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30 March 2013 18 Jumada I 1434 - Volume 18 Number 5654 Price: QR2 ON SATURDAY

Cases of commercial fraud on the rise

DOHA: With the Qatari market expand- ing and foreign businesses increasing their presence here, there has been a surge in the number of cases of commer- cial fraud being heard by local courts. Legal circles say illegal practices being resorted to by some retailers for profiteer- ing, like replacing product labels and not complying with Qatari standards and speci- fications, are among the common violations being committed. Then, there are cases of retail outlets announcing promotions without seeking the necessary permission from the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) of the Ministry of Business and Trade, the state- run consumer rights’ watchdog. Some retailers don’t give purchase receipts to customers although it is legally binding on them to do so. According to Al Sharq, in the last three months the CPD has conducted as many as 3,000 raids on retail outlets — a record of sorts in such a short period — to check their compliance with the consumer pro- tection law. There has been a similar surge in the number of consumer complaints received by the CPD during that period (January 2013 till date) — an incredible 900 in such a short span. Market sources attribute the rise in the number of consumer complaints and the resulting large number of raids on outlets to the increasing presence of foreign busi- nesses in the country. Some of these businesses are looking for quick profits, and so are least bothered about consumer rights and Qatari laws aimed at protecting these rights. THE PENINSULA MADE TO WAIT Qatari investors to buy Printemps

PARIS: Qatari investors are set to buy THE ISSUE 100 percent of French department store Printemps, official documents show. The tourist shopping hot spot has been A new trend is catching on in the A Spanish executive bachelor, for instance, part-time household work with large families. the target of a joint bid by Italian business- country whereby expatriate families has a company assign a maid to his accommo- Qatari families still prefer full-time live-in man Maurizio Borletti allied with Qatari dation for four hours a day in a week and he maids supplied by manpower agencies, which, investors, but is also coveted by French are increasingly relying on maid pays QR100 for the service. according to lawyer Mohsin Thiyab Al Suwaidi, retail arch-rival Galeries Lafayette. services provided by companies. Maid service companies, as they are called, are legally barred from supplying maids to Through Luxembourg-based company provide free food, uniforms and accommodation households for part-time work. Divine Investments, Qatari investors are

Given the growing demand, there Abraham Augusthy to the women in their employ and provide them “An agency can recruit a maid and supply offering to buy Borletti Group’s 30 percent has been a sudden surge in the transport as well, in that they ferry them to her to a household for a fee,” said Al Suwaidi. stake in Printemps as well as the 70 per-

number of companies offering such and from households where they are assigned Asked about maid service companies, he hinted Design: cent holding owned by Deutsche Bank’s real services. to work. they might have a valid licence for that purpose, estate investment unit RREEF, according The monthly pay of these maids ranges from else they could not operate. to official documents. QR1,200 to QR1,500, and most of them make He said an unwelcome new trend in the See also page 15 hese companies are directly recruit- some extra money by way of tips given by many country was that of manpower agencies recruit- ing maids from countries like the families. ing maids and sending them to countries like New licence plates Philippines, Indonesia and Kenya, The companies charge the households they Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lebanon, where hir- Tamong others, retaining them under service anywhere from QR25 to QR40 an hour, ing costs are exorbitant. their sponsorship and supplying them to and the majority of them insist that a maid “This is tantamount to human trafficking,” disappoint some households to work on an hourly basis in the must be engaged for a minimum of four hours said the lawyer. He said Qatari families were daytime. a day. suffering because most maids provided by the DOHA: Owners of cars with special Cooking, ironing, cleaning, washing clothes, Some companies even charge QR100 an hour, agencies run away within the legally stipulated number licence plates say their new for- tending to children and even walking the family claiming they have highly trained maids work- probation period of three months. mat diminishes the value of the plates, a dog are some of the jobs the women employees ing with them. The companies insist they have “These maids go back to the agencies, which local Arabic daily has reported. of these companies do in households that seek a valid licence to operate and what they are assign them to other households, so the family The licence plates have been changed their services. doing is legal. that has paid the recruitment fee through the from their old format, which contained the PAGEA welcome development 6 is that bachelor They equate themselves with cleaning com- nose loses the money,” said the lawyer, call- plate numbers in both English and Arabic, executives or expatriates in upper income panies that provide janitorial services to busi- ing for the maid recruitment process to be to the European model so the numbers can brackets living single and needing cooking, ness premises and large households, mostly on streamlined. be clearly seen from a distance. cleaning and washing services in their homes long-term contracts. But maid service compa- THE PENINSULA Full story on page 4 can also hire these maids. nies are not known to strike long-term deals for See also page 2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 MARCH 30, 2013 ON SATURDAY 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home Part-time maids come in handy Demand outstrips supply as agents face problems in recruiting new domestic workers

How do they function? BY FAZEENA SALEEM to supply a housemaid, especially at the them hire maids for four hours, some for Are they under the maid supply agency’s weekend. eight hours, depending on their require- sponsorship? ompanies providing housemaids ment. We get more calls nowadays, and Yes, they are under the company’s sponsorship. to families at hourly rates have at times the number of maids we have is sprung up in Qatar, cashing in on Services and fees not enough,” said an official of another How much do they charge? Cincreasing demand from citizens The maids are brought in mostly from company. Until recently, the firm was able QR35 or more per hour. They work for a minimum and expatriates. the Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal and to supply maids to families on the day of of four hours per visit. These maids are hired by households for Kenya. the booking, but now it requires advance services ranging from cleaning to cooking Most of them do only cleaning jobs. But notice, due to the high demand. What all do they do, apart from cleaning? and babysitting. there are some who work as babysitters, “We need at least one day’s notice Ironing, laundry, cooking, babysitting and walking Stringent rules being imposed by several do cooking and laundry and take care of because all our maids get engaged with the dog. Asian countries for recruitment of house- pets. Some even do simple tailoring jobs work. Some customers book them on a maids have apparently given a boost to this demanded by the families. regular basis. It is impossible to supply a Does the same maid come for every visit? relatively new business, with many fami- The fees for the services range between maid at the weekend unless advance book- If you set up a regular weekly schedule, they lies now shying away from hiring full-time QR35 and QR100 per hour. ing is done,” the official explained. arrange to send the same maid for every visit. maids. The majority of maids work for a mini- The Philippine government has raised mum of four hours straight, or for eight What are their timings? the minimum wage for Filipina housemaids hours if the booking is for the whole day. Challenges They work six days a week, Friday being their day to $400. A sudden increase in the number The employers take care of their trans- Part-time maids face problems simi- off. There are two shifts -- 9am to 1pm and 2pm of runaway Indonesian maids forced the port and make sure that the maids reach lar to what the full-timers face. But the to 6pm. Indonesian embassy here to stop endorse- and leave the house at the scheduled time. complaints are fewer in number and are ment of job contracts of housemaids for a Normally, their services are available six mostly sorted out by their employers. Do they bring their own cleaning material? few weeks. The decision was revoked later. days a week in two shifts, in the morning If there are repeated complaints related They provide cleaning material for an additional Complaints about abuse of housemaids are and afternoon. The maids get a day off to a certain family, the employers try to charge, including cleaning agents, mop, bucket on the rise, and several families are look- every week, mostly on Fridays. avoid sending maids there. and vacuum cleaner. ing for alternative sources to hire domestic Demand for domestic workers has “We do get complaints, commonly about workers. increased over the past few months, forcing the maid to overwork. A customer Will they do the cleaning even if there is There are several licensed companies in according to supply agents. They claim would book the maid for cleaning and ask nobody else in the house? Qatar providing housemaids to families on to be getting more bookings than before her to do other work as well. We rarely get Yes, some of them do it. But you must let them a short-term basis. They advertise their and are facing problems in recruiting new major complaints, of abuse or assault,” said know where to get and return the key. You may also services mostly through websites and leaf- maids. a woman supervisor at a company that has leave instructions inside your apartment or email lets sent to residential complexes. “The number of bookings we receive been in this business for more than a year. them to the agency. They provide domestic helps at hourly has increased, especially during week- “The problems don’t get worse because rates only in the daytime, for a maximum ends. We face difficulties in getting trained the maid is not dependent on the cus- When can a booking be made? of eight hours daily. maids; we don’t get many as before,” said tomer and they are under our sponsorship At least a day in advance Earlier, one could book a maid the same the manager of a company, requesting and responsibility,” she added. day, but following an increase in demand, anonymity. Do they have any monthly rate package? booking in advance is now required. Some “Some go on vacation and don’t come They have fixed rates. firms ask for booking a day in advance, and back; then we have to recruit new ones to Runaway maids there are others that take even three days fill their vacancy, but we don’t get them as A number of maids who have run away How is the payment made? per our requirement,” he added, claiming from their sponsors also reportedly offer They accept cash and cheques. You can pay for to have at least 30 maids working for his part-time services to households. every visit or pay in advance on a weekly or monthly company. Earlier, they used to advertise on com- basis. The majority of those seeking the serv- munity websites, seeking clients. Now such ices of such maids are expatriates and advertisements have vanished, following a those who cannot keep a full-time maid. massive crackdown on runaway workers “We have customers from all com- launched by the Ministry of Interior. munities, Arabs and non-Arabs. Most of However, some runaway maids are still operating on the sly by securing custom- ers through people known to them. They charge much less than the licensed com- panies and can be hired for QR25 an hour or even less. “There are no illegal ‘housemaid’ adver- tisements now and hiring them can be Stringent rules being risky, so it’s better to get someone from an agency. They come on time, work is imposed by several Asian done smoothly and we don’t have to take countries for recruitment the burden of bringing them home and dropping them back after work,” said a of housemaids have working mother. apparently given a boost “It’s alright to pay a few more riyals to this relatively new than taking the burden,” she added. “We call them only once a week for four business, with many hours. A maid will come, clean and go. It’s families now shying just that we have to call them at least one away from hiring full-time day in advance,” said another housewife. THE PENINSULA maids. A tale of two housemaids

ary arrived in Doha from the Swetha, a maid from Kerala in India, Philippines a year ago to work shared a different experience. She came Mas a maid. She is employed with to Doha about 15 months ago to work a housemaid agency. She is paid QR1,200 for a Qatari household. After some time, monthly. Mary also earns some extra she was asked to find another job and money by way of tips at houses where the sponsor released her for six months, she works. after which her visa would be cancelled “Work depends on the houses we go to. and she would have to go home. Some have less work, some give us the Swetha chose to stay with two other maximum work that can be done within runaway maids in a rented room and the time limit,” she said. work as a part-time maid. She finds Asked whether they had been getting work through acquaintances, but it’s not more work recently, she said: “Yes, now easy, she says.

Illustration: Abraham Augusthy we have work every day except Fridays. She earns QR1,500 a month by work- Earlier, sometimes we would be free for ing for an Indian family from morning some hours.” till evening. Earlier, she was working for According to Mary, she has not faced a European family for QR12 an hour, six any problems at houses she has been to days a week. for work, except for some instances of “I have to repay a loan back home and being asked to do more work. want to save some money for my chil- Nevertheless, she is not enjoying her dren before I leave, because once I go job. “I plan to stay here only for another back I won’t be able to return,” she said. year. When I go home, I will not return,” (Names have been changed.) she said. THE PENINSULA Home MARCH 30, 2013 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 ON SATURDAY Carving at its best at Qafco show Al Sada opens flower and vegetable show BY FAZEENA SALEEM Qafco Board Chairman, Khalifa Queen of the Show in the amateur Abdullah Al Sowaidi, Qafco category and Queen of the Show DOHA: Pumpkins, watermel- Board Vice Chairman and CEO, in the professional category was ons, ice and butter were turned Hamed Al Marwani, Qafco Chief awarded to the Marriot Hotel. into beautiful flower baskets and Administration Officer and chair- DPS-Modern Indian School’s sculptures at Al Banush Club in man of the organising committee Neil Noronha was awarded the Mesaieed yesterday in front of together with several other offi- title of ‘Talent of the Day (Junior) thousands of garden and nature cials were present. and Talent of the Day (Senior) lovers during Qafco’s Flower “We are pleased that the Flower was awarded to MES Indian and Vegetable Show 2013. Show attracts the attention and School. The annual event featured an interest of different social sec- Some enthusiastic people are array of competitions in several tors. This is the biggest proof of taking part in the competitions categories in flowers, vegetables, the success of our policy and gives for the past decade. fruits, pot plants, flower arrange- us a boost to exert more effort in Ismail Poozhikal, a bank ment, vegetable/fruit carving, but- future,” said Al Malki. employee, said he is taking part ter carving and ice sculpture. Qafco annual Flower and in the event for the 15th year and The 26th Flower and Vegetable Vegetable Show is held to increase has won many prizes. This year Show 2013 was inaugurated by the awareness about saving the envi- too his ‘Fish Anchor’ and ‘Love at Minister of Energy and Industry ronment. The unique flora show First Sight’ carved out of pump- H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al had an increased number of par- kins got first and second place in Sada. “It has an important role in ticipants and competitors, includ- vegetable carving-amateur cat- promoting environmental aware- ing amateurs, professionals, hotels egory and the ‘Basket of Roses’ ness among all sections of society, and schools. too won the first place in Food especially youth,” said Dr Al Sada. Over 4,000 exhibits by 450 par- Carving- amateur category. “This annual event is gaining ticipants were on display. “Qafco’s Flower and Vegetable popularity and success, reflected Anitha Jomon was selected Show is a good platform for peo- by significant public participa- overall winner in the amateur ple interested in carving, it gives The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada examining an exhibit at the Qafco annual tion, as well as by Qafco’s drive category, VIjaya Luxmi Sharma them a recognition and place to Flower and Vegetable Show in Mesaieed. BELOW: Visitors at the exhibition. PICTURES BY KAMMUTTY VP to promote a greener envi- was selected second and Sheikh showcase talents,” said Poozhika. ronment in Qatar,” he added. Abdul Ghani got the third place. THE PENINSULA Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki, N K Veerma was declared the See also page 5

Some of the exhibits at the Qafco Flower and Vegetable show. MARCH 30, 2013 ON SATURDAY 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home Special car licence plate holders grieve over new format

DOHA: Owners of cars with so the numbers could be clearly the price had been reduced to special licence plate owner was deadline for changing licence changing their licence plates special number plates rue seen from a distance. QR90,000,” he told Al Raya, add- of the same view saying the new plates, workshops in Duhail and went out of the country or the the new format diminishes But for special number license ing he intentionally waited till format does not look attractive. Madinat Khalifa witnessed huge cars were in the workshop for the value of the plates, a local plates owner like Masrod the deadline to have his licence “That’s why I have deferred rush on the last week of this maintenance or have special Arabic daily has reported. Farhood Al Rayes the new for- plate changed to the new one. replacement of the plate for a month. licence plates, many of whom The licence plates have been mat does not look attractive and “I kept it till the deadline long time,” he said, adding peo- On normal days the workshops are appealing to the Traffic changed from their original for- diminishes the value of the plate. because of its beauty. Actually I ple have different opinions on the would replace 150 to 200 plates, Department to extend the dead- mat, which contained the plate “I bought my special number didn’t like to change it but it’s issue. but last Tuesday the number line for one more week. numbers in both English and plate for QR130,000 but after the law,” he said With the Traffic Department’s rose to 400. THE PENINSULA Arabic, to the European model changing it to new format Ibrahim Istiqar, another decision to set tomorrow as the Most of those who came late

British Council Fantastic festival, hoteliers say workshops set Overwhelming response to Qatar International Food Festival at Museum of Islamic Art park to help women DOHA: As part of the pro- BY RAYNALD C RIVERA gramme of the Qatar UK Year of Culture, the British Council DOHA: Hotels participating at Cooking Theatre a crowd-puller in Doha will hold a series of the fourth Qatar International four workshops from April 6 to Food Festival (QIFF) have empower women to accomplish lauded this year’s edition as DOHA: This year’s Qatar International healthy. The teen chef stayed in Qatar and their goals. the best in its four-year run, Food Festival is attracting thousands of Abu Dhabi for several years where he discov- Called the Springboard Women's thanks to the good venue and crowds not only for the multinational cui- ered his interest for cooking leading to the Development Programme, it aims organisation. sines but for new features including the publication of his first cook book at age 12. to help women develop their skills “There is only one word to Cooking Theatre in which celebrated chefs Published in English, German and Arabic, and achieve better positions in describe this year’s festival- encourage people to eat healthful food Cooking is cool, Be healthy – Be fit! is Valentin’s both their professional and per- fantastic. You can see eve- through cooking demonstrations. way of encouraging the younger generation sonal lives. Designed by The rybody is happy buying and At the opening night alone, a total of for a healthier lifestyle through better eating Springboard Consultancy form sampling the variety of food on 18,000 visitors came to the festival to enjoy habits. “My vision is for people to stop eating the UK, it targets women of all offer,” Hamid Younsi, Banquet the scrumptious food and a variety of fast food instead prefer healthy food,” he told ages and from all backgrounds to Chef at Renaissance Doha City entertainment. the crowd at the cooking demo. build their skills and knowledge to Centre Hotel told The Peninsula Yesterday, the Cooking Theatre organised The young entrepreneur, who has already achieve their goals. yesterday. by Qatar Airways witnessed cooking presen- won international awards in Sharjah and Abu The programme consists of Even just on the second day, tations by award-winning celebrity TV chefs Dhabi for his exceptional skill in cooking, said five major components such as, Chef Hamid was convinced of Ramzi Choueiri from Lebanon and Vineet he got his inspiration from his grandmother aside from the workshops every the success of the four-day food Bhatia from India including German Junior who owns a restaurant and mentored him to Saturday from April 6 to April 27, festival saying it is much better Master Chef Valentin Krapf (pictured) who cook at a tender age. a special workbook packed with than last year. wowed the young audience with his skill in Valentin will still conduct demonstrations practical activities and ideas and “The venue and organisa- food preparation even at a young age. at 5pm today and tomorrow at the Cooking guest speakers who will share tion is perfect. Thanks to Qatar For yesterday’s show, Valentin prepared Theatre which would also feature Chef Vineet, their success stories in order to Tourism Authority for a job well green salad and yoghurt and fruits, two reci- Chef Colin Binmore, Chef David Okuda, Chef become positive role models to done,” he said, referring to the pes which he said could be done by children Alvin Borromeo and Chef Anuj Sood. attendees. Participants will also Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) since they are easy to prepare as well as THE PENINSULA acquire support backup and net- Park, which has been popular to working with other women. families since it opened last year. Winner of several awards This year, Renaissance is festival at the MIA Park comes for innovation and qual- offering some of the specialities many advantages and that QTA ity, the Springboard Women’s from two of its West End outlets has very good relations with Development Programme enables namely Champions and Ipanema. the Qatar Museums Authority women to give more and get more “One of our bestsellers is (QMA). out of their work. Acarajé, a famous street food “QMA has been very sup- Inspired by the Qatar National from Brazil’s northeasters state portive and cooperative with us Vision for 2030, Qatar UK 2013 of Bahia. This is a signature dish and we are looking forward to aims to forge new partnerships for us which is never found any- expanding the food festival in the between the UK and Qatar in where in Doha. It is made up of future adding more activities,” education, sport, creative indus- black eyed beans with onions said the QTA Chairman. tries, and science, while promot- filled with sea food,” he explained. A total of 20 hotels are partici- ing an awareness and appreciation Janardan Das, Executive Sous pating at this year’s QIFF includ- of each other’s culture, achieve- Chef, Sharq Village & Spa was of ing Ritz Carlton Doha, W Doha ments, and heritage. the same view with many food Hotel, La Cigale Hotel Doha, THE PENINSULA lovers coming to their stalls to Hilton Doha, Movenpick Tower & avail of their scrumptious speci- Suites Doha, Renaissance Doha alities on their menu including City Centre Hotel, Sharq Village sea scallops, salmon and choco- & Spa, Holiday Villa, Radisson late dumplings made by their Blu, St Regis, Wyndham Grand Austrian pastry chef. Regency, Intercontinental Showjumping “With the very good response Doha, Grand Heritage Doha, from customers I can say this Retaj Hotels, Millennium Hotel, festival is better than last year. Grand Hyatt Doha, Torch, Four classes to test I think the venue made a big dif- Seasons, Kempinski and Crowne ference. It is very close to the Plaza. skills of riders sea area which gives a very good The festival is open today from atmosphere,” said Chef Janardan. 1pm to 10pm and tomorrow from DOHA: A total of nine show- According QTA Chairman 2pm to 10pm. jumping classes will take place Chef Hamid Younsi at the 4th International Food Festival at MIA Park. QASSIM RAHMATULLAH Issa Al Mohannadi, holding the THE PENINSULA during the first international equestrian competition to be held in the Middle East and Asia that is taking place these days in Al Shaqb. Each class will boast a com- pletely different configuration of Indian properties worth over QR10bn go on show fences designed to test the skills of horse and rider to the maxi- mum and lead by Venezuelan DOHA: Indian Property Show expert Leopoldo Palacios. The Doha opened yesterday at La course designer responsible for Cigale Hotel, showcasing prop- devising the CSI5 tracks can eas- erties worth QR10bn by over 50 ily be recognised at horse shows developers exhibiting over 300 by his signature hat and is one of projects and 1,000 properties the most respected and sought- from across India. after course designers in the The two-day exhibition world. He is known for his inno- was inaugurated by Indian vative and technically challenging, Ambassador Sanjiv Arora along but humane and horse-friendly, with Sunil Jaiswal, President and approach to course design. CEO of Sumansa Exhibitions, This expert has master- organisers of the Show. minded tracks at the biggest “Many buyers these days want and best venues throughout the to make use of the pre-launch world, including the Olympics, prices being offered by developers the World Cup finals and the to secure a low entry price point Spruce Meadows Masters. After now and to gain higher premi- designing the courses at the 2000 ums later. There is an increased Sydney Olympics and working as demand for such properties, the co-designer at the 2008 Beijing primary advantage of investing in Olympics with Steve Stephens, he a pre-launch deal is the price, as became only the second person in the entry point is low and prop- history to earn the distinction of erty yields 18-25 percent during designing at two Olympic Games. project implementation stage A former competitor himself, itself,” said Jaiswal. Palacios participated in national Ever since its launch, the Residents visit the Indian Property Show at La Cigale Hotel yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL and international events from Indian Property Show has become 1956 to the 1980s and, in 1971 and a preferred property exhibi- is remittances or investments in Qatar are constantly looking for commercial spaces, developers Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and 1972, he was named Venezuela’s tion for NRI buyers providing a properties,” said Santosh Tandel, appropriate property investment are showcasing apartments, vil- Kochi. With an expected visitor ‘Rider of the Year’. In 1976, platform for Indian real estate Regional Head – MENA Region, opportunities both for end use las, row houses, commercial, retail footfall of about 5000; the prop- Palacios reinvented himself as a developers to come face to face Indiabulls. and investment purpose,” Tandel properties and farm land from erty show, which offers fantastic course designer and, in 1993, he with the buyers. “Gulf NRIs have “Overall NRIs make up 25 per- said. cities like Delhi, Noida, Greater deals and promotions, is open earned his Official International always contributed significantly cent of our business. In addition, Featuring affordable to lux- Noida, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Mumbai, from 10am to 8pm today. Course Designer status from the to the Indian economy whether it NRIs in GCC countries including ury and from investment to Navi Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, THE PENINSULA FEI. THE PENINSULA MARCH 30, 2013 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 ON SATURDAY

