks, and military aims must constructive decision- Rather than encouraging party members to be achievable. None of those look likely to be ascertained by Thursday’s be honest or hardworking, though, the trial vote in the Commons. making and the has taught them above all to do whatever it Legality: UN approval is improbable, Russia and China are not likely takes to stay on the right side of the current to give the nod even with an abstention. Even so, it must have been leadership. The constitution and the law, even sought. An attack could be justified outside the UN, Kosovo-style, as possibility of change. basic moral judgments, hardly figure in their humanitarian protection – but that looks less than solid. The French calculations. suggest it can be done on the grounds of protecting the international BY AI WEIWEI Former Chinese politician Bo Xilai The result is that no Chinese leader, from regime on the use of chemical weapons. But since Syria is not a signa- the village level to the Politburo, enjoys any tory to the chemical weapons treaty, that looks thin too. he just-concluded trial of Bo Xilai entertainment; no preordained script could sense of security. With its arbitrary rule, Another legal problem: until the UN inspectors report, it’s unclear will be remembered as one of the have come up with such a deliciously twisted the party nurtures an official mentality that whether the killer substance used in Ghouta was prohibited. The US most critical political milestones in drama. Yet by presenting a censored account, undermines constructive decision making used white phosphorous munitions in 2004 in Fallujah, not included Tcontemporary Chinese Communist officials raised more questions than they and the possibility of change. It is a sad posi- in the chemical weapons treaty, though it kills people just as dead. history. For many years after Chairman Mao’s answered. The public knew they weren’t tion in China to be a politician. Chinese are The inspectors need more time – like Iraq all over again. Intercepting death in 1976, show trials were straightfor- seeing the whole picture, and could only more sophisticated these days, and they have evidence proffered by security services is unlikely to be a trump card: ward affairs. For their role in the devastating speculate on what major pieces of the story less confidence in the state than ever before. every MP cajoled to vote for the Iraq war will recall the dodgy dossier. Cultural Revolution, the Gang of Four were remained hidden. Rather than recognising and addressing that Miliband can take Labour back from the brink on the reasonable simply charged with “anti-party activities” Censorship remains the regime’s default fact, the regime refuses to engage with its grounds that none of these conditions will be clearly met by Thursday’s and convicted. Today, a political trial needs response to any outpouring of public opin- people. Chinese society is being warped by debate. The US rush to war is to a political not a military timetable: a to take into consideration many more factors. ion. In an instance like this where transpar- this weakness. It’s interesting how Chinese reaction to the chemical attack need not be rapid. As Labour leaders As China assumes a more central role ency is required, China’s leaders are unable quickly turned the three-finger salute Bo pore over the options, nothing is certain yet. But Thursday is deci- in international affairs and touts its rapid to truly embrace openness, or to perform in seemed to be giving in one courtroom picture sion day. economic growth over the past 30 years, its any way that would earn understanding and into an emoticon. Looked at politically, here’s Miliband’s dilemma. If a leader is accused leaders seek to establish a reputation for sympathy from the public at large. Instead, Societies in which you can’t clearly spell of lacking gravitas, he is tempted make grave decisions and the grav- governing society according to the rule of authorities sought to contain the trial’s nar- out the truth become rich with symbols, est of all is to show willingness to sacrifice blood and treasure. When law. Tested by Bo’s trial, the new leadership rative within bounds that wouldn’t shake the suggestions and parallels. This only happens in doubt, the “grown-up” action is always to go to war. Whoever is in has struggled to maintain that fiction, and to party’s foundations. under the rule of a tyrant, and Chinese lan- power each side of the Atlantic makes no difference, the UK always appear open and confident before its people. Perhaps the regime thought it could avoid guage and culture have always been so. backs the US. To refuse would be momentous, enormous and frighten- Ultimately, those efforts have failed. uncomfortable questions by focusing on the Chinese appreciate the twisted forms of ing. It would be profoundly defining at the next election. Is the man Bo’s case must have felt to party leaders criminal allegations against Bo, as if this were artificial rocks and bonsai, recognising in fit to govern? The ghost of Michael Foot in a donkey jacket at the like a tumour growing near a carotid artery a normal trial being held according to the them a metaphor for Chinese politics. When Cenotaph hovers in the air. — too dangerous to treat, yet too aggressive to rule of law. This was a farce, however, one harsh living conditions eliminate space for On the other hand, times change, everything this time is markedly be left alone. All involved are members of the that no ordinary Chinese believed. natural growth, crooked shapes are formed altered. The public is two to one against, many MPs on all sides would social and political elite, starting with former In straining to maintain the fiction, pros- in a struggle to survive. back a Labour amendment against it. Nick Clegg has knuckled under, Politburo member Bo; his wife, Gu Kailai; ecutors made obvious procedural mistakes, Over the coming years, perhaps the losing his party’s Iraq war credit. The action will almost certainly lead the police chief of Chongqing, with whom she used unfairly obtained evidence and brought Communist government will finally face real to civilian deaths and a messy outcome, with Labour’s hands clean. may have been having an affair; a murdered forward witnesses who were clearly testify- questions about its legitimacy, and realise But tone and timing is everything. Labour will not rule out interven- British business partner; top Chinese and ing under coercion. Conducted in this self- that it can only continue to govern if sup- tion: obscene images of Assad’s dead babies in shrouds are impossible foreign businessmen; even Bo’s son, a gradu- defeating manner, both the intent of the trial ported by the constitution and true rule of to forget. But Miliband will speak with all the authority of a leader ate of Harvard’s Kennedy School. and the eventual result came off as ridicu- law. Otherwise, if it continues to reject any who has repudiated his previous leader’s Iraq war, to say any action To project strength and show that the lous. Chinese will never be convinced that Bo public role in its decision making and hopes must be legal and be clearly seen to be legal by the world. Any attacks party stood above petty politics, authorities received a fair hearing, because they knew the to distract Chinese with spectacles like the must have precise and achievable aims. None of those are likely to be decided to release a “live” — but clearly cen- full truth wasn’t being exposed. Bo case, the regime will only hasten its own assured on Thursday, or in time for a war fixed by Washington’s politi- sored — transcript of the proceedings. Bo may indeed be guilty of corruption and end. Bo’s drama may soon end, but the regime cal timetable. Not yet, not now, not unconditional support, seems to This record certainly did provide exciting abuse of power, as the court is sure to find is still on trial. WP-BLOOMBERG be the decision Labour is arriving at. THE GUARDIAN THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST
More than 40pc of Iranians Wave of attacks kills 86 in Iraq watch illegal Over 260 wounded in bloodshed channels: Report BAGHDAD: More than a resident of Shaab, a Shia district in dozen bomb blasts ripped north Baghdad where four people TEHRAN: More than 40 per- through Shia districts in and were killed, and cars and nearby cent of Iranians watch televi- around Baghdad yesterday, the buildings damaged by two car sion channels beamed into Iran bloodiest in a wave of attacks bombs. “The politicians are fight- and accessible only by illegal which cost 86 lives across Iraq. ing over positions and not looking but widespread satellite dishes The worst of the bloodshed after us,” she said, sobbing. across the country, a media struck the capital and surround- “The people are homeless report said yesterday. ing areas in a spate of appar- because of these explosions. Who The figure was released by ently coordinated car bombings is going to compensate us? Who is the research department of the and suicide attacks targeting the going to compensate the youth?” state-run Islamic Republic of morning rush-hour. The deadliest attack, though, Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), in what Angry residents of one neigh- struck in the Jisr Al Diyala neigh- the daily 7 Sobh said was a rare bourhood chased down a sus- bourhood of southeast Baghdad, admittance of the popularity of pected attacker and killed him with at least nine people were satellite channels in Iran. before setting his corpse ablaze. killed and 27 others wounded in According to the report, 42 The unrest came despite widely twin bombings. After the blast, res- percent of more than 75 million publicised security operations tar- idents ran down a man suspected Iranians spend approximately geting militants in Baghdad and of planting the second car bomb, three hours watching these chan- to the north and west, though the stabbed him to death, set his corpse nels, which air movies, music and government has faced charges of on fire and hung it from a lamp- other entertainment programmes not dealing with the root causes post, according to a police officer. as well as news, mostly in Persian, of Iraq’s worst violence since 2008. Security forces later lowered including the BBC’s Persian serv- The spike in violence since the it and carried it away, witnesses ice and the US channel Voice of beginning of the year, with more said. Another car bomb in the America. than 3,700 people killed in 2013, Baghdad Jadidah area left three Authorities consider these chan- has sparked concerns Iraq is tee- dead, also badly damaging nearby nels as part of a “soft war” waged tering on the edge of a return to cars and shop fronts. by Western countries against the brutal all-out sectarian war Further blasts went off in People gather at the site of a car bomb attack in Baghdad’s Al Shaab district yesterday. the values and morals of the of 2006-2007. other major Shia neighbourhoods Islamic republic founded in 1979. Overall, violence in Baghdad including Kadhimiyah and Sadr Shias. The attacks were the lat- killed so far this month, according have in recent weeks disman- Cooperation with these networks and towns just south of the capi- City, while five members of a Shia est wave of coordinated bombings to an AFP tally. tled militant training camps and is considered a crime. tal left 57 dead yesterday, while family were shot dead in their to hit Baghdad this month. Though diplomats and ana- bomb-making sites, arrested hun- The authorities carry out reg- four others were killed in attacks home. Iraqi lawmakers and the On August 6, at least eight car lysts have urged broad-reaching dreds of alleged insurgents and ular crackdowns to seize satel- in the northern cities of Kirkuk UN mission to Baghdad, mean- bombs and several roadside blasts moves to tackle Sunni frustra- killed dozens of others. lite dishes, removing them from and Mosul. More than 263 people while, condemned the violence. killed 31 people, while 47 people tions, which they say give militant In addition to persistent security rooftops, and issue warnings were wounded nationwide. No group immediately claimed died in a spate of explosions and gun groups room to recruit and carry problems, though, the government against their use. “We are poor people, and all of responsibility for the attacks, attacks in the capital on August 10. out attacks, Prime Minister Nuri has also failed to provide adequate Iran’s new President Hassan our things have been burned, and but Sunni militants linked to Al Five days later, 24 people died in Al Maliki has vowed to press on basic services such as electricity Rowhani, considered a moderate, our home has fallen to the ground,” Qaeda frequently carry out such nine bombings in Baghdad. More with an anti-militant campaign. and clean water, and corruption is has been critical of such crack- said Marwa, an 18-year-old coordinated attacks targeting than 600 people have already been Officials say security forces widespread. AGENCIES downs, saying it was a “violation of personal privacy” and a failed attempt to prevent Iranians from connecting to the outside world. IRIB is allocated huge budgets to compete with the influence Sudan rebels free helicopter crew Saudi man Iran installs 1,008 advanced of these channels. 7 Sobh esti- mates the network’s budget for KHARTOUM: Rebels in Sudan’s carrying UN markings when it went this Iranian year, which began on Darfur have freed two Ukrainians down on August 3 southeast of Nyala. dies of enrichment centrifuges March 21, at $420m. and a Sudanese held captive since Officials with the rebel group could not Under the constitution, the early August after their helicopter immediately comment. MERS virus VIENNA: Iran has installed pressing ahead with its nuclear Iranian government has a broad- made an emergency landing, their “The Sudanese foreign ministry has about 1,008 advanced uranium programme. Separately the casting monopoly, and all television employer said yesterday. just now confirmed that the crew of RIYADH: A Saudi man enrichment centrifuges and is set IAEA announced a resumption on and radio stations are state-run Babikir Gasmelkhalig, owner of the Mi-8 helicopter, including two citi- has died of the coronavi- to test them, a UN nuclear report September 27 of talks with Iran and operate inside the country. Dindir Aviation, said that the crew zens of Ukraine..., were released last rus MERS, bringing the showed, a development likely to over how to get it to cooperate with AFP were released on Tuesday evening. But night,” a spokesman for the Ukrainian kingdom’s death toll from worry Western capitals hoping an agency inquiry into “possible he added that rebels from the Sudan foreign ministry told reporters in the Sars-like virus to 42, for a change of course under the military dimensions” to its nuclear Somalia strikes deal Liberation Army’s Minni Minnawi fac- Kiev. The spokesman added that the health authorities said country’s new president. work. There have been 10 fruitless tion were still holding their helicopter. Ukrainian crew members were now yesterday, adding a new The International Atomic rounds of talks since early 2012, but with former Islamist Gasmelkhalig said the three men were staying in Nyala city. case was registered. Energy Agency’s quarterly report the next session will be the first fine and were at a hotel in the South Hussein Minnawi, a member of The 38-year-old man — the first since relative moder- with Rowhani in office. over port city Darfur state capital Nyala. the Minnawi group’s political bureau, who died in the eastern ate Hassan Rowhani won Iran’s The IAEA report said Iran The African Union-United Nations earlier said that an investigation was city of Hafr Al Baten had June presidential election — also had fully installed a total of 1,008 ADDIS ABABA: Somalia’s cen- peacekeeping mission in Darfur underway and if the helicopter were been “suffering from a said the Islamic state had started new-generation centrifuges at the tral government agreed yesterday (UNAMID) said that the Mi-8 heli- proven to belong to a private firm and severe lung infection,” the making fuel assemblies for a reac- underground Natanz complex and to recognise a former Islamist copter had been contracted by the mis- not the government, he expected it to health ministry said. tor which the West fears could was planning to test their per- commander as the interim leader sion to deliver supplies and was not be released. AFP It said that an expat yield nuclear bomb material. Iran formance ahead of feeding them of the southern Juba region, a deal in the western city of denies any such aim. with uranium material. that could help end months of clan Madinah suffering from On the other hand, in what may The machines were “under vac- fighting and cement plans for a chronic kidney failure was provide relief for world powers uum”, an important step towards federal nation. under intensive care after seeking a peaceful settlement of starting them up, the report said. Diplomats said the pact signed he contracted the virus, the decade-old nuclear dispute Iran, it added, had also completed in Ethiopia’s capital, after days of which began in the king- with Iran, the planned commis- preparations for installing about talks and delays, was a significant dom’s Eastern Province. sioning of the Arak reactor itself 2,000 more advanced centrifuges, step towards stabilising Somalia as Saudi Arabia is the coun- has been delayed from early next which experts say could increase it seeks to create devolved govern- try worst hit by MERS, year, the IAEA said. the rate of refinement by two- or ment, and could become a blueprint which has killed 47 people In addition, Iran’s most sensi- three-fold. The rapid installa- for sharing power in other areas. globally. The Saudi authori- tive nuclear stockpile has grown tions at a production unit at the An official from Mogadishu’s ties say 84 people have been little — remaining below its Natanz site so far this year indi- government signed the deal with infected, representing the arch-enemy Israel’s stated “red cates that Iran can manufacture Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, who has majority of those who con- line” that could provoke mili- such equipment, at least to some been vying for control of Jubaland’s tracted the virus worldwide. tary action — since the previ- extent, itself despite tightening port city of Kismayu and its hinter- Experts are struggling ous IAEA report in May. Iran’s sanctions on the country. land against a clan warlord widely to understand MERS — possible restraint here could buy Centrifuges spin at supersonic seen as backed by Mogadishu. Middle East Respiratory time for more negotiations with speed to produce enriched ura- “We are hopeful that this proc- Syndrome — for which six world powers. nium, which Iran says it needs to ess will be a starting point for there is still no vaccine and Growth in Iran’s reserve of ura- fuel a planned network of nuclear Somalia to be a federal state,” which has an extremely nium gas refined to 20 percent power plants. But if further Madobe said at the signing, high fatality rate of more was held back as Iran stepped up refined, uranium can also provide through a translator. “There will than 51 percent. conversion of the material into the explosive core of a nuclear be people who won’t be happy, Like Sars, MERS is oxide to make fuel for a medical bomb. The report further said but the fundamental issue is the thought to have jumped research reactor in Tehran. The Iran had begun making nuclear interest of the Somali people.” from animals to humans, stockpile of 186kg compares with fuel for its planned Arak heavy- At the heart of the tussle over and it shares the former’s the 240-250kg which experts say water research reactor but had Kismayu has been control of the flu-like symptoms — but would be needed for a bomb if put off its commissioning beyond area’s economic resources, in par- differs by also causing kid- refined further. the planned first quarter of 2014. ticular its lucrative port. ney failure. AFP The report still showed Iran REUTERS AFP
Tunisian Islamist radicals planned other murders TUNIS: The freshly banned jihadist in North Africa,” Mustapha Ben Amor, a The ministry added that Ansar, which it group Ansar Al Sharia was planning a senior ministry official, said. said received its funding from like-minded series of political assassinations in Tunisia Among its targets were Mustapha Ben groups in Yemen, Mali and Libya, also in its effort to establish an Islamic emir- Jaafar, chairman of the assembly writing planned to attack factories and other eco- ate in North Africa, the Interior Ministry a new constitution, former foreign minis- nomic sites in Tunisia. said yesterday. ter Kamal Morjan, Amer Larayedh, a sen- Ansar leader Saifallah Benahssine, The ministry disclosed Ansar’s plans one ior official of the governing Islamist party also known as Abu Iyadh, is a former Al day after Prime Minister Ali Larayedh Ennahda, and several journalists, he said. Qaeda fighter in Afghanistan being sought declared it a terrorist organisation and said Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou told by Tunisian police for allegedly inciting the state now had proof the militants had the news conference that dozens of arrested an attack on the US embassy in Tunis in killed two secular politicians and several Ansar members had made confessions that September 2012. soldiers this year. Ansar Al Sharia is the helped the government piece together its Ansar was the prime suspect in the assassi- most radical Islamist group to emerge in structure and plans. nations of leftist secular leaders Chokri Belaid Tunisia and poses a test to the authority Among the evidence he showed were in February and Mohamed Brahmi in July, of the moderate Islamist-led government. documents, videos and email and Skype which police said were carried out with the “This organisation, which was collect- exchanges his ministry had obtained that same gun. It was also suspected in the killing ing large quantities of weapons, planned to he said proved Ansar was loyal to Al Qaeda of eight soldiers, some of whose throats were spread chaos and create a security vacuum in Islamic Maghreb (AQMI). He also dis- slit, in the rugged Mount Chaambi area near through assassinations, before seizing power played a diagram depicting Ansar’s internal the Algerian border in July. and establishing the first Islamic emirate hierarchy. REUTERS THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Fonterra milk Nigeria okays scare a false alarm, says extradition of New Zealand
WELLINGTON: A botulism scare that sparked global recalls Qaeda suspect of Fonterra milk products was a false alarm and there was never any danger to consumers, New Man indicted on four charges in US Zealand officials said yesterday after new tests. ABUJA: A Nigerian court yes- have since been killed in a drone The crisis led to infant for- terday ordered the extradition strike. mula being taken off shelves to the US of a man accused of In interviews with FBI agents, from China to Saudi Arabia ear- being a member of the Al Qaeda “Babafemi admitted travelling to lier this month and damaged New affiliate in Yemen and assigned Yemen,” the court documents say. Zealand’s “clean, green” reputa- to find English-speaking They add that he said “AQAP tion in key Asian markets. recruits. members gave him ... approxi- However, New Zealand’s The suspect identified as Lawal mately $8,600 in order to return Ministry of Primary Industries Olaniyi Babafemi, aka “Abdullah” to Nigeria and recruit English- said a barrage of tests ordered or “Ayatollah Mustapha”, is speaking individuals to work in after it sounded the alarm had alleged to be a member of Al AQAP’s English-language media confirmed the contaminant was Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula operation”. not the potentially fatal clostrid- (AQAP) and has been indicted on The charges against him in the Flames from a wildfire in Ribeira, near La Coruna, in Spain yesterday. ium botulinum, but a milder bug four charges in the US, includ- US include conspiracy to provide called clostridium sporogenes. ing supporting a foreign terrorist material support to a foreign ter- “It is therefore not capable group. rorist organisation and unlawful of producing botulism-causing “An order is hereby made that use of firearms. The documents toxins,” the ministry said in a the respondent in this case, Lawal say he received firearms training. Deadly Portugal wildfires rage statement. “There are no known Olaniyi Babafemi ... be extradited The indictment was filed on food-safety issues associated with to the United States of America to February 21 in a US district court clostridium sporogenes, although face the indictment against him,” in the eastern district of New LISBON: Wildfires in Portugal of the country, but remained Emergency services were also at elevated levels certain strains said Justice Ahmed Mohammed York. It is not be the first time that have killed four emergency on alert due to dry and windy fighting another that started may be associated with food of the federal high court in Abuja a Nigerian has been accused of workers raged anew on yester- weather, civil protection spokes- on Monday and has burned spoilage.” ruled. “It is also ordered that the acting on behalf of AQAP. day as firefighters also battled man Carlos Guerra said. 1,200 hectares near the village It said the initial tests had respondent ... shall be surren- “Underwear bomber” Umar blazes in neighbouring Spain. Near Oliveira de Frades in of Oia on the Atlantic coast, the pointed to botulism contamina- dered to the officials of the United Farouk Abdulmutallab has been Hundreds of firefighters plus central Portugal, the flames left regional government said in a tion but subsequent checks on a States of America not later than sentenced to life in prison in the water-dumping aircraft were forests reduced to charred black statement. further 195 samples in laborato- 15 days from the order of this US over his failed attempt to blow mobilised in the centre and north tree stumps. Media reports said that peo- ries in New Zealand and the US court.” up an airliner on Christmas Day of Portugal and in northwestern “Everything is burnt. It is the ple were evacuated due to the showed no sign of the bacteria. The 33-year-old Babafemi did 2009. Abdulmutallab travelled to Spain, authorities said. state’s fault. They do not look Ribeira fire, but local officials “We are very, very relieved that not contest the extradition. His Yemen in 2009 and met with Al In Portugal, 1,100 firefighters after the forest,” said one resi- were not immediately reachable this is not a food-safety issue and lawyer said he had been in the Awlaqi. were fighting the flames, the civil dent, Joao, a local resident who to confirm this. that none of the children in the custody of Nigeria’s intelligence There was no indication in protection authorities said, with said he spent hours helping the The Spanish government said world were affected by this event,” agency for some two years. the documents made public that the most dangerous blaze raging fire service fight the flames. it had sent water-dumping aer- Fonterra chief executive Theo Babafemi did not speak in Babafemi was linked to Nigerian on four fronts in the Alvao natu- Portugal’s Prime Minister oplanes and helicopters to the Spierings told reporters. court other than to confirm to Islamist extremist group Boko ral park in the north. Pedro Passos Coelho said Tuesday Ribeira fire and to another in a The dairy industry accounts for the judge that he did not oppose Haram, which has been waging a A handful of locals were evac- that the recession-hit country’s mountainous region in the west- about a quarter of New Zealand’s the extradition. deadly insurgency mainly in the uated from their homes when financial difficulties had not ern Caceres area. exports and ministry acting direc- According to court documents, country’s north. flames several metres high raged reduced its budget for fighting Spain and Portugal are prone tor-general Scott Gallacher said Babafemi travelled to Yemen Western nations have closely through a pine forest and threat- wildfires. to forest fires in summer because officials had been right to issue a between January 2010 and August monitored links between Boko ened the village of Varzea, filling Across the border in Spain, of soaring temperatures, strong public warning early. 2011 to train with Al Qaeda as Haram and outside extremist it with black smoke. authorities in the northwestern winds and dry vegetation. “We needed to act on what we well as to seek out senior mem- groups. Boko Haram members Four emergency workers have Galicia region said firefighters Last year wildfires destroyed knew at that time,” he said. “The bers Anwar Al Awlaqi and Samir have trained with Al Qaeda’s been killed this month fighting were tackling a blaze near the some 150,000 hectares of land information we had then said Khan. north African affiliate in Mali, but the fires in Portugal. village of Ribeira which ravaged in Spain from January to July, there was a food-safety risk to Yemeni-born American radical the extent of further cooperation Firefighters managed to tame 175 hectares of land after break- after one of the driest winters consumers and we moved quickly cleric Al Awlaqi as well as Khan remains unclear. AFP other major fires in the centre ing out late Tuesday. on record. AFP to address it.” AFP
