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Monday 18 February 2013 8 Rabial II 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5614 Price: QR2

QIIB elects two Table Tennis: Six new board Qataris to play members in Doha event

Business | 17 Sport | 23

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Sheikha Moza presents trophy to Azarenka First passenger Speedboat ‘checks in’ at new airport

DOHA: Marking the countdown racer’s death for the April 2013 opening, Hamad International Airport yesterday saw a symbolic ‘first-passenger check-in’. Brigadier Abdullah Muhammed Al Suwaidi, repre- sparks row senting H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of State for Interior Lack of safety measures blamed Affairs, received a specially desi- gned boarding pass from Abdul DOHA: The death of Qatari told the media yesterday. Yousuf Aziz Al Noaimi, Chairman of the powerboat racer Rashid expressed surprise over reports in Airport Steering Committee, dur- Abdullah Al Mansouri, dur- a section of the local media yester- ing a simple but elegant ceremony ing a Pleasure Boat race at the day regarding rescue efforts and at the plush Passenger Terminal. Katara beach on Saturday, has said that the claims were false. Full report on page 4 triggered a controversy, with a “Which rescue team they are See also Plus fellow Qatari racer lashing out talking about? When the inci- at organisers of the event. dent happened, the other racers Al Mansouri was buried at the tried to rescue the victims. There Energy contest Abu Hamour graveyard yester- was no rescue team in the sea. for buildings day, the Qatar Marine Sports The Red Crescent team was on H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser (third left) presents trophies to the finalists after the Qatar Total Open 2013 DOHA: Federation (QMSF), which the shore. There are cameras in women’s tennis finals at Khalifa International Tennis Complex, yesterday. Victoria Azarenka of Belarus beat The Qatar General organised the race, said yes- every boat that can prove what I the American Serena Williams 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-3 to retain her Doha title. Qatar Tennis Federation President Electricity and Water Corpo- terday. Al Mansouri’s co-driver am saying,” said Yousuf. ration (Kahramaa) has launched Nasser Al Khelaifi (second right) and Stephane Michel, Managing Director of Total E&P Qatar (left), are also Hamad Jassim Al Mutawa was “For more than 30 minutes, an innovative competition for seen. Full report on page 28 AR AL BAKER/HHOPL severely injured. nobody tried to revive Mansouri. commercial and residential build- Participating in a popular Only the Kuwaiti racers who ings in the country to test their programme on Qatar Radio — brought him to the shore tried to energy efficiency. The contest Watanee Al Habeeb, Sabah Al do it,” he added. is part of an ongoing campaign Khair — yesterday, a fellow racer, He said a similar accident hap- to raise public awareness about who introduced himself as Yousuf, pened to him last Friday when his The Peninsula forms advisory panel rationalising the use of water disputed claims made by the boat capsized on him and there was and electricity. Full report — page 8 QMSF that a Coast Guard rescue none at hand to rescue him. “Only team was immediately available the race commissioner came and DOHA: The Peninsula has M Varghese, Dr Wandoor voice their opinions. Obama plays golf to provide emergency services to asked me ‘are you OK?’ There is set up an Editorial Advisory Abubacker, Flor Cabrito, Olu J “The purpose of the Advisory the victims. Al Mansouri died and a camera footage that can prove Committee comprising mem- Millar, M S Parikh, Zafar Iqbal Committee is to establish a direct with Tiger Woods Al Mutawa suffered injuries after what I am saying,” claimed Yousuf. bers from different expatriate Khan and Lenny Cramer. link with the communities in Qatar their vessel flipped over while “Why don’t they give us a communities here, becoming The decision to launch the and get their feedback to improve PALM CITY: US President negotiating a curve, according to safe and secure place? Why the first newspaper in Qatar to committee was first announced our news coverage,” Al Sayed said. Barack Obama had a chance a QMSF statement. are we Qataris being sent far launch such an initiative. by Khalid Al Sayed, Editor-in- “This decision was taken as part of to see how golf is played at the “There was a big wave at the away in open sea where there The 10-member committee will Chief, at a dinner reception for the quality management policy of highest level yesterday, tee- buoy No 3, combined with high are waves and the wind, while advise the newspaper on editorial community leaders hosted by the the newspaper,” he added. ing off with Tiger Woods, the speed wind, the boat flipped into the Americans and Italians are matters, especially news coverage newspaper in November. With one-year tenure, the com- world’s No. 2 golfer. Obama, an the air. A Coast Guard rescue team allowed to race in closed areas, of expatriate communities. A number of relevant issues were mittee members will meet once avid weekend golfer, and Woods and Red Crescent doctors tried under monitoring by helicopters Members of the Editorial raised during the well-attended every three months. The first played together for the first time their best to revive Al Mansouri,” and rescue teams?” he asked. Advisory Committee are Miguel event at the Ritz-Carlton, where meeting will be held in the first at the Floridian Yacht and Golf Khalid bin Arhama Al Kuwari, THE PENINSULA Colmenares, Nicholas Ashton, many also praised The Peninsula week of March. Club. There was no word on how head of Formula Racing at QMSF, Continued on page 4 Dr Mahmoud Galandar, K for giving them an opportunity to THE PENINSULA Obama played. REUTERS

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DOHA: More than half of the opportunities, and this is a good companies in Qatar will begin indicator of the region’s growth hiring new employees in the and development,” said Suhail coming months, suggests a Masri, VP of Sales, Bayt.com. study. Across the region, multina- Job prospects will be best for tional private sector companies people in the engineering sector, will be hiring the highest number followed by commerce and busi- of employees in the next three ness management. months, and will continue to be Some 29 percent of the compa- the biggest source of employment nies are ‘definitely hiring’ in the in a year’s time. Within the next next three months, with 24 per- three months, they are looking cent saying that they are ‘prob- to hire predominantly at junior ably’ hiring. In a year’s time, 63 executive level, followed by execu- percent of companies are expect- tives and coordinators. ing to hire new employees, accord- “A high number of lower-tier ing to the latest Middle East and jobs is good news for new gradu- The Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met yesterday Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly (Majlis Al Umma) North Africa (Mena) Job Index ates. This provides a more open Ali Fahd Al Rashid and his delegation. The meeting was attended by Speaker of the Advisory Council H E Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Kholaifi. survey conducted by Bayt.com field at entry-level, which will Respondents to the survey, give first-time job-seekers more meanwhile, believe that the indus- opportunities to find employment tries that attract and retain top in the industries that they wish,” talent in Qatar are construction, said Sundip Chahal, CEO, YouGov. Qatar University, Al Jazeera to host moot courts oil, gas and petrochemicals, and Regionally, the most desirable banking and finance. qualifications for candidates are The majority of companies here in business management, com- DOHA: The Middle Eastern School for Communication and Buthaina Mohammed Osman, to meet fellow law students from (72 percent) are expecting to hire merce, engineering, and compu- round of the Monroe E Price QU’s College of Law. It aims to Maryam Al Ansari and Noora across the Middle East and learn up to 10 employees in the com- ter science. International Media Law Moot strengthen media law and policy Ramadan Abdulla. from expert legal minds. As QU’s ing three months, three percent Four out of 10 respondents (38 Court Competition is set to research, teaching and practice in Mariam Ali Alkaabi assisted College of Law emerges as a model higher than the regional pros- percent) state that their current begin here today. Qatar and the Middle East. the team with the initial writ- law school in the region, we wel- pects of 69 percent. country of residence is more The regional round of the inter- Each team was given a simu- ing of the memorials submitted come opportunities such as these Companies also said that they attractive than others in the national competition is being held lated scenario containing numer- by them. The team is coached to allow our students to chal- consider good communication Middle East, with the UAE top- at the Al Jazeera’s Media Training ous issues of international media by College of Law lecturer Chris lenge themselves to be the best,” skills in English and Arabic to be ping the list of the most attractive and Development Centre and law, which they had to outline Evers and teaching assistant he added. most important when seeking a countries in the region, followed sponsored for the second year by in written submissions. In these Muna Al Marzouqi. “We are privileged and hon- new hire, followed by good leader- by Qatar and Saudi Arabia. the Doha-based media organisa- rounds, the teams come together “The ability to argue complex oured to host the Media Law ship skills and the ability to work Data for the Bayt.com Job tion and Qatar University (QU). to argue their cases in front of legal points in a concise, persua- Moot. Oxford and Pennsylvania under pressure. Companies will Index January 2013 survey was The contest will see law stu- teams of international judges. sive and compelling manner is universities are some of the most look to hire candidates who have collected online from December dents from nine universities of The final stage of the competi- the hallmark of a great lawyer. highly regarded universities experience in team management, 21, 2012 to January 31, 2013. six countries in the Middle East tion will take place on February This competition gives students globally and we hope that our computer skills and engineering. Results are reported on a base of argue media law issues in a mock- 21 in front of an invited audience. an excellent opportunity to use all partnership will foster further “The clear improvement in the 4,349 respondents. Countries that courtroom setting. The winners will compete in the they have learned in the classroom growth of our relationship with number of jobs to be available in participated are the UAE, Saudi The four-day event is organ- international rounds of the con- in a mock-courtroom setting and international academic institu- the coming 12 months is a positive Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, ised by the University of Oxford’s test in Oxford. apply their arguments using inter- tions,” Mounir Daymi, Director sign for Qatar’s economy. We have Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Programme in Comparative Media QU’s team includes Reem national media law,” QU’s College of of Aljazeera Media Training & seen a regional increase in terms Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia Law and Policy and the University Abdulla Al Ansari, Hajar Law Dean Dr Hassan Okour, said. Development Centre, said. of the number of employment and Pakistan. THE PENINSULA of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Dormohammad Kadkhodaei, “It also gives them the chance THE PENINSULA MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 60 Mowasalat buses to be fuelled by CNG Base to promote clean fuel planned

DOHA: Qatar will have more “green” buses on its streets very soon, with Mowasalat plan- ning to introduce 60 new buses fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG) by the end of this year. In late last year, the company launched its first CNG bus in a pilot project, in line with direc- tives of the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for utilisation of CNG as a fuel in Qatar’s transport sector. Mowasalat’s Chairman and Managing Director Jassim Saif Al Sulaiti (pictured) said yesterday emissions of greenhouse gases. that the company is working on a CNG vehicles are quieter com- A Mowasalat bus which uses compressed natural gas as fuel. project to establish a base to pro- pared with diesel vehicles and mote the use of clean energy in contribute to reducing noise pol- the transport sector and convert lution. CNG is also cost-effective, is more eco-friendly as a substi- in a first-of-a-kind initiative in operating expertise, we look for- Industrial Area. more vehicles to use CNG. bringing economic benefits to tute for diesel and petrol. Qatar. We look forward to oper- ward to providing a sound base Mowasalat provided eco- The cost of CNG buses is end users, and is sustainable and “As a leading company, we seek ating more and more CNG vehi- for a successful CNG pilot scheme friendly buses for the UN Climate high due to employing the most effective alternative to petroleum to utilise Qatar’s abundant clean cles,” said Al Sulaiti. that could be expanded to cover Change Conference in Doha last advanced technologies in their refined products. energy. Mowasalat is working to Ahmed Busherbak Al Mansoori, other sectors and applied in vari- year. These green buses are a production and Mowasalat is The use of CNG is growing establish a base for the significant Mowasalat’s Executive Director, ous transport means in Qatar,” model for vehicles utilised in large planning to reduce the cost to worldwide at an annual rate development of this project which said the company was cooperat- he said. events. levels similar to that of ordinary of 20 to 25 percent, with much will be implemented soon. ing with Qatar Petroleum (QP) in As per directives of the Emir, They accommodate large num- buses, he added. of growth in the public trans- “We are also taking important promoting the use of CNG in the the first CNG fuelling station bers of delegates and feature CNG is considered a green port sector as governments are measures related to our next plan public transport sector. was inaugurated in the small and high-quality technology. fuel as it considerably reduces increasingly looking for a fuel that to convert vehicles to use CNC “Through our fleet of buses and medium industries area in the THE PENINSULA

Brookings Doha to host discussion on Palestinian National project

DOHA: The Brookings Doha will assess national efforts to Middle East Policy at Brookings Salman Shaikh. second term. The past year has The policy discussion will Centre (BDC) will host a spe- end the Israeli occupation and Fellow Khaled Elgindy, Fatah’s Key national challenges will seen Hamas move away from look at local dynamics in light cial public policy discussion with achieve political reconciliation Revolutionary Council Deputy be addressed against the back- Damascus, while recent events, of a shifting pattern of regional Palestinian thought leaders on between opposing factions, BDC Secretary General Sabri Saidam drop of regional and interna- including the November clashes support and issues faced by the ‘The Future of the Palestinian said yesterday. and House of Wisdom Secretary tional developments, such as the between Israel and Gaza, have led Palestinian Authority in building National Project’. Palestinian National Initiative General Ahmed Yousef are the Arab Awakening, recent Israeli to a collective effort to end the national consensus and driving The discussion at 6pm at BDC Secretary-General Mustafa panellists for the discussion to elections, and inauguration of organisation’s political isolation, the national project forward, BDC in West Bay Doha on Wednesday Barghouthi, Saban Centre for be moderated by BDC Director US President Barack Obama’s BDC said. added. QNA MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME First passenger ‘checks in’ at new airport Facility to redefine passenger experience

DOHA: Marking the count- first preview of the passenger down for the April 2013 opening, terminal complex, was attended Hamad International Airport by high ranking State officials, (HIA) yesterday saw a symbolic members of the Shura, Islamic Brigadier Abdullah Muhammed Al Suwaidi receiving the boarding pass from Abdul Aziz Al Noaimi as other officials look on. (SHAIVAL DALAL) ‘first-passenger check- in’. scholar Dr Yusuf Al Qaradawi, Brigadier Abdullah Muhammed Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al world class airport that meets luxurious ambience is enhanced setting, Al Noaimi said. the airport will welcome Qatar Al Suwaidi, representing H E Baker and leading business minds. rapidly evolving aviation needs.” by resort quality facilities, includ- “Hamad International Airport Airways to its new home and Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Speaking on the occasion, Al It is indeed a moment to cel- ing plush hotels, spas, swimming will definitely redefine passenger over 30 million passengers will Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of Noaimi said: “Today we see a ful- ebrate what marks a new chap- pools and leisure options like a and transit experience, making be able to experience travelling State for Interior Affairs, received filment of our Emir’s vision to ter in Qatar’s aviation industry; squash court to allow passengers it truly world-class and beyond through the world’s newest avia- a specially designed boarding have not just a new airport, but the world’s newest aviation hub, to relax, refresh and rejuvenate expectations,” he said. tion hub.” pass from Abdul Aziz Al Noaimi, an airport that ranks among the a world-class facility that is set in between flights. He said cargo operations will Guests at the ceremony were Chairman of the Airport Steering best in the world. to redefine passenger and transit It is one of the few public spaces start by next month, with freight invited to be amongst the first Committee, during a simple but “We gather here to celebrate experience and the national car- where people can enjoy a museum forwarders and agents in Qatar worshippers to attend the Noon elegant ceremony at the plush the accomplishment of the New rier’s future home. experience. Hand-picked ancient processing import and export Prayers at the public mosque at Passenger Terminal. Doha International Airport steer- HIA goes beyond the defini- and contemporary art is show- consignments at HIA. the complex. The event, coinciding with the ing committee’s task to create a tion of a traditional airport. Its cased in a brilliant architectural “By the second half of the year, THE PENINSULA Friends, QMSF officials mourn death of powerboat racer BY ARMSTRONG VAS well-wishers, family members and of the buoys. at buoy No. 3, combined with the He is flying back to Qatar and he their most testing time.” officials of QMSF were present Although rescue personnel high speed wind, the boat flipped has cancelled all his engagements Asked whether the QMSF had DOHA: Qatari powerboat racer to bid a tearful farewell to the were at hand, their efforts failed into the air. in the US,” informed the QMSF any compensation or other thing Rashid Abdullah Al Mansoori, 34-year-old. to revive him. The racer was later “A Coast Guard rescue team official. on their mind, Al Kuwari said the who died in an accident while Al Mansoori and co-driver taken to the Emergency Unit of and Red Crescent doctors tried Al Kuwari described the QMSF board members will meet taking part in a Pleasure Boat Hamad Jassim Al Mutawa were the Hamad Medical Corporation their best to revive Mansouri,” deceased as a soft-spoken person shortly to discuss the situation. race at the Katara Cultural competing in the Pro Class 1 race, (HMC), where he was pronounced said Khalid bin Arhama Al and a dedicated sports person. “We are waiting for the arrival Village Beach on Saturday, was organised by QMSF, when the dead. Kuwari, Head of Formula racing “He had been competing since of Sheikh Hassan and then we buried in Abu Humour grave- tragedy struck. This is the first time a Qatari at the QMSF. 2004, and he was a man of few will have a board meeting. yard, officials of Qatar Marine The powerboat driver died and has been killed in a sports-related Meanwhile, QMSF President words and deeply religious too. It “We have cancelled all compe- Sports Federation (QMSF) said his co-driver suffered injuries accident in the country and offi- Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al is a great loss not only for sports titions until further notice,” he yesterday. after their vessel flipped over cials of QMSF said they were tak- Thani, who also competes in pow- but for entire Qatar,” he said. disclosed. A large number of friends, while negotiating a curve at one ing stock of the accident. erboat racing and is in the US as “Although we (at QMSF) Al Mansoori is survived by his “Many accidents have part of his training programme to were present for the burial, we wife, three sons and one daughter. taken place in the past dur- take part in a US powerboat rac- will be meeting members of Al Meanwhile, the police took ing QMSF events, but this ing event, has cut short his train- Mansoori’s family to express our charge of the ill-fated powerboat is the first time a tragedy ing programme and is expected condolences and grief over the from the QMSF garage yester- has happened. It was really to be back soon, said Al Kuwari. unfortunate accident and how day morning, as part of their a sad and tragic day for us. “Sheikh Hassan is pained and best the QMSF family can be investigation. “There was a big wave shocked by the tragic accident. of help to the grieving family in THE PENINSULA

QGBC signs MoU with US council 93 nationals graduate from DOHA: Qatar Green Building QGBC will help prioritise envi- dedicated to advancing both local Council (QGBC) and the ronmental issues for the GCC and international rating systems RLIC-COP US Green Building Council region, which are reflected in such as LEED and the home- (USGBC) have signed a mem- Regional Priority Credits within grown GSAS.” DOHA: Ninety-three orandum of understanding LEED that serve as ‘bonus points’ With the fifth-highest number Qatari students have (MoU) which will allow close for projects that address these of LEED-registered and certi- graduated from the collaboration between the two issues. fied buildings outside the US, pilot phase of the Ras organisations. A LEED Specialist Interest Qatar has valuable experience Laffan Industrial City Through the agreement, the Group, composed of QGBC mem- and input to offer the LEED Community Outreach councils will work together to bers across the building construc- International Roundtable on Programme (RLIC- promote green buildings and tion and design industry, will lead the system’s local relevance and COP), RasGas Company green communities by sharing Qatar’s participation in the inter- application. said yesterday. tools, research and information. national roundtable. Scot Horst, Senior Vice- The RLIC-COP had The MoU empowers QGBC to Engineer Meshal Al Shamari, President, LEED, of the USGBC launched the Northern represent Qatar on Leadership Director of QGBC, said: “As a said, “At the USGBC we have Community Skills in Energy and Environmental rating tool, LEED is proven in been impressed with QGBC’s Development Project Design (LEED) International driving significant improve- active support for our aim to cre- (NCSDP) for English Roundtable, one of the USGBC’s ments in sustainable building ate global consistency for the use Language Training in Al advisory groups. The group works performance and QGBC is eager of LEED internationally. Khor in November 2012, to advance the international rele- to cooperate with USGBC on “This MOU presents USGBC RsGas said. vance and application of the green improving the rating system’s and QGBC with an unprecedented The RLIC-COP was building rating system — the most impact in Qatar. opportunity to make a difference established by the seven widely used rating system in the “Within our mission to promote in this time of unparalleled envi- leading energy companies world. the development of healthier and ronmental awareness.” operating in Ras Laffan As a member of the roundtable, more sustainable buildings, we are THE PENINSULA Industrial City (Qatar Petroleum, Qatargas, RasGas, Qatar Shell, Dolphin Energy Limited, Oryx GTL and Al Khaleej Gas) with the objective of creating respectful and trustworthy partnerships between the energy indus- try and the community by offering long-term sustain- able initiatives in the fields of education, culture, her- itage and environment. QNA Few rescue boats Continued from page 1

He said there used to be only two boats for rescue, while eight or nine are in the race. “If five boats meet with accidents, whom they will rescue? How could they tell newspapers that there was a rescue team from the Coast Guard? We informed the Coast Guard about the accident and they said they didn’t have a rescue team. Only the Red Crescent had a rescue team and they were out in the land, not in the sea,” said Yousuf. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Trio jailed for forging ATM cards Camp for diabetic kids begins DOHA: The Criminal Court sentence. The forged cards were yesterday sentenced two Asians reportedly used for purchasing tel- to three years in jail for forg- evision sets worth about QR7,995. ing ATM cards and stealing The bank approached the 60 children from around the world participating in week-long activities money from a bank. They will be Criminal Investigation Department deported to their countries when after discovering irregularities in their jail term ends. transactions. Their Asian accomplice was jailed CCTV footage at the bank’s ATM for five years for providing neces- booths helped identify the culprits, sary information to help in the who used two counterfeit cards to heist. He was ordered by the court make six transactions, of which to pay QR7,995 to the bank. He will three were successful. also be deported after serving his THE PENINSULA

BY ISABEL OVALLE

DOHA: With the incidence of type 1 diabetes increas- ing annually by 23 percent per 100,000 children here, the Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) launched the 13th edi- tion of the Al Bawasil camp for kids suffering from diabetes yesterday. Worldwide the prevalence of type 1 diabetes grows three per- cent yearly. The goal of this camp is to create a safe and loving envi- Children engaged in an activity on the first day of the Al Bawasil camp at Aspire Zone yesterday. ronment for children with dia- (SALIM MATRAMKOT) betes, to teach them how to control the disease and avoid its complications. growth of about 70,000 new ages, said Al Ibrahim, “the first They also learned about car- Al Bawasil hosts 60 children cases worldwide. day they cry, but tomorrow they bohydrate sources, in order to from Morocco, Lebanon, Yemen, Noura Al Ibrahim, Camp will be alright.” introduce the food that contains Bahrain, Jamaica, Sudan, Manager, said: “We try every The workshops are in English a large amount of carbs and how Palestine, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, year to teach these brave kids and Arabic this year because the it inflects on blood sugar levels. Uganda, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, how to follow a healthy lifestyle camp will host children from This workshop aims to give Kuwait and Qatar. to live safely with their diabetes Uganda and Jamaica as well. the children guidance to choose Dr Abdulla Al Hamaq (pic- because it is their right to learn. Participants from Europe and meal components. tured), Executive Director of “We started with a goal to US are due to join next year. The last workshop was called QDA, said that currently there achieve, and here we are reach- On their first day, the kids the forgotten island with the are about 400 children that have ing the 13th year, which makes attended many workshops, one goal to break the ice between type 1 diabetes in Qatar, with the challenge even bigger, as the of them to control diabetes the participants and create a ages from six to 12. camp has grown to be marked while exercising. proper environment to make The incidence of the disease on the international map as one The participants were divided friends and encourage team increases 23 percent yearly for of the best camps for children into four teams named after work. Ultimately, attendees every 100,000 children, accord- with diabetes,” she added. local flowers and each group were introduced to the camp’s ing to statistics of International The attendees aged 7 to 11 practised different kinds of rules and regulations which Diabetes Federation, added will be staying at Aspire Zone sports like yoga, aerobics, taek- should be followed until the last Dr Al Hamaq, with an annual for a week. Given their young wondo and others. day. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 06 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Libyan anniversary Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