Kammutty VP

CARVING Visitors at the Qafco Qatar Flower and Vegetable Show 2013 yesterday witnessed ice, butter, watermelons and pumpkins being expertly SURPRISES! chiselled into eye-catching sculptures. This year’s show had an increased number of participants and competitors, including amateurs, professionals, hotels and schools. Competitions in various categories were a main attraction as the ancient Thai tradition of vegetable and fruit carving was demonstrated live to visitors. The annual event showcases Qafco’s care for aesthetics, appreciation, environmental awareness and its ‘green’ policies. MARCH 30, 2013 ON SATURDAY 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Views

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SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION RATES: ANNUAL QR 675 6 MONTHS QR 340 Editorial Korean tension Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate HE reclusive rulers of North Korea are known to create plenty of sound and fury which signify nothing, or almost nothing. It’s not known what Tthey are aiming to achieve, because even their objectives sometimes become fuzzy considering the absolute America needs social justice, not recklessness in their behaviour. In the latest episode, Pyongyang has threatened to attack the United States. The threat came after Washington flew two nuclear-capable stealth B-2 bombers over the Korean peninsula during dumb ‘conversation about race’ military exercises. The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, BY DANIEL DENVIR warned that “the time has come to settle accounts with the This premise, of course, is false: low-income black people in particular. US imperialists in view of the prevailing situation”. The America loves a stupid conversation Huber – who “yearn[s] for … the free- official KCNA news agency said Pyongyang and Washington HILADELPHIA Mayor Michael about race, and this local drama is dom to speak to my African-American could only settle their differences by “physical means”. Nutter joined the chorus now receiving national media attention neighbours about … how the inner city Pyongyang has made similar threats almost on a weekly condemning Philadelphia ranging from CNN to Monday’s New needs to get its act together” – wants a Magazine’s “Being White in York Times. Meanwhile, Huber and discussion that fails to address anything basis since the United Nations Security Council toughened P Philly” article for depicting blacks editor Tom McGrath, experts in coun- that’s important. sanctions after the country’s third nuclear test. Will the as “lazy, shiftless, irresponsible, and terfeit bravery, persist in refusing to Philadelphia has the highest rate of latest threat fall into that category? If not, what will be the largely criminal”. And he called on the see the deluge of criticism as anything deep poverty of any big American city, consequences? city’s Commission on Human Relations other than a confirmation of their idea a segregated school district targeted The chances are that this is another posture from the to consider a rebuke. that having conversations about race is, for privatization by wealthy hedge fund Nutter managed to inflame not only indeed, difficult. managers, a social safety net weakened communist state. But it has created tension in the region the rightwing blogosphere, but also Exclusively focusing the “conversa- by long-term federal austerity and now because what Pyongyang is talking about is not sport or many liberals wary of government tion about race” on mean words lets the decimated by Republican Governor Tom business but war. Talk of war always causes tension. There meddling. The charges of free speech concrete political and economic forces Corbett, the highest murder rate of any are also concerns that the rising frictions can increase the suppression are overplayed: the com- battering low-income black people big city, and a bloated criminal justice risk of mistakes or misjudgments. mission’s powers are, after all, limited in America off the hook. And it also, system sending large numbers of those How North Korea is planning to to more speech. What is more signifi- minus any actual substantive issues – same low-income black people denied a cant is that Nutter – a black mayor who like school segregation or mass incar- good education straight to prison. carry out its threat is not clear, is presiding over ceration – makes for terrible writing. Residents of Philly’s so-called “inner Pyongyang and military experts are trying the closing of “No one who wants to write beauti- city” are, to be sure, somewhat more to analyse various possibilities 23 largely black fully should ever – in their entire life aware of these problems than Huber is continuing taking into account its military schools and a ris- – write an essay about ‘the subject of could be. its favourite capabilities. Pyongyang has rockets Philadelphia ing city prison race’,” Ta-Nehisi Coates writes in the And things are getting worse: peo- that could easily sow chaos on population, and Atlantic: ple of colour lost far more than whites Magazine’s who has repeat- “You can never write beautifully during Wall Street-induced recession, pastime of Seoul, but its longer-range missiles edly defended about the fact of race, anymore than the wealth gap between black and white that might hit US Pacific bases are claim that ‘race’ Philadelphia’s you can write beautifully about the fact Americans actually doubling. Median issuing war said to be unproven and experts are is a taboo topic controversial of hillsides. All you’ll end up with is a lot household wealth for African Americans sceptical of the threats. police stop-and- of words, and a comment section filled now stands at $4,995 – 1/22nd the aver- threats. Kim Jong-un and his cronies is pure trolling. frisk initia- with internet skinheads and people who age wealth of white households. Whites, tive – managed have nothing better to do with their who lost just 16pc of median household are intelligent enough to know What’s taboo to change the time than to argue internet skinheads.” wealth, are not only wealthier but hold that any military misadventure subject. The article and much of the ensu- less of their wealth in their homes. will cost their country heavily more than South Korea or the in the US is It is good that ing commentary reflect the same idea: Hispanics lost 66pc of their household United States. The White House yesterday warned that the tackling poverty so many peo- the central problem is something called wealth, African Americans 53pc, and rapidly increasing escalation would lead to further isolation ple hate a racist “race relations” that will be solved Asians 54pc. Whites were also less of North Korea. It’s time for Pyongyang to stop this rhetoric and inequality. article. But the by a “conversation”, a generations- likely to be sold high-risk and high-cost low-income black long misunderstanding that “Black subprime loans. and empty threats and focus on domestic problems and people Robert America” and “White America” (Latino The “conversation about race”, as economy. Kim Jong-un, the new ruler, was expected to usher Huber’s article rudely caricatured and Asian America go unmentioned) Randall Kennedy pointed out in a 2001 in some change, but that hasn’t happened and he seems to through anonymous white sources as should hire a professional mediator or article on President Bill Clinton’s leg- be toeing the line of his father. South Korea and the US too “people [who] won’t work, just make psychotherapist to hash out. It is, as acy, is often a distraction. must refrain from actions which will aggravate the tensions. babies”, while “sitting on porches smok- Tom Sugrue explains in this historical Clinton initiated a high-profile Reports say Pyongyang could have been provoked by the ing pot”, are harmed more severely by account of the phenomenon, the notion national conversation on race in 1997, corporate-induced poverty and state- that “racial inequality was fundamen- but took little action to assist “impover- joint US-South Korean military exercises and the use of the sanctioned marginalisation than by bad tally a moral and psychological prob- ished people, disproportionately colored, stealth bombers. When asked about this, the White House journalism. lem that would be resolved only when who are locked away in pestilent and deputy press spokesman Josh Earnest said the escalation “is Indeed, the entire premise of Huber’s Americans’ hearts and minds were crime-ridden inner cities or forgotten taking place from the North Koreans based on their rhetoric article, which recklessly conflates poor untainted by prejudice.” rural or small-town wastelands, people and on their actions.” black folk and all black folk, is that Reducing racism against black who are bereft of the money, training, Philadelphia Magazine is courageous Americans in general to racist ideas in skills, or education needed to escape North Korea is known for its recklessness and stupidities, because to many, “simply discussing individual white people’s heads omits their plight,” writes Kennedy. but the US and its ally in the region don’t have to follow this race is seen as racist”. the concrete problems confronting THE GUARDIAN line. The other side Quote of Communalism unleashed: Buddhist-Muslim tensions the day

F LATE, there has been a Communal strife is not new in Simply put, religious fanaticism and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi rise in tensions involving Myanmar; last year there were vicious xenophobic nationalism in any context have not done enough to quell rising We are concerned Muslims living in Buddhist- bouts of violence involving the majority form an explosive mixture. Religion is communalism. Omajority countries such as community and Muslim Rohingyas in often exploited to achieve more worldly Ms Suu Kyi’s refusal to unequivo- that alongside the Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Rakhine state. goals. cally condemn anti-Muslim violence adequate, collective At least 40 people have been killed Meanwhile, vigilante Buddhist Fanatic elements exist in every faith, has been particularly disturbing, con- in recent clashes in Myanmar while groups led by monks have also been yet Buddhism gives off a very placid sidering her stature. reaction of the UN mosques and houses have also been running campaigns against Muslims aura. Unless the state and civil society destroyed. Media reports indicate in Sri Lanka. However, this compassionate both actively denounce communal and Security Council, Myanmar’s minority Muslims have There have been calls to ban halal image has been distorted by some of sectarian forces, extremists will only unilateral action is been on the receiving end of most of meat while Christian churches have the faith’s adherents in Myanmar and grow from strength to strength. the violence. Disturbingly, Buddhist also been attacked. Sri Lanka. Also, religious leaders of all persua- being taken around monks have been among the armed We in Pakistan know too well that In Myanmar, both the powerful mili- sions must work for harmony rather North Korea that is rioters while clerics have also incited if religious extremism is not nipped tary, which still pulls the strings of the than division. Sergei Lavrov Buddhists against Muslims. in the bud it can tear society apart. nascent democratic order, as well as DAWN increasing military Russian Foreign Minister activity. MARCH 30, 2013 Views www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 ON SATURDAY Besides killing, drones can do so much

go through this right now,” said live in a free society,” Sen Charles A law passed by Stephen Ingley, executive director Grassley, R-Iowa, said at a recent of the Airborne Law Enforcement hearing of the Senate Judiciary Congress last Association. “It’s frustrating.” Committee. In some states economic Privacy advocates acknowledge year requires concerns have trumped public the many good uses of drones. In unease. In Oklahoma, an anti- Mesa County, Colo, for example, drone bill was shelved at the an annual landfill survey using the FAA to request of Republican Gov Mary manned aircraft cost about Fallin, who was concerned it $10,000. The county recently per- open US skies might hinder growth of the state’s formed the same survey using a drone industry. The North Dakota drone for about $200. to widespread state Senate killed a drone bill in But drones’ virtues can also part because of concern that it make them dangerous, they say. drone flights by might impede the state’s chances Their low cost and ease of use of being selected by the Federal may encourage police and others Aviation Administration as one to conduct the kind of continu- 2015, but the of six national drone test sites, ous or intrusive surveillance that which could generate local jobs. might otherwise be impractical. agency is behind A bill that would have limited Drones can be equipped with the ability of state and local gov- high-powered cameras and listen- schedule and ernments to use drones died in ing devices, and infrared cameras the Washington legislature. The that can see people in the dark. it’s doubtful it measure was opposed by The “High-rise buildings, security Boeing Co, which employs more fences or even the walls of a build- than 80,000 workers in the state ing are not barriers to increas- will meet the and which has a subsidiary, Insitu, ingly common drone technology,” that’s a leading military drone Amie Stepanovich, director of the deadline. manufacturer. Electronic Privacy Information Although the Supreme Court Council’s surveillance project, told BY JOAN LOWY has not dealt directly with drones, the Senate panel. it has okayed aerial surveillance Civilian drone use is limited to t’s a good bet that in the without warrants in drug cases in government agencies and public not-so-distant future aer- which officers in a plane or heli- universities that have received ial drones will be part of copter spotted marijuana plants a few hundred permits from the Americans’ everyday lives, A US military drone in action at an unknown location. growing on a suspect’s property. FAA. A law passed by Congress performing countless useful But in a case involving the use last year requires the FAA to open Ifunctions. of ground-based equipment, the US skies to widespread drone A far cry from the killing may contain the seeds of trouble freedom to move elsewhere ... Liberties Union on the left and court said police generally need flights by 2015, but the agency is machines whose missiles incin- for the more benign uses of drones and all of a sudden these things the Virginia Tea Party Patriots a warrant before using a thermal behind schedule and it’s doubt- erate terrorists, these generally at home. The civilian unmanned will be flying everywhere else Federation on the right. imaging device to detect hot spots ful it will meet that deadline. small, unmanned aircraft will aircraft industry worries that it and competing with us.” Since Gov Bob McDonnell is pro- in a home that might indicate Lawmakers and industry officials help farmers more precisely apply will be grounded before it can January, drone-related legisla- posing amendments that would that marijuana plants are being have complained for years about water and pesticides to crops, really take off because of fear tion has been introduced in more retain the broad ban on spy grown there. the FAA’s slow progress. saving money and reducing envi- among the public that the tech- than 30 states, largely in response drones but allow specific exemp- In Congress, Rep Ed Markey, The FAA estimates that within ronmental impacts. They’ll help nology will be misused. Also prob- to privacy concerns. Many of the tions when lives are in danger, D-Mass, co-chairman of the five years of gaining broader police departments find miss- lematic is a delay in the issuance bills are focused on preventing such as for search-and rescue House’s privacy caucus, has intro- access about 7,500 civilian drones ing people, reconstruct traffic of government safety regulations police from using drones for broad operations. The legislature recon- duced a bill that prohibits the will be in use. accidents and act as lookouts that are needed before drones can public surveillance, as well as tar- venes on April 3 to consider the Federal Aviation Administration Sen Rand Paul, R-Ky, recently for SWAT teams. They’ll alert gain broad access to US skies. getting individuals for surveil- amendments. from issuing drone licences unless drew attention to the domestic authorities to people stranded on Some companies that make lance without sufficient grounds “Any legislation that restricts the applicant provides a state- use of drones when he staged rooftops by hurricanes and moni- drones or supply support equip- to believe they were involved the use of this kind of capability ment explaining who will oper- a Senate filibuster, demanding tor evacuation flows. ment and services say the uncer- in crimes. to serve the public is putting the ate the drone, where it will be to know whether the president Real estate agents will use tainty has caused them to put Law enforcement is expected public at risk,” said Steve Gitlin, flown, what kind of data will be has authority to use weapon- them to film videos of properties US expansion plans on hold, and to be one of the bigger initial vice president of AeroVironment, collected, how the data will be ised drones to kill Americans on and surrounding neighbourhoods. they are looking overseas for new markets for civilian drones. Last a leading maker of smaller drones, used, whether the information American soil. The White House States will use them to inspect markets. month, the FBI used drones to including some no bigger than a will be sold to third parties and said no, if the person isn’t engaged bridges, roads and dams. Oil com- “Our lack of success in educat- maintain continuous surveillance hummingbird. the period for which the informa- in combat. But industry officials panies will use them to monitor ing the public about unmanned of a bunker in Alabama where a Seattle abandoned its drone tion will be retained. worry that the episode could pipelines, while power companies aircraft is coming back to bite 5-year-old boy was being held programme after community Sentiment for curbing domes- temporarily set back civilian use them to monitor transmis- us,” said Robert Fitzgerald, CEO hostage. protests in February. The city’s tic drone use has brought the left drone use. “The opposition has sion lines. of The BOSH Group of Newport In Virginia, the state General police department had purchased and right together perhaps more become very loud,” said Gitlin of With military budgets shrink- News, Va, which provides support Assembly passed a bill that would two drones through a federal than any other recent issue. “The AeroVironment, “but we are con- ing, drone makers have been services to drone users. place a two-year moratorium grant without consulting the thought of government drones fident that over time the benefits counting on the civilian market “The US has been at the lead on the use of drones by state city council. buzzing overhead and constantly of these solutions (drones) are to spur the industry’s growth. But of this technology a long time,” and local law enforcement. The Drones “clearly have so much monitoring the activities of law- going to far outweigh the con- there’s an ironic threat to that he said. “If our government holds measure is supported by groups potential for saving lives, and it’s abiding citizens runs contrary to cerns, and they’ll become part of hope: Success on the battlefield back this technology, there’s the as varied as the American Civil a darn shame we’re having to the notion of what it means to normal life in the future.” AP US moves confuse Karzai GOP image in focus Karzai has We are among those who wish or a long-term commitment to balance and moderation. These, after lawmaker’s slur Karzai would stop this behaviour. the country and that America’s however, can easily become self- He struck a more positive tone only real interest in the region contradiction, confusion and mud- BY AARON BLAKE and this week during a news confer- was to hunt Al-Qaeda terror- dle unless the components are Even as several senior suggested that JULIET EILPERIN ence with Secretary of State John ists, not to defeat the Taliban. carefully crafted and presented. Republicans decried the remarks Kerry, but it would be a mistake More recently, US officials have Obama is capable of present- and called for a more thorough US troops stay to assume that the problems suggested that the Taliban is not ing subtle, nuanced positions on or Republicans seeking apology, some GOP advisers said have been fixed. US relations America’s enduring enemy and complex issues — his 2008 cam- to cast off the image of the incident would reinforce how out of Afghan with the Afghan president will that, while militants who attack paign speech on race relations is Fthe party as intolerant of voters view their party. sustain further ups and downs, US territory are terrorists, those a defining example — but he has opposing views and lifestyles, it’s GOP consultant John Weaver and the only way to reduce the who strike on Afghan soil are not. devoted remarkably little time been one step forward and two said the comment “hurts us,” even villages even severity and frequency of the low These challenges did not origi- to discussing his Afghanistan steps back of late. though he described Young as “a points is by understanding what nate in the Obama administra- policy in sustained, direct pub- Less than two weeks after the dinosaur on the bridge of political before Afghan provokes them. tion. In 2001, President George lic communication. The result Republican National Committee insanity and irrelevance.” Karzai is not, as some have W Bush pledged US support to has been mixed and confusing unveiled its 2012 election autopsy, “Republicans like him will claimed, crazy or a fool. He is Karzai, a leader he called a hero. messaging, especially since some and put an emphasis on broad- soon be extinct, and that’s a good forces are confused. In his view, the world’s But in 2003 the Bush administra- White House officials have, occa- ening the party’s tent, Rep Don thing for the GOP,” said Weaver, only superpower is surely able to tion shifted its attention to Iraq sionally, publicly dissented from Young, R-Alaska, used an eth- who has worked for moderate ready to handle defeat a ragtag force of Taliban and handed off the defence of that policy. nic slur for Latinos in a radio Republicans in recent years. “But guerrillas — if it really wanted this hero to a polyglot multina- This is not to absolve Karzai. interview on Thursday. Young’s in the meantime, when they make security there. to. In his view, the United States tional coalition. Karzai naturally He often lets emotional impulse comments served as the latest these remarks, it makes it harder could surely force Pakistan to wondered whether Americans pre-empt analysis, and his out- wake-up call for Republicans in for those of us who are trying to BY STEPHEN BIDDLE and stop harbouring Afghan Taliban believed what they said about the bursts frequently elevate his their nascent effort to woo a more grow the base of our party.” MICHAEL O’HANLON insurgents — if it really wanted importance of his government’s domestic political interests above diverse cross-section of America. Before Young casually referred to. Yet Washington does neither. survival. the needs of his alliance with the The message: Whatever effort to Latino ranch-workers as “wet- or most Americans, Afghan On the contrary, Karzai watches Many of these apparent con- United States or of the war effort. they make toward modernising backs,” an RNC official from President Hamid Karzai’s Americans look the other way tradictions are unintended Yet America shares some of their brand, there will always be Michigan this week engaged in Fwords and actions are dif- while their logistical contracts byproducts of US efforts to craft the blame for the public divi- a few Archie Bunkers out there — a more deliberate effort to argue ficult to understand and hard to are siphoned off to support the a nuanced policy. The United sions between Washington and people, like the lead character in that being “queer” is an unhealthy accept. He often seems ungrate- Taliban (albeit less so lately), and States has security interests Kabul. Our inconsistencies and the 70’s sitcom “All in the Family,” lifestyle — posting an article to his ful for the efforts of US troops, he sees Americans give billions of in Afghanistan, but they are reversals have interacted with who are unconcerned with or Facebook page that labelled being cavalier in his ideas of how to dollars in aid each year to their limited ones. The chief threat Karzai’s various shortcomings unwilling to moderate their tone. “queer” as “filthy.” change the Afghan-Nato mili- ostensible Pakistani tormentors. to US security in the region is to create an ever more difficult And these days more than in the GOP leaders, who have never tary campaign and irresolute in Karzai concludes that there must Al-Qaeda, but it would be hard relationship. past, their offhand remarks can had much regard or use for the his commitment to the war effort. be some hidden reason for the to defeat Al Qaeda if its Taliban That does not change the fact derail the most carefully orches- longtime and oft-embattled con- He has suggested that US troops apparent contradictions. allies overthrew the Afghan gov- that Karzai and the rest of the trated PR campaign. gressman from Alaska, were stay out of Afghan villages even Karzai, of course, heard ernment and took over important Afghan people know they need us Young, 79, set off a fresh round quick to denounce both him before Afghan forces are ready President Barack Obama rein- parts of the country. Too nar- and will ultimately try to work of recriminations and hand- and the RNC committeeman, to handle security there. He has force the US commitment to row and intense a focus on the with us. We need to keep per- wringing among Republican Dave Agema. chastised Nato soldiers for occa- Afghanistan by 30,000 troops Taliban misses the big picture of spective, and a thick skin, when leaders while talking about the “The words used by sional, and clearly unintentional, in March 2009 and by another America’s underlying interests; engaging in this relationship, as people his father employed on his Representative Young emphati- mistakes that led to civilian casu- 30,000 that December. Yet Karzai by contrast, too little emphasis Kerry has done. Equally impor- California ranch years ago. cally do not represent the beliefs alties. He has withheld a promise then heard that Vice President on defeating the Taliban over- tant, we need to get our own “We used to hire 50 or 60 wet- of the Republican Party,” assured to give US troops legal immunity Joe Biden suggested, in the same looks a critical means of securing message and policy straight. If backs and — to pick tomatoes,” RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, if they stay in his country beyond month as Obama’s speech, that the ultimate end. we do not, we may discover that Young said in the interview with who last week launched the GOP 2014. He has even equated the US the United States did not have a To resolve these conflicting Karzai’s successor will find us KRBD. “You know, it takes two effort to reach out to minority role in prolonging the war with “counterinsurgency” strategy to incentives, the Obama admin- just as confusing as Karzai has. people to pick the same tomatoes communities. that of the Taliban. preserve the Afghan government istration has sought a policy of WP-BLOOMBERG now. It’s all done by machine.” WP-BLOOMBERG MARCH 30, 2013 ON SATURDAY 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Middle East

Car bombs kill Land Day protest 18 at Iraq Shia mosques Violence leaves 109 wounded