Italy govt seeks France probes US spy programme deal to calm PARIS: French prosecutors the role played by Microsoft, made their servers available to political storm are investigating alleged US Yahoo, Google, Paltak, Facebook, the FBI and NSA. spying under the PRISM sur- YouTube, Skype, AOL and Apple If the companies had done so, ROME: The Italian gov- veillance programme follow- in the alleged espionage. they could face criminal charges ernment moved closer ing complaints by two human PRISM is said to give the US in France for violating data pro- yesterday to scrapping a rights groups, sources close to National Security Agency and tection and privacy rules, he said. property tax which had the case said yesterday. FBI easy access to the systems There has been deep concern in threatened to split the They launched an investiga- of nine of the world’s top Internet Europe about the alleged abuses fragile ruling coalition tion on July 16 into fraudulent companies including Google, of privacy. and deepen the politi- access to personal data and per- Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, Documents leaked by former cal turmoil caused by sonal correspondence following Yahoo and Skype. CIA worker Edward Snowden former premier Silvio complaints by the International A lawyer for the two groups, suggest that Britain’s electronic Berlusconi’s conviction Federation of Human Rights and Emmanuel Daoud, said they eavesdropping centre GCHQ has for tax fraud. the League of Human Rights, the wanted to determine whether had access to a US Internet- Cabinet was set to pass a sources said. these firms had cooperated with monitoring programme since at decree and settle an issue The complaint also targets US intelligence gathering and least June 2010. AFP which has dogged Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s unwieldy coalition of tra- ditional rivals ever since Remembering Ramstein victims it was formed in the wake of February’s inconclu- sive elections. Berlusconi’s centre-right People of Freedom party has insisted that the IMU housing tax on principal residences must be abolished as a price for its support for the gov- ernment, fuelling fears that failure to reach a deal could trigger a fresh political crisis. “Today IMU goes or Letta goes,” headlined the right-wing Libero newspa- per, which is normally very close to Berlusconi. Senior political leaders in Italy — the euro zone’s third biggest economy — have warned that any threat to the government’s survival would risk a return to the kind of market tur- Relatives of the Ramstein air show disaster victims gather at a memorial stone outside the US Air Force moil seen at the height of Base in Ramstein, Germany, yesterday. A memorial ceremony marked the 25th anniversary of the Ramstein the bloc’s debt crisis. air disaster in which 70 people died when three Italian Air Force jets of acrobatics team ‘Frecce Tricolori’ REUTERS collided during the air show on August 28, 1988. Man charged for using Mugabe poster as toilet paper
HARARE: A Zimbabwean is said to have taken the paper Mutumbe told the court that it is a crime to pull down election man has been charged for alleg- with him to a bar toilet. on July 24 this year, Mufumisi campaign posters. edly using President Robert An informant reportedly spot- entered Landmark bar in the The southern African country Mugabe’s election campaign ted him tearing up the poster city with the intention to relieve held controversial general elec- poster as toilet paper, local with Mugabe’s image while himself in the bar toilets,” the tions on July 31 which was won media reported yesterday. inside the toilet and made a citi- paper reported. by Mugabe but disputed by oppo- Takura Mufumisi, 26, from zen’s arrest. He has been accused of violat- sition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. the southern city of Masvingo, “Public prosecutor Mukai ing electoral laws. In Zimbabwe AFP THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL
Castro rejects British private alleged refusal to host patients pay Snowden
HAVANA: Fidel Castro said in remarks published yesterday too much that no Cuban official should have denied US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden entry to the communist-run island, as Watchdog could force hospital sale alleged by a Russian newspaper. The former longtime leader LONDON: Private healthcare should either for private medi- said he didn’t know whether any- patients in Britain are paying cal insurance or for self-funded one linked to Havana had actually too much because of a lack of treatment,” said Competition spoken to the fugitive former US competition, the country’s mar- Commission chairman Roger National Security Agency con- ket regulator said in a ruling Witcomb. tractor “because that is not my that could lead it to force some “The lack of available and com- job.” operators to sell hospitals. parable information, often less “What what (I) would not The Competition Commission than is available to NHS patients, agree with is someone, regard- (CC) said yesterday it had iden- also makes informed choices — less of their standing, speaking on tified 101 private hospitals that which could help drive competi- behalf of Cuba,” he said in a col- faced little local competition, tion — for these patients difficult.” umn published in the Communist some of them in clusters owned by BMI, partly owned by South Party newspaper Granma. one of the major hospital groups Africa’s Netcare and private equity Snowden flew to Moscow from BMI Healthcare, Spire and HCA group Apax Partners, is the biggest Hong Kong on June 23 but did International. private operator, with 69 hospi- FROM LEFT: Former US president Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, US first lady Michelle Obama, Caroline Kennedy, not board a flight to Cuba the It could force operators to sell tals, while Spire, owned by private and US President Barack Obama during the national anthem at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Martin next day — despite having a some hospitals in areas where equity group Cinven, owns 38. Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, yesterday. reservation. they dominated, it said, adding HCA International, owned by On Monday, Russia’s that it had pinpointed about 20 US group HCA Holdings Inc, Kommersant newspaper, citing such sites. charged significantly higher Obama, marchers mark 50 years several informed sources, said Asked about the discrepancy prices than other operators, the Snowden did not do so because between the two figures, a com- CC said, even allowing for higher Havana, under pressure from mission spokesman said many costs of running its six London- Washington, said it would not areas had local monopolies or based hospitals. since King’s ‘Dream’ speech allow the plane to land. duopolies, so forcing sales would The three operators also faced Snowden ended up spend- make no difference. little competition from new WASHINGTON: Thousands said marcher Ash Mobley, 27, of what US officials believe with ing more than a month in the The state-run National Health entrants in the market because of marchers gathered on Washington who said she was there certainty was a chemical weapons transit zone of the Russian capi- Service (NHS) is by far the leading of the high costs of setting up a Washington’s national mall to represent her grandmother, who attack by the Syrian government tal’s Sheremetyevo airport until provider of treatment in Britain, hospital and flat demand for pri- yesterday to commemorate civil had been at the 1963 event. on civilians. Moscow gave him temporary where the market for privately vate healthcare services in recent rights leader Martin Luther The marchers were led by a line During a town hall-style meet- asylum. funded healthcare was worth years, it said. King’s famous “I have a dream” of military veterans and people ing last week in Vestal, New York, Castro, in the same article, £6.4bn ($10bn) in 2011, according The top five healthcare provid- speech 50 years ago as activists who had been at the 1963 march, Obama said the country’s history praised Snowden, who disclosed to consultants Laing and Buisson. ers, which also include Ramsay said his goal of racial harmony their arms linked. People sang of racial discrimination had con- the existence of secret US govern- Mark Jackson, special adviser Health Care UK and Nuffield remains elusive. “We Shall Overcome” and other tributed to a persistent economic ment surveillance programs used at advisory and restructuring Health, accounted for about 77 Remarks from President civil rights anthems. gap between blacks and whites in to scoop phone and Internet data practice Zolfo Cooper, said forced percent of the market by revenue Barack Obama, the first black Participants gathered at the the decades since King’s speech. on a vast scale. hospital sales would create uncer- in 2010, according to a 2011 report US president, and bell ringing Lincoln Memorial, site of King’s Obama, whose mother was “I admire how brave and just tainty for lenders and investors by the Office of Fair Trading. around the world was to mark address on August 28, 1963, for white and whose father was black, Snowden’s declarations were, in the sector which was already Smaller providers include Abbey, the moment that King ended his speeches from dignitaries and has sometimes seemed reluctant which in my opinion provided a under pressure from a decline Aspen Healthcare, The London landmark address, which came to civil rights leaders. to weigh in on persistent racial service to the world by revealing in the take-up of private medi- Clinic and The Horder Centre. symbolise the struggle for equal- The ceremony was to include divides in the United States, but the disgustingly dishonest politics cal insurance and an increase in BMI said it disagreed with many ity among blacks and whites in bell ringing, 50 years to the minute he spoke forcefully about the of the powerful empire that lies lower-margin NHS work. of the findings of the investigation, America. after King ended his clarion call issue last month after the man and deceives the world,” Castro The CC said that the major and said it did not “hold the whip Marchers, many wearing of the civil rights movement with who killed black Florida teenager wrote. health insurance groups, Bupa and hand” in its relationship with T-shirts with King’s face on the words “Let freedom ring.” Trayvon Martin was acquitted. “It is absolutely clear that the AXA PPP, did not have the power insurers. “We reject absolutely any them, began their walk near the About 50 US communities or The “Let Freedom Ring and United States will always try to to fully offset the dominance of the assertion that BMI Healthcare US Capitol and carried signs such organizations have said they will Call to Action” ceremony comes put pressure on Cuba as it does big private hospital groups. and its hospitals exercise market as “Stop the new Jim Crow” and ring bells. The Swiss city of Lutry as almost half of Americans say with the UN or any public or Presenting the provisional power or that we make excess “Every Texan deserves a vote.” and Tokyo are also taking part, much more needs to be done private institution in the world, findings of an investigation into profits at the expense of patients,” Fighting restrictive voting said Atlanta’s King Center, one before the colour-blind society that is one of the characteristics the sector, it said this dominance Chief Executive Stephen Collier rights laws that Democrats say of the event’s organizers. King envisioned is realised. of that country’s government and raised insurance costs for all pri- said in a statement. hurt minorities, combating job- Obama was to addresses the Wednesday’s event caps a week- it would not be possible to expect vate patients because premiums, “The vast majority of BMI’s lessness and reducing gun vio- crowd at 2.45pm. long celebration of King’s historic anything else.” often paid by employers, are set 69 facilities, in a UK market lence among African Americans His address commemorating call for racial and economic jus- Venezuela, Nicaragua and nationally. with over 500 rival facilities, face are among the issues that civil King, a Nobel Peace Prize win- tice. They included a march on Bolivia offered asylum to Snowden “The lack of competition in the very significant local competition rights leaders put at the forefront ner and advocate of non-violence, Saturday that drew thousands of in July. In the end, Moscow healthcare market at a local level from other private hospitals and, of their efforts in 2013. comes as the White House edges people urging action on jobs, vot- granted him temporary, one-year means that most private patients increasingly, from the NHS.” “This march was supposed to be closer to launching military ing rights and gun violence. asylum on August 1. are paying more than they REUTERS about jobs, but it’s about a lot more,” strikes in Syria in response to REUTERS AFP Death penalty likely for Fort Hood gunman
FORT HOOD, Texas: The military jury death or to life in prison. If the jury unani- education, military experience and logs of deciding the fate of US Army Major Nidal mously recommends death, Hasan could his behaviour in jail. Hasan was slated yesterday to begin face lethal injection, possibly making him “If no one makes a case for life, there is deliberations on whether he should be the first US soldier to be executed by the only death,” said Lieutenant Colonel Kris sentenced to death for the November 2009 US military since 1961. Poppe, one of the attorneys assigned to shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas. Hasan said in his opening statement on Hasan’s case. The same jury of 13 officers convicted August 6 that he was the gunman and that But Hasan objected to the effort on his Hasan of killing 13 people and wounding 31 he had switched sides in what he considered behalf, telling Judge Colonel Tara Osborn he others, most of them unarmed soldiers, at to be a US war on Islam. had “overzealous defense counsel.” the central Texas base. He opened fire at the base on November The judge ruled in Hasan’s favor, saying Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, declined to 5, 2009, just weeks before he was to be he should be allowed to control his side of make any statement nor present any evi- deployed to Afghanistan. the case. dence in his defense on Tuesday, ahead of Standby defence attorneys for Hasan “Major Hasan is the captain of his the deliberations. attempted on Tuesday to present so-called own ship,” the judge said after repeatedly “The defense rests,” said Hasan, who has mitigating evidence to argue for a life sen- reminding Hasan that he could mount a acted as his own attorney. tence, instead of the death penalty, includ- stronger defence of his life. The jury can decide to sentence him to ing details on his background, family life, REUTERS
Hillary Clinton awarded prize by California fire to shut another road Chatham House SAN FRANCISCO: Yosemite National Park side of the 300,000-hectare park and is the main was to close another key route into the park entrance from the San Francisco Bay area. LONDON: Former US secre- yesterday that could keep some visitors from Tioga Road, the second of the four access tary of state Hillary Clinton reaching the premier outdoor destination over routes into the park, was set to close at noon was voted the 2013 winner the Labor Day weekend, according to a park local time to allow fire crews to build containment of the Chatham House Prize spokesman. lines along the road before the blaze approaches, by the think-tank yesterday The planned shutdown of Tioga Road comes a said Yosemite spokesman Tom Medema. for her work in promoting day after the so-called Rim Fire burned deeper “That will limit the access for visitors to and “a new era of US diplomatic into the park and reached the shores of a reser- from the east side of the park, quite possibly over engagement”. voir that serves as the primary water supply for Labor Day weekend, which will have a significant The London-based body said San Francisco some 320km to the west. economic impact on the area and (be) an incon- Clinton, who stood down this year The blaze has over 75,800 hectares an area venience for visitors,” he said. after four years as the top US dip- larger than the land mass of Chicago — since it Some 4 million people visit Yosemite each year, lomat, was given the award “in erupted on August 17. Containment lines have most of them during the peak months of June recognition of her personal lead- been established around 23 percent of the fire’s through August. ership in driving a new era of US perimeter. Firefighters plan to burn containment lines diplomatic engagement and for It ranks as the biggest California wildfire since from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in the remote her particular focus on promoting October 2007 and the sixth-largest in state his- northwestern section of the park south to Tioga education and rights for women tory, according to the records of Cal Fire. Road to stop the fire from moving further east and girls”. The fire is burning mainly in the Stanislaus into the park, Medema said. Clinton, who is seen as the National Forest west of Yosemite, but it has By Wednesday afternoon, any remaining camp- clear Democratic frontrunner scorched more than 40,000 acres of the park, ers from the Yosemite Creek Campground and for president, will be presented and firefighters were making an extra push to Tamarack Flat Campgrounds will be evacuated, with the award at a ceremony in stop it from spreading inside Yosemite. he said. The park also closed the Crane Flat London later this year. The fire last week forced the closure of a Campground, according to Medema. AFP stretch of Highway 120 that leads to the west REUTERS THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 ASIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Sri Lanka slams UN human rights body Pillay calls for war crime investigation against Colombo
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s pres- countries using the UN Human added. “I have not come to criti- ident has criticised the UN Rights Council against countries cise. I have come to raise human Human Rights Council as its such as Sri Lanka and Belarus,” rights concerns.” top official toured the battle- the paper said. Rajapaksa left for Belarus on scarred nation to probe alleged Pillay, who had earlier called Sunday, the day Pillay arrived. war crimes, according to state for a war crimes investigation But the two are due to meet in media yesterday. against Sri Lanka, told report- Colombo before she leaves on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, ers at the start of her week-long Saturday. who is on a trip to Belarus, has visit that she was only hold- Both Sri Lanka and Belarus told his counterpart Alexander ing Colombo to human rights face a US-led censure resolution Lukashenko that both nations standards agreed by all nations at the UNHRC and both have are being targeted unfairly by including itself . been asked to cooperate with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay (second left) listens to an ethnic Tamil war survivor the UNHRC whose chief Navi “I am not writing my own investigators. They are accused during her visit to Mullivaikkal on Tuesday. Pillay is visiting Sri Lanka. statute. I am looking at the of letting off rights violators and A banner headline in the Sri (human rights) framework intimidating political opponents. crushing of Tamil separatists in official fact-finding mission since international investigation into Lankan state-run Daily News that was also developed by Sri Pillay travelled to the island’s May 2009, ending the decades- the government dropped its pub- what the UN says are “credible branded the UNHRC an “anti- Lanka,” she said. former war zone in the north long civil war. lic hostility to her and promised allegations” that up to 40,000 Lankan catspaw”. “If I raise criticism, it is on Tuesday and met relatives of Pillai, who has previously been free access. civilians were killed in the final “President Rajapaksa con- whether they (Sri Lanka) com- people who disappeared dur- accused by Colombo of overstep- Sri Lanka has resisted months of the war in 2009. demned the practice of certain ply with those standards,” she ing and after the government’s ping her mandate, is on her first international pressure for an AFP