IME flies. Especially in Arab countries where popular uprisings have upended old systems. Now news is coming out from these countries of anniversary It’s time for Scotland Tcelebrations of the revolution, and it’s now Libya’s turn to celebrate. Thousands took to the streets of various Libyan cities yesterday, including Tripoli and Benghazi, to celebrate two to bring out her dead years since the start of revolution. People were ecstatic, and vowed to protect their revolution. Even families poured out BY KEVIN MCKENNA onto the streets in their thousands. In some places, camels were vulnerable in some areas of the history commissioned right now. Each part slaughtered and displayed on the street for the occasion and of English railways after that, then would be narrated by one of our most elderly men waved flags at passing processions. Youths banged NTIL a few weeks ago, I har- Dan Snow, an Oxford graduate, is your eminent historians, such as Professor drums on top of cars while men in traditional clothing rode on boured serious concerns that man with his Locomotion: Dan Snow’s Tom Devine, Professor Richard Finlay Uthe only historical narrative that History of Railways. Neither of them and Professor Cowan himself. horses. mattered on British television was the though, has even an ounce of the passion Next month sees the eagerly awaited Even as countries liberated through revolution celebrate English one. So gluttonous have Home and knowledge in this area than that publication of After Flodden by their freedom, there is growing concern about the direction Counties commissioning editors become possessed by Fred Dibnah, the belting Rosemary Goring, one of Scotland’s in which they are moving. Libya too is no exception. The for the English historical perspective Bolton steeplejack. leading newspaper columnists and lit- country is yet to fully embrace democracy, there is no central that there are now almost as many his- One of the highlights of last month’s erary critics. BBC Scotland should be torians on television as chefs. entire television output was a delight- making it the basis of a series this year government in Tripoli which can take on powerful militias and My favourite telly historian is Simon ful and erudite one-off gem that went to coincide with the 500th anniversary tribes, a new constitution is yet to be written, militias are yet Schama who is all camp languor as out on BBC4 and was commissioned, of this seismic event in our history to be disarmed and Benghazi, which is the cradle of the revolt he describes some medieval eviscera- created and delivered in Scotland. It and be soliciting Ms Goring’s services that ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi, is still feeling left out tion in the manner of a Cholmondeley ought to have reminded BBC Scotland in scripting and narrating it. Soon the with its own set of grievances. The new government that has vicar offering Victoria sponge to the chiefs at Pacific Quay just how dramatic, anniversary of the beginning of the taken control from Gaddafi is yet choirmistress after evensong. At the vibrant and vivid is our own nation’s Great War will be upon us and with it opposite end of the quality scale is historical narrative. Scotland’s Greatest the opportunity to describe the tales of to find satisfactory solutions to the deeply unpleasant David Starkey. Warrior, the inspirational story of Jamie the lost youth of poor urban and rural these problems and more delays can You can never Graham, the 1st Marquis of Montrose, a Scotland. The government damage the federal structure that is concentrate on man whose life and achievements were Television’s current obsession with in place. the history that genuinely noble, heroic and Scottish, was “History” will pass soon enough. in Tripoli needs Starkey narrates beautifully narrated by Professor Ted Eventually it will be replaced by The government is aware of Scottish history to move fast and the challenges ahead and the because you keep Cowan, director of Glasgow University’s “Gardening” and then “Children”. So is ridiculously trying to picture Dumfries campus. The fact that the let’s all capitalise on it while it’s at resolutely to shortcomings of the current what it would be overwhelming majority of literate Scots the front of the public’s conscious- system. The National Congress neglected on like if it were him have never heard of Montrose the great ness. Already we’ve been transfixed restore order and leader Mohammed Magarief visited television. We being beheaded 17th-century warrior poet is depressing, by the discovery of Richard III’s body democracy. Benghazi yesterday and sought to must find a way and disembow- but not surprising. It is a consequence under a Leicester car park and there tackle simmering discontent in elled rather than of the pernicious neglect of Scottish is good reason to suggest that a pair of of generating the hapless sub- history by generations of educationists Scottish kings – John Balliol and James the city. “We admit that we have jects of his stud- who were acting as wretched Scottish I – may be buried under a post office not fulfilled our duties completely. the fascination it ies. I know Niall Labour party quislings. in Doncaster and a car park in Perth Maybe the excuse is a lack of experience, but we have started deserves. Ferguson isn’t Better to keep our children igno- respectively. Aside from the possibility from scratch and we will learn from the lessons we learned in everyone’s gob- rant about the political, cultural and that the three deid kings may all point the past months,” he said. let of mead but I spiritual development of their country to the biggest and oldest game of hide The government in Tripoli needs to move fast and fulfill the have never failed to be enchanted by than risk driving them into the arms and seek, there are surely other intrigu- his historical series. Not only is he from of the Scottish nationalists. There are ing possibilities. promises to the people. Libya has been relatively calm after the Maryhill but, in his brilliant work, The still some clowns in the Scottish Labour How many more famous old punters revolution, but it’s a deceptive calm. The new government hasn’t Ascent of Money, he describes in one party who continue to oppose the recent are buried beneath the concrete pillars moved with resolve and determination to solve the problems chapter how the statistical theories of introduction of a Scottish history higher of Britain’s municipal infrastructure? which the country is facing. Though the challenges before it are a bibulous Church of Scotland minister on these grounds. The story of Montrose More importantly, how many more formidable, it has to seize the initiative and enforce its decisions. and his drinking pal in 17th-century and his journey from covenanter to roy- could we contrive to have discovered Security measures were tightened ahead of the anniversary Edinburgh created the global life assur- alist to betrayal by his king is a titanic clad in the ragged raiment of a 16th- or ance industry. one. His genius as a military commander 17th-century person of historical sig- celebrations. Libya’s borders with Tunisia and Egypt were Nothing about English life, culture made him known all over Europe and nificance? All that would be required closed and some international flights suspended amid fears and manners, it seems, is considered his battle strategies have provided the is a skeleton and some old clothes that of a new outbreak of violence. Interestingly, all three North too twee and obscure for television. blueprint for generations of army offic- would pass muster at the carbon dating. African countries have toppled autocrats since the start of 2011 Thus, in the continuing national quest ers from West Point to the Baltic. Then we just need to produce a list of and all three have political violence, inexperienced leadership to lend meaning to Michael Portillo’s It’s not as if there is no material for famous historical figures whose bodies life after Enfield in 1997, the BBC asked more BBC Scotland-produced shows have yet to turn up. Henry Hudson, the and weak economies. Revolt and instability in one country can the Cambridge graduate to bring us about our nation’s history. In the run- intrepid, and bearded, British explorer affect others, in the same way good governance and return to something on Great British Railway up to the independence referendum, springs to mind. democracy in one can influence others. Journeys. And if you still feel you are there ought to be an entire series being THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Not the time for Obama to reach out to Putin the day

RESIDENT Obama is preparing his return to the presidency last year. States of orchestrating anti-government ahead of his upcoming trial on charges to reach out once again to Obama’s first nuclear-arms agreement demonstrations. of organizing an anti-Putin rally in May. Russian ruler Vladimir Putin with Putin, in 2010, came about in the The regime, meanwhile, has stead- Some Russian analysts believe that the Pin the hope of striking a new context of a warming of US-Russian rela- ily escalated a campaign against the regime is well on its way to crushing the I will issue an agreement to reduce nuclear arms. The tions. The new proposal will hit Moscow leaders of the peaceful, pro-democracy opposition movement, which attracted decree stating that president mentioned the initiative in his in the middle of a Putin-directed cam- demonstrations that erupted in Russia the support of much of the urban mid- State of the Union address; according paign against both his domestic political in late 2011. For Russians, the cyni- dle class. Others regard the repression under no conditions to a senior Russian legislator, national opposition and the United States, which cal tactics are bone-wearyingly famil- as the death spasms of an exhausted security adviser Thomas Donilon will in his mind are linked. In recent months iar: Transparently trumped-up criminal autocracy. “There are classical criteria can Afghan forces soon travel to Moscow with a letter Putin has expelled the U.S. Agency for cases are being brought against the of a dying regime and its key signs are outlining Obama’s ideas. The reduction International Development, placed new activists, with the promise of lengthy evident in Russia,” Lilia Shevtsova of the request foreign air of nuclear stockpiles is a top priority of restrictions on local nonprofit organiza- prison terms. Alexei Navalny, the founder Carnegie Endowment’s Moscow office strikes on Afghan this president and a worthy one. But tions receiving foreign funds, bumped of an anti-corruption organization, has wrote recently, citing “the Kremlin’s ina- what’s striking about Obama’s strategy is U.S.-funded Radio Liberty from domes- himself been charged with corrup- bility either to preserve the status quo or homes or Afghan its seeming detachment from the reality tic airwaves and overseen a propaganda tion. Last week leftist firebrand Sergei begin changes.” villages during of how Putin has governed Russia since campaign that accuses the United Udaltsov was placed under house arrest THE WASHINGTON POST Hamid Karzai operations. Afghan President MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Remote-control heroes should be honoured BY PETER W SINGER the shark when drone operators Like all important matters, this are appropriate; indeed, they are get higher medals than dudes on evolution is best illustrated with overdue. T IS an odd medal indeed ground,” tweeted defence blogger Mel Gibson movies. In the days But another, more important that “may not be awarded Jason Fritz). of swordplay, individual ferocity kind of recognition is also neces- for valour in combat under Yet, a medal of this kind was often carried the day in battle and sary. It is not just our old concepts any circumstances”. But bound to come about eventually. so was the most admired skill of of medals that must shift but also that definition is precisely New technologies have changed a warrior (think Mel Gibson in our traditional notions of war. what drives the need for the operations and makeup of Braveheart). With the invention While President Barack Obama Iand the controversy surrounding the military; a growing segment of gunpowder, the ultimate value has declared that “a decade of war the military’s new Distinguished of our warriors are fighting instead became steadfastness. is now ending”, the reality is that Warfare Medal. from afar. Over the past decade, Courage was redefined as stand- these new technologies enable Announced by Leon Panetta we’ve gone from a mere handful ing in a line, with passive dis- a different kind of warfare to this past week in one of his final of unmanned systems to more dain for the bullets flying (think proceed, the “shadow wars” and acts as defence secretary, the than 20,000 in the air and on Mel Gibson in The Patriot). But not-so-covert operations that medal recognises achievements the ground. The Air Force now when the machine gun arrived in range from Pakistan to Yemen. in post-September 11 military trains more unmanned-systems war, this old definition of cour- In turn, Congress has yet to catch operations, accomplishments “so operators than it does manned age became not just tragic (think up with these new wars, substi- exceptional and outstanding as fighter and bomber plane pilots Mel Gibson in Gallipoli) but sheer tuting questions at confirmation to clearly set the individual apart combined. And military spend- insanity (think Mel Gibson in hearings for tough votes on these from comrades or from other per- ing on cyber-operations meas- Mad Max). campaigns. sons in similar situations”. ures in the billions of dollars, New technologies are moving The Distinguished Warfare But what makes the medal so with Cyber Command set to the point of action, and danger, Medal perfectly encapsulates how noteworthy is that there is no geo- quintuple in size. for today’s forces, geographi- war, though changing, in many graphic limit on where the action In the past, personnel in these cally and chronologically. If you ways remains the same. Just as it took place. It was created to catch growing fields weren’t eligible for are fighting from a computer far was 5,000 years ago, war today is a up to the military’s growing use traditional forms of recognition, from the front line, there is no story both tragic and glorious, an of unmanned systems (drones) such as medals, reflecting some- real threat other than carpal tun- arena where terrible things take and cyber-warfare tools, and can thing of an identity crisis in the nel syndrome. place but individuals distinguish therefore be awarded “regardless armed forces. These new fields And there is not merely themselves through extraordi- of the domain used or the mem- are seen as the future of war, but greater distance from personal nary acts. ber’s physical location”. their career prospects remain risk — as we saw with previous New technology is rewriting Before this medal, a Predator dicey in the present. Over the past technologies, from the bow and major parts of that story, however pilot carrying out an important five years, the likelihood of an Air arrow to the manned bomber fly- — the who, the how, the where mission, such as the 2006 opera- Force major in the unmanned- ing above a city — but a revolu- and even the why of those terrible tion that found the leader of Al systems community receiving a tionary disconnection from risk. things and extraordinary acts. We Qaeda in Iraq, or a cyber-warrior promotion has declined by 13 per- Moreover, the “exceptional and can decry it, we can mock it, or taking down a key enemy net- centage points compared with his outstanding” achievement the we can simply recognise that this work, couldn’t receive such a high military peers, whether they are new medal is to recognise may is the reality of our strange new recognition. meteorologists or fighter pilots. be accomplished days, months or world of robotic planes, compu- The notion of granting medals At higher levels, the pool is so Outgoing US defence secretary Leon Panetta during his final press even years before the missile is terised weapons and medals that to those who don’t physically go small as to be statistically insig- conference in the Pentagon in Washington, recently. fired or the computer virus kicks aren’t for valour in combat. into harm’s way has elicited indig- nificant; only 43 of approximately into action. (Singer is the Director of the nation (“awarding war medals 4,500 Air Force colonels have instance, one nobleman in the distance with their wretched Regardless of the timing and 21st Century Defence Initiative at to those who operate America’s experience in unmanned systems. 1500s complained of “so many bullets”. Or as a French general location, however, those who fight the Brookings Institution and the death-delivering video games,” New weapons of war have also brave and valiant men” shot by commented after the Battle of from afar still make tough and author of Wired for War: The was the headline on a column by continually reshaped our idea of “cowards and shirkers who would Verdun in 1916: “Three men and consequential decisions that both Robotics Revolution and Conflict Salon’s Glenn Greenwald) as well the skills a soldier should have. not dare to look in the face the a machine gun can stop a battal- save and cost lives. That is why in the 21st Century.) as mockery (“Medals have jumped When guns came along, for men they bring down from a ion of heroes.” such new forms of recognition WP-BLOOMBERG The lonely soldier and the moral scars of war Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan for their actions in the aftermath, when reflec- tion is afforded. An obvious source for justifi- find little ethical defence in the cation — as well as inspiring many to join the military — is the notion of acting on the “right ‘just war’. Each of us struggles side”, being part of a broader effort to do some good. But try sustaining that narrative after to make peace with our actions. tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. I couldn’t. BY JAMES JEFFREY Might there be some solace of justification by considering damage limitation: How deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are fewer than others N TRYING to understand the ongoing wars such as Vietnam? But reducing justifica- suicide epidemic among soldiers and vet- tion to a numbers game, which happens in most erans a third factor in addition to physi- of the media with embarrassing frequency, is cal injuries and post-traumatic stress sheer moral circumvention. Aristotle argued disorder (PTSD) is now being discussed: moral virtue was a mid-point between two TheI moral injuries they bring back. undesirable extremes, but I think he missed The US Department of Veterans Affairs the fact of there being some absolute truths. recently coined the terminology and is spot- “The killing of children, Jerry children, or Jap on in its choice. During my officer training at children, or whatever enemies the future may Sandhurst in the UK, I was taught that fighting hold for us, can never be justified,” wrote Kurt power — the ability to operate in war — could Vonnegut, after he experienced the Dresden bomb- be broken down to three mutually dependent ing. Quantitative judgements don’t apply. That’s the A boy holds balloons with a Libyan flag in Benghazi. components: Physical (the means to operate), dark truth: One life lost is enough. Be it one child, conceptual (the ideas behind how to operate), or one man stood by the corner of a building in Al and moral (the ability to get people to operate). Amarah pointing an RPG at my tank. The rules Soldiers leave theatres of war affected to dif- of engagement supported my ordering the gunner Islamist militia is back in Benghazi ferent degrees in those three areas, each of to engage him with our 7.62mm coax. But you’ve which influences their ability to operate once got to wonder. He stood there in the open while I BY ABIGAIL HAUSLOHNER revolutionary fighters, many of whom is make promises,” Khamis said. home. The physical and conceptual are all too sat encased in 72 tonnes of armour. I forfeited the now operate as militias loosely allied Last week, the hospital finally apparent: The soldier who had his testicles moral authority on that one a while back. FTER the attack on the with the government and determined reopened its doors — but only after blown off or who wakes up screaming at night. Regardless of numbers killed before, soldiers US diplomatic mission to play a security role in the new a security force made up of Ansar Moral scars, though less noticeable, have a way can feel morally bankrupt facing up to the tally last fall that left the US Libya. Thousands of Benghazi resi- Al Sharia alumni and neighbour- of cutting deep, also. And they are not negated they carry. Each death shames us, eroding our Aambassador and three dents protested against the militias hood fighters took up position out- as easily as many suppose. claim to a shared humanity — which isn’t a other Americans dead, the Islamist and the prevailing lawlessness in the side. Ansar Al Sharia’s black flag Convenient arguments justifying killing legit- concept that evaporates by joining the military. militia widely accused of leading the aftermath of the September 11 attack flies above the main entrance. Two imate enemies in the line of duty don’t hold up Soldiers and veterans are keenly aware of assault all but disappeared amid a on the US mission, and some locals of its tan gun trucks — their iden- well for Iraq and Afghanistan. This was illus- the ethical damage of war and which they’ve popular backlash. assisted by government-allied mili- tifying stickers replaced with a new trated shortly after my arrival in Helmand instigated, each in their own way. Everyone But Ansar Al Sharia is edging back tias eventually overran bases belong- title, “The Selmani Youth Forum” — province, when a soldier told me about his reacts differently, but guilt and shame are hard into society, and many of Benghazi’s ing to Ansar Al Sharia, Rafallah Al stand outside. For the past four days, patrol getting ambushed. to avoid. Sharing such feelings is immensely residents now say they want it here. Sahati and two other groups. there have been no violent incursions, During the ensuing firefight with the Taliban, hard, as many fear being condemned and con- The militia tentatively resumed its But the country’s police force, much Khamis said. he spotted a girl — he reckoned a four-year-old sequently feel exiled in society. role as guardian of Benghazi’s two of it still stocked with men who served “We would prefer it if the Interior — on the roof of an Afghan compound, holding a Veterans assume an extra burden by trying main hospitals last week. Its fight- under the ousted regime, remains Ministry was protecting life here,” he mobile phone to her ear. He assessed she was a to assimilate back into civilian life, which poses ers have staked out positions at the weak and has continued to face oppo- said. “But the only solution is to go Taliban mortar fire controller, directing intense a particular moral challenge. Having recognised western entrance to the city. They sition from the militias. After Ansar with Ansar Al Sharia because they’re enemy fire onto his patrol’s position; they were oneself to have been a voluntary party to vio- have also moved back onto their base, Al Sharia left its post as the self- the only realistic option right now.” pinned down as a result. He radioed a jet and lence and cruelty, one learns how desperately and residents say the group has been appointed guardian of Jelaa Hospital in It’s a cynical arrangement, many directed it to drop a bomb on the girl and the important it is to try to be good. But one is participating in community cleanup Benghazi, security rapidly deteriorated here say. But as Benghazi commemo- building. “I did what I had to do,” he told me. confronted by a civilian population full of petty and charity work. there, health officials said. rates the two-year anniversary of its Not such an easy one for armchair moralists to selfishness, nastiness and ignorance, while pat- Its resurgence — and that of Feuds between families carried revolution this weekend amid height- call. Countless soldiers return with such experi- ting you on the back for your service. Rafallah Al Sahati, another Islamist from the streets into the emergency ened fears of violence, some residents ences on their consciences. “I’m no longer the ‘good’ At the same time, you remember how, in a militia — underscores the city’s reck- room, as angry relatives followed suggested that the government in person I once thought I was,” wrote Timothy Kudo, war zone where it was all going wrong and was oning with a harsh reality, residents gurneys taking victims of the fight- Tripoli may have called on the mili- an ex-US marine corps captain, of life after an based on lies, you had the most tangible relation- said. No one else is capable of secur- ing into the hospital. Patients sold tias to maintain order. Afghanistan tour and ordering the deaths of others. ships you’ve ever had: People watched out for ing volatile Benghazi. “Desperate times drugs in the hallways and stole hos- “The people attacked Ansar Al He nails a dilemma most veterans face: The only you, didn’t look through you every day. You’re call for desperate measures,” said Jalal pital equipment. Doctors were some- Sharia a few months ago because people who can forgive us are dead. left just a tad frustrated and confused, as well Al Gallal, a political activist in the city times threatened at gunpoint, said they were angry. But now they’re That thought haunts the coming to terms as feeling trapped. The more time goes by since and a former member of Libya’s tran- Mohamed Khamis, an emergency asking them to come back because with what we were part of and who we thought leaving the army, the more doubts occur about sitional government. Ansar Al Sharia room surgeon. Last month, a militia there is no police and no real mili- we were. Futile attempts to reconcile our whether I ever did the right thing. I’ve realised has some “hard-liners,” he said, “but member walked into the emergency tary,” said Essam Al Zubeir, a gov- actions in wars which proved to have little if I’ll probably never achieve any answers — per- they do actually carry out a lot of good room and shot his rival dead on the ernment spokesman in Tripoli. “All nothing to do with defending our homeland or haps for the best — and should get used to living work, whether we like it or not.” operating table, he said. of this needs time. Until the country that of others fuel further doubts about what- with the unanswered. Sadly, that’s much easier The eight-month war that toppled “After that, we closed for two is able to rebuild the police and mili- ever threads of moral authority we thought we said than done. As the repercussions of Iraq and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in weeks. We called for help. We reached tary, the people prefer to be protected once possessed or knew how to act on. Afghanistan play out, many soldiers and veterans 2011 left the country awash with out to the Interior Ministry and the by their own people.” Moral authority counts, as they taught us at will continue making the loneliest of decisions. weapons and brigades of former Health Ministry, but all they’ve done WP-BLOOMBERG Sandhurst. Soldiers naturally seek justification GUARDIAN NEWS MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 MIDDLE EAST MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

Kahramaa Bidding for rail launches Hezbollah men, Syria rebels killed in fighting energy contest Clash near Lebanon border claims two Hezbollah guerrillas, five Syrian opposition fighters project to for buildings AMMAN/BEIRUT: At least attack,” Abdallah told Reuters by DOHA: The Qatar two Hezbollah guerrillas and phone. Israeli troops treat General Electricity five Syrian rebels have been The villages of Burhanieh, Abu injured Syrians and Water Corporation killed in fighting in Syria on the Houri and Safarja defended by the begin soon JERUSALEM: (Kahramaa) has launched border with Lebanon, Lebanese rebels lie on smuggling routes. Israeli sol- an innovative competi- residents and Syrian opposition Many locals have Syrian and diers treated five Syrians who tion for commercial and sources said yesterday. Lebanese nationality and prop- had been wounded in fight- Work on tunnels to start by year-end residential buildings in The clash between Lebanese erty on both sides of the border. ing between Syrian govern- the country to test their Shia Hezbollah and Sunni Muslim Hezbollah guerrillas, based in ment forces and rebels near BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB to create high demand for con- energy efficiency. rebels, in a religiously-mixed the Bekaa Valley on the other Israel’s security fence on the struction-related materials such The contest is part of an area southwest of the city of side of the undemarcated border, Golan Heights, the Israeli DOHA: Bidding process for the as steel, cement and others. Qatar ongoing campaign to raise Homs, shows a growing role for moved into the area last year. military said on Saturday. ambitious Qatar Rail project Rail alone will need about eight awareness about rational- Hezbollah in Syria’s war, which Around 70,000 people have The victims were taken to will begin soon. Excavation billion tonnes of steel to complete ising the use of water and is deepening the Middle East’s been killed in Syria’s 23-month- a hospital in Israel. The mili- work of tunnels for the under- the project. electricity. sectarian divide. old conflict, which grew into an tary did not say if they were ground rail lines is expected to “Qatar Rail will need an All buildings — residen- Iranian-backed Hezbollah, one armed revolt after street protests combatants or civilians, or start by the end of 2013, a sen- amount of steel equivalent to a tial and commercial — that of Lebanon’s strongest factions, is against four decades of autocratic in what circumstances they ior official of Qatar Rail said quantity from which about 200 meet certain standards a major ally of Syrian President rule by Assad and his late father crossed over to the Israeli side yesterday. Eiffel towers can be built. And and specifications set by Bashar Al Assad, whose minor- were met by live ammunition. of the fence, although Israeli “Construction work for Qatar the amount of excavation mate- Kahramaa can take part ity Alawite sect is an offshoot of The war has worsened sec- media said the wounded had Rail project will begin by the rial generated from the tunnels in the competition. Online Shia Islam. tarian tensions throughout the approached the area near the end of 2013 and during the peak will be capable of building seven registration is open until Fighting began on Saturday region, with hardline Sunni fence and soldiers let them in. construction period, over 20,000 pyramids of Egypt,” added Al February 28. as Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, Islamists dominating armed oppo- REUTERS workers are expected to work Kowsi. The participating build- in control of eight Syrian border sition and Iran indicating it will daily until 2016,” Ahmed Nassar Qatar has plans to built four ings will be evaluated by villages, tried to move into three not allow Assad to fall. The revolt against Assad has Al Kowsi, Logistic Director of rail lines namely Red-South, Red- a team of experts based adjacent villages held by Syrian Tehran has said one of its prompted movement of arms in Qatar Rail, told The Peninsula on North, Green and the Gold spread Ahmed Nassar Al Kowsi (left), Logistics Director, Qatar Rail, with Edmund O’ Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events, openingon a set of standards that Free Army rebels, said Hadi Al Revolutionary Guard command- the opposite direction. The bor- the sidelines of Qatar Projects across the country. A major part discussions on Qatar Projects 2013 at Grand Hyatt Hotel, yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP ) include efficiency of design, Abdallah of the Syrian Revolution ers was killed in Syria by Syrian der area near the town of Qusair, 2013, organised by Meed Events. of these lines will run under- mechanical, electrical and General Commission. rebels on Thursday. held by the mainly Sunni rebels, According to Al Kowsi, Qatar, ground. Contracts for the exca- that,” he said. this huge magnitude will be taken contractors. The FIFA organising pumping systems, heaters, Syrian helicopters fired rock- In a sign of sectarian brutality has become an important supply over the period of next 10 years, is vation of tunnels are expected Asked to comment if there could for future use. committee is considering bringing fans, lighting and air condi- ets at rebel positions to support by Assad’s foes, a video obtained route for insurgents under siege expected to announce about 500 to be awarded to four companies be any possible use of such a huge Some of the areas are wetlands cruise ships to accommodate visit- tioning and internal water the advancing Hezbollah unit, by the Syrian Observatory for in the central city of Homs. projects related to infrastructure very soon. excavated material, he said: “We located beyond Al Rayan area, ing guests and spectators.” network. which included pro-Assad mili- Human Rights showed members Sham News Network (SNN), development, including railways, “We are expecting about 17 are sure about the 100 percent uti- while the remaining areas are Asked if Qatar was running out The winning buildings tia recruited from the villages it of the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra an opposition monitoring group, Free Syrian Army activists inspect a damaged mosque at the Sheikh Yassine district area in the eastern city of roads, electricity (construction million cubic metres of excavated lisation of the excavated material located in the south of Airport of time to implement FIFA-related will be awarded prizes at a controls, residents said. Font and other fighters standing reported battles yesterday in the Deir Al Zor. and upgrade of power grids), sta- material to be generated from from tunnels. Some of the materi- and in the north of Mesaimeer projects, he said: “I don’t know function to be held on the “The Hezbollah force moved on around bodies of five men killed Damascus districts of Qaboun and diums, hotels and others. the metro project which requires als will be used for backfilling of area. about other projects, but as far as occasion of the World Earth foot and was supported by mul- at a gas field in the eastern prov- their heads smashed. A voice on the pigs, the rejectionist ... God line to Hezbollah since it was Qadam. The Local Coordination The majority of these projects special handling in terms of stations and some will be used for Asked if he saw any shortage of rail projects are concerned, we are Day which falls on April tiple rocket launchers. The Free ince of Hasakah taken by rebels the video describes the dead as is greater,” the voice says as the founded in the 1980s. Support Committees, another activists’ would be coming from Qatar Rail, removing it from the construc- landfills.” accommodation for the huge influx exactly on schedule.” 22, a Kahramaa official has Syrian Army had to call in two this week. rejectionists, a derogatory term camera zooms in on the bloodied by Assad and his father was group, said 27 people were killed Kahramaa, Ashghal and Qatar tion sites to the locations for Logistic production areas des- of construction workers, he added: THE PENINSULA said. tanks that had been captured Three of the dead men, one of for Alawites. bodies. crucial for its survival of Israeli in Damascus and its environs yes- 2022 Supreme Committee. final disposal. And Qatar Rail ignated for Qatar Rail will be the “Arranging accommodation is in THE PENINSULA from the Assad army to repel the them in military trousers, had “These are the scum of society Syria has been the main supply onslaughts in 1996 and 2006. terday. REUTERS These projects are expected has found very good solution for main areas where the materials of the hands of design and building Bahrain arrests 8 Fireworks, cheers on second over terror links anniversary of Libya revolt BENGHAZI, LIBYA: Libya revolutionaries” who helped bring DUBAI: Bahrain has arrested eight nationals in a mili- yesterday celebrated two years down Gaddafi. in towns“The joyand that villages motivated on February people tant cell with links to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, the interior since the start of the revolt He insisted that Libya would 15 and 16 has allowed Libyans to minister of the US-allied state said in remarks published which toppled longtime dictator not be allowed to become a “base prove to the world that they are yesterday. Muammar Gaddafi, with secu- for terrorism” and vowed to end a civilised people who revolted The official Bahrain News Agency reported the minister, rity forces on high alert due to the marginalisation of the east. against injustice and tyranny to Shaikh Rashed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, as saying the eight fears of fresh violence. Already on Friday, large crowds gain freedom,” Zeidan said. had received training in weapons and explosives and also The anniversary of the upris- gathered in the main cities of Opposition groups are demand- obtained funding from outside Bahrain. ing that ended with Gaddafi’s Tripoli and Benghazi to celebrate ing that former Gaddafi regime News of the arrests came after two people were killed killing in October 2011 comes as the initial February 15, 2011 pro- officials be barred from holding on Thursday on the second anniversary of an uprising to Libya’s new rulers battle critics test that ignited the revolt two public office, and a leaflet circu- demand democratic reforms and the unrest, the most violent calling for a “new revolution” and days later. lated in Tripoli calls for a “popu- in recent months, continued into Saturday. The govern- accusing them of failing to usher The authorities took steps to lar revolt” and civil disobedience ment has accused opposition groups of being linked to Shia in much-needed reforms. prevent violence yesterday. to bring down the current regime. power Iran. Fireworks lit up the night Libya’s borders with Egypt and It was unclear who was behind “Recent media reports have revealed the discovery of a sky in cities across the North Tunisia were closed on Thursday the leaflet and the calls to pro- Bahraini terrorist cell with links to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon,” African country as warplanes and for four days and all international test, but Libyan officials and the agency quoted Sheikh Rashed as saying in a statement. army helicopters criss-crossed flights suspended except at the several organisations, including “The Ministry of Interior confirms these reports and also the capital. airports of Tripoli and Benghazi, Islamic groups, accuse remnants confirms the arrest of eight Bahrainis on terror-related Several thousand people con- while checkpoints were set up of the former regime of foment- charges.” verged on squares in Tripoli and around the two cities. ing protests to “sow disorder and He did not elaborate on the media reports, adding further the eastern city of Benghazi, “We emphasise to our partners instability.” details would be released upon completion of investigations. waving Libyan flags and play- our determination that Libya does A number of opposition groups The minister made no direct link between the arrests and ing patriotic songs in a carnival not become a base for or source and civil society organisations, political unrest. But in another part of the statement he criti- atmosphere, as long convoys of of terrorism,” said Megaryef, including those calling for fed- cised an escalation in street violence in the past week which cars blared music out onto streets. who is president of the national eralism in eastern Libya, have he said had seen the use of a widening array of weapons by “Where is Gadaafi? Where are assembly. temporarily suspended their anti-government protesters including live ammunition. the slaves? Let them see all these Tahrir Square in Benghazi, calls to protest, initially planned The violence has clouded the atmosphere around talks people and die of frustration!” where Megaryef was speaking, for Friday, for fear of stoking begun on February 10 between the mostly Shia opposition shouted a young man. was set to be the focus of the cel- violence. and the Sunni-dominated government to find a way out of Speaking to hundreds of ebration, with members of the “We understand the discon- the impasse over Shia demands for more democracy. people in Benghazi, where the government attending. tent of the population in cer- The kingdom, base for the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has been uprising began, de facto head Prime Minister Ali Zeidan tain regions, in particularly in political turmoil since the protests erupted in 2011, led of state Mohammed Megaryef hailed what he called the Libyan Benghazi,” which suffered from by majority Shias. Thirty-five people died during the unrest paid homage to the “martyrs of people’s rejection of “injustice and neglect under the Gaddafi regime, and two months of martial law that followed, the govern- the revolution” and the “true tyranny.” Megaryef said. AFP ment said, although the opposition puts that number at more than 80. REUTERS