BAGHDAD: A series of car bombs soldiers wounded, officials said. near Shia mosques targeting wor- In Baghdad’s Qahira neighbour- shippers attending weekly prayers hood, an AFP reporter described killed at least 18 people yesterday, seeing pools of blood and massive the latest in a spike in unrest ahead damage to nearby cars, houses and of Iraq’s first polls since 2010. shops. Several residents were crying The blasts, which also wounded as soldiers imposed a heavy security more than 100 people, struck within presence in the area. an hour of each other in the Baghdad Security forces elsewhere in the neighbourhoods of Binook, Qahira, capital threatened to detain AFP Zafraniyah and Jihad, as well as in an journalists for attempting to film and area of southern Kirkuk city. take photographs of the aftermath of No group immediately claimed the bombings. responsibility for the attacks, but Also yesterday, a gunman killed Sunni militants linked to Al Qaeda two primary schoolteachers who frequently target Shia Muslims whom were gathering materials for a dem- they regard as apostates and sup- onstration against the local educa- Israeli soldiers try to push a foreign demonstrator into a vehicle during a protest commemorating the deaths in 1976 of Arab-Israelis on porters of the Shia-led government. tion department in the town of Kut, “Land Day” in the village of Al Mufagara, near Yatta, south of the West Bank city of Hebron, yesterday. Land Day is observed every year to Overall, violence in Iraq yesterday south of Baghdad. The attacks come commemorate the deaths of six Arab-Israeli protesters at the hands of Israeli police and troops during mass demonstrations in 1976 against left 21 people dead and 109 wounded. amid a spike in violence nationwide plans to confiscate Arab land in Galilee. In Baghdad, four car bombs were as the country prepares for its first detonated near Shia mosques across elections in three years — provincial the capital, leaving at least 14 people polls that will be held in 12 of Iraq’s dead and 35 wounded, security and 18 provinces on April 20. Iran says hopeful medical officials said, speaking on Questions have been raised over Israel, Turkey to fix compensation condition of anonymity. the credibility of those polls as elec- And in Kirkuk, 240 kilometres tions have been postponed in two of momentum in north of the capital, four people provinces roiled by months of pro- died and 72 were hurt by another tests, and at least 11 candidates have for 2010 flotilla raid victims nuclear talks car bomb targeting a Shia mosque, been killed. provincial health chief Sadiq Omar The vote is seen as a key barom- TEHRAN: Iran said yesterday Rasul said. eter of support for Prime Minister ANKARA: Turkish and six-ship flotilla to the Gaza apology “in the name of the it is hopeful “forward move- “I was praying inside the Nouri Al Maliki as he grapples with Israeli officials will meet on Strip, killing nine Turkish Turkish people” but said the ment” continues during talks Husseiniyah (Shia mosque) dur- criticism from within his unity cabi- April 12 for breakthrough nationals. country’s future relationship with major world powers over ing Friday prayers,” said Salim Aziz net and protests in the minority talks over compensation for The assault triggered an with Israel would depend on its controversial nuclear drive, Al Bayati, a worshipper in Kirkuk Sunni Arab community. a deadly 2010 flotilla raid, international outcry and the Jewish state. the state broadcaster and ISNA who was wounded. The attack in Kirkuk is also likely for which the Jewish state severely damaged relations Israel now expects Turkey to news agency reported. “Then, all of a sudden, a great, to raise tensions in a city at the heart apologised last week, the between regional allies Turkey drop legal proceedings over the “Almaty I meeting bore posi- horrible explosion happened, and the of a long-running dispute over terri- Turkish prime minister said and Israel, with Ankara case — in particular the high- tive results, and we also hope that roof fell on our heads.” tory between the central government yesterday. demanding a formal apology profile trial in absentia of four in Almaty II this forward move- Also wounded was Mohsen in Baghdad and the country’s autono- Deputy Prime Minister and compensation for the fami- Israeli ex-military chiefs by an ment continues,” IRIB’s web- Al Battat, a representative of Iraq’s mous Kurdistan region. Bulent Arinc had initially said lies of the victims. Istanbul court that opened in site reported Foreign Minister most revered Shia cleric Grand The unresolved row is often cited the negotiations for compen- Arinc declined to say how November. Ali Akbar Salehi as saying in Ayatollah Ali Husseini Al Sistani, by officials and diplomats as the big- sation of the victims’ fami- much compensation would be Prosecutors are seeking Dushanbe, where he is attend- who had been leading the prayers. gest long-term threat to Iraq’s stabil- lies would start next week, in paid out by Israel, adding the life sentences for the four ing a ministerial meeting of the Bayati continued: “I saw the imam ity and, at its worst, Iraq’s parliament remarks carried by the private exact amount would be clarified over the night-time assault Asia Cooperation Dialogue. He (Battat) was lying on the floor, speaker warned it could lead to NTV broadcaster. after talks with the lawyers of in international waters in the was referring to a meeting in the and blood was on everyone’s bod- civil war. Iraq’s military and police “After the apology, we have victims’ families. Mediterranean Sea. Kazahkh capital with the P5+1 ies. When they (paramedics) were are consistently described by Iraqi the compensation (issue) Until last week, Israel had “It’s out of the question for group (Britain, China, France, taking me away, I saw a fire cov- and American officials as capable of ahead of us. A delegation (from refused to apologise for the the government to cancel the Russia, the United States and ering the Husseiniyah, and nearby maintaining internal security, but are Israel) will travel to Turkey raid and had instead expressed trial at the Istanbul court,” Germany), which offered to ease houses and cars.” Later yesterday in not yet fully able to protect the coun- on April 12 for talks on this,” regret for the deaths. Ramazan Ariturk — one of the non-oil or financial sector-related Kirkuk, three separate shootings left try’s borders, airspace and maritime Prime Minister Recep Tayyip But last Friday, Israeli Prime lawyers acting on behalf of the sanctions in exchange for conces- a construction worker dead and two territory. AFP Erdodan said in an interview Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nine Turkish victims — told sions over Tehran’s sensitive ura- with the CNN-Turk television. apologised to Turkey, ending a AFP. nium enrichment operations. Ties between Israel and its near three-year diplomatic rift “There is no return from the The offer also demanded closest Muslim ally Turkey — a breakthrough brokered by case which has to be concluded a tougher nuclear inspection plummeted in May 2010 when US President Barack Obama under the existing Turkish regime and the interruption of Israeli commandos staged a during his visit to Israel. laws,” he said. enrichment operations at the botched pre-dawn raid on a Erdogan accepted the AFP Fordo bunker facility. AFP

Syria rebels take town; 38 killed in unrest

BEIRUT: Syrian rebels have The Britain-based watchdog to the provincial capital, and “They may have pulled out for seized a key town on a main said that a child was among 10 several towns and villages are tactical reasons, we don’t know. highway between Damascus civilians killed in the fighting for now out of army hands. Daraa But at any rate, terrorists from and the south in their latest the town over the past 24 hours. city is cut off almost completely Al Nusra Front have taken their advance in Daraa province At least 15 rebels and a media from Damascus,” he added. place,” he added of a jihadist on the border with Jordan, a activist working with them were The capture of Dael came a group with roots in Iraq which watchdog said yesterday. also killed, as were 12 loyalist day after a loyalist MP from is blacklisted by Washington as “Rebels seized control of Dael troops, it added. Daraa province raised the alarm a terrorist organisation. after destroying the three army “Large swathes of Daraa in parliament. On Sunday, the Observatory checkpoints at the entrances (province) are now under rebel Walid Al Zohbi said rebels reported that the rebels had to the town,” the Syrian control. Their advance in the were advancing “in all towns seized a swathe of land stretch- Observatory for Human Rights south is escalating,” Observatory and villages in Daraa province, ing 25 kilometres east to west said. “The town is located on director Rami Abdel Rahman which is torn from east to west along the Jordanian border a main road linking Daraa to told AFP. after the army withdrew from to the sensitive ceasefire line Damascus.” “The rebels are inching closer many positions”. between Syria and Israel. AFP

Ten hurt in Cairo, Alexandria clashes Reform or face fresh protests,

CAIRO: Clashes broke out says Bahrain opposition chief yesterday in Cairo and Egypt’s second city Alexandria between DUBAI: Bahrain’s main Shia demands no matter what the for a real constitutional mon- opponents and supporters of opposition group Al Wefaq challenges, obstacles or the price archy, with the unrest claiming Islamist President Mohammed has warned of fresh protests to pay, in order to achieve their at least 80 lives, according to Mursi, injuring 10 people, the across the Sunni-ruled king- legitimate right” to see a consti- international rights groups. official MENA news agency dom unless a national dia- tutional monarchy in Bahrain, The talks — launched on said. The bloodiest clashes were logue with the regime leads to Salman said in the statement. February 10 just four days in Alexandria where nine peo- real reforms, namely a consti- Al Wefaq entered a national before Bahrain marked the ple were hurt and hospitalised tutional monarchy. dialogue with the government second anniversary of the after fighting broke out in the “A peaceful revolution last month aimed at resolv- February 14, 2011 uprising — coastal city’s Sidi Gaber district for reforms is our choice,” ing the political deadlock in are being held twice a week near offices of Mursi’s Muslim Al Wefaq chief Sheikh Ali the Shia-majority kingdom, between representatives of the Brotherhood group, MENA said, Salman told a party congress but the talks have been dogged government and the opposition. quoting health ministry offi- late on Thursday in the village by disagreement between the Salman dismissed the impor- cial Khaled Al Khatib. Security of Saar near Manama, accord- two sides. tance of the talks held so far, forces were rushed to the the ing to a statement received yes- Bahrain has witnessed two saying the sessions were merely area, where they used tear gas terday by AFP. “The people will years of political upheaval a “preparation for” real dialogue to disperse the two sides. AFP continue to struggle for their linked to opposition demands with the government. AFP MARCH 30, 2013 International www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 ON SATURDAY Harry Potter actor Richard Griffiths dies Talks fail to LONDON: British actor together on the Harry Potter films Nicholas Hytner, the director Richard Griffiths (pictured), and later in the play Equus. of London’s National Theatre best known for his roles as Harry “Any room he walked into was who directed Griffiths in one of Potter’s uncle and in the cult made twice as funny and twice his biggest stage hits, The History film Withnail & I, has died aged as clever just by his presence. Boys, said he was “the life of every break Italian 65, his agent said yesterday. I am proud to say I knew him,” party”. He recalled anecdotes that The portly star of stage and Radcliffe said in a statement. “would go on for hours, appar- screen, one of Britain’s best Griffiths was born on July 31, ently without destination, con- loved character actors, died on 1947, in Yorkshire in northern stantly side-splitting. The only Thursday from complications England, the son of a steelworker. way to stop them was to tell him following heart surgery, Simon His parents were both deaf so he you were walking away”. stalemate Beresford said. Griffiths will be had to learn sign language at an Griffiths won a Tony and an forever remembered as Uncle early age. He left school at 15 and Olivier award for his role as an Monty by fans of cult classic worked as a porter for a while, but inspirational teacher in The Snap polls only way out: Berlusconi Withnail & I, although he reached his boss persuaded him to go back History Boys, and was nominated his biggest audience as Uncle to education, to study drama. for a Bafta for best actor for the ROME: Italy remained in Berlusconi and 5-Star both Vernon Dursley in the Harry He later joined the Royal film version. political deadlock yesterday ruled out backing a technocrat Potter films. Shakespeare Company, excelling As a stage actor, Griffiths after a new round of talks led government like the one led by Daniel Radcliffe, who played in playing the clown. Early film demanded his audience’s full by President Giorgio Napolitano outgoing prime minister Mario the boy wizard in the blockbuster credits included Chariots of Fire, attention, having twice stopped starring as a crime-solving chef failed to break the stalemate Monti, whom they both blame Potter series, led the tributes to The French Lieutenant’s Woman a show to order people out of the in TV series Pie In The Sky in created by elections last month for pushing Italy into recession. a man he said had offered him and Gandhi, before he landed a theatre after their mobile tel- the 1990s, and he was awarded that left no group able to form a This had been seen as a possible “encouragement, tutelage and starring role in the 1987 comedy ephones rang out. He also had an OBE for services to drama in government alone. alternative way to give Italy the humour”. The two men worked Withnail & I. a successful television career, 2007. AFP Napolitano, 87, conducted a government it needs to address a swift round of talks with the deep economic crisis. “Our position three main forces in parliament has not changed. We expressed it after the failure of a week of with absolute clarity to the presi- Pope presides over his first Good Friday efforts by centre-left leader Pier dent,” Berlusconi said after the Luigi Bersani to win support for meeting with Napolitano. Ex-UK minister a new government. Grillo scornfully rejected any But all the parties remained in idea of giving support for a gov- suing Sun over the same entrenched positions they ernment not led by his movement. have occupied since the February “Give them a vote of confidence? police slur story 24-25 election, with no sign of Those are swear words in the movement from any of them. mouths of people like them,” Grillo LONDON: Former British Bersani won the largest share said in a live video broadcast on his minister Andrew Mitchell is of the vote in the election but fell popular blog. “They should all just suing Rupert Murdoch’s The short of a majority in parliament. go home.” Bersani says Berlusconi Sun newspaper over a report The third biggest force, Beppe is untrustworthy and also rejects which claimed he called police Grillo’s populist 5-Star Movement, the latter’s demand to nominate officers “plebs” and which cost which holds the balance of power, a successor to Napolitano, whose him his job, his lawyer said. again rejected backing a Bersani mandate expires in May. Mitchell was forced to quit a government or any administration The refusal by Berlusconi senior position in Prime Minister not led by them. and his allies in the Northern David Cameron’s Conservative The centre-left in turn reit- League, as well as Grillo, to back party in October after police erated that it would not enter a a technocrat government reduces claimed he verbally abused coalition with Berlusconi, which Napolitano’s options greatly and an officer. The policemen had the 76-year-old billionaire media makes it much less likely that an stopped him from cycling out of magnate said after his talks with independent figure will be able to the main gates of Downing Street, Napolitano was the only way lead a non-political administration. where Cameron’s office is located, out of the crisis short of a snap Napolitano has made clear that in September. new election. Bersani’s deputy, he does not want Italy to go back Mitchell admitted there was an Enrico Letta, said after meeting to new elections immediately, not ill-tempered exchange but always Napolitano that a coalition with least because the widely criticised denied he used the derogatory Berlusconi’s centre-right, “would election law is likely to just repeat Pope Francis prays during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, yes- word “pleb”, as reported on the not be the choice of change the the deadlock. terday. The Pope presided over his first Good Friday which will culminate in a torch-lit procession at Rome’s front page of the best-selling tab- country has asked for”. REUTERS Colosseum. On Sunday, the Pope will celebrate Easter mass in front of tens of thousands of pilgrims in St loid. He subsequently complained Peter’s Square and then pronounce the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to Rome and the world. to the police that the officers had lied, and so far four people have been arrested as part of a wider probe into the incident, including three serving officers. Putin restores Two police officers are accused ‘Facebook phone’ may ring true on April 4 of leaking information to the Soviet ‘Hero of media, while the third is sus- SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook a “Facebook phone” to help the of more than 7,000 people rang- “It is really clear from the stats pected of misconduct. A friend of fueled fresh talk yesterday social network better monetise ing in age from 18 to 44 years old and my own personal intuition Mitchell’s told the BBC he was Labour’ title about its own mobile phone its mobile platform by featur- with iPhones or Android-powered that a lot of energy in the ecosys- suing The Sun to address a “cam- MOSCOW: Russian President after the leading social network ing Facebook prominently on the smartphones showed that four out tem is going to mobile, not desk- paign of vilification” against him. Vladimir Putin yesterday scheduled a press announce- phone. Facebook has long held firm of five check their handsets within top (computers),” Zuckerberg “It’s always risky suing papers restored an honorary Hero ment for next week. it has no intention of building its 15 minutes of waking. said. “That is the future,” he con- but he thought he had no alter- of Labour title that was first Shortly after the Facebook own smartphone, saying instead it The top three applications tinued. “We are going to be doing native,” the friend said. Mitchell’s awarded in the Lenin era to invitation went out for the April would rather weave access to the used were for messaging; Web killer stuff there.” lawyer Graham Atkins confirmed workers who outperformed 4 event, the technology news social network into software run- browsing, and Facebook, in that Facebook has made a priority that he had launched legal proceed- their Communist work quotas. site TechCrunch reported the ning the gamut of handsets. order, according to IDC. “People of following its more than one bil- ings for libel against the owners of Putin — a former KGB agent announcement would be a modi- News of the April 4 event at have a universal need to connect lion members onto smartphones The Sun. “There are a number of who once called the dissolution of fied version of the Google Android social network’s main campus in with others, especially those and tablet computers, tailoring other potential actions being con- the Soviet Union one of the great operating system with “deep the Silicon Valley city of Menlo they care deeply about,” IDC services and money-making ads sidered but I do not intend com- tragedies of the 20th century — native Facebook functionality”. Park came as the research firm researchers said. for mobile devices. “Now, we are menting any further at this stage.” signed a presidential decree restor- Another report on 9 to 5 Google IDC released a Facebook-backed “This coupled with mass market a mobile company,” Zuckerberg A Sun spokesman said: “We ing the award for the first time said Facebook designing the soft- study showing that smartphones adoption of smartphones means said at the conference. stand by our story and will defend since the USSR crumbled in 1991. ware for the new smartphone, have become people’s close friends that social engagement via phones Zuckerberg rejected suggestions this claim vigorously.” Mitchell “In the Soviet Union, we had a which would be made by Taiwan’s in the US. has become mainstream.” At a that Facebook would make its own had been international develop- title called the Hero of Socialist HTC. Facebook’s invitation said US smartphone owners tend to TechCrunch Disrupt conference smartphone, adamant that the ment minister in Cameron’s cabi- Labour, and on the whole, I only “Come See Our New Home be connected from the instant they in San Francisco in September, company had no intention of step- net before being moved to chief think this was justified,” Putin On Android”. rise until they fall sleep and revel Facebook co-founder Mark ping into the fiercely competitive whip, a job enforcing discipline in said in remarks published on the The reports, if accurate, could in every minute of it, according to Zuckerberg said the social network handset hardware arena. the parliamentary party which he Kremlin website. “I know that explain the long speculation about the study. A weeklong IDC survey giant is focused on mobile devices. AFP quit in October. AFP this is the view not only of the machine workers, but of those who generally do things with their hands and use their heads,” the Solar plane 60-year-old president said. “This is also the view of our lead- Warlord jailed for 45 years ing professional union,” he added in reference to the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. over Sarajevo killings Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin signed a decree restor- SARAJEVO: A Montenegrin given for such crimes. Bozic said ing the title shortly after making warlord was jailed for 45 years Vlahovic, a member of paramili- those remarks. yesterday for the murder, rape tary group White Angels, which Putin has occasionally tapped and torture of non-Serb civil- was allied to the Bosnian Serb populist Soviet themes to boost ians in Sarajevo in the Bosnian army, often demanded ransoms his standing among older vot- war, receiving the longest sen- of money or gold for his captives. ers who look back on Russia’s tence handed down so far by the “Victims who could not pay Communist days with nostalgia. Bosnian war crimes court. for their lives would be typically He quickly restored the tune of Veselin Vlahovic, nicknamed taken to a recognisable loca- the booming Soviet anthem on his Batko, was found guilty of the mur- tion on Trebevic hill and shot in rise to the presidency in 2000 and ders of 31 people, rapes of at least the head,” Bozic added. “In June has since highlighted the positive 13 women and torture and robbery 1992, he forced 13 members of the economic achievements under of dozens of civilians in Grbavica Pecar family out of their home Stalin. Putin first raised the idea and Vraca, Serb-occupied areas of and ordered three male relatives of restoring the Hero of Labour Sarajevo, in 1992, said presiding to run across a front line street title in December by noting that judge Zoran Bozic. planted with mines,” he said. “it would be good”. The 44-year old Vlahovic, He then ordered his soldiers to “Only we need to think. We known by his victims as the open fire knowing the act would cannot completely copy the Soviet “Monster of Grbavica” and provoke a return of fire from the times,” he added at the time. “Master of Life and Death”, car- combat lines. One woman died The Hero of Labour — intro- ried out “horrid, cruel and mani- and three, including a minor girl, duced under Soviet founder fold criminal acts”, Bozic said. were wounded and left on the Vladimir Lenin in 1921 — was one The Solar Impulse solar plane is seen at the Nasa Ames Research Centre in Mountain View, California. Weather Prosecutors compiled a street. Vlahovic showed no emo- of the Soviet Union’s most coveted conditions permitting, the Solar Impulse will take off on May 1 and is scheduled to make stops in Phoenix, 66-count indictment against tion throughout the proceedings, awards and a sign of either a per- Dallas and Washington before arriving in New York in early July. The plane will spend up to 10 days at each Vlahovic, the most extensive ever even when the verdict drew loud son or factory’s commitment to stop on its journey to showcase its technology to the public, schoolchildren and students who will also have for crimes committed in the 1992- applause from members of victims’ socialist ideals. a chance to talk with the pilots. 95 Bosnian war. The 45-year sen- associations in the heavily packed AFP tence is the maximum that can be courtroom. REUTERS MARCH 30, 2013 ON SATURDAY 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Philippines Manila urged to talk Fitch boost to Manila with sultan of Sulu Move will boost Philippine claim over Sabah: Official