China to land US envoy to ask North Korea for prisoner’s release first probe on TOKYO: A senior US envoy with Japanese officials. “He has A breakthrough on the Bae in the North’s nuclear programme alleged unauthorised missionary moon this year who is due to travel to North health problems and we’re hopeful case could provide an opening in exchange for food aid collapsed work during several business trips BEIJING: China will land its Korea later this week has said we will be able to make progress for an improvement in relations 18 months ago. to the country. He was released first probe on the moon at the he plans to appeal for the release on that.” When asked if he was severely strained by Pyongyang’s Bae is at least the sixth on humanitarian grounds. end of this year, state media of an American sentenced to 15 confident Bae would be released, pursuit of nuclear weapons. American detained in North Bae’s sister revealed earlier reported yesterday, the next years’ hard labour, but added he said: “We haven’t been told Two senior Obama adminis- Korea since 2009. The others this month that he was moved step in an ambitious space pro- that Washington had received that anything is definite.” tration officials reportedly made were eventually allowed to leave from a labour camp to a hospi- gramme which includes even- no guarantees from Pyongyang King will fly to Pyongyang from secret visits to North Korea in without serving out their terms, tal after losing more than 22kg. tually building a space station. that the man would be freed. a US military base near Tokyo on 2012 in an effort to improve rela- some after prominent Americans Terri Chung, of Edmonds, near In 2007, China launched its Bob King, the US special envoy Friday and fly back on Saturday. It tions with the government of the including the former presidents Seattle, says her brother, a father first moon orbiter, the Chang’e for North Korean human rights will be the first public trip to North young leader Kim Jong-un, but Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter of three, suffers from diabetes, an One orbiter, which took images issues, said during a stopover in Korea by a US administration offi- apparently made little headway. visited North Korea. enlarged heart, liver problems and of the surface and analysed the Tokyo that the US was increas- cial in more than two years. The North Korea has previously If North Korea releases Bae, it back pain. distribution of elements. That ingly concerned about the health US has requested a pardon and used detained Americans as bar- will be the second time King has According to US officials, launch marked the first step of 45-year-old Kenneth Bae, a tour amnesty on humanitarian grounds gaining chips in its standoff with come back with a prisoner. Washington first made its offer in China’s three-stage moon operator and Christian missionary for Bae, who suffers from multiple the US over its nuclear and mis- When he last visited North to send King to North Korea sev- mission, to be followed by an who was arrested last November health problems and was recently sile programmes. Korea in May 2011 to assess the eral weeks ago, but Pyongyang unmanned moon mission and and accused of committing “hostile hospitalised. Washington has been Multi-nation aid-for-disar- impoverished North’s food situ- only recently took them up on it. then the retrieval of lunar acts” against North Korea. calling for Pyongyang to grant mament talks have been on ation, he came home with Eddie North Korea and the US do not soil and stone samples around “We’re going to make an amnesty since Bae was sentenced hold since 2009, and efforts by Jun. Jun, a Korean-American have formal diplomatic relations. 2017. The official Xinhua news appeal,” King said after a meeting on April 30. Washington to negotiate a freeze from California, was arrested for GUARDIAN NEWS agency said that the Chang’e Three was on track for a land- ing towards the end of the year. “The mission will see a Landfill leak Chinese orbiter soft-land, or Lawmakers in land on the moon after using Malaysia to launch biggest a technique to slow its speed, on a celestial body for the first Myanmar to keep time,” Xinhua added. Chinese crackdown on illegals scientists have talked of the pace of reform possibility of sending a man to KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia burglaries, and robberies, despite the moon after 2020. YANGON: Lawmakers amend- will launch what local media government data showing crime ing Myanmar’s army-drafted yesterday called its “biggest has dropped sharply. Fukushima leak constitution, which bars oppo- ever” crackdown on an esti- The figures have been met with sition leader Aung San Suu Kyi mated half a million illegal for- wide scepticism. The national hits INES Level 3 from the presidency, should eign workers, as a crime wave police force, which has endured TOKYO: Japan’s nuclear reg- push on with democratic focused the nation’s attention heavy criticism in recent months ulator said yesterday it has reforms, a notice in state media on security. as it appeared to be caught unpre- officially raised the severity said yesterday. Under the three-month opera- pared by the shooting spree, rating of the latest radioac- A committee of parliamentar- tion to begin on Sunday, authori- launched a separate crackdown tive water leak at the crippled ians, formed in June from mem- ties would seek to deport some on August 17 targeted at gangs. Fukushima nuclear plant to bers of the ruling party, army 500,000 foreigners, mostly from Police have said 1,400 peo- Level 3 on an international and opposition, was charged the country’s vast and less- ple suspected of being involved scale for radiological releases. with “maintaining the pace of developed neighbour Indonesia, in criminal activity have been The upgrade by Japan’s democratic transition driven by Immigration Department detained under that operation. Nuclear Regulation Authority the state and its people”, said the Director General Alias Ahmad Alias said authorities decided it raises the rating of what was announcement in the English lan- said. was time to go after the estimated Japan’s first warning on the guage New Light of Myanmar. The operation would involve half-million people who initially International Nuclear and In the first outline of the com- 135,000 personnel led by the registered under an amnesty Radiological Event Scale since mittee’s responsibilities the notice department, he was quoted by scheme for illegal workers two the three reactor meltdowns said “it shall give precedence to The Star newspaper as saying. years ago but subsequently failed at the Fukushima plant in provisions that are conducive to Normally laid-back Malaysia to come forward to be legalised March 2011. Those meltdowns the nation and as desired by the has been on edge over dozens of or deported. were classified as Level 7, the people over unprofitable and con- reported shootings, many fatal, Southeast Asia’s third-largest highest INES rating. troversial provisions”. that authorities have blamed economy is a magnet for migrant MPs have until December 31 to largely on a gang turf war. workers from poorer neighbours Speedboat mishap produce their recommendations. While foreigners are not gener- Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mynamar, The constitution, which was ally seen as a key source of crime, Vietnam, Nepal and elsewhere, kills two in Pattaya written by the former junta more the presence of large numbers who fill low-paid construction, BANGKOK: Two Chinese than a decade ago and approved of undocumented workers has factory and plantation jobs. men died and three other by a nationwide referendum in fuelled security worries. The amnesty scheme was aimed tourists were injured yes- 2008 soon after the country had The violence has added to a at registering illegals, and 1.3 mil- terday when their speedboat been battered by a cyclone, is a widespread public perception lion came forward. struck an anchored vessel major obstacle to Suu Kyi’s ambi- Pipes fill a leachate lagoon in the North East New Territories Landfill in of rising crime such as thefts, AFP near the central Thai resort tion to run for president in 2015 Fanling, Hong Kong, China, yesterday. of Pattaya, police said. The elections. engine of the speedboat car- The document blocks anyone rying ten Chinese tourists hit whose spouses or children are the anchor rope of the other overseas citizens from leading vessel, killing the two men at the country, a clause widely the scene, said Arun Prompan believed to be targeted at the ‘Why is it dark?’ asks blinded Chinese boy commander of tourist police Nobel laureate whose two sons for Chon Buri province. with her late husband Michael BEIJING: A six-year-old Chinese boy who be bandaged. (We tell him that) they will be Reports said she drugged the boy before goug- Aris are British. had his eyes gouged out does not know he has fine after the bandage is removed. “It is such ing out his eyeballs. No-one had been detained Jet crash kills It also guarantees that soldiers been blinded and asks his family why the sun a difficult question to explain to him. It is the by yesterday afternoon, media said. make up a quarter of the country’s has yet to rise, state media reported yesterday. most heartbreaking thing,” he said. A video posted online on Tuesday showed two Korean pilots parliament, which was formed in The boy, surnamed Guo, was found covered Earlier Chinese media reports said the cor- the boy — who had a cleft palate — writhing in SEOUL: Two pilots were 2011 as a new quasi-civilian gov- in blood in the northern province of Shanxi neas were missing when the boy’s eyes were agony on a hospital bed. Pictures posted online killed yesterday when a South ernment came to power led by after he went missing while playing outside, found, leading to speculation that the attacker showed him still heavily bandaged, apparently Korean air force jet trainer former generals. Chinese media reported previously. was an organ trafficker. in less acute pain. crashed near the south- The constitutional review His eyes, gouged out by an attacker, were But police said yesterday that the corneas had The attack has shocked Internet users in western city of Gwangju. committee, which was formed in recovered nearby, a police officer in Fenxi been found attached to the eyeballs and ruled China, who offered sympathy for the boy and Investigations were underway June, is made up of 109 lawmak- county who declined to be named said. out organ sales as a motive, although they were demanded retribution against his attacker on to determine the cause of the ers including 52 from the ruling The boy was being treated at an eye hospital unable to provide an alternative explanation for the country’s hugely popular microblogs. His crash of the T-50 aircraft. It Union Solidarity and Development and was not yet aware that he has been left the attack. “We are still working on it so we can- plight was the most searched news story on was the second crash in less Party (USDP) party, 25 from the blind for life, the Beijing Youth Daily said. not offer any comment or make any assumption Sina Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, yes- than a year involving a T-50, military and seven MPs from “He asks why the sky is always dark... and on the motives,” the Fenxi officer said. terday. “This poor child, he must be suffering South Korea’s first indigenous Suu Kyi’s National League for why the dawn still hasn’t come,” it quoted an Police offered a 100,000 yuan ($16,000) more than if he was dead and he has to live in supersonic aircraft. Democracy (NLD) party. uncle of the boy as saying. “We could only tell reward for information leading to the arrest of darkness forever,” said one poster. “We have AGENCIES AFP him that his eyes had some injury and have to the sole suspect, who they said was a woman. to capture the criminal!” AFP THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PHILIPPINES UN tells Manila to New envoy welcomed address sea row China rejects first arbitration initiated by Philippines
MANILA: The United Nation’s The Philippines submitted of the Philippines in the West Arbitral Tribunal in Hague comments on the draft last July 31 Philippine Sea.” has given the Philippines until and on August 1, China addressed On February 19, China pre- March 30, 2014 to make all the a note verbale to the Permanent sented the Philippines with a dip- necessary submissions in its Court of Arbitration in which it lomatic note in which it described case on the territorial dispute reiterated its position that “it its position and rejected and with China. does not accept the arbitration returned the Manila’s notification. The Arbitral Tribunal has initiated by the Philippines” and The five-member Arbitral issued its first Procedural Order, stated that it was not participat- Tribunal is chaired by Judge which establishes the initial ing in the proceedings. Thoma A Mensah of Ghana. timetable for the arbitration and The Philippines is claiming The other Members are Judge adopting Rules of Procedure. parts of the South China Sea Jean-Pierre Cot of France, Judge “The Arbitral Tribunal directs (West Philippine Sea) while the Stanislaw Pawlak of Poland, the Philippines to fully address all Asian giant is pressing its indis- Professor Alfred Soons of the issues, including matters relating putable sovereignty over the Netherlands, and Judge Rüdiger to the jurisdiction of the Arbitral entire waters through its nine- Wolfrum of Germany. Tribunal, the admissibility of the dash line claim. The Arbitral Tribunal said it will Philippines’ claim, as well as the The arbitration case between determine the further course of the merits of the dispute,” it said. the two nations started last proceedings, including the need for Before adopting the Rules of January 22 when the Philippines and scheduling of any other writ- Procedure and timetable, it pro- served China with a notification ten submissions and hearings, at vided the Philippines and China and statement of claim “with an appropriate later stage, after copies of the draft Rules of respect to the dispute with China seeking the views of the parties. Procedure for comment. over the maritime jurisdiction THE PHILIPPINE STAR President Benigno Aquino accepts credentials of Sovereign Military Order of Malta Ambassador to the Philippines Odelia Gregorio Arroyo at the Malacañan Palace yesterday. Air Force to acquire 12 Ex-police chief held on graft charges Army, Milf verify reports fighter jets from S Korea MANILA: A former Philippine vehicles were never repaired. Razon served as police chief in national police chief surren- Razon said he surrendered to 2007 under then-president Gloria on terrorists MANILA: If everything goes The government plans to acquire dered to a court yesterday after the court Wednesday before police Arroyo, whose nearly 10-year rule as planned, the Air Force may 12 FA-50 jets for P18.9bn ($430m) he was charged with corruption could visit his house to arrest him. was tainted with corruption alle- MAGUINDANAO: be able to receive two lead in to enhance the territorial defence involving millions of dollars. “I had no hesitation in my mind gations that she denies. Combined representatives fighter trainer jets as early as capabilities of the Air Force. Avelino Razon was charged over in surrendering and submitting Arroyo’s successor and rival, of the government and the next year, a ranking military Dela Cruz said the negotia- the alleged misuse of P409.74m myself to the jurisdiction of the Benigno Aquino, was elected on Moro Islamic Liberation official said yesterday. tions with the Korea Aerospace ($9.2m) in Philippine National court,” Razon, now 60 and retired, an anti-corruption platform in Front (Milf) are now scour- Air Force Chief Lt Gen Lauro Industries started about a month Police funds in 2007, when he told ABS-CBN television in a tel- 2010. ing forested areas at the Catalino dela Cruz said the first ago. He said the two jets could be was the force’s director-general, ephone interview at the court. Arroyo was detained in October border of Maguindanao and two air assets to be acquired from delivered by the end of 2014 if all a police statement said. “We trust that our justice sys- last year after she was charged Lanao del Sur to validate South Korea would be used to the contracts and other necessary An anti-graft court issued tem will give us an opportunity to with plunder for allegedly steal- reports about the presence of train their pilots. documents are signed this year. arrest warrants for Razon and 40 present our evidence.” ing P366m in state lottery funds foreign terrorists, an Army “Our target date is [to] have “(Once the jets are delivered), other defendants, including other Uyami said Razon has been meant for charity programmes, official said. Col Noli Orense, at least two [jets delivered] ini- we now have aircraft that could police officials and civilians, crim- charged with violations of the and spending the money on elec- commanding officer of the tially by the end of fourth quar- deter any intruder. If there are inal investigation chief Francisco Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices tion campaigns. Army’s 603rd Brigade based ter of 2014 and then the rest unidentified (intruders), we can Uyami said in the statement. Act, punishable by up to 10 years Now detained at a Manila mili- in Camp Iranun at the tri- would be (delivered in the next) pursue them,” Dela Cruz said. They are accused of misusing in prison, and has the option tary hospital, Arroyo is also on boundary of Maguindanao’s six months,” Dela Cruz said dur- After the initial delivery, two funds intended to fund the repair to post bail. The retired police trial for vote fraud for allegedly Barira, Matanog and Buldon ing a forum organised by the jets are expected to arrive every and refurbishing of 28 police chief did not say if he would do conspiring to rig the 2007 senato- towns, said they have, in fact, Manila Overseas Press Club last two months. armoured vehicles, Uyami added. so. Court officials could not be rial elections. been experiencing problems Monday. THE PHILIPPINE STAR State prosecutors allege the reached for comment yesterday. AFP contacting the joint verifica- tion team for updates on their location due to weak mobile phone and two-way radio signals. “The mission is obvi- ously difficult to accomplish, but the people tasked to do Female Afghan governor highlights women’s role it are full of zeal and enthu- siasm and, most importantly, MANILA: In a country where In an interview, Sarabi admit- was shot by the Taliban while from armed groups. She said the we moved to Pakistan,” she said. are enjoying the support of women are maimed, beaten or ted that she continues to receive returning home on a school bus. tasks are daunting but they can In Pakistan, she became a local government units in the poisoned to keep them from threats from armed groups who “Hopefully, with me as an be overcome. teacher and activist. Together areas where they are now.” receiving education, one woman oppose the idea of girls being edu- example, people will acknowledge Sarabi came a long way to with other Afghan women, she defied the odds to become cated and women taking higher in my country that women can become Afghanistan’s first and organised the Humanitarian Coal carrier Afghanistan’s first and only office in government. contribute for the betterment of only female governor. Assistance for the Women female governor. “I receive letters threatening the society. No one can ignore To the manor born, she attended and Children of Afghanistan capsizes Meet Habiba Sarabi, a 57-year- me, even the security department the power of women to change a prestigious university in Kabul. (HAWCA), where she conducted old doctor who gave new mean- warned me to be careful, but I’m the society. I’ve proved that as a She took her medical studies in women’s rights classes in refugee MANILA: A coal-carrying ing to female empowerment in not afraid of them. The threats woman, I did well,” she said. India and specialized in haema- camps and mobilized doctors to barge upturned in waters a largely oppressive and highly will never stop me. It is better to War-torn Afghanistan has tology. After medical school, she work and assist in these camps. off Oriental Mindoro on patriarchal society such as die for the right way, for the right long been mired in deep poverty taught at Kabul Medical Science To reach more women in Tuesday night, the Philippine Afghanistan. cause,” Sarabi said. and once dominated by the ruth- where she focused on population, Pakistan, Sarabi visited the moun- Coast Guard (PCG) reported. Sarabi is one of this year’s recip- It saddens her how terror- less Taliban who strongly oppose particularly women. tainous Pakistan-Afghanistan The vessel named Best ients of the Ramon Magsaysay ists treat women who try to get educating women. But with the In 1996, when the Taliban ruled border to oversee 80 underground Loader capsized around 8pm award for helping build a func- some education. They poison their support of western nations, par- and forbade all women to have literacy courses for women, near Bulalacao, Mindoro, tioning local government and water, throw acid at their faces ticularly the US, Afghanistan’s education, she and her family fled despite the danger of being the report said. The PCG pushing for education and and beat them to death. political landscape is changing. to Pakistan. caught and killed by the Taliban. added that the vessel con- women’s rights in Afghanistan’s An example is the plight of Sarabi acknowledged major “I wanted my three children to Unmindful of the risks, Sarabi did tained 3,000 tonnes of fossil Bamyan province despite discrim- Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani hurdles like poverty and illiteracy, have access to education. I know this for years in secrecy. fuel. Three of its crewmen ination and poverty. pupil and education activist who not to mention threats of violence that education is empowering, so THE PHILIPPINE STAR survived the incident. The Calapan-Mindoro branch of PCG was still determining the cause of the accident and damages it has incurred. Senator says no funds, no Life sentence more scholarship grants for drug leader BAGUIO CITY: Baguio’s infa- MANILA: Hundreds of students will lose their scholarships if mous drug leader Bernardo the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Cavite 2nd ‘Benjie’ Oliveros, got a life term Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla is cut by the government. and was fined P10m ($227,000) “I have to tell 7,000 scholars that without PDAF, I can’t help them,” for selling drugs. Oliveros, she said on her Twitter account in a series of posts. said to be in the drug trade She said that the abolition of the funds will strip not only students for decades and was only col- of the scholarships, but also beneficiaries of medical assistance and lared by anti-narcotics opera- burial donations. “We give out scholarships to empower people. It is tives on September 2011, was in our menu. Our constituents ask us for medical and burial assist- found guilty by Judge Antonio ance,” Mercado said. Reyes of the Baguio City drug The lawmaker also expressed regret that her earlier comments court. The conviction of the defending the use of the PDFA were “taken at the wrong context.” ‘godfather’ of organised local Mercado told PEP.ph in an interview that recent proposals to scrap drug groups prompted the the fund will leave lawmakers without anything to give to those who neutralization of the wide- ask for help. Mercado also said that constituents can freely check ranging and deep-seated statements of her PDAF use on her Facebook account. Oliveros drug group in the The Commission on Audit (COA) has named Mercado’s husband, Cordillera Region, said Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr as among the top five biggest spend- Philippine Drug Enforcement ers of congressional assistance. Agency Cordillera Assistant COA also said Revilla exceeded his allocation by P269m ($6.11m) Director Gil Castro. From his from 2007 to 2009. Mercado, however, has said that issues involving humble beginning as a ‘stow- her husband have political in motive. away,’ he became the city’s She said that if ever there was an investigation, everybody should most powerful drug person- be investigated. She stresses that the administration should not only ality for a very long time, he choose to investigate the opposition since the 2016 elections are near. said. AGENCIES Filipino protesters down their thumbs during a demonstration for the abolition of the congressional fund in Manila. THE PHILIPPINE STAR THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Nato convoy attack kills four civilians 15 onlookers injured in Helmand suicide bombing KANDAHAR: A suicide In Farah province, four drivers in Gulran District in support of bomber rammed his explosives- were killed and 40 trucks burned Afghanistan’s National Solidarity laden car into a convoy of foreign when a rocket was fired at a park- Programme, which helps rural troops in southern Afghanistan ing lot. The provincial spokesman communities carry out criti- yesterday, killing four civilians, blamed the Taliban. cal development projects, like officials said, adding there were The International Rescue improving irrigation and water no confirmed military casual- Committee (IRC) temporar- supply and running literacy and ties. About 15 onlookers were ily suspended operations after vocational training programmes. also injured in the attack on Taliban killed five staff in Herat The IRC has been working in Nato-led forces travelling on a province on Monday. Afghanistan since 1988, deliver- main road near the police head- In a statement, the committee ing humanitarian aid and devel- quarters in Lashkar Gah, capi- expressed sadness over the deaths opment assistance to people. tal of the volatile province of of five employees, pointing out An explosion rocked a base Helmand. that the men, all Afghan, were shared by Polish and Afghan Provincial spokesman Omar dedicated aid workers, committed forces in a restive eastern prov- Zuwak confirmed the casualties to improving the quality of life for ince and gun battle continued. and was unable to give details. the people of Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed responsibil- International Security Assistance The IRC said it had no fur- ity. Smoke was rising from the Force did not provide any infor- ther information about the inci- base in Ghazni and Nato helicop- An Afghan fireman clears blood and debris as Nato soldiers stand at the site of an attack in Helmand province mation. No group immediately dent or any motivation behind ters were hovering above. At least yesterday. claimed responsibility. the killings. The staff worked five people were hurt. AGENCIES
Mobile court EU delegation warns Pakistan over death penalty launched