Mursi’s son withdraws from job after uproar

CAIRO: One of Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi’s sons withdrew from taking up a job with a firm affiliated to the Civil Aviation Ministry yesterday amid media accusations of nepotism. The decision by Omar Mursi to forgo a human resources post at the Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation showed the role of independent media in hold- ing leaders to account in the new Egypt, following the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Mubarak was widely believed to have been grooming his own son, Gamal, a businessman, to succeed him. Gamal and his brother Alaa are in jail awaiting trial on charges of corruption and illegal land dealings. Sources at the ministry said the monthly salary for Omar Mursi’s position would not have exceeded 900 Egyptian pounds ($130) but activists said it was unfair for the president’s son, who graduated last year, to be given a government post when millions of citizens have been jobless for years. Activists threatened yesterday to protest outside the Civil Aviation Ministry if the president’s son took up his post. On his Facebook page, Omar Mursi wrote: “I took a test for the position knowing I would be attacked and rumours and lies would be spread about me ... Yet I chose not to complete the paperwork to take up this position. “The question remains ‘How can I find a job in my dear country Egypt?’ he said. REUTERS MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Car bombs kill Women power 28 in Shia areas of Baghdad Blasts rip through commercial areas

BAGHDAD: Eight car bombs Violence in Iraq is increasing exploded in Shia Muslim neigh- just as political tensions are rising bourhoods across Iraq’s capital against Shia Prime Minister Nouri Baghdad yesterday morning, kill- Al Maliki’s power-sharing gov- ing at least 28 people in blasts that ernment made up of Shia, Sunni tore into shops, restaurants and and ethnic Kurds who split posts busy commercial streets. among them. No-one claimed responsibility for Thousands of Sunni Muslim pro- the attacks, but Sunni Muslim insur- testers have rallied daily since late gents have stepped up their activity December in western provinces since the beginning of the year in a against what they see as the mar- bid to undermine the Shia-led gov- ginalisation of their minority sect, ernment and trigger deeper inter- and calling for Maliki to step down. communal fighting. Many Iraq Sunnis feel they have One blast tore off shop fronts in been sidelined and unfairly targeted Qaiyara district while another left by security forces since the fall of the remains of a car and its twisted Saddam Hussein and the rise of the engine littered across a high street country’s Shia majority through the in the busy, commercial Karrada ballot box after the US-led invasion. district packed with restaurants The country’s fragile power-shar- and shops. ing government has been paralysed “I was buying an air conditioner by political infighting since the last Women members of the United Arab Emirates’ armed forces participate in a military show during the launch of the International Defence and suddenly there was an explo- American troops, who invaded the Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, yesterday. sion. I threw myself on the ground. Opec country to oust Saddam in Minutes later I saw many people 2003, withdrew more than a year ago. around, some of them dead, oth- Maliki has offered concessions to ers wounded,” said salesman Jumaa Sunni protesters, but the Shia pre- Kareem, his jacket spattered with mier has warned against allowing blood in Habibiya district, which was insurgents and hardline Islamists to Alcohol sale ban in some Egypt areas also hit. hijack the demonstrations. Yesterday’s blasts followed the Violence in Iraq is still far from the CAIRO: Two years after residents in new suburbs com- the start of an assault on their some have voiced different assassination of a senior Iraqi army sectarian bloodletting that killed tens the Egyptian revolution that plained that the sale of alcohol personal freedoms and choices.” views. These include Saad intelligence officer on Saturday, the of thousands in 2006-2007, though ousted an authoritarian leads to problems including Islamist President El-Din Helaly, a professor of latest in a wave of suicide bombings insurgents have carried out at least regime, liberals are increas- attacking women and randomly Mohammed Mursi’s govern- jurisprudence at Al-Azhar since January that indicate insur- one big attack a month since the last ingly concerned that the rul- ringing doorbells of people’s ment increased taxes on alco- University and a member of gent determination to stoke sectar- US troops left. ing Islamists are out to curb homes.” holic beverages in December but the Supreme Council of Islamic ian tensions. REUTERS personal freedoms and build a Egyptians opposed to the backed down after the move was Affairs, who was among the society in their own image. country’s Islamist leaders con- criticised. contenders this month for the Alcohol, prohibited by most demned the move as an infringe- Earlier this month, an post of Grand Mufti, which car- Islamic scholars, is one area ment on personal freedoms. Egyptian court ordered the ries wide influence over legisla- where the new authorities Dina Fahmy, a 30-year-old suspension of online video tion and social affairs. are introducing controversial interior designer, said she did service YouTube for a month On a popular television show change. not believe that safety was the for broadcasting a film insult- last year, Helaly argued that Nabil Abbas, the vice reason behind the government’s ing the Prophet Mohammad only grape-based alcoholic bev- president of the New Urban decision. (PBUH). erages are forbidden as well Communities Authorities “First this Islamist govern- A satirical poster circulated as inebriation, but not drink- (NUCA), told Reuters yester- ment will ban alcohol in the new online yesterday in response ing other kinds of alcohol in day that the government would urban communities, then slowly to the alcohol curb. It listed moderation. no longer issue licences for the they will try to start banning it some of Egypt’s main prob- Karim Mohsen, managing sale of alcohol in new residen- elsewhere and then God knows lems including road accidents, director of tourism firm Sylvia tial settlements on the outskirts what’s next,” Fahmy said. police brutality and poverty Tours and board member of of Cairo, Alexandria and other “I don’t believe this move is then showed a cartoon of Mursi the Egyptian Travel Agents big cities. driven by safety reasons but dressed as Superman and saying Association, said any moves to “NUCA has stopped renew- rather by the leaders’ attempt “Must save Egypt from alcohol ban alcohol in hotels and restau- ing licences to sell alcohol but to impose their Islamist vision. and YouTube”. rants could hurt Egypt’s ailing the current ones will con- “This move is going to nega- Though most mainstream tourism industry, hard hit by The site of a car bomb attack in Baghdad’s impoverished district of Sadr City, tinue until they expire,” Abbas tively affect tourism and annoy Islamic scholars agree that political turmoil. yesterday. said. “Representatives of the many Egyptians as it signals Islam forbids alcohol outright, REUTERS

Yemen jails three Lieberman pleads not guilty Albanians for as corruption trial begins smuggling arms JERUSALEM: The trial of him with confidential informa- foreign minister. ADEN: A Yemeni court Israel’s former foreign min- tion about a police investigation According to the indictment, yesterday sentenced three ister Avigdor Lieberman on into his affairs, in an incident Lieberman was allegedly tipped Albanians arrested in the east- charges of fraud and breach of dating back to 2008 when he off by Ben Aryeh that police ern Hadramawt province to six trust opened at a Jerusalem was between cabinet portfolios had contacted their counter- years in prison for smuggling court yesterday in a case and serving only as an MP. parts in Belarus for help with arms and explosives into the which will decide the former The case against Lieberman an inquiry into his affairs. country, a judicial source said. nightclub bouncer’s political is being heard by three judges, He is then suspected of seek- The three were arrested in future. which commentators said was ing to reward Ben Aryeh with December as they smuggled 179.5 Wearing a dark-blue suit likely to make the prospect of a posting to Latvia. tonnes of ammunition in a ship and white shirt, Lieberman a possible subsequent appeal An outspoken hardliner and were found guilty of traf- was silent as he entered the harder for his lawyers than if a who has been investigated by ficking military equipment into courtroom and did not speak single judge was on the bench. police several times since 1996, Yemen, the source said. to waiting reporters, an AFP In mid-December, Attorney Lieberman denies the charges, The judge “read the verdict in correspondent at Jerusalem General Yehuda Weinstein said saying he is eager to vindicate which the defendants were sen- Magistrate’s Court said. he was charging Lieberman himself in court. tenced to six years and the ship In a brief opening procedure, with two offences over alleged Among the witnesses due and explosives confiscated,” the the charges against Lieberman attempts to help the career of to appear is Deputy Foreign source added, saying their case were read out, with the former envoy to Belarus, Zeev Minister Danny Ayalon, who was heard by a court specialised former minister pleading not Ben Aryeh. heads the ministry’s appoint- in terrorism cases. guilty. The hearing was then Lieberman immediately ments committee. Lieberman The defendants, whose trial adjourned until April 25. resigned his cabinet post but allegedly failed to tell him that began in January, said they will Lieberman is accused of hav- retains his status as an MP, Ben Aryeh had informed him appeal the verdict, and insisted ing intervened to try and secure expressing confidence that he about the police probe. that they had stopped in the port an ambassadorial posting for an will be cleared of all charges Ben Aryeh is also expected to city of Mukalla to refuel the ship, Israeli diplomat who provided and will return to his job as take the stand. AFP the source said. AFP

Shootings in Saudi Arabia injure woman, kid

RIYADH: Unknown gun- “The prison in Qatif came her two-year-old child “were The unrest first erupted after men opened fire at a prison under fire from an unknown wounded by random gunfire in violence between Shia pilgrims and police targets in Saudi source,” said Rukaiti, referring Awamiya.” and religious police in the holy Arabia’s Shia-populated to the prison in the Shia town Since early 2011, mainly Shia city of Medina in February 2011. Eastern Province, wound- of Awamiya in the Qatif district. towns in Eastern Province have The protests escalated when ing a woman and her child, Rukaiti said the shots directed seen sporadic protests and con- Saudi Arabia led a force of police and rights activists said at the prison were “followed by frontations between police and Gulf troops into neighbour- yesterday. shooting at a police checkpoint” Shia residents who complain of ing Bahrain the following The gunmen carried out in Awamiya, and another shoot- marginalisation. month to help crush Shia-led three separate shootings in two ing targeting a police patrol in a There are an estimated two pro-democracy demonstra- Shia towns on Saturday, pro- separate Shia town. million Shias in the Sunni- tions in the tiny Sunni-ruled vincial police spokesman Ziad Rights activists confirmed dominated kingdom of around kingdom. Al Rukaiti said. that an 18-year-old woman and 27.5 million people. AFP MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Immigrants can Kosovo marks independence anniversary ‘get residency’ in Obama plan White House defends reform bid

WASHINGTON: The White Obama has warned that he will House defended its behind-the- present his own immigration bill scenes work on immigration if Congress cannot soon come reform yesterday after a plan to an agreement, and the draft leaked to the US media was plan appeared to be the adminis- panned by a key Republican tration’s answer if the senators’ as “half-baked and seriously efforts fall short. flawed”. The USA Today report said USA Today said the plan being that under the administration’s drafted by administration and draft the estimated 11 million which is already circulating illegal immigrants in the United among various government agen- States could apply for a “Lawful cies would allow illegal immi- Prospective Immigrant” visa. Visa grants to become legal permanent applicants would need to pass a US residents within eight years. criminal background check, file Republicans immediately biometric information and pay fees. attacked the plan and sharply criti- But once approved, they would cised the White House for devel- be allowed to reside in the United oping it without consulting them. States legally, to work and to leave Senator Marco Rubio, who is lead- the country for short visits without Kosovo Albanians hold up Kosovan, Albanian and American flags to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independ- ing Republican efforts on immigra- losing their status. A new identifi- ence from Serbia in Pristina, yesterday. An ethnic Albanian-majority province of Serbia, Kosovo proclaimed independence on February 17, 2008, in tion legislation after his party’s cation card would prove their legal a Western-backed move seen as the final chapter in the breakup of Yugoslavia. poor performance with Latino residence in the country. voters in November elections, said And, within eight years, the the president’s plan would be “dead immigrants could apply for a green on arrival” in Congress. card to obtain legal permanent “This legislation is half-baked residence if they learn English Horse-wary and seriously flawed,” he said, and “the history and government Russia halts search for meteorite adding, “It would actually make of the United States.” They would our immigration problems worse.” also have to pay back taxes. CHELYABINSK: Russian divers spent Saturday scour- the Chelyabinsk hospital said, Britons stop In his State of the Union address With green card in hand, the authorities halted their search ing lake Chebarkul, about 60km while a special centre was opened on Tuesday, Obama urged Congress immigrants would then be on a yesterday for the meteorite that from Chelyabinsk, but the emer- to provide psychological help to ready-meals, to pass comprehensive immigration path to apply for US citizenship. spectacularly struck the Urals gency ministry has now decided those disturbed by the incident. reform “in the next few months”. The plan would also allocate addi- last week, leaving about 1,200 to focus on repair works in the “There was a white streak. We And eight senators — four of tional security funds and require people injured and damaging region instead, a spokesman said. thought it was a burning plane,” all meat: Poll Obama’s Democratic allies and business owners to check the several thousand buildings. “Divers worked there, but we Vera, a patient who was brought four Republicans — unveiled a joint immigration status of any new The 10-tonne space rock didn’t find anything,” said spokes- to the hospital unconscious, told LONDON: A poll out yester- plan last month aiming to provide hires within four years. streaked over the Chelyabinsk man Vyacheslav Ladonkin. He Rossiya as she recounted Friday’s day found that almost a third of a legal status to illegal immigrants Rubio said Obama’s bill was region in central Russia in a said the ministry believed a cir- drama. “Then there was a blast. adults in Britain have stopped living on US soil. not tough enough on securing blinding fireball on Friday just as cular eight-metre hole in the lake And then I don’t remember,” she eating ready-meals as a result White House Chief of Staff the long border the United States the world was braced for a close was not caused by any extrater- said from her hospital bed, appar- of the horsemeat scandal, while Denis McDonough insisted yes- shares with Mexico. The National encounter with a large asteroid. restrial body. “We believe it was ently still dazed. seven percent have stopped eat- terday that the administration Immigration Forum, which advo- Residents of Chelyabinsk, a caused by something else,” he said. “We saw a bright light, it ing meat altogether. was working intensely with the cates for immigration reform, said city of 1.1 million and the centre About 24,000 emergency work- became as light as day for a few The ComRes survey, for so-called “gang of eight”, including the White House proposal seemed of Russia’s heavy industry, were ers were replacing smashed win- minutes. We couldn’t under- the Sunday Mirror and The Rubio. “And we’re going to continue “very moderate,” but should have struggling to pick up the pieces dows after nearly 5,000 buildings stand what it was,” another Independent on Sunday newspa- to work with Senator Rubio and gone further in overhauling the and replace thousands of blown- were damaged. The force blew out witness, 65-year-old Zoya pers, found that 31 percent have others on this,” McDonough said. immigration system beyond citi- out windows in time for Monday, a large section of brick wall at the Yermakova, said. Scientists at given up eating ready-meals as the “But he says it’s dead on arrival if zenship and enforcement. when schools are set to reopen. local zinc plant, and tore holes in Nasa estimated that the amount discovery of equine flesh in prod- it’s proposed. Well, let’s make sure It also warned that a large Despite an intensive search of the walls of the city’s ice skating of energy released in the atmos- ucts labelled beef spreads across that it doesn’t have to be proposed. increase in border patrol agents a frozen lake where fisherman and hockey centre, where several phere on Friday was about 30 Europe. The poll also found a 53 “Let’s make sure that that and immigration judges, as advo- found a large hole they thought matches were cancelled. times greater than the force of percent to 33 percent majority in group up there, the gang of eight, cated in the president’s plan, was caused by the meteorite, no Forty people remained in hos- the nuclear bomb dropped on the favour of banning the import of makes good progress on these “would be better used at ports of remnants have been found. pital yesterday, mostly with cuts, Japanese city of Hiroshima dur- all meat products “until we can efforts, as much as they say they entry and reducing the backlog With air temperatures around broken bones and concussion, a ing World War II. be sure of their origin”. want to.” for legal immigrants”. AFP minus 17 degrees Celsius, Russian doctor told Rossiya Channel from AFP Some 44 percent agreed that the British government had responded well to the crisis, while 30 percent disagreed. ComRes Mali conflict interviewed 2,002 adults online on Wednesday and Thursday. Anastasiades wins Cyprus Twenty-nine beef products out of 2,501 tested in Britain have been found to contain more than presidency: Exit polls one percent horsemeat, its Food Standards Agency (FSA) said. NICOSIA: Rightwing leader place finish not in doubt, his The scandal has left govern- Nicos Anastasiades won yester- spokesman Tassos Mitsopoulos ments scrambling to figure out day’s presidential election with told reporters: “The Cypriot peo- how and where the mislabel- 51 percent of the vote, taking the ple have decided to turn the page ling happened in the sprawling helm in efforts to secure a bail- — that message is clear. We will chain of production spanning a out for recession-hit EU member wait for the results.” maze of abattoirs and meat sup- Cyprus, according to exit polls. Election officials put turnout pliers across Europe. “We need The polls on state television at 83 percent, down six percent to restore consumer confidence,” showed 66-year-old Disy party on last presidential vote in 2008. said Britain’s Deputy Prime head Anastasiades won 51.1 per- The election was seen as one of Minister Nick Clegg. cent, fending off Stavros Malas, the most crucial since independ- Opposition Labour leader Ed 45, backed by the AKEL commu- ence, with Greek Cypriots voting Miliband said the governing coa- nist party, who won 27.3, eliminat- for a new president to rescue the lition had been too slow to grasp ing the need for a second round. recession-hit EU member state the situation. “The government Setting off chanting, honking of from bankruptcy. needed to do three things,” he told car horns and flying of party flags Anastasiades also had the back- Sky News television. by Disy supporters, the exit polls ing of centre-right Diko party “Offer clear guidance, includ- — with a margin of error of 1.5 in the race for the presidency, ing to schools and hospitals, about A Malian soldier handles ammunition aboard a vehicle as they enter Bourem in northen Mali, yesterday. Leaders percent — showed former foreign which unlike in previous polls on what they should be doing; “Get in Africa’s Sahel region called for further efforts to support Mali as they announced new funds to back a West minister George Lillikas coming the normally affluent but divided the testing under way as quickly African force in the country. in third with 18 percent. island focused on the economy as possible and make sure the offi- However, political analyst rather than reunification efforts. cial testing is done, not as it is still Yiannis Mavris remained cautious, Polling for the 550,000 elec- planned to do by April, but much 90 minutes after the polls closed. torate started at 7am and closed quicker; And thirdly, get the police Ecuadoreans vote for president “Official results coming through at 6pm. Anastasiades is seen involved and make sure there is a are not reflecting the exit polls as someone the Europe Union proper police investigation.” with Malas and Lillikas fighting for can do business with, while his Meanwhile FSA chief executive QUITO: Ecuadoreans vote for percentage points. “The beauty in the past 20 years to complete a a place in the second round,” which stance on ending the four-dec- Catherine Brown conceded that president yesterday in an elec- of an electoral democracy is full term in office, he is admired would take place on February 24 if ade division between Greek and the numbers of people who have tion expected to hand incum- that citizens have their future in for bringing political stability to no candidate reaches the 50 per- Turkish Cypriots is more flexible unwittingly eaten horse will never bent Rafael Correa a new term their hands. So it’s time to vote,” a nation where leaders had been cent threshold, he said. than his rivals. be known. to advance his socialist agenda he said after voting in northern frequently toppled by violent But with Anastasiades’s first AFP AFP of heavy government spending Quito soon after polls opened at street protests or military coups. and expansion of state power 1200 GMT. “Correa has done lots of good that critics slam as creeping Critics say Correa is a despot things, like improving the roads, authoritarianism. who tolerates no dissent and is education and the health system. Generous state outlays to intent on amassing power. But If he wins he has to tackle crime,” Gunmen kidnap 7 foreigners in Nigeria expand access to healthcare, pave the opposition’s inability to unite said Victor Jimenez, 55, a auto decrepit roads and build schools behind a single candidate — seven mechanic, outside a voting station BAUCHI, NIGERIA: Gunmen kidnapped seven police station and the security men at the prison yard have given the combative econo- opposition candidates are run- in the coastal city of Guayaquil. foreigners and killed a security guard when they also repelled the attack, but they burnt two vehicles mist a strong base among the ning — has helped give Correa a Local media and government stormed the compound of Lebanese construction in Jama’are police station,” Ladan said. “They then South American nation’s poor. comfortable lead. Former banker officials said there had been no company Setraco in northern Nigeria’s Bauchi attacked Setraco construction, killed a local security Victory for Correa would cheer Guillermo Lasso is Correa’s nearest incidents during the first few state early yesterday. guard and they succeeded in kidnapping people.” the leftist ALBA bloc of Latin rival in the polls, but surveys show hours of voting. The Perfiles de Those abducted were a Briton, an Italian, a Greek Police said they were intensifying efforts to track American and Caribbean nations him with only between 9 percent Opinion polling firm recently and four Lebanese workers, including two women, down the kidnappers in the areas around Jama’are, at a time when the group’s and 15 percent of the vote. Correa showed Correa with 62 percent police and local government officials said. a remote town around 480km northeast of the capi- indisputable leader, Venezuelan has built an image of nationalist support. To avoid a second round, No one took responsibility for the raid. Bauchi tal Abuja. Setraco did not respond to requests for President Hugo Chavez, is strug- man-of-the-people through theat- he needs to win at least 50 percent Police Chief Mohammed Ladan said the gunmen comment. The Italian and Greek foreign ministries gling to recover from cancer. rical confrontation with oil com- of the vote or 40 percent with a attacked a police station and a prison overnight confirmed that one of their nationals was taken in Polls show Correa leading his panies and Wall Street investors. lead of 10 percentage points over before storming the construction firm’s compound in the raid. Britain said it was investigating. closest rival by more than 35 The only Ecuadorean president the runner-up. REUTERS the town of Jama’are. “We repelled the attack on the REUTERS MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