MANILA: The sultanate of historically strong, it needs a wanted to have one voice so that Sulu yesterday urged Manila fresh special power of authority the international community will to first meet with Sulu Sultan from Sultan Jamalul Kiram III,” not get confused as to who should Jamalul Kiram III before mak- added Idjirani. be the lead claimant,” said Sulu ing any formal effort to reclaim He said the sultanate of Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong, a member of Sabah. is just waiting for Malacanang’s the royal sharifs. Sultanate spokesman Abraham invitation to be part of the proc- He said the sharifs have con- Idjirani said cooperation between ess to reclaim Sabah. ducted consultations and initi- Malacañang and the sultanate Idjirani said the royal heirs of ated efforts to bring all claimants would strengthen the Philippine the sultanate drafted a manifesto together to speak as one voice to claim over Sabah. last Monday which affirmed their force the Malaysians to return “You cannot remove the right support for Sultan Kiram and Sabah to the sultanate. of the Sultan of Sulu. As the urged the government to actively The Council of Royal Sharif Sultan of Sulu, he inherited the pursue the Philippine claim on have gathered all the datus and legal authority. We could say that Sabah. Idjirani said the mani- heirs of the sultanate from Sulu, he is the owner of Sabah,” Idjirani festo would be sent to President Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan told reporters at the residence of Aquino. Kiram said in the event that signed early this week a Kiram at the Maharlika Village that Malaysia returns Sabah, the manifesto detailing its unified in Taguig City. Philippine government should stand. “Because of that only the Sultan recognise the authority of the sul- The group also appealed to the of Sulu can lay claim on territo- tanate of Sulu over the territory. United Nations, the Organization ries lying outside the national Idjirani slammed the “ham- of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), A vendor stands next to his display of eyeglasses and belts on a side street at Manila’s Makati financial district boundaries of the Philippines,” letting” of Filipino residents in the Association of Southeast yesterday. Fitch Ratings raised the Philippines’ credit rating to investment grade, a first for the Southeast Idjirani added. Sabah that Malaysian security Asian Nations (Asean), the Non- Asian nation, in a move expected to boost investment and lift the country’s long-term growth potential. He said the sultanate, through forces have enforced to make the Aligned Movement (NAM), and a special power of authority, gave Filipinos leave. the Philippine government to the Philippine government the “It is a psy-war by Malaysia to intervene to end the hostilities, authority to pursue the Sabah force the Filipinos to leave,” he stop the violation of human rights claim in 1961. Idjirani said the said. and extend humanitarian assist- special power of authority was Idjirani said Malaysia is afraid ance to all victims of the Sabah revoked by the sultanate in 1989 that it might lose Sabah in a refer- crisis. Fewer Filipinos tying the knot after the sultanate felt that the endum should the United Nations A copy of the manifesto signed claim was not being vigorously call for one. He said Sabah has a last Monday will be forwarded to MANILA: Fewer Filipinos Autonomous Region in Muslim August is the least favored pursued. population of 3.2 million, includ- the UN Secretary General, OIC, are tying the knot, accord- Mindanao jumped by 79.7 month with only 24,763 mar- “What we are saying is that ing 1.5 million documented and Asean, NAM, Philippine govern- ing to the National Statistics percent. riages or a daily average of 799. before there is any attempt by undocumented Filipinos. ment, and sultanate of Sulu, and Office (NSO). The NSO report also showed The NSO said the latest the Philippine government to file “Malaysia is now afraid. It the ambassadors of the US, Great There were 476,408 marriages that more couples were married data showed that the median a claim on Sabah, they need to knows that with the standoff now, Britain, China, Indonesia, Brunei, registered in 2011, down by 1.3 in civil rites at 202,614 or 42.5 age for brides was 25.3 and 28 talk to the Sultan of Sulu together the Filipinos are being united by and Saudi Arabia. percent from 482,480 recorded percent. for grooms. “Women prefer to with the royal families. This will the Sabah issue,” he said. A copy of the manifesto stated in 2010, the NSO said in a report Marriages in Catholic marry at an earlier age than also show that this is now a joint The Council of Royal Sharifs that the heirs would continue posted on its website, adding churches came in second with men,” it said. effort between the government (assets protector), heirs, and to support the proprietary and that the number of registered 171,046 or 35.9 percent; other Teenage brides numbered and the Filipino people,” said descendants of the sultanate of sovereign rights of the sultan of marriages has been declining religious rites, including Muslim, 58,320 or 12.2 percent of the Idjirani. Sulu called for a united stand to Sulu over Sabah, a territory they since 2009. at 20.8 percent; and 3,167 under total, more than four times “The effort to lay Philippine have one voice to reclaim Sabah. said was ceded by the sultan of The biggest year-on-year tribal rites. compared to teenage grooms at territorial sovereignty over Sabah “What is needed now under Brunei as gift to the sultan of decrease was recorded in February is still the favour- 12,882. was delegated by the Sultan of the present situation is for all Sulu for helping suppress a rebel- Eastern Visayas at 18.8 percent, ite month for weddings with a More men settle at the age of Sulu to the Philippine govern- legitimate claimants of Sabah to lion against the sultan of Brunei followed by the Bicol and Caraga daily average of 1,799 marriages. 50 and above with 16,585 com- ment in 1961. If the government be united because we would want in the 1800s. regions, which posted declines of However, the highest number of pared to women of the same age wants its claim to be legally and them to stand as one and we THE PHILIPPINE STAR 9.2 and 7.9 percent, respectively. marriages occurred in May with group with 7,012. Meanwhile, marriages in the 55,529 or 11.7 percent. THE PHILIPPINE STAR Church denounces grisly Easter ritual SAN FERNANDO: Catholic zealots in the Philippines re- We can rise after stumbling for a decade: Aquino enacted the last hours of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, whip- MANILA: It is not impossible President said in Filipino. Aquino President said the Philippines ping their backs and nailing to rise from almost a decade of also said Filipinos should remem- had proven so much for being themselves to crosses in a grisly stumbling along. ber and emulate the generosity united in charitable works and Easter ritual that persists This was the Lenten message and humility of Jesus Christ. concern for others. despite Church disapproval. of President Aquino to Filipinos “He became an example of “This Holy Week, we are again Foreign and local tour- during the Holy Week break, generosity and love for others. reminded of the importance of ists flocked to the outskirts reminding them to give even As followers of Christ, it is but serving as a light to each other, of the city of San Fernando, a a little of themselves to others right to follow his good example,” and the brightness that it can 90-minute drive from Manila, to and help the Philippines achieve Aquino said. bring to the whole nation. The see the annual spectacle where a progress. The President said nothing step we have taken has been good Christian “passion play” is taken “It is not impossible to envision could compare to the sacrifices and this Lenten season, may we to its blood-soaked extreme. progress, especially for our fel- made by Christ, including offer- continue to reflect on how we can At least 18 men had nails low Filipinos who are in greatest ing His own life, and that if nurture the seeds of brotherhood driven through their hands and need. With guidance and direc- things were to be summed up, sowed by the Lord God,” Aquino Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes at the opening of the were hung up on crosses under tion from Christ, we were able to He was asking for too little from said, as he wished everyone a Precinct Count Optical Scan demonstration centre yesterday. the hot sun in vacant plots show the effectiveness of focus- the people: “To love and take care meaningful and peaceful Lenten around the city. ing not on selfish interests but of others. Can we bear to deprive break. Elsewhere, hooded men lashed on the welfare of the people,” the Him of this?” As a nation, the THE PHILIPPINE STAR their bloody backs with cloth and bamboo whips, doing penance for “I am used to it already,” said After two days, I am ready to go on crosses had to be carried away Campaigning for their sins while spraying onlook- Alex Laranang, 58, who was back to work again.” on stretchers after being taken ers with flecks of blood. nailed up for the 14th time. He said so far his suffering has down, but most managed to walk Devotees commit to undergo Laranang, a short, sunburnt been rewarded as his wife and to a medical tent for treatment the mock crucifixion in exchange man who sells baked buns to bus children enjoy good health and he as Western tourists snapped polls starts today for a gift from God such as the passengers, said: “It is just like a continues to make a decent living. pictures. Norwegian Charlotte healing of a sick loved one. needle going through my hand. At least two of the men hung Johanssen, 26, a Manila resident who was among the crowd of MANILA: As campaigning youth, to visit precinct count opti- onlookers, said some of her visit- for local candidates in the May cal scan (PCOS) demonstration ing friends had found the sight 13 mid-term polls starts today, centres across the country to learn too much to take. the Commission on Elections about the machines. “I have friends who felt sick (Comelec) is bracing itself for Comelec spokesman James to their stomachs and who got aspirants who will try to evade Jimenez said demonstration cent- nauseated,” said Johanssen, who stricter campaign rules. ers would be put up in various works for an aid group in the Comelec Chairman Sixto accessible areas to enable the pub- Philippine capital. Brillantes said they are expecting lic to have a first-hand experience “There are those who get local candidates to be more stub- on how to use the voting machines. amazed. You can’t imagine how born when it comes to adherence “We invite the public to take anyone can subject themselves to to the rules on campaign posters advantage of the PCOS demo this kind of pain,” she said. and common poster areas. “Let us centres as this will provide them The mock crucifixions have be vigilant once the local campaign opportunities to ask our trained been going on for decades despite period starts. There, we will see demonstrators about their con- official disapproval from the more troublesome candidates,” he cerns and experience for them- Philippines’ Catholic bishops. noted. selves how to use it,” he said. “The bishops have been saying The 45-day campaign period Yesterday, the Comelec opened a for a long time they disapprove for the local polls was supposed demonstration center at its main of this. But people make such to start on March 29, but since office in Palacio del Gobernador in vows. They sacrifice themselves this falls on Good Friday when Intramuros, Manila. for others,” said Father Francis campaigning is prohibited, the “This is a perfect destination Lucas, executive director of the Comelec had moved the date. this summer, either individually or Philippine bishops’ media office. The campaign period for sena- as a group,” he said. PCOS demon- “We have so many crosses to torial bets and party-list groups strations will be conducted for free bear in life. We don’t need to started last February 12. The during office hours from Monday bear a real one,” he said. He also campaign period for all candidates to Saturday at regular intervals of Ruben Enaje shows three-inch nail which he used yesterday on a Good Friday crucifixion re-enactment in San warned against efforts to use the ends on May 11. 30 to 45 minutes and will be open Pedro Cutud town, Pampanga province, north of Manila. event to boost tourism, saying: Meanwhile, Comelec yesterday to the public. “That is really wrong”. AFP called on the public, especially the THE PHILIPPINE STAR MARCH 30, 2013 Asia www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 ON SATURDAY N Korea missiles ready to hit US Tensions rise after US flies bombers over peninsula What does this photo mean? SEOUL/WASHINGTON: North Korea put its missile SEOUL: North Korean state units on standby yesterday to media issued two photos yes- attack US military bases in terday that, either by acci- South Korea and the Pacific, dent or design, appeared to after the United States flew two show plans for striking the US nuclear-capable stealth bomb- mainland, as well as details of ers over the Korean peninsula the North’s military strength. in a rare show of force. The pictures, released by the North Korean leader Kim official Korean Central News Jong-un signed off on the order Agency (KCNA), both showed at a midnight meeting of top leader Kim Jong-un sitting at a generals and “judged the time desk in what looked like a dedi- has come to settle accounts with cated military operations room. the US imperialists in view of the The photos accompanied a prevailing situation”, the official KCNA report on an emergency KCNA news agency said. meeting with top army leaders KCNA said North Korea and in which Kim ordered strategic the United States could only set- rocket units to prepare for a pos- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) with army officials at an urgent tle their differences by “physical sible strike against US mainland military operation meeting at the Supreme Command in Pyongyang, means”. The North has an arsenal and Pacific bases. early yesterday, in this picture released by the North’s official KCNA of Soviet-era short-range Scud One picture showed Kim news agency. missiles that can hit South Korea amongst four uniformed officers, but its longer-range Nodong and but the main interest lay in the flight paths of missiles strik- the North’s military power,” the Musudan missiles, which could in A soldier stands guard near a barbed wire fence on Hwanggumpyong background. ing targets in the continental official said. theory hit US Pacific bases, are Island located in the middle of the Yalu River, near the North Korean town The left of the picture showed United States. “I don’t think Most experts say North Korea, untested. of Sinuiju and the Chinese border city of Dandong, yesterday. a map with the unambigu- this is a mistake,” a South despite a successful long-range China, the North’s sole major ous title: “Strategic Forces’ US Korean defence ministry official rocket launch in December, is ally, repeated its calls for restraint increasing military activity,” to conduct long-range, precision Mainland Striking Plan.” told AFP. years from developing a genuine on the Korean peninsula at a Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov strikes “quickly and at will”, the Straight lines on the map — “I believe it has been inten- inter-continental ballistic mis- regular Foreign Ministry brief- said. US military said. not all of which was visible — tionally made public, probably sile capable of striking the US ing and made no criticism of the “The situation could simply The news of Kim’s response appeared to show the proposed in order to distort facts about mainland. AFP US flights. get out of control, it is slipping was unusually swift. “We hope that relevant parties toward the spiral of a vicious “He finally signed the plan on will work together in pushing for cycle,” Lavrov told reporters in technical preparations of strate- Defence Ministry said it was this week. The North has put its the United Nations and South a turnaround of the tense situa- Moscow when asked about the gic rockets of the KPA (Korean watching shorter-range Scud mis- military on highest readiness to Korea. “The North Koreans have tion,” ministry spokesman Hong situation. People’s Army), ordering them sile sites closely as well as Nodong fight what it says are hostile forces to understand that what they’re Lei told reporters. He called for efforts to get to be on standby for fire so that and Musudan missile batteries. conducting war drills. Its young doing is very dangerous,” US Tension has been high since stalled six-party talks on North they may strike any time the US The North has launched a daily leader has previously given “final Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel North Korea conducted a third Korea going again. The talks mainland, its military bases in the barrage of threats since early this orders” for its military to wage told reporters at the Pentagon on nuclear weapons test in February have involved the two Koreas, operational theatres in the Pacific, month when the United States revolutionary war with the South. Thursday. in breach of UN sanctions and the United States, Russia, China including Hawaii and Guam, and and the South, allies in the 1950- Despite the hostile rhetoric “We must make clear that despite warnings from China for and Japan. those in South Korea,” KCNA 53 Korean War, began regular from the North, it has kept open these provocations by the North it not to do so. On Thursday, the United States said. South Korea’s Yonhap news military drills. a joint economic zone with the are taken by us very seriously and Russia’s foreign minister flew two radar-evading B-2 Spirit agency reported there had been The South and the United South which generates $2bn a we’ll respond to that.” implicitly criticised the US bombers on practice runs over additional troop and vehicle States have said the drills are year in trade — money the impov- The US military said that its bomber flights. South Korea, responding to a movements at the North’s mid- purely defensive and that no inci- erished state can ill-afford to lose. B-2 bombers had flown more than “We are concerned that along- series of North Korean threats. and long-range missile sites, indi- dent has taken place in the dec- North Korea has cancelled an 10,461km to stage a trial bombing side the adequate, collective reac- They flew from the United States cating they may be ready to fire. ades they have been conducted in armistice agreement with the raid from their bases in Missouri tion of the UN Security Council, and back in what appeared to It was impossible to verify various forms. United States that ended the as part of the Foal Eagle war drills unilateral action is being taken be the first exercise of its kind, the report which did not spec- The United States also flew B-52 Korean War and cut all commu- being held with South Korea. around North Korea that is designed to show America’s ability ify a time frame. South Korea’s bombers over South Korea earlier nications hotlines with US forces, REUTERS More than China detains 80 workers Five Jamaat men Nobel laureate’s buried in Tibet brother-in-law landslide killed in clashes BEIJING: Chinese authori- BEIJING: More than 80 DHAKA: Clashes in and one on the way to hospital. ties have detained the brother- workers were buried when a Bangladesh between police and In a separate but similar wave in-law of jailed Nobel Peace huge landslide came crash- supporters of the country’s of protests in northwestern Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo on a ing down a mountainside biggest Islamic party left five Sirajganj district, two Jamaat fraud charge, his lawyer said in Tibet yesterday, Chinese dead yesterday during protests supporters died after being hit yesterday. state-run media said. linked to ongoing war crimes with bullets, local police chief Police detained Liu Hui in A vast three-kilometre-long trials, police and media said. Shamsul Huq told AFP. Police January on suspicion of commit- section of land, with a volume Jamaat-e-Islami activists have officers went to arrest an activ- ting fraud in connection with a of two million cubic metres, been staging countrywide strikes ist also accused of violence last real-estate deal, human rights slid down a slope and buried and rallies for months to protest month while protesting against lawyer Mo Shaoping told AFP, 83 miners in Maizhokunggar against the trials which have the war crimes trial, but they too adding that the evidence of fraud county, east of the Tibetan placed nearly their entire party faced defiance from several thou- was “insufficient”. capital Lhasa, the official leadership in the dock, in cases sand villagers. “He (Liu Hui) should face trial Xinhua news agency said. dating back to the 1971 independ- “They hurled handmade bombs soon, within a month,” Mo said, A total of 1,000 police per- ence war. and fired at us. We also retaliated adding that he had been detained sonnel, firefighters and doctors Yesterday’s first incident with gun fire,” Huq said. after becoming involved in a “civil were sent to the disaster site, occurred when lawmakers With the latest deaths, 94 peo- dispute”. Liu Hui is the brother- at an altitude of 4,600 metres, entered a village in northwest- ple have now been killed in clashes in-law of Chinese political activ- the agency said, with 200 vehi- ern Chapainawabganj district to linked to the trials since the war ist Liu Xiaobo, who was jailed for cles and 15 dogs, and sets of arrest party activists accused of crimes court handed down the 11 years in 2009 for “subversion,” life-detecting equipment. torching a power plant in such a first of its verdicts in January over after circulating a charter call- State broadcaster CCTV protest last month. atrocities during Bangladesh’s ing for democratic reforms, and quoted a member of the About 6,000 villagers gathered independence struggle from who was awarded the Nobel Peace Chinese People’s Armed Police to try and prevent the arrests, Pakistan. Two Jamaat leaders Prize in 2010. on the scene as saying that leading police to open fire. have already been convicted by The Nobel winner’s wife, Liu “the situation looks serious, “We at first used rubber bullets the tribunal, which critics accuse Xia, who is Liu Hui’s sister, has the collapsed area is three or and tear gas to disperse the mob, of trumping up charges in a bid by been under house arrest in Beijing four square kilometres”. but they attacked us with hand the government to settle political since her husband was awarded Rescuers have so-far found bombs, sticks and bricks, forcing scores, rather than deliver justice. the prize. She has not been for- no signs of the trapped work- us to open fire,” deputy district The government says the tri- mally charged with any crime. ers, the cop added. The workers police chief Motiur Rahman told als are needed to heal the wounds Dramatic video footage emerged were from China National Gold AFP. “We have heard the news of the 1971 war in which it says in December of a group of Chinese Group Corporation, a mining of three men killed, but we have three million people were killed activists breaking through a secu- firm. Almost all of them were not seen any dead bodies,” he said. and 200,000 women raped. rity cordon to reach Liu Xia, who Han Chinese, the national eth- Activists of Islami Andolan Bangladesh take part in a grand rally to demand Local media reports quoted vil- Independent estimates put the appeared frail and emotionally nic majority, with only two of the introduction of a blasphemy law and the restoration of a caretaker lagers saying three Jamaat sup- death toll between 300,000 and shaken by the visit. them ethnic Tibetans, Xinhua government to conduct the upcoming general elections, in Dhaka, yesterday. porters were killed, two on the spot 500,000. AFP AFP added. Most were migrant workers from the provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan. China’s new president Xi Jinping, who is currently vis- iting the Republic of Congo Lanka boosts security at Muslim businesses after attack in Africa, and new premier Li Keqiang had ordered “top efforts” to rescue the victims, COLOMBO: Sri Lanka boosted and later set fire to a store and “Be aware of anti-democratic, action to stop this spread of reli- Sinhala-Buddhist hardliners were Xinhua added. “Xi and Li have security for Muslim-owned warehouse owned by Muslims late extremists and terrorist forces gious attacks and intolerance”. responsible. However, the recently told local authorities to spare businesses across the country on Thursday. destroying public and private The SLMC said they were formed Buddhist nationalist no efforts to rescue the buried yesterday after a clothing store “We are deploying more mobile property,” the government’s infor- treating Thursday’s violence as a group, the monk-led Bodu Bala and prevent secondary disas- was torched by hundreds of patrols in vulnerable areas” across mation department said. “Do not “sequel to the ongoing attacks and Sena (BBS), denied involvement ters,” it said. A worker at a Buddhist hardliners, escalating the country, a senior police officer fall prey to divisive forces aiming hate campaigns” against Muslims and urged authorities to bring the hospital in the county reached religious tensions. told AFP, declining to be named. to destabilise Sri Lanka.” and other religious minorities in perpetrators to justice. by AFP late yesterday said it Police said commandos of the He said extra police would be The key Muslim coalition the country. “We condemn this attack in the had not yet received any casu- elite Special Task Force were guarding popular Muslim-owned partner in President Mahinda The authorities have not strongest terms,” BBS spokesman alties but staff were “making deployed in the Colombo suburb of shops. Rajapakse’s government, the Sri declared a motive for the attack Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara told preparations”. AFP Pepiliyana where mobs from the The government in a statement Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), that injured at least three peo- reporters in Colombo. ethnic Sinhalese majority stoned urged people not to be provoked. urged him to “take proactive ple, but official sources said AFP MARCH 30, 2013 ON SATURDAY 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Pakistan / Afghanistan

Breedlove picked Bomber kills 12 in cantonment as Nato chief WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama has nomi- Frontier Constabulary commander nated US Air Force General Philip Breedlove to become escapes bid on life; 28 injured Nato’s commander, a key role as Nato aims to wind PESHAWAR: A suicide The check-post is about 300 down its 11-year-old mis- bomber yesterday targeted a metres from the heavily guarded sion in Afghanistan that has senior Pakistani police com- US consulate, the target of tested the resolve of allies. mander, killing 12 people, attacks in the past. Breedlove, whose nomination including two women, near the “We have received six bod- was endorsed by ambassa- US consulate in Peshawar, offi- ies, including of two women,” dors from the 28 Nato allies, cials said. Sayed Jameel Shah, a spokesman will succeed Admiral James It was the latest in a string of for Peshawar’s Lady Reading Stavridis as Nato’s Supreme attacks as the country prepares Hospital, said. He later confirmed Allied Commander Europe. to hold historic election on May two of the injured had died. “They His appointment requires 11. The vote will mark the first were in serious condition in the Senate confirmation. democratic transition of power neurosurgery ward.” in Pakistan, which has been gov- Another four bodies and 17 P a k i s t a n i h e l d erned by four military rulers. wounded were taken to the A security official said Abdul Combined Military Hospital. for ‘spying’ Majeed Marwat, Commander Among the dead were two of the paramilitary Frontier soldiers and a member of the BERLIN: A Pakistani man Constabulary for Khyber Frontier Constabulary, while the working in a German tech- Pakhtunkhwa province, sur- wounded included civilians and nology research centre has vived the attack and was taken military personnel. been detained on suspicion to a military hospital with “only The blast damaged two motor- of military espionage, offi- scratches”. cycles and four cars, including cials said. The 28-year-old Some 28 others were wounded, Marwat’s vehicle. Splashes of was registered as a student medics said. blood lay on the ground and a pair to work at the centre in the “It was a suicide attack, the of legs, presumed to be that of the northwestern city of Bremen. target was the FC commander,” bomber, were seen. Named only as Umar R, he police official Arshad Khan said. Umar Din, 21, a rickshaw Soldiers gather at the site of the bomb blast in Peshawar, yesterday. is suspected of “attempting The bomber used some 18kg driver, said the force of the explo- to procure information about of explosives. He was on foot and sion flipped his rickshaw onto the place. It was horrible, people frequently targeted by Pakistan Peshawar, a key electoral battle- sophisticated military tech- struck when Marwat’s convoy ground. were bleeding and crying.” Taliban. ground and home to 2.5 million, nologies” since October. He stopped at a military check-post “I came out and saw my pas- There was no immediate claim There are fears that insecu- on the edge of the tribal belt, a allegedly obtained illegally on Fakhr-e-Alam Road in Saddar senger bleeding. I picked him up of responsibility but police, sol- rity could prove a major chal- Taliban and Al Qaeda strong- studies on the piloting and Cantonment. on my shoulder and ran to a safer diers and paramilitary units are lenge for the election, not least in hold. AGENCIES navigation of drones until he was caught out by a colleague. The centre develops technol- ogy for Israeli surveillance aircraft used by German troops in Afghanistan. Musharraf’s bail extended Ex-legislators in fix Nuclear bomb KARACHI: Bail for Pakistan’s The perpetrator was taken away Musharraf’s government of failing hero skips poll former military ruler Pervez by security officials. to give her adequate protection. Musharraf was extended yes- Judge Sajjad Ali Shah posted Court officials said bail in the over dual nationality ISLAMABAD: Dr Abdul terday, court and his party offi- bail of 300,000 rupees ($3,000) in judges’ case had been extended Qadeer Khan, 76, the father cials said yesterday. the 2007 assassination of Bhutto, for two weeks. A member of ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former legislators of different political of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb, Musharraf appeared in the the 2007 illegal sacking of judges Musharaff’s All Pakistan Muslim shades may have resigned to escape disqualification for having dual has decided not to contest the Sindh High Court, which last and the 2006 death of Akbar League said he had been granted nationality, but the Supreme Court has summoned 20 on Monday. May general election but will week granted him temporary, Bugti, a Baluch rebel leader in a 21-day extension in the other They are former petroleum adviser to prime minister Dr Asim support his party and its allies protective bail before he returned the southwest. cases. Hussain, Tayyab Hussain, Nadeem Ahsan, Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi, on the campaign trail, a party home from four years of self- A March 22 court ruling pre- Musharraf remains contro- Fauzia Ejaz Mohammad Khan, Sabin Rizvi, Areesh Kumar, Donya Aziz, spokesman said yesterday. imposed exile on Sunday. vented officials from arresting versial nearly five years after he Arif Aziz Sheikh, Jameel Ahmad Malik, Fauzia Asghar, Dr Tahir Ali Many Pakistanis regard Dr He was required to appear in Musharraf for 10 days in connec- resigned in the face of impeach- Javed, Jameel Ashraf, Javed Tarki, Murad Ali Shah, Sadiq Ali Memon, Khan as a hero for building the person in the court to extend bail. tion with the judges’ arrests and ment proceedings and is not Abdul Moeed Siddiqi, Dr Syed Mohammad Ali Shah, Askari Taqvi Muslim world’s first atomic As he walked to the court 14 days in the other cases. thought to be a serious contender and Raza Haroon. bomb but in the West he is room, a lawyer threw a shoe at Bhutto’s son, Bilawal Bhutto in the May election he has vowed When they appear, either in person or through their counsel, they considered a renegade since him, while some 20 lawyers pro- Zardari, who is Chairman of to contest. He was a key US ally will have to explain why the court should not ask them to return all admitting in 2004 to selling tested, shouting “he’s a dictator the Pakistan People’s Party, has in the “war on terror”, an alli- the monetary benefits and perks they enjoyed as legislators. nuclear secrets on the black and he should be hanged”, wit- accused Musharraf of her murder. ance that became controversial A bench of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice market. He later retracted his nesses said. In 2010, a UN report said in Pakistan, and escaped at least Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed took up the case remarks and was freed from The shoe did not hit Bhutto’s death could have three Al Qaeda assassination att yesterday. house arrest in Islamabad in Musharraf, TV footage showed. been prevented and accused empts. AFP On March 15, the court asked the Election Commission of Pakistan 2009, but he remains under to furnish the names of parliamentarians and members of provincial pressure to keep a low pro- assemblies who were disqualified over their status. INTERNEWS file. Last November he regis- tered his Tehreek-e-Tahafuzz Going home Pakistan to contest election and was allotted the symbol of a missile. Zardari’s party is Jobs reward for loyalists ISLAMABAD: In the last poorest, says ECP week in power, the PPP-P government took advantage ISLAMABAD: With no income or fixed assets, former president of protests by education staff Asif Ali Zardari’s party, Pakistan People’s Party-Parliamentarians and a 2008 Supreme Court (PPP-P), is the poorest, according to its financial statement to the ruling and hired over 1,000 Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). party loyalists and favourites Details of financial standing and assets of parties released by ECP as teaching and non-teaching yesterday for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, show PPP-P has employees, an official said. Rs435,397, including Rs5,997 held by its finance secretary and Rs429,400 Five years ago, the apex court in its bank account. had ruled that teachers serv- The statement submitted by the party’s Secretary General and ing for a long time as daily- former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said the party spent Rs348 wagers should be regularised. in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. In December 2012, the joint In contrast, the PML-N, headed by former premier Nawaz Sharif, action committee of the Non- is the wealthiest party in terms of assets. Its statement showed the Teaching Staff Association, party has assets across the country, valued at Rs80.3m and its closing sent a list of 844 employees to balance for the fiscal year 2011-12 was Rs53.19m. authorities for regularisation, It started the year with a balance of Rs6.4m and inflows from its said the Chairman, Sadaqat four provincial offices and central secretariat totalled Rs77m. The total Abbasi. However, he said in expenditure during the year was Rs30.3m, including Rs3.5m on cater- the last week of the govern- ing services and Rs4m on printing and advertising. INTERNEWS ment’s tenure, 2,024 employ- ees were appointed, including Students walk along a lake to go home in Kabul, yesterday. 1,000 who were directly hired. Recruitment policies have also weakened law enforce- ment agencies, he said. Kabul accuses Islamabad of wrecking peace hopes Sharifs to keep KABUL: The Afghan government has pre-conditions on any further discussions us to death because they know that suicide a stinging attack on Pakistan. accused Pakistan of wrecking efforts to that would encourage the Taliban to lay bombers that kill civilians and our forces “Today there is more instability on the off Imran Khan end the Taliban’s bloody 11-year insur- down weapons. come from Pakistan.” Pakistan side of the Durand Line (border) gency, in the latest sign of worsening “Things were going well up to the trilat- One sign of the breakdown in ties was than on the Afghan side. ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan cross-border relations. eral (summit) in Britain, so we were hope- the cancellation on Wednesday of a confi- “Afghanistan is moving in the right Muslim League-Nawaz has Pakistan, which backed the 1996-2001 ful, but soon it became clear that Pakistan dence-building visit by 11 Afghan officers direction, but in Pakistan they are losing hinted that neither Nawaz Taliban regime, is seen as having a crucial had changed its position and the peace to take part in a military exercise in the control of more provinces to terrorists. Sharif nor Shahbaz Sharif role in negotiating a political settlement process was no longer its priority,” he said. Pakistani city of Quetta. Kabul said the “President Karzai has often visited would contest the election with extremist leaders sheltering in its “They demanded we cut all ties with visit had been scrapped over reported firing Pakistan to tell them that terrorism is against Pakistan Tehreek-e- border districts. India ((Pakistan’s arch-enemy), send army of 50 shells from Pakistan into the Afghan destroying us all and we should fight it Insaf Chairman Imran Khan Relations had improved between both officers to Pakistan for training and sign a province of Kunar. together before it is too late, but instead from Lahore. Sources said countries over recent months, building up strategic partnership.” Last month a conference of Afghan and they accuse him of being an obstacle to the party leadership, during a to a three-way summit hosted by Britain in Faizi said India was one of Afghanistan’s Pakistani religious scholars to push for- peace,” he said. meeting of its parliamentary February to find an end to the war US-led closest allies and any Afghan officer trained ward the peace process was called off due Kabul’s determination to work without board, advised both against troops have waged since 2001. in Pakistan would be viewed as a suspected to disagreements. Pakistan has triggered concern among contesting from constituen- But President Hamid Karzai’s spokesman spy when he returned home. Faizi, who recently described the inter- international backers scrambling to foster cies where Khan will stand. Aimal Faizi said Pakistan had abandoned “If we sign a strategic agreement with national coalition’s war effort against the stability before US-led combat forces leave AGENCIES the peace process and imposed “impossible” Pakistan, the Afghan public would stone Taliban as “useless and unwise”, launched Afghanistan next year. AGENCIES MARCH 30, 2013 India www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 ON SATURDAY Samajwadi Party to Farmers’ tribute keep UPA govt afloat Ties with Congress not strained, says regional leader