ISLAMABAD: An EU human Hangings were due to resume in Islamabad progress on human international conventions relating Pakistan is keen to reinvigor- PESHAWAR: Pakistan rights delegation Tuesday last week until a temporary stay rights was crucial. to labour rights and governance. ate its ailing economy by boosting officials have begun offering warned Pakistan that resum- was ordered following objections “We value as extremely positive EU ambassador to Pakistan business with the EU -- already mediation in a mobile court- ing executions would be seen from the president and rights the fact that Pakistan adopted the Lars-Gunnar Wigemark said that its biggest commercial partner room to test whether it can as a “major setback” as the groups. European officials are vis- moratorium on the death pen- while the terms did not specifi- with overall trade reaching 8.1bn help clear clogged courts. European parliament consid- iting to assess the human rights alty,” she said after talks with cally include the death penalty, it euros ($11bn) in 2011. The courtroom-on-a-bus ers the country’s application for situation as the bloc considers government officials, political par- contributed to the picture. A final decision on the GSP- will mediate small civil cases, preferential trade status. whether to grant Pakistan access ties and campaign groups. “It would send an overall nega- plus application is expected by the minor criminal cases and The government of Prime to the so-called GSP-plus scheme “We hope that Pakistan will tive signal since the EU position end of the year.Rights campaign juvenile cases, Hayat Ali Shah, Minister Nawaz Sharif scrapped of preferential trade tariffs. keep it. It would be viewed as a on the abolition of the death pen- group Amnesty International head of the provincial judi- a five-year moratorium on the The matter is expected to major setback if Pakistan were to alty is very clear,” he said. estimates that Pakistan has more cial academy, said yesterday. death penalty in June in a bid come before the European par- lift the moratorium on the death “We don’t believe that it will than 8,000 prisoners on death row, Cases can drag on for decades to crack down on criminals and liament in the coming weeks and penalty.” Countries wanting to deter any violent crime. There’s most of whom have exhausted the in Pakistan — 1.4m lawsuits Islamist militants in the violence- delegation chief Ana Gomes, a gain GSP-plus status are required no evidence it deters any violent appeals process. are pending in courts. The torn country. Portuguese MEP, told reporters to ratify and implement a series of crime, including terrorism.” AFP mobile court heard 29 cases in its wood panelled courtroom on its first day on Tuesday. It freed juveniles from jail, heard property disputes and imposed small fines. “I got Zardari to reorganise PPP justice within 10 minutes. My Apex court drops contempt case had been pending for past six months in the court after his tenure ends of the civil judge,” property charges against Imran Khan dealer Adnan Khan said. ISLAMABAD: After com- his stay in Lahore, Zardari would Rail route to pleting his five-year tenure on meet office-bearers and workers ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top The court dropped the case. September 8, President Asif of the party and discuss with court yesterday dropped con- “The notice is discharged,” said Murree? Ali Zardari will focus on reor- them matters relating to reor- tempt charges against crick- Anwar Zaheer Jamali, head of the ganising the PPP, especially ganisation of the PPP. eter-turned-politician Imran three-judge panel that heard the ISLAMABAD: Residents in Punjab, party sources said The entire exercise will be Khan, accepting his explana- proceedings. of Islamabad had long been yesterday. aimed at preparing the party for tion that he never intended Pakistan’s previous government dreaming of a decent bus They said Zardari would the next general elections. to bring senior judges into accused the judiciary of politi- service. But they better deeply look into the state of the The sources said Punjab PPP disrepute. cally motivated meddling when switch to dreaming of a rail party and try to use his past and president Latif Khosa had met Khan, the head of Pakistan’s it sacked prime minister Yousuf link to Murree, for that is the recent experience to remove its Zardari on Sunday and briefed third largest party, criticised the Raza Gilani after finding him new buzzword in the Capital weaknesses. him on the situation in the prov- judiciary and election commission guilty of contempt. Development Authority. Soon after leaving the presi- ince, especially on the party’s for inaction over alleged rigged at Gilani was convicted for refus- Unfortunately, no official was dency, Zardari would spend a comprehensive defeat in the May elections in May, when he won a ing to write to Swiss authorities willing to elaborate on the week in Lahore to study the sit- 11 elections. political breakthrough. asking them to re-open corrup- buzzword on record, although uation, Presidency’s spokesman At a recent farewell for media But Khan, summoned for a tion cases against President CDA spokesman Dr Naeem and PPP Senator Farhatullah persons, President Zardari second time before the Supreme Asif Ali Zardari on the grounds Rauf did concede that “the Babar said. said the PPP had accepted Court, said he never criticised the that he had immunity as head project is in a very nascent “Zardari Sahib will give more the election results with some senior judiciary and that under- of state. stage.” time and attention to the party reservations. mining the supremacy of the judi- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and stay mostly in Lahore and The PPP Punjab leadership ciary was akin to undermining finished third place in the polls No cut in Karachi for the purpose,” the described some of the decisions democracy. Imran Khan won by Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan spokesman said. made by Zardari as ‘unwise’, “Why it is being misconstrued?... Muslim League-N (PML-N), flour price He dispelled a perception that particularly the appointment of I only referred to the return- but formed a government in the Zardari would prefer to spend Manzoor Wattoo as provincial ing officers and never named the “My entire struggle has been northwestern province of Khyber LAHORE: The price of flour most of his time in Dubai and head of the party in October Supreme Court or the superior focused on an independent justice Pakhtunkhwa. in Pakistan is unlikely to come the UK. Babar said that during 2012. INTERNEWS judiciary,” Khan told the court. system,” he said. AFP down despite the government allowing import of wheat. Consumer should brace for high prices at a time when the release of wheat from offi- Kashmir rebels threaten India attacks cial warehouses usually helps MUZAFFARABAD: Kashmiri militants are Sharif also wants to meet Indian Prime Minister Govt refuses to repay stabilise prices, sources said, threatening an “unprecedented” surge in attacks Dr Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN adding consumers should on Indian targets as deadly skirmishes imperil General Assembly next month, although New Delhi not expect any reduction in any rapprochement between Islamabad and New has warned violence may make it impossible. Gilgit-Baltistan loans the price of wheat, especially Delhi. Militants claim they no longer need clandestine flour, despite the import of A fresh influx of fighters is ready to flood the support of the Pakistani security establishment, ISLAMABAD: The federal constructed in Thack, Chilas. fairly large quantities at lower disputed Himalayan territory, from Afghanistan signalling that the conflict in Kashmir is increas- government of Pakistan has Gilgit-Baltistan is extremely prices. About 300,000 tonnes when Nato troops quit next year. ingly out of Pakistan’s control. refused to take on the responsi- rich in hydro resources, but elec- of wheat is reaching markets Syed Salahudeen, head of United Jihad Council, A dozen rebel groups have been fighting in the bility for repaying foreign loans tricity generation there is well and about 50,000 tonnes will an umbrella organisation of groups fighting against Indian-held portion of Kashmir since 1989 for inde- being sought by Gilgit-Baltistan below the potential. reach city ports in 10 days, Indian rule in Kashmir, said “thousands” of mili- pendence or its merger with Pakistan. By the mid- for energy projects, raising the Hydropower projects with for- sources added. tants would move across from Afghanistan. “The 1990s, separatist ranks swelled with foreign “jihadi” spectre of a halt to interna- eign financing are a necessity for coming months and years will see a tremendous fighters from Afghanistan and Pakistan and other tional lending to the autono- the region. Meeting participants Prisoners’ surge in mujahedeen’s activities in Indian Kashmir. countries. mous region. told the ECC that the Gilgit- “The encounter between mujahedeen and Indian “Kashmiri youth have realised that they should The issue was highlighted Baltistan government was not in exchange forces will enhance to an unprecedented level. The rely on themselves,” said Uzair Ahmed, a militant in a meeting of the Economic a position to repay foreign loans increase in attacks will be enormous and Indian with the Hizb-ul-Mujahedeen group. “Attacks on Coordination Committee (ECC) for the two projects and other for- ISLAMABAD: Pakistan forces will face huge losses.” Indian forces by Kashmiri mujahedeen have been held in mid-August, according to eign-funded projects in the future. yesterday approved signing Regular deadly exchanges of fire across the mili- enhanced during the last three to four months... and sources. Therefore, the government of the exchange of prison- tarised Line of Control (LoC) that separates Indian- the coming three-four years will be very difficult In an earlier meeting with of Pakistan should take on such ers’ treaty with the US and and Pakistan-administered Kashmir have killed 11 for the Indian forces.” the Asian Development Bank loans and pave the way for imple- Europe to enable Islamabad people since August 5 and sent tensions between Abdul Aziz Alvi, the Kashmir head of Jamaat-ud- (ADB) for financing two hydro- mentation of projects. to seek repatriation of the neighbours soaring. The latest spate of clashes Dawa, blacklisted as a terror organisation by the electric power projects, approved They said the region had no Pakistanis imprisoned there. began when five Indian soldiers were killed in a raid UN and the US, said the militants command wide by the Executive Committee of financial resources and solely Pakistan had been negotiating that Delhi blamed on the Pakistani military. The support. “We, the citizens of Pakistani Kashmir, the National Economic Council relied on the annual federal agreement on the transfer of attack came shortly after Prime Minister Nawaz will also provide them with support, whatever they (Ecnec), the matter of relending grant to finance its development prisoners with more than 20 Sharif took office, promising to improve ties with require from us, because fighting to free our home- and repayment of loans by the plans and meet non-development countries. Officials earlier said India. land is our basic duty.” Gilgit-Baltistan government also expenditures. Gilgit-Baltistan the US had called on Pakistan Pakistan denied any involvement in the killings India still accuses Pakistan of providing logisti- came up for discussion. neither has any taxation out- to sign a Council of Europe and Sharif has consistently urged restraint and cal help to the fighters, though Islamabad insists it One project is of 26 mega- lay nor gets any share from the convention on the transfer of dialogue to resolve the dispute, which dates back extends only moral and political support. watts that will be developed National Finance Commission prisoners or convicts. to independence from Britain in 1947. AFP in Shagharthang, Skardu (NFC) Award. AGENCIES and another is of 4MW to be INTERNEWS THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA 11 killed Lok Sabha to in building collapse take up land AHMEDABAD: At least 11 people were killed and several more feared trapped when a four-storey apartment block collapsed yesterday in a city in western India, officials said. bill today The public housing block, located in the city of Vadodara, some 110 kilometres from Ahmedabad, caved in before Civil society activists concerned dawn, senior local government administrator Vinod Rao said. NEW DELHI: After the passage Minister Jairam Ramesh have held “The death toll has risen to 11 of the landmark food security bill, several rounds of consultations with from the building collapse,” Rao the Lok Sabha is today set to debate the opposition parties in the past. told AFP by telephone. and pass another key legislation of But civil society activists have said Rescuers moved in heavy the UPA government — the land the legislations will lead to “corpora- machinery to remove bricks, mor- acquisition and rehabilitation bill, tisation” of land. They also say it lacks tar and cement as they searched government sources said. provisions for rehabilitating the dis- for survivors. “Five of those res- “The land acquisition and rehabili- placed. Government sources said they cued are undergoing treatment in tation bill is scheduled to be taken up had agreed on two major issues raised hospitals and we are still search- in the Lok Sabha on Thursday,” said by main opposition Bharatiya Janata ing for others beneath the rubble,” a government official. Party (BJP), one of which was an ena- the official said. Earlier yesterday, While the government has moved bling provision for states to introduce Rao said up to 20 people were in 165 amendments, the opposition has a clause allowing leasing of land for the building at the time of the col- moved as many as 116 amendments to projects instead of acquisition. lapse. The building had 14 apart- the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation The second major concern put for- ments. Last month, a two-storey and Resettlement Bill, 2011, which ward by the BJP was ensuring that hotel collapsed in the southern seeks to replace the colonial-era all owners who had sold their land city of Secunderabad, killing 13 Land Acquisition Act, 1894. after September 5, 2011, when the bill Rescue personnel administer oxygen to an injured man trapped in the debris of a collapsed residential people and injuring 17 others. The most important feature of the was first introduced in parliament, building near Vadodara, yesterday. AFP bill is that the consent of 80 percent also get compensation. of land owners concerned is needed The Communist Party of India- for acquiring land for private projects Marxist (CPI-M) had made a demand and of 70 percent landowners for pertaining to the right to compensa- public-private projects. tion of tenants who actually till the The bill also defines “public pur- land. It also wanted 100 percent con- Three arrested over ‘marriage’ to UAE citizen pose” to include: mining, infrastruc- sent from all families affected by the ture, defence, manufacturing zones, acquisition of land. KOZHIKODE: Three people took a statement from the girl, (Muslim orphanage)’ that them. “It has come to notice roads, railways, highways, and ports Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam were arrested here yesterday who said she was misled into the helped in her upbringing after that the marriage did not take built by government and public sec- Singh Yadav, whose party supports for being party to a “mar- marriage. her father’s death. place according to norms. We tor enterprises, land for project- the United Progressive Alliance from riage” of a teenager to a UAE State Human Rights After their marriage, they have given them a week’s time affected people, planned development outside, wants that the government national, who deserted her Commission member K E spent time in resorts in and to reply to our notice and after and improvement of village or urban should not acquire fertile agricultural and returned to his country in Gangadharan, who met up around this district but her hearing from them, the law will sites and residential purposes for the land. The bill seeks to address prob- less than a fortnight. the victim on Tuesday, had “husband” then suddenly take its course,” he said. poor and landless and government- lems of industry regarding acquisi- The arrested include the directed the director general left the country, the girl Police investigations revealed administered schemes or institutions, tion of land for setting up projects, UAE national’s mother — a of police and the state social alleged. that the UAE national’s father among others. Though the key reform and provides for rehabilitation and local Muslim living in the dis- welfare board to conduct a Meanwhile, the chairman of was also an Arab but his mother bill has faced reservations from the resettlement of displaced people. trict, her second husband, and probe. the Orphanage Control Board was a local woman, who lives in opposition in the past, government It has provisions like compensation a cousin of the 17-year-old girl. The Class 12 girl alleged P C Ibrahim told reporters yes- the district. sources claimed there is a general for the owners of the acquired land They have been charged under that she “married” the terday that a show cause notice More people are expected to political consensus on the legislation. to be four times the market value in sections of the Juvenile Justice UAE national on June 13 in has been served on the orphan- be booked in the coming days, Parliamentary Affairs Minister case of rural areas and twice in case Act and also for abetting an Kozhikode district under pres- age in question on why action said police. Kamal Nath and Rural Development of urban areas. IANS unlawful marriage. Police also sure from a ‘Yateem Khana should not be taken against IANS Janmashtami celebrated with fun and fervour NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: Devotees of Krishna yesterday bathed baby Krishna idols in milk and honey, while enthusias- tic followers formed human pyr- amids to break “dahi handis”, as they celebrated Janmashtami, the 5,239th birthday of one of Vishnu’s avatars. Men, women and children of all ages, unperturbed by the humid weather, prayed at brightly decked-up temples, decorated with banana leaves, flowers and colourful lights. In the national capital, hun- dreds of people turned up at Birla Mandir, Iskcon and Gouri Shankar temples. In Kolkata, artistically-crafted tableaux by the Marwari, Gujarati A young boy dressed as Krishna participates in a competition during and Bihari communities depicted Janmashtami festivities at a temple in Kolkata yesterday. the infant form of Krishna, while a giant “jhoola” (swing) with baby Krishna put up by the Seekri, who prayed at the Birla 500,000 devotees during the day. International Society for Krishna Mandir in Delhi along with his “Panjiri” and “panchamrit” — Consciousness (Iskcon) in the family. two milk-based delicacies — and city, drew thousands of visitors. Children dressed up as Krishna, fresh fruit were the most common “It’s a ritual for our family to with flute in hand and peacock “prasad”. visit the temple early morning feather stuck in their headbands. Temple priests said festivi- after the ‘mangla arti’ to seek Ravindra Nagar, head priest ties peak near midnight when Krishna’s blessings on this auspi- of Birla Mandir, told IANS that Krishna is believed to have been cious day,” said 42-year-old Vishal the temple was expecting around born. IANS
Minister’s fake Twitter account blocked NEW DELHI: Amid reports of Syria to start tonight. India The fake posting caused an impending western military expressed concerns.” All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul strike on Syria over the alleged Soon the Twitter account of Muslimeen chief and Hyderabad use of chemical weapons, a fake India’s External Affairs Ministry MP Asaduddin Owaisi, with Twitter account of External Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin Twitter account @asadowaisi, to Affairs Minister Salman was flooded with queries asking ask @Akbar MEA: “sir I am sure Khurshid caused a flutter yes- if the news was true. the GOI is keeping an eye on terday after saying that India @AkbarMEA, the Twitter han- Syrian crisis as more than 5 mil- was talking to Britain over the dle of the official spokesperson, lion Indians work in that region.” crisis. replied to all queries saying: “The A discerning Twitter account The Indian government com- handle @IndiaMEA is a fake posted: “Seems improbable that plained to the San Francisco- one masquerading as Minister India’s foreign minister wd spill headquartered company and the Khurshid’s account. He does not military secrets divulged in a pri- account was blocked within hours. have a Twitter handle.” And “@ vate phone call on Twitter”. The fake Twitter handle @ IndiaMEA is a fake account and Another account, going as IndiaMEA complete with a pic- has been reported to @Twitter.” Ranchordas @ControversyChat , ture of the external affairs min- Within a few hours, the posted sarcastically: “@IndiaMEA ister, had the post: “@IndiaMEA: imposter handle was blocked with So now you have started giving Phone talks with British FM the message “Sorry! That page breaking news to the world :)” W.Hague. Intervention against does not exist!” IANS THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Gang-raped woman out of hospital Five arrested suspects taken to scene of crime
MUMBAI: A young photog- rapher gang-raped in Mumbai last week in an attack that Novelist blasted for tweet sparked outrage has been dis- charged from hospital after NEW DELHI: Best-selling offence rather an inhuman act “improving steadily”, staff Indian novelist Chetan & comparing with downfall of said yesterday. Bhagat faced nationwide Rupee is NOT AT ALL funny,” The 22-year-old woman anger on social media sites wrote one user. was assaulted while on assign- yesterday after tweeting India’s online news por- ment for a magazine in central that the country’s plunging tal Firstpost told the novelist Mumbai with a male colleague, currency had been “raped”. bluntly in a prominently dis- who was tied up and beaten, The comments by Bhagat, played article: “Chetan Bhagat, police say. known for his romantic, funny rape jokes are just not funny”, The woman was admitted to novels which are popular with adding they are “tasteless and the city’s Jaslok Hospital with India’s middle-class youth, just plain crass”. Bhagat swiftly internal and external injuries came amid renewed outrage deleted his tweet as the uproar after the attack last Thursday over violence against women grew, calling it “harmless” and evening. after the gang-rape in Mumbai saying he had referred to rape Policemen escort suspects, their heads covered in black hoods, as they exit the Shakti Mills compound, the scene of “The patient had improved of a photographer last week. as a “metaphor” for the rupee’s last week’s gang rape of a female photojournalist, in Mumbai yesterday. steadily and our team of doc- Twitter users slammed the troubles. tors especially assigned... had former investment banker for “As all of you hunt for that declared the patient medi- the tweet — in which Bhagat (deleted) tweet realise that cally fit for discharge yesterday said: “The rupee is asking, is your economy is in a deep cri- Mumbai top cop under fire over remark evening,” the acting head of the there no punishment for my sis. And do consider raising hospital said in a statement. rapists?” — accusing him of your voice about it,” Bhagat MUMBAI: Mumbai’s top police- the road, should they be allowed to start criticising the police on moral Also yesterday, police took trivialising a grave problem. tweeted later. man has drawn anger in the indulge in obscene things?” he said. policing. Should we do moral polic- the five arrested suspects in “Making a fun of a serious AFP wake of the gang rape of a young “On the one hand you want to ing or immoral policing? I think the case to the crime scene at photographer by suggesting that have a promiscuous culture and on choice is yours,” Singh said. an abandoned mill compound to he is a minor. If a minor, pro- photographer in Mumbai people must choose between a the other hand you want a safe and The city Mid Day newspaper reconstruct events. ceedings will be taken against released a statement at the “prom iscuous cu ltu re” that a llows secure environment for the people.” chided the “faux pas” yesterday, Footage showed the accused, him in a juvenile court,” weekend saying they were “opti- public kissing, or a city made safe Mumbai police have come under with the headline: “And this man’s dressed in T-shirts and jeans said Roy. mistic” their daughter’s case by “moral policing”. fire in recent times for so-called job is to protect us!” and wearing hoods, being Formal charges have yet to would be fast-tracked and the Five men have been arrested on “moral policing”, such as raiding The police chief’s comments escorted by police to the scene. be filed. Police arrested the sus- “severest of punishments” would allegations of raping the 22-year- bars and restaurants to enforce also angered Mumbai residents on “They demonstrated the pects within three days of the be imposed on those responsible. old last week in central Mumbai outdated regulations on drinking Twitter. sequence in which the crime incident that shocked Mumbai, They also pleaded with the — a case that has outraged the city, and entertainment. “How will Mumbai’s women be was committed. We are seek- which has long been regarded media for privacy as they try to which was previously considered Police in and around the city ever safe with a regressive patri- ing to build a strong and as one of the safer cities for recover from this “nightmarish one of India’s safest for women. have also faced criticism for tar- arch like Satyapal Singh as Chief waterproof case against them,” women. phase”. During a phone-in for viewers geting unmarried couples or single of Police?” asked one user. Joint Commissioner of Police The attack had stark paral- The woman was earlier on Tuesday over safety concerns, women out late instead of potential “It’s the police’s job to ensure a Himanshu Roy told television lels with the fatal gang-rape quoted by The Times of India police commissioner Satyapal Singh sexual predators. safe/secure environment for people reporters. Police have said the in December of a 23-year-old as saying “rape is not the end told the NDTV news channel that a In May, the city council proposed — promiscuity is irrelevant,” said accused are aged between 18 and student on a bus in New Delhi, of life” and that she wanted to “balance” was needed and that peo- banning lingerie-clad mannequin another. 27, but local media reported yes- which ignited nationwide pro- return to work. ple were “confused” over the kind dummies in shops and markets Sex crimes have continued across terday there were city records tests over the country’s treat- Police in and around Mumbai of society they wanted. for fear they could encourage sex India despite the national outrage to back up claims that one sus- ment of women and led to a have come under fire this year “That is why I’m asking whether crime. and protests sparked by the fatal pect is a juvenile. toughening of the law against for targeting unmarried couples on one hand couples should be “I don’t understand the media gang-rape of another young woman “We will do a bone ossifica- rape. or single women out late instead allowed to kiss in public and on and these so-called activists. They in New Delhi in December. AFP tion test to determine whether The family of the of sex offenders. AFP Asaram to be punished if found guilty, says Rajasthan CM NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Chief progress in the case. The chief was also registered against Asaram Minister Ashok Gehlot said minister said saints should main- in Jodhpur the following day. yesterday strict action will be tain sanctity in society so that Asaram has been booked under taken against Asaram if he is there is no scope of pointing fin- various sections of the Protection found guilty of sexually abusing gers at them. of Children from Sexual Offences a minor girl, a charge denied by “I have already said no one is Act and the Indian Penal Code. the spiritual guru who has mil- above law and law should take its Rajasthan Police have also initi- lions of devotees worldwide. own course,” Gehlot added. ated formalities to get a look-out “Police should not come under Asaram has been accused circular issued against the spirit- any pressure while conduct- of molesting a minor girl in ual guru so that he could not leave ing investigation and it will Rajasthan. The victim filed a the country. The victim’s father not happen. Strict action will complaint at a police station in has demanded a Central Bureau be taken based on the outcome New Delhi on August 20 accusing of Investigation (CBI) probe into of the probe,” he told reporters Asaram of sexually assaulting her the matter. The issue has rocked after apprising Home Minister at his ashram in Jodhpur city. the Indian parliament and has led Sushilkumar Shinde about the A first information report (FIR) to public protests. IANS
Literary honour Indian escapes death sentence in Singapore
SINGAPORE: An Indian national in Singapore, who was on death row for murder, was re-sentenced to life in prison by a court here yesterday. Gopinathan Nair Remadevi Bijukumar, 37, was also given 18 strokes of the cane for stabbing to death a Filipino sex worker, Roselyn Reyes Pascua, in March 2010, local media reported. Pascua’s body was found in her rented room here and Bijukumar had claimed that he killed her because she refused to return him money that he had given her for her services. A court of appeal here had heard the case of Bijukumar, a former shipyard worker, in May this year and then referred it to the high court. The accused’s law- yer Shashi Nathan had sought leniency saying that his client was provoked into committing the act. After yesterday’s order, Bijukumar became the third death row convict in Singapore to be re-sentenced to life in prison. Previously, death was mandatory for all murder convicts in this city Publisher Naveen Kishore, winner of the Goethe medal 2013 awarded state. However, the law has been by the Goethe Institute, during the award ceremony at the City Castle amended to give judges sentenc- of Weimar, Germany, yesterday. ing discretion in select murder cases. IANS THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK
PRAYER TIME Melbourne ICT Penetration News in Numbers and Usage most liveable CHART: 1 53 Fajr (Dawn) 3:54 city, Damascus Shorook (Sunrise) 5:13 Zuhr (Noon) 11:35 least: Survey Asr (Afternoon) 3:04 LONDON: Melbourne, Maghrib (Sunset) 5:57 Australia was named the Isha (Night) 7:27 world’s most liveable city for the third year in a row, according to a survey of 140 cities released this month by the Economist WEATHER Intelligence Unit that also ranked the Syrian capital Weather Damascus last. Today Friday Saturday Conditions: The capital of Australia’s south- Satisfaction with Mobile Phone Services among Clear Clear Clear eastern state of Victoria beat out Hot during the day Vienna, followed by Canadian Mainstream Individuals (Qataris and Expatriates) with slight dust and cities Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary. Australia’s Adelaide, High: 40° relatively humid at High: 39° High: 41° Perth and Sydney also made it Low: 32° Low: 32° Low: 31° night with hazy. The ongoing liberalisation of Qatar’s telecommunications sector has into a top 10 list which included the Finnish capital, Helsinki, and resulted in increased competition, better quality mobile coverage, Auckland, New Zealand. The survey ranked Melbourne and a greater choice of mobile services including mobile broadband DOHA - SUN & SEA first among cities based on five among other consumer benefits.Thus, it’s not surprising that two out categories of stability, health- SUN TIDE SEA care, culture and environment, of three persons in Qatar today are satisfied with their mobile service. SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND education and infrastructure, while highlighting the decline Those surveyed report higher levels of satisfaction in nearly all 05:13 17:57 12:00 & 21:00 04:00 & 19:30 05-15 KT of Damascus, alongside Egypt’s categories than they did in 2010, including actual cost and perceived Cairo and Tripoli in Libya, as a THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW result of civil unrest across the “value for money,” which indicates how much consumers think a HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Middle East and North Africa. Unrest since Arab uprisings good or service is truly worth. The largest gains came in ratings for MUSCAT 33/27 Partly cloudy 33/27 Partly cloudy in 2011, which led to civil wars easy to understand billing and after-sales customer support. KUWAIT 44/33 Clear 45/33 Clear in Syria and Libya, as well as BAHRAIN 39/32 Clear 40/31 Clear upheaval in Egypt, have pushed Mean Score (out of 7.0) SANAA 27/15 Thunderstorm 29/16 Partly cloudy Damascus, Tripoli and Cairo down the rankings in the annual survey. Ease of RIYADH 41/27 Clear 41/27 Clear 5.9 The survey excludes cities such Understanding Bill DUBAI 41/33 Clear 40/33 Partly cloudy 5.7 as Kabul in Afghanistan and Information on Costs BAGHDAD 44/29 Clear 44/28 Clear Baghdad in Iraq, long plagued by and Other 5.5 4.9 conflict and insecurity. Characteristics THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW Damascus, once a relatively Value for Money 5.5 secure city in the Middle East, 4.7 HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER had been a growing tourist desti- nation before an uprising against After-Sales Customer 5.4 ATHENS 33/25 Clear 32/24 Clear 5.0 Syrian President Bashar Al Assad Support WASHINGTON 30/21 Partly cloudy 30/23 Partly cloudy in 2011. SYDNEY 30/11 Rain 26/11 Partly cloudy Network Coverage 5.5 Other cities placed in the bot- and Quality 5.3 LONDON 23/13 Mostly cloudy 22/14 Mostly cloudy tom 10 in the liveability survey PARIS 25/15 Partly cloudy 25/16 Partly cloudy included Dhaka in Bangladesh, 5.8 Overall Service 5.3 ISTANBUL 28/22 Clear 25/21 Clear Lagos in Nigeria, Libya’s Tripoli, MANILA 34/23 Chance of storm 34/24 Chance of storm Port Moresby in Papua New DHAKA 32/25 Chance of storm 32/25 Chance of storm Guinea and Harare in Zimbabwe. DELHI 32/27 Chance of storm 32/27 Mostly cloudy REUTERS Qataris Expatriates ISLAMABAD 33/25 Partly cloudy 34/26 Clear Source : Supreme Council of Information & Communication Technology Revellers pay for tomato fight
BUNOL: Some 20,000 revellers pelted each other with tonnes of squishy tomatoes in Spain’s annual “Tomatina” food fight yesterday -- but this year they had to pay to get sticky. Drenched in red juice with seeds and pulp in their hair, fes- tival-goers hurled tomato gloop at one another and bathed in a deep layer of mush left in the street — 130 tonnes of tomatoes overall. “I got pushed around, I got thrown around, I got tomatoes in my face in my eyes, everywhere. It was crazy,” said Teddy Leonard, 23, from Texas. Defying sheets of rain and stormy skies, masses from around the world — led by Australians, Japanese and Britons — joined battle in the Plaza Mayor square Revellers take part in the annual “Tomatina” festivities in Bunol, near of Bunol, eastern Spain. Valencia, yesterday. Some people dressed as toma- toes and many wore shower caps €10 ($13). The price rose to €750 For the first time, a private and goggles to protect their eyes to get up on one of the six trucks company was charged with selling from the acidic juice of the toma- bringing in the tomatoes and hurl tickets for the Tomatina, sparking toes, which are squashed before them onto the crowd below. concern that recession-hit Spain’s being hurled at the crowd from the Organisers this year cut the town festivals may be on the path backs of lorries. number of participants by half, to privatisation. Plastic covers were hung to citing safety concerns. All the 15,000 entry tick- shield buildings along the 400- Bunol’s Mayor Joaquin ets were sold out more than metre course during the hour-long Masmano Palmer also admitted two weeks before the festival, frenzy, while unprotected walls got that the food fight, which has cost SpainTastic said. A further 5,000 splattered with red globs. €140,000 to stage this year, repre- free tickets were set aside for This year, for the first time, sents a heavy burden for a town Bunol residents. participants paid a minimum of with a debt of €4.1m. AFP
‘Mini human brains’ grown from stem cells LONDON: Scientists have grown the first mini — suggesting the same technique could in future be human brains in a laboratory and say their suc- used to model disorders like autism or schizophrenia cess could lead to new levels of understand- that affect millions of people around the world. ing about the way brains develop and what goes Zameel Cader, a consultant neurologist at Britain’s wrong in disorders like schizophrenia and autism. John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, said the work Researchers based in Austria started with human extended the possibility of stem cell technologies stem cells and created a culture in the lab that for understanding brain development and disease allowed them to grow into so-called “cerebral orga- mechanisms — and for discovering new drugs. noids” — or mini brains — that consisted of several Although it starts as relatively simple tissue, the distinct brain regions. human brain swiftly develops into the most complex It is the first time that known natural structure, and scientists are largely scientists have managed in the dark about how that happens. to replicate the develop- This makes it extremely difficult for researchers ment of brain tissue in to gain an understanding of what might be going three dimensions. wrong in - and therefore how to treat - many com- Using the organoids, mon disorders of the brain such as depression, schiz- the scientists were then ophrenia and autism. able to produce a biologi- The research team and other experts acknowl- cal model of how a rare edged that the work was a long way from growing a brain condition called fully-functioning human brain in a laboratory. microcephaly develops REUTERS Thursday 29 August 2013 22 Shawwal 1434 Volume 18 Number 5806 Price: QR2
Qatar to take part in Malaysia GES Summit
Business | 18
www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar-Japan trade reaches $37bn: Minister Al Sada addresses business forum
DOHA: The Minister of place in the matrix of our bilateral Energy and Industry H E Dr relationship. Japanese compa- Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, nies are active players in Qatar’s has said that the volume of energy sector. Their partnerships trade exchange between Qatar with us include LNG and refinery and Japan has reached more ventures, power plants, explora- than $37bn in 2012. tion, development and produc- Al Sada said in his address at tion sharing agreements, as well the opening of the Qatar–Japan as engineering and construction. Business Forum in Doha yester- “I can comfortably say that our day that Japan is Qatar’s largest collaboration in the field of natu- trading partner with a total vol- ral gas is the jewel in the crown ume of more than $37bn in 2012. of our energy partnership. Our Qatar is Japan’s second largest first liquefied natural gas ship- LNG supplier... and is also Japan’s ment arrived at the shores of third largest supplier of crude oil, Japan in 1997, marking a new era he added. in our relations. In the wake of The Minister said in his the unfortunate Tsunami disaster, remarks before the forum held Qatar stood by its friend Japan, The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada (forth right), Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe (fifth right), Qatargas Operating at Al Majlis Conference Hall at and allocated priority shipments Company Ltd CEO Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, (third right) and other officials and delegates during the Qatar-Japan Business Forum at Sheraton Sheraton Doha, that the forum of about 4 million tonnes of addi- Doha Hotel yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP) was a very important building tional LNG cargoes to help meet block in a rich history of trade its urgent needs,” he said. and business relations between He added, “I would like to reit- Abe calls for lifting food import restrictions the two countries. erate our commitment to Japan’s “It comes at a time when both energy security through a reliable the State of Qatar and Japan con- LNG supply. This commitment DOHA: The visiting Japanese The prime minister, who is mutual cooperation. our turn to continue to provide tinue to enhance four decades of will not just help Japan meet the Premier, Shinzo Abe yester- on an official visit to the region On the sidelines of the all the support we can”, which friendship, and strengthen their challenges of a changing energy day urged Qatar to lift import (including Bahrain, Kuwait and event, JOGMEC has signed a the CEO made during his visit to trade, economic, and political ties. market, but will also reinforce the restrictions on Japanese food Djibouti), with an accompanying Memorandum of Understanding the Tsunami-hit Japan, within a “When we look at Japan, we see strong foundations of our bilateral and fruits here at the opening of 150-member businessmen delega- with Qatar Petroleum to enhance month after the catastrophe. a success story of sustained excel- relationship. Qatar-Japan Business Forum. tion, was addressing to the audi- cooperation in petroleum and “I was moved by these words… lence moulded harmoniously by a “Undoubtedly, our relations Qatar, including many other ence at Qatar-Japan Business natural gas sector. I can’t tell you how much I was history of culture and a heritage have flourished with the help of the countries, placed food imports Forum, a one-day event jointly “I hope that this seminar today relieved (after getting the addi- of dedication. staunch support of leaderships of restrictions from Japan nearly two organised by Japan External (yesterday) will be a good oppor- tional gas supply from Qatar),” “It is with this reputation that both our countries. His Highness years ago after the Fukushima Trade Organization (JETRO), tunity for Qatar and Japan to Abe said. Japan was able to become a sym- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al meltdown in 2011 to avoid possible Japan Cooperation Centre for enhance the bilateral relation- H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh bol of economic development for Thani, The Emir of the State of entry of any food items contami- the Middle East (JCCME) and ship,” he said. Al Sada, Minister of Energy the world. It is also with this rep- Qatar, and His Highness Sheikh nated or radioactive. JOGMEC, a state-backed energy He thanked Qatar, for its sup- and Industry also addressed utation that — we in the State of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani According to sources, Japanese corporation. port, when the energy-rich coun- the gathering. Others present Qatar- have sought a wider and the Father Emir, have played an food products to be imported to During his address, Abe high- try promised Japan a priority were Hiroyuki Ishige, Chairman, stronger relationship with your important and inspirational role in Qatar are required to submit lighted the significance of Qatar- shipment of an additional 40mt of JETRO; Hiromasa Yonekura, esteemed country.” cementing and developing the ties inspection certificates from the Japan relationships and assured gas after the devastating Tsunami Chairman of Japan Business Since 1972, Qatar’s relations between our two nations. competent authorities saying that to further deepen and strengthen in 2011. Federation and many senior with Japan have grown several “We value the important role their products are safe for human it to take to new heights. In addi- The premier also recalled officials from different minis- folds in coverage and scale, cov- played by Japanese energy compa- consumption. tion to energy and construction the then famous statement of tries, Public Works Authority ering a wide spectrum of political, nies by utilising their knowledge, Just couple of days ago, Bahrain sectors, he said that health care, Qatargas CEO, Sheikh Khalid (Ashghal), Qatar Petroleum, economic, educational, cultural expertise, and technology to con- became the first country in the education, skills development, bin Khalifa Al Thani: “Japan is Qatar Foundation, Qatargas, and scientific and technological tribute to the expansion of Qatar’s Gulf to remove similar restric- agriculture, food security and our foundation customer, who has Rasgas, and dignitaries from cooperation, he said. Hydrocarbon Industry,” he added. tions on food imports from Japan, medical technology could be some strongly supported the economic Qatar and Japan. “Energy occupies a very special QNA on the Japanese premier’s request. of the most promising sectors of development of Qatar... It is now THE PENINSULA Govt policies blamed for rupee plunge Qatar trade surplus widens to QR32.1bn DOHA: The problems that are push- in January 2012.” The (then) finance issues, we will not see any interest in Meanwhile a Reuters report later ing the Indian currency down are of minister decided to be short-sighted in investing in India.” yesterday said that India’s central bank DOHA: Qatar’s foreign trade surplus widened India’s own making and the Indian his view and opened a Pandora’s box of India was a hot market for foreign would provide dollars directly to state to QR32.1bn in June 2013. The figure shows an government is wrongly blaming retrospective amendments to the law. institutional investors (FIIs) until last oil companies in its latest attempt to increase of QR0.6bn, up two percent compared external factors for the malaise. The Then came the scandals which created year (2012) but a majority of FIIs are shore up the currency. to the same month in 2012, preliminary data outside factors are only accelerating so much media scrutiny and political fickle and have no long-term commit- The Reserve Bank of India from the Ministry of Development Planning and the currency’s slide, said a report. interference for investors in businesses ment to India, the ‘hot’ money left announced late yesterday a special Statistics noted yesterday. A Saxo Bank report has blasted the which were well-intended but poorly when the capital started migrating window “with immediate effect” to In June 2013 total exports of goods, including Indian government and said its weak sold (by the government) to domes- back to the western world in a matter sell dollars through a designated bank exports of domestic origin and re-exports, rev- policies were actually responsible tic and foreign investors in telecom, of days or weeks. to Indian Oil Corp Ltd, Hindustan enues were posted QR39.8bn. The value of imports for hammering its currency down to infrastructure, coal, real estate sectors, On the other hand, the real long- Petroleum Corp, and Bharat Petroleum amounted to QR7.6bn. The total amount of exports alarmingly low levels. among others. term investors and value creators — Corp “until further notice”. and imports increased by 2.4 percent and 4.1 per- The external factors the government Subsequent external events have the FDI investors, were systematically The RBI last opened such a window cent respectively, compared to the same period of is trying to blame the problem on are led to further erosion of confidence in spooked by the extremely poor man- during the 2008 global financial crisis, last year. only accelerating the slide. Indian policy-makers which is reflected agement of the finance and commerce although it had been widely expected Total exports increase was mainly from petro- The report by Rudra Dalmia mailed in the rupee. functions of the Indian government, “so to re-implement the measures after leum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) to this newspaper yesterday said the Investors can deal with commercial we have little or no long term money last month telling oil companies to buy that showed a rise of 9.6 percent compared to June Indian government tries to show that and business uncertainty, but no inves- being committed to India”. dollars from a single bank. 2012; however, the increase has been partially offset the rupee is being weakened by exter- tor likes to have a target on their back Add to all this — the US Treasury The steps are the latest in a series by the drop in exports of petroleum oils & oils from nalities, like tapering off QE and poor for tax collections and policy uncer- tapering of QE, further mismanage- of extraordinary measures undertaken bituminous minerals. global conditions which have hit all tainty. The Vodafone and 2G Spectrum ment of National funds reflected in the by the RBI to combat a currency fall of The main countries of destination were Japan emerging markets. cases caused a ripple across interested Current Account Deficit, extreme inac- more than 20 percent this year, by far with a share of 28 percent of total exports, followed The reality, though, is that the investors all over the world, the report tion in policies to change the subsidy the biggest decline among the Asian by South Korea and India with 18 percent and 11 externalities are only multiplying the said. regime of basic things like diesel and currencies tracked by Reuters. percent respectively. effect of the poor policy making and Today, not a single law firm or gas, the high inflation rate, the tighten- State-run companies are the biggest Motor cars and other passenger vehicles, air- governance of the current government. accounting firm can issue a clear and ing of funds by the RBI (India’s central source of dollar demand in markets — craft spare parts, telephone sets, mobiles and parts “We believe the weakening of the definitive opinion on issues like — bank) which prevents any investment worth $400m to $500m daily — and thereof were of the main imported products in Indian rupee started with the break- investor protection, exits, tax impli- in growth, and the whopper - the crea- directing them to a special window is June 2013. United States of America was the lead- down of confidence in the Indian policy- cations, land acquisition, employee tion of the politically-motivated Food meant to reduce pressure on the rupee, ing country of origin with a share of 13 percent of makers and the seeds were sown when liability, governmental interference in Security Bill which puts a minimum which fell as much as 3.7 percent to an total imports, followed by China and the United some of the largest FDI investors were the name of corruption charges, etc. of 25-30 Billion dollar burden on the all-time low of 68.85 yesterday, record- Arab Emirates with 11 percent and 8 percent not given their due after winning a tax “As long as the legal system cannot government every year. The rupee is ing its biggest one-day fall in 18 years. respectively. case in the Supreme Court of India give clarity to investors on relevant only going in one direction. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS British banks allowed to cut cash holdings Use funds to support growth: Carney
LONDON: Britain’s eight policy that the BoE’s Financial top lenders can cut their cash Policy Committee decided on in reserves by a collective £90bn June. The policy would allow the ($140bn) and use the funds to four biggest banks to scale back support economic growth, the their liquidity buffers to 80 per- Bank of England’s new governor cent of where they should be if Mark Carney said yesterday. in full compliance with the glo- Britain’s lenders were forced to bal Basel III accord, not due until build up buffers of cash and UK 2018. government bonds far earlier This would release £70bn but, than required under a globally- by extending the change to the agreed timetable. eight main lenders, a further The buffers help cushion them £20bn can potentially be released. from short-term market shocks The British Bankers’ so they can keep operating for a Association said banks would be month even if markets freeze, as re-assessing how much of the 90 they did during the 2007-09 finan- billion pounds can be redeployed cial crisis. into lending to small and medium UK government bonds, known businesses and households, as as gilts, fell after Carney’s they are committed to doing. Guests listening to Ambassador Dato Ahmad Jazri bin Mohd Johar (inset) during a presentation on 4th Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2013 of Malaysia announcement as investors fac- The banks are under political in Doha yesterday. (ABDUL BASIT) tored in the likelihood that the pressure to increase lending to banks will sell off some of their business following criticism that holdings. they are focusing on home mort- Qatar to take part in Malaysia GES Summit Carney, in his maiden speech as gages and consumer credit rather governor of the Bank of England, than productive industry, encourag- said it “will help to underpin the ing a lop-sided economic recovery. DOHA: Over 3,000 Industry Professor Chan Kim, author of and is undertaking a global road covering innovative business mod- supply of credit, since every pound The banks argue that lend- leaders, policy makers, entre- the Blue Ocean Strategy and other shows, campaigns and networking els, disruptive innovation, digital currently held in liquid assets is ing levels reflect the amount of preneurs and business incuba- successful entrepreneurs. sessions. The Malaysian envoy entrepreneurship, innovative a pound that could be lent to the demand. tion centres would take part at The participants of the summit assured Qatari entrepreneurs funding models, talent develop- real economy”. Carney signalled that banks the 4th Global Entrepreneurship will include policy-makers, regu- that they will find GES4 ‘most ment, taking start-ups. In a separate statement, face having to hold more capital Summit (GES 2013) to be held lators, entrepreneurs, small and beneficial’. Emerging trends in the start- the central bank’s Prudential against mortgages if house price in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia medium enterprises, stakehold- Mousa Ali Abu Azab, an offi- up scene with special focus on Regulation Authority, which growth becomes unsustainable. from October 11 to 12. Qatari ers, investors, corporate leaders, cial from Qatar Chamber told The Asia will also be discussed includ- supervises UK lenders, said banks Like his predecessor Mervyn entrepreneurs and business NGOs and incubators. Peninsula a delegation from Qatar ing fostering a green economy, could scale back the liquidity buff- King, he insisted that well-cap- leaders have confirmed their “GES provides an important Chamber will attend the two-day products for the emerging Asian ers on condition they have a sepa- italised banks are in a better active participation in the two- platform for entrepreneurship summit. Representatives from middle class, low-cost scalable rate, minimum core capital ratio position to lend, saying US banks day summit, Malaysian embassy to network exchange experi- the Ministry of Economy and solutions for the ‘bottom billion’ of 7 percent — a new requirement. have rebuilt their capital bases officials said here yesterday. ence and knowledge, as well as to Trade and Qatari Businesswomen and co-Islamic finance and finan- The watchdog has said it and now lend far more than their Addressing the Doha Road form business alliances. This is an Association were also present. cial inclusion. expects the lenders to meet this British peers. Show here yesterday, Dato Ahmad opportunity not to be missed….. Malaysian Prime Minister Ways to develop an entrepre- capital ratio by the end of the But Carney avoided some of Jazri bin Mohd Johar, Malaysian As a strong and consistent sup- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will neurial team, crowd funding as year after some had to take steps King’s harsh rhetoric towards Ambassador said the GES4 will porter of development of the officiate at the Entrepreneurship a source of capital for SMEs, to find more capital. the British banks, striking a more be attended by global leaders and economy, business in collabora- Summit. strengthening the investment The eight are: HSBC, Barclays, conciliatory tone that was wel- high-profile international fig- tion with the Islamic world and Rami Al Sayegh, Marketing climate in the community and Co-op, Lloyds, RBS, Standard comed by Philip Hampton, chair- ures, including the US President the West, Malaysia is honoured to Manager, Malaysia External market access will be other top- Chartered, Santander UK and man of Royal Bank of Scotland, Barack Obama, who launched host GES 4”, Dato’ Ahmad noted. Trade Development Corporation ics to be debated at the summit. Nationwide. during a visit to Reuters. the Summit in Washington in Malaysia places high impor- (MATRADE) said the summit THE PENINSULA The PRA is implementing a REUTERS April 2010. The list will include tance to the success of GES4 would witness dedicated sessions
Ukraine premier tells Russia to accept reality of EU trade deal Ryanair