WWII shells disrupt Fire in Seoul Bangladesh moves to Japan bullet trains TOKYO: Japanese troops removed two unexploded war- time bombs in central and west- ban main Islamic party ern Japan yesterday, forcing thousands of residents to evacu- ate their homes and disrupting bullet train services. Parliament amends war crimes law amid oppn boycott Removal work began lastmorn- ing at a factory in Hamamatsu, DHAKA: Bangladesh’s parlia- thousands take to the streets leaders can be swiftly executed if central Japan, where a dud shell, ment yesterday amended a law for the last two weeks demand- convicted and the verdict chal- believed to have been fired by a to allow the prosecution of the ing the execution of Jamaat lenged if the sentence is less than US naval ship during World War country’s largest Islamic party leaders accused of genocide death. It set a 60-day limit for II, was found in October, a city Jamaat-e-Islami for war crimes, during the 1971 war and a ban the supreme court to dispose of official said. in a move that could pave the on the party. appeals. A bomb disposal unit of the way to it being banned. “It’s a partial victory for us. New York-based rights group Ground Self-Defense Force News of the move was greeted We won’t stop protests unless Human Rights Watch this week (GSDF) loaded the 860kg by loud cheers from thousands of Jamaat and Shibir (Jamaat’s criticised the law ahead of its shell on to a military vehicle protesters in central Dhaka who student wing) are banned,” said passing, saying it “makes a mock- and transported it to a nearby have been demanding a ban on Mahbub Rashid, a blogger and ery of the trial process”. beach, where it was detonated Jamaat, whose leaders are on trial an organiser of the anti-Islamist Opposition benches were empty later in the day, the official for war crimes allegedly commit- demonstration. as the Bangladesh Nationalist said. ted in the 1971 war of independ- Rival protests by Islamists Party (the BNP) of former pre- “We have already lifted the ence from Pakistan. demanding a halt to the trials of mier Begum Khaleda Zia and evacuation advisory issued to Law minister Shafique Ahmed Jamaat leaders have turned vio- its allies have been boycotting some 10,000 residents and are said that under the new law “any lent across the country, leaving 13 sessions almost since her arch now confirming if it was defused organisation including Jamaat can people dead. rival, Sheikh Hasina, leader of with the detonation,” the official be prosecuted” by a special court Clashes between police and the Awami League, took office in said. for war crimes and if found guilty Islamists have intensified since 2009. Central Japan Railway sus- “it can be banned” from politics. last week after a senior Jamaat Yesterday, BNP leaders and pended its operation of the Previously only individu- leader was sentenced to life activists held a rally outside high-speed Tokaido Shinkansen als could be prosecuted for war imprisonment for mass murder. the party’s central office in the Line between Hamamatsu and crimes. “It’s one step towards Jamaat and the main oppo- capital, calling for the next par- Toyohashi for about an hour, banning Jamaat,” deputy law min- sition Bangladesh Nationalist liamentary election in January affecting some 14,000 passengers, ister Qamrul Islam said. Party (BNP) have said the tri- 2014 to be held under a non-party local media said. The move comes after Prime als are based on bogus charges caretaker administration. Separately, another unexploded Minister Sheikh Hasina on and are part of a wider political “The government is trying to wartime bomb was also removed Saturday indicated that she would vendetta. use the protests over the war by troops in the western city of back a ban on Jamaat, whose The government rejects the crime trials to divert attention Kobe yesterday, forcing some members are suspected in the accusations and says the trials are form critical national issues such 7,000 people to temporarily evac- murder of an anti-Islamist blog- needed to heal wounds from the as our demand for election under uate to schools and other public ger, as it had “no right to be in nine-month war in which it says a caretaker authority to ensure a buildings, city officials said. politics in free Bangladesh”. three million people were killed, clean and unbiased vote,” BNP’s The 250kg shell, also believed Jamaat was briefly outlawed many by pro-Pakistani militias acting Secretary-General, Mirza to have been launched by the by Hasina’s father, the country’s whose members allegedly included Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, told the US military during the war, was founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Jamaat officials. rally. found last month at a housing in the 1970s for supporting Both Jamaat and BNP boy- Other BNP leaders urged the construction site in eastern Kobe, Pakistan during the war. But a cotted the parliament, which demonstrators at Shahbag to the officials said. military government scrapped the passed the amended law less than speak out against “corruption, The shell was transfered to a ban after Sheikh Mujib’s assas- a week after it was approved by politicisation of the administra- military facility after being suc- Smoke billows from a building in Seoul’s Insa-dong street, a tourist spot sination in 1975. the cabinet. tion ahead of the polls and tam- cessfully defused by another bomb in the South Korean capital, yesterday. The fire broke out in a closed Demonstrations championed Parliament also amended war pering the judiciary to persecute disposal unit, the officials added. restaurant of the building due to an apparent gas explosion. by online activists have seen crime laws to ensure the Jamaat rivals.” AGENCIES AFP

Lankan Buddhist Gun battle leads to massacre suspect’s arrest in Philippines monks demand COTABATO, PHILIPPINES: he was recognised by soldiers The soldiers had been search- the case then authorities would candidate from running against halal meat boycott A gun battle between soldiers at the scene as wanted in con- ing passing cars at a checkpoint soon release him. Masukat an Ampatuan in elections in May and car passengers at a military nection with the 2009 killing of in the strife-torn southern island is alleged to be one of dozens 2010. COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s nation- checkpoint led to the arrest of 58 people, allegedly by a power- of Mindanao when passengers in of followers of the powerful Although key Ampatuan clan alist Buddhist monks and their a suspect in the Philippines’ ful political clan, said Colonel one vehicle opened fire, sparking Ampatuan political clan that members are now being tried supporters launched a campaign worst political massacre when Dickson Hermoso. a firefight that left one gunman is accused of carrying out the for the crimes, dozens of other yesterday to boycott Islamic he was spotted among onlook- Talimbo Masukat was one of dead and a soldier wounded. massacre of 58 people, including suspects remain at large, raising halal-slaughtered meat amid ers, an army spokesman said many curious civilians who had Masukat’s family said he was women, lawyers and journalists, fears they will intimidate wit- mounting religious tensions in yesterday. gathered at the scene of the fire- innocent and had been arrested in November, 2009. nesses while attempting to pro- the ethnically divided nation. Although the suspect was not fight before he was spotted and due to a case of mistaken iden- The clan is accused of carrying tect the clan’s interests. Thousands of men and women involved in Saturday’s shootout arrested, Hermoso said. tity. Hermoso said if that were out the slayings to prevent a rival AFP led by hundreds of monks of the Bodu Bala Sena, or Buddhist Force, staged a rally outside Colombo to announce the boycott, demanding that shops clear their stocks of halal food by April. “More than 90 percent of the population are Buddhists, Hindus and Christian and therefore there is no justification to force them to eat halal products,” Buddhist monk Kirama Wimala Jothi said in a statement. He urged Sri Lanka’s non-Muslim majority to boycott any product with the halal label. The issue has raised new tensions in a country emerg- ing from nearly four decades of ethnic strife which has claimed at least 100,000 lives, accord- ing to UN estimates. The rally came less than three weeks after President Mahinda Rajapakse urged monks not to incite reli- gious hatred and violence amid reports of a wave of attacks tar- geting Muslims. The Buddhist Force has disas- Security personnel investigate at the site of a bomb attack in front of the Big Ben Coffee and Restaurant sociated itself with violence say- in southern Thailand’s Pattani province, yesterday. ing that there were “duplicate groups” pretending to be them and stirring up trouble. Less than 10 percent of Sri Lanka’s popula- Three dead in Thai bombings tion of 20 million are Muslims.

PATTANI: A series of blasts show their power,” NSC sec- Members of Thailand’s shook a town in the restive retary general Paradorn security forces and civilians One dead, 14 missing Thai south leaving three dead Pattanathabutr said. accused of collaboration with and 17 wounded, officials said A blast at around noon in the authorities are frequently as ship sinks in yesterday, days after a major the centre of Pattani town targeted with ambushes and Philippines attack on a military base in killed a local security volunteer roadside bombs. the unrest-hit region. instantly, police said. Hospital Wednesday’s attack saw MANILA: One person died Three bombs have exploded staff said two defence volun- the military repel an assault and 14 others are missing after in the provincial town of Pattani teers later died of their wounds, by scores of heavily-armed a Myanmar-flagged cargo ship since late Saturday, while police while around 17 people, includ- gunmen who stormed the sank in waters off the north- said four more devices had been ing civilians, were injured. Narathiwat army base. ern Philippines, a coast guard defused, in the latest attacks The attacks began with two The NSC’s Paradorn said spokesman said yesterday. to rock the Thai south, where fire bombs on Saturday night suspected insurgents could The search is still going on for thousands have died in a nine- which damaged local shops. go on to attack a third prov- the 14 missing Myanmar nation- year insurgency. Thailand’s southernmost ince in the violence-plagued als after their ship, the MV The National Security provinces near the Malaysian region. Arita Bauxite, went down before Council, said the incident was border suffer almost daily gun “They have to change their dawn Sunday near the coastal linked to Wednesday’s failed and bomb attacks by shadowy targets because of heightened Philippine town of Bolinao, said assault on a military base in insurgents fighting for greater security in the areas targeted Lieutenant Commander Armand neighbouring Narathiwat prov- autonomy. earlier... Once they stop actions Balilo. The ship, carrying 24 crew, ince that left 16 militants dead More than 5,500 people, both in Pattani, we have to be con- sank after developing engine — one of the bloodiest incidents Buddhist and Muslim, have cerned about Yala. But there is trouble, although what caused it in the conflict. been killed in the bloody con- tight security in all areas,” he to take on water is still unclear, “The militants want to flict since early 2004. said. AFP said Balilo. AFP MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Pakistan faces growing anger over bombings Death toll in Quetta blast rises to 81

QUETTA, Pakistan: closed. Relatives of the wounded Pakistan’s unpopular govern- responded for an appeal for blood ment, which is gearing up made by hospitals. “The govern- for elections expected within ment knows exactly who is doing months, faced growing anger what and who is behind all this,” yesterday for failing to deliver said Mohammad Imran, a local stability after a sectarian bomb- trader. “If the government wants ing in the city of Quetta killed (to prevent it), no one can take even 81 people. a kitchen knife into any market.” The nuclear-armed country’s “There is a law of the jungle, leaders have done little to contain but in this country I think there is hardline Sunni groups which have not even a law of the jungle,” said stepped up a campaign of bomb- Syed Abbas Naqvi, a Shia. ings and assassinations of minor- “A person who is extremely help- ity Shias. less, vulnerable and powerless is On Saturday, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi always made the target of barbarity (LeJ), seen as the most ruthless whereas all brutal people like the Sunni sectarian group, claimed terrorists, Taliban and others who responsibility for the attack in carry out these merciless acts... Quetta, which deepened suspicions roam free all over the country.” among Shias that Pakistan’s intel- Public anger has been growing ligence agencies were turning a over a host of other issues in the blind eye to the bloodshed or even run-up to elections, from wide- supporting extremists. spread poverty to power cuts to Leaders of the ethnic Shia corruption. But waves of major Hazara community called on sectarian attacks have highlighted Shias demonstrate to protest the bomb attack in Quetta yesterday. the government to take decisive its poor track record on security. action, and Pakistanis warned Critics say Pakistan’s intelli- that sectarian violence was spi- gence agencies previously supported Baluchistan governor criticises security forces ralling out of control. groups like LeJ to fight against “The government is respon- Indian forces in Kashmir and failed sible for terrorist attacks and subsequently to control them. QUETTA: A provincial official and shootings of Shias to trigger for around a fifth of the country’s Sayed Qamar Haider Zaidi, killings in the Hazara commu- Now Shias in Quetta and other criticised Pakistani security violence that would pave the way 180 million people. a spokesman for Shia groups nity because its security forces cities say they are under siege. forces yesterday after a bomb- for a Sunni theocracy in US-allied Saturday’s attack takes the in the area, condemned the have not conducted operations “We have grown tired of picking ing targeting the Shia Hazara Pakistan. death toll in sectarian attacks in Pakistani government for not against extremist groups,” said up the bodies of our loved ones,” community killed 81 people in Protests erupted across the Pakistan this year to almost 200, providing protection to the com- Aziz Hazara, Vice-President of said Nasir Ali, 45, a government the northwestern city of Quetta. country yesterday to demand compared with more than 400 in munity and announced three the Hazara Democratic Party. employee. “I have lost three family “The terrorist attack on the protection for Shias. the whole of 2012 — a year which days of mourning and protest “We are giving the government members so far in such blasts.” Hazara Shia community in Mourners gathered yesterday Human Rights Watch described over the attack. 48 hours to arrest the culprits LeJ has also said it was behind Quetta is a failure of the intelli- as people sifted through the rub- as the deadliest on record for the Pakistani intelligence offi- involved in the killing of our peo- a bombing last month in Quetta gence and security forces,” Nawab ble of the explosion, many weep- country’s Shiites. cials say extremist groups, led ple and after that we will launch which killed nearly 100 people, Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, Governor of ing as they discovered limbs and More than 1,500 Shias took by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, want to strong protests.” one of Pakistan’s worst sectar- Baluchistan province, said while pieces of flesh torn apart by the to the streets of the east- destabilise the nation through The death toll from Saturday’s ian attacks. After that incident, touring a hospital. blast, which wounded 178 people. ern city of Lahore to demand sectarian violence and pave bombing rose overnight, with Shia leaders called on Pakistan’s “We had given a free hand to Witness Zainab Bibi, 38, said action against the extremists, the way for a Sunni theocracy. most of the casualties in the military to take over security in security (forces) to take action the carnage was “like the day of and there were smaller dem- Pakistan’s national flag was fly- main bazaar of the town, capital Quetta and take on the LeJ. against terrorist and extrem- judgment had come”. onstrations in the central city ing at half mast after the provin- of Baluchistan, near the border Sectarian violence is pil- ist groups, but despite that the “Initially I could not see any- of Multan and Muzaffarabad, cial government declared a day with Afghanistan. ing pressure on the US-backed Quetta incident took place.” thing because of a thick cloud of the main city of Pakistan- of mourning over the killings and Most of the dead were Hazaras. administration, which already Shia political organisations dust but I could hear loud scream- administered Kashmir. markets were closed. A senior security official said the faces a Taliban insurgency, to have called for a strike in Quetta ing,” she said. Protests in the wake of the Baluchistan, which borders figure could rise as 20 people were ensure stability. to protest against the latest car- “As the dust settled, I saw blood snooker hall attack prompted Iran and Afghanistan, also suffers critically wounded. “Unless we decide to unite, we nage. Many shops and bazaars are everywhere, torn bodies were Islamabad to sack the provin- Islamist militancy and a regional Yesterday, people searched for will continue to get killed, said closed. Relatives of the wounded lying everywhere with no clothes cial government and Azizullah insurgency which began in 2004, survivors under blocks of cement Malik Afzal, a Sunni student. responded for an appeal for blood on.” Hazara, Chairman of the Hazara with rebels demanding political torn off buildings by the blast. A “Today they (Shias) have died. made by hospitals. Baluchistan has increasingly Democratic Party, yesterday gave autonomy and a greater share of large blood stain could be seen on Tomorrow we (Sunnis) will die. Pakistani intelligence officials become a flashpoint for surging a 48-hour deadline to the provin- profits from the region’s natural a wall near the site. The next day, others will get killed.” say extremist groups, led by LeJ, sectarian violence between major- cial government to launch opera- resources. Many shops and bazaars were REUTERS have escalated their bombings ity Sunnis and Shias, who account tions against the killers. AGENCIES Afghan president ‘Nato will comply with air strike ban’ orders cameras to KABUL: The commander of US-led forces in in Kunar province. combat torture Afghanistan said yesterday he would comply “I get the broad guidance from the president with President Hamid Karzai’s order banning and we will work out the details in the coming KABUL: Afghan President Afghan security forces from seeking Nato air days,” Dunford said. Hamid Karzai has ordered support. “We have restraints and constraints on each that all interrogation facilities Karzai said on Saturday that he would issue operation. I believe we will continue to support should be equipped with video a decree ordering an end to local security forces the Afghan National Security Forces and meet cameras in a bid to prevent tor- calling in Nato air strikes amid new tensions over the president’s intent,” Dunford said in response ture, after a recent UN report civilian casualties caused by such attacks. to questions about Karzai’s order. said detainees were abused. Air strikes have been an important weapon “There are other ways to support the Afghans The decree follows a govern- in the fight against Taliban insurgents, but they besides aviation,” he said. ment investigation into the UN have also proved hugely controversial as they have He added that his troops had made “huge report about prisoner abuse, led to numerous civilian deaths. progress in mitigating the civilian casualties”. which found detainees were tor- US General Joseph Dunford, who took charge Nato restricted air strikes on civilian areas tured at the time of arrest and of the US-led Nato force in the war-battered in June in the wake of another botched mis- during interrogations. country last Sunday, said he was prepared to sion which killed 18 civilians, though US Deputy “Relevant authorities are comply with Karzai’s order, made after a Nato Commander in Afghanistan Lieutenant General required to equip the intelligence air raid killed 10 civilians including women and Curtis Scaparrotti said they could still be used and investigating agencies... children in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday as a “last resort” to save soldiers’ lives. with modern equipment (and) night. “We are prepared to provide support in Asked yesterday whether Nato troops could devices... and videotape the inter- line with the president’s intent,” Dunford told still call in air strikes in these circumstances, a rogation process,” Karzai said in a reporters in Kabul. spokesman for the coalition declined to comment. decree released by his office late Karzai summoned Dunford over the air raid AFP on Saturday. He said the move will also help “eliminate any chance or place for complaints from other parties” Taliban hand over weapons about prisoner abuse. The United Nations, which has run an assistance operation in Afghanistan since the 2001 fall of the Taliban, said in January that prisoners were frequently abused and tortured in the Afghan jail system. The UN report revealed that 326 of 635 prisoners interviewed across the country said they had been abused, including 80 minors. Fourteen types of torture were described in the UN report, includ- ing beatings with cables and pipes, attacks on the genitals, threats of execution or rape, electric shocks and forced stress positions. In the decree, Karzai also ordered the attorney general to “prosecute the perpetrators of torture, so to avoid any suspect, Afghan Taliban hand over their weapons as they join the government’s reconciliation and reintegration convict or prisoner tortured in programme in Herat province, yesterday. the future”. AFP MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Press Council Holy huddle chief, Jaitley in slugfest BJP leader asks Katju to resign

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Arun in the government after retirement. Jaitley yesterday asked Press “In some cases the pre-retirement Council chairman Markandey judicial conduct of a judge is influ- Katju to quit, saying a person hold- enced by the desire to get a post- ing the post must be impartial, retirement assignment,” he said. and drew a strong reaction from “The chairman of the Press Council the former apex court judge who discharges a statutory job. His job charged him with distorting facts. requires fairness, impartiality and Justice Katju retorted that Jaitley political neutrality.” was talking “nonsense and rubbish” “Additionally, a judge, whether sit- and stooping to personal attacks. ting or retired, is expected to con- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) duct himself with sobriety, dignity leader made his demand after accus- and grace. He cannot be loud, crude, ing Katju of attacking non-Congress outlandish or behave like a megalo- governments in Bihar, Gujarat and maniac,” Jaitley said. West Bengal on the basis of “his He said a judge should refrain from political preferences”. involvement in political controver- In an article on the BJP website, sies. If he desires to get into politi- Jaitley said Katju’s attacks “seem cal activity or a political debate, he more in the nature of thanks-giving should cease to hold his judicial or to those who provided him with a quasi-judicial office. post-retirement job”. Modi also tweeted in support of The leader of opposition in the Jaitley’s article, claiming that Justice Hindu devotees perform prayers near the Sangam — confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati at the Kumbh Mela in Rajya Sabha said Katju had over the Katju looked at Gujarat with a “jaun- past week released a draft report on diced eye”. Allahabad, yesterday. behalf of the Press Council of India “Justice Katju looks at Guj with a (PCI) alleging that the media in Bihar jaundiced eye. Jaitley ji’s insightful was not independent. He followed it article demolishing lies spread about up with an article in an English daily Guj,” he posted. 17 UAE workers attacking the Gujarat government and Countering Jaitley’s argument of Two including ex-policeman Chief Minister Narendra Modi. targeting non-Congress chief minis- return to Andhra; “Though initially known for his ters, Katju said he had written a let- scholarship, Justice Katju was never ter to Maharashtra Chief Minister arrested for Mumbai murder bid to bring a conventional judge. His utterances, Prithviraj Chavan in November both during his tenure as a judge and last year strongly condemning the thereafter, are clearly outlandish,” arrest of two girls from Palghar NAVI MUMBAI: Two peo- with S K Brothers, a realty footage confirmed Shettiar to back 300 more Jaitley said. town in the state for criticising on ple, including a former police company engaged in construct- be one of the accused. “Dignified comment is alien Facebook the state bandh following officer, were arrested yester- ing residential and commercial According to police sources, it HYDERABAD: Another to him.” Jaitley contended that judges Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s day for the murder of a top complexes in Navi Mumbai. was Shettiar who named Amolik group of migrants from Andhra of the Supreme Court and high death. builder here, taking the total “Wajid Qureshi, 28, has been to be a part of the crime. Police Pradesh granted amnesty courts must not be eligible for jobs IANS number of people arrested in arrested from Mumbra (in sources also said that Amolik for overstaying in the United the ghastly crime to three, Thane district). He had escaped was an encounter specialist who Arab Emirates returned home police said. the crime scene after he and was arrested and suspended in yesterday. Wajid Qureshi, 28, was Shettiar killed Loharia. Qureshi 2003 for his alleged links with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar arrested in Thane. Earlier in will be produced in court the underworld. However, he Reddy and NRI Affairs Minister Rain, lightning claim 17 lives the day, former police officer on Monday,” Navi Mumbai had resumed work after a few D Sridhar Babu consoled the HYDERABAD: The heavy thunderbolts, three were killed Emmanuel Samuel Amolik was Commissioner of Police A K months, retiring in 2011, last 17 people at the Rajiv Gandhi unseasonal rains and hailstorm due to electric shock, and two in nabbed and remanded in police Sharma told reporters here. serving in Mumbra in Thane International Airport here. The that lashed parts of Andhra house collapse. According to offi- custody till February 22, for The entire incident was district. workers from Dubai flew back Pradesh during last two days cials in the state’s disaster manage- his alleged role in the murder, recorded in the CCTV cam- At a press briefing, held by with the help of the state govern- claimed 17 lives and damaged ment department, 857 houses were along with Venkatesh Shettiar. era installed at the entrance of the family members of Loharia ment and voluntary groups. crops over more than 252,000 damaged in four districts with the Top Navi Mumbai builder Loharia’s office. earlier yesterday, his brother Kiran Kumar Reddy assured hectares, officials said yesterday. maximum damage in Adilabad. S K Loharia was shot dead out- Shettiar was arrested soon Sanjeev claimed that the killers them that they will be given top Seventeen deaths were reported The freak rains came as a rude side his office in Vashi by two after the shooting, as people named seven people with whom priority in government welfare from nine districts. While 12 peo- shock to the farmers, who suffered men disguised as security per- caught hold of him while his his brother had been at logger- programmes like housing and ple died after being struck by huge crop loss. IANS sonnel on Saturday morning. accomplice managed to escape heads over some court cases. employment, said a statement Loharia, 52, was a director on a motorcycle. The CCTV IANS from the Chief Minister’s Office. According to the statement, the government is making efforts to bring back about 300 “Gulf NRI beauties victims”. An official team is already in the Gulf, coordinating the efforts to bring back those stranded in the Gulf states. The entire expenditure for their return home is being borne by the state gov- ernment, it said. Sridhar Babu told reporters that 1,000 migrants stuck up in the UAE have approached the state government for help. The migrants, mostly unskilled labourers from various districts, were stuck after their visas expired or agents cheated them. This was the third group of migrants to return home since last week. The first group had 14 people and the second 20. The Indian Migrants Rights and Welfare Forum and other voluntary organisations have also come forward to help the migrants. Forum president K Narasimham Naidu, who vis- Contestants for the ‘Indian Princess International 2013’ beauty pageant, organised by Sunil Rane, pose ited Dubai a few days ago, said he on the beach in Ganpatipule, Maharashtra. The beauty pageant showcases the talents of young Non found that 200 Indians, includ- Residential Indian (NRI) girls from around the world. ing 71 from Andhra Pradesh, needed help to return to their native places. Naidu said he was trying to rope in voluntary agencies and Minister in glare over woman’s suicide cultural groups to bring back more migrants. NEW DELHI: Two days residence in Ashok Vihar, leav- the circumstances created by He said the Indian government after the suicide of the ing behind a suicide note accus- Kanda and Chaddha, whom should request the UAE authori- 52-year-old mother of Geetika ing former Haryana minister Geetika’s mother blamed in ties to extend the amnesty as Sharma, a former air-hostess Gopal Goyal Kanda and his aide her suicide note, that forced many illegal migrants could not who too committed suicide Aruna Chaddha as being the the victim to commit suicide,” apply for it. about six months ago, Delhi reason for taking the extreme said the officer. According to Migrants Rights Police yesterday recorded the step. The two were also accused After recording the state- Council, a voluntary organisation, statements of her husband by her daughter Geetika for ments of Anuradha’s son and 18,000 workers from the state and son. leading her to commit suicide. husband, investigators are were languishing in the UAE. Investigators recorded state- Anuradha was cremated on likely to question Kanda and However, only a few availed of ments of Anuradha Sharma’s Saturday. Chaddha today. the amnesty declared by the UAE husband Dinesh and son Ankit, “As Anuradha’s family and Police have registered a new government from December 4 to and also questioned some of the relatives were in shock, we con- case of abetment to suicide February 3 that allowed the illegal women’s relatives, said a police tacted them Sunday for their against Kanda and Chaddha migrants to forego the mandatory officer close to the investigation. official statement,” added the on the basis of Anuradha’s sui- imprisonment and penalty and Anuradha committed sui- officer. “As per the gravity of cide note. return to their homeland. cide on Friday evening at her the case, we have to find out IANS IANS MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 UK may push Silent Valley for sale of fighter jets British premier arrives today