NEW DELHI: The Congress Mulayam Singh’s placatory BJP. He also denied nursing prime heaved a sigh of relief after statement came after Prime ministerial ambitions. Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Minister Manmohan Singh said Not wanting to take chances, Mulayam Singh Yadav said yes- on Thursday that the UPA could the Congress yesterday reached terday that he won’t withdraw be unstable after the DMK’s exit out to the SP, saying concerns support to the Congress-led but added that his government of allies and supporting parties UPA government for now. would last a full five years. could be addressed. But the heat was on the In Kolkata, the Trinamool hit In Lucknow, over cups of Congress with estranged ally out at the Congress. steaming coffee and idlis, Finance Trinamool Congress demanding “For six months, Trinamool has Minister P Chidambaram and the immediate resignation of the been clearly stating that the UPA Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister “minority” United Progressive is a minority government and has Akhilesh Yadav talked business. Alliance government. no moral right to continue,” gen- But one informed source said Even as he gave a fresh breather eral secretary Mukul Roy said. the two discussed “everything but to the Congress, Mulayam Singh “We want the government to politics”. predicted an early Lok Sabha resign immediately.” “The finance minister was very election — in November this year The BJP gloated over the reassuring on our demands and — and claimed that a Third Front developments. underlined that the union govern- government would then take “The government will not last ment was committed to develop- Farmers and their wives sit on railway tracks as they pay tribute to a farmer who died during police firing at office in New Delhi. its full term and mid-term elec- ment of the state,” said a senior Manawala railway station in 2004, about 12km from Amritsar in Punjab, yesterday. The main opposition Bharatiya tions seem inevitable,” BJP leader Uttar Pradesh official. Janata Party (BJP) said early Balbir Punj said. In Chennai, DMK president M general elections were inevitable “Irrespective of what Karunanidhi, having walked out given the political uncertainty Manmohan Singh says, there of the Congress-led UPA, reit- ever since the DMK quit the UPA is an atmosphere of instability erated yesterday that his party over the government’s refusal to around the government.” would no more keep the ruling India slams global arms trade deal take a hard line against Sri Lanka But BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad coalition afloat. UNITED NATIONS: India has measures against importing states The text of the first interna- internationally. ruled out the chances of a Third The DMK divorced the strongly criticised the final draft parties without consequences”. tional treaty on arms trade needs After earlier remarks that sig- Front forming a government after Congress after accusing the of a global Arms Trade Treaty She said relevant provisions support from all 193 UN member nalled that he may ditch the UPA, the next parliamentary election. Indian government of not doing as “flawed” and tilted against in the final draft do not meet states for its approval. which the SP backs from the out- “Third Front is a past for enough against Sri Lanka, which weapons-importing countries India’s requirements. “There Mehta said India was to under- side, Mulayam Singh insisted yes- Indian politics. It has neither rel- it says killed Tamils in large num- even as Iran, North Korea and is a fundamental imbalance in take a thorough assessment of the terday that the Congress was still evance for present nor promise bers in its war against the separa- Syria have blocked adoption of the text which is flawed as the ATT “from the perspective of our a friend. for future,” he said. tist rebel group, Liberation Tigers the UN treaty aimed to regulate weight of obligations is tilted defence, security and foreign pol- “There is no strained relation- He also took a jibe at Mulayam of Tamil Eelam. the $70bn conventional arms against importing states,” said icy interests”. ship with the Congress. There is Singh, saying the SP must with- In New Delhi, Congress spokes- trade around the world. Mehta, India’s permanent rep- She also stressed that the no talk of withdrawal of support draw support to the government person Rashid Alvi reiterated Addressing the closing plenary resentative to the Conference on delegation’s participation in the (to the UPA) even within our if it had complaints. that the UPA government was of the UN Conference on ATT, Disarmament in Geneva. session “does not in any way party,” Yadav told CNN-IBN news On his part, Mulayam Singh, safe. “Our government is very sta- Ambassador Sujata Mehta said Iran, North Korea and Syria prejudice our position on the sub- channel. whose praise of BJP veteran L ble,” Alvi said. He added that the India “cannot accept that the have blocked adoption of the stantive aspects of the Treaty and “Elections will happen this K Advani sparked speculation in next Lok Sabha election would be treaty be used as an instrument ATT saying it fails to ban sales of should not be construed in any year itself, maybe in November,” political circles, denied yesterday held “on time” — in 2014. in the hands of exporting states weapons to groups that commit way as our endorsement”. he added. that he was moving closer to the IANS to take unilateral force majeure “acts of aggression”. IANS

Tamil Nadu resolution Mamata, election panel remain at odds

KOLKATA: There was no constitutional crisis so that the said a fresh notification on the with the Banerjee government. on Sri Lanka rejected sign of a thaw yesterday in the polls were not held on time. rural polls would be issued soon. However, Mukehrjee seemed stand-off between the Mamata State Panchayat Minister “We find it very difficult to to have softened his tone on the NEW DELHI: External assembly resolution was not sup- Banerjee regime and the West Subrata Mukherjee, who called consider and agree to sugges- issue, saying there was no guar- Affairs Minister Salman ported by other state assemblies Bengal state election commis- on Governor M K Narayanan and tions given by the commission,” he antee that the state would get 800 Khurshid has said the UPA — “the rest of India is not sup- sion, putting a big question Chief Minister Banerjee during said, responding to the latest mis- companies of paramilitary forces government rejects the Tamil porting it”. mark on the village council the day, admitted that it was dif- sive from the panel on Thursday if it asked for them. Nadu assembly resolution call- Asked if Chidambaram, who is polls schedule announced by ficult to hold the maiden phase stressing the need for deployment Meanwhile, Trinamool general ing on it to treat Sri Lanka as from Tamil Nadu, would express the government. of the elections on April 26 as of central paramilitary troopers. secretary Mukul Roy alleged that an unfriendly state, impose eco- different views from the UPA, The ruling party sharpened its scheduled. The state election commission letters penned by the panel were nomic sanctions on Colombo Khurshid said: “I dont think that attack on the commission while “We will take a final decision has sought 800 companies of cen- being drafted at the office of a and ask the UN to pass a reso- Chidambaram has taken a differ- the opposition accused the gov- on Monday,” he said. tral paramilitary troopers, a sug- rival political party. lution calling for a referendum ent view.” ernment of attempts to create a Earlier in the day, Mukherjee gestion that has not found favour IANS on an independent Eelam state. Khurshid said he believed In an interview with Karan that though disappointed, the Thapar on CNN IBN’s “Devil’s Sri Lankan government would Advocate” programme, Khurshid understand the compulsions that Really good Friday said all the Tamil members of the led the Tamil Nadu government government supported this posi- to refuse permission to its players Condition of fasting tion, including Finance Minister and officials to participate in IPL P Chidambaram. games played in Chennai. Asked how he responded to On Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu the resolution, he said: “I take assembly urged India to introduce TDP leaders worsens it on board that there are very a resolution in the UN Security HYDERABAD: The condition Some leaders at the fasting camp strong feelings in Tamil Nadu.... Council seeking a referendum in of some of Telugu Desam Party tried to cheer up their colleagues Our own party members have it Sri Lanka to carve out an inde- (TDP) leaders deteriorated yes- by dancing to drumbeats. too, we have taken it on board.... pendent Tamil Eelam state. terday, the fourth day of their Naidu, who is away on a ‘pady- But ultimately, negotiations with On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu Chief indefinite fast demanding roll- atra’ in East Godavari district, Sri Lanka and discussions and Minister and AIADMK supremo back of a power tariff hike. celebrated the day with party efforts we have taken for reha- J Jayalalithaa told Prime Out of 30 fasting TDP legisla- functionaries by cutting a cake bilitation (of displaced Tamils) is Minister Manmohan Singh that tors, half have taken ill and the and unfurling the party flag. very important.” her government would allow IPL condition of some of them is criti- The TDP leaders had begun He said a firm “no” to the three fixtures in the state only if no Sri cal, said party sources. their fast on the evening of March demands of the resolution. “There Lankan player, umpire, official Doctors attending to the fast- 26, a couple of hours after the is no question of accepting them,” or support staff took part in the ing leaders at Old MLA Quarters police arrested leaders of Left said Khurshid. matches. said the leaders needed immedi- parties, who were on a fast since He said the Tamil Nadu IANS ate medical aid. March 23. Satyavati Rathod and a couple They are demanding the gov- of other women legislators are ernment bear the Fuel Surcharge said to be seriously ill. Adjustment levied on consumers TDP chief N Chandrababu for buying electricity from outside Naidu’s son N Lokesh yesterday the state to meet demand, with- 14 Holi-related deaths called on the fasting leaders to draw the proposed hike in power boost their morale. tariffs and take steps to tide over There were subdued celebra- an unprecedented power shortage. in Odisha, two in Bihar tions of TDP’s 31st anniversary. IANS BHUBANESWAR: At least Tankapani Road areas, were 14 people were killed in sepa- reported on Holi. rate accidents during Holi in According to police, two people Five die in Mumbai factory blast Odisha, police said yesterday, a were killed in Kendrapara district day after the festival of colours and one each in Nayagarh and MUMBAI: An explosion at a small factory in a Mumbai slum was celebrated. Ganjam districts. yesterday killed five people and injured three others when the While 10 people were killed in In Bihar, two people were wall of a neighbouring house collapsed, police said. state capital Bhubaneswar, the killed and over two dozen injured Forensic investigations are under way to clarify the cause of the remaining deaths were reported in clashes over playing of lewd blast, which happened before dawn in the city’s Andheri suburb. from other parts of the state, a Bhojpuri Holi songs, police said. “There was a small explosion at a makeshift industrial unit, which senior police official said. A 35-year-old was shot dead caused a slab of wall in an adjacent house in the slum to collapse, At least five people, believed to in a village in Sheikhpura dis- killing those who were asleep,” a police official in the city control be drunk, drowned while bathing trict after he protested playing room said, declining to be named. in an accident-prone stretch of the of vulgar Bhojpuri Holi songs on The injured are being treated at nearby hospitals, he said. Bhargabi river in Bhubaneswar’s Thursday. In another incident, a A homeless man is given a haircut by Sister Christobel Fonseca on “We came here after hearing people crying for help. We helped Balakati area, police said. youth was shot dead in a village in a sidewalk outside a church in Mumbai on Good Friday, yesterday. an old man escape,” eyewitness Sartaj Ahmed told the NDTV news Five more deaths by drown- Sitamarhi district when he ques- Volunteers from ‘Mother Teresa’s Roses’, armed with cleaning and channel, which described the factory as a “chemical producing unit”. ing, one each from the city’s tioned playing of lewd Bhojpuri medical supplies, find destitute people on the streets and bathe them, “We came out and saw a lot of smoke,” said another local resident. Mancheswar, Nayapalli, Cuttack Holi songs. clean their wounds and give them a haircut. AFP Road, Station Bazar and IANS MARCH 30, 2013 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Business ON SATURDAY 14 No plan to leave euro: Cyprus Risk of bankruptcy contained; capital controls to be gradually lifted SAC trader arrested NICOSIA: The president of Cyprus said yesterday that the risk of bankruptcy had been contained and the country on insider charges had no intention of leaving the euro, in a speech laden with criticism of Europe’s currency NEW YORK: The Federal Bureau decisions were based on detailed union for “experimenting” with of Investigation officials arrested analysis as well as information that the island’s fate. a trader from SAC Capital for he understood had been properly Conservative leader Nicos insider trading yesterday, in the obtained through the types of chan- Anastasiades spoke a day after latest push by authorities against nels that institutional investors rely banks reopened following an the controversial hedge fund. upon on a daily basis,” Berke said almost two-week shutdown Michael Steinberg, a portfolio in a statement. imposed as the country raced to manager at SAC affiliate Sigma An SAC spokesman defended clinch a rescue package from the Capital Management, faces crimi- Steinberg. “Mike has conducted European Union. nal and civil charges of insider himself professionally and ethically Officials slapped firm limits on trading and securities fraud during his long tenure at the firm,” transactions to avert a run on from the Department of Justice the spokesman said. “We believe deposits by worried Cypriots and and the Securities and Exchange him to be a man of integrity.” wealthy foreign investors. In the Commission. The SEC indictment shows how end the reopening of the banks The charges said he traded on advance information on Dell’s gross was largely quiet on Thursday, advance information of quarterly margins in a particular quarter in with Cypriots queuing calmly for results of tech companies Dell and mid-2008 was transmitted by an the ¤300 they were permitted to Nvidia, reaping millions in profits employee of Dell’s investor rela- withdraw. and avoided losses for an SAC fund. tions department to an analyst for Anastasiades said the restric- Steinberg’s lawyer denied the an asset management fund. tions on transactions — unprec- charges, which came weeks after That analyst relayed the informa- edented in the currency bloc Sigma analyst Jon Horvath settled tion to Jesse Tortora, who worked since euro coins and bank notes A woman gives money to musicians busking in a street in the old part of the Cypriot capital Nicosia yesterday. charges and Sigma itself agreed to at hedge fund Diamondback Capital entered circulation in 2002 — Businesses and families in Cyprus are suffering despite the return to normal banking hours, as draconian capital pay $14m in fines related to the Management, who in turn relayed would be gradually lifted. He controls make it hard to pay salaries and bills, trade groups said. same insider trading. it to Steinberg’s colleague Horvath. gave no time frame. The charges allege that Steinberg Fourteen minutes after speaking with Cyprus’s difficulties have sent Anastasiades clinched the European leaders have insisted machines. Even with banks now made profitable trades based on earn- Tortora, Horvath spoke by telephone jitters around the fragile single last-ditch bailout in Brussels the raid on big bank deposits in open, they face a regime of strict ings-related tips from company insid- with Steinberg and about a minute European currency zone, and the five days ago, but has faced a Cyprus is a one-off in their han- restrictions designed to halt a ers that were routed through a small later, Steinberg’s fund began shorting imposition of capital controls has backlash from Cypriots angry dling of a debt crisis that refuses flight of capital from the island. network of hedge funds and analysts. Dell shares, the indictment said. led economists to warn that a at the price that came with it — to be contained. Yesterday, easing a ban on Sigma gained more than $6m in prof- By the end of the day, Steinberg’s second-class “Cyprus euro” could the winding down of the island’s But policymakers are divided, cheque payments, Cypriot its and avoided losses from the infor- portfolio had acquired a net short emerge, with funds trapped on second-largest bank, Cyprus and the waters were muddied authorities said cheques could be mation, according to the SEC. position of more than 167,000 the island less valuable than euros Popular Bank or Laiki, and an a day after the deal was inked used to make payments to gov- “Steinberg essentially got an shares. In the Nvidia case, infor- that can be freely spent abroad. unprecedented raid on deposits when the Dutch chair of the euro ernment agencies up to a limit advance copy of Dell and Nvidia’s mation that Nvidia’s gross mar- In a speech to civil servants in over ¤100,000 that could spell the zone’s finance ministers, Jeroen of ¤5,000. Anything more than quarterly earnings announcements, gins would be lower than market the capital, Nicosia, Anastasiades end of Cyprus as a hub for off- Dijsselbloem, said it could serve ¤5,000 would require Central allowing him to trade on tomor- expectations came from an insider hit out at banking authorities in shore finance. The country faces as a model for future crises.. Bank approval. row’s news today,” said George in Nvidia’s finance department. Cyprus and Europe for pouring steep job losses and a prolonged The Cyprus rescue differs from The bank also issued a direc- Canellos, acting director of the That analyst passed the informa- money into a crippled Cypriot and deep recession. those in other eurozone countries tive limiting the cash that can be SEC’s Division of Enforcement. tion through Tortora and Horvath, bank that now faces closure The president, barely a month because bank depositors have had taken to areas of the island beyond “As alleged, Steinberg was at the among others, and Steinberg was under the ¤10bn ($13bn) bailout in the job and wrestling with to take losses, although an initial the “control of the Cypriot author- center of an elite criminal club, accused of being behind trades exe- plan that averted the immediate Cyprus’s worst crisis since a 1974 plan to hit small deposits as well ities” — a reference to Turkish- where cheating and corruption cuted for Sigma funds ahead of the risk of financial meltdown. war split the island in two, accused as big ones was abandoned and controlled northern Cyprus which were rewarded,” said FBI Assistant company’s earnings announcement. “How serious were those the 17-nation euro currency accounts under ¤100,000 were considers itself an independent Director George Venizelos. Steinberg’s arrest was the most authorities that permitted the bloc of making “unprecedented spared. Warnings of a stampede state. Cyprus residents can take “The law is clear for everyone recent incident in the long-running financing of a bankrupt bank to demands that forced Cyprus to at Cypriot banks when they ¤300; non-residents can take including Steinberg. Trading on investigation into SAC, one of the the highest possible amount?” become an experiment”. But he reopened on Thursday proved ¤500. Under the terms of the inside information is illegal.” leading names of the New York hedge Anastasiades said. “I don’t want added: “We have no intention of unfounded. capital controls, Cypriots and Steinberg’s attorney Barry Berke fund community, and its founder bil- to say more,” he added. “Now is leaving the euro. In no way will For almost two weeks, foreigners are allowed to take said his client “did absolutely noth- lionaire Steven A Cohen. not the time to say who bears we experiment with the future Cypriots were on a ration of lim- up to ¤1,000 in cash when they ing wrong.” “At all times, his trading AFP more or less of the blame.” of our country.” ited withdrawals from bank cash leave the island. REUTERS

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander China orders more scrutiny on Apple