KIEV: Ukraine’s prime minis- close economic relationship with defend its markets. A Kremlin threshold of three months worth Ukraine wanted to increase the ordered to ter, seeking to ward off Russian Russia, its biggest single trading aide told Ukraine on Tuesday it of imports, analysts say. volume and quality of trade with pressure, urged Moscow yester- partner. would lose its “strategic part- Ukraine’s economy relies on Russia in the future. day to accept his country’s drive The prospect of EU goods ner” status if it signs association exports of steel, chemicals and For that reason, he said, “draw- slash Aer towards a new trade relation- entering Ukraine, free of import agreements with the 28-member grain. More than 60 percent of ing up new dividing lines is not in ship with the European Union duties, and then being re-exported EU bloc at Vilnius, Lithuania, in its exports go to the former Soviet the interests of our peoples.” Lingus stake as a “reality”. to Russia and posing competition November. market, with Russia, Belarus and He said a 10-year grace Clearly alluding to Kremlin for Russian goods has caused The pressure has led to talk of Kazakhstan the most important. period after the signing of the LONDON: Irish no-frills air- threats of possible retaliatory alarm in the Kremlin and calls a trade war in Kiev and injected But Ukrainian big business sees Association Agreement with line Ryanair must slash its trade moves, Mykola Azarov for Kiev to halt its drive towards new tension into Moscow’s rela- greater prosperity in European the EU would give Ukraine and almost 30-percent stake in rival said: “The whole world is chang- Europe. tionship with Ukraine, which markets and has resisted entreat- Russia the chance to adjust to Aer Lingus on grounds of unfair ing, the global system of economic Firing a warning shot towards has pleaded unsuccessfully for a ies by Moscow to join the Customs the new reality, according to the competition, a British watchdog relations. But to build a fence to Kiev, Russia this month imposed lower price for strategic supplies Union — a move which would be principles of the World Trade ruled yesterday, confirming a protect yourself from changes laborious extra customs checks on of Russian gas to bring relief to incompatible with a free trade Organisation of which both are preliminary ruling. using artifical barriers is simply Ukrainian imports over several its economy. deal with Europe. members. The Competition Commission pointless.” days, causing delays at the border. It comes at a time when Azarov, who met Russian He said Ukraine had accepted (CC) has ordered Ryanair to cut The former Soviet republic Russian President Vladimir Ukraine faces record payments Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev the formation of the Customs its minority holding to just 5.0 hopes to sign key agreements with Putin said the Russia-led Customs to service foreign debt, includ- in Moscow on Monday to try to Union on its borders and the percent. the European Union in November, Union, which also includes ing to the International Monetary calm Russian concerns over trade, plans to upgrade it from January The commission argued that including one on free trade, which Belarus and Kazakhstan, might Fund, and when foreign currency told his cabinet that no matter 2015. the current situation has led to will mark a shift in its traditional take “protective measures” to reserves are below the safety what the circumstances were, REUTERS “substantial lessening of com- petition between the airlines on routes” between Britain and Ireland. Greenpeace protest in Brazil Ryanair said it would appeal against the decision, while Aer Myanmar approves Lingus welcomed the CC ruling. “In its final report published today, the CC confirmed its pro- visional findings that Ryanair’s telecoms bill: Report minority shareholding had led or may be expected to lead to a YANGON: Myanmar’s par- to come into effect. substantial lessening of compe- liament has passed a telecoms “We have not yet had an oppor- tition between the airlines on bill paving the way for licensed tunity to review the legislation but routes between Great Britain and international firms to oper- look forward to the final approval Ireland,” the watchdog said in a ate, state media said yester- of the Telecommunications Law statement. day, in the latest move to open and to also reviewing the imple- “Ryanair Holdings plc will be the potentially lucrative mobile menting regulations,” Telenor required to sell its 29.8-percent market. said in a statement. stake in Aer Lingus Group plc The former junta-run nation “A clear and stable regulatory down to five percent,” it added. last month awarded telecom and legislative framework that The CC additionally felt that licences to Norway’s Telenor and ensures predictability and a level the level of Ryanair’s stake was Qatari firm Ooredoo as it tries to and transparent playing field is “likely to impede or prevent Aer raise telephone coverage from less important for a long-term inves- Lingus from being acquired by, or than 10 percent currently to 80 tor such as Telenor.” combining with another airline”. percent by 2016. Telenor added that it was still In February, the European The state-run New Light finalising the terms and condi- Commission, the EU’s executive of Myanmar newspaper said tions of the licence. arm, had barred Ryanair’s third the bill had been approved by The bid process has been attempt since 2007 to take over parliament. closely watched as a bellwether of Aer Lingus, citing concerns that MP Phone Myint Aung said economic reforms aimed at driv- the interests of passengers would the move would mean “interna- ing rapid foreign investment in be badly affected. tional operators can launch their the nation, which has seen sweep- Aer Lingus in any case snubbed operations. They are waiting for ing changes since a quasi-civilian all of Ryanair’s takeover attempts, Greenpeace activists with shovels protest against energy auctions to be held in Brazil in the coming days, this bill.” government replaced the military arguing that it was a strong by dumping charcoal briquette in front of the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Brasilia yesterday. The bill still requires the sig- regime in 2011. stand-alone airline. nature of President Thein Sein AFP AFP THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19
PetroChina shares tumble Iraq cuts QE extends September Basra Light bear run, crude exports LONDON: Iraq expects exports of crude from its southern terminals to fall in September due to maintenance, drops 2.29pc according to a preliminary loading schedule, although the decline appears to be less than Egypt index loses 2.1 percent initially thought. The loading programme indi- DOHA: On the back of an But by yesterday afternoon, the cates exports of Basra Light crude extended selling pressure Qatar pressure from margin calls had will average about 1.8 million bar- Exchange (QE) declined 223.68 eased and some investors were rels per day (bpd) in September, points or 2.29 percent to 9,547.73 starting to buy back shares. down 285,000bpd from 2.085 points yesterday. All the sec- Dubai’s index, which tumbled million bpd initially planned in tor indices ended red with 7.0 percent on Tuesday and as August. Transportation index and Real much as 7.5 percent yesterday The work in September is Estate index dropping the most. morning, ended the day down just partly designed to increase export Transportation tumbled 5.2 1.3 percent at 2,516 points, after capacity. Shipments will be cut percent as Real estate sector shed rebounding sharply from near only during the first two weeks 4.48 percent. While Industrials technical support on its 100-day Employees spray water to cool down oil tanks at a storage facility, which belongs to one of China’s of the month, affecting the load- lost 2.17 percent Banks and average at 2,342 points. biggest state-owned firms PetroChina oil, in Suijing, Sichuan Province. The shares of the firm tumbled ing berths, an Iraqi official said Consumer Goods dropped Saudi Arabia, which lost 2.1 yesterday. last week. 1.80 percent and 2.55 percent percent in early trade, ended 0.4 Investors and oil companies respectively. percent higher. As global oil prices are watching the level of Iraq’s UDC, Industries Qatar, Qatar climbed in response to the Syrian exports closely as supply dis- Navigation and Nakilat were the tensions, some Saudi petrochemi- ruptions in Libya and reduced worst hit. UDC crashed 5.12 per- cal stocks rose in sympathy. Saudi GPCA annual meet aims to boost flows from Russia have tight- cent to QR20.96. Industries Qatar Kayan jumped 2.6 percent and ened the market, helping to fell 2.16 percent to QR154. While Saudi Basic Industries (SABIC) support oil prices near $115 per Qatar Navigation slipped 3.38 per- gained 1.3 percent. barrel. cent to QR77.20 Nakilat lost 6.57 Many analysts and fund man- regional fertilizer production The two loading programmes percent to QR51.20. Ezdan lost agers said the Syrian conflict had indicate an expected drop in 4.52 percent to QR16.90 and Barwa merely served as a trigger for a DOHA: Even with the Middle available to competitors on the it the second largest export mar- Basra Light exports next month lost 4.13 percent to QR24.35. wave of profit-taking that would East’s fertilizer capacity back of the North America shale ket for GCC fertilizers after Far due to work on loading facilities QE’s daily trading data shows have happened anyway, given the expected to grow to 50.4 million gas boom, the GPCA said. East Asia. “The North American may not be as much as the 500,000 strong sell-off by foreign investors size of Gulf markets’ gains this tonnes by 2016, global devel- “As the economy of the Middle shale gas revolution will give local bpd decline initially floated by that pulled the benchmark index year. Dubai is still up 55 percent opments in the petrochemical East is so closely tied to the oil chemical companies access to Iraqi officials. below the resistance level for yet year-to-date. sector are set to have serious and gas industry, any global cheaper raw materials like nitro- But loading programmes almost another trading session. Market The fundamental economic pic- repercussions on the future of trends associated with it — be gen and sulphur—key components always change and August’s actual breadth was strongly negative as ture in the United Arab Emirates the industry, warns the Gulf it here, or on the other side of in fertilizers,” said Dr. Sadoun. exports of Basra Light have aver- 40 stocks plunged against a single and the Gulf Cooperation Council Petrochemicals and Chemicals the world — cannot be ignored,” “Fertilizer producers in the aged close to 2.3 million bpd so advance stock. countries in general is “still very Association (GPCA), the said Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, GCC may lose ground in an far, according to shipping data The volume of the shares was attractive”, said Amer Khan, region’s longest standing trade Secretary General of the GPCA. important export market if this tracked by Reuters and industry up to 19m from Tuesday’s 12m fund manager at Shuaa Asset association. In a bid to support the region’s happens.” sources. and the trade value of shares Management in Dubai. According to GPCA estimates, fertilizer industry, GPCA will host The influence of US shale gas That means the drop in sup- increased to QR770mfrom Dubai’s trading turnover fell the GCC’s fertilizer produc- the fourth Fertilizer Convention production on the Middle East’s plies next month could approach QR534m. during periods when the market tion capacity reached 31.4 mil- from September 22-24 in Dubai, industry will be the main focus 500,000 bpd without upward revi- Meanwhile, other Gulf stock was weak yesterday and increased lion tonnes in 2012, a 10 percent with discussions centered on tack- in a session titled ‘The North sions to September’s schedule. markets stabilised by the close when it was rebounding — a posi- increase on the previous year, ling global trends. Co-organised American shale gas revolution’ Oil traders say there is a chance yesterday after plunging in early tive technical sign which sug- while the global fertilizer indus- by CRU, the independent consul- on September 23. September’s exports could be trade on the prospect of an esca- gested substantial buying interest try grew by just 2.2 percent in tancy group specialising in fer- “With the rapid development of revised up. lation of Syria’s civil war, as the remained at the lows. the same period. Sector growth tilizers, an audience of over 300 shale gas, it is vital that Middle “It may change again,” said a United States threatened a mili- Egypt’s market fell sharply yes- was aided by ready access to senior industry professionals will East fertilizers evolve in order trader of Iraqi crude. “They often tary strike on Damascus over the terday, a sign that investor opti- locally sourced oil and gas and benefit from key insights into to realize their growth potential. add extra cargoes.” use of chemical weapons. mism after last month’s ouster of further investment in modern ensuring the sector’s sustained At the GPCA Annual Fertilizer Iraq’s oil revival, which got Stocks had also tumbled on President Mohamed Mursi was infrastructure. growth. Convention, we invite delegates under way in 2010, has slowed Tuesday and selling resumed fading and the country’s severe Currently, about half of the fer- The GCC fertilizer industry, in to explore and discuss issues that this year due to infrastructure yesterday morning as local retail economic difficulties were again tilizers produced in the GCC are particular, is tipped to be affected are globally relevant, with a view and security problems, keeping investors, who have dominated weighing on stocks. exported. The financial returns by the rise in shale gas produc- to finding solutions that can help output below 3 million bpd in trade in recent weeks, scrambled The index dropped 2.1 benefit Gulf economies but these tion. According to preliminary the region’s fertilizer industry July, although supply is expected to lock in some of the large gains percent to 5,226 points, its trade flows may be affected in GPCA estimates, 1.7 million tons gain a greater share of the petro- to start rising again later in the posted this year. Margin calls lowest close since July 9. the near future as more favour- of fertilizers were exported to chemicals sector,” said Dr Sadoun. year. caused selling to snowball. THE PENINSULA/REUTERS ably priced raw materials become North America in 2012, making THE PENINSULA REUTERS
Egyptian pound QATARI MARKET Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P climbs as Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 102.88 0.45 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 104.06 1.88 % Aa2 AA tensions ease Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 119.00 2.86 % Aa2 AA CAIRO: The Egyptian pound Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 110.88 3.35 % Aa2 AA strengthened on both the official Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 105.00 3.80 % Aa2 AA and black markets yesterday as Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 156.50 4.81 % Aa2 AA concerns the country faced sus- Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 114.00 5.40 % Aa2 AA tained instability eased further, Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 104.50 5.44 % Aa2 AA traders said. Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 104.00 1.36 % Aa2 AA The central bank sold $38.8m and the cut-off price was 6.9760 Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 108.75 3.56 % Aa2 AA Egyptian pounds per dollar versus Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 104.75 1.08 % A1 A- 6.9764 at a sale on Monday, the Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 103.00 2.50 % A1 A- bank said. The bank had offered QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.38 1.73 % NR NR $40m. QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.38 1.57 % Aa3 A+ Black market dealers were QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 103.63 2.28 % Aa3 A+ offering to buy dollars for Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 103.00 2.61 % A2 A- about 7.10 Egyptian pounds on Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 104.50 1.89 % A2 A Wednesday and sell them for 7.14 pounds compared to 7.15 and Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 121.75 3.67 % A2 A 7.20 pounds on Monday, currency Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 104.50 4.05 % A2 A traders said. Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 101.13 4.87 % A2 A Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 104.50 1.32 % Aa3 A Hyundai Heavy set Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 106.75 3.51 % Aa3 A A view of the Al Safwa Centre in the West Bay area. Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 107.00 4.15 % Aa3 A for $1.4bn ships SOVEREIGNS sale to UASC Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Vodafone business services at Al Safwa Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 103.00 0.57 % Aa2 AA DUBAI/SEOUL: South Korea’s Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 120.63 2.76 % Aa2 AA Hyundai Heavy Industries Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 108.13 2.70 % NR NR DOHA: Vodafone Qatar yester- answer to our corporate clients reinforced with the latest technol- is close to winning an order day announced that Al Safwa who are looking to draw on our ogy and business products that are worth about $1.4bn to build 10 Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 104.88 3.47 % NR NR Centre will reinforce its propo- global track record and deep- available to all corporations in the huge container ships for the Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 115.50 5.12 % NR NR sition to business customers. rooted local knowledge in addi- country. Another stand out fea- United Arab Shipping Company Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 106.75 5.46 % NR NR Vodafone is expanding its pool of tion to access to bespoke channels ture at Al Safwa is the Machine to (UASC), a source close to the Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 104.38 0.83 % Aa2 AA highly qualified team to provide and platforms that suit their busi- Machine (M2M) demonstration. matter said. Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 111.75 3.78 % NR BBB outstanding business services ness line and help to enhance Also on show is the Customer Under the deal, UASC will buy Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 99.38 5.61 % NR BBB for corporate clients. Vodafone’s their operations. Al Safwa will Premises Equipment that five of the largest cargo ships ever Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 85.00 8.76 % Caa1 CCC+ business services will be head- be geared towards a sole focus Vodafone installs for its enterprise made, each able to carry 18,800 quartered out of Al Safwa Centre. on serving businesses and indus- customers, which enables all the twenty-foot container units Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 102.75 4.05 % NR BBB- *Periodic Distribution Amount Being the focus of all business tries. Our VIP retail customers products in the Vodafone business (TEU), along with five with a IMPORTANT NOTE: activities, Vodafone’s increased can now be welcomed at our store services portfolio, from Internet capacity of 14,500 TEU. Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which investment in Al Safwa strongly in Villaggio and hosted at the access to VPN and leased lines. The exact value of the contract is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services underpins the company’s strat- exclusive VIP lounge housed on Al Safwa also features an could be subject to change as the Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary egy to dedicate customised touch- the mezzanine floor of this outlet.” Innovation Room where Vodafone order has not yet been signed, data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not points befitting the business needs Vodafone inaugurated Al Safwa holds workshops with senior the source said. A spokesman take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds of this specific segment. Centre, located in Alfardan tower, executives from a single com- for Hyundai Heavy Industries can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant Niraj Singh, Director of earlier this year marking the next pany, explore how new technolo- declined to comment. UASC was liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not Vodafone business services said: chapter as a provider of business gies might help them to get ahead not available for comment. a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and “Al Safwa Centre’s location in the services in the country and reflect- of the game and then plan out a UASC was set up by the govern- consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. heart of Doha’s most prestigious ing the company’s steadfast commit- roadmap for how Vodafone and ments of Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, commercial district, West Bay, ment to deliver a suite of unmatched the business customer can create Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United makes it ideal to cater to the and innovative business products. solutions that will deliver a leap Arab Emirates in 1976 to improve needs of Qatar’s businesses. We Vodafone’s business custom- forward for these companies. trade links with the rest of the world. have built Al Safwa as a specific ers’ experience at Al Safwa is THE PENINSULA AGENCIES THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET
QE Indices Summary QE Index 9,547.73 2.29 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 13,641.51 2.29 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,714.95 3.15 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,408.65 2.24 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,344.94 1.80 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5077.95 -52.819 -1.03 5229.8 4610.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,762.77 2.55 % QR167.7193 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 3952.82 -15.91 -0.4 4123.89 3575.17 QE All Share Industrials 3,071.57 2.17 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.6088 QR 5.6874 QE All Share Insurance 2,228.25 0.73 % Dj Indu Average 14776.13 0 0 15658.4 12471.5 Euro ...... QR 4.8334 QR 4.9013 QE All Share Real Estate 1,697.11 4.48 % QR 2.9306 CA$ ...... QR 3.4450 QR 3.5141 QE All Share Telecoms 1,436.05 1.26 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,681.61 5.21 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9335 QR 3.9900 Hang Seng Inde/D 21524.65 -350.12 -1.6 23944.74 19426.36 Yen ...... QR 0.0370 QR 0.0377 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.2201 QR 3.2837 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4086.02 -52.07 -1.26 4285.01 3396.67 CRUDE OIL 28-08-2013 27-08-2013 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0525 QR 0.0535 Index 9,547.73 9,771.41 Karachi 100 In/D 22236.33 -287.38 -1.28 23944.99 16036.31 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0347 QR 0.0354 Change 223.68 127.13 BRENT Nikkei 225 Index 13338.46 -203.91 -1.51 15942.6 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0808 QR 0.0824 % 2.29 1.28 $ 116.06 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0276 YTD% 14.22 16.90 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1709.67 1343.35 Taka ...... QR 0.0465 QR 0.0477 Volume 19,135,397 12,288,715 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0345 QR 0.0352 Value (QAR) 770,460,833.87 534,689,263.43 Straits Times/D 3004.18 -29.84 -0.98 3464.79 3027.65 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3471 QR 0.3541 Trades 8,974 5,878 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 112.58 Up 01 | Down 40 | Unchanged 01
QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 28-08-2013
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 945.85 0.7 21978 City Union Bk-/D 41.6 -1.1 28048 Hindalco-A/D 102.15 2.9 1687061 Kopran-B/D 13.45 -0.51 40022 Rallis India-B/D 138.45 -4.85 27997 Legal & Genera/D 187.1 -7 8055133 Aarti Drugs-B/D 180 -4.45 3239 Colgate-A/D 1219.45 7.4 14996 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 654.1 -32.75 907042 Laxmi Prcisn-B/D 34.7 -1.8 4000 Reliance Indus/D 288.8 2.5 53096 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 72.64 0.01 86290862 Aban Offs-B/D 209.75 -5.75 55418 Dcm Financia-B/D 0.6 -0.03 1542 I F C I-A/D 18.8 -0.05 1858721 Lloyd Metal-B/D 17 0.75 8811 Ruchi Soya-B/D 42.2 3.6 407004 Marks & Sp./D 475.1 -4 2118590 Aegis Logis-B/D 107.75 -0.05 1998 Dhampur Sugar-/D 28.25 -0.75 9359 Idbi-A/D 56.65 0 447671 Lloydsfin.-B/D 0.42 0.02 2000 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 319.55 -6.55 2511 Next/D 4908 -82 291870 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 91.15 -4.75 3842 Dr. Reddy-A/D 2175.5 13.25 14078 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 52.25 -4.4 10510 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 10.65 -0.43 22001 Thirumalai-B/D 69.65 -1.95 1162 Pearson/D 1320 3 747381 Alembic-B/D 22.3 -0.5 19449 E I H-B/D 48.9 0.5 12079 India Cement-B/D 44.45 -2.75 122113 Lumax Ind-B/D 315.65 -8.7 7831 Timexgroup-B/D 8.45 0.04 4085 Prudential/D 1093 -21 5788564 Alok Indus-B/D 6.53 -0.27 1062534 E.I.D Parry-B/D 114.7 -3.95 15160 India Glycol-B/D 91 -5.75 17530 Lupin-A/D 770.05 12.9 98961 Tinplate-B/D 33.35 -1.15 20109 Rank Group/D 156.3 0 8577 Andhra Paper-B/D 242.5 -8.7 2759 Electrosteel-B/D 10.84 0.21 38053 Indian Hotel-A/D 43.4 1.8 127250 Lyka Labs-B/D 9.13 0.01 1186 Ucal Fuel-B/D 41 0.85 1034 Rentokil Initi/D 100 -0.7 1029273 Apollo Tyre-A/D 62.05 0.35 307567 Emco-B/D 11.61 0.17 111965 Indo-Bcount-B/D 30.95 -0.65 33136 Mah.Seamless-B/D 188 -0.25 5647 Ultramarine-B/D 44 0 1600 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1085.3073 -29 2121704 Asahi I Glass-/D 31.55 0.55 7709 Escorts Fin-T/D 4.95 0 3000 Indusind-A/D 344.55 -1.85 614422 Mangalam Cem-B/D 91 -4.05 2761 Unitech P -A/D 15.95 -0.55 3172794 Rsa Insrance G/D 121.088 -1 3040103 Ashok Leyland-/D 12.1 -0.41 1195270 Escorts-B/D 80.3 -3.65 292764 J.B.Chemical-B/D 82.5 0.5 20263 Maral Overs-B/D 12.85 -0.05 3975 Sainsbury(J)/D 394.8851 -3.7 1496617 Ballarpur In-B/D 9.9 -0.26 93890 Essar Oil-A/D 55.6 -1.8 111599 Jagson Phar-B/D 8.99 -1.01 3476 Mastek-B/D 118.45 1.7 2170 LONDON Schroders/D 2280 -64 831477 Bata India-A/D 789.3 -3.5 27071 Eveready Indu-/D 15.55 0 30464 Jamnaauto-B/D 60 -0.2 17868 Max India L-A/D 164.5 -3 15018 Severn Trent/D 1707.75 -1 123894 Bayer Crop-B/D 1506 -18.05 3535 F D C-B/D 80.75 -1.05 5468 Jbf Indu-B/D 88.55 -2 103327 Mrpl-A/D 29.2 -0.35 55900 Smith&Nephew/D 768 -2.5 733880 Beml Ltd-B/D 135.15 -4.25 15444 Federal Bank-A/D 256.85 -10.7 98774 Jct Elect P -T/D 0.4 0.01 16003 Nahar Spg.-B/D 68 -1.35 2171 3I Group/D 359.4 -1.4 747738 Smiths Group/D 1292 -4 236750 Bhartiya Int-B/D 149.6 9.35 46961 Ferro Alloys-B/D 3.94 -0.11 28065 Jct Ltd-T/D 2.2 0.1 837426 Nation Alum -A/D 29.95 0 81486 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1852 -35 176736 Standrd Chart /D 1431.5 -6 1682637 Bhel-A/D 114.2 2.15 2729387 Finolex-B/D 113.4 -2.45 12411 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 2.32 0.07 6207 Navneet Pub.-B/D 52.1 0.9 25225 B Sky B/D 839 0 1520655 Tate & Lyle/D 799.5 -5 212836 Bom.Burmah-B/D 84.8 -6.4 28104 Gail-A/D 282.95 -10.1 96425 Jik Indust-B/D 0.8 0 19100 Nepc India-B/D 1.71 -0.04 13685 Barclays/D 279.4992 -1.3 16427349 Tesco/D 370.462 -2.35 9191283 Bombay Dyeing-/D 45.9 0 63945 Gammon India-B/D 9.5 -0.16 20511 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 82.25 -3.65 24818 Neuland Lab-B/D 210.2 -2.55 2566 Bg Group/D 1248.75 39 5137088 Unilever/D 2494.825 -21 943484 Cable Corp.-B/D 19.45 -1.05 2275 Garden P -B/D 32.45 -0.65 5314 Jmc Projects-B/D 63.55 1 2437 Nrb Bearings-B/D 31.1 -0.65 1576 Bp/D 451.85 4.75 14278956 United Util Gr/D 683.3636 3 592669 Caprihans-B/D 32.6 1.55 1202 Goodyear I -B/D 298.2 -1.55 4083 Kabra Extr-B/D 24.25 0.05 80458 O N G C-A/D 243.75 -15.5 2840435 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3246 -32 1305538 Vodafone Group/D 188.3136 -1.8 50288270 Castrol Ind-A/D 311.35 -4.65 13190 Hcl Infosys-B/D 21.1 -0.15 27525 Kajaria Cer-B/D 206.15 -5.45 5281 Ocl India-B/D 125 -0.05 1591 Bt Group/D 323.1816 -3 7203172 Whitbread/D 3050 -78 147410 Century Enka-B/D 98.7 -0.3 5090 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 7.1 -0.05 182275 Kalpat Power-B/D 57 -3.15 9327 Oil Country-B/D 37.35 4.05 16800 Centrica/D 387 -1 2483083 Century Text-A/D 206 -1.5 224693 Himat Seide-B/D 31.85 0.55 5911 Kalyani Stel-B/D 37.6 -0.4 29394 Onward Tech-T/D 41.65 0.55 2848 Gkn/D 323.2 -8.2 3353660 Chambal Fert-B/D 32.15 -0.2 136164 Hind Motors-B/D 6.31 -0.15 18579 Kanoria Chem-B/D 25.6 -1.4 1541 Orchid Chem-B/D 40 -1.2 61169 Hsbc Holdings/D 677.7 -7.1 8255780 Chola Invest-B/D 209.35 -8.4 6409 Hind Org Chem-/D 7.85 0.24 1536 Kg Denim-B/D 14.02 -0.45 8003 Orient.Carb.-B/D 83 -1.3 10713 Imperial Tobac/D 2137.5 16 1724895 Chowgule St-B/D 9.01 -0.24 2806 Hind Unilever-/D 589.5 -4.55 173814 Kilburnengg-B/D 9 0 5000 Radico Khait-B/D 117.4 2.05 153419 Kingfisher/D 386.8 -1 2021693 Cipla-A/D 398.5 1.75 132551 Hind.Petrol-A/D 163.85 -13.9 516546 Klg Systel-T/D 5.25 -0.25 1600 Rallis India-B/D 138.45 -4.85 27997 Land Secs Grou/D 889 2.5 1084770 THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21