NEW DELHI: Britain is still with Britain the issue of the likely to push for the Eurofighter AgustaWestland VVIP chop- Typhoon during Prime Minister pers following bribery issues, the David Cameron’s India visit, sources said that Britain has “very less than a week after French low tolerance for bribery and cor- President Francois Hollande ruption” and assured it will work left New Delhi without any with India and Italy on the issue. announcement over the fate of External Affairs Minister the $10bn contract for Rafale Salman Khurshid has said that fighter jets. India might raise the issue during “The issue of Eurofighter the visit of Cameron. India has Typhoon jets may come up... But put on hold the $750m deal with I don’t think it will be top on the Britain-based AgustaWestland, agenda,” a British diplomatic a subsidiary of Italian company source told IANS yesterday. Finmeccanica, and begun the Cameron arrives in New Delhi process of cancelling the deal fol- today on a three-day visit, head- lowing allegations of kickbacks. ing the “biggest ever” trade “The Indian foreign minister delegation. has said India might take up the The Eurofighter Typhoon lost issue... There are issues of equity out to Rafale, manufactured by involved as it is manufactured in a Kashmiri women walk in front of shuttered shops during the second day of strike in Srinagar, yesterday. Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Gilani called a France’s Dassault Aviation, in UK facility,” the source said. two-day strike to protest against the execution of separatist Mohammed Afzal Guru at a high security prison in New Delhi over his role in a deadly the contract for 126 medium “We have very tough laws attack on Indian parliament in New Delhi in 2001. multi-role combat aircraft for the against corruption and very low Indian Air Force. The Typhoon tolerance for bribery and corrup- is manufactured by a consortium tion,” the British diplomat said, of which Britain’s BAE Systems adding that the three could work is a part. together to resolve the issue. CBI team leaves for Italy today for copter probe The finer points of India’s The AgustaWestland issue “is deal for Rafale with France are not on the original structured still under negotiation and both agenda. However, the two prime NEW DELHI: A CBI team is possible. Hopefully by Monday,” for the VVIP use by the Indian agency has so far not registered countries have said the “discus- ministers can discuss any issue likely to leave for Italy today to an official told IANS. Air Force. a case as it wants to get more sions are progressing well” after of importance”, an Indian official probe the allegations of kick- He said a lawyer is likely to be The official, A K Bal, will leave information about the kickbacks Hollande’s meeting with Indian told IANS. backs in the $750m deal for the engaged in Italy to help the team for Rome today. and establish authenticity of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh “Security policy issues and 12 AgustaWestland 101 chop- understand the Italian law, rep- Sources said that the Defence documents. on February 14. Britain had voiced Afghanistan” would also figure pers, officials said. resent India’s case with the local Ministry official and the CBI team The sources said the CBI was its disappointment after India last in the talks between Manmohan Official sources said the team, courts, and expedite the process were likely to travel together handed over a letter from the year announced it had chosen the Singh and Cameron on Tuesday in comprising a senior investigat- of getting documents. to Italy. They said the CBI team Defence Ministry seeking a probe Rafale, nudging out the Typhoon. New Delhi, the diplomatic source ing officer of the Central Bureau The defence ministry is also will probe if firms had been floated which also contained some press Cameron told the British parlia- said. Earlier this month, Cameron of Investigation (CBI) and a law sending a senior joint secretary to route kickbacks in the helicop- clippings. The Central Vigilance ment last February that he would hosted talks between Afghanistan officer, would meet Italian pros- to Italy “to gather as much evi- ter deal with AgustaWestland, a Commission (CVC) has also do everything to persuade India to and Pakistan in London aimed at ecutors to ascertain the details dence as possible” relating to Britain-based subsidiary of Italian sought a report from the minis- go for the Typhoon. working towards a peace deal for of the case. the allegations of corruption in firm Finmeccanica. try on alleged irregularities in the With India set to raise Afghanistan. IANS “The team will leave as soon as the acquisition of the helicopters They said the investigating chopper deal. IANS Delhi rape trial to take three months

NEW DELHI: Trial of the five V K Anand, the lawyer who another two to three months,” men charged with gang-raping represents main accused Ram Singh told IANS. a 23-year-old woman in a mov- Singh and his brother Mukesh in The young woman, a physi- ing bus here on Decembr 16 will the court, also said the trial would otherapist trainee, was tortured take another three months to continue for another three to four and gang-raped by five men and conclude, say advocates. months. “There are so many wit- a juvenile in a moving bus on Dayan Krishnan, the special nesses that it will certainly take December 16. She and her male public prosecutor in the case, another three to four months to friend were then thrown on the told IANS that “in another complete the proceedings. Now road — bloodied and without three months, the trial will be the court is recording the state- clothes. The woman died in a complete”. ments of witnesses, then cross- Singapore hospital 13 days later. The court was to hear the case examinations will begin, followed Her brutal attack sparked spon- daily, but after the judge’s father by final arguments. The proce- taneous protests in the country, died, the trial has been on hold dure probably will be complete in forcing the government to take since Februry 13. It will resume May-end,” Anand told IANS. several steps, including setting up today, Krishnan said. The trial, A P Singh, who represents the fast track court on December continuing since February 5 in a three other accused, Pawan 19 to try the five accused. fast track court in Saket in south Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay The sixth, a minor, will be tried Delhi, is not being reported as Thakur, also said the judgment by the Juvenile Justice Board. Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh would come in two-three months’ The police framed charges Khanna has restrained the media time. “There are 80 witnesses against the five on February 2. from reporting the daily hearings. in the case. The trial will take IANS

Parents arrested over female Only law cannot fight infanticide corruption, says Anna KOLKATA: The parents of a HYDERABAD: Declaring that He felt this reform is a must 10-month-old girl were arrested he would mobilise 60 million to check corruption in elections for killing their baby in West people over the next one-and- and pointed out that a candidate Bengal’s North 24-Parganas a-half-year for his anti-graft is spending Rs50m to Rs60m in district, police said yesterday. campaign, Anna Hazare yes- each election to bribe voters. “A man and his wife have terday said Jan Lokpal alone “They get power by using been arrested for killing their cannot root out corruption and money, and money by using power. 10-month-old girl child on the called for comprehensive elec- There is need to put an end to this basis of a complaint by their toral reforms and empowering vicious circle,” he said. neighbours. They were pre- village-level bodies. He vowed to continue fight sented before a court yesterday Addressing a public meeting for Jan Lokpal and alleged that and remanded in judicial cus- here, he said his fight was for the government is not sin- tody,” said an officer of Bijpur changing the entire system and cere in bringing the anti-graft police station, under which the called upon youths to join hands legislation. incident happened. with him. The 75-year-old said Hazare explained that the gov- Police, however, refused to Jan Lokpal can control 50 to 55 ernment initially turned down the divulge the identities of the percent corruption. demand to involve people’s rep- arrested couple. “What about the remaining resentatives in bringing the leg- The killing took place on corruption? That is why we are islation. He also referred to the Saturday night in Halisahar in the demanding right to reject a can- government’s reluctance to bring district, some 50km from Kolkata. didate (in the elections),” he said. middle and lower-level bureau- According to the police complaint, “If all five contesting candi- crats under Lokpal. the couple was unhappy on the dates in an election are goondas, “For the next one-and-half birth of a girl child and used to whom the people will choose? years, I will visit all states to cre- repeatedly torture her. The body We are saying that you provide ate awareness. I don’t know if I of the baby bore several injury an option to the voters to reject will be able to awaken all 1.2bn marks, including cigarette burns. them. If maximum number of people but if I go around, I can “We found the baby dead, lying voters reject the candidates, the mobilize six crore people who can near the roadside on Saturday election should be cancelled and force the government to change night following which we filed a these five should not be allowed to the system,” he said. police complaint. IANS contest again,” Hazare said. IANS MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Bird invasion brings real-life horror News in Numbers GROWTH RATE OF to Kentucky city GDPCHART: 1 Fajr (Dawn) 4:50 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:07 NASHVILLE: Millions of birds have descended on a small Zuhr (Noon) 11:48 Kentucky city this winter, foul- Asr (Afternoon) 3:04 ing the landscape, scaring pets and raising the risk for disease Maghrib (Sunset) 5:30 in a real-life version of Alfred Isha (Night) 7:00 Hitchcock’s horror film The Birds. The blackbirds and European starlings blacken the sky of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, before WEATHER roosting at dusk, turn the land- scape white with bird poop, and Accomplishing a comprehensive development in Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather the disease they carry can kill a Conditions: dog and sicken humans. Partly cloudy Clear Clear “I have seen them come in, and various fields led to high rates of increasing economic Slight dust with there are enough that if the sun is some scattered just right, they’ll cloud your vision growth, with an average economic growth of 14% clouds. High: 26° High: 27° High: 27° of the sun,” said Hopkinsville- in 2007, and 18% in 2009. This economic growth Low: 13° Low: 14° Low: 13° Christian County historian William Turner. “I estimate there increased the per capita share of the GDP. It reached are millions of them.” Although the birds have not turned on humans as in the clas- DOHA - SUN & SEA sic 1963 Hitchcock movie featur- ing vicious attacks on people in a in 2011 SUN TIDE SEA QR497,000 small northern California town, the SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND city has taken defensive measures. The south-central Kentucky city in comparison with QR 206,000 in 2001 06:06 17:30 08:45 04:45 &16:15 10-18/22 KT of 35,000 people, about an hour north of Nashville, has hired a pest THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW control company to get rid of the GDP growth per employed person from (2001 to 2011) HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER interlopers. Henry Jako, general manager of McGee Pest Control, Thousands MUSCAT 27/20 Clear 27/20 Partly cloudy said crews use air cannons and  MAKKAH 30/21 Partly cloudy 30/20 Clear “bird-bangers” — similar to bottle  KUWAIT 22/16 Clear 24/15 Partly cloudy rocket fireworks aimed into the BAHRAIN 24/14 Partly cloudy 25/14 Partly cloudy trees where the birds roost.  SANAA 27/08 Thunderstorm 27/10 Thunderstorm “It scares my little dog to  RIYADH 24/11 Partly cloudy 26/12 Partly cloudy death,” said Christian County    DUBAI 25/18 Partly cloudy 26/19 Partly cloudy Judge-Executive Steve Tribble. “I don’t know what it does other BAGHDAD 20/09 Clear 21/10 Partly cloudy than move the birds from one tree    to the next.” THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW Jako said that in the worst- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER affected neighborhoods, multiple  cannons and consecutive blasts  are being used to keep the birds ATHENS 11/08 Chance of rain 13/09 Partly cloudy Sources : http://www.qtel.qa/ WASHINGTON 00/-5 Partly cloudy 05/02 Chance of rain moving. When they fly away, the birds leave behind a huge volume SYDNEY 25/18 Clear 27/19 Chance of storm of excrement. The birds also pose  LONDON 07/-1 Partly cloudy 08/02 Clear a serious health hazard because PARIS 08/01 Partly cloudy 09/01 Partly cloudy their droppings can carry a fun- ISTANBUL 08/04 Partly cloudy 10/05 Partly cloudy gal disease called histoplasmosis, MANILA 32/24 Partly cloudy 32/24 Partly cloudy which can cause lung infections  DHAKA 28/17 Partly cloudy 29/16 Partly cloudy and symptoms similar to pneu-        DELHI 22/11 Partly cloudy 22/12 Partly cloudy monia. REUTERS Source : http://www.qsa.gov.qa/ ISLAMABAD 20/08 Clear 20/09 Clear

Briton survives Bird droppings among pre-Oscar beauty treatments Outback by LOS ANGELES: Hollywood to any extreme to perfect their Plastic surgeon Paul Nassif, options to exfoliating the skin borrowed for the red carpet. stars wanting to look their best look and make a statement on the who offers the service in his like chemical peels and micro- These days, many designers drinking contact for Tinseltown’s biggest night red carpet.” Beverly Hills office, says this dermabrasion,” Bernstein said. have some last-minute tricks for of the year are being offered In the past, the ever-youthful process involves removing a tube “But if you want a more natu- looking taller and slimmer for beauty treatments ranging from actress Demi Moore, 50, has of blood from the patient, isolat- ral approach, this will give you the thousands of photographers lens fluid the lavish to plain loony such as admitted to having leeches put ing certain components and then great results as well. Dead skin is and TV crews at the Oscars who $250,000 black diamond nail var- on her skin to detoxify her blood. mixing it with a dermal filler to removed, skin tone is brighter and transmit images around the world SYDNEY: A British back- nish and bird excrement facials. Gwyneth Paltrow once arrived at inject back into the skin. you’re left with a radiant look.” within minutes. packer who endured three days The Academy Awards on a premiere with her back cov- “It’s a one-two punch,” Nassif When it comes to hair, Santa Hong Kong-based shoe com- missing in Australia’s punishing February 24 are almost as much ered with circular bruises from said. “You get an immediate Monica-based The Broot, an all- pany iiJin has an invisible wedge Outback survived by drinking about fashion as they are about “cupping,” a kind of acupuncture response from the filler, and the natural hair treatment bar, has a inside every pair of its shoes, giv- his contact lens fluid and urine, films, with the televised red car- said to encourage blood flow and long terms benefits is new col- secret not-on-the menu ingredi- ing wearers an extra two to five his mother said yesterday. pet arrivals and ceremony draw- ease stress. lagen formation, natural volume ent — bull testicles. inches (5-12cm) in height depend- Samuel Woodhead, 18, was ing an estimated audience of one Angelina Jolie told Vanity Fair and healthier skin.” Owner Samira Asemanfar ing on the style. found Friday on the sprawling billion people worldwide. in 2011 that her sons Maddox and For those who are needle- said her family had used them Dresses from NUE by designer remote property Upshot Station, It’s a night when women — and Pax had pedicures in which fish averse, bird poop could be the for generations, boiling testicles Shani Grosz all come with built-in about 130km from the far-flung men — spare no expense to out- “eat the dead skin off your feet” answer to brighter skin. Shizuka bought from a local butcher to compression fabric to make the central Queensland town of dazzle other Oscar-goers and ends while music impresario Simon New York Day Spa in Manhattan extract a broth of protein and wearer look a size smaller, reduc- Longreach, from where he had a two-month run of awards shows Cowell was reported to carry offers a Geisha Facial, an hour- hormones that’s added to treat- ing the need for figure-hugging, set off on Tuesday. He became to reward the top stars and films pocket-sized inhalable oxygen long treatment that involves ments to strengthen and repair slimming under garments. lost in extremely harsh terrain of the previous year. shots to maintain his looks. applying nightingale bird drop- hair. “Clients have told us their Accessories can make any out- and mother Claire Derry credited “It’s the grand finale to the This year, there’s a twist on pings in powder form to the skin. hair felt thicker, more repaired, fit but bling from New York com- his training at the Royal Military awards show season so celebri- the long-practised use of inject- The droppings, which salon more fortified. One client said her pany Fonderie 47 adds more than Academy Sandhurst for his sur- ties pull out all the stops when able dermal fillers to smooth owner Shizuka Bernstein imports hair grew faster,” said Asemanfar. sparkle. The company melts down vival in the remote and unforgiv- it comes to fashion and beauty,” facial creases and plump up the from Japan, are said to contain steel from assault rifles seized in ing Outback with little more than said style expert Sam Saboura, a skin. Enter the Vampire FaceLift, natural enzymes which exfoliate BEAUTY ON LOAN African war zones and partners sunburn and dehydration. fashion host on the cable chan- which mixes filler with the the skin. It’s no secret that designer with designers to make earrings, “He tried drinking his own urine nel TLC. “They’re willing to go patient’s own blood. “There are so many drastic gowns and jewels are often necklaces, and watches. and he wasn’t able to cope much Fonderie 47 founder Peter with that, so he drank tiny sips of Thum said the company has the contact lens fluid,” Derry told destroyed more than 25,000 the Sun-Herald newspaper. assault rifles since 2010 with each He lost 15kg over three days piece of jewellery imprinted with and nights and Derry said she and the serial number of the gun it her son were both incredulous came from. that he’d been found alive. “Sam is If expense is not an issue, incredibly fit, that was something another way to stand out on the I clung on to,” she said, adding red carpet is to arrive with a that her son wanted to go into the manicured set of nails contain- Royal Marines or the army. ing 267 carats of black diamonds. “He’d not long ago been on Los Angeles’ luxury jewel- an appropriateness course for lery designer Azature Pogosian, Sandhurst... so I knew he had who goes by the single name a lot of knowledge to draw on.” Azature, has created a black nail Australian authorities had held polish containing small, full cut grave fears for the man’s sur- diamonds that he said “add a vival in a region where heat, a three dimensional sparkle” when lack of water, venomous snakes applied on the nail. and the possibility of injury Only one bottle exists, on sale could prove deadly. at London’s Selfridges depart- Planes, motorbikes, and four- ment store for $250,000 since wheel drives were being used in the last November. But Azature search, with neighbours also comb- keeps samples for A-list celebri- ing the area on foot and horseback ties, such as Britney Spears, who and an emergency services helicop- wore it in a fragrance advert, and ter dispatched with medical staff. Kelly Osbourne, who wore it to When he was found Derry said her last year’s Emmy Awards. son told her his rescuers said “they “It makes women feel incred- normally find people out here with ible,” Azature said. There is noth- their eyes pecked out. ing wrong with making someone “All he could say was ‘Mum, feel beautiful. We’re not spending just thank these wonderful peo- People browse a selection of mini statuettes, like those presented to winners of the Academy Award, on display and for sale at a retail shop catering money on wars. We’re not hurting ple. I’ve loved Australia from the primarily to tourists on the corner of Hollywood and Highland Avenues in Hollywood, California. The 85th Academy Awards will take place on Februaty 24. anyone. We make a woman feel minute I arrived here. These peo- like a queen.” REUTERS ple are extraordinary’.” AFP Monday 18 February 2013 8 Rabial II 1434 Volume 17 Number 5614 Price: QR2

Gradiente: Brazil’s own iphone

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Medicare Group’s Qatar-US trade net profit grows by 14.5 percent team heads DOHA: The Medicare Group’s net profits increased by 14.5 percent for the full year 2012 compared to previous year, to Washington Sheikh Abdulla Bin Thani Al Thani, Chairman of the Board, announced after the board of Trade mission to focus on Qatar 2022 directors meeting here yester- day. The Board suggested the DOHA: The US Ambassador management, and other areas distribution of cash dividends of to Qatar Susan L Ziadeh and crucial to Qatar’s preparations 18 percent with an increase of Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee to host the World Cup. 64 percent from the year 2011. Secretary General Hassan Al American firms have a proven The company’s net operational Thawadi left for Washington to track record of delivering world- profits recorded QR44.80m com- jointly lead a trade mission, the class projects on time and on pared with QR39.13m for end of US Embassy announced. budget, she added. Ambassador year 2011. This was reflected in The mission highlights partner- Ziadeh and Al Thawadi expressed the earnings per share which ship opportunities for US compa- confidence that the trade mission yielded QR1.60 per share com- nies as Qatar prepares to host the will deepen the vital economic pared to QR1.39 per share for end Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani A Al Thani (fourth left), Chairman & Managing Director of Qatar International Islamic 2022 FIFA World Cup. The trade relationship between the US and of year 2011. The Board decided Bank (QIIB), Sheikh Abdullah bin Thani A Al Thani (third left), Vice Chairman, and Abdulbasit Ahmed Al Shaibei mission will showcase leading Qatar, and generate economic to hold the Annual General (third right), CEO, with other members of the board of directors during the General meeting at Ezdan Towers Doha, providers of American goods and growth and high quality invest- Assembly meeting of the Group yesterday. KAMMUTTY V P services in the states of California, ment for both countries. US-Qatari in April to decide on distribution Oregon, and Washington, US commercial ties have expanded at of a cash dividends of 18 percent Embassy said. Commenting on a rapid pace over the last seven of the nominal share value (i.e. QIIB elects two new board members the mission Ambassador Ziadeh years, with trade volumes grow- QR1.8 per share). said: “The 2022 FIFA World Cup ing from $738m in 2003 to $4.03bn Abdulwahed Al Mawlawi, is a key example of how Qatar’s in 2011. This visit underscores the Managing Director and CEO of DOHA: An Extra Ordinary The new members were elected Khalid bin Thani A Al Thani, rising international prominence US-Qatari commitment to shared Al Ahli Hospital and Medicare General Meeting of Qatar through a secret ballot. The deci- Chairman and Managing Director in bringing about new and excit- economic co-operation in US mar- Group, attributed the strong International Islamic Bank (QIIB) sion to increase the total number of QIIB. Sheikh Abdullah Bin ing partnership opportunities.” kets that meet Qatar’s demand for financial results mainly to the held here yesterday elected two of board members was in line with Thani A Al Thani, Vice Chairman US firms are world leaders with specialised, first-rate goods and opening of new facilities in Al new members to its board. With the new law. and Abdul Basit Ahmed Al unique capabilities and experience services, the US Embassy said. Ahli Hospital. this, the total number of the board The meeting at Ezdan Towers Shaibei, CEO also attended the in project management, event THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA members of QIIB has reached 11. -3, was chaired by Sheikh Dr meeting. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Saudi oil exports Nakheel in talks to extend Doha’s property sale fell to 7.06m bpd $2.18bn loan: Report in December DUBAI: Developer Nakheel is in talks to extend Dh8bn ($2.18 bn) DUBAI: Saudi crude exports in loans due in 2015, the indebted company’s chairman was quoted transactions up 20pc fell for the fourth month run- as saying in a local newspaper yesterday. ning in December, but the fall Ali Rashid Lootah dismissed concerns over Nakheel’s ability to repay in shipments was less dramatic its debts, which also include a Dh3.8bn sukuk, or Islamic bond, due than the drop in oil production, in August 2016, Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, The National, reported. Q4 report records 35 percent growth in value official data showed yesterday. The government-owned builder agreed a $16bn debt restructuring Exports fell by 92,000 barrels in 2011 and has scaled back grandiose plans such as building a one- DOHA: The property market large variations being put down per month, while rents for similar a day (bpd) to 7.062 million bpd, kilometre high tower after becoming a high profile corporate casualty saw a 35 percent growth in the to the low number of transac- properties in Al Hilal, Ain Khaled compared to a 467,000 bpd drop in of the Dubai property crash. value and a 20 percent increase tions. Primary market prices, per and Al Gharrafa averaged around oil production from November to Debts held by Nakheel, owned at the time by flagship conglomerate in the volume of property sales square metre, in Porto Arabia- QR13,250 per month. December, according to the offi- Dubai World helped trigger the emirate’s 2009 debt crisis. A last- in Doha Municipality in Q4 Pearl, Viva Bahriya-Pearl and “There has been increased cial data from the Joint Oil Data minute bailout by Abu Dhabi helped Dubai avert a bond default on a 2012, compared with the corre- Lagoon Plaza were QR13,500, QR demand in the Pearl-Qatar, Initiative (JODI). Nakheel bond in December 2009. sponding period in 2011. Those 15,500 and QR12,500 respectively. where one, two and four –bed- Over the last two months of last “We are talking to financial institutions to restructure our loan, sales were mainly recorded in “Values of apartments on the room apartments were the most year, the world’s top oil exporter which is a normal part of business because the original tenure is very the non-freehold/usufruct areas Pearl-Qatar (freehold area) have sought after. However the increas- cut production by around 700,000 short,” Lootah said. (those designated areas where increased marginally, but sig- ing amount of supply coming to bpd while exports fell by 216,000 “We have time but we are talking to them from now and engaging only Qatar and GCC nationals nificant capital growth may be market will keep rates relatively bpd on weaker demand. them from now to get a longer term. We are not worried about the can buy land), says the latest restricted in 2013 due to increased unchanged and some landlords The more dramatic drop in pro- sukuk. Our strategy first will be deal with the lenders. The sukuk is Asteco Qatar report. supply. However if the planned are foregoing increases at renewal duction than in exports reflects a a secondary issue to that.” Broken down still further, in shopping facilities open and the to retain existing tenants,” added drop in Saudi Arabia’s own oil use The bank loans under consideration are thought to be debt restruc- Q4 2012 there was a 44 percent national infrastructure projects Wolfe. Average leasing rates for and crude being taken from stor- tured under the 2011 agreement. This includes Dh6.76bn in secured increase in the total value and a boost population growth, areas a two-bedroom apartment var- age in December, in contrast to a facilities provided by, among others, Dubai’s biggest bank Emirates two percent increase in transac- such as Pearl-Qatar could witness ied from QR 5,750 per month in 5.816 million barrel stock build in NBD as well as Dh470m in unsecured facilities, all due in 2016, accord- tion volumes of villa transactions, a slight increase in demand,” said Bin Omran and Al Maamoura up November, JODI data shows. ing to Nakheel’s sukuk prospectus and estimates by Exotix Limited. compared with Q3 2012, indicat- Jed Wolfe, Managing Director, to QR 10,000 per month in West Oil markets closely monitor “This is all previously restructured bank debt. They (Nakheel) are ing a higher average transaction Asteco Qatar. Bay and QR13,000 per month in changes in Saudi production trying to refinance all of this debt before the majority falls due in value, the report noted quoting Residential rental rates in Pearl-Qatar. because it is the only country with 2016,” said Gus Chehayeb, director, Middle East and Africa Corporate the Qatar’s Ministry of Justice Qatar were broadly stable across The office market in Qatar was enough spare capacity to signifi- Research at Exotix, in Dubai. data. all locations in the fourth quarter static throughout 2012. With an cantly increase output to meet Nakheel reported a 57-percent rise in annual profit in January. It The total value of transactions of last year, compared with Q3, existing oversupply and more to increases in demand. The coun- also made interest and profit payments of around Dh800m to lenders for apartment blocks in the non- although villas in some premium come in 2013, prices will be under try burnt an average of 303,000 last year and has paid around Dh10bn to various trade creditors and freehold areas increased in Q4 locations experienced small rental pressure as tenants search for bpd of crude in power plants in contractors since the start of its debt restructuring. 2012, compared with Q3 2012 by increases due to constrained sup- value. The strongest demand was December, some 64,000 bpd less “We have sorted all the old issues, most of the old issues,” Lootah 87 percent and the volumes of ply of good quality stock. Rents for fitted suites of less than 500 than in November and 29 percent told the newspaper. transactions went up by 42 per- for five-bedroom villas in West square metres in grade ‘A’ build- less than the 424,000 bpd used in But he ruled out re-starting work on Palm Jebel Ali, one of three cent during the same period, the Bay Lagoon stood at QR 27,500 ings. THE PENINSULA December 2011. REUTERS man-made islands in the shape of palm fronds that Nakheel planned to build off the Dubai coast. Of these, only one — Palm Jumeirah — has been completed. “Nakheel will grow and grow and grow in a more careful manner and with a more well-studied strategy and plan,” Brazil’s own iphone Lootah said. “Tourism is booming in Dubai so people are looking for more options, so we are looking at that.” Last week, Dubai gave the go-ahead for a $1.6bn artificial island, not connected to Nakheel, as it resumes extravagant developments, despite several stalled or abandoned projects commissioned during the previous decade’s boom. Abu Dhabi energy firm discovers oil in Darwin North Sea field

DUBAI: Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) has discov- ered oil in a new North Sea field off Scotland, TAQA said yesterday. Two columns of oil have been found since drilling began in November at the Darwin field near the Shetland Islands, TAQA, which acquired a 50 percent interest in the exploration area in early 2012, said. The state-owned company said in a statement it was still evaluat- ing Darwin’s reserve potential and that work on one well had been suspended pending further tests. “This discovery proves that the North Sea still has great potential,” said Leo Koot, managing director of TAQA’s UK oil and gas business. Darwin is close to the TAQA-operated Cormorant South, North Cormorant and Pelican fields in the Northern North Sea. The United Arab Emirates-based company shut the neighbouring Cormorant Alpha platform in mid-January after discovering an oil leak in one of its legs. The leak also prompted TAQA to shut the Brent pipeline system, The 3G iphone smartphone from Brazilian Gradiente company sold in white and black versions for 599 Reais (about $300), at a Gradiente store in which runs through the Cormorant Alpha platform, for a few days as Eldorado shopping centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil, yesterday. Regulators have rejected Apple’s application to register its iPhone trademark in the country, a precaution. In November, the company which is 75-percent owned having recognised a local manufacturer’s claim to the name. by the government of Abu Dhabi, agreed to buy some BP North Sea assets for over $1.3bn. REUTERS