BEIJING: Apple is to face columnist and microblogger Lian “strengthened supervision” from Peng said he bought a new iPad China’s consumer watchdogs, Friday “on purpose” and will “seri- state media reported yesterday, ously consider buying an iPhone as the US computer giant is hit 5”. “I don’t fancy electronic items. by a barrage of negative publicity But I feel embarrassed if I don’t and court cases in the country. purchase after seeing the bom- China is Apple’s second-biggest bardment of advertising jointly market, and its iPhones and other staged by CCTV and the People’s products — many of them made in Daily,” he wrote. the country — are highly popular, Kai-Fu Lee compared current although it faces fierce competi- events to 2009, when he was the tion from South Korea’s Samsung. head of Google China and the US State media have carried a search engine firm suffered state series of attacks against Apple, media potshots followed by official with the People’s Daily, the penalties. Communist Party’s official mouth- Google effectively shut down piece, running critical items for its Chinese search engine in 2010 five consecutive days over alleged after months of tensions with the double standards in customer government over censorship, and service and returns policies. now sends mainland users to its Apple has denied those accu- uncensored site in Hong Kong. Yoichi Yokozawa, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Motors North America, unveiling the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander at the New York International Auto sations in statements to Chinese But any underlying motive Show in New York. media but the condemnations behind the attacks against Apple have continued unabated, with remains unclear. China and the the newspaper urging consumers US are embroiled in a series of to “strike away Apple’s unparal- rows over technology and cyber leled arrogance” in one of its security. commentaries. A new US spending bill blocks The State Administration for government buying of information Gold exports from Turkey to Iran resume Industry and Commerce (SAIC) technology equipment “produced, has asked trading standards bod- manufactured or assembled” by ISTANBUL: Turkey exported Turkey a six-month waiver Iran peaked last July at $1.8bn, fissile concentration that Western ies across the country to step up firms “owned, directed or subsi- almost $120m worth of gold to exempting it from sanctions on more than 10 times the amount experts say is a relatively short “contract supervision” on elec- dised” by China. Iran in February, data showed, trade with Iran, which is due to exported to Tehran last month. technical step from the level tronics manufacturers “such as A US research firm said last suggesting the two countries’ expire in July, but banks and deal- Turkey, Iran’s biggest natu- that would be suitable for atomic Apple”, the People’s Daily said. month a Chinese army unit had trade of gold for natural gas ers still have been cautious. ral gas customer, has been pay- bombs. Tehran says its enrich- “Local governments are stolen “hundreds of terabytes” of has resumed despite tighter Turkey sold $117.9m worth of ing Iran for energy imports with ment programme is solely for required to... investigate and pun- data, from mostly US companies. US sanctions, though at levels gold to Iran last month, while Turkish lira, because sanctions civilian energy purposes. ish illegal activities in accordance China dismissed the report as below last year’s peaks. exports to the United Arab prevent it from paying in dollars Turkey’s total gold exports rose with the law,” it quoted the SAIC “groundless” and said its defence US officials have sought to pre- Emirates, which has served in the or euros. 18 percent to $551.6m in February as saying in an official note. An ministry websites were often sub- vent Turkish gold exports from past as a transit route to Tehran, Iranians then use those lira, from $466m in January. SAIC spokesman who declined to ject to hacking attacks originating providing a financial lifeline to rose to $402.3m from $371m in held in Halkbank accounts, to Turkey, which is not a major be named confirmed the existence in the US. Tehran, which has been largely January, TUIK data showed. buy gold in Turkey, and couriers gold producer, was a net importer of the document but declined to No-one from Apple’s China frozen out of the global banking “Due to the sanctions, nobody carry bullion worth millions of of gold, jewellery and precious disclose details. office was available for comment. system by Western sanctions over wants to attract attention. That dollars in hand luggage to Dubai, metals in 2011 but swung to being The People’s Daily articles fol- The California-based company its nuclear programme. may be the reason why exports where it can be sold for foreign a net exporter last year. low reports on state broadcaster has also been embroiled in legal Turkey sold no gold to Iran in stopped to Iran in January,” currency or shipped to Iran. Its gold exports to Iran rose to CCTV, but users of China’s disputes in China over alleged January, according to data from said one Istanbul gold trader. Turkey is heavily dependent $6.5bn in 2012, more than 10 times Twitter-like weibos have been intellectual property rights the Turkish Statistics Institute “However, trade with Iran contin- on imported energy and, while the level of 2011, while its exports to split, with some backing Apple infringements. Apple appeared in (TUIK), as banks and dealers eyed ues; there will always be transfers. it has cut back on oil purchases the United Arab Emirates — much and saying state-owned Chinese a Shanghai court on Wednesday the February 6 implementation of Looking at this year’s figures, the from Iran, has made clear it can- of it for onward shipment to Iran firms deserved more criticism for accused by a Chinese firm of US sanctions that tightened con- February exports to Iran are quite not simply stop buying Iranian oil or conversion to hard currency — poor service. infringing its voice recognition trol over precious metal sales. low, so it shouldn’t cause issues.” and gas. rose to $4.6bn from $280m. Speculation has mounted that software patent with the iPhone’s The United States has given Turkey’s monthly gold sales to Iran is refining uranium to a REUTERS it is an organised campaign, and “Siri” personal assistant. AFP MARCH 30, 2013 Business www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 ON SATURDAY

Japan’s crude California leads in green technology oil imports from Iran fall US consumer TOKYO: Japan’s crude oil imports from Iran fell nearly a third in February from the same month a year earlier, trade min- spending edges istry data showed yesterday, as tougher western sanctions tar- geting payments and insurance appeared to bite. Imports by Japan, Iran’s No.3 up in February crude buyer, are expected to con- tinue declining this year after dropping 39.5 percent last year as the United States and the Markets closed, to reopen on Monday European Union ratchet up sanc- tions targeting Iran’s disputed WASHINGTON: US consumer domestic product forecast by 0.7 nuclear programme. spending rose in February and percentage point to 3.3 percent. Under pressure from sanc- sentiment among Americans Macroeconomic Advisers lifted tions, Iran’s overall oil exports perked up this month, further their estimate by three-tenths of a more than halved last year, cost- signs of an acceleration in eco- point to 3.5 percent. The economy ing it over $5bn a month. Tehran nomic activity in the first quarter grew at only a 0.4 percent annual says its nuclear programme is for after a near stall late last year. pace in the fourth quarter. civilian purposes, while the West The data yesterday also showed a A separate report showed house- accuses it of aiming to develop rebound in income growth, putting holds this month shrugged off the nuclear weapons. the economy in a better shape to deep government spending cuts, Japan’s February crude imports deal with tighter fiscal policy, par- focusing instead on a steady labour from Iran were 953,848 kilolitres Giant wind turbines are powered by strong winds in Palm Springs, California. According to reports, ticularly $85bn in across-the-board market improvement, which is (214,268 barrels per day), down California continues to lead the nation in green technology and has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions federal government spending cuts, starting to boost wages. 32.3 percent from a year ago per capita, even with a growing economy and population. known as the “sequester.” The Thomson Reuters/ and 19.1 percent lower than in “The economy is in a good place University of Michigan’s index of January, data from the Ministry now in terms of momentum and consumer sentiment rose to 78.6 of Economy, Trade and Industry strength, and it will need it as the from 77.6 in February. “Consumers (METI) showed. For the first two government spending cuts will take have discounted the administra- months of 2013, Japan imported something off growth as the year tion’s warning that economic catas- 2,132,205 kl (227,308 b/d) of progresses,” said Chris Rupkey, trophe would follow the reductions Iranian crude, down 30.8 percent chief financial economist at Bank of in federal spending, and consumers from the same period a year ago. Qatari investors to buy Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ in New York. have renewed their expectation that The figures contrast with cus- Consumer spending increased 0.7 gains in employment will accelerate toms-cleared data on Thursday percent last month after a 0.4 per- through the rest of 2013,” said sur- which showed Japan’s Iranian cent rise in January, the Commerce vey director Richard Curtin. crude imports rose 15.9 percent in 100pc of Printemps Department said. And they have reason to be opti- February to the highest in eleven Though part of the increase in mistic. Income increased a healthy months, but the industry considers spending, which accounts for about 1.1 percent after tumbling 3.7 per- the trade ministry data a bench- PARIS: Qatari investors month it was in exclusive talks Management Group (BMG). 70 percent of US economic activity, cent in January. Personal income mark because it tracks the actual are set to buy 100 percent to acquire Printemps together It centres on “the provision of was because of higher petrol prices, had increased sharply in December import status of oil tankers. of French department store with Qatari investors, it said it advice of a strategic and oper- Americans also bought long-last- as businesses rushed to pay divi- The International Energy Printemps, official documents did not wish to sell its stake in ational nature regarding the ing goods such as automobiles and dends and bonuses before tax hikes Agency said in its March report seen by Reuters show. the department store. Borletti implementation of the business spent more on services. took effect this year. That also that new US sanctions on Iran The tourist shopping hot spot Group declined to comment on plan,” official documents seen by Fuel prices at the pump increased skewed income data for January. implemented in February, which has been the target of a joint bid the matter yesterday. Borletti Reuters said. 35 cents a gallon last month. After US financial markets were closed barred the country from repat- by Italian businessman Maurizio and RREEF bought Printemps Terms of the contract were adjusting for inflation, spending for Good Friday and will reopen on riating oil export earnings, Borletti allied with Qatari inves- in 2006 from French luxury not disclosed, but according was up 0.3 percent after advancing Monday. appeared to have not had an tors, but is also coveted by group PPR for ¤1.1bn ($1.41bn). to sources close to the mat- by the same margin in January. As A 2 percent payroll tax cut impact on February shipments. French retail arch-rival Galeries Printemps now has 16 stores ter, BMG’s management fee a result, economists said consumer expired on January 1 and tax rates Iranian crude oil exports were Lafayette. and employs about 4,000. Its would be equal to 1 percent of spending in the first quarter was on for wealthy Americans also went expected to hold strong and even Through Luxembourg-based 2011-12 turnover rose 13 per- Printemps’s revenues. On top of track to record its fastest growth up. The consumer spending and exceed 1.4m b/d in March from company Divine Investments, cent to ¤1.45bn. A source close it, would come a performance pace since 2010. sentiment reports were the latest 1.28m b/d in February, said the IEA, Qatari investors are offering to to the talks told Reuters last bonus linked to the department “It appears that consumer spend- to show little sign the tighter fis- which coordinates the energy poli- buy Borletti Group’s 30 percent month that RREEF and the store’s sales growth. ing actually accelerated in the first cal policy has been a major drag on cies of major consuming nations. stake in Printemps as well as Borletti Group were in exclu- The contract also stipulates quarter despite the tax hikes imple- the economy. Employment growth The report was at odds with the 70 percent holding owned sive talks to sell Printemps to that the current management mented at the start of the year,” gained steam in February, factory industry expectations that the new by Deutsche Bank’s real estate Qatari investors for up to 2bn team would remain in place and said Daniel Silver, an economist activity touched a 1-1/2 year high US measures would push Iran’s investment unit RREEF, accord- euros ($2.57bn). jobs would be preserved. The at JPMorgan in New York. Some and first-time filings for jobless exports in March to their lowest ing to official documents seen by Divine’s offer for Printemps deal is set to be closed by the economists bumped up their first- benefits have only increased mod- since Western sanctions came into Reuters. includes a seven-year manage- summer. quarter economic growth estimates. estly so far in March. effect in 2012. REUTERS When Borletti said last ment contract with Borletti REUTERS Barclays raised its gross REUTERS

QATARI MARKET Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 104.44 0.76 % Aa2 AA Hollande hits Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.94 1.51 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 124.25 2.23 % Aa2 AA companies with Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 117.13 2.50 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 112.06 2.94 % Aa2 AA 75pc wealth tax Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 169.75 4.07 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 128.88 4.53 % Aa2 AA PARIS: French President Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 119.38 4.54 % Aa2 AA Francois Hollande declared Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.25 1.19 % Aa2 AA that companies would have to Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 114.63 2.77 % Aa2 AA pay a 75 percent tax on salaries Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 105.75 1.41 % A1 A- over a million euros after his Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.50 2.20 % A1 A- plan for a “super-tax” on indi- QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.50 2.02 % NR NR viduals was knocked down by QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.63 1.71 % Aa3 A+ the constitutional court. QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.50 2.16 % Aa3 A+ Hollande, battling to win back Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.56 2.29 % A2 A- support as his economic goals Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.50 1.77 % A2 A fall away within a year of his Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 130.75 2.49 % A2 A election, said shifting the mil- Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 111.75 3.06 % A2 A lionaires’ tax onto companies Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 110.75 3.91 % A2 A would be a way of getting the Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 106.63 1.01 % Aa3 A wealthiest French to contribute Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso (right) and his wife Antoinette (second right) welcome China’s new Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 108.13 3.35 % Aa3 A to ending the crisis. President Xi Jinping (second left) and and his wife Peng Liyuan on arrival at Brazzaville’s Maya-Maya Airport. Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 111.38 3.56 % Aa3 A “I am sticking by my pledge,” SOVEREIGNS Hollande said, and urged a disillu- sioned nation to trust that he was Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P doing all he could to get the stalled Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 105.13 0.43 % Aa2 AA China, Congo sign slew of deals economy back on its feet. On the Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 125.38 2.23 % Aa2 AA defensive, with his approval rat- Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 110.13 2.52 % NR NR ings in tatters, Hollande acknowl- BRAZZAVILLE: China’s new China’s state-run Xinhua news began in Russia, has also taken Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.19 3.02 % NR NR edged he had failed to anticipate President Xi Jinping yesterday agency reported. him to Tanzania and South Africa. Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 124.00 4.02 % NR NR the crisis dragging on for so long, signed deals worth several mil- The two leaders signed 11 deals China’s business boom and its Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 116.94 4.19 % NR NR but all the tools were being put in lion dollars with his Congolese worth several million dollars after rise to become the world’s sec- Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.63 0.86 % Aa2 AA place to restore growth and bring counterpart in sectors as varied Xi arrived for his two-day visit, ond-largest economy has seen Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 115.50 3.25 % NR BBB down unemployment. as banking and infrastructure, the first by a Chinese president financial and trade ties rocket in Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 109.75 3.90 % NR BBB The Socialist leader said that on the final leg of his three- to the impoverished country of recent years as it sources many Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 87.50 8.10 % Caa1 B- despite his effort to reduce the nation Africa tour. four million with significant oil of its raw materials from Africa. Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 106.13 3.56 % NR BBB- public deficit in a climate of stalled His visit to Tanzania, South resources. But ahead of Xi’s visit to Congo, growth, no new taxes or tax hikes Africa and now the Republic of The accords cover projects in a many expressed doubt that he *Periodic Distribution Amount would be imposed on households the Congo underscores Beijing’s number of areas including com- will bring job opportunities with IMPORTANT NOTE: this year or next. He warned, how- growing presence in the resource- munications, infrastructure and him, as Chinese companies that Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which ever, that the French would have to rich continent. banking. They build on two fur- set up shop in Africa often bring is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary data work longer under a pension over- Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan ther accords worth several billion their workers with them. Xinhua and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of haul being worked on for next year were greeted by President Denis dollars already under way, one said however that more than 85 the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into in order to reduce a gaping deficit Sassou Nguesso on their arrival in of which will finance the build- percent of the staff of some 2,000 account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds can and in the retirement system. the capital Brazzaville yesterday, as ing of more than 500km of high- Chinese companies operating in does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant liquidity “My first objective is to well as several thousand Congolese way between Brazzaville and the 50 African countries are Africans. or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and consult your reverse the unemployment rate,” wearing T-shirts emblazoned with economic capital on the Atlantic In South Africa, Xi attended financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. Hollande said, explaining that he images of the two leaders, dancing Coast, Pointe-Noire. the summit of the BRICS group was gunning for the relentless under a blazing sun. China is already Congo’s larg- of emerging economic powers — rise of past years to come to a Xi said that he hoped to est trading partner, with bilateral Brazil, Russia, China, India and stop at the end of the year and “deepen mutual understanding trade ballooning to $5bn in 2012 South Africa — at which they for the 10.6 percent jobless rate and friendship (with the Republic from $290m in 2002, according agreed to launch a new develop- to start falling from then. of the Congo) and lift bilateral to Xinhua. Xi’s African tour, part ment bank while failing to set up REUTERS ties to a new and higher level”, of his first presidential trip that an infrastructure fund. AFP MARCH 30, 2013 Classifieds www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 ON SATURDAY

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Cycling: ‘I took drugs like Serena, Sharapova in final pasta,’ admits Andy Murray reaches semi-finals in Miami with win over Marin Cilic Schumacher BERLIN: German rider Stefan MIAMI: Five-time champion Schumacher, who has served Serena Williams wasted no time a two-year doping ban, has booking her berth in the WTA admitted regularly knocking Miami final by steamrolling back a cocktail of performance- Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0, 6-3 enhancing drugs, likening it to to set up a title clash with third eating pasta after training. seed Maria Sharapova. Serena Williams of Schumacher was caught in Russia’s Sharapova, a four-time the US celebrates October 2008 when a sample runner up in Miami, was equally a point against taken during that July’s Tour de dominant as the newly-crowned Agnieszka France was shown to have con- Indian Wells winner hammered Radwanska of tained CERA, a variant of the Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-1 in the Poland during their banned blood-booster erythropoe- other semi-final yesterday. Sony Open semi-final itin (EPO). He also tested positive “Today my game wasn’t great in Miami, Florida, at the Beijing Olympics. but I had to keep trying,” Williams yesterday. Williams Drug-taking, he said, was par said. “I am excited because I am won in straight for the course in his then-team. in the final. sets and will meet “I took EPO, growth hormones “My family and friends are and corticoids (steroids),” the Maria Sharapova of here so I have to do well. I can’t former Gerolsteiner rider told Russia in the final. let my friends down.” Der Speigel in an interview that The 31-year-old Williams RIGHT: Sharapova will be published in full tomorrow. blasted 12 aces and won 83 per- in action against “I was put into a system. I’m cent of her first serves in the Jelena Jankovic of not proud of it but that’s the way 65-minute match against the Serbia during their it was. Doping became an integral fourth seeded Radwanska of semi-final. part of the daily routine, like a Poland. Williams is bidding to plate of pasta after training.” become just the fourth woman in The admission of his doping his- the modern era to win the same tory was a first for Schumacher, event six times, joining Chris who now races for the Danish Evert, Steffi Graf and Martina team Christina Watches-Onfone, Navratilova. Evert is the only and comes in the wake of the con- player over the age of 30 to win fession by former Tour de France the title, doing so at the age of 31 2011 and Radwanska last year three times in each set to win her last year’s final, will face French second set, exchanged breaks in champion Lance Armstrong that years, two months in 1986. -- all in straight sets. Not only 11th match in a row, ending mat- eighth seed Richard Gasquet the seventh and eighth games, he cheated his way to the top. “She (Sharapova) is playing is Sharapova trying to end her ters after 63 minutes by breaking who surprised Czech fourth seed then closed out matters in the A number of other top cyclists, so well. It will be a great match. Florida frustration, she is trying the Serb with a forehand winner. Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3. ninth game on his seventh match notably from the Dutch former We always have great matches,” to become only the third woman In men’s action, reigning US “I played more solid as the point by breaking when Cilic net- Rabobank team, to have since Williams said of facing Sharapova. to win both major March events, Open and Olympic champion match went on,” Murray said. ted a forehand after one hour and admitted regular doping during Sharapova is in her fifth final Indian Wells and Miami, in the Andy Murray reached the semi- “Once I got back on level terms in 42 minutes. their careers. in quest of her first Miami title. same year. finals by ousting Croatian ninth the first set I started to do better, Gasquet is searching for his Meanwhile, reigning world “It would mean so much to me,” Graf swept the pair in 1994 and seed Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-3, shaking so many long rallies, long points, first career title in the Miami champion Philippe Gilbert of Sharapova said. “The fans give me 1996 and Clijsters did it in 2005. off two early exchanges of breaks long games.” Masters event. No Frenchman Belgium and American rider so much support here. I love this “It would be nice, but winning to find his form. Murray improved to 8-1 all- has ever won in the tournament’s Taylor Phinney have both been city. It was the first city I came a title, whether it’s here or Indian “I played more solid as the time against Cilic, winning five 28-year history. The other semi- ruled out of tomorrow’s Tour of to in this country when I was a Wells, is a great achievement on match went on,” Murray said. times in a row since the lone loss final sees third-seeded Spaniard Flanders, their team BMC has little girl and I would love to win.” its own,” Sharapova said. “To “Once I got back on level terms in in the fourth round of the 2009 David Ferrer against 34-year-old announced. Four-time Grand Slam cham- be able to come back from that, the first set I started to do better, US Open. Murray beat Cilic in giant-killer Tommy Haas, who Gilbert, who has twice finished pion Sharapova lost to Kim recover in just a few days and so many long rallies, long points, four sets at last year’s US Open shocked the world number one third in the spring classic race, is Clijsters in the 2005 Miami come back to the final here, it’s long games.” quarter-finals on the way to his and two-time defending cham- currently recovering from a cold final, to Svetlana Kuznetsova great.” The Scottish second seed, first Grand Slam crown. pion Novak Djokovic on Tuesday. and is not in suitable condition in 2006, Victoria Azarenka in Sharapova broke Jankovic who won the 2009 title and lost Murray broke Cilic to open the REUTERS to take part, while Phinney has a knee injury and is hoping to return to peak condition for the Paris-Roubaix on April 7. “With my current condition, I know I cannot be successful at Flanders,” Gilbert was quoted as Ryder ‘improves’ after brutal attack saying on BMC’s official website. Phinney said: “I’m confident if WELLINGTON: Battered his bedside. Ryder remains in “We have the car park of a fast-food outlet before shaking hands, Holmes I stay at home in Italy and have New Zealand cricketer Jesse an intensive care unit in a sta- read many of across the road, police said. said. a couple more days of recovery, Ryder (pictured) was showing ble condition and requires help the messages Closed-circuit television foot- After a few minutes he said the I can be back 100 percent for signs of improvement yesterday with breathing because of an online over age showed the 28-year-old Ryder “body language changed” between Paris-Roubaix.” and gave family the thumbs-up injury to his lung while the extent the past 24 shaking hands with one of his the two. Ryder walked out of the Britain’s Adam Blythe has been as police charged two men with of his head injury has yet to be hours and we alleged attackers moments before bar and the man followed him, named in the BMC team for the assaulting the gifted batsman in determined. are keeping the assault started, according to seemingly yelling after him. race to help cover for the duo’s a savage beating. His mother Heather and his them for Jesse bar owner Steve Holmes. Regan Harvey, who witnessed absence. REUTERS Ryder was attacked by a group partner Ally thanked people to read when Holmes told Fairfax Media the assault and has given a state- of men as he left a bar in the around the world for sending he recovers.” after reviewing the footage that ment to the police, believed Ryder South Island city of Christchurch messages of sympathy and police Police said the assault was “completely was the target of an unprovoked Mayweather early on Thursday, and was for arresting “people responsible they had charged a 20-year-old unexpected”. “hate fight”. rushed to hospital in a critical for the heinous crime committed man and a 37-year-old rela- He said Ryder, who had been Harvey was drinking at the bar foe Guerrero on condition where he was placed in on our Jesse”. tive of his with the assault and drinking with his Wellington when he heard the fight erupt. an induced coma. “Jesse will be chuffed knowing they would appear in court next team-mates after losing a season- “As I walked out there were gun arrest His manager Aaron Klee said how many people care and have Thursday. ending match against Canterbury, a couple of guys beating up this Ryder was responsive yesterday reached out, including the huge “Two or three” people attacked was leaving the bar when one of one guy on the ground” and one NEW YORK: Robert Guerrero, and had given the thumbs-up to number of cricket fans and play- Ryder as he left a bar and then the attackers called out to him. of the attackers gave “two massive set to fight Floyd Mayweather in medical staff and members of ers from around the world,” they resumed the assault when the Ryder went back to talk to the kicks” into Ryder’s stomach and five weeks, was arrested yester- his family who rushed to be at said in a statement. injured player made his way to man and the two appeared to chat rib cage, he said. REUTERS day for allegedly trying to take a handgun onto an airplane, pros- ecutors in New York said. Mathews to Swann on track to return Waugh wants The 30-year-old Guerrero was arrested at John F Kennedy lead Pune women playing Airport on gun possession charges for Ashes showdown while trying to catch a flight to Warriors in IPL in Big Bash Las Vegas. LONDON: England spinner Graeme Swann (pictured) has “I hope Mr Guerrero fights bet- MUMBAI: Pune Warriors revealed he is on course to return from an elbow injury in time for SYDNEY: Former Australia ter than he thinks,” said Queens India has named Sri Lankan this year’s Ashes showdown against Australia. captain Steve Waugh wants to District Attorney Richard Brown. all-rounder Angelo Mathews Swann was sidelined for England’s recent see women playing in the coun- “You cannot bring an unli- as their captain for the sixth drawn Test series in New Zealand after under- try’s premier Twenty20 event, censed weapon - loaded or edition of the Indian Premier going surgery in the United States earlier this the Big Bash League. unloaded - into this country or League (IPL). month in an attempt to cure the long-standing Though Waugh feels the idea this city. And if you do you will be Mathews, who has been part of problem. is a bit “out there”, one female arrested and face felony charges.” the Pune Warriors outfit for the He first visited the specialist clinic in player should be added to each Guerrero, 31-1-1 with 18 past two years, is also the captain Minnesota in 2009 and the treatment allowed team in the Big Bash. knockouts, is set to fight fellow of the Sri Lanka national team for him to feature as England reclaimed the Ashes “I think it’s about time where American Mayweather, 43-0 with One Day Internationals (ODIs) from Australia later that year. we could have one female player 26 knockouts, for the undefeated and Tests. But the elbow problem flared up again just per Big Bash side. Going forward, star’s World Boxing Council wel- Pune Warriors also announced before the first Test in New Zealand earlier this I can’t see why the girls can’t have terweight crown on May 4 at Las the coaching staff for the team year, leading to concerns over Swann’s long-term representation in the Big Bash. Vegas. with Allan Donald named the future. It’s a bit out there, that thought, After spending several days head coach. Rob Walters joins the Fortunately the surgery appears to have been successful and Swann but I think it might be time,” doing interviews to promote the team as a fitness trainer and the plans to be bowling by the end of next month and available for the Waugh was quoted as saying by upcoming fight, Guerrero was fielding coach. Praveen Amre will return series against New Zealand in May which serves as a warm-up The Sydney Morning Herald. heading to Las Vegas when he continue to be the assistant coach. for the Ashes. A similar suggestion was made tried to take an unloaded pistol Meanwhile, the one-off match “I feel great. I want to be back as soon as possible because I’m bored in 1994 when Zoe Gross played onto a plane. tomorrow will also herald the stupid already,” Swann said in an interview. “I think it would kill me for Western Australia in a charity Guerrero reportedly told a start of a new era for Sri Lanka in if I sit down and watch too much cricket at the start of the summer match in Sydney. ticket agent at the airline counter the format. Sri Lanka will be led without being an active part of it. I want to play as much as I can. The male players involved in during check in that he had the by wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh “By the end of April I hope to be bowling. I don’t know if that’s real- the game were Greg Chappell, weapon in a locked box and the Chandimal for the first time in istic or not, but that’s how my mind works. The surgeon has reassured Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Sunil police were alerted. the format with fast bowler me it was a lot more straightforward this time. Gavaskar, David Hookes, David He also had three unloaded Lasith Malinga being his deputy. “In an ideal world I’d be fit and proving to the coach and captain Gower, Michael Holding, Joel high capacity bullet magazines Chandimal will miss the that I’m bowling well to make the first Test of the summer. Garner, Barry Richards, Brian with him. services of experienced former “That’s my aim. Whether it’s pie in the sky or too optimistic, that’s Lara and Graeme Pollock. ESPN reported that while captains Mahela Jayawardena, Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo the goal.” Zoe ended up scoring 29 and Guerrero has a permit to carry a Kumar Sangakkara and Mathews during a team training England have long been concerned about Swann’s elbow, part of dismissed West Indies batting gun in his home state, he did not Tillakaratne Dilshan. the reason he has been one of the most frequent beneficiaries of their great Brian Lara in the same have a license to carry a gun in the session in Colombo. AGENCIES rotation policy, particularly in one-day cricket. REUTERS match. IANS state of New York. REUTERS MARCH 30, 2013 ON SATURDAY 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Sport Man United can pursue records EPL: Points leaders visit Sunderland; five-way battle for Champions League berth