Doha to host AIPS Executive Federer, Djokovic cruise; Board meeting in October
DOHA: The Qatar Sport Press Committee (QSPC) will host Stosur upset at US Open the Executive Board meeting of the Association Internationale De La Presse Sportive (AIPS) on October 21 and 22, a top offi- Duval beats 2011 champion; Janowicz booed for underhand serve cial confirmed yesterday. The meeting will be held on the sidelines of the FINA Swimming NEW YORK: A teenage it. I don’t remember too much of and say she didn’t do anything,” World Cup to be staged in Doha American girl with a squeaky it anymore, which is great,” she said Stosur. “But, you know, I in October 2013, QSPC President voice and an incredible tale of told reporters. think I certainly helped her out Mohammad Abdullah Al Malki survival stole the spotlight at In 2010, her father was bur- there today, that’s for sure.” said. the US Open on Tuesday with ied alive in the Haiti earthquake. Federer and Djokovic blasted Al Malki said that the QSPC a stunning upset win over the He survived by digging himself their way into the second round has completed all arrangements former champion, Sam Stosur. out but suffered serious injuries, with ruthless efficiency, crush- for the event to be held in Doha While Roger Federer and including broken legs, broken ribs ing their hapless opponents for the second time under the Novak Djokovic and the rest of and a punctured lung. in straight sets. Defying the patronage of the Qatar Olympic the sport’s old order calmly went Duval took to tennis instantly sceptics who had dismissed his Committee (QOC). about their business, 17-year-old and has quickly risen through chances of winning a sixth title Al Malki added that the AIPS Victoria Duval became the toast the American junior ranks but in the Big Apple, Federer was in has invited the QOC Secretary of New York. Tuesday’s win was by far her vintage form as he brushed past General Sheikh Saoud bin Making her second appearance biggest. Slovenia’s Grega Zemlja 6-3, 6-2, Abdulrahman Al Thani to open in a Grand Slam event against With her family watching from 7-5 in a delayed afternoon match the AIPS Executive Board meet- the Australian who beat Serena courtside and chants of “U-S- at Arthur Ashe Stadium. ing and deliver a presentation on Williams in the final just two A!” echoing around the Louis Djokovic then lit up Tuesday’s the schools Olympic program and years ago, the pint-sized Duval Armstrong Stadium, Duval had night session with a dazzling com- the National Sport Day. clawed and fought her way to a to battle all the way to beat the bination of power and precision Al Malki also confirmed that 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 first-round win. vastly more-experienced Stosur. to defeat Lithuania’s Ricardas the QSPC has invited the Local It was a remarkable perform- “I think I’m very much of a Berankis 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Organising Committees of the dif- ance but made all the more aston- child at heart ... (but) on the The world number one hardly Victoria Duval ferent world championships to be ishing because of her background. court, you have to be a warrior broke sweat on a balmy New York of the US held in Qatar, such as 2015 IHF When she was seven years old, because that’s just the sport we night as he took the first step celebrates World Championship, and 2022 Duval was taken hostage by rob- are in,” she said. toward a possible fourth straight defeating FIFA World Cup, to brief the bers at her aunt’s house in Haiti, a Stosur paid tribute to Duval, appearance in the final. Samantha attending media representatives terrifying incident that convinced saying she deserved the win, but The 32-year-old Federer won Stosur of about these events. her parents, both doctors, to move said she had contributed to her the last of his five US Open titles Australia at the back to the United States. own downfall with a whopping 56 in 2008 but the Swiss master said US Open in New QFA gets set to “It’s not a good memory, so I try unforced errors. he had lost none of his love of the York. Duval won to forget as much as I could about “I’m not going to be a sore loser game, ripping 35 winners in his welcome teams for win over Zemlja. 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. “I’m in a good spot right now. I GCC U-17 event want to enjoy it as long as it lasts,” Federer said. DOHA: The Qatar Football Twelve months after her ago- overtime before winning her clash opening set in just 35 minutes Association (QFA) is ready nising defeat in the women’s with Misaki Doi 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 while then reeled off five games in a to welcome teams set to take final, Victoria Azarenka made a grieving Ivanovic, the 2008 row to seal the win after falling part in the 10th GCC Under-17 a triumphant return to Arthur French Open winner, cruised to behind 5-2. Cup at Aspire Academy from Ashe Stadium, chalking up a a 6-2, 6-0 win over Georgia’s Anna “It’s not about being pretty,” September 3 to 12. rare double-bagel win by thrash- Tatishvili. Wozniacki said. “It’s about just The Qatari team has been ing Germany’s Dinah Pfizenmaier Ivanovic arrived in New York getting the job done. I did that, pooled in Group A alongside 6-0, 6-0 in just over an hour. with a heavy heart after learn- so I’m happy about that.” Kuwait and Oman while Group Italy’s Sara Errani showed why ing about the drowning death of Wimbledon semi-finalist Jerzy B includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain she is looming as a real contender a childhood friend back in her Janowicz was booed for serving and the United Arab Emirates. as she also handed out a 6-0, 6-0 native Serbia. underhand in his 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 loss The opening match will be thrashing to her Australian oppo- “It’s been very sad news,” to Argentina’s Maximo Gonzalez, staged on September 3 when nent Olivia Rogowska, who got Ivanovic told reporters. “It was who is ranked 247th in the world. Qatar will take on Kuwait. into the draw as a ‘lucky loser’ very hard because it was almost Hampered by a painful back The same day Saudi Arabia will when Japan’s Ayumi Morita like my relative. We grew up, and injury he suffered training three clash against the United Arab withdrew. I knew him since we were kids. days ago, the Polish world number Emirates in the second match. Former world number one It’s very, very sad.” 14 was in a foul mood, arguing QFA also said the Qatari team’s Caroline Wozniacki survived a With her boyfriend, golfer with the chair umpire and throw- next assignment will be the quali- tough examination to join Grand Rory McIlroy, watching from the ing his water bottle on the court. fiers for the 2014 AFC Under-16 Slam winners Petra Kvitova and stands, Wozniacki had to dig deep “I was in really good shape Cup. Kyrgyzstan will host group Ana Ivanovic in the second round. to beat Chinese qualifier Duan before this happened,” he growled. B of the qualifying event that Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon Yingying 6-2, 7-5. “That’s why I’m fricking disap- includes Qatar, Oman, Bangladesh champion, also had to put in some Wozniacki raced through the pointed.” REUTERS and Kyrgyzstan. AGENCIES
LEFT: Trainers of Victoria Azarenka from Belarus are seen during her women’s singles first-round match Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a volley against Dinah against Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania Pfizenmaier of during their match on the second day of the Germany. Azarenka US Open. Djokovic won 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. won 6-0, 6-0. T ennis payback more gentle ‘Goofy’ warrior grabs than in NHL, says Kirilenko the headlines in NY
NEW YORK: Maria Kirilenko NEW YORK: Fearless American teenager away. We’re just so happy that, you know, he’s in got some revenge at the US Open Victoria Duval described herself as a child a good state of mind right now. He’s here with on Tuesday but admitted that who became a warrior while knocking former us, so it’s incredible. We’re forever grateful to the evening up an old score in ten- champion Sam Stosur out of the US Open on Kitchens. If it wasn’t for them, my dad definitely nis was different than the sort Tuesday. wouldn’t be here today. Not everyone just pays of pay back action her hockey The 17-year-old qualifier from Atlanta, who $30,000 to fly a helicopter to save someone. Great star boyfriend Alex Ovechkin was held hostage at the age of seven and whose story. They’re amazing people. I mean, they’re endures. father who was dug out of the rubble of the 2010 angels. We could not have found better people.” “I think they’re both tough, but Haiti earthquake, announced herself on the world It was also in Haiti that Duval, then seven, different kind of tough,” Russia’s stage with a stunning 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory. and her cousins were held hostage at her home Kirilenko said in defending the “I’m very goofy off the court,” Duval said after by gun-wielding thieves a decade ago. rigors of professional tennis in the first-round win. “I think I’m very much a “It’s not a good memory, so I try to forget as comparison to professional ice child at heart. But on the court you have to be a much as I can about it,” she said. “I don’t remem- hockey after her 6-1, 6-1 thump- warrior because that’s just the sport we are in.” ber too much of it anymore, which is great.” ing of Yanina Wickmayer of Duval’s father, Jean-Maurice, was courtside at Duval also struggled to recall the decisive Belgium in the first round. the Louis Armstrong Stadium when his daughter moment of her victory over Stosur, who beat “(But) they have such tough pulled off the first major upset of the tournament. the might of Serena Williams to win the title at guys playing there, they are Three years ago, his legs were broken, his Flushing Meadows only two years ago. not afraid of anything. Alex, he left arm shattered and seven fractured ribs had “A lot of different emotions,” she said. “Mostly already broke his nose five times. punctured his lung after the catastrophic earth- happiness. It was incredible. I don’t even remem- We never broke our nose, so I quake on the Caribbean island. ber match point. I guess I was really happy. You think their sport is tougher.” A tennis connection played an instrumental could tell by all the jumping I did.” Ovechkin, a forward for part in his recovery with an Atlanta family con- Duval said part of her career ambition was the National Hockey League’s nected with Duval’s club paying to airlift him to join the likes of Sloane Stephens in restoring Washington Capitals, was not on to a Florida hospital. That only happened after the US to its position as the dominant power in hand to cheer on the 14th-seeded his passport was also dug out of the rubble and world tennis. Kirilenko as he was in Moscow the role of the Kitchen family in her father’s “We’re obviously trying to make American as part of preparations for next rescue was not forgotten by Duval in the biggest tennis become what it used to be,” she said. year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi. moment of her fledgling career. “We’re all working towards the same goal. He missed Kirilenko’s “Emotionally it was hard at first,” Duval said. We’re all a tight-knit group. Helping each other 59-minute demolition of “But he’s as happy as he’s ever been. He had is important. I think we’re on an amazing path.” Wickmayer. REUTERS a couple of surgeries that helped take the pain REUTERS THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Arsenal, Schalke advance The Gunners trounce Fenerbahce; dramatic win for Schalke against PAOK
PARIS: Arsenal made sure of a 16th consecutive appearance Champions League in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday night, while PARIS: Champions League German outfit Schalke joined play-off, second-leg results on them with a dramatic win in Tuesday night: Greece. At Vienna The Gunners had more than Austria Vienna (AUT) 2 (Mader 4, Kienast one foot in today’s group-stage 82) Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 3 (Brozovic 33, draw already after easing to Fernandez 42, Beciraj 70) a 3-0 win against Fenerbahce QFA elections in Istanbul in last week’s first Austria Vienna win 4-3 on aggregate leg, but they finished the job in At Basel, Switzerland style too, and once again Aaron Basel (SUI) 2 (F. Frei 11, P. Degen 79) on October 9 Ramsey was the star of the show. Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) 0 The Welshman netted in the Basel win 6-2 on aggregate DOHA: The name of Sheikh first leg and scored both goals Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed At Warsaw in the return at the Emirates Al Thani (pictured), has been Stadium, rolling the ball into an Legia Warsaw (POL) 2 (M Radovic 27, nominated to run for yet empty net in the 25th minute Rzezniczak 90+4) Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 2 another term as President of after Lukas Podolski and Theo (Stanciu 7, Piovaccari 9) Qatar Football Association Walcott combined to set him up. Steaua Bucharest win on away goals rule (QFA), it was informed here. Ramsey then got his second after tie ended 3-3 on aggregate Sheikh Hamad’s name is the on the night in the 72nd minute At Salonika, Greece lone entry which was announced with a superb first-time finish on by the QFA’s Electoral Committee PAOK (GRE) 2 (Athanasiadis 52, Katsouranis the volley from a Kieran Gibbs for the top post. assist. 79) Schalke 04 (GER) 3 (Szalai 43, 90, Draxler The QFA’s Electoral Committee That saw Arsenal win 2-0 on 67) yesterday announced the nomina- the night and progress 5-0 on Schalke 04 win 4-3 on aggregate tions for the posts of the President aggregate, but the loss of Podolski At London and Executive Committee to injury right at the start of the Arsenal (ENG) 2 (Ramsey 25, 72) Fenerbahce Membership after a meeting with second half took some of the (TUR) 0 Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey (left) celebrates his goal against Fenerbahce with team-mate Yaya Sanogo during their the Legal Directorate of QFA . gloss off a fine evening’s work for The meeting of the Electoral Arsenal win 5-0 on aggregate Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium in London on Tuesday night. Arsene Wenger’s side. Committee, held on Tuesday at With Ramsey also going off QFA’s headquarters at Al Bidda before the final whistle with Semi-finalists in 2011, and advantage in the tie when Atsuto late replacements for banned on away goals. After the first Tower, was attended by the com- a groin problem pressure will knocked out in the last 16 last Uchida squared for Adam Szalai Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv leg ended in a 1-1 draw, early mittee Chairman Abdulla Hamed mount on Wenger to buy before season, Schalke also returned to to put Schalke ahead just before - needing to score twice to goals from Nicolae Stanciu and Al Mulla, Vice Chairman Dr the transfer window closes. the group stage after getting the the interval. progress. Federico Piovaccari effectively Ahmed Al Emadi, and Committee “We played a heavy price on better of Greek club PAOK. The hosts turned up the pres- The veteran Kostas Katsouranis ended the tie as a contest. Legia Member Ali Salem Afifa. the injury front because we lost Coached by former Schalke boss sure in the second half and got got one, but Draxler set up Szalai came back to draw 2-2 on the Two other members Dr Podolski. I don’t know how bad Huub Stevens, PAOK held the their reward when Stefanos to clinch a 3-2 win on the night night, but the 3-3 aggregate saw Mahmoud Al Mahmoud and Eid Ramsey is. I don’t know how upper hand in this tie after a 1-1 Athanasiadis fired home, and for Schalke, who progress 4-3 on Steaua progress. Al Muraikhi could not attend the Wilshere responds to an ankle draw in the first leg in Germany, Schalke were then reduced to 10 aggregate. Swiss champions Basel enjoyed committee meeting as they are problem,” said Wenger. but some of their advantage was men when Jermaine Jones was Elsewhere, 1986 European smoother progress, beating out of the country. “He (Wilshere) looks all right. lost by the fact that the return shown a second yellow card just champions Steaua Bucharest Bulgaria’s Ludogorets Razgrad “All nomination files and papers But Podolski is definitely out for at their own Stadio Toumbia was after the hour. of Romania returned to the 2-0 for a 6-2 aggregate success. were thoroughly examined. There 21 days and Ramsey we have to played behind closed doors. However, Julian Draxler put group stage for the first time Fabian Frei and Philipp Degen got were some comments on some check how severe his groin is Robbed of their passionate the Bundesliga club back in since the 2008-09 season after the goals for last season’s Europa nomination files which is why tomorrow (Wednesday).” support, PAOK then lost their front, leaving PAOK - who were sneaking past Legia Warsaw League semi-finalists. AFP we needed to consult the Legal Directorate of QFA to ensure that the election process is run in a fair Spurs could manner. All election regulations Chelsea complete are implemented on all 7 nomi- fine Bale nees (Presidency and Executive Committee Membership nomi- nees),” said Al Mulla, Committee ahead of £30m Willian deal Chairman. Names of candidates in the ‘dream’ move LONDON: Brazil attacking His arrival will further swell fray for the post of Executive midfielder Willian formally the number of attacking mid- Committee Membership are LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur joined Chelsea from Russian fielders at manager Mourinho’s as follows: Ibrahim Khalil Al manager Andre Villas-Boas side Anzhi Makhachkala yester- disposal, with Eden Hazard, Juan Mohannadi from Lekhwiya Club, said the club could fine forward day after the two clubs reached Mata, Oscar, Victor Moses, Kevin Ahmed Abdul Aziz Al Buainain Gareth Bale for failing to attend agreement last week. De Bruyne and Schuerrle already from Qatar Sports Club, Hassan training ahead of an expected The 25-year-old had been set to competing for just three starting Abdullah Al Thawadi from Umm world record “dream” move to join Tottenham Hotspur, having places. Slal Club, Saoud Abdul Aziz Al Real Madrid. undergone a medical at the north Willian only joined Anzhi from Mohannadi from Qatar Sports Bale, who has not been train- London club earlier this week, Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk Club, Fahad Mohammed Al ing with the squad due to injury, only for capital rivals Chelsea to in January, but he is being moved Kuwari from Al Sadd Sports Club, was granted three days off but hijack the deal. on after the Russian side’s bil- and Hani Talib Balan from Qatar did not report back to the club British media reports claim lionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov Stars League on Tuesday despite being pictured Chelsea will pay a fee of around decided to restructure the club The elections will take place in in London. £30m ($47 m) to secure Willian’s and drastically shrink their the Ordinary General Assembly “(We) gave the player the services. budget. Meeting on October 9. weekend off, Monday was a day “I’m very happy to be here, it’s Speaking before the THE PENINSULA off for the squad, obviously he is been a dream of mine to come and announcement that an agree- involved in a big transfer move play here,” Willian told Chelsea’s ment for the transfer had to Real Madrid, in the end if official website yesterday. been reached, Mourinho said Aussie squad it happens we wish him all the “Chelsea are one of the best he felt no sympathy for Spurs best,” Villas-Boas told reporters clubs in the world and now I’m despite swiping the player from for Brazil clash yesterday. going to play for one of the best beneath their noses. “He left here with great memo- managers (Jose Mourinho) in the “That’s the danger of medicals SYDNEY, New South Wales: ries and the fact that he hasn’t world. I’m very happy and looking before contracts. But you have to Australia will take a strong turned up, I don’t think it is the forward to it,” he said. do the medical before,” he said. squad to Brazil for a friendly correct behaviour, but in the end Willian is the fourth player “The best thing to do is the next month with coach Holger that’s the position of pressure to join Chelsea during the cur- medical in secret. If the player Osieck saying yesterday he was and... that’s the position that he rent transfer window, follow- is fine, you can sign him. If he’s keen to see how they compared chose to take. FIFA President Sepp Blatter (left) presents a football jersey to Jamaican ing Australian goalkeeper Mark not, you don’t have to destroy to such a quality team. “It’s up to the club now to sprinter Usain Bolt at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, yesterday. Bolt Schwarzer, Dutch midfielder his career. Sometimes there are The teams will clash in Brasilia decide if it’s a fineable offence.” is competing in a Diamond League athletics meeting in Zurich today. Marco van Ginkel and Germany sources who find out everything.” on September 7. Speculation about Bale’s move international Andre Schuerrle. AFP Australia squad: to nine-times European cham- Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa, pions Madrid has mounted in Qatar), Tim Cahill (New York Red recent weeks, and Villas-Boas Bulls, US), Robert Cornthwaite acknowledged that the deal should (Chunnam Dragons, South be sealed before the transfer win- Bayern drop first points of season Korea), Mitchell Duke (Central dow closes on September 2. Coast Mariners, Australia), “At the moment the two clubs BERLIN: European champions Hoerwick. Bayern still moved convert a string of chances despite James Holland (FK Austria, are speaking, Tottenham and Bayern Munich dropped their a point clear at the top of the enjoying 75 percent possession Vienna), Brett Holman (Al Nasr Real Madrid, a final decision or first points of the Bundesliga table, although Mainz, Borussia after setting a new Bundesliga Sports Club, UAE), Mile Jedinak final statement and drafts of the season in a 1-1 draw at Freiburg Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen record of 81 in Saturday’s win (Crystal Palace, England), Josh contracts, I’m not sure how much on Tuesday night ahead of can all leapfrog them should over Nuremberg. Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus, time it’s going to take. their Super Cup clash against they win their game in hand this Bayern had got off to a promis- Japan), Robbie Kruse (Bayer “It could happen very, very Chelsea. weekend. ing start and showed their class Leverkusen, Germany), Mitchell soon, it might not happen so soon, Bayern were on course to main- Bayern coach Pep Guardiola - when German international Langerak (Borussia Dortmund, so I suppose it could happen on tain their perfect start to the sea- who has introduced a new 4-1-4-1 Thomas Mueller beat three Germany), Ryan McGowan the last day, it could happen in son after three league wins until system since coming in to replace defenders on the right and crossed (Shandong Luneng Taishan, the next two days, I’m not sure.” they leaked a late equaliser and Jupp Heynckes - made several to the far post where Swiss winger China), Matt McKay (Brisbane Wales international Bale enjoyed also suffered an injury blow when changes to his line-up from the Xherdan Shaqiri drilled the ball Roar, Australia), Mark Milligan a stunning Premier League cam- midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger one that beat Nuremberg 2-0 on home on 23 minutes. (Melbourne Victory, Australia), paign last season, scoring 21 goals came off with an ankle problem. Saturday. Freiburg started to exert some Lucas Neill (Omiya Ardija, in 33 league appearances, and He is an injury concern for He rested six of his first-choice second-half pressure, however, Japan), Tommy Oar (Utrecht, appeared to thrive in a free-role tomorrow’s Super Cup clash side, leaving out wingers Arjen and were rewarded with the Netherlands), Sasa Ognenovski under Villas-Boas. against Europa League winners Robben and Franck Ribery, who equaliser four minutes from time. (Umm Salal SC, Qatar), Tom Despite that, the Portuguese Chelsea in Prague as well as both netted at the weekend. Substitute Mike Hanke Rogic (Celtic, Scotland), Mat coach said he did not feel let down Germany’s upcoming World Cup “If you only lead 1-0, then you switched play from the left to the Ryan (Brugge, Belgium), Mark by the ongoing saga amid reports qualifying double-header against are always vulnerable to concede right wing, where Sebastian Freis Bayern Munich’s head coach Schwarzer (Chelsea, England), of a world record $133.64m trans- Austria and Faroe Islands. an equaliser,” said Guardiola. swung in a cross which midfielder Pep Guardiola reacts during the Archie Thompson (Melbourne fer to Madrid. “He will be examined in “I don’t think I risked too much Nicolas Hoefler fired past goal- Bundesliga match against SC Victory, Australia), Luke “What is happening is a dream Munich, we hope that he will be with that line-up. keeper Manuel Neuer from close Freiburg in Freiburg, southwest- Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow, move for him...” said Villas-Boas. able to play against Chelsea,” said Bayern dominated the game range to delight the home fans. ern Germany, on Tuesday night. Russia), Rhys Williams AFP Bayern’s media director Markus but, not for the first time, failed to AFP (Middlesbrough, England). AFP THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Big week for Sheikh Khalid’s team Plenty at stake as Khalid alBalooshi and Shawn Langdon prepare for US Nationals