Aldar lifts Abu Dhabi; most regional markets dip on profit-taking

DUBAI: Shares in Abu Dhabi’s quite a bit this year,” Shurrab Beltone Financial. “The current Aldar Properties helped lift said. Shares in Air Arabia fell 2.7 key support is found near 6,900. the emirate’s benchmark to percent. The carrier reported a We are expecting a flat movement a 39-month high, with inves- 6 percent rise in fourth-quarter between the current support and tors expecting strong dividend net profit but missed analysts’ the resistance before the index payouts, while profit-taking estimates. moves towards 7,250 points.” weighed on most other regional Elsewhere, Qatar’s benchmark Analysts believe that valuations markets. ended 0.1 percent lower at 8,781 in main sectors, of petrochemicals Aldar jumped 5.0 percent to a points, declining for a second ses- and banks, are still attractive at four-week high. The company’s sion since Wednesday’s 10-month current levels, with selling pres- board recommended a cash divi- high. The index is near major sure over-done during the fourth- dend of 6 fils, which needs share- technical resistance at 8,844- quarter earnings. holder approval. The developer 8,910 points, where it formed Petrochemical sector’s index paid a cash dividend of 5 fils in three peaks between April 2011 declined 0.6 percent and banking 2012. and April 2012. shares lost 0.3 percent. Marwan Shurrab, vice-presi- Qatar Telecom was the Elsewhere, Kuwait’s bourse dent and chief trader at Gulfmena main drag, falling 1.2 percent. rose to a fresh nine-month high Investments, said some investors Industries Qatar shed 0.4 percent; on earnings optimism. were speculating that sharehold- the petrochemical firm is down Investors overlooked an esti- ers might press at their upcom- for a third session since rallying mate-trailing drop in profit from ing meeting for an even higher to a 4-1/2 year high. telecom operator Zain, which dividend than 6 fils, ahead of the “Industries Qatar trades at a blamed foreign exchange losses company’s planned merger with 2013F P/E of 11.2x on our fore- for the decline. Shares in Zain Sorouh Real Estate, which is up cast and 9.9x on the consensus ended flat. “People are accepting 2.9 percent. In addition, a strong earnings forecast,” Digvijay Singh the results, which are not so bad outlook for 2013 corporate earn- at VTB Capital said in a note. if you neutralize the FX loss,” said ings in general is helping the “While the valuations are unde- Fouad Darwish, head of broker- stock market, he added. manding, they factor in strong age at Global Investment House. Heavyweight First Gulf Bank fertiliser prices in the short to “There is a lot of momentum rose 2.4 percent and telecommu- medium term, while our own view being driven by expectations of nications operator Etisalat gained is less upbeat.” financial results. Retail traders, 1.0 percent. The market index VTB changed its recommenda- buying small-caps, is another climbed 1.1 percent to its highest tion on the stock from ‘hold’ to force driving the market.” since November 2009. ‘sell’, citing a lack of any impend- National Mobile Dubai’s measure meanwhile, ing catalysts or further earn- Telecommunications Co slipped 0.2 percent, extend- ings upside. In Saudi Arabia, the (Wataniya) rose 1.7 percent. It ing declines from Wednesday’s bourse snapped a six-session win- reported a 26.5 percent fall in 38-month high. ning streak. The index slipped 0.2 fourth-quarter net profit as more “The market has been resilient percent to finish at 7,072 points. customers failed to offset tougher in the profit-taking activity with “The index found some competition at home and foreign new investors entering and build- resistance close to 7,100,” said exchange losses took their toll. ing positions at these levels where Mohabeldeen Agena, head of Kuwait’s index gained 0.1 percent. the market has already gone up technical analysis at Cairo’s REUTERS MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Horsemeat controversy KFH Q4 net profit France woos rises but misses estimates

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s biggest UAE over Rafale Islamic lender, Kuwait Finance House (KFH) reported a 24 per- cent rise in fourth-quarter net profit yesterday thanks to its restructuring programme but the fighter jet deal numbers fell short of analyst esti- mates. KFH said last year it was reshuffling its top management and planned to work with advi- Paris hopes to sell 60 combat jets sors to sell, merge or restructure unprofitable subsidiaries after a ABU DHABI: France’s senior Mons-Catoni said Abu Dhabi fall in profits in 2011. defence industry lobbyist said Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed “The growth in KFH’s 2012 yesterday he was confident the bin Zayed al Nahyan had met financial results confirms the United Arab Emirates would Le Drian on the sidelines of the success of KFH’s Transformation buy Rafale fighter jets by 2015- event. Programme,” KFH Chairman 2016, as the defence minister in Confirming the meeting, a UAE Mohammad Al Khudairi, said in Paris said talks on a deal had defence source said: “The talks an emailed statement, saying this resumed. at the highest levels between the The entrance of the Tavola factory of French company Comigel in Capellen near Luxembourg, yesterday. had put the group on the right In January, a diplomatic source UAE and France are going in the After finding its beef lasagne contained horsemeat, the British unit of Findus began recalling the product from track for sustainable profits. said that France was hopeful of right direction.” In the fourth quarter of 2012 supermarket shelves last week on advice from its French supplier Comigel, raising questions over the com- selling 60 Rafales to the UAE. President Francois Hollande net profit was KD11.8m, accord- plicated nature of the European food chain. “There’s a very big chance the visited Abu Dhabi in the second ing to a Reuters calculation based customer could consider buy- week of January and discussed on financial statements, compared ing the Rafale somewhere in bilateral relations and Iran’s dis- to KD9.54m in the same period a 2015-2016 in order to have them puted nuclear programme with year earlier. delivered in 2017-2018,” the head the Gulf country’s leadership. of France’s Defence Industries A French contract win in the Abu Dhabi lays foundation for Saudi Maaden Council (CIDEF) chief, Christian UAE could lead to further con- Mons-Catoni, said. tracts in the Gulf Arab region, restarts plant He was speaking to report- which shares the West’s concerns Pakistan property project ers on the sidelines of a defence that Iran is using its nuclear KHOBAR: A subsidiary of industry event in Abu Dhabi, the energy programme to develop Saudi mining firm Maaden capital of the UAE. He declined weapons, a charge Tehran has ABU DHABI: A member of construction firm, Dhabi beyond saying it could be done restarted a diammonium phos- to comment on the size of the consistently denied. Abu Dhabi’s royal family says Contracting, had signed a mem- through loans or cash. “It will phate (DAP) fertiliser plant in potential sale. Saudi Arabia inked a deal for he plans to spend $45bn over orandum of understanding with be in phases. Every phase will be Ras Al Khair on Saturday after French Defence Minister Jean- US weapons worth nearly $60bn up to 15 years on a real estate Pakistani real estate tycoon Malik studied by itself... It depends on it shut it down for maintenance Yves Le Drian was quoted as tell- a year ago. project in Karachi, touted in Riaz Hussain to build residen- the situation when we decide to during a period of low seasonal ing newspaper Les Echos at the The on-off negotiations with Pakistan as the country’s big- tial properties on an island in go ahead with the projects.” demand, Maaden said. Maaden same event that negotiations on France have been under way for gest ever foreign investment. Karachi. Abu Dhabi Group, which invests will ramp up output today as a sale had restarted. several years. They hit an obsta- Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak “We have signed an MoU but a in emerging markets, already has scheduled, it said late on Saturday The French business daily also cle in November 2010 when Abu Al Nahyan said the investment lot of studies will still have to be large investments in Pakistan in a bourse statement. In January, quoted Eric Trappier, chief exec- Dhabi publicly criticised Dassault plans — which his business part- done,” he said on the sidelines of including Bank Alfalah , Warid the Saudi firm said the three-week utive of Rafale manufacturer Aviation, the maker of the Rafale, ner in Pakistan said on Friday a defence industry exhibition in Telecom, Al Razi Healthcare and shutdown would have no impact Dassault Aviation, as saying he over the cost of the multi-role included the tallest building in the the United Arab Emirates capital. Wateen Telecom. on its ability to meet its obligations had been given a “roadmap” for combat jet and sought informa- world - were at a very early stage. Nahyan, who is also the UAE’s A statement issued in Pakistan to customers of the industrial fer- relaunching talks, which fell tion on the competing Eurofighter Sheikh Nahyan, chairman minister for higher education, on Friday said the deal had the tilizer and that the ammonia plant apart due to a disagreement Typhoon. of conglomerate Abu Dhabi gave no details of how he would potential to transform the south at Ras Al Khair would continue to over price. REUTERS Group, said his privately-owned finance such huge developments, of the country. REUTERS operate normally. REUTERS

Etihad needs Jordan’s Arab Potash profit falls by a third Slovakia’s bid to keep US Steel AMMAN: Jordan’s Arab Potash Company, one of the world’s largest pro- ducers of potash, said 2012 net profit fell by more than a third as costs to revise Jet rose, while falling global demand weighed on output. intact amid European meltdown Profits fell 34 percent to 198.8m dinars ($280m), the firm said in a statement. Airways deal: Chairman Jamal Al Sarayrah said the results reflected the drop in global demand for potash, a main ingredient for fertiliser, along with a “rise in pro- KOSICE: As meltdown men- key export market— business exit by US Steel could be “a duction costs due to higher electricity, water, fuel prices and wages.” Chairman aces Europe’s steel sector, for Slovakia’s auto sector held strategic decision after it closed Potash Corp of Saskatchewan, the world’s largest producer, owns 27.9 per- Slovakia is scrambling to up last year, making the pos- a plant in Serbia last year”. cent of Arab Potash. Several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways keep US Steel — the country’s sible pullout of the Pittsburg- Opened in the 1960s, the have minority holdings. The firm’s production of potash dropped 1.8 million needs to revise its deal to buy a largest single employer — headquartered company a communist state-owned giant tonnes from around 2.2 million tonnes in 2011, according to industry execu- stake in India’s Jet Airways and from selling off a mammoth puzzling move to observers. Eastern Slovakia Steel Works tives. The results are the first fall in profits since 2009 when Arab Potash it is too soon to say when a final factory in Kosice, a gritty While US Steel has kept (VSZ) was sold in 2000, a dec- began a gradual recovery driven by robust prices due to higher demand for agreement will be struck, the eastern industrial hub. mum about its reasons for a ade after the regime collapsed. fertiliser, especially in India and China. REUTERS Abu Dhabi airline’s chairman Across the EU, the steel sec- possible exit, Slovakia’s out- Left-of-centre Fico had said yesterday. tor accounts for some 360,000 spoken Prime Minister Robert attacked the previous right- Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al jobs at about 500 factories, but Fico has hinted strict EU envi- wing government of Mikulas Nahyan, speaking on the sidelines production on the continent ronmental rules, high com- Dzurinda for selling off the fac- of a defence exhibition in the UAE has slumped from 22 percent modity prices and the end of tory for $475m (¤348m) and capital, said officials would meet of total world output in 2001 a 10-year tax holiday were to giving US Steel a 10-year tax Indian Trade Minister Anand to 12 percent in 2011 on weak blame. Steel runs in the veins holiday. Sharma to discuss the deal. demand for cars in Europe and of Kosice’s 240,000 residents. But the drive by the now Asked if a Jet deal would be cutbacks at auto plants. Bartolomej Deak started work- Prime Minister Fico to woo the signed by March or April, Sheikh US Steel Kosice provides ing at the factory 28 years ago. company comes as joblessness Hamed said: “I don’t know... we more than 11,000 direct and His two brothers also work sits at an eight-year high near need to revise it.” thousands of other indirect jobs there, and his two young sons 15 percent and with economic The terms of the possible deal in Slovakia, a small eurozone hope to. “The mood among growth set to slide to 1.2 per- have not been disclosed, but a gov- economy of 5.4 million people. employees is bad, there’s fear cent this year, down from 2.3 ernment source said earlier this Late last year, the steel com- and unease,” he said recently. percent in 2012. month Etihad was in talks to pick pany admitted it was consider- Sberbank analyst Vladimir “There is interest on both up a 24 percent stake in Jet for up ing several buyers. Vano warns that “a new owner sides to continue negotiations to $330m. The admission sent chills might want to shift the focus and find a solution for this Asked if a Jet deal would be down spines in Slovakia espe- to the production of higher investor to stay in Slovakia,” finalised soon, Sheikh Hamed cially in the wake of deci- value-added products, which Fico said recently. said: “It’s too early to decide.” sion by global steel titan could mean downsizing of the EU environmental laws Sheikh Hamed, who is also ArcelorMittal to shut similar iron-ore processing part of the “handicap local firms com- managing director of sover- plants in Belgium, Luxembourg factory.” pared to companies in Ukraine eign wealth fund Abu Dhabi and France. But the demand ArcelorMittal is making such or China, that don’t have to Investment Authority, did not for steel remains healthy in a move in Belgium, prompting abide by these rules,” he added. specify why the deal needs to be Slovakia. Three car plants — job cuts. “It could be a major Fico has offered U.S. Steel revised. run by giants Volkswagen, PSA blow to the overall employ- energy incentives to offset the “We need to talk with the Peugeot Citroen and Kia — gob- ment in the Kosice factory,” 500 million dollars the com- Indians about other issues ... ble up Kosice’s steel. Vano said. pany needs to invest into green including this,” he said. Despite economic gloom Tatra bank analyst Juraj technologies by 2016 to comply Unlisted Etihad’s chief execu- in the European Union — its Valachy believes the possible with EU rules. AFP tive said this month the Abu Dhabi carrier was conducting due diligence on making an invest- ment and would present the find- Row over Novartis ings to its board. The Jet Airways deal would golden handshake be the first foreign investment in India’s aviation industry since ZURICH: Pharma • Bullion - Mumbai the government relaxed owner- group Novartis’ Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30395 ship rules last September. (NOVN.VX) decision Silver (1 kg) Rs. 58220 This allows foreign airlines to to pay up to 72m Swiss • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.75 buy up to 49 percent in the coun- francs ($77.94m) to out- • Sensex try’s domestic carriers, many of going chairman Daniel which are facing stiff competition Vasella has unleashed BSE 19468.15 and high operating costs. a wave of indignation NSE 5887.40 Sheikh Hamed also dismissed among activist share- • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – talk of the carrier’s interest holders and politicians. which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN in India’s grounded Kingfisher Vasella will receive the Card/Demat Account not required. Airlines as “rumours”. “golden handshake” in • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return Kingfisher said in December it tranches of 12m francs p.a. (in dollar) was in talks with several inves- over six years if he • Housing loan from HDFC LTD tors, including Etihad, for a stake respects the non-competi- sale but those hopes have faded tion clauses of his contract, • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, as the indebted airline remains triggering criticism across Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. grounded. political camps. Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] REUTERS REUTERS MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Index 8,781.11 0.13 % QE Total Return Index 11,960.97 0.13 % RATE QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,571.1 0.17 % QE All Share Index 2,122.52 0.00 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,044.73 0.07 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5057.217 32.681 0.65 5057.217 4664.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,950.32 0.05 % QR193.4535 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 3668.35 -30.18 -0.82 3793.26 3601.05 UK ...... QR 5.6170 QR 5.6992 QE All Share Industrials 2,796.33 0.17 % SILVER QE All Share Insurance 1,969.48 0.21 % Dj Indu Average 13982.91 -35.79 -0.26 14039 12035.1 QR 3.6324 Euro ...... QR 4.8207 QR 4.9183 QE All Share Real Estate 1,613.28 0.27 % CA$ ...... QR 3.5840 QR 3.6602 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Telecoms 1,181.29 1.13 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9125 QR 4.0016 QE All Share Transportation 1,411.54 0.27 % Hang Seng Inde/D 23413.25 198.09 0.85 23944.74 22860.25 Yen ...... QR 0.0386 QR 0.0393 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7090 QR 3.8032 Iseq Overall/D 3667.31 -15.25 -0.41 3692.6 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0662 QR 0.0677 17-02-2013 14-02-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 17765.82 69.37 0.39 17737.68 16036.31 Index 8,781.11 8,792.84 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0368 QR 0.0376 Change 11.73 31.16 Nikkei 225 Index 11307.28 55.87 0.5 11498.42 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0881 QR 0.0908 % 0.13 0.35 $118.12 SL Re ...... QR 0.0285 QR 0.0291 YTD% 5.05 5.19 S&P 500 Index/D 1520.33 0.9 0.06 1524.69 1266.74 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0457 QR 0.0467 Volume 6,875,685 7,390,989 Straits Times/D 3290.47 -10.57 -0.32 3319.19 3160.83 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0421 QR 0.0429 Value (QAR) 305,808,185.98 448,028,794.43 $116.10 Trades 3,600 3,929 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4053 QR 0.4154 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 14 | Down 20 | Unchanged 05

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 17-02-2013

G-20 toughens exchange rate stance without pointing at Japan

MOSCOW: Group of 20 finance devalues its currency, other coun- currency, arguing its fall was a who have run into criticism from they welcome its fall and that was added following all-night chiefs took a harder line against tries can strike back and every- byproduct — not a focus — of their emerging market officials such as the yen’s weakness plays a part talks in the Russian capital as the governments trying to influence body gets into a vicious circle,” effort to revive the world’s third- Mantega for embracing stimulus, in their recovery strategy. club of the largest developed and exchange rates as they sought Reserve Bank of India Governor largest economy. which has then undermined the Japanese ruling-party law- emerging economies also reiter- to tame speculation of a global Duvvuri Subbarao told reporters “The Bank of Japan’s meas- dollar and strengthened other maker Kozo Yamamoto, who is ated they will move “more rap- currency war without singling in Moscow on Saturday. ures have been and will remain currencies. close to Abe, said in a February idly” towards market-determined out Japan for criticism. The new commitment is prob- targeted at achieving a robust In a nod to such complaints, the 14 interview it would be “appro- exchange rates and “refrain from Two days of talks between G-20 ably aimed at telling the Japanese economy through stable prices,” G-20 members agreed to moni- priate” for the yen to trade at competitive devaluation.” finance ministers and central that while they can stimulate Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki tor and minimise any “negative about 95-100 to the dollar. Deputy The G-20 also said that while bankers ended in Moscow with a their economy, they shouldn’t Shirakawa said. The G-20 state- spillovers” and said that mon- Economy Minister Yasutoshi the risks to the world economy pledge not to “target our exchange point to specific yen levels as ment is “absolutely in the same etary policy should always be Nishimura said on Jan. 24 that have receded, its growth remains rates for competitive purposes,” desirable, said Chris Turner, head spirit as our monetary policy,” he aimed at domestic needs, accord- it wouldn’t be a problem if the too weak and unemployment is according to a statement handed of foreign-exchange strategy at said. Finance Minister Taro Aso ing to the statement. Developed yen reached 100. US Treasury too high in many countries. That to reporters yesterday. That’s ING Groep in London. While the said a stronger Japan would “have nations should “pay attention to Undersecretary Lael Brainard requires more work to create a stronger than their stance three currency may initially climb next a positive impact on the global the effects their monetary poli- used a speech in Moscow to criti- stronger monetary and economic months ago and leaves Japan’s week it will soon resume its slide economy.” cies have on external markets,” cize “loose talk about currencies.” union in the euro area, resolve government under pressure to toward 100 per dollar from 93.50 That stance won support in Chinese Vice Finance Minister The G-20 meeting finished uncertainties surrounding the stop publicly giving guidance on as the Bank of Japan keeps easing Moscow. “There was no censure Zhu Guangyao told the state- after a week of volatility in finan- budgets of the US and Japan and the yen’s value. policy, he said. of the Japanese attitude, which run Xinhua news service from cial markets that started when boost domestic demand in econo- With the yen near its low- “It makes it harder for the was considered a policy to develop Moscow. the Group of Seven rich nations mies with large trade surpluses. est level against the dollar since Japanese to talk down the yen, its economy and not to inten- Federal Reserve Chairman said on February 12 that its mem- Advanced nations accepted 2010, policymakers are attempt- but they will let their policies do tionally devalue,” said Brazilian Ben Bernanke said Friday in bers won’t use policies to “target the US’s position by not setting ing to soothe concern that some the talking,” said Turner. Finance Minister Guido Mantega, Moscow that the United States exchange rates” and would focus new fiscal targets to replace those countries are trying to weaken Japan has faced suspicion it’s who popularised the term “cur- has deployed “domestic policy on domestic needs. Confusion they agreed on in 2010 and which exchange rates to spur growth trying to depreciate its currency, rency war” in 2010. “Talk of cur- tools to advance domestic objec- then broke out as G-7 officials many of them are on course to through exports. The risk is a which lost about 7 percent this rency wars is overblown,” said tives,” adding that bolstering the bickered over whether their first miss. They pledged instead to 1930s-style spiral of devaluations year as Prime Minister Shinzo International Monetary Fund US economy will support world joint comment on currencies since develop “credible medium-term and protectionism if other coun- Abe, who took office in December, Managing Director Christine growth. Unlike their American 2011 implied irritation with Japan. fiscal strategies.” tries retaliate to safeguard their campaigns for looser monetary Lagarde. “People did talk about counterparts, Japanese officials The yen fell Friday for the first Japanese officials aren’t alone own economies. policy to end 15 years of deflation. their currency worries.” including Abe have commented time in four days as early drafts of in accepting a cheaper currency “Currency wars are globally Japanese officials in Moscow The Japanese defence echoes publicly on their exchange rate’s the G-20 statement failed to echo as good for growth. suboptimal because if one country denied driving down their comments by US central bankers, level, fanning speculation that the G-7’s vow. Part of the pledge WP-BLOOMBERG

MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Victories Leafs cruise past Senators for Lagat, NHL: McLaren scores his first goal of the season in the 3-0 victory Lomong in New York TORONTO: The Toronto stopped 34 shots in his first career Maple Leafs showed no mercy shutout. NEW YORK: Bernard Lagat to their injury-ravaged rivals “Any goalie will tell you a shut- ran the fastest indoor two- yesterday in claiming a 3-0 vic- out is a team stat and the guys mile race by an American and tory over the Ottawa Senators definitely helped me out big-time Lopez Lomong became the sec- in the ‘Battle of Ontario’. today,” Scrivens told reporters. ond fastest US miler as athletes While every team in the lock- “Definitely happy I was up to set a host of quick times at the out-shortened season have had to the task, test my mettle but the Millrose Games in New York deal with injuries, few, if any, have way the guys played in front of me yesterday. been hit as hard as Ottawa. made me look pretty good. The 38-year-old Kenyan-born The Senators have five play- The Maple Leafs’ injury list is Lagat clocked eight minutes, 9.49 ers on what amounts to an All- also impressive, with number one seconds to reclaim the U.S. best Star disabled list, including Erik netminder James Reimer, first from London Olympic 10,000 Karlsson, the reigning Norris line winger Joffrey Lupul and top metres silver medallist Galen Trophy winner as the National four defensemen Jake Gardiner Rupp, who ran 8:09.72 last year. Hockey League’s top defenseman. and Carl Gunnarsson all sidelined. “I was more concerned about They were forced to call up However, Toronto managed to getting the time than in win- fresh troops from their minor plug their holes with solid back- ning,” the four-time Olympian league affiliate, with Derek Grant, ups and recorded their fifth win told reporters after claiming his David Dziurzynski and defense- in six games to move into the 10th Millrose title, eight of them man Eric Gryba all making their upper echelons of the Eastern in the mile. NHL debuts. Conference standings. Lomong, one of the Lost Boys of The game was Ottawa’s first With both benches stocked Sudan who is now a U.S. citizen, without leading scorer Karlsson, with newcomers, the rivalry claimed the mile in 3:51.21. Only and with top playmaker Jason between the national and provin- Lagat, at 3:49.89, has run faster Spezza also out of action, the cial capitals lacked its usual bite. among Americans indoors. team could not find a way to put Frazer McLaren scored his The 28-year-old said he hoped a puck past Maple Leafs’ backup first goal of the season to give the fast race would help him build netminder Ben Scrivens, who Toronto a 1-0 lead in a dull open- speed for the 5,000 metres during ing period. the outdoor season. “It will help NHL Results The tempo picked up in a score- me a lot in closing in the world less second but it wasn’t until the Tyson Barrie (41) of the Colorado Avalanche skates with the puck against Jordan Eberle (14) of the Edmonton championships,” he said. Tampa Bay 6 Florida 5 third that the crowd came to life, Oilers during their NHL game at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, yesterday. Fast-finishing Matthew Toronto 3 Ottawa 0 as Tyler Bozak provided an insur- Centrowitz, last year’s winner, Montreal 4 Philadelphia 1 ance marker and John-Michael took second in 3:51.34. NY Islanders 5 New Jersey 1 Liles scored into an empty net. the play -offs. “You really have to be counted on to carry a bigger “It’s obviously an adjustment The meeting also produced the Anaheim 3 Nashville 2 Even with a patchwork lineup, embrace what is ahead of us, it’s load. there are going to be bigger roles year’s fastest men’s 60 metres and the Senators have refused to wave an opportunity to show what we “That is the name of the for different players and you have women’s mile along with contrast- Phoenix 5 Columbus 3 the white flag and remain con- are made of,” said Senators net- game, there is always going to be to take that bull by the horns and ing results for Olympic champions Edmonton 6 Colorado 4 fident they can recover to make minder Craig Anderson, who will changes. ride it.” REUTERS Jenn Suhr and Brittney Reese. Canadian Sheila Reid won the women’s mile in a national record 4:27.02 as she defeated 16-year- old American Mary Cain, who ran 4:28.25. Ross dethrones Evans to win Slam Dunk crown Evergreen Darvin Patton shocked the 60 metres field, win- HOUSTON, Texas: Terrence Ross (pic- catching it then jamming it through the hoop Green and White missed on their second ning by a whopping 0.14 seconds tured) of the Toronto Raptors dethroned -- all while wearing a jersey of ex-Raptor star dunks, neither completing a move within the in a 2013 best of 6.50 seconds defending champion Jeremy Evans of Utah Vince Carter. time limit. despite being 35 years old. to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest yes- Evans slammed in a one-handed dunk on Green had cut down the net to attempt two Suhr took the women’s pole terday in a worldwide vote on social media. a run from the side in response but Ross fin- dunks with one ball on the same leap, missed vault, edging fellow American After a judging panel of retired NBA play- ished by leaping over a ballboy, passing the every attempt, then managed the trick after Kylie Hutson on fewer misses as ers that included Chinese legend Yao Ming ball between his legs and slamming it into the the time limit had expired and the dunk did both cleared 4.65 metres. narrowed the field to the finalists, Ross basket with his right hand. not count for the competition. London long jump champion slammed two spectacular dunks through the Other winners in the All-Star festivities In the three-point event, Irving made 17 of Reese was less fortunate. Olympic rim to win 58 percent of fan votes via Twitter ahead of Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game were his first 18 three-point attempts in the final bronze medallist Janay DeLoach and websites. Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers in round on his way to scoring 23 points and never trailed in defeating Reese “It’s a dream come true,” Ross said. the Three-Point Contest and Portland Trail defeating San Antonio’s Matt Bonner, who by five centimeters, 6.90 metres Evans opened with a windmill dunk over Blazers rookie Damian Lillard in the Skills finished with 20. to 6.85m. a covered painting, then lifted the cover to Challenge. Irving scored 18 points in the preliminary American records fell in both reveal his own painting of the dunk he had Yao and his fellow judges eliminated New round to advance past New York’s Steve Novak 600 metres races. just performed. York’s James White, Indiana’s Gerald Green, with 17 and Indiana’s Paul George with 10. US Olympian Alysia Montano Ross answered by making a running start Denver’s Kenneth Faried and Eric Bledsoe of Bonner had eliminated Golden State’s Stephen won the women’s event in 1:23.59 from the side of the hoop, taking a ball the Los Angeles Clippers in the opening round Curry with 17 and Ryan Anderson on New and Erik Sowinski claimed the bounced off the side of the backboard and of the dunk contest. Orleans with 18. AFP men’s run in 1:15.61. REUTERS Table Tennis: Six Qataris to play in Doha event