LONDON: With Manchester Monday lunchtime. “It is a big ask City having conceded defeat in for our squad and something we PSG shrug off the Premier League title race, need to concentrate on because runaway leaders Manchester I need to make sure I pick the Beckham’s United are switching their focus right teams.” to the pursuit of records and The resumption of the league China visit the preservation of freshness in programme sees City, Chelsea, their squad. Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain United visit Sunderland today, Everton resume their five-way coach Carlo Ancelotti shrugged when victory would provisionally battle for the three Champions off David Beckham’s trip to take them a massive 18 points League places below United. China and admitted that he’d be clear of second-place City, who Chelsea, four points off City in delighted if the former England host Newcastle United later third place, visit Southampton skipper extended his deal with in the day and whose manager, today, while fourth-place Spurs the French giants. Roberto Mancini, accepts United are at Swansea City and fifth- Beckham, 37, left on his can no longer be caught. place Arsenal host second-bottom 16,500km round-trip last Eighteen points is the record Reading. Wednesday before returning to margin by which United won Everton, two points behind Paris on Monday, visiting three the title from Arsenal in 2000, Arsenal in sixth, tackle Stoke Chinese cities as part of a long- while manager Alex Ferguson City. planned ambassadorial role. has spoken of his desire to eclipse Spurs’ momentum has begun Ancelotti has included the vet- Chelsea’s unprecedented haul to ebb in recent weeks, following eran midfielder in the squad for of 95 points from the 2004-05 consecutive defeats by Liverpool Ligue 1 leaders PSG’s home clash campaign. and Fulham, and Arsenal are now against Montpellier on Friday United are also out to gain only four points behind their local despite some fears that he may revenge for the exuberant cel- rivals with a game in hand. not be fit enough to feature for ebrations of Sunderland’s fans Arsene Wenger’s men, how- the full 90 minutes. after Ferguson’s men lost out on ever, will once again be without “If he were to come on with five the title to City at the Stadium Jack Wilshere, who has an ankle minutes left in the match, then of Light on the final day of last injury, while the injury-prone that would be manageable. If it season. Abou Diaby has been ruled out was for an hour and a half, then However, thoughts of both for up to nine months with knee A picture of the Maracana football stadium in Rio de Janeiro taken on March 27, 2013, as renovation works that would not be reasonable,” vengeance and the history books ligament damage. for the 2014 FIFA World Cup - including the construction of a roof - get underway. The Maracana, a historic club doctor Dominique Savelli must be weighed against the need Arsenal are also likely to monument, will keep its facade but a new roof will be added to the five-storey oval stadium. The stadium will said. to retain focus for Monday’s FA encounter a Reading side invig- stage Confederation Cup matches this year in June. Next year Brazil will stage the 2014 FIFA World Cup. “It all depends on how well he Cup quarter-final replay at orated by the mid-week appoint- sleeps. He is used to travelling. Chelsea. ment of manager Nigel Adkins, But these are not optimal con- With such a short turnover who has eight games to bridge the ditions, flying for five days with between the games, and in the seven-point gap that currently a time difference. You are not in immediate aftermath of the separates the club from safety. the shape that you would be if international break, Ferguson Third-bottom Wigan Athletic Platini: 2016 qualifiers you were sleeping for the normal has given a strong hint that he preserved the three-point gap amount in your own bed.” will make changes for the visit of that separates them from the But Ancelotti said he had no Martin O’Neill’s side. teams above the drop zone with concerns over Beckham’s fitness “Every coach is praying that a last-gasp 2-1 win at home to and would also be happy to see their players come back fit Newcastle last time out. will be ‘less interesting’ the former Manchester United (from international duty),” said Roberto Martinez’s side, who and Real Madrid star remain at Ferguson. “I have to make sure I also have a game in hand, host SOFIA: UEFA President Scotland,” he told a news confer- “It is very important. Imagine the club beyond his current deal have some freshness in the team Norwich City today and victory Michel Platini has acknowl- ence following a UEFA executive what would happen to the follow- which expires at the end of the because we also have Chelsea on will lift them out of the relegation edged that the Euro 2016 quali- committee meeting. ing of football here if Bulgaria season. zone at the expense of Aston Villa, fying competition will be “less “I thought about it a great never made it to a top football “I would be totally in agree- EPL Fixtures who do not welcome Liverpool to interesting” with nearly half the deal to see if the quantity would tournament. ment if Beckham prolongs his Villa Park until Sunday. teams involved set to progress impose itself on the quality but I “It wouldn’t be good for football, contract,” said the Italian. (1500GMT unless otherwise stated): The writing appears to be to the 24-team finals in France. think we have 24 good teams in it wouldn’t be interesting for your On the player’s trip to China, Arsenal vs Reading, Everton vs Stoke City on the wall for Queens Park Platini said that the format Europe, more or less of the same fans and audience.” where he also took part in three (1730GMT), Manchester City vs Newcastle Rangers, who are level on points would continue to involve six- calibre, so the quality won’t be Earlier, UEFA confirmed the training sessions, Ancelotti said United, Southampton vs Chelsea, Sunderland with Reading but occupy the last team groups, however up to three affected. bidding regulations for Euro he was mystified why the visit had vs Manchester United (1245GMT), Swansea City place in the table due to an infe- teams per group could qualify “The only small difficulty will 2020, which will be staged in 13 sparked so much discussion. vs Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United vs West rior number of goals scored. for the final tournament. Hosts be with the qualifiers, because different countries around the “It was an agreement that he Bromwich Albion, Wigan Athletic vs Norwich City However, ahead of Monday’s France will qualify automatically. there will be some less interest- continent. made before his contract with Tomorrow (1330GMT): Aston Villa vs Liverpool derby with London rivals Fulham, UEFA has 53 national associa- ing matches at that level as the UEFA said the bidding phase PSG, everyone agreed. There was Monday (2000GMT): Fulham vs Queens Park manager Harry Redknapp has tions while the British colony of national associations wanted the would be officially launched on no problem for me, I also agreed,” Rangers. urged his players to draw inspi- Gibraltar has been accepted as a same system. April 26 and that the deadline for said Ancelotti. SPL Fixtures ration from the very best as they provisional member. “We will have two or three the formal confirmation of bids “The players that remained seek to change their fate. Platini said he was convinced teams qualifying from groups of would be September 11. in Paris during the interna- (1400 GMT unless otherwise stated): “The best teams work the the 24-team tournament would six, so matches will be less deci- Bid dossiers would have to be tional break had three days off; Aberdeen vs Hearts, Dundee vs Motherwell, hardest,” said Redknapp. work but pointed out it was not sive, but the tournament itself submitted by April 25 next year Beckham had four. He missed just Hibernian vs Inverness CT, Ross County vs “People think the best teams originally his idea. will be just as interesting.” and they would be evaluated one training session, that’s all. Kilmarnock just play football. It’s a fallacy. “This decision was made The Frenchman spoke of the between May and August. He could perhaps start the game Tomorrow: St Mirren vs Celtic (1045 GMT) The best team in the world is by the executive committee importance of allowing as many The host cities would be chosen against Montpellier.” REUTERS Monday: St Johnstone vs Dundee Utd (1800 Barcelona and they are the hard- and Congress in 2006 follow- teams as possible to experience a by UEFA’s executive committee in GMT) est-working team.” REUTERS ing a request from Ireland and major tournament. September 2014. REUTERS Body urges action after Tireless Totti ‘wants a new deal’ with club abusive chants MILAN: Roma captain the man known variously as Il A file picture Francesco Totti claims his long Bimbo d’Oro (The Golden Boy), taken on July 20, LONDON: Anti-racism cam- career in Italy’s top flight had Il Re di Roma (The King of 2007, shows AS paigners yesterday urged “flown by” as he celebrated 20 Rome), and Il Gladiatore (The Roma’s captain England’s Football Association goal-laden years of playing in Gladiator), made his Roma debut Francesco Totti to take action after some Serie A on Thursday. on March 28, 1993 in a 2-0 win arriving for a fans taunted Rio and Anton But the Giallorossi icon, who away to Brescia. Ferdinand with abusive chants last week scored his 226th league “You never forget your first press conference during last week’s World Cup goal to move to second in the time in a love story... That day at at the team’s qualifier in San Marino. league’s all-time scoring charts the Stadio Rigamonti in March training field on Rio Ferdinand was targeted behind Silvio Piola, says he’s not was a dream come true for me,” the outskirts after he withdrew from the ready to hang up his boots just he told www.asroma.it. of Rome. Totti England squad to play in the San yet. Totti’s reputation as one of announced his Marino game because it did not “I want a new deal,” Totti told Serie A’s deadliest goalscorers retirement from fit in with his pre-planned train- Gazzetta dello Sport, which in is perhaps boosted by the fact international ing programme and then travel- Thursday’s edition splashed its his feats came despite playing in football ling to Qatar to commentate on front cover with a huge photo several positions, and in a team yesterday. On England’s 8-0 victory. of the Roma captain under the lacking the tools to challenge Thursday, he Anti-racism group FARE headline Tutto Totti (everything consistently for top honours. celebrated the reported England to FIFA and the about Totti). Starting out as a striker, he 20th anniversary world governing body confirmed “Time has flown by because was pushed out on to the left of his first Serie A it was looking at the allegations, everything I’ve done, I’ve done it wing as part of a 4-3-3 forma- appearance. which centred on a chant suggest- with passion,” he added. tion by Zdenek Zeman in 1997-98. ing the brothers should be burned Despite the relative lack Zeman made Totti his captain prestigious Ballon d’Or, awarded When Luciano Spalletti suc- consistent position in his career on a bonfire. The chairman of the of domestic title glory -- the and he replied by scoring 30 goals to Europe’s top player -- some- ceeded Capello, Totti was moved would have taken him beyond Kick It Out anti-racism group, Giallorossi have won only one in the Czech’s two-year spell at thing he blamed on Italy losing back to a lone striker role and he that mark. Herman Ouseley, told BBC radio: scudetto (2001) in Totti’s incred- the club. Although he missed the the Euro 2000 final to France. returned 15 goals in 24 games. A “If I had always played as a “Whether it’s racist or not, it’s ible 20-year spell with the club 1998 World Cup in France, Totti Playing as the second striker fractured shin and ligament dam- striker, I would have 300 goals certainly unacceptable. It’s vile -- the 36-year-old will go down was named Serie A’s best young in Capello’s 3-5-2 formation in age threatened his 2006 World by now,” he said. Unsurprisingly, and it shouldn’t be part of sport. as one of Italian football’s greats. footballer in 1999. But the best 2003-2004, Totti scored a then Cup place but Totti repaid coach Totti’s talent and longevity -- as Something needs to be done about As tributes poured in this was yet to come. career-high 20 goals for a season Marcello Lippi’s faith with some well as his solid season so far -- it. These are the supporters of week, one of the most poignant When Fabio Capello arrived as Roma finished runners-up to solid performances, despite still have not escaped the eye of Italy the England national team who came from old friend and current for the 2000-01 season, he built Milan. That summer, however, having metal plates in his ankle, coach Cesare Prandelli, who is are travelling abroad and singing rival Gianluigi Buffon, the goal- his team around Totti, this time was one to forget for Totti as he as Italy avenged their Euro 2000 said to be considering him for the songs like that. What messages keeper of Juventus. in a trequartista (attacking mid- was banned for spitting at Danish defeat to France. 2014 World Cup. Totti is keeping does it send out?” “Dear Francesco, you’ve fielder) role. Totti scored 13 goals midfielder Christian Poulsen dur- The following season he fin- his options open. He added: “The Football made Italian football history: that season as Roma won only ing Euro 2004. ished as Serie A’s top scorer (26 “A lot can happen in a year,” he Association should be taking a 20 years in Serie A, what a goal. their third Scudetto. When Capello left for Juventus, goals) and in November 2009 he said. “But if I’m going well then stance on this about the people Congratulations,” said Buffon. Although named Italy’s foot- Roma endured a tumultuous signed a five-year deal which will I will speak with Prandelli and it wants supporting the England After his parents rejected a baller of the year in 2000 and 2004-2005 but Totti still managed end next season. Totti still trails together we’ll make a decision.” team, the image it wants to send lucrative offer from AC Milan, 2001, Totti would never win the his 100th Serie A goal. Piola by 49 goals but feels a more AFP abroad.” REUTERS MARCH 30, 2013 Sport www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 ON SATURDAY Golf: Points Delaveau’s memorable on top in Houston, McIlroy outing at Al Shaqab Arena struggles HOUSTON, Texas: D A Points The French rider wins Medium Grand Prix-CSI 3* in fine style fired an eight-under-par 64 to grab a one-stroke lead at the Houston Open yesterday as DOHA: French rider Patrice was incredibly strong and jumped Rory McIlroy’s bid to reclaim Delaveau yesterday dominated superbly. This is an amazing sta- his world number one status got the proceedings by winning dium with fantastic facilities and off to a shaky start. the Medium Grand Prix-CSI we really couldn’t ask for more.” Points, who started on the back 3* show jumping event on day During the afternoon perform- nine, has a slim lead over fellow three of CHI Al Shaqab. ance, a team of 10 vaulters from Americans Cameron Tringale and Following the first two days of Germany demonstrated their John Rollins, who each carded a CHI Al Shaqab’s competitions, athletic talent to the audience by seven-under 65 at the Redstone yesterday’s events gathered conducting a series of flips, turns Golf Club yesterday. equestrian enthusiasts from all and lifts on a trotting horse. “They’re not super difficult corners of the globe to witness Vaulting is a rapidly growing holes,” Points said. “But if you top-tier show jumping and dres- discipline and is most commonly hit it where you’re looking and sage contests. described as gymnastics on a you leave it in the right spot, With all tickets to day three horse. you make a good stroke, you give selling out, attendance from the To wrap up the day’s equestrian yourself good chances to make public was high. competition, the Dressage CDK4* birdies. Held at Al Shaqab, a member of - Al Shaqab Grand Prix competi- “Today I finally saw some balls Qatar Foundation for Education, tion was held in the evening. go in the hole.” Science and Community Dressage is a highly competi- Points started quickly as he Development, the day commenced tive equestrian sport where both rolled in a pair of putts from over with the CSI 3*-Medium Grand the horse and rider are expected 11 feet during his opening birdie Prix show jumping event. to perform from memory a series run. Delaveau did not disappoint, of predetermined movements. Points said his used his moth- outlasting a total of 37 riders The sport, for example, is com- er’s old putter during the round. from 15 nations, ultimately seiz- monly referred to as horse ballet. “You know, it was one of those ing the title. Several Olympic competi- rounds where I felt like I was Celebrating his achievement, tors participated in this event, going to putt pretty well because he said: “It’s always a great feeling including Nathalie Zu Sayn- I changed the putter and had a to put a victory under your belt, Wittgenstein, who was a member putting lesson and was feeling but to do it in this beautiful arena of the Danish equestrian team in ABOVE: French rider Patrice Delaveau on way to winning the pretty good,” said Points. is a plus. I’ve never seen anything the London 2012 Olympic Games. Medium Grand Prix-CSI 3* show jumping event on day three of Points made the turn at six- quite like it and it’s an honour to Kristina Sprehe (GER), currently CHI Al Shaqab. LEFT: Fahad bin Saad Al Qahtani, Director of Al under after nailing a 55-foot be able to ride here.” ranked fifth in the world in dres- Shaqab and CHI Al Shaqab President, hands over a trophy to birdie putt at the 17th. Clarissa Crotta (SUI), having sage, also competed. Maikel van der Vleuten at Al Shaqab Arena yesterday. He converted another lengthy competed in the CSI 3*-Medium Additionally, throughout the putt at the third from 36 feet but Grand Prix and going through to competition a 17,000 square metre then recorded his lone bogey of the jump off, echoed those sen- spectator plaza including a trade all members of the public who sporting activities, a gala dinner equestrian competitions will com- the day at the fifth. timents saying: “My mare com- market, fashion exhibition, food wish to celebrate Qatar’s rich her- was held for riders, officials and mence tomorrow at 14:00 hours in He had a five-foot birdie putt peted brilliantly. This is only my court and dedicated children’s itage in equine culture and sport. other leading representatives Al Shaqab’s main arena. at the eighth and closed his round second show with her and she zone, has been made available to To end the day of equestrian from the four-day event. Final THE PENINSULA with a par to take the clubhouse lead. But while Points was red hot, McIlroy’s hopes of wresting back Unique horse riding programme for students his world number one status from Tiger Woods suffered a setback. McIlroy carded a one-over-par DOHA: Al Shaqab, a mem- teaching Shafallah students rid- encouragement as possible for our 73 in a round which included a ber of Qatar Foundation ing skills, we will help to nurture children. double-bogey on the par-three for Education, Science and their passion for equine sport, “This is consistent with the eighth. He finished with three Community Development, yes- which is a crucial component of vision and mission of Al Shaqab bogeys. terday signed a Memorandum the country’s rich past,” Fahad and during the past two years After struggling on the front of Understanding with the bin Saad Al Qahtani, Director of we have built a close relationship nine, McIlroy rebounded after the Shafallah Centre for Children Al Shaqab and CHI Al Shaqab with them,” Sameera Al Qassimi, turn making birdie on three of his with Special Needs. President said. Managing Director of Shafallah, first four holes. Under the new agreement, Al The objectives of this agree- said. “Our students are so fortu- “It wasn’t the start I wanted,” Shaqab’s Riding Academy will ment aim to enhance the quality nate to be able to experience all McIlroy said. develop a unique programme tai- of life for both children and adults that Al Shaqab has to offer. We “I made a couple quick birdies lored to fostering the horse riding with special needs. hope that this mutual support to start back nine which helped. I skills of seven students currently The new riding programme has that Shafallah and Al Shaqab pro- started to commit to my shots on enrolled at Shafallah. been customised to each student’s vide for one another continues in back nine bit more which helped,” Signed in the midst of CHI Al particular needs and desires to the future.” he said. Shaqab, an international eques- ensure they successfully adopt Al Shaqab aims to be a modern Hopefully I can go out there trian competition taking place in basic horse riding skills upon centre, fitted with the latest tech- tomorrow in good conditions and Doha, the cooperation upholds completion of the lessons. nologies and equipment in equine get some back.” both organisations’ social respon- The initiative will also help to sport. It will continue to promote Elsewhere Jason Kokrak and sibility to preserve the nation’s foster self-confidence and provide quality horse care while encour- Angel Cabrera, of Argentina, are Fahad bin Saad Al Qahtani, Director of Al Shaqab and CHI Al Shaqab long history in equine sport. an atmosphere conducive to form- aging wider participation in Al tied for third place with six-under President, is seen with Sameera Al Qassimi, Managing Director of “At Al Shaqab, we strive to ing new friendships. Shaqab’s projects and initiatives 66s. Shafallah, after the two parties signed an MoU yesterday. weave all elements of society into “Shafallah is committed to from the local community. Steve Wheatcroft, who made our programmes. In addition to providing as much support and THE PENINSULA bogey on two of his final five holes, is joined by Jeff Overton and Brian Davis, of England, in sixth place at five-under 67. Tringale opened his bogey-free round with three straight pars before draining a three-foot birdie Umm Salal spoil Qatar SC plans; Eljaish win putt at the fourth. He then made consecutive DOHA: High-scoring striker birdie putts of seven and five Cabore struck a hat-trick as feet at the seventh and eighth Umm Salal yesterday stunned holes before making the turn. He Qatar SC in round of 20 of the posted three-consecutive birdies Qatar Stars League (QSL), from the 10th to close the gap on beating the former national Points. REUTERS champions 3-1. Cabore scored either side of the two halves (13, 26 and 83) as Houston Open Umm Salal dented Qatar SC’s attempt to pick up points at Al scores HOUSTON, Texas: Arabi Stadium. Leading first-round scores yesterday For Qatar SC, the only goal was from the $6.2m PGA Tour’s scored by Abdullah Al Kuwari in Houston Open (USA unless the 29th minute. noted, par-72): In another match yesterday, Eljaish’s foreign imports Adrian 64 D A Points and Wagner Renan found the net 65 Cameron Tringale, John to power last year’s runners-up Rollins for a 2-1 win over Al Kharaitiyat 66 Angel Cabrera (ARG), at Al Khor Stadium. Jason Kokrak For the losers, the only goal was 67 Jeff Overton, Brian Davis scored by Mohammed Abdul Rab (ENG), Steve Wheatcroft in the 69th minute. 68 Jimmy Walker, Lee Earlier, Al Khor played out a Westwood (ENG), Matt 1-1 draw against Al Saiiyah at Al Jones (AUS), John Merrick, Rayyan Stadium. Charley Hoffman, Billy Moumouni Dagano scored for Horschel, Bud Cauley, Bill Al Sailiyah while Bruno Soares Haas, Greg Owen (ENG) found the net for Al Khor. Qatar Sport Club’s Mohammed Rezerik (in black) heads the ball during their Qatar Stars 69 Henrik Stenson (SWE), Today’s fixtures: Dustin Johnson, David 6:00 Al Rayyan vs Al Wakra League (QSL) clash against Umm Salal at Al Arabi Stadium yesterday. Umm Salal won Lingmerth (SWE), Charles at Al Rayyan Club 3-1. RIGHT: Eljaish’s Abdulgadir Ilyas Bakur (in white) and Al Kharaitiyat’s Abdallah Abdel Howell, Harris English, 6:00 Lekhwiya vs Al Arabi at Rahman Al Battat vie for ball possession during their (QSL) clash at Al Khor Stadium Brandt Jobe, Tim Herron, Lekhwiya Stadium yesterday. Eljaish won 2-1. PICTURES: SHAIVAL DALAL Jin Park (KOR), Ben Crane, THE PENINSULA Hunter Haas MARCH 30, 2013 ON SATURDAY 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Sport