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: made three semi-final appear- cars are in it, and I think we have It is the world’s most prestig- ances. AlBalooshi has won 20 a good chance to win it. So far this ious drag race, and the Qatar rounds of racing this season – six year, the Al-Anabi cars are two Al-Anabi Racing Top Fuel more than his win total during of the best cars in the show, and team, the two-time World last year’s rookie campaign. The this time of the year, especially for Dubai driver Championship team owned US Nationals is the biggest drag the Indy race, I think we’ll have Khalid by Sheikh Khalid Hamad Al race in the world, and alBalooshi the best car and the best time. It alBalooshi Thani, is poised for excellence is ready navigate a busy weekend doesn’t matter who we race – I begins a run at this weekend’s 59th annual in the United States heartland. think we have a good chance to with Goodyear Chevrolet performance NHRA “The US Nationals is very spe- win. I have had good luck against Tires gripping US Nationals, the 18th of 24 cial,” alBalooshi said. “For the Antron (Brown) this season, but the race track races making up the United fans, it is the biggest race of the I know how good he is. I know in Seattle, States’ NHRA Mello Yello Drag year, and it is always special. But how good his team is. When those Washington, Racing Series. if you are talking about the driv- guys catch it, they catch it good. earlier this Qualifying is set for tomorrow, ers and the crews, it has to be No doubt about Antron – he won Saturday and Sunday with elimi- just another race. Everybody on the championship last year; he is month. nations scheduled for Monday, the our Al-Anabi team does his best a very good racer, and I think it Labor Day holiday in the United every time the car runs, and it will be a very good race with him States. doesn’t matter what the race is. in the first round. Any car in the Nearly 1,000 competitors in 12 The driver, the crew chief and the Traxxas Shootout can win it – I different racing categories will crew must treat the US. Nationals just hope it is Al-Anabi.” perform in front of the stand- like any other race. The Al-Anabi Silver Al-Anabi driver Shawn doing, and the rest will take care pretty much have the best cars Nationals on Monday.” Al-Anabi ing room-only crowd during the team has been very good this year. Langdon enters the US Nationals of itself. Obviously, if we were in the class,” Langdon said. Racing operates out of multi- much-anticipated Labour Day We are first in points, and we are with a 121-point lead over the rest lucky enough to win Indy, it “You have eight of the best ple locations in both the United weekend classic. fifth in points. Everyone on our of the Top Fuel field. would be a huge accomplishment cars in a shootout for $100,000 States and Qatar. Qatar Al-Anabi Racing Top team does his best every time the Should Langdon win his first- for our team. To be able to win – it’s basically the biggest payout In the US, the Brownsburg, Fuel drivers Khalid alBalooshi car goes down the track whether round match-up in Monday’s Indy heading into the Countdown of the year. It’s gonna be a bat- Ind-based operation is a two-car and Shawn Langdon will be it’s testing, qualifying or racing, eliminations, he will clinch the would get our momentum built tle. It’s a big race for the driv- NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing among the favourites to win the we do our best every time.” top seed in the Countdown to the up. I think we’ve been to 11 of the ers, it’s a big race for the crew Series team that is managed by Top Fuel division of US Nationals. With his win in Ohio earlier Championship NHRA play-offs – last 13 semi-finals so we’re right guys and it’s a big race for eve- Alan Johnson Racing. The 59th annual running of this summer, alBalooshi is the No. a season-long goal for Langdon there.” rybody involved. There’s a lot of Sheikh Khalid’s initiative has the marquee event takes place 4 seed in this weekend’s Traxxas and the silver Al-Anabi team. Langdon is the top seed in bragging rights when you go into created increased international at revered Lucas Oil Raceway at Nitro Shootout, a special event “Since we clinched our spot Saturday’s Traxxas Shootout; he a shootout for the season’s big- awareness of the nation of Qatar Indianapolis just a few miles from with $100,000 going to the win- in the Countdown in Denver, will race the driver seeded eighth. gest payday and have a chance to while highlighting the nation’s Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ner of the event, and the Dubai our goal has been to enter the That driver will be determined beat the best drivers in the class. international sports outreach. AlBalooshi enters the US driver will face defending World play-offs as the top seed, and the by a random drawing among Top Two of the eight drivers in this Alan Johnson is a 14-time Nationals in fifth place in the Champion Antron Brown in the Al-Anabi team is in position to do Fuel drivers who have not yet won event are Al-Anabi drivers, and NHRA champion in various NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel first round. it,” Langdon said. a race this season. I hope one of us can win take capacities including crew chief, point standings with a win in “I am excited to race in the “It’s there; we just have to “The Traxxas Shootout is going the trophy Saturday night. Then team owner and team manager. two final-rounds and having Traxxas Shootout. Both Al-Anabi continue doing what we’ve been to be tough because really, you we can focus on winning the US THE PENINSULA
England Broad accuses Vaughan apology after Ashes of being ‘disrespectful’ England’s Stuart celebrations Broad poses with LONDON: England Twenty20 However, England Twenty20 the first Test at Trent Bridge. a replica of the LONDON: England’s cricketers captain Stuart Broad has captain Broad, who will lead his Lehmann was fined by the Ashes urn after have issued an apology for any accused former skipper Michael side in the first T20 international International Cricket Council the presentation offence caused during their cel- Vaughan of being “disrespectful” against Australia in Southampton for his remarks and apologised to at the end of ebrations of their Ashes series for criticising the decision to today, said yesterday: “I think Broad during the Oval Test. the final day of win over Australia at the Oval rest several leading players from they’re (Vaughan’s comments) But there have since been sug- the fifth Ashes on Sunday. the upcoming one-day interna- disrespectful to the side that’s gestions fast-medium bowler cricket Test The statement, released on tionals against Australia. going to go out on the field.” Broad may need additional secu- against Australia the England and Wales Cricket Test skipper Alastair Cook, Ian He added: “There’s guys who rity in Australia in order to pro- at The Oval in Board’s website, followed allega- Bell, James Anderson, Graeme have performed throughout the tect him from over-zealous home London, England, tions that England players uri- Swann and Broad himself, who all county season to get a chance fans looking to act on Lehmann’s nated on the pitch hours after the in this August featured in the recent 3-0 Ashes at the international level. As an comments. series had ended on Sunday night 25, 2013, file series win, were all left out of the ODI team, we’re building towards “I’ll feel like a rock star with in a 3-0 win for the home side. squads announced on Tuesday that 2015 World Cup (where) you some big heavies behind me. I’m photo. The match “The England cricket team for the lone one-dayer against need to have a big group of players not concerned at all,” he said. ended in a draw would like to state that during Ireland and the five-match ODI going into that World Cup with “I’ve toured Australia a cou- allowing England our celebrations after winning campaign against Australia. experience of international caps. ple of times. I’ve always loved to take the five- the Ashes at no time was there Australia too have made whole- Broad explained: “They Australia, it’s a fantastic place match series 3-0. any intention to disrespect Surrey sale changes -- only seven of wouldn’t be in the squad if they’re to go with great restaurants and CCC, the Oval or anyone else their 18-man ODI squad played not good enough to play and that good bars. involved in the game we love,” the in the Test series -- and it’s clear ODI squad will be very focused “I see that as being no different. statement on www.ecb.co.uk read. both countries are already look- on beating Australia. I know if I “At the end of the day we are “As a team we pride ourselves ing ahead to the return Ashes in was paying to go and watch, I’d going to Australia to win the on respecting all things cricket Australia in November. want to go and watch England Ashes and play games of cricket. including the opposition and the “I would have only rested beat Australia, that’s it.” “That will be the players’ job. grounds we play at. We got car- Captain Cook. Plenty of time to Meanwhile, Broad said he was The rest of the off-field stuff is up ried away amongst the euphoria rest from Sept 16th - Nov 21st!!!? looking forward to returning to to the ECB (England and Wales of winning such a prestigious Can’t sell tickets then rest 5 star Australia despite comments from Cricket Board) to sort out. international fixture since England since June 2010 in any series and accept that some of names!!!!,” Vaughan wrote on Australia coach Darren Lehmann “I’m certainly not going to be February 10 this year -- and it is format. our behaviour was inappropriate. Twitter. to a Melbourne radio station that looking over my shoulder.” a run Broad would love to extend. “It’s up to us to continue that “If that has caused any offence “No problems resting players he hoped the hosts’ fans would Broad’s focus is firmly fixed on “We know Australia are a dan- form and that responsibility falls to anyone we apologise for that but I think Supporters who have “send Broad home crying” after the two-match Twenty20 inter- gerous team and we know they on these players. It’s an exciting and want to reassure people that paid good money to watch the calling him a cheat for not walk- national series. will be hungry to beat England. responsibility.” REUTERS it was a simple error of judgement best should get a small refund.” ing when he was caught during Australia have not won an They’ve not beaten England in more than anything else.” The allegations arose follow- ing eye-witness accounts from Former fast bowler Lee says Australian journalists, who were Australia’s Maxwell says he still in the ground while England Australia need Johnson celebrated their win. Reports have since indicated SYDNEY: Veteran fast bowler Brett Lee said yesterday Australia is ready for verbal barbs the ECB has launched an investi- must inject the fear factor into their attack and called for Mitchell gation into the matter after being Johnson to be recalled for the home Ashes series. contacted by Surrey chief execu- The former Test quick, who frequently delivered balls in the 150 LONDON: Australia all- then declar- teams play in the right spirit and tive Richard Gould. kph (93 mph) range, wants to see Johnson back in the frame to add rounder Glenn Maxwell (pic- ing the mat- I think the crowd enjoy it.” Sports minister Hugh some genuine pace, along with Pat Cummins. tured) is preparing himself for ter closed. Maxwell, nicknamed the Robertson has even been drawn in Australia lost the five-Test series in England 3-0 and Lee, who plenty of banter in the forth- However, ‘Million Dollar Man’ after he to making a comment, telling the still plays in Australia’s domestic Big Bash League, told reporters it coming limited overs interna- with both was sold for $1m at last season’s Daily Telegraph: “If it happened, had been disappointing. tionals against England. sides set to Indian Premier League, knows it’s not good behaviour.” “I think pace-wise we’ve done pretty well,” he said. Following England’s 3-0 field much- the Rose Bowl pitch well having Off-spinner Graeme Swann “The only negative thing you can probably draw upon, and listen- Ashes series win completed with changed played there last year for south- appeared to confirm the story ing to the commentary team over there, was that Australia chose Sunday’s drawn fifth Test at The teams at ern county Hampshire and antici- when writing in Tuesday’s Sun all the same type of bowler. I want to see a Pat Cummins come in, Oval, the arch-rivals face each the Rose pates plenty of runs today. newspaper, but attempted to play I want to see Mitchell Johnson back.” other in international cricket’s Bowl today, “It’s a beautiful batting wicket,” it down. Lee, who in an injury-marred international career played 76 Tests, shorter formats, starting with the Maxwell he said. “It’s a big ground as well “We did go out to the middle 221 ODIs and 25 T20s, said he had been impressed with the some- first of two Twenty20 fixtures in does not so it’s going to be conducive to a of the pitch, all the lads, drink- times erratic Johnson during the Indian Premier League earlier Southampton today. anticipate lot of hard running in the field ing beers, singing a few songs and this year. Australia Test captain Michael any lingering and it’s going to be very tough to enjoying each other’s company,” “I was surprised that Mitchell Johnson didn’t get the opportunity, Clarke and England batsman feuds come the start of the white- defend later on in the evening. I he wrote. and that’s nothing against the guys that went over, they all warranted Kevin Pietersen exchanged a few ball series. think we’ll be going all guns blaz- “I think the call of nature their spot,” Lee said of the Test squad. “Get some pace in, get some heated words at The Oval while, “All that was said was a bit ing and hopefully put a big score might have come once or twice pace back in the Australian team. Get some sort of fear factor going. during the course of the fifth Test, hyped up and with the radio (as on the board. It’s going to be a but it was nothing untoward. 130 kms seam up is good. You need that.” Australia coach Darren Lehmann well),” Maxwell told Sky Sports very tough few games.” “It was midnight, a private cel- Left-armer Johnson is part of the Australian one-day team in called Stuart Broad a cheat dur- News. Maxwell could find himself ebration in the middle of the pitch England but Cummins has a back problem and could miss much of ing a radio interview. “There’s going to be a new set playing against former county col- and the ground was dark.” the 2013-14 Australian summer season. Lehmann was fined 20 pre- of banter in the T20, different league Michael Carberry after the Earlier this month, Sussex Australia have now gone nine Tests without a victory following cent of his match fee by the squads and obviously a few mates Hampshire opener was handed released Monty Panesar after the a 4-0 loss in India earlier this year. The first of five Ashes Tests on International Cricket Council as well so it should be good fun. a recall to international cricket England spinner was ejected from home soil starts in Brisbane in November. REUTERS but later apologised to Broad, “It’s all part of the game, it’s with a call-up into the Twenty20 a nightclub in Brighton and then with England’s Twenty20 captain good to be a part of and both squad. REUTERS urinated in public. REUTERS Thursday 29 August 2013 22 Shawwal 1434 Volume 18 Number 5806 Sport Price: QR2
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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Radwanska in third round US Open: Li Na eases past Arvidsson; rain, lightning threat halt play
NEW YORK: Agnieszka Radwanska and Li Na reached the US Open third round yes- terday as defending men’s champion Andy Murray impa- tiently waited to start his New York campaign. Radwanska, promoted to third seed after the injury-forced withdrawal of Maria Sharapova, defeated Spanish world number 103 Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor, 6-0, 7-5 while Li, the Chinese fifth UEFA Chief seed, beat 100th-ranked Swede Sofia Arvidsson 6-2, 6-2. Platini Radwanska, who has never got beyond the fourth round in New York, was on course for a quick- undecided on fire win over Torro-Flor, her sec- ond successive Spanish opponent, FIFA candidacy when she raced through the first set in just 21 minutes, losing just PARIS: UEFA president seven points. Michel Platini (pictured) says But Torro-Flor, dressed in he remains unsure whether he matching colours of blue and pink, will run for the same post at the made the Pole work for her win in head of world governing body the second set with three breaks FIFA when current president of serve. Sepp Blatter’s mandate expires Radwanska, however weath- in 2015. ered the unexpected storm, “I am in the middle of think- going through to a third-round ing whether it is good or not good A general view of the empty stands inside Arthur Ashe Stadium as rain interrupts play during Day Three of the 2013 US Open at USTA Billie Jean but I will certainly say something King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City, yesterday. RIGHT: Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus at Dubrovnik (the Croatian city US Open celebrates a point during his men’s singles first round match against Go Soeda of Japan. where the next UEFA execu- tive committee meetings will be NEW YORK: US Open held on September 19 and 20),” results yesterday (x denotes clash against Russia’s Anastasia forward to the chance of playing 12 months ago, Murray starts his not resume in part because of the Frenchman told sports daily seeded player): Pavlyuchenkova, capitalising on Laura.” first major as a defending cham- threatening lightning in the area. L’Equipe. Men’s singles her rival’s 38 unforced errors and Meanwhile, Murray begins pion against Michael Llodra, the Williams, the 60th-ranked “I am obliged to say something First Round 10 double faults. the defense of his title almost 48 33-year-old Frenchman who is winner of the 2000 and 2001 US because everyone is expecting Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) bt Go Li, playing in her 30th Grand hours after second seed Rafael edging towards retirement. The Opens, was set to face China’s me to express myself,” added the Soeda (JPN) 6-4, 6-3, 6-1. Slam and a New York quarter- Nadal, viewed as the most likely 26-year-old Murray has added the 56th-ranked Zheng Jie at Louis 58-year-old who enjoyed a glori- finalist in 2009, clinched her contender to triumph this year, Wimbledon title since winning in Armstrong Stadium. ous playing career that peaked Women’s singles third career win over policeman’s started his campaign. New York in 2012, comfortably Argentina’s fourth-seeded in 1984 when he captained Second Round daughter Arvidsson, who has now “I’m playing my first round burying for ever all talk of Fred Del Potro, the 2009 US Open France to their first European Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP x18) not progressed beyond the second match at the us open at 7pm on Perry, the country’s last men’s winner, was preparing to meet championship. bt Coco Vandeweghe (USA) 6-3, round in seven attempts. a wednesday...,” tweeted Murray champion at a major in 1936. Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez “It is not a simple decision. 6-4; Agnieszka Radwanska (POL The Chinese star will next face in thinly-veiled frustration at Meanwhile, rain and lightning at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The People will fight each other to x3) bt Maria-Teresa Torro- either British 30th seed Laura a schedule which will see even fears halted play at the US Open third day of the tournament will have the position of FIFA presi- Flor (ESP) 6-0, 7-5; Anastasia Robson, who knocked her out first-round matches in the mixed yesterday, stopping seven singles also see the Grand Slam return dent, but not me. Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x32) of the tournament in 2012, or doubles completed before he takes matches and delaying the start of former world number one “I have to determine whether it bt Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 6-4, France’s Caroline Garcia. the court. Having ended Britain’s of matches for past champions Martina Hingis, who will play is a good thing for football. I was 6-0; Li Na (CHN x5) bt Sofia “Both players have improved a embarrassing Grand Slam hoodoo Venus Williams and Juan Martin doubles with Daniela Hantuchova. Michel Platini, I won three Ballon Arvidsson (SWE) 6-2, 6-2. lot in the last year,” said Li. “I look with his US Open breakthrough del Potro. Officials said play would AGENCIES d’Ors, I was the best player in the world. To be number one in the world, I’ve already done that in football but not in the corridors. “I have to convince myself that it’s my destiny and it’s good for football because I am very happy Bolt not worried about failure in Rio at UEFA. “In any case, to choose between ZURICH: Usain Bolt is not it would be in action. Bolt, “I expect a tactical race because FIFA and UEFA is not to be con- worried about tarnishing his the first time who will race there are too many good runners demned to prison or a work camp. career by failing to retain his anybody has the 100m, will be in the field.” Platini replaced Sweden’s 100 and 200 metres Olympic ever won three joined by team- Other recently-crowned world Lennart Johansson in 2007 while titles in Rio de Janeiro in three times in a row mate Shelly-Ann champions on show include Blatter has been in office since years’ time. so that would Fraser-Pryce, American 400m runner LaShawn 1998 when he succeeded Brazilian “In life you don’t always get also add to my who also won Merritt, Kenyan duo Asbel Kiprop Joao Havelange. what you want,” the Jamaican greatness,” he the sprint double (1500m) and Ezekiel Kemboi The Swiss 77-year-old says told reporters after visiting FIFA said. at this month’s (3000m steeplechase), American his fifth term will be his last but president Sepp Blatter at the “As an ath- World Athletics David Oliver (110m hurdles) and there are rumours he may be set headquarters of football’s world lete you are Championships in in-form Ukrainian high jumper to change his mind and run for governing body. always pushing Moscow. On the Bohdan Bondarenko. re-election. “It wouldn’t be the greatest the limit and track, there is a Bondarenko is coming increas- “I don’t know what he will do,” moment, but I would understand for me I want rare clash of two ingly close to challenging the 2.45 continued Platini. because I’ve had my time, I’ve to continue queens of long- metre world record set by Cuban “I will take my decision alone been dominant for a long time.” pushing the distance running, Javier Sotomayor, having three without worrying about Sepp. In “So, if I get to Rio and it doesn’t barrier,” added Tirunesh Dibaba times attempted it since July. the beginning (2011), he said he happen, I would have to under- Bolt, who won and Meseret “My goal is the world record,” would stop in 2015. Now he is say- stand because I’m getting older the 100 and 200 Defar. The acknowledged the Ukrainian. ing he will explain his decision in and there are greater athletes metres double Moscow worlds “In order to tackle it, I will have one year in Brazil. coming up,” added Bolt who at the 2008 and were deprived to concentrate on my jump 100 “He has said I am his natural turned 27 a week ago. 2012 Olympics of a head-to- percent. successor but there is no deal “I know the athletes have to and will be head after the “The thing is, at this height, between us even if it’s true that work harder to step their game approaching Ethiopian fed- there are many different kinds today I am a legitimate candidate up, and be the best. For me, I’ll his 30th birth- eration decided of emotions that interfere with to go to FIFA.” be happy for the sport because it day in Rio in Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt poses after a news conference during his neither would be your concentration. This makes “I will definitely say something would mean its stepping up and 2016. visit to the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, yesterday. entered for the an attempt at the record mentally in Dubrovnik,” he added, referring moving on.” “At the end 5,000-10,000m difficult.” to the Croatian sea resort where Earlier, Bolt, who will compete of the day I want to be remem- to admit I’m slightly lazy, but we’ll double. The Zurich meet is host for UEFA will hold an executive com- in the Zurich Diamond League bered among the greatest ath- see where it goes,” he said. As it was, Defar won the 5,000m the first of two finals for the 2013 mittee meeting next month. meeting today, was handed a letes, Pele, (Diego) Maradona, Bolt will headline a sparkling title and Dibaba the longer dis- IAAF Diamond League series as “People would fight to get the ticket for the 2014 World Cup Michael Johnson.” line-up for the Zurich leg of the tance. Thursday’s race will be 16 Diamond Race winners will be job of president of FIFA. I won’t. final by Blatter along with a Bolt also commented on a sug- Diamond League. their first competitive outing at crowned. I just have to assess if it’s a good furry toy depicting the tourna- gestion that he could take up a Fans at the Letzigrund Stadium a meet in seven years. The Diamond Race finals for thing for soccer. I’m not interested ment mascot, a grinning blue and sports administration role after will witness 17 new world cham- “The 5,000m will be a nice the other 16 disciplines will be in the position for the sake of it. I yellow armadillo named Fuleco. retiring as an athlete, but said he pions, 17 world leaders, 15 reign- race. But it’s my fourth race in contested at the Diamond League have to persuade myself that it’s “To go to Rio and win again might be “too lazy” for the role. ing Olympic champions, and 5 two weeks so I’m a bit tired,” said meeting in Brussels on September my destiny,” added Platini. would be a feat in itself, because “I have thought about it, I have current world record holders Defar. 6. AGENCIES AGENCIES