DOHA: Six Qatari players will be competing at the Qatar Open Table Tennis Championship, a Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) official announced yesterday. During a press confer- ence where Qtel was officially announced as a sponsor for the 5-day tournament, the top event will feature world and Olympic champions. A total of 420 players from 36 countries will be participating at the Women’s Sports Committee Hall at Aspire Zone. In last year’s competition, also held in Doha, China took all four titles, winning the Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles. Xiu Xing lifted the Men’s Singles title, after beating compatriot Wang Hao in Qtel Executive Marketing Manager, Mohammad Al Ansari (left) and Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) the final. General Secretary Mohahmmad Abullah shake hands after the signing ceremony. Also seen is QTTA Director, Also, Mohammed Abdulla, Executive Manager, Khalid Al Kuwari. Qtel will sponsor the Qatar Open Table Tennis Championship that General Secretary of QTTA, will begin on February 20. PICTURE BY: QASSIM RAHMATULLAH said that the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) will hold their Executive Committee Qatar Open Championship 2013 Schedule Meeting during the tournament. February 20 and 21: Qualifying rounds Women’s Singles Round 3, Starts from 11.30am Abdulla said: “The ITTF Executive Board will be coming February 22 Men’s Singles, Starts from 1.00pm to Doha and a big meeting will take place on February 23.” Women’s Doubles Round 1, Starts from 10.00am U-21 Girls Final: 2.30pm He added that it will be second time the meeting will be held in Men’s Doubles Round 1, Starts from 10.30am U-21 Boys Final: 2.45pm Doha and that all full members of the ITTF Board will be present. Women’s Singles Round 1, Starts from 1.00pm February 24 The Qatar Open Table Tennis Championship will take place Men’s Singles Round 1, Starts from 4.00pm Women’s Singles Semi-Finals, starts from 11.00am from February 20 to 24. The qualification rounds will begin on Women’s Singles Round 2, Starts from 7.00pm Men’s Singles Semi-Finals, starts from 12.30pm February 20 and 21. The event will consist of four Men’s Singles Round 2, Starts from 8.30pm Women’s Doubles Final: 3.30pm categories: Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Singles February 23 Men’s Doubles Final: 4.00pm and Men’s Singles. All finals will Women’s Doubles Quarter-finals, Starts from10.00am Women’s Singles Final: 4.30pm take place on February 24. There is also a U-21 category for Men’s Doubles Quarter-finals, Starts from 10.30am Men’s Singles Final: 5.15pm boys and girls. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Fichardt Haas turns up wins Africa Open EAST LONDON, South Africa: Darren Fichardt sur- heat at Riviera vived three bogeys over the closing holes to win the Africa Open by two shots from compa- Defending champion takes three-shot lead triot Jaco van Zyl and Gregory Bourdy of France yesterday. The 37-year-old from Pretoria LOS ANGELES: Bill Haas Mickelson. “So I think I’ve just closed with a one-under-par 71 positioned himself for a run at Northern Trust got to try to stay in the moment, -- including four birdies and three a Riviera repeat yesterday, fir- don’t let my emotions get the best bogeys -- for a four-round total ing a superb seven-under par 64 Open Scores of me. ... The guys behind me are of 272 over the East London Golf to seize a three-stroke lead after going to make birdies and it will Club course. LOS ANGELES: Leading the third round at the US PGA certainly get closer at the top. So It was the fourth European third-round scores yesterday Tour Northern Trust Open. I’ve just got to try to hang in there Tour triumph for Fichardt after in the $6.6m US PGA Tour Haas, vying to become the first and give myself a chance on the the Sao Paulo Open in 2001, the Northern Trust Open (USA player since Phil Mickelson in back nine.” Qatar Masters two years later unless noted; par-71): 2008 and 2009 to post back-to- After birdies at five and seven, and the Saint-Omer Open in back victories at Riviera Country 201 Bill Haas 70-67-64 Haas’s birdie at the ninth ignited France last season. Club, started the day four shots 204 Webb Simpson 70-66-68, Charl a birdie-eagle-birdie stretch His latest triumph came off the lead. Schwartzel (RSA) 69-67-68, John that cemented his spot atop the despite a back-nine slump that he But he avoided any bogeys on Merrick 68-66-70 leaderboard. survived because of a four-stroke the classic par-71 course despite 205 Luke Donald (ENG) 69-66-70, Fredrik “Ten, I hit a nice three-wood advantage over his closest rivals the challenging firm condi- Jacobson (SWE) 68-65-72 there and kind of had a tricky over a short course, whose big- tions produced by warm, sunny 206 Josh Teater 70-68-68, Charlie Beljan angle. I had a really nice lie and in gest defences were strong winds California weather. 67-71-68 that grass you can really spin one and thick brush bordering the Haas’s seven-under effort beat 207 Hunter Mahan 70-69-68, Sergio and it came off just like I wanted,” fairways. the next-best round of the day Garcia (ESP) 65-73-69 he said of the eagle that gave him “I started losing focus because by three strokes and gave him a 208 Adam Scott (AUS) 71-67-70, Ryan a two-shot lead. I was four shots ahead and began 54-hole total of 12-under 201. Moore 70-67-71 Haas picked up another stroke taking things for granted. I was Reigning US Open champion at the par-five 17th, where he nar- putting unbelievably and then 209 Jim Furyk 68-72-69, Graham DeLaet Webb Simpson and 2011 Masters rowly missed holing out for eagle missed a short one at 14 and (CAN) 72-68-69, Ted Potter 71-67- winner Charl Schwartzel both from a greenside bunker and thought ‘what is going on here?’,” 71, Sang-moon Bae (KOR) 68-65-76 shot 68 to share third on nine- tapped in for birdie. admitted Fichardt. under par 204 along with John he rolled in a 45-foot birdie putt Simpson, who had four birdies Van Zyl, seeking a maiden Merrick, who was in sole pos- to beat Mickelson and Keegan and a bogey, said the firmness of European Tour victory and level session of second place before a Bradley at the second hole of sud- the course reminded him of the with Fichardt going into the final bogey at the last to complete a den death last year. notoriously tough conditions of a round, finished with a one-over one-under 70. That victory remains the most US Open. 73 while Bourdy carded a two- “Bill shooting seven-under is recent of four US PGA titles “It was difficult to get the ball under 70 and both ended on 274 incredible out there,” Simpson for Haas, who won the Tour close to the pin,” he said. for four rounds over the 6,066- said. “I felt like my three-under Championship in 2011 to take the Overnight co-leader Sang- metre layout. was pretty good.” US circuit’s $10m play -off crown. moon Bae of South Korea showed South African Garth Mulroy World number three Luke “It’s very difficult in this game just how badly things could go closed with a 67 to finish fourth Donald of England (70) and over- to just pull away from the rest of wrong.He opened with the first on 275 and compatriots Desvonde night co-leader Fredrik Jacobson the field,” Haas said of the task of two birdies, but finished with Botes (70) and Tjaart van der of Sweden (72) were a stroke back facing him on Sunday. “You’ve a five-over 76 that included five Walt (71) were on 277 with Andy on 205. Haas had five birdies and only seen a few guys ever really bogeys and a double-bogey seven Bill Haas reacts to his birdie attempt on the 13th green during the third Sullivan (68) of England and a chip-in for eagle on the par-four do that. And those are guys like at the 17th to drop into a tie for round of the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Mark Tullo (71) of Chile. AFP 10th hole -- the same hole where Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil 13th. AFP Palisades, California, yesterday. Women’s Australian Africa Open Final Shin wins Australian Open Scores Round Scores SYDNEY: Leading round Leading scores after the final round of the four scores from the US LPGA Africa Open at the par-72, 6066-metre East Women’s Open title Women’s Australian Open at London Golf Club yesterday (RSA unless par-73 Royal Canberra Golf otherwsie stated): SYDNEY: South Korea’s world six birdies and an eagle putting Club yesterday: 272 Darren Fichardt 69-67-65-71 number eight Shin Ji-Yai won her at 16-under. 274 Shin Ji-Yai (KOR) 65-67-70-72 274 Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 70-67-67-70, the Women’s Australian Open Shin, 24, held her nerve to fin- Jaco van Zyl 66-67-68-73 yesterday, ending two strokes ish at 72 for a total of 274 and 276 Tseng Yani (TPE) 68-71-71-66 clear of Taiwan’s top-ranked take home Aus$180,000 in prize 278 Lydia Ko (NZL) 63-69-70-76 275 Garth Mulroy 72-67-69-67 Tseng Yani and four ahead of money - her third victory in seven 279 Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 70-70-70- 277 Desvonde Botes 74-67-66-70, Andy teen star Lydia Ko at 18-under. LPGA tour starts and 11th career 69, Beatriz Recari (ESP) 68-69-71- Sullivan (ENG) 70-70-69-68, Mark Shin took an early lead in win. Having turned professional 71 Tullo (CHI) 69-69-68-71, Tjaart van der the fourth and final round at in January 2005, Shin is the first 280 Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 71-70-69-70, Walt 70-68-68-71 the Royal Canberra Golf Club, South Korean woman to win the Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 74-71-65-70 278 Andrew Curlewis 69-73-69-67, expected to be a shot-for-shot Australian season-opener in its Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 70-71-64-73, contest with New Zealand ama- 21-year history. Ko, a Kiwi born 281 Catriona Matthew (SCO) 69-75-70- Ricardo Santos (POR) 71-66-70-71 teur Ko, 15, who was chasing an in South Korea, became the tour’s 67, Mariajo Uribe (COL) 64-67-79-71, historic second US LPGA win. youngest winner at last year’s Katherine Hull-Kirk (AUS) 68-73-71- 279 Thomas Aiken 74-70-66-69, Brett But her day got off to a ter- Canadian Women’s Open, smash- 69, Thidapa Suwannapura (THA) 71- Rumford (AUS) 71-70-68-70, Adilson rible start with a double bogey ing US star Lexi Thompson’s 72-71-67 da Silva (BRA) 62-68-73-76 on the first hole and a bogey on record by winning at the age of 282 Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 72-70-69-71, 280 Seve Benson (ENG) 71-71-68-70, the second, allowing Shin to slip just 15 years, four months and two Florentyna Parker (ENG) 71-71-72-68 James Kingston 69-71-69-71 to a three-shot advantage with days. Thompson was 16 years and 283 Dewi Claire Schreefel (NED) 70-72- 281 Lorenzo Gagli (ITA) 73-69-66-73, a birdie. Ko fought back to level eight months when she won the 69-72 David Higgins (IRL) 70-68-69-74, John play with Shin, notching three 2011 Navistar Classic, and had Parry (ENG) 68-66-73-74 birdies, but faded in the back Ko won yesterday she would have 284 Stacy Lewis (USA) 69-74-69-72, Christel Boeljon (NED) 72-68-74-70, 282 Jorge Campillo (ESP) 73-70-63-76, Shin Ji-Yai of South Korea holds up the winner’s trophy after the final round stages to finish 14-under, also been the only player to win twice allowing world number one Tseng on the LPGA Tour before her 16th Sarah Jane Smith (AUS) 68-70-73- Morton Orum Madsen (DEN) 71-69- of the Women’s Australian Open golf tournament in Canberra, yesterday. to charge into second place with birthday, which is in April. AFP 73 67-75 Heir Apparent Cup of Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation at Losail Shooting Complex

The podium winners at the Heir Apparent Cup in shooting and archery pose for a picture at Losail Shooting Complex, yesterday. The archery event ends today. The shooting event, held in two categories Shotgun and Precision will continue till March 2. MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Australia defeat West Indies to South Africa win Test series win women’s Pakistan collapse dramatically in second innings, lose by four wickets World Cup

CAPE TOWN, South Africa: The result was a disappoint- Ajmal’s tenth victim of the match MUMBAI: Ellyse Perry took South Africa reinforced their ment for Pakistan, who had before Dean Elgar hit the win- three wickets and Jess Cameron status as the world’s number seemed on top after two days ning run. scored a half-century to help one Test team when they beat before a strong fightback by South Pakistan made slow but solid Australia clinch the women’s Pakistan by four wickets on the Africa’s lower order batsmen on progress at the start of the day, World Cup for the sixth time fourth day of the second Test at Saturday. seeing off the threat of fast bowl- with a 114-run win over the West Newlands yesterday. Pakistan off-spinner Saeed ers Philander and Dale Steyn. Indies in the final yesterday. The victory, with a day to spare, Ajmal took four for 51 in South But they had only added 14 Cameron smashed two sixes gave South Africa a winning 2-0 Africa’s run chase to finish with runs in 8.2 overs to their over- and eight fours in her 76-ball 75 lead in the three-match series. It match figures of ten for 147. night total of 100 for three when as Australia posted 259-7, the came after a dramatic Pakistan Set to make 182 to win, South captain Misbah-ul-Haq top-edged highest total in the final, before collapse in their second innings. Africa lost Alviro Petersen ten a sweep against Peterson and was dismissing the West Indies for Pakistan were bowled out for runs into their chase, when he caught by Smith at short fine leg 145 in the day-night match in 169 after starting the day on a rel- was leg before wicket to Umar for 44. Mumbai. atively comfortable 100 for three. Gul for one. Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq Merissa Aguilleira (23), They lost their last six wickets for Captain Graeme Smith and added 33 for the fifth wicket Deandra Dottin (22) and Kyshona 22 runs on either side of lunch. At Hashim Amla put on 53 for the before Shafiq was unlucky to Knight (21 not out) were the main one stage four wickets fell in 13 second wicket before Smith was see a defensive stroke against scorers in a below-par batting balls, including three off succes- leg before to Saeed Ajmal for 29 Philander bounce up and then performance by the West Indies, sive deliveries. shortly before tea. back on to his stumps. making their maiden appearance The collapse was engineered by Ajmal gained a second leg The wicket fell five overs after in the final. left-arm spinner Robin Peterson before decision when he dismissed the umpires called for a replace- Seamer Perry, who also repre- and opening bowler Vernon Jacques Kallis for 21. ment ball after the original ball sented her country in the wom- Philander, who took three wickets Amla and De Villiers shared a went out of shape. en’s World Cup football, got three each before Dale Steyn finished rapid 62-run partnership for the Peterson bowled Sarfraz wickets in her opening three off the Pakistan innings. fourth wicket before both bats- Ahmed, who padded up to a ball overs, including that of prolific Peterson finished with three for men perished playing attack- pitched outside leg stump, with run-getter Stafanie Taylor, to 73 and Philander took four for 40. ing shots. Faf du Plessis became the last ball of the next over. reduce the West Indies to 41-3. Philander then took wickets with The 22-year-old Perry, return- Scoreboard the first two balls of the follow- ing to the side after missing the ing over. Super Sixes round due to an Pakistan (I innings): ...... 338 19-6-40-4; Morkel 3.1-0-8-0; Peterson 29-8- A long vigil by Azhar Ali ended injury, finished with 3-19 off 10 South Africa (I innings): ...... 326 73-3 (w1); Kallis 5.5-2-8-0. when he edged an outswinger to overs. Pakistan (II innings): South Africa (II innings): wicketkeeper AB de Villiers. Ali Off-spinners Lisa Sthalekar Mohad Hafeez lbw Steyn ...... 0 A Petersen lbw Gul ...... 1 made 65 off 193 balls with seven and Erin Osborne, and seamer Nasir Jamshed lbw b Philander ...... 0 G Smith lbw Ajmal ...... 29 fours. Megan Schutt took two wickets Azhar Ali c de Villiers b Philander ...... 65 H Amla b Ajmal ...... 58 Umar Gul edged the next ball each for Australia, who had lost Younus Khan b Steyn...... 14 J Kallis lbw Ajmal ...... 21 and Alviro Petersen flung himself to the West Indies in the Super Misbah-ul-Haq c Smith b Peterson...... 44 AB de Villiers c Sarfraz b Ahmed...... 36 to his left at third slip to take a Sixes round. Asad Shafiq b Philander ...... 19 F du Plessis lbw b Ajmal ...... 15 spectacular catch. Cameron and Rachael Haynes Sarfraz Ahmed b Peterson ...... 5 D Elgar (not out) ...... 11 South Africa were without fast (52) scored half-centuries before Tanvir Ahmed (not out)) ...... 10 R Peterson (not out) ...... 1 bowler Morne Morkel, who left Australia slipped from 181-3 to Umar Gul c Petersen b Philander ...... 0 Extras (B-5, NB-5) ...... 10 the field with a hamstring injury 209-7, but skipper Jodie Fields Saeed Ajmal b Peterson ...... 4 Total (for 6 wkts) ...... 182 on Saturday, but Peterson bowled (36 not out) and Perry (25 not Mohd Irfan c Petersen b Steyn ...... 2 Fall of wickets: 1-10 2-63 3-88 4-150 accurately for all but two overs out) added a brisk 50 to help their Extras (LB-2, W-4) ...... 6 5-168 6-180. from the Kelvin Grove end, ena- team cross the 250-mark. Total (all out) ...... 169 Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 10-1-35-0 (3nb); bling Smith to use Philander and AFP Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-7, 3-45, 4-114, 5-147, Umar Gul 8-0-46-1; Saeed Ajmal 18.1-2-51-4; Steyn in short bursts. Philander, who took five for 59 6-152, 7-152, 8-152, 9-158, 10-169. Mohammad Hafeez 2-1-11-0; Tanvir Ahmed South Africa’s Hashim Amla plays a shot on day four of the second Test Kaneria’s Bowling: Steyn 18.3-5-38-3 (w3); Philander 5-0-34-1 (2nb). in the first innings, had match figures of nine for 99. AFP against Pakistan in Cape Town at Newlands, yesterday. appeal against life ban to McCullum and Guptill sink England resume in April HAMILTON, New Zealand: Zealand into contention after they Trott recovered from a slow run out after scoring an impres- seal the outcome. Woakes was the Captain Brendon McCullum slipped well behind the required start to reach 68 before he was sive 74. New Zealand were then most successful of the England KARACHI: Banned leg-spin- led New Zealand to a dra- run rate in the early stages of bowled by Kyle Mills after adding 132 for four and required 126 bowlers taking two for 52 and ner Danish Kaneria’s appeal matic three-wicket win over their innings, was unbeaten on 89 with Root for the third wicket. off the final 96 balls. Franklin, combined with Ian Bell to run out against a life ban will resume on England with heroic support 69 from 61 deliveries. Root went on to make 56. Nathan McCullum and Andrew Williamson. April 22 after it was adjourned from an injured Martin Guptill The win was New Zealand’s As the England tail folded the Ellis all played brief cameos The second match in the by an England and Wales in the one-day international in fifth consecutive ODI victory over only other players to reach dou- before Guptill re-entered the series will be played in Napier on Cricket Board (ECB) discipli- Hamilton yesterday. England and put them 1-0 up in ble figures were Jos Buttler (21), fray to help Brendon McCullum Wednesday. AFP nary panel in December, the The game seemed beyond New the three-match series. Chris Woakes (17) and Graeme Pakistani player’s brother said Zealand’s grasp when they were England, sent into bat first, Swann (16). Scoreboard yesterday. reduced to 218 for seven as they produced a carefully crafted start In the process of mopping up The hearing on December 10 chased England’s 258 all out. to their innings and were poised the innings, left-arm seamer ENGLAND NEW ZEALAND had to be adjourned after chief With two players injured, they for a final onslaught when they Mitchell McClenaghan, who A Cook b McClenaghan ...... 4 B Watling b Anderson ...... 2 witness and Kaneria’s former needed 41 runs off the last 25 reached 220 for four in the 44th took four for 56, left the ground I Bell c B McCullum b Franklin ...... 64 M Guptill (not out) ...... 27 Essex county team-mate, Mervyn balls with effectively one wicket over. with a side strain before com- J Trott b Mills ...... 68 K Williamson (run out-Woakes/Bell) ...... 74 Westfield, failed to show up. in hand. But when the big hitting was pleting his final over and is J Root b Franklin ...... 56 R Taylor c Finn b Woakes ...... 22 Kaneria was banned for life But Guptill, who had earlier required, England lost their last unlikely to play again in the E Morgan c Guptill b Mills ...... 1 G Elliott c Morgan b Woakes ...... 22 from playing in Britain after the retired with a hamstring strain six wickets for 38 runs in the series. J Buttler c Elliott b McClenaghan ...... 21 B McCullum (not out) ...... 69 ECB’s disciplinary panel ruled last when he had three runs to his space of 37 deliveries. Franklin was the second best C Woakes c B McCullum b Ellis ...... 17 J Franklin c Buttler b Finn ...... 3 June that he had been involved in name, hobbled out of the tunnel Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and of the New Zealand bowlers with S Broad c B McCullum b McClenaghan ...... 1 N McCullum lbw Swann ...... 14 spot-fixing. to provide a vital boost. Joe Root, who all missed the three for 38 while Kyle Mills G Swann c Taylor b Franklin ...... 16 A Ellis c Finn b Broad...... 13 The 32-year-old, who played With limited mobility, he stood recently concluded Twenty20 took two for 32. S Finn c Guptill b McClenaghan ...... 0 Extras (LB-7, W-6) ...... 13 61 tests, was branded a “grave his ground and clouted four fours series won by England 2-1, were New Zealand’s response started J Anderson (not out) ...... 0 Total (for 7 wkts in 48.5 overs) ...... 259 danger” to the game by the ECB and a six while McCullum contin- the chief architects of the solid shakily with BJ Watling out for Extras (LB-4, W-5, NB-1) ...... 10 Did not bat: K Mills, M McClenaghan. who found him guilty of encour- ued to blaze away at the other end start to the innings. two on the last ball of the first Total (all out in 49.3 overs) ...... 258 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-75, 3-124, 4-142, aging or attempting to encourage to get New Zealand home with After the early departure of over and Guptill hobbling from Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-95, 3-184, 4-190, 5-155, 6-186, 7-218. Westfield to underperform in a seven balls to spare. Alastair Cook, Bell and Trott the field soon after. 5-220, 6-222, 7-229, 8-247, 9-248, 10-258. Bowling: Anderson 9-1-36-1 (1w); Finn 10-0- match in 2009. Guptill finished on 27 with 24 put on 84 for the second wicket Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott Bowling: Mills 10-2-32-2; McClenaghan 9.4- 54-1 (3w); Broad 9.5-0-56-1 (2w); Woakes “Danish is still in London and of his runs coming from the 10 in their first innings of the tour both made 22 and New Zealand’s 0-56-4 (2w); Ellis 10-0-67-1 (1nb, 2w); N Mc- 10-0-52-2; Swann 10-0-54-1. he will now decide whether to deliveries he faced on his return before Bell was out for 64 when cause looked decidedly difficult Cullum 10-0-42-0; Franklin 6.3-0-38-3; Wil- Result: New Zealand won by three wickets. return to Pakistan or stay there to the crease. he edged James Franklin to wick- when McCullum came to the liamson 2.2-0-12-0; Elliott 1-0-7-0 (1w). Series: New Zealand lead series 1-0. till his appeal is heard,” Vicky McCullum, who pulled New etkeeper McCullum. crease and Kane Williamson was Kaneria said. AFP Aspire Academy students excel in gymnastics

DOHA: Aspire Academy gym- UAE. Besides Gymnastics, the nastics student athletes excelled championships named Khaleegiad at the GCC School Sports Games 2, saw students competing in ath- winning a number of medals at letics, swimming and table tennis. the Dubai event. Qatar Gymnastics Federation The five gymnastics student President Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi, athletes from Aspire Academy was delighted by the per- notched a fantastic achievement formance of the boys in the winning four gold medals, two sil- championship. ver and three bronze at the event. “I am glad that all members The academy’s boys repre- of this team are Aspire student sented Qatar and Aspire at the athletes. The academy affected Second GCC School Sports Games positively their performance and in which around 250 athletes, behavior, so I would like to thank both boys and girls, participated. and congratulate all members The Qatar U-14 team in gym- of the academy for their con- nastics was led by student athletes tribution especially school staff Ali Al Naimi, Abdulaziz Salem, and teachers, sport department, Ahmed NabeelMousa, Abdulla Al social studies, LDP, doctors, Romaihi, and Abdullah Ibrahim. Physiotherapists and nurses. I am Students from eight countries truly confident that we are going including Qatar particapted in to achieve more success with our- the event. talented boys in this classic and The other countries which demanding sport,” said Al Hitmi, Aspire Academy gymnastics student athletes, who represented Qatar at the second GCC School Sports Games, pose for a picture along with officials sent their delegations to Dubai who is also the Student Care of Qatar Gymnastics Federation. The students from Aspire Academy notched a fantastic achievement winning four gold medals, two silver and three included Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Manager at Aspire Academy. bronze at the event. RIGHT: An Aspire Academy student in action at the second GCC School Sports Games held in Dubai. Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, and THE PENINSULA MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Aguero’s double lifts City; Chelsea thrash Brentford FA Cup: Wigan Athletic ease past second-tier club Huddersfield 4-1

LONDON: The Premier is scoring goals, which is good for League’s big-hitters restored FA Cup Results him and good for us.” some normality to the FA Cup Chelsea twice had to come from yesterday with holders Chelsea 5th Round behind to earn a 2-2 away draw crushing third tier Brentford in their first encounter and were Spanish tennis player Rafael Manchester City 4 (Y Toure 5, Aguero Nadal celebrates with the trophy 4-0 in a fourth round replay 15-pen, 74, Tevez 52) Leeds 0 again sluggish in the first half while Manchester City dis- against their fellow Londoners. of the Brazil Open after defeating missed Leeds United 4-0 in a Huddersfield 1 (Novak 62) Wigan 4 Juan Mata finally broke Argentinian David Nalbandian in fifth round tie. (McManaman 31, Kone 40, 89, McArthur Brentford’s resistance on 54 min- the singles final, at the Ibirapuera Midfielder Frank Lampard 56) utes when he latched on to Demba Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, scored his 199th goal for Chelsea 4th Round Replay Ba’s flick from a long Petr Cech yesterday. who put four second-half goals clearance and drilled in a left-foot past Brentford at Stamford Chelsea 4 (Mata 54, Oscar 68, Lampard 71, shot from 20 metres. Bridge to secure a fifth round Terry 81) Brentford 0 Oscar doubled the lead 14 clash at Championship (second minutes later from Branislav Nadal caps division) Middlesbrough on Feb. Quarter-Final Ivanovic’s cutback, scoring with 27. a deft flick, and Lampard quickly Argentine Sergio Aguero Fixtures added a third from Mata’s cross. A combination comeback scored twice for 2011 winners John Terry headed in at the far Oldham Athletic (III)/Everton vs Wigan Athletic of pictures Manchester City, who eased into post, this time from Oscar’s curl- of Chelsea’s the quarter-finals with a confi- ing delivery, to make it 4-0 on 81 with Brazil Manchester City vs Barnsley (II) Russian dent display that was the com- minutes. owner Roman plete opposite from their abject Manchester United/Reading vs “First half they made it very Open win surrender in a 3-1 Premier Middlesbrough (II)/Chelsea difficult, they sat very deep. Once Abramovich and former League defeat at Southampton Millwall (II) vs Blackburn Rovers (II) we got the first goal, the second last weekend. and third were sure to come,” Chelsea man- SAO PAULO: Rafael Nadal “I think it was really important * Matches to be played weekend of March Terry, returning after missing ager Avram showed he is back in business by to win this game. If you score two 9/10 two matches with an inflamed Grant (right) clinching his first tournament goals within the first 20 minutes knee, told ITV. during the title since ending a seven-month it is easier, but the FA Cup is a whose Chelsea future remains Terry said a British newspa- English FA knee injury layoff, winning the difficult competition as Arsenal unresolved with his contract per report yesterday that he and Cup fourth Brazil Open here yesterday. and Everton showed yesterday,” expiring at the end of the season, Benitez were involved in a dress- round replay The Spanish former world City manager Roberto Mancini tucked away a simple volley on 71 ing room bust-up were “complete football match number one, who has been com- told ESPN. minutes to edge closer to Bobby rubbish”. between plaining of nagging knee pain, Three second-tier sides reached Tambling’s all-time club record “There are stories today in the Chelsea and beat Argentine David Nalbandian the last eight on Saturday, of 202 goals. paper but it is complete lazy jour- Brentford in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in 78 including Blackburn Rovers who The goal prompted Chelsea fans nalism,” the defender said, refer- at Stamford minutes. stunned 10-times winners Arsenal to chant ‘sign him up’ as billion- ring to a Sun newspaper story Bridge in Currently the world number with a 1-0 victory at the Emirates. aire owner Roman Abramovich, headlined “War”. five, Nadal went on the attack London, Everton, sixth in the Premier sat with hands deep in his pock- Top-flight strugglers Wigan from the start, breaking his yesterday. League, were taken to a replay ets, forced a wry smile high up in Athletic put their relegation opponent’s service before racing after conceding a stoppage-time the stand. fears to one side by breezing past Grant was to take the first set. goal in a 2-2 draw at third-tier Interim manager Rafael second-tier Huddersfield Town sacked by The 31-year-old Nalbandian, a strugglers Oldham Athletic. Benitez said: “The team was 4-1 with two goals from Ivorian Abrahmovic former world number three who England midfielder Lampard, doing well and Frank Lampard Arouna Kone. AFP in May 2008, now languishes in 93rd place in despite lead- the ATP rankings, fought back ing the club early in the second set but Nadal to the 2008 came from behind to win the Champions match, sparking wild cheers from League final the crowd. and League The Spaniard pocketed a check Cup final, in of $82,300 for his win and thanked which Chelsea the public for “the great sup- lost both port” he received throughout the matches. tournament. Nadal was the top seed in this $455,775 tournament, his second comeback event following his long absence. He competed in the Vina del Mar Open in Chile earlier this month, losing the singles and doubles finals last Sunday. Considered by many to be the best ever clay-court player, Nadal was back on the court in Chile for the first time since suffering Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Oscar celebrates scoring his goal during the English FA Cup fourth round replay a surprise second-round exit at football match against Brentford at Stamford Bridge in London, yesterday. RIGHT: Manchester City’s Ivorian Wimbledon in June. AFP midfielder Yaya Toure (left) celebrates with Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (second left) English midfielder James Milner (third left) and Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez after Toure scores the opening goal of the fifth round English FA Cup football match against Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Del Potro beats Benneteau in Olympic champ Wiggins targets Giro victory Rotterdam final ROTTERDAM, MUSCAT: Bradley Wiggins “So, for me, it was just few races that actually came on NETHERLANDS: Juan has spelled out his objectives about having a different set of the telly other than the Tour de Martin del Potro underlined his for the season, with the British challenges”. France, when I was a teenager, indoor credentials as he over- cycling star focusing on a debut Whatever 2013 serves up and so I grew up reading maga- came a bleeding nose to beat win in the Tour of Italy rather Wiggins is acutely aware he will zines, and stuff like this; and the Frenchman Julien Benneteau than a defence of his Tour de be hard pushed to match the highs Giro just stuck in my mind. 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in the Rotterdam France title. of 2012 when he became Britain’s “I don’t know if it was just Open final yesterday. Wiggins gave a preview of how first ever Tour de France winner, the pink jersey, or I remember Del Potro, the 2009 US Open he sees his year panning out for won a fourth Olympic gold medal (Andrew) Hampsten (1988 Giro winner, claimed his fourth tro- Team Sky after filling a lowly in London, was awarded a knight- winner) climbing up in the snow, phy indoors but had to play the 74th in the Tour of Oman on hood and was named BBC Sports things like that, it was just quite last game with a nostril packed Saturday behind team-mate and Personality of the Year. an inspirational thing. with cotton wool after suffer- winner Chris Froome. Reflecting on his remarkable “It’s just a lovely race, it’s the ing another of his occasional Explaining his decision to tar- season he said: “I don’t think peo- only race in cycling where they nosebleeds. get the Giro, Wiggins, who is ple fully appreciate the four years really never mention doping In the previous game, expected to play a supporting it took to get there last year, and in the whole race, it’s kind of Benneteau had saved four match role to help 2012 Tour runner-up what that entailed. refreshing in some ways. points as he held on in a desperate Froome win the cycling blue rib- “We went from 2009 when peo- “When you’re there and you’re attempt to pick up his first title and this year, said: “I just wanted ple said it’s just a waste a money, in it, it’s just for the racing, and in eight ATP finals. a new set of challenges. he’s never gonna win the Tour, people come out to watch the Del Potro, could barely contain “It took a long time for the he’s a flash in the pan, to a pretty sport, and the spectators idolize his joy after winning. motivation to come back. disastrous 2010 and then there the racers, it’s a bit of a free for But this time the Swiss star “After the Olympics there was you go it’s a confirmation, he is all you know, it’s chaos at times” had fallen in the quarter-finals a long period when I thought, a disaster, just a waste of money, Despite his lowly Oman plac- to an inspired performance from ‘what the hell am I gonna do why have they invested in him<” ing - “I was pretty mediocre to Benneteau, leaving the way clear next this year’, because I put so he added. be honest” - he sounded an opti- for del Potro. much in 18 months for that Tour “To 2011, really going back to mistic note in terms of his fitness “It feels amazing, it was a big project. the drawing board, and change levels. goal for me to win this title after “I knew I wanted to go back it all around, and then 2012, the “I should be pretty ready to losing the final last year,” said and compete at the high level Tour, the London Olympics.” go. Weight is a massive thing for Del Potro. “I’m so happy to be the again, I didn’t want to retire. He describes the Giro as “a me. Because I’m not a natural champion. “I had to find something that new challenge”, explaining that climber. I’m 82 kg in the off sea- “I’m feeling very confident with would inspire me to go and train, the race has a particular signifi- son. 70 kg in the Tour. It takes my serve, hopefully for the rest of and for me the Giro was some- cance for him. me a long time to get to that, it’s the season. Today I did lose serve A file picture of Britain’s Bradley Wiggins kissing his gold medal after thing else I really would love to “I think it goes back to my a lot of hard work, I’m 75 now.” for the first time this week, but winning the cycling event at the London 2012 Olympics. try and win. childhood really. It was one of the AFP finals are tough to play,” he said. AFP MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Valencia Debutant Coutinho shines survive red card to beat Mallorca as Liverpool rout Swansea MADRID: A towering header from Ricardo Costa and a late strike from Roberto Soldado EPL: The Merseyside club scores five goals to end winless run earned 10-man Valencia a 2-0 home win over struggling Real Mallorca that lifted them to LIVERPOOL: Liverpool ended made all the running from the fifth in La Liga yesterday. a winless run of five games in kick-off with Suarez looking par- Valencia, who lost 2-1 at home impressive fashion yesterday ticularly sharp, going close first to Paris St Germain in the as they whipped an under- with a freekick and then another Champions League last week, strength Swansea 5-0 in their good effort, which crept over the were in trouble after 28 minutes Premier League clash. bar. when Tino Costa was sent off Victory saw Liverpool leap- Suarez, though, should have for swinging his arm into Tomas frog Swansea into seventh spot done better after Sturridge had Pina. Liverpool’s Steven and give former Swans manager done all the work in beating two The pace of Mallorca’s Giovani Brendan Rodgers something to defenders and then goalkeeper Gerrard celebrates dos Santos was a constant threat smile about at the end of a week Michel Vorm before going to after scoring a but Portugal defender Costa rose that saw defeats by West Brom ground, but with the goal at his penalty against at the back post to power a header and then Zenit St Petersburg in mercy the Uruguayan put the ball Swansea City dur- under the bar from a corner in the Europa League. wide. ing their English the 60th minute. A penalty from Steven Gerrard Liverpool’s appeals for a pen- Premier League Home keeper Diego Alves kept got them on their way and alty for a foul on Sturridge fell match at Anfield Mallorca at bay and the hard- three goals early in the second- on deaf ears. in Liverpool, working hosts were rewarded half from impressive debutant However, the hosts did get a northern England, when Spain striker Soldado broke Philippe Coutinho, Jose Enrique penalty in the 34th minute as yesterday. free and squeezed a shot under and Luis Suarez wrapped up the Suarez was needlessly pushed by Dudu Aouate nine minutes from points against a side seemingly Kemy Agustien and Gerrard, who time. distracted by the League Cup final had missed a penalty in the defeat Mallorca, second bottom of La with Bradford next Sunday. by West Brom last Monday, made Liga, have one win from their last Daniel Sturridge, who like no mistake from the spot. 19 league outings. Coutinho missed the Europa Sturridge went close to dou- Valencia have 40 points from 24 League match, added a fifth from bling the lead shortly before half- games, two behind fourth-placed the penalty spot. time as his shot went over Vorm, Malaga, who beat Athletic Bilbao Swansea manager Michael but the visitors defence got back 1-0 at home on Saturday. Laudrup was made to regret send- to clear the ball. third in the 50th minute as Luis done more than enough on his Routledge. The hosts were In the midday kick-off, Levante ing out a starting line-up shorn The hosts did double their Enrique finished off a beautiful debut and took him off. reduced to 10 men for the last 10 stalled Real Sociedad’s push for of several first choice players, lead almost immediately from passing move involving Coutinho, Sturridge was also a vibrant minutes of the match, not that it European football next season by including leading scorer Michu, the kick-off as Coutinho, taking Suarez and Sturridge. presence and Vorm had to be mattered much to the outcome, holding them to a 1-1 draw with preferring to give the 15-goal advantage of the Swansea defence Swansea had completely capit- at his best to keep out a sting- after Fabio Borini, who had just ten men, both goals coming from Spaniard time on the bench. not going in for the tackle, saw ulated and Suarez added a fourth ing effort but he deservedly did come on as a substitute during first-half penalties. Liverpool, who in three pre- his shot go under Vorm and into six minutes later with a brilliant get his name on the scoresheet the match, was taken off in agony Carlos Vela gave the Basques vious Premier League meetings the net. individual effort and soon after with a penalty in the 71st minute with what looked like a dislocated the lead and Michel levelled, but with Swansea had failed to score, The hosts added a glorious Rodgers decided Coutinho had awarded for a handball by Wayne shoulder. AFP Levante hung on despite a second yellow card for defender Nikos Karabelas early in the second period. Real Sociedad are sixth with 37 Messi exceeds 300 goals for Barca points. AFP

MADRID: Barcelona assist- very difficult ground to go to.” ant manager Jordi Roura hailed Ighalo had prodded Granada Grenier on target 300-goal Lionel Messi after the into a shock lead with virtually Argentine’s double helped his their first attack of the game, but as Lyon thrash side come from a goal down to Messi’s moment arrived five min- beat Granada 2-1 on Saturday. utes into the second period as he Bordeaux Messi’s first goal was also his pounced after Tono had failed to 300th in a Barcelona jersey and hold Cesc Fabregas’ effort. Roura was particularly relieved And soon after the Argentine PARIS: Clement Grenier for his efficiency in front of goal had his 301st goal as he curled Messi Stats scored a double as Olympique on a night when some of his team- home a sumptuous free-kick. ■ Since becoming a father Lyon reclaimed second spot in mates had passed up a number Roura had taken the opportu- in November, Messi has Ligue 1 and revived their title clear chances. nity to rest Andres Iniesta ahead scored 31 goals in 21 hopes by hammering Girondins “What am I going to say? It is their Champions League tie with matches for Barcelona Bordeaux 4-0 away yesterday. something extraordinary,” he told AC Milan in midweek, whilst Xavi ■ Messi has scored 243 goals Midfielder Grenier coolly slot- reporters. was again missing through injury. with his left foot, 44 on ted home early on and netted “To score 301 goals I think is Victory extended Barca’s right foot, 12 by head and a second-half penalty as Remi incredible and, in this game, when lead at the top to 15 points over 2 with his body. Garde’s side, now on 48 points we lacked cutting edge he helped Atletico Madrid and 19 over arch ■ Currently, Messi would be from 25 games, leapfrogged us.” rivals Real Madrid who are due the top scorer in all of La Olympique Marseille and nar- Roura was also happy with how to play late yesterday. AFP Liga’s history except for rowed the gap with Paris St his side responded after Odion three seasons Germain to three points. Ighalo had fired the hosts into ■ Messi has scored 28 goals Gueida Fofana scored the sec- the lead against the run of play Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against Granada during Spanish League outside the Nou Camp ond goal with a superb 25-metre on 26 minutes. their Spanish first division soccer match at Los Carmenes Stadium in this season, more than in strike twenty minutes into “The result is very good but I Granada on Saturday. It was his 300th goal for Barcelona. Results any of his eight seasons at the second half and Alexandre don’t think it was the only good Barcelona. Lacazette wrapped it up with a MADRID: Spanish league thing. We weren’t clinical in front ■ Messi scored his 100th goal volley from just outside the box. results on Saturday: of goal, but these players love to difficult for us, but at the end Leo Full-back Jordi Alba also high- against Albacete and 200th Bordeaux, who had conceded compete and after the first goal has decided it,” he said. lighted Messi as the decisive fac- Malaga 1 (Saviola 18) Athletic Bilbao 0 vs Plzen only 16 goals coming into the we have gone until the end and “We have already seen that tor in the match but believes Getafe 3 (Colunga 10, Diego Castro 34, ■ Messi has scored against game, are ninth on 38 points. managed to come back,” he said. Granada is a team capable of Granada have improved suffi- Fernandez 42) Celta Vigo 1 (Fernández 20) every La Liga club except St Etienne’s hopes of securing “We have suffered because it beating Real Madrid. They have ciently in recent weeks to give Granada 1 (Odion Jude Ighalo 26) Barcelona Sevilla and Celta Vigo. a Champions League playoff spot is logical to suffer at some point. signed very good players in the them more than a fighting chance 2 (Messi 50, 73) ■ To date, Messi has enjoyed took a knock as Les Verts, fifth on They pressured us a lot at the end January window and the team has of surviving the drop. Osasuna 1 (Echaide 4) Real Zaragoza 0 scoring against Atletico 41 points, were held 1-1 at Stade when they had nothing to lose and changed a lot,” he said. “It is good that his numbers Played on Friday Madrid (20). He has scored Reims after Gaetan Courtet for a moment it seemed as if the “We played very well in the sec- keep improving for him and Sevilla 3 (Rakitic 6, Medel 27, 40) Deportivo 17 goals against arch rivals cancelled out Pierre-Emerick clock had stopped, but it is human ond-half and we go away happy for the team, which is the most La Coruna 1 (Riki 32) Real Madrid Aubameyang’s opener. to suffer.” having achieved a victory at a important thing. Today it was St Etienne now trail Nice, who beat Bastia away 1-0 on Saturday, by one point. Lyon produced a solid perform- Serie A: Stubborn Sampdoria ance at Chaban Delmas. After 15 minutes, Grenier col- lected a Bafetimbi Gomis through ball and kept his composure to dent Napoli’s title hopes fire it past Cedric Carrasso. Bordeaux barely threatened MILAN, Italy: A coach-less Napoli, wearing black arm- and fell two goals behind when but stubborn Sampdoria put Serie A Results bands in honour of former player Fofana unleashed a shot straight the brakes on Napoli’s Serie A Napoli 0 Sampdoria 0 Carmelo Imbriani, who died this into the left top corner. title ambitions by holding the week at the age of 37, came closest The hosts had only themselves Torino 2 (Cerci 42, Birsa) Atalanta 1 (Denis Neapolitans to a scoreless draw when Lorenzo Insigne unleashed to blame for the third goal as 75-pen) at the San Paolo yesterday. a drive that forced Sergio Romero Julien Faubert, back to Bordeaux Napoli had hoped to close the Catania 1 (Almiron 42) Bologna 0 to parry. after six years of tribulations that gap on Juventus to just two points Pescara 0 Cagliari 2 (Sau 53, 61) Striker Edinson Cavani also even took him to a loan spell to after the championship leaders tested Romero while at the other Real Madrid, fouled Fofana in the were stunned 1-0 by Francesco Genoa 1 (Kucka 33) Udinese 0 end Lorenzo De Silvestri forced box. Grenier converted the result- Totti’s rocket strike for Roma on De Sanctis down low to smother ing penalty in the 73rd minute Saturday. Despite Juve’s slip-up the as the visitors dominated on the and Lacazette’s volley followed But three days after a shock 3-0 champions are still four points half hour. to seal the one-sided encounter. defeat at home to Viktoria Plzen ahead of Napoli on 51 points, with Meanwhile, Catania’s fairy- REUTERS in the Europa League, Walter Lazio a distant third (44) ahead tale campaign continued with a Mazzarri’s side failed to conjure of their trip to Siena on Monday. 1-0 home win over Bologna and a goal for the second match in Sampdoria had beaten Napoli a move up to seventh and within French League succession. only once in their last five outings, sight of the European places. “This is not good enough,” said the visitors went in feeling buoyed Valter Birsa’s 87th-minute win- Results Mazzarri. at the break. ner handed Torino a 2-1 victory “If we want to be up there chal- Early on striker Gianluca over Atalanta, while Juraj Kucka’s Bordeaux 0 Lyon 4 (Grenier 15, 73-pen, G. Fofana 65, Lacazette 75) Napoli’s defender Paolo Cannavaro (left) fights for the ball with lenging we need more. We need Sansone worked his way through 33rd-minute goal was enough to Sampdoria’s Argentine forward Mauro Lcardi during their Italian Serie consistency, it makes me angry the defence to see his prodded see Genoa move further away Reims 1 (Courtet 76) Saint-Etienne 1 A football match in San Paolo Stadium, yesterday. when he show up and have these shot smothered by Napoli keeper from the drop zone with a 1-0 win (Aubameyang 10) unexplainable performances.” Morgan De Sanctis from close in. over Udinese. AFP Monday 18 February 2013 8 Rabial II Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5614 Sport Price: QR2

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Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, winner of the Qatar Open, and runner-up Serena Williams of the US, pose with their trophies at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. Azarenka won 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-3. CENTRE: Azarenka celebrates her success at the Qatar Open tournament. RIGHT: Azarenka kisses the winner’s trophy. PICTURES BY: SYED OMAR Azarenka retains Qatar Open title The Belarussian avenges loss of her world number one ranking, beats Serena in final BY RIZWAN REHMAT The Minsk-born will be replaced by the American as the DOHA: World number one new world number one today but and top seed Victoria Azarenka Azarenka said she has no option of Belarus yesterday braved a but to fight the American to Serena Williams onslaught to emerge winner. win the $2.36m Qatar Open for “I just knew that I had to fight. the second time in a row. I just wanted to give myself every The defending champion, who opportunity to win this match,” won the Australian Open last Azarenka said yesterday. month, overcame a mid-match “In the third set, I told myself crisis to beat Serena 7-6 (8-6), that I had to do something other- 2-6, 6-3 in what was the second wise she can take the game away final of the new season for the from you. 23-year-old Belarussian. “I knew that she was going to Azarenka, who beat Australia’s bring her A-game, especially on Samantha Stosur in last year’s the key moments of the match,” final, picked up the top prize of Azarenka said. $426,000 while 31-year-old Serena “I really had to step up to turn went home richer by $213,000. things around,” she said. In a classic baseline tussle in Serena, winner of 47 titles on front of more than 7,000 fans, the women’s Tour, was gracious Azarenka won the first set in a in defeat. tight tie-breaker before losing “She really played well not only composure and purpose in her today but throughout this week,” serve in the second. Serena said. However, Azarenka picked up “She deserves to be the cham- momentum in the deciding set, pion,” the American added. breaking the 15-time Grand Slam Serena dictated terms for most in game two to seal victory in 2 part of the match, especially in hours 28 minutes. the second set when the American It was Azarenka’s first win over sensed a revival but Azarenka put Serena in 10 matches and just the decisive effort into her first serves second in 12 head-to-head battles. in the third set to secure her sec- ond trophy in Doha. Qatar Open 2013 The American fired 11 aces including four in game four of the Results third set but Azarenka’s greater Women’s Singles Final first serve percentage (79) in the [1] V Azarenka (BLR) bt [2] S Williams (USA) third turned the match in her Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, winner of the Qatar Open poses for a picture along with ball boys and girls at the Khalifa International Tennis and 7-6 (6) 2-6, 6-3 favour. Squash Complex, yesterday. Women’s Doubles Final Azarenka said winning in Doha [1] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) bt [2] N Petrova was just reward for hard work. (RUS) / K Srebotnik (SLO) 2-6, 6-3, 10-6 “It feels incredible. The tourna- broke Azarenka in game eight as fall apart with errors and weak her outing, saying her 48 unforced game and I wasn’t able to do that ment is really great. I mentioned the set predictably headed for the serves. errors were probably the cause of today. I stayed at 2 out of 10, and I this so many times,” Azarenka tie-breaker. The American picked up two her defeat. can’t play that low,” she said. Qatar Total said. After an edgy start, Azarenka easy points in game one of the “I made so many errors. It was Serena praised Azarena’s resil- “It had such a strong field going raced to 5-2 in the tie-breaker but third set but Azarenka switched just weird,” Serena said. ience in Doha. Winners into it and I’m really glad that in Serena reeled off four successive gears to reel off four successive “My serve, oh, my gosh, it was “I always respect Victoria. 2013 Victoria Azarenka the end I’m the one who’s hold- points to reach set point. Leading points to go 1-0 up. just one of those days. I’m having I think she’s a really good 2012 Victoria Azarenka ing the trophy. I played really 6-5, an unforced error from Moments later, the tall too many of those days. I’ve got player,”Serena said. well this entire week. It’s never Serena provided much-needed Belarussian produced a couple of to cut them out,” the 31-year-old “Obviously she’s so consistent 2011 Vera Zvonareva easy to play five matches with relief to Azarenka who produced backhand shots from the baseline added. and she plays well. She’s just a 2008 Maria Sharapova the best players in the world. I’m a backhand on her own serve to followed by two powerful forehand “This whole week, I just don’t solid player. 2007 Justine Henin glad I was really consistent and I arrive at her first set point. placements to break Serena in think I played my best tennis. I “It’s nice to always play some- 2006 Nadia Petrova achieved my goal,” she added. Trailing at 6-7, Serena fired a game two for a 2-0 cushion. was fighting every match. I was one that you go home and you’re 2005 Maria Sharapova Serena kicked-off proceed- return long as Azarenka pocketed Trailing 3-5, Serena saved a just really excited to make it to like, Okay, I didn’t do great, but 2004 Anastasia Myskina ings with a 169km/h ace in the the first set. In the second set, match point in game eight but the final with the game I was let me work harder. first game of the final but it Serena broke Azarenka in game Azarenka quickly finished off the playing all week,” Serena said. “I think she inspires a lot of 2003 Anastasia Myskina was Azarenka who broke the two and then in game seven to American’s challenge with power- “I can’t play that quality game people to work harder, and defi- 2002 Monica Seles American in the second game with draw level in the match as the ful serves in game nine. against a top player like Victoria. nitely me,” Serena said. 2001 Martina Hingis powerful serves. The American Belarussian’s game started to Serena wasn’t impressed with I have to be able to pick up my THE PENINSULA