Athletics: Bolt signs on for London Diamond League: Report

LONDON: Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt has signed a contract to race at the London Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium, according to a report yesterday. Bolt has agreed to compete on both days of the Diamond League meeting in the English capital on July 26 and 27, the Daily Telegraph reported. The meeting is expected to attract a host of star names as it marks the one-year anniver- sary of the London 2012 opening Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (right), Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee, (QOC) and Ali Al Hitmi, Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) President, pose for a group ceremony. picture with gold winner Muntean Andrei Vasile (centre) from Romania, silver medallist Kim Jin Hyok (left) from Korea and Liao Qiuhua from China after the parallel bars competition on the It will also be the first time final day of the 6th FIG World Challenge Cup at Aspire Academy in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Romania’s Diana Bulimar, (centre) is seen with compatriot Larisa Andreea (left) and China’s Siqi the Jamaican has competed in Zeng on the podium after the women’s floor exercises routine. PICTURES: KAMMUTTY VP Britain in a non-Olympic event since 2009. He has stayed away because under British law the double Olympic 100, 200 and 4x100 metres champion would have had to pay tax on his lucrative endorsement earnings, but the Romanian gymnasts shine British government recently announced a one-off exemption for overseas athletes taking part You feel very welcome here, says Jeffrey Wammes after winning silver in the London meeting. The London Anniversary Games takes place two weeks BY AZMAT HAROON Croatia’s Marijo Moznik won before the World Championships “ We are very happy with gold in men’s horizontal bars in Moscow. DOHA: Romanian gymnasts the level and standard of producing a tally of 14.925. Bolt has already confirmed he soared high last evening, win- the competition, and also Netherlands’s Jeffrey Wammes will race over 100m in Rome on ning three gold medals on the the participation from (14.875) bagged a silver medal, June 6, over 200m in Oslo on June final day of the 6th FIG Artistic the spectators. The Qatar while Switzerland’s Oliver Hegi 23, in the sprint relay in Ostrava Gymnastics World Challenge Gymnastics Federation has won the bronze medal on the on June 27, over 200m in Paris Cup. same apparatus. on July 6 and over an uncon- Diana Bulimar from Romania organised this competition Hegi said that competing in firmed distance in Brussels on won the crowd with a top-notch on a level which I can only Qatar gave gymnasts an idea September 6. A gymnast routine on women’s floor finals, compare to Olympic Games.” about what others had achieved. He is due to race over 150m edging out her fellow citizen chief Sheikh Saoud bin “You compete with the best goes on a track on Copacabana beach rival Larisa Andreea with a tally Abdulrahman Al Thani gymnasts of the world (in Qatar). through his tomorrow. of 14.625. You also get to see what other routine on However, a UK Athletics would Andreea, a bronze medallist at European Championships, which gymnasts have learned in the past the men’s not confirm whether an agree- London Olympic last year, picked are set to begin in Moscow in two few months and what you have parallel ment had been signed with Bolt, up a gold medal in women’s beam weeks. to do in order to perform better,” bars saying only: “We are working hard final (15.500), in addition to a sil- “We will continue to do our Hegi said. competition to put together the best possible ver medal on floor (14.425). best. Our goal now is to win the Dutch gymnast Wammes, who at Aspire field.” China’s Siqi Zeng, meanwhile, Europeans and then the World was competing here for the third Academy won a silver medal on beam Championships,” 17-year-old time, said that gymnasts prefer yesterday. (15.150) and a bronze medal on Bulimar said, adding that she coming back to Qatar. NBA: Defending floor with a score of 14.050. aims to upgrade her routine for “People gladly come back to Britain’s Gabrielle Jupp bagged the upcoming tournaments. Qatar because you feel very wel- champions turn a bronze medal on beam with a Speaking about Bulimar’s win, come here,” he said. tally of 14.450. Andreea said that the best gym- Wammes fell during one of his attention to In the men’s parallel bars nasts always win. The duo has routines on Thursday but said final, Muntean Andrei Vasile of been training together for five that incident made him want to Romania won gold with a score of years now. train harder. winning title 15.325, while Kim Jun Hyok from In the men’s vault finals, North “Yesterday I had a great rou- CHICAGO: In the aftermath North Korea and Liao Qiuhua Korea’s Ri Se Gwang picked up tine but I fell otherwise I would of the Miami Heat having their from China won silver and bronze the gold with a score of 15.137 have won a medal. Such incidents 27-game win streak snapped by medals respectively. while Vietnam’s Le Thanh can make gymnasts lose confi- fall can be like a wake-up call for Academy where gymnasts from the Chicago Bulls, the defending After winning hearts of specta- Phuong and Armenia’s Artur dence but it made me more eager gymnasts,” Wammes added. 37 countries regaled fans with champions began putting their tors in Doha, the Romanian gym- Davtyan won silver and bronze to get it right next time and to A huge fan turnout was wit- their performances over three run in perspective and focusing nasts are aiming to top the 2013 respectively. train harder,” Wammes said. “A nessed yesterday at Aspire days. THE PENINSULA on an NBA title repeat. Britain’s Luol Deng scored 28 points, grabbed seven rebounds and passed off five assists to spark the Bulls over Miami 101-97 on Qatar pledges to host more sports events Wednesday, ending the second- longest win streak in NBA his- DOHA: Qatar will continue “The QOC will always strive to events for the next season. We tory and major North American to host blue ribband events make Qatar the hub and capital will be hosting many new events team sport. as it strives to help the resi- of sports in the region. as well a lot of annually-staged “It has been one of the best that dents, especially the youngsters, “We want people to watch tournaments,” he said. this league has ever seen,” Heat take to sports by watching the sports events and the top players Last week QOC released the superstar playmaker LeBron world’s top players in action, in action,” he said. sports calendar for the 2013-2014 James said. “We haven’t had a Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrehman “I saw a huge fan turnout today season, adding 21 new events. chance to really have a moment to Al Thani said yesterday. and I am glad to see people step- The increase in the number know what we just did. We had a The Secretary General of Qatar ping out to watch sports events. of sports events to be held in moment, just very fortunate, very Olympic Committee (QOC) was We have created this sports cul- the coming 12 months is part of humbling and blessed to be part of speaking to media on the final day ture and we want it to grow fur- QOC’s ambitious plans to reach a this team and be part of a streak of the 6th FIG World Challenge ther,” he added. figure of at least 50 international like that.” Cup held at Aspire Academy “I congratulate the Qatar championships. The Heat fell six games shy of yesterday. Gymnastics Federation (QGF) on Overall, sports fans in Doha the NBA’s all-time longest win “This is one of the 40 interna- hosting a fine event. This is one of will get to witness 11 Asian cham- streak, the 33 consecutive victo- A gymnast in action on the third and final day of the 6th FIG World tional events we had planned to the top events on the gymnastics pionships, 11 local events and ries by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Challenge Cup at Aspire Academy yesterday. stage in the coming 11-12 months,” calendar,” Sheikh Saoud said. eight Arab tournaments in the Lakers. The spurt lifted the Heat Sheikh Saoud said. “We have a busy calendar of new season. THE PENINSULA to the best record in the NBA at 56-15, one win from clinching a home-court edge throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs and ahead of Oklahoma City and San Antonio in the fight for a home- court edge all the way through the Baseball: Stage set for the new season NBA Finals. REUTERS

WASHINGTON: The 2013 Major left-hander Barry Zito, will be counted has a wrist injury that might need sea- batting average, 44 home runs and 139 League Baseball season opens tomor- upon to keep the Giants in contention while son-ending surgery, Derek Jeter is coming runs batted in. NHL Results row with a new league for the Houston 2012 National League Most Valuable Player off ankle surgery and relief ace Mariano With Torii Hunter, Prince Fielder and Toronto 6 Carolina 3 Astros, San Francisco seeking a third Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval provide Rivera is back after surgery for one last Victor Martinez in the line-up around him, NY Islanders 4 Philadelphia 3 World Series title in four seasons and the batting power. season before retirement. he might just do it again and put the Tigers New York Yankees hurt but dangerous. But the Giants will have to contend with Unless C C Sabathia can spark the pitch- back in the World Series, this time hoping Pittsburgh 4 Winnipeg 0 The six-month campaign starts with the big-spending Los Angeles Dodgers, ers and Robinson Cano can stabilise slug- to avoid being swept as they were by the Ottawa 3 NY Rangers 0 the Astros playing host to the Texas whose new owners have poured $230m into gers, the Yankees could have a long season Giants. Florida 5 Buffalo 4 Rangers, Houston moving this year from salaries this season, landing pitcher Zack in the American League East. Baltimore and Oakland made surprising Los Angeles 4 St Louis 2 the National League Central division to the Greinke, southpaw hurlers Ryu Hyun-Jin Rising in that division are the Toronto AL play-off runs last year and return much Phoenix 7 Nashville 4 American League West, giving each league of South Korea and reliever J P Howell and Blue Jays, who landed 2012 NL Cy Young of their same line-ups in a repeat bid, the Edmonton 6 Columbus 4 three five-team groupings. relying on Matt Kemp to lead the hitters. Award winner R A Dickey and Mark Orioles taking a wild-card spot and A’s edg- That means inter-league games, once Baseball’s biggest spenders, the Yankees, Buerhle to pitch, doping-disgraced out- ing Texas for the AL West crown. Vancouver 4 Colorado 1 unheard of until the best-of-seven World have faced injury and controversy in the fielder Melky Cabrera and shortstop Jose The Los Angeles Angels welcome ex- San Jose 2 Detroit 0 Series title showdown in October, will now off-season. Reyes in a bid for their first trip to the Ranger Josh Hamilton to a line-up already be played almost every night of the season New doping allegations have surfaced playoffs since winning the 1993 World boasting Albert Pujols and AL Most NBA Results after being reserved for only select dates surrounding Alex Rodriguez and a Miami Series. Valuable Player runner-up Mike Trout, giv- Milwaukee 113 LA Lakers 103 in recent years. clinic. Detroit third baseman Miguel Cabrera ing the Rangers headaches while anything Indiana 103 Dallas 78 San Francisco’s dominating pitchers, Curtis Granderson is sidelined until May comes off the first Triple Crown season better than 107 losses will be a step up for including standout Tim Lincecum and with a broken arm while Mark Teixeira since 1967, leading the AL with a .330 Houston. REUTERS Sacramento 117 Phoenix 103 MARCH 30, 2013 Break Time www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 ON SATURDAY CINEMA LISTINGS TV LISTINGS Rangrezz (Hindi) 1 SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER – 2.30, 5.00, 8.00 & 11.00pm TEL: 444933989 444517001 Show Queen (3D/Animation) 07:50 Bad Dog 11:25 Investigation X – 2.30pm 08:40 Crocodile Hunter 12:15 Weird Croods (3D/Animation) 2 09:35 America’s Connections – 4.15 & 6.15pm Cutest... 13:10 Finding Bigfoot Red Wine (2D/Malayalam) 12:20 The Really Wild 14:00 Weird Or What? MALL – 8.15 & 11.00pm 12:50 Wildlife SOS 15:20 Da Vinci’s CINEMA Olympus Has Fallen 18:20 The Animals’ Machines (2D/Action) – 3.00pm Guide To 16:10 Weird Or What? Madea’s Witness Protection Survival 17:00 Tech Toys 360 (2D/Comedy) – 5.15pm 3 19:15 The Animals’ 17:25 Tech Toys 360 G.I. Joe Retaliation (3D/Action) Guide To 17:55 Superships – 7.30 & 11.15pm Survival 19:35 Food Factory The Bay II (2D/Horror) – 9.30pm 20:10 The Last Lion Of 20:00 Food Factory Liuwa 20:30 Meteorite Men Madea’s Witness Protection 21:05 Wildest Latin 21:45 Oddities (2D/Comedy) – 2.30pm America 22:10 Tech Toys 360 From Up Poppy Hill (2D/Animation) – 4.30pm 1 Peace, Love & Misunder- standing (3D/Drama) – 6.30pm Himmatwala (2D/Hindi) 06:00 Twigson 12:30 American – 8.15 & 11.00pm Meet the designers, talk with the experts and hear the 08:00 D’fenders Restoration Croods (3D/Comedy) music driving the fashion industry. Laura brings you all 10:00 Alpha And 14:00 Storage Wars – 3.00 & 5.00pm the latest news from the biggest fashion shows around Omega 16:00 Pawn Stars Snow Queen (3D/Animation) 11:30 Twigson 18:00 American LANDMARK 2 the world with practical advice on how to wear the looks – 7.00pm 13:00 Pacific Pirates Restoration G.I. Joe Retaliation (3D/Action) and keep in style. Every Saturday at 6.00 PM. 16:00 Zathura: 18:30 American – 9.00 & 11.00pm A Space Restoration Adventure 20:00 Storage Wars The Bay II (2D/Horror) – 2.30pm 18:00 Alpha And 20:30 Storage Wars Red Wine (2D/Malayalam) Omega Texas – 4.30 & 7.00pm 20:00 The Search For 21:00 Pawn Stars 3 Santa Paws 21:30 Pawn Stars Olympus Has Fallen 7:30 Talk To Al Jazeera 0800 Football Asia 22:00 Pacific Pirates 22:00 American (2D/Action) – 9.30pm 8:00 News 0830 The Global Game 23:30 Zathura: Pickers The Last Exorcism 2 8:30 News 0930 Omni Sport A Space 23:00 Storage Wars (2D/Horror) – 11.30pm 9:00 Witness 1145 Short Programme Adventure 23:30 Storage Wars 10:00 News 1200 Transworld Sport Croods (3D/Comedy) – 3.00pm 10:30 Inside Story 1300 The Global Game G.I. Joe Retaliation (3D/Action) 11:00 News 1400 Omni Sport – 5.00 & 9.00pm 11:30 Listening Post 1430 Uefa Champions 1 The Last Exorcism 2 12:00 News League Magazine (2D/Horror) – 7.00pm 12:30 Counting the Cost 1500 Npower League 06:00 Snow Day-PG 13:45 Good Luck 13:00 NEWSHOUR Leicester V Millwall 08:00 3 Holiday Tails- Charlie The Bay II (2D/Horror) – 11.00pm 14:30 Inside Story 1645 Short Programme 12:00 The Naked Gun: 14:35 Shake It Up Gringo:How I Spent My Summer 15:00 The Cafe 1700 Italian League Inter From The Files 15:00 Shake It Up ROYAL Vacation (Drama) – 2.30pm 16:00 NEWSHOUR V Juventus Of Police Squad- 15:25 Austin And Ally Melancholia (Drama) 17:00 News 1900 Stars - Pique 14:00 The Smurfs-PG 16:15 A.N.T Farm PLAZA 2 – 4.30 & 9.00pm 17:30 South2North 1930 Spanish League 16:00 The Year Dolly 17:00 Cinderella 18:00 NEWSHOUR Celta Vigo V Take This Waltz (Comedy) Parton Was My 18:15 Disney Princess: 19:00 News Barcelona Zaragoza Mom-PG Enchanted Tales – 6.30 & 11.15pm 19:30 People & Power V Real Madrid 18:00 Naked Gun 2 19:10 Shake It Up Rise Of The Guardians 20:00 News 0030 Basketball Nba 1/2: The Smell Of 20:00 Austin And Ally (Animation) – 2.30 & 4.15pm 20:30 Inside Syria Chicago @ Dallas Fear-PG15 20:25 A.N.T. Farm Jack Reacher (Action) 3 21:00 NEWSHOUR 0230 Dutch League 20:00 Tucker And Dale 21:15 Jessie – 6.00 & 8.15pm 22:00 News Heerenveen V vs Evil-18 21:40 Jessie The Hobbit: An Expected 22:30 Listening Post Feyenoord 22:00 Jackass 22:05 Good Luck Journey (Adventure) – 10.45pm

HYPER C RSO S W O RD

123456 789101112131415161718 123 Long fights 55 Plummet 124 Least puzzling 57 Board 19 20 21 125 Pedestal toppers 58 Latin lover’s word 22 23 24 126 Barrels along 59 Elicit 25 26 27 28 29 30 DOWN 60 Alpaca relatives

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 1 Doha native 61 Home of minor-league 2 Lopsided baseball’s Diablos 38 39 40 41 42 43 3 Said “yea” 62 Depress 44 45 46 47 4 The Beatles’ 68 Undersides 48 49 50 51 52 53 “___ No One” 69 Greek god whose name is one letter off from 118- 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 5 Edsel 6 1984 Olympics site Down 63 64 65 66 7 The Cowboys of the Big 12 70 Soak up rays 67 68 69 70 71 72 Conf. 71 Second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan 73 74 75 76 8 Portions 9 Connecticut town named for 75 “No problemo” 77 78 79 80 81 82 an English river 76 “On tap” sign, sometimes 83 84 85 86 87 10 Coop group 78 Affirms Yesterday’s answer 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 11 Wall St. worker 79 Depressing darkness 12 Second place 80 Scuttlebutt How to play Hyper Sudoku: 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 13 “___ it goes” 81 Device for winter sidewalks A Hyper Sudoku Puzzle is solved by filling the numbers from 1 to 9 into the blank cells. A Hyper 102 103 104 105 106 14 Bud 86 Virtue Sudoku has unlike Sudoku 13 regions (four regions overlap with the nine standard regions). In all 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 15 Dr. ___ 88 Take for granted regions the numbers from 1 to 9 can appear only once. Otherwise, a Hyper Sudoku is solved like 115 116 117 118 119 120 16 Charges, in a way 89 Superstate in Orwell’s a normal Sudoku. “1984” 121 122 123 17 Honda model 18 Begrudges 90 Good rolls in craps 124 125 126 91 One-named singer/actress How to play Kakuro: 20 Follows through with 92 “___-la-la!” The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any 24 Ripley’s last words? 93 Stampede size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells ACROSS 66 Earthen pot 27 Insurgent group 94 [That’s awful!] like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, 1 Hearty drinks 67 Bygone Starfire, e.g., informally 32 Pond fish 96 The rite person? some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some 7 Midwest city named for an Indian tribe 68 ___ Rebellion of 1857-59 34 Acme product in Road Runner cartoons 99 Waste cells will contain two numbers. 12 More sentimental 70 Evicts 35 Long-running hit TV show 100 Finished second However, in a crossword the numbers reference 19 Major diamond exporter 72 Org. in 2005’s Oscar-winning “Crash” based in Chicago 101 Gray hair producer, they say clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! 20 Closing to some letters 73 Hightail it 36 ___-upper 104 Superman’s closetful? They denote the total of the digits in the row or 21 Trapped 74 Alternative to plata 40 Farrier 105 Vista column referenced by the number. 22 It makes the hair stand on end 75 Cellar item 41 Polly of literature, e.g. 108 Pin holder Within each 23 First step of instructions for what to do 76 Bedouin 43 Fade, maybe 110 King in II Kings collection of cells with this finished puzzle 77 Instructions, part 3 45 Condé ___ 111 Brouhahas - called a run - any 25 N.Y.C.’s ___ of the Americas 82 Demagnetize, say 47 Revises 113 Trim of the numbers 1 26 Goal of a screen test 83 St. in a children’s rhyme 48 Doze 116 Packed away to 9 may be used 28 Many an extra on “Star Trek”: Abbr. 84 Coupling 49 Artemis’ twin 117 Head, in slang but, like sudoku, 29 Vacation conveniences, for short 85 Previously 50 Pea observer 118 Greek goddess whose each number may 30 Vitamin C source 87 Half of many a business partnership 52 Time for a party, in brief name is one letter off from only be used once. 31 Raise a big stink? 88 Ticks off 53 Rapper with the 1988 69-Down 33 Kids 91 Plug’s place platinum album “Power” 120 Virginia’s ___ Highway˙ 35 “___ Us,” 1995 Joan Osborne hit Yesterday’s 92 It’s between green and black GETSANA I DAHO STR I NGS answer 37 Path of enlightenment 95 Viceroy, e.g. ACHEFOR SEVER TOOSOON 38 European leader? 96 Snap BLEATED ALLON RED I NCARGO 39 Black S AW E NO L AM HO E R I K WOW 97 Aware of TEARDROP ON I ON VISCERAL 40 Flavor 98 Nile biters DRT SOFTCOLOR FEY 42 Part of PIN: Abbr. 102 “We shun it ___ it comes”: Emily SUNCH I PS ON EIRON ASSESSAS NNE AFRA I D GRETEL PGA Baby Blues By Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman 44 Make up Dickinson ABSENCE ON AUCT ION ALLERGY 46 “Where does it ___?” 103 “Beat it!” KODAK PMS KOA EBB ETU I S 47 Is 105 Little bit ELAPSE ON THEBUTTON GRACES STY GECKOS ATOMI C ESO 48 ’60s-’70s 114-Across locale 106 Moolah BIGON RIBCAGE ON SET 51 Web browser provider 107 Except for RAJ I V MGM LAS SHA NACHO 52 ___ fide 109 Certain tankful EMOT ION AL CONAN IMON TOYOU MEL NANU YAYME R I SE NUS 53 Part of every month 110 ___ alai OBLON GS TON YTON ITON EIRON IST 54 Reveals 112Some funerary ware PAYS PESTO I BEAM ACES 56 Instructions, part 2 114 See 48-Across WARD HUE TZU SMUT STR I FES ENTERED LET I TBE 63 Prohibition’s start 115 Last step of the instructions THETREEL I GHT I NGCEREMONY 64 ___ Little, “The Wire” gangster 119 Tie up AAMCO LOC NON E EVE SEGER 65 Old Philadelphia stadium, informally, 121 Cell phone plan units G I SH SUE OSS TSP RAGE with “the” 122 “Pick me! Pick me!” ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE