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Sunday 3 February 2013 22 Rabial I 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5599 Price: QR2

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Business | 17 Sport | 28

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Heir Apparent at falcon fest Qatar Holding plans Ban on use of $1.36bn Italian hotel project

DOHA: Qatar Holding plans foam to serve to build four luxury hotels — including a 150-room Harrods Hotel — on Sardinia, an island in the Mediterranean Sea and an autonomous region of Italy. hot food, drinks Arabian Business.com reported the massive €1bn ($1.36bn) development project includes an aquatic amusement park New rules for use of plastic, paper inside the Liscia Ruja reserve, a low-impact electric Go-Kart BY MOHAMMED IQBAL told The Peninsula yesterday. route within a former landfill at He said beginning today, the Abbiadori, expanding roads and DOHA: The Ministry of municipal authorities will inspect water and sewer systems. Environment has imposed a all eateries to ensure that they The company will build four blanket ban on the use of foam comply with the rules. luxury hotels on Sardinia’s Costa for serving hot food and drinks, According to the new rules, it Smeralda, more than doubling and laid down new require- should be clearly written on each tourism capacity to 900 beds, the ments for plastic and paper product whether it is intended for business news portal reported, used for this purpose. packaging hot or cold food. quoting news service ASNAmed. All plastic or paper cups and “This will help consumers check THE PENINSULA plates used for serving hot food whether the food is packed in a and beverages are now required healthy and safe way,” said Al to carry a note saying they are Kuwari. suitable for the purpose. Only food grade plastic is per- This rule also applies to plas- mitted for packaging hot food and tic and foam products used for drinks. The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended yesterday the awards ceremony for the Egypt opposition packaging cold food and drinks. With each consignment, winners of the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival 2013. The event was held at the Cultural Foam is permitted only for cold importers have to attach a cer- Village Foundation, Katara. See also page 4 hardens stand food. tificate from an authorised Eateries failing to comply with laboratory to prove they meet against Mursi the rules will face stern action the food grade standards and from today, a senior official of the specifications. CAIRO: Egypt’s main opposi- ministry said yesterday. Each product should carry a tion group on Saturday backed Many eateries still use plastic sticker with a note in Arabic and Mobile portability now a reality calls to oust the ruling Islamists and foam cups, boxes and plates English in red colour saying it is after deadly clashes and as for serving hot food and drinks, suitable for packaging hot food. DOHA: Mobile Number the coming weeks the service will their needs without having to President Mohammed Mursi despite a ban imposed by the This sticker should be displayed Portability (MNP) is now avail- become fully available,” an official sacrifice their existing number,” scrambled to contain fallout authorities several years ago. in a prominent way. able in Qatar, the country’s from ictQatar said. said Saleh Al Kuwari, Deputy from footage of apparent police The ministry has now come out Plastic and foam cups used telecoms sector regulator said Consumers wishing to change Assistant Secretary General, brutality. with new regulations to effectively for cold drinks should also have yesterday. their service provider and retain ictQatar. The National Salvation Front implement the ban in line with a notification in Arabic and The Supreme Council of their existing mobile phone “The growing competition in said it “completely sides with the directives from the Joint Food English saying it is suitable for Information and Communication number will be able to avail of our telecommunications market people and its active forces’ calls Monitoring Committee at the cold food. This should be written Technology (ictQatar) announced this facility after filling an MNP is leading to lower prices, innova- to topple the authoritarian regime Supreme Council of Health. in sky blue colour in a prominent that MNP officially began here application at a retail outlet of the tive new services and enhanced and the Muslim Brotherhood’s “Recently, we made it man- manner. on January 31. service provider they are plan- customer care. MNP will further control.” datory for all bakeries to use Paper cups and boxes can be It allows consumers to retain ning to switch to. The switcho- empower consumers, and we are The NSF also demanded that food grade plastic for packaging used for hot food and drinks only their existing mobile phone num- ver should typically happen in one pleased that both service provid- Mursi be prosecuted for “kill- hot bread. We are now strictly if they clear a “heavy metal test” bers when switching to a differ- working day once the application ers have worked with us to make ings and torture,” while urg- implementing the requirements to show that they don’t contain ent service provider. is submitted. this possible,” he added. ing Egyptians to stage peaceful for plastic, foam and paper prod- harmful substances. Importers This service will be available in “Mobile Number Portability is “To find out more about the protests. ucts used for packaging hot food should produce a certificate all retail outlets of the two serv- an important part of the ongoing cost of switching, customers will It said Mursi should be put on and drinks,” Dr Mohammed bin from an authorised laboratory ice providers in Qatar, Qtel and liberalisation of Qatar’s telecom- need to check with the service trial after an “impartial inves- Sailf Al Kuwari, director of the as proof. Vodafone, in a ‘phased rollout’. munications sector. It allows con- providers,” an official said. tigation” and ruled out dialogue Laboratories and Standardisation Continued on page 5 “Currently some of the outlets sumers to choose more freely the Continued on page 5 with the presidency. Department at the ministry THE PENINSULA are providing this service, but in service provider that best meets THE PENINSULA Full story on page 9

Road caves in Electronic system for issuing Gulf Cinema complex power of attorney to reopen in weeks DOHA: Qatar’s Ministry of DOHA: The Gulf Cinema maintenance work. We are doing Justice has done away with the complex in Najma that boasts our best to reopen it soon. It conventional paper-based power twin theatres and is closed for wouldn’t take more than a few of attorney and replaced it with maintenance currently, will be weeks,” said El Mokadem. a much safer and time-saving reopening in a few weeks, an “We are screening Indian films electronic format. official said yesterday. at the Mall and Landmark as an In other words, people or enti- The cinema complex popular alternative arrangement in the ties wanting to give away power with limited-income expatri- interim,” he added. of attorney to lawyers, companies, ates mainly from South Asia was Replying to questions from banks or any individual to act on closed last Thursday without this newspaper, El Mokadem said their behalf in legal or business any prior notice and a specific there were no plans to demolish matters, will no more have a date for re-opening has not been the complex to make way for physical paper. announced. some development project. Instead, the power of attorney Moshen El Mokadem, General “Nothing of that sort will hap- will be issued in an electronic Manager of Qatar Cinema and pen,” he emphatically said when format, the application for which Film Distribution Company that asked if there were plans to needs to be made online. owns the complex yesterday said develop some bigger project on In Qatar, the use of power of The police had to cordon off a small stretch of Al Waab Street near Tyseer Petrol station yesterday when a the facility will reopen soon, the huge complex premises. attorney is quite widespread. patch in the middle of the road suddenly caved in. Al Sharq reports that the cave-in was caused by a tech- refusing to specify a time frame. The seating capacity of Doha Full story on page nical flaw in the road design. The daily said people are demanding that legal action be initiated against the Gulf Cinema and Doha Cinema Cinema is 1,100 while that of the contractors who built the thoroughfare. at Gulf Cinema complex mostly Gulf Cinema is 987. screen Indian films. And as an “Gulf Cinema is an afford- alternative arrangement the films able place and they mostly show which were scheduled to be shown Indian films. Even if it is for few DNA tests confirm Turkish Syrian opposition leader talks Iran unveils new fighter jet at the Gulf Cinema complex are weeks, it will be problem for bach- being screened at cinemas at elors, especially the workers are leftist bombed US embassy to Russia, seeks breakthrough DUBAI: Iran unveiled what it said was a The Mall and Landmark, which not allowed to enter shopping ISTANBUL: A member of a Turkish left- MUNICH: The Syrian opposition leader new, domestically built fighter jet yesterday, are also managed by the Qatar malls during the weekends and ist group that accuses Washington of using met Russia’s foreign minister in Germany local media reported. President Mahmoud Cinema and Film Distribution those places are expensive,” said Turkey as its “slave” carried out a suicide yesterday and said he would also hold talks Ahmadinejad said at a ceremony in Tehran Company. an Indian bachelor working in bomb attack on the US embassy, the Ankara with the Iranian foreign minister, open- that the Qaher 313 demonstrated Iran’s However, people in those posh Doha for several years. governor’s office cited DNA tests as show- ing a window to a possible breakthrough in growing self-reliance in the field of mili- theatres will have to pay more However there are others ing yesterday. Ecevit Sanli, a member of efforts to broker an end to Syria’s civil war. tary technology. The advanced fighter jet to watch the films. Tickets at appreciate the decision to close the leftist Revolutionary People’s Liberation Russia and Iran have been the staunchest with unique physical characteristics has a the Gulf Cinema were priced at the Gulf Cinema complex for Army-Front (DHKP-C), blew himself up in allies of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad very low radar cross section and therefore between QR 15 and QR 25. renovation. a perimeter gatehouse on Friday. throughout the armed uprising against his rule. is capable of operating at low altitudes. “Our cinema complex is closed THE PENINSULA See also page 9 See also page 9 See also page 8 temporally for some general SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Oil, gas workers at top of Premier meets Munich Mayor workplace risks: Expert American Society of Safety Engineers holds meeting

BY FAZEENA SALEEM economy has grown fast and all Engineers Chapter (MEC) of industries have expanded. But the American Society of Safety DOHA: Workers in the oil and there is a lack of communication Engineers. “This is the starting gas industry and construction as there is no common platform point. The inauguration will be on sector are at the highest level of for the professionals.” May 1,” said Al Hetmi. workplace risk in Qatar, says an “The Qatar Section of the Dr Ken McLeod, CNA-Q expert. American Society of Safety President, extended the college’s However workplace risk is a Engineers will function as a plat- support to develop the Qatar sec- common issue in all sectors but form for the professionals to work tion of the society. the nature of the problems could together and share their knowl- “I am here to pledge the col- be different, said Khalid Al Hetmi edge,” he added. lege’s support for the development Chairperson of the Qatar Section Founded in 1911, ASSE is the and growth of the Qatar Section of American Society of Safety world’s oldest professional safety of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), which held society. It promotes expertise, Engineers. We will support the its first meeting yesterday. leadership and commitment of its ASSE in every way we can and we Although occupational safety members, provide them with pro- certainly can offer the CNA-Q cam- and health standards in Qatar are fessional development, advocacy pus as a site for future meetings maintained well, there is a need and standards development. It also and other activities of the ASSE for the professionals in the sector sets occupational safety, health and and HSE professionals,” he said. to come under one umbrella, Al environmental community’s stand- ASSE members have direct Hetmi said. ards for excellence and ethics. access to over 34,000 HSE pro- “In oil and gas industry there It opened its first chapter outside fessionals through 151 chapters, is a risk of getting exposed to the US 30 years ago in Saudi Arabia eight regions, 40 sections and chemicals, in construction site it’s and held its first meeting in Qatar 65 student sections around the about working on heights. But even yesterday at the InterContinental world. Members are also able to The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, met Mayor of if someone working at an office sits Hotel. The meeting was sponsored participate in ASSE’s 17 practice Munich Christian Ude, on the sidelines of the Munich Conference on Security Policy. They reviewed bilateral on a wrong position for a long time, by College of the North Atlantic– specialities, eight branches and relations and issues of common concern. that too is a risk,” he said. Qatar (CNA-Q) and the Middle four common interest groups. “We have seen the country’s East American Society of Safety THE PENINSULA CNA-Q students to get NEBOSH diploma

DOHA: College of the North of the most qualified HSE profes- Corporate Training and Continuing Atlantic–Qatar (CNA-Q) sionals in the country,” said Dr Education. This fulfils the col- has been given international Ken McLeod, CNA-Q President, lege’s mandate of providing for the approvals for health, safety and speaking at the first meeting technical training needs of new environment studies. of Qatar Section of American entrants to the sector as well as The college gas been approved to Society of Safety Engineers those already working in the sector. embed the National Examination (ASSE), yesterday. “We are confident that this will Board in Occupational Safety and NEBOSH is a UK-based inde- be a major step toward improv- Health (NEBOSH) International pendent examination board deliv- ing the standard of quality of the Diploma (IDIP) into their two- ering vocational qualifications in safety industry’s certification in year, full-time OHS Diploma. health, safety and environmental Qatar. Our qualified instructors “So that upon graduating, our practice and management. will deliver training in our state- students will not only receive a For HSE professionals already of-the-art facilities and exami- CNA-Q parchment, but also the in the workforce, CAN-Q has been nations will be conducted in our FROM LEFT: Tariq Al Ghamdi, President ASSE-MEC; Khalid Al Hetmi, Chairperson, ASSE-Qatar, and Dr Ken NEBOSH International Diploma. approved to offer the NEBOSH accredited International Testing McLeod, President of CNA-Q, during the meeting at InterContinental Hotel yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP) From an educational standpoint, International General Certificate Centre,” said Dr McLeod. this will make our graduates some (IGC) through our Department of THE PENINSULA

Pearl-Qatar hosts Greek premier

DOHA: The Pearl-Qatar, model of The Pearl-Qatar and described The Pearl-Qatar as United Development Company’s serves as a starting point for all “spectacular”. “We have heard (UDC) multi-billion dollar off- official visits to the Island. a lot about The Pearl and so it shore island and one of the “We welcome this visit to was important for us to get a largest real estate develop- The Pearl-Qatar by H E Prime real hands-on perspective of the ments in the country hosted Minister Samaras,” Al Sulaiti island and to learn about some of on Wednesday Greek Prime said. “The visit highlights The its wonderful areas and districts. Minister Antonis Samaras and Pearl-Qatar’s positioning as a “Venice at The Pearl-Qatar is his accompanying delegation first-class international urban a brilliant idea, the whole island of senior officials. The visitors development, providing a golden is a brilliant idea,” he said, later were given an extensive presen- opportunity for the Greek prime jotting in the Oyster Guest Book tation of the island. minister and his delegation of the note: “congratulations for this Samaras, on a visit to Qatar to government and business leaders magnificent project.” discuss investment possibilities, to venture into the Qatari market Regularly scheduled visits to including stakes in Greek state- in general.” The Pearl-Qatar are extended owned companies, was accom- He added: “The Pearl-Qatar is to high-profile investors, govern- panied during his tour of the UDC’s flagship development which ment officials and business lead- man-made island by a senior del- will ultimately be home to more ers from around the world. They egation that included government than 45,000 residents and boasts highlight the island’s positioning officials, Greek business leaders one of the region’s most elegant as a major urban mixed-use devel- and journalists representing key shopping districts. It’s a mixed-use opment in Qatar, and that it is at Greek media organisations. residential, retail, entertainment once a residential destination, a Ebrahim Al Sulaiti, Chief and cultural development second retail haven and a luxury resort Executive Officer of UDC wel- to none in the region.” bringing the ambiance and life- comed the delegation at The Visibly engaged with the pres- style of the Mediterranean to the Oyster Sales Centre. The oyster- entation of the development heart of Arabia. shaped building houses a giant and its 10 precincts, Samaras THE PENINSULA

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his delegation during their visit to The Pearl-Qatar. SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Food prices likely to Six-car accident rise further: QNB report Inflation rates in GCC countries could go up

DOHA: Food prices remain states such as Kansas. high worldwide and could esca- On the positive side, though, late further this year, QNB some improvement is expected Group warned yesterday. in parts of the critical Corn Belt Food prices are of particular in the Midwest (where produc- concern to the poorest third of Concerns include tion last year was down 13 per- the world population who spend record temperatures cent). The drought is significant over half of their income on food because the US is the world’s larg- alone and to several countries in Australia this est exporter of food, including of in this region that are highly month, signs that corn, wheat and soy. dependent on imports. the US drought may Australia, the world’s fourth According to QNB Group ana- largest wheat exporter, is also lysts, the trend could impact persist for another seeing a period of exceptional inflation in the GCC countries as year and low levels weather. The last four months well. of food stocks. have been the hottest since Food prices had eased slightly records began a century ago. in the second half of 2012 due to The heat wave peaked in early welcome harvests in the southern January, the height of the south- hemisphere, particularly soy and ern summer, with a string of days corn in Brazil. Organisation (FAO), remains at record breaking temperatures. This, together with a drawdown close to record levels. The heat triggered wildfires across of stocks has partly offset the Meat prices are also close to the country’s agricultural belts. impact of lower than expected sup- historic highs, in part because of Another factor of concern is ply from the drought-stricken US. the cost of grains for animal feed. the global food reserves, which The QNB Group said in a Although the FAO’s overall are relatively low. An FAO esti- Policemen direct vehicles during in a traffic jam after an accident involving six cars near the Airport Signal statement yesterday that exist- food index in 2012 was on aver- mate last October put them at yesterday afternoon. None of the drivers or passengers was seriously injured. (SHAIVAL DALAL) ing concerns include record tem- age seven percent below the 2011 less than 74 days of consumption. peratures in Australia this month, level, it was still 5.9 percent above Reserves are significantly lower signs that the US drought may the previous record set in 2008. in some countries and for cer- persist for another year and low The easing compared with 2011 tain food stuffs. US corn stocks, levels of food stocks. was largely due to price falls in for example, would only last Al Nasr takes part in Delhi summit If climatic problems develop some items such as sugar, which around 24 days, the lowest level in any other key producing areas was down by 17.1 percent on aver- on record. then prices could reach new age, and dairy, down 14.5 percent. If the climate during the next NEW DELHI: Indian Prime in December 2011, highlighted the 66th UN General Assembly in record levels. However, grains were only year or two is favourable in major Minister Manmohan Singh close relationship between dia- 2011-2012. Global food prices have been down 2.4 percent due to weaker food production regions then yesterday met the UN’s High logue among different cultures Also on the sidelines of the both high and extremely volatile prices in the first half of 2012. prices should ease somewhat. Representative for the Alliance and civilizations on the one hand, summit, the TERI yesterday in recent years. The situation is In the second half, by contrast, In this increasing food-insecure of Civilizations (UNAOC) and sustainable development on awarded an honorary doctorate particularly serious with regards grain prices were 8.8 percent world, GCC countries will need to Nasser bin Abdul Aziz Al Nasr. the other. in philosophy to Al Nasr in rec- to grains — such as corn, wheat higher than in the same period continue their efforts to diversify They discussed the role of the He added that he will adopt this ognition of his role in supporting and rice — which provide the in 2011 and only just below the their food sources to minimize alliance in achieving sustain- approach while leading UNAOC international efforts to achieve majority of global food calories. record average for a six-month the risk of supply disruptions due able development. after the fifth forum in March, sustainable development. Last summer, wheat prices, period, set in mid-2008. to shortage in specific producing The meeting was held on the noting that he will work on acti- Qatar’s Ambassador to India for instance, shot up by over 50 The US National Weather regions. In any case, trends in sidelines of the Delhi Sustainable vating its role in development and Hassan Mohammed Rafeh Al percent in just six weeks when Service has just released its first global food prices will most likely Development Summit, organised providing equal opportunities and Emadi held a banquet dinner in the extent of the US drought forecast for the planting season impact inflation in the GCC, as by The Energy and Resources peace. honour of Al Nasr. Several Arab became apparent. The grains’ that runs until the end of April. food is the second largest compo- Institute (TERI). He also reviewed the alli- ambassadors, a number of other component of the Global Food It expects the drought to persist nent of consumer price indices in Addressing the summit Al Nasr ance’s role in supporting sus- diplomats and senior Indian offi- Price Index, produced by the in most of the currently affected the region, the QNB Group said. said that the UNAOC Fourth tainable development during cials participate in the dinner. UN Food and Agriculture areas, including major agricultural THE PENINSULA Forum, which took place in Doha his term as the president of the QNA MoI officers awarded PhD, PG from Derby University

DOHA: T w o M i n i s t r y o f I n t e r i o r (MoI) officers studying on MoI scholarship received their Doctoral and Master’s degrees in Public Administration from Derby University, UK. They received certificates and medals of excellence at the graduation ceremony held at the university building. The Director General of Public Security Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi con- gratulated the officers for their excellent performance and wished them success in their tasks. He said that the MOI scholarship holders are competent young nationals who can take on their shoulders the responsibility of maintaining security in the soci- ety. He also stressed that the security work is always in con- stant evolution thanks to the young graduates. Captain Jabar Hammoud Al Nuaimi from the Strategic Planning Department (SPD) received his Doctoral Degree in Administration Science with dis- tinction, after four years’ research and study. Al Nuaimi said that he was sent by the Ministry to Dubai Police Academy in 1998 for his Bachelor’s Degree and Diploma in Policing Science where he was awarded the first rank. He completed his Masters Degree in Administration Science from Naif University for Security Sciences, Saudi Arabia, on MoI scholarship. Later he was sent to the UK to complete his doc- toral studies in Administration Science. Captaain Faisal Al Muhannadi from Arab and International Police Communication Department received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration with First Class. He had completed his Licence Degree in Legal and Policing stud- ies with First Class in 2005 from Abu Dhabi Police College on MoI The MoI officers during their graduation ceremony. scholarship. He was the first MoI officer to be sent for a field train- also and he was sent to Derby on completing their studies and ing course at FBI Academy, US, University for his post gradua- thanked the MoI for its scholar- where he attended some other tion in Public Administration. ship and support. sessions at Virginia University The officers expressed their joy THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Minister opens annual Sealine winter camp DOHA: The Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, inaugurated the second annual winter Sealine Camp as part of the Ministry’s youth development initiatives. Dr Al Kuwari said that the event aims to introduce the deeply-rooted Qatari culture to the new generations and provide an excellent opportunity to dis- cover Qatar’s rich heritage. The camp, which includes a number of cultural and entrain- ment events, is closely connected to promoting tourism and cul- ture in Qatar and would further enhance its communication with the other countries, he added. IAD organises training programmes

DOHA: The Institute of Administrative Development (IAD) will hold 10 new train- ing programmes as part of its annual training plan for the year 2012-2013 in which employees from the different ministries and other govern- ment institutions get training. Seven programmes are set to Flag procession by Grade 5 students from Qatar Academy signals the start of THIMUN Qatar. be launched today, such as prep- aration of procedure manuals, archiving and organising docu- ments, MS Project applications, Shell signs sponsorship pact for THIMUN Microsoft Excel (Advanced), interpersonal skills, development of leadership skills and excellence in health services. Five-year support for The Hague International Model United Nations in Qatar Three workshops will be held covering topics of preparing govern- DOHA: Qatar Shell signed a focus on education, team-work, opportunity to practise tolerance, Over the next three days the and implementation of the confer- mental letters and memos, creativity five-year sponsorship agree- and leadership. It is making a live together in peace and to seek student delegates will be given the ence’s various programmes. This and innovation at work, commit- ment to support The Hague real difference by equipping young solutions through dialogue to the opportunity to attend hour-long proactive involvement by the stu- ment and belonging to the career. International Model United people with the skills and knowl- various challenges facing the world.” sessions with international experts dents in THIMUN helps them Nations (THIMUN) Qatar. edge to be part of a global commu- Almost 1,100 student delegates where they will debate global top- acquire leadership skills, increases Sri Lanka National This partnership programme nity of nations. We are delighted from countries across the region ics, enabling them to learn about their confidence and gives them between Qatar Academy, Qatar to extend our partnership with attended the conference that issues such as good governance, the opportunity to network and Day tomorrow Foundation and the THIMUN THIMUN Qatar for the next five was held at the Qatar National human rights, security, finance make new friends. Based in Qatar Foundation is an annual event years,” said Rob Sherwin, Deputy Convention Centre (QNCC). The and the environment. Participants Academy, THIMUN Qatar is the DOHA: To mark the National and brings together high school Country Chairman for Qatar event began with a grand open- can then ask questions and share third THIMUN Conference to be Day of Sri Lanka on Monday, a students from around Qatar and Shell. ing ceremony in which hundreds their views on developments hap- established after the Hague and flag hoisting ceremony will be held the Middle East region, helping Maha Al Romaihi, Assistant of students performed in front pening worldwide. Singapore, and serves to develop at the embassy of Sri Lanka in Al them to develop as leaders. Principal of Qatar Academy said: of distinguished guests including THIMUN is run on a student the burgeoning Model United Hilal area at 9am. The embassy “THIMUN touches the Human “The mission of THIMUN Qatar the Attorney General of Qatar, Dr leadership model which encourages Nations movement in the Middle has invited all Sri Lankan nation- and Social pillars of Qatar is to provide students from vari- Ali bin Fetais Al Marri who was participants to get involved in every East. als in Doha to attend the ceremony. National Vision 2030 through its ous countries and backgrounds the the keynote speaker. aspect of the planning, organisation THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA/QNA

UAE emerges winner in falcon fest

DOHA: The United Arab Emirates won the International Qatar Falconry Festival third time in a row. Thani Al Falasi from UAE won the tournament in the Al Mazain category, bagging QR500,000. The second place went to Faisal Mohammad Hanzab with a prize- money of QR300,000. Third prize winner Mubarak Ibrahim Al Buainain went away with QR200,000. The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended the festival. H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, under whose patronage the festival was held, distributed the prizes. In ‘Al Tala Al Hur’, one of the competitions of the festival, Abdul Hadi Hamad Al Marri, took first prize. Muhammad Mubarak Al Mansoori came second while ABOVE and BELOW: Falconry enthusiasts with their birds. The winners of competitions receiving their prizes in the presence of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday. Hamad Ali Al Marri took third prize. In the Hudud Ad Tahadi sec- tion, no one could qualify for the grand prize. The award for this competition was a Lexus car, which was ultimately given to the winner of a raffle draw. The rest of the five winners of the same competition were Saleh Al Marri, Ali Al Mahshadi, Saleh Al Sharia Al Marri, Mohammad Saleh Al Qamra Al Nabit, Al Mohammad Al Khatir. Each received a prize money of QR100,000. In the Ad Dow Mahali Farkh Hur competition, first prize went to Abdul Wahab Umair Al Naimi, second to Abdul Aziz Mubarak Al Maadid and the third prize was bagged by Khalifa Nassir Al Naimi. In Dow Qarnas Hur, Khalifa Nassir Al Naimi won first place, Mohammad Saleh Al Marri went away with a brand new vehi- while Khalifa Mohammad Al won first, second and third cle. The second and third prizes Misnad won second and Misnad prize respectively in the Ad Dow were jointly bagged by Khalid Mohammad Al Misnad was Qarnas Al Shaheen competition. Mohammad Al Sulaiti with a declared the third place winner. Meanwhile, in the Hudad prize money of QR50,000 and Mohammad Khabab Al Naimi, Salooki, first prize was won by QR40,000. Abdul Aziz Mubarak Al Maadid, Khalil Ibrahim Al Tamimi. He THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

No more power Sprinkler spectacle of attorney in paper format Documentation Dpt goes online

DOHA: Qatar’s Ministry of cancelled it would be done by the Justice has done away with the grantor within minutes or if he or conventional paper-based power she wants it extended, he or she of attorney and replaced it with could do that instantly. a much safer and time-saving “We are doing away with the electronic format. paper-based power of attor- In other words, people or enti- ney system,” the head of the ties wanting to give away power Documentation Department at of attorney to lawyers, companies, the ministry, Ahmed Al Maraghi, banks or any individual to act on said yesterday, Qatar News their behalf in legal or business Agency reported. matters, will no more have a He said that his department physical paper. has been working on the innova- Instead, the power of attorney tive online system since 2010 and will be issued in an electronic for- the system could actually be put mat application which needs to be into force last year. made online. He said all types of power of A person or entity grating attorney, including personal, a power of attorney is called a business-related or those issued grantor in legal parlance while to lawyers to represent a grantor the person or entity receiving in a legal case, will be issued in it to act on behalf of the former the electronic format. is referred to as the agent, or According to Al Maraghi, his attorney-in-fact. department is busy holding meet- In Qatar, the use of power of ings with various ministries, other attorney is quite widespread state agencies and businesses and especially in business where own- well as the banks to set up a com- ers authorise their managers or mon online link so that they could senior employees to act on their instantly access a power of attor- behalf in several legal and busi- ney that is issued and concerns ness matters. them. A man inspects a sprinkler system at a city landscape in Doha yesterday. (SHAIVAL DALAL) The banks also rely on power This will save time and effort of attorney to a large extent as not only of the grantor and of several company accounts are the employees of the justice operated by senior managers on ministry but also of the agents 150,000 visit Qatar behalf of their owners. and the companies, banks, min- The Ministry of Justice said istries and businesses, said Al Katara to host slew of activities Motor Show yesterday that people and enti- Maraghi. ties will be able to issue the elec- “The new paperless system will DOHA: Curtains fell on the tronic format of power of attorney be safe and secure and there is on National Sport Day third edition of Qatar Motor either within the country or from no danger of damage or loss,” he Show at the Doha Exhibition outside. added. DOHA: Katara Cultural Village Handball Federation (NHF), are also participating in the rich list Centre yesterday. The show, If a power of attorney is to be THE PENINSULA is set to host a wide range of available between 9am and 5pm. of events. organised by the Qatar Tourism activities for the upcoming The Qatar Table Tennis Federation Katara itself will open its Authority, in collaboration with National Sport Day. (QTTF) will host free practice beach soccer pitches to the public q.media Events and GL events, Several sports federations will sessions between 9am and 5pm between 9am and 5pm, whereas was inaugurated by the Prime Doha to host astronomy conference hold events at Katara. Those in addition to matches through- aerobic classes will take place Minister and Foreign Minister interested will be able to avail out the day, while the Qatar Golf between 10am and 4pm. The H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem DOHA: The Doha International Astronomy Conference will of opportunities such as those Association (QGF) will host mini- Childhood Centre will take care bin Jabor Al Thani. be dedicated to discussing gravitational microlensing, Director provided by the Qatar Sailing golf activities for everyone from of the young visitors – and their This edition included the dis- Office of Research Coordination and Compliance Research and Rowing Federation (QSRF), early morning till late afternoon. parents – with family activities play of Classic Cars for the first Division at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and which will host canoeing prac- For those looking for physical throughout the day, while aHa- time in addition to unveiling of Community Development (QF) Dr Khalid Alsubai said yesterday. tice sessions between 8am and challenge, the Weightlifting and mad Medical Corporation unit four cars. The conference is the first of its kind in Qatar and the Arab 4pm. Qatar Athletics Federation Bodybuilding Federation will host will tap into traditional village Close to 150,000 people vis- world, which will be held February 13 to 15. (QAF) will organise fun runs a show after 1pm, alongside com- games such as egg-and-spoon ited the exhibition in which Microlensing observations have evolved into a powerful astro- between 10am and noon. Free petitions organised by the Qatar and sack races from early in the the Arab world’s first high per- physical tool for studying matters that were inaccessible to science cycling facility will be provided Wrestling Federation. The Boxing morning. formance luxury sports car, before. Application of microlensing is predominant mainly in the by the Qatar Cycling Federation Federation will feature various There will be also activi- the LykanHypersport 2013 was observational study of baryonic dark matter, the structure and (QCF) from 11am to 4pm. activities throughout the day. ties set by the Primary Health preimered. kinematics of the Milky Way and other nearby galaxies. People inclined towards team The Chess Federation will also Corporation and Ihssan. The visitors were impressed A public lecture by royal astronomer Lord Martin Rees entitled sports will enjoy 3x3 competition host games between 9am and 5pm The day is celebrated every sec- with the vehicle line up by exhib- ‘Planet, Life and the Cosmos’ will open the conference. Other public and demonstrations organised by for people who wish to exercise ond Tuesday of February and is itors such as McLaren, Brabus, activities like Sky-watching and an astrophotography exhibition the Qatar Basketball Federation brain rather than brawn. an initiative adopted by the Heir Bertone, W Motors, VolksWagen, will take place during the conference. (QBF) throughout the day and a Activities at Katara will not Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Mercedes, Ford, Ferrari, Mini and QNA handball action at the mini-court be limited to national federa- Hamad Al Thani. Maserati. and fun goal set up by the National tions. Private institutions are THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA Qtel to give new SIM cards Pre-registration open for 9th

Continued from page 1 Qatar International TESOL meet Qtel said on its website it would provide a new SIM card free to DOHA: Pre-registration is now open for the two full days. The event will offer two inspiring customers switching over from 9th International Qatar TESOL Conference plenary speakers, forty-five workshop sessions Vodafone. The only cost incurred at Qatar Foundation’s Academic Bridge in six workshop time slots, an optional tour of will be one dirham, on sending Programme (ABP) to be held at the Education Education City as well as a networking reception a text message to activate the City on February 22 and 23. for all attendees. service. The theme of the conference is “21st Century Qatar TESOL is run by volunteers who devote “Both Qtel and Vodafone Qatar Education – What’s Changing? What’s Not?” their time and energy to the continued improve- have committed to providing Qatar TESOL’s vision is to bring quality profes- ment of education in the region. Qatar TESOL point-of-sale service to assist sional development opportunities to the educa- keeps conference fees low such that all teachers consumers with the process and tors of Qatar and the region. The theme reflects may attend without inflicting financial strain. to answer any questions they may the new digital landscape of English language It would not have been possible to organise this have. We encourage all consum- teaching, the fast pace of change in ICT in edu- year’s Qatar TESOL conference without the out- ers considering switching their cation and innovative ways for teachers to over- standing financial support from the Academic mobile service to another pro- come technological challenges, a press release Bridge Programme of Qatar Foundation, Qatar vider to carefully review all the said. University, Georgetown School of Foreign Service applicable terms and conditions,” For the first time, Qatar TESOL’s 2013 Qatar, the US Embassy in Qatar, Exxon Mobil, said Mohammed El Bashir, ictQa- conference is being hosted by the ABP in US-based Avant Assessment, and Rayyan Water, tar Technical Affairs Manager. its iconic Liberal Arts and Sciences building the release added. Mmore information can be had in Education City. On the first day morning Those interested to attend the conference are from www.qtel.qa and www.voda- Dr Deborah Healey, a teacher trainer at the requested to pre-register by logging onto www. fone.qa. University of Oregon and the Chair of TESOL’s qatartesol.org and clicking the conference regis- Technology Standards Task Force, will be tration link. The QR120 conference fee is paid at Aluminium plates speak about “gamifcation” in a plenary entitled the door. This includes entry to all lectures and Gamification: A Way to Hook Digital Natives. workshops, food for the two and free membership exempted The concept of “gamification” — using game of Qatar TESOL for one year. elements to motivate and persuade — is moving There will be lots of great door prizes to be Continued from page 1 from marketing to teaching and while games won at the conference. The winner of the grand Aluminium plates and cups have long been part of a language teacher’s bag prize will get a weekend stay for two at the have been exempted from the of tricks, teachers can benefit from learning InterContinental Doha The City hotel. Other rule for the time being, said the about the elements of games that will help prizes include dinner vouchers for two at the official. appeal to today’s learners. Al Dana Club and pairs of tickets for any Doha In a statement issued yester- On the second day, Dr Abdulmajid Bouziane, Players production. day, the ministry urged traders, an associate professor at Hassan II Mohammedia, Qatar TESOL is a professional, voluntary, non- importers and eateries to strictly Casablanca University, Morocco, will be speaking profit organisation which focuses on teachers who comply with the regulations. It on teacher training in ICT in English Language teach non-native speakers of English through also suggested use of glass or Teaching and the Literacy – Efficiency – English language. Qatar TESOL serves English ceramic plates and cups for serv- Appropriation – Proficiency (LEAP) Approach language teachers of all levels as well as those ing hot food and drinks as an in his plenary entitled 21st century Technology. teaching other subjects through English such as alternative. Based on feedback from Qatar TESOL’s mem- mathematics, science and computer skills. THE PENINSULA bers, this year’s conference has been extended to THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 06 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Peace in Mali Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE EUPHORIC welcome which President Francois Hollande received as he visited the desert city of Timbuktu, retaken from Islamist rebels, shows the Tips are not optional, they are Tgratitude of Malians for the French help in defeating Islamist forces. Hollande, accompanied by his ministers for defence, foreign affairs and development, was on a one-day trip to the Sahel nation to support French troops who in three how waiters get paid in US weeks have ousted fighters allied with Al Qaeda from Mali’s main northern towns. Mali has been in the news since Islamist forces started BY CHELSEA WELCH because I did anything illegal or against the easiest way to save money on a night wreaking havoc in the country and enforced their rigid brand company policy, but because I embar- out is to skip the tip. of Islam. As the insurgents approached the capital, with WAS A waitress at Applebee’s rassed this person. I can’t understand why I was fired the Malian forces feeling helpless to stop their progress, the restaurant in Saint Louis. I was In light of the situation, I would like over this. I was well liked and respected fired Wednesday for posting a to make a statement on behalf of wait at Applebee’s. My sales were high, my French troops descended and brought defeated them. The picture on Reddit.com of a note staff everywhere: We make $3.50 an managers had no problems with me, French intervention has been largely hailed because there was a customer left on a bill. I posted hour. Most of my paychecks are less and I was even hoping to move up to no alternative, and was supported by the US and the European itI on the web as a light-hearted joke. than pocket change because I have to management soon. When I posted this, Union. The costs for West Africa and the rest of the world This didn’t even happen at my table. pay taxes on the tips I make. I didn’t represent Applebee’s in a bad would have been disastrous if the fundamentalist menace was The note was left for another server, After sharing my tips with hosts, light. In fact, I didn’t represent them who allowed me to take a picture of it bussers, and bartenders, I make less at all. not contained. at the end of the night. than $9 an hour on average, before I did my best to protect the identity Now that Islamists have been defeated, the onus is on Someone had scribbled on the receipt, taxes. I am expected to skip bathroom of all parties involved. I didn’t break interim president Dioncounda “I give God 10 percent. Why do you get breaks if we are busy. I go hungry all day any specific guidelines in the company Traore to take charge and 18?” if I have several busy tables to work. I handbook – I checked. But because this Now that the consolidate on the gains. One I assumed the customer’s signature am expected to work until 1:30am and person got embarrassed that their self- way to secure the future of was illegible, but then come in again at 10:30am to open ishness was made public, Applebee’s has Islamist forces I quickly started the restaurant. made it clear that they would rather the country and avoid foreign receiving mes- I have worked 12-hour double shifts lose a dedicated employee than an have been intervention is by strengthening sages containing without a chance to even sit down. I angry customer. That’s a policy I can’t defeated, the the government in Bamako. The Facebook profile am expected to portray a canned per- understand. fact that the militants were able We make links and web- sonality that has been found to be least I am equally baffled about how a government to make significant advances sites, asking me to offensive to the greatest amount of peo- religious tithe is in any way related and even come close to the seat $3.50 an hour. confirm the iden- ple. And I am expected to do all of this, to paying for services at a restaurant. in Mali must tity of the cus- every day, and receive change, or even I can understand why someone could mobilise of government speaks of the ill- Most of my tomer. I refused nothing, in return. After all that, I can be upset with an automatic gratuity. preparedness of the government to confirm any be fired for “embarrassing” someone, However, it’s a plainly stated Applebee’s resources to forces. The government of Traore paychecks of them, and all who directly insults his or her server policy that a tip is added automatically prevent another must be supported with arms were incorrect. on religious grounds. for parties over eight like the one this and millions of dollars in aid and are less I worked with In this economy, $3.50 an hour doesn’t customer was part of. I cannot control the Reddit mod- cut it. I can’t pay half my bills. Like that kind of tip; it’s done by the com- attack by African forces must be stationed than pocket erators to remove many, I would love to see a reasonable, puter that the orders are put into. I’ve insurgents. until the rebel threat is completely any personal non-tip-dependent wage system for been stiffed on tips before, but this is eliminated. information. I service workers like they have in other the first time I’ve seen the “Big Man” Ideally, Mali’s neighbours or change wanted to pro- countries. But the system being flawed used as reasoning. African forces should have taken the initiative of intervening because I tect the identity is not an excuse for not paying for serv- Obviously the person who wrote this in the country, and within weeks of the insurgency spreading of both my fellow ices rendered. note wanted it seen by someone. It’s server and the I need tips to pay my bills. All waiters strange that now that the audience is its tentacles. But it was left to the former colonial power to have to pay customer. I had do. We spend an hour or more of our wider than just the server, the person do this duty, though with criticism from some quarters. What no intention of time befriending you, making you laugh, is ashamed. happened in Mali is a wake-up call to African leadership. They taxes on the starting a witch- getting to know you, and making your I have no agenda here. I seek no must realise that a delay in intervention can cause irreparable hunt or hurting dining experience the best it can be. We revenge against the note writer. I have damage, and the costs of dilly-dallying will far outweigh its tips I make. anyone. work hard. We care. We deserve to be no interest in exposing their identity, benefits. Now I’ve been paid for that. and, at this point, I’m not even sure fired. I am trying to stand up for all of us I want my job back. I was just try- Fortunately, the treasures of Timbuktu, a seat of Islamic The person who wrote the note who work for just a few dollars an hour ing to make a joke, but I came home learning, appear to have been saved from total destruction. came across an article about it, called at places like Applebee’s. Whether a unemployed. Mali will be restored if peace prevails. The government the Applebee’s location, and demanded chain steakhouse or a black-tie estab- I’ve been waiting tables to save up in Bamako must muster the courage and collect enough everyone be fired -- me, the server lishment, tipping is not optional. It is some money so I could finally go to col- resources to defeat the enemy. The international community who allowed me to take the picture, how we get paid. lege, so I could get an education that the manager on duty at the time, the I posted a picture to make people would qualify me for a job that doesn’t is willing to help, but for that help to materialise, president manager not on duty at the time, eve- laugh, but now I want to make a serious force me to sell my personality for Traore must prove that his government is capable of doing the ryone. It seems I was fired not because point: Things like this happen to servers pocket change. job it is entrusted with. Applebee’s was represented poorly, not all the time. People seem to think that THE GUARDIAN The Other side Quote of A deadly motoring game the day OUNG people showing off in or other motorist, if not for the young Unfortunately for these young fools, that the event will have broken up, spec- automobiles are by no means driver himself. there is no qualification to be earned tators and competitors alike will be driv- something that is unique to the Ten days ago, Eastern Province traffic from doing a handbrake turn. ing off and all that will be left, will be the YKingdom. Throughout the Gulf, police nabbed over 200 students who Equally unfortunately, police cannot marks of burned rubber in the tarmac. young men with time on their hands were taking part in drag racing. They be everywhere. Youths staging contests Indeed snubbing their noses to the Now the speed of and the keys to powerful cars, whether confiscated the vehicles in which these of speed and daring on public roads are police is one of the extra pleasures to souped up or bought brand new from young men were misbehaving. The becoming ever-more sophisticated in be gained from doing dangerous tricks Iran’s development an auto lot, indulge in handbrake turns, police are to be congratulated on their their attempts to avoid arrest. People are and games in an automobile. There may drag races and speeding around firm and effective action in a campaign posted a mile or two up all the approach be those who are now responsible and in science and roundabouts. to clamp down on this sort of foolish roads to where the “events” are being respected members of society, who will Many of these youths would argue and dangerous behavior. It should also staged. Using powerful hand-held radios remember that they themselves perhaps technology does that what they are doing is harmless be noted that some of the students as they sit in innocuous-looking auto- behaved with similar irresponsibility and not depend on fun. Well fun it may be, but harmless it arrested were later released, so that mobiles, the job of these guards is to disrespect for motoring laws and other most certainly is not. Working off youth- they could go and sit exams. What sort warn race organizers of any approach- road users. That memory should not circumstances, it ful exuberance behind the wheel of a of final revision these individuals were ing police cars or vehicles with plain- however prompt any indulgence of depends on our will. vehicle is all too often a short cut to the doing, the night before they were due clothes officers. Therefore, by the time today’s motorized hooligans. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad graveyard, for some innocent passer-by to be tested, can be well imagined. the authorities reach the site, it is likely ARAB NEWS Iranian President SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 France, Africa face tough phase of Mali war

will not get bogged down in a messy war conflict in Libya, that initially seized It will take longer in a faraway former colony, has said he Mali’s north following a March military expects African forces to take over the coup in the southern capital Bamako, than a few weeks job of hunting down the rebels in the before being hijacked by Islamist radicals. north. But any attempt to placate the Tuaregs It is hard to know exactly what mater- could draw a hostile reaction from the and likely require iel and manpower the Islamist rebels have Malian public and military, the latter lost in hundreds of French air strikes still smarting from its defeat last year a bigger and more that are now homing in on rebel positions by the desert rebels and the massacre of north of Kidal. its troops. However, the army’s meddling A French military video showed a rebel hand in national politics may have been international effort. Grad multiple rocket launcher destroyed weakened by French intervention. near Gao. Mali’s army now guards roadblocks and BY DAVID LEWIS AND PASCAL French estimates speak of several checkpoints behind the French advance, FLETCHER dozen rebels killed in the limited direct but pockets of rebels still lurk in the bush. clashes so far. The real figure could be Four Malian soldiers were killed on he French or African troops higher given the intensity of the air Wednesday between Gossi and Gao when who hunt down the Islamist strikes. their vehicle struck a landmine suspected fighters holed up in the Estimates by some security experts to have been planted by insurgents in a mountains and deserts of had put the combined original strength nominally liberated area. northeast Mali may find a of the Islamist alliance in northern Mali, Tresilient enemy capable of fighting back which groups Al Qaeda’s North African FEARS OF “WILD CARD” STRIKE with a concealed arsenal of surprising wing AQIM, Malian group Ansar Dine The African follow-up force intended firepower. and AQIM splinter MUJWA, at around to take over security from the French is France’s initial success in its three- 3,000 fighters. far from being in place as it grapples with week old intervention in its former colony Mark Schroeder, director of Sub- shortages of kit and supplies and lack of has gained Paris plaudits at home and Saharan Africa analysis at Stratfor con- airlift capacity. abroad as a welcome blow struck against sultancy, believes France and its allies Besides Chadians and Nigeriens, only radical jihadists threatening Africa and will try to prevent rebels from fleeing around 1,000 other Africans are on the West. over Mali’s porous Saharan borders into the ground in Mali, from Togo, Benin, Timbuktu and Gao, the main Malian Malian women walk by a convoy of French army vehicles as French soldiers arrive in neighbouring states such as Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso, out towns held by Islamist insurgents since Sevare, in the Mopti region of Mali. Niger and Libya. of more than 8,000 soldiers expected to last year, fell to the French at the week- “If AQIM can be degraded ... forced comprise the African force, known as end, and French troops also seized the into a space from where they can offer no AFISMA. airport at Kidal, the last urban bastion relentless French air strikes that left a “Ground troops will have to go into the threat, that can be a success,” he added. Advocates of the African force to pacify abandoned by the rebels. trail of rebel charred vehicles and aban- mountains and that will lead to casual- northern Mali point to the example of the But the next step in stabilising Mali doned arms caches in dusty Niger River ties,” he said. TUAREG PUZZLE AMISOM African peacekeeping force in and pursuing the Al Qaeda allied fight- and Saharan towns. Nearly 2,000 troops from Chad and Somalia, which now numbers more than ers in their remote desert and mountain “This is where they have the bulk of the “DEGRADING” AQIM Niger, with experience of fighting in the 17,000. Deployed in 2007, it has driven bolt-holes near Algeria’s border looks like stuff hidden,” said Rudy Atallah, a former Guinea’s President Alpha Conde, Sahara, are backing up the French and al Shabaab militants out of the capital a much tougher task. counterterrorism director for Africa at whose West African country is offering Malians as they consolidate their gains Mogadishu and, more recently, out of the It will take longer than a few weeks the US Department for Defence. “They troops to a UN-backed African interven- in Gao and Timbuktu and also push rein- southern port of Kismayu. and likely require a bigger and more have barrels of fuel and weapons. They tion force being deployed in Mali, pre- forcements up towards Kidal in the wild But this has been a tough campaign international effort than the limited have been preparing for a long time.” dicted a “battle in the Sahara” against northeast. lasting several years, AMISOM has suf- offensive that has so far involved 3,500 Their preserved arsenal could include what he called “narco-traffickers” and “The military cycle is far ahead of the fered several hundred casualties and French soldiers on the ground, backed heavy machineguns, hand-held rocket “terrorists”. political cycle ... They are liberating more countries with troops in Somalia, such by warplanes, helicopters and armoured launchers and also possibly one or more “The rebels will not disappear into than they can occupy,” Mann said. as Kenya and Uganda, have experienced vehicles. Grad multiple rocket launchers mounted the sky,” he said last week in Davos, He added Malian authorities also militant bomb and guerrilla attacks on “Both politically and militarily, now is on vehicles, according to arms experts Switzerland. needed to be pragmatic in handling their soil. going to be the hard bit,” Gregory Mann, who have viewed photos and footage “If we don’t want the Sahara to become fickle pro-autonomy northern Tuareg So even as Malian and French leaders a Mali expert who is associate professor of munitions caches abandoned by the Afghanistan, then we need the world to rebels, many of them experienced desert celebrate success on the ground, there of history at Columbia University said. rebels in their hasty withdrawal. get involved, not just France and Africa fighters, who have offered to help the is concern Islamist militants inside and The Islamist forces are thought to be “This is pretty heavy ordnance, a but also the United States and the French-led offensive against Al Qaeda outside Mali could strike back, just as sheltering north of Kidal in the Adrar des level that would achieve parity with or European Union,” he added. and its allies. they did in the surprise raid on the In Ifoghas, a vast, rugged mountain buttress even out gun most West African mili- But the United States and Europe, Mali’s interim President Dioncounda Amenas gas plant in Algeria earlier this that has given sanctuary before to Al taries,” James Bevan, head of Conflict where a recession-hit public has little Traore, who says he aims to hold national month. Qaeda hostage-takers and Saharan traf- Armament Research said after viewing appetite for overseas wars after Iraq and elections on July 31, said on Thursday he “The wild card is something completely fickers of drugs, people and cigarettes. photos of a cache found at Diabaly in Afghanistan, have ruled out sending com- was open to dialogue with the Tuaregs asymmetrical, like the Algeria gas plant, They are believed to have weapons, fuel central Mali. bat troops and offer instead training as provided they dropped any territorial or an attack in Bamako itself,” Mann and supplies hidden in caves, tunnels and A Western security source, who asked well as logistical and intelligence support. independence claim. said, cautioning the war in the Sahara rock strongholds. These were stashed not to be named, said air power would French President Francois Hollande, It was a revolt by the Tuaregs, swelled could be long and hard. away before their pell-mell retreat from help in the next phase - but only so much. anxious to reassure his people France by arms and fighters from the 2011 REUTERS If the Chinese dragon is so mighty, Spanish anger must be converted into action why is it trembling inside then? BY MIGUEL-ANXO documentary into reality TV, vul- MURADO garity and naked greed included. the absence of democracy, many disperse potential groups, even And what now? If the suspi- Beijing’s alleged hacking of the Chinese people hardly believe ordering street-sweeping vehicles t is possible to be shocked cions about the ruling party are themselves oppressed. So long to drive closer to the pavement without being surprised. confirmed, even in the slightest New York Times is a sign of both as they don’t criticise the rul- in order to keep people moving. That’s the feeling that many degree, the prime minister will ing elite directly, they have fairly There may be some freedom of ISpaniards experienced last have to go. You can’t tell people broad freedom of speech, able to speech in today’s China, but there’s Thursday when they awoke to the to pay their taxes if you haven’t the regime’s huge power – and its vent on Chinese social networks next to no freedom of association. news that the ruling People’s party paid yours for years. Kickbacks such as Weibo without fearing a This anxiety of the regime’s can could be involved in yet another have to turn into kick-outs. It’s fear of a Chinese spring. midnight knock on the door – a go to absurd lengths. During last spectacular corruption case. It was as simple as that. useful safety valve for the regime, November’s party congress they a shock because, if the allegations But there is the danger that the BY JONATHAN should have been an obvious can- ensuring dissent does not become imposed a no-fly zone in the area, turn out to be true, it would mean case will drag on for months, giv- FREEDLAND didate. It’s ruled by an authoritar- so pent-up it eventually explodes. applied to balloons and model that almost all of the leaders of ing the chance to the two main ian government, the trappings of It helps the authorities that aeroplanes. That came after the Spain’s main political organisation, parties to team up and agree to s luck would have it, I was totalitarianism still in place. (For public anger can be easily directed mandatory removal of window including the prime minister him- new laws on party finances. Good in Beijing when word a first-time visitor, it can be a at an alternative target, namely handles from all Beijing taxis, lest self, could have been receiving sub- idea? No. We’ve seen it all before, came of China’s appar- shock to see the retro slogans – Japan. Nationalist fury at China’s anyone try to distribute subversive stantial payments on the side from the excuse of a “clean break with Aent hacking of the New “Long Live the Spirit of the 18th enduring enemy is real and ris- leaflets from a moving cab. Most seemingly obscure sources for the past” to sneak in a retrospec- York Times. The newspaper says Congress!” – projected on giant, ing, fuelled by the dispute over the revealing, China spends more on almost two decades. If confirmed, tive amnesty. That was one of the it became the target of sustained high-definition TV screens, often islands in the East China Sea. A internal than external security. it would be more than just a cor- first decisions of this government cyber-attack immediately after alongside ads for western brands. sales assistant in the electronics “That tells you what the govern- ruption scandal: we would almost when it took office: an official it had revealed the vast fortune I spotted a demand for “Patriotism, department at a Beijing Walmart ment sees as its biggest threat – be talking about a tradition. amnesty for tax evaders. Even in – estimated as “at least $2.7bn” – Innovation, Inclusiveness, Virtue” told me that since the row esca- and it’s not Japan or the US,” says The lack of surprise is under- the rare instance of a politician amassed by the family of China’s directly opposite a poster for lated last year he had sold only Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt of the standable. This latest allegation is ending up in jail, he or she will outgoing premier, Wen Jiabao. L’Oreal Men Expert Hydrating Chinese-made TV sets: no one International Crisis Group. merely the icing on the cake in a usually be quietly pardoned by the Among the dead giveaways: hos- Gel. That’s modern Beijing: a cross wanted to buy the Sharp models Evidence of that nervousness series of corruption cases, which government, which has the power tile activity on the NYT’s system between 1984 and a Westfield cen- made in Japan. comes in the way the regime serve to highlight the generally to overrule judges. dropped off during Chinese public tre.) Add in public frustration with We in the west have played a role caves so rapidly when con- felt disappointment in Spain’s Anger passes, bitterness holidays. It seems even state-spon- both widening inequality and the too. Pre-1989, Chinese pro-democ- fronted with China’s equivalent public officials – figures involved doesn’t. But bitterness alone is sored hackers need a day off. brazen corruption typified by the racy campaigners would look west- of a Twitterstorm: call it a Weibo in almost every conceivable insti- not a plan of action. What to If CCTV, China’s state broad- Wen case, and the ingredients for ward and see not only a different wave. Yang Dacai, a provincial tution in the land, from the judici- do, then? Some pin their hopes caster – now with its own 24-hour, a Chinese spring should be in place. political model but also greater official, paid the price last year ary and the police to the crown. on an early election that could English-language news channel – And yet the notion is barely dis- economic success. They assumed when he was photographed grin- But what is new here is not the sweep aside the bigger parties, mentioned the story at all, then I cussed, the prospect of a serious that only the former could deliver ning incongruously at the scene of slush funds, the cash-for-political- in the naive assumption that the missed it. But it raises an intrigu- challenge to the regime regarded the latter. That assumption now a road crash that had left 36 dead. favours, the brown envelope dis- smaller parties are different (they ing question: was this the act of a as somewhere between remote and lies in pieces, thanks to the con- Weibo users turned on him, soon creetly slipped into a pocket, or are, but they won’t be once they regime that is strong or weak? It nonexistent. The first explanation trast between a roaring China and finding more pictures, this time the nonprofit organisation that become powerful). Italy serves takes nerve to attack a prestige is the most obvious: the Chinese a stagnating west. The financial showing him wearing a range of collects money for disabled chil- well to remind us that voting institution of the global super- people are getting richer. One crash of 2008 broke the appeal of ultra-expensive wristwatches – dren and diverts it to a personal out Tangentopoli can get you 20 power. But it also looks nervy to estimate says 300 million regard the western model, says Professor all beyond the salary of a humble account in Belize. These prac- years of Berlusconi. Others put all be so clearly rattled by one dis- themselves as direct beneficiaries Shi Yinhong of Renmin University. civil servant. Feeling the heat, the tices have been almost routine for their confidence in revolutionary obliging media report. So which of the Chinese economic success “China is emancipated from that party investigated Yang for cor- many years. The novelty is in the change, a peaceful revolt of the is it? After a week immersed in story with a stake in maintaining feeling of inferiority,” he says. ruption and he was gone. anger or, more precisely, that the street. There was one two years conversation with Chinese schol- the status quo. The novelist and All of which should leave the With Weibo users now in the anger has turned into something ago, the indignados movement. ars, foreign diplomats and NGO law professor He Jiahong sees the regime feeling secure in its own high hundreds of millions, the more solid: bitterness. Of course, People supported it wholeheart- observers, it’s hard to disagree difference between his students position. Yet it hardly acts that regime regards this new political the economic crisis in Spain has edly, and then gave a landslide to with the analyst who told me the now and those he taught before way. “They’re acutely aware of space with trepidation. been the catalyst – when the tide … the People’s party. Scepticism answer is both: China’s rulers are 1989: today’s generation, born after the risk,” reports one diplomat, Which is not to say a chal- is low you can see the rocky bot- about our leaders is not enough. simultaneously “hugely powerful those crushed protests, has no describing how closely Beijing lenge is coming soon: I was told tom of the sea. Starved of cash, We should also be sceptical about and hugely insecure”. interest in politics, only in getting watched the Arab spring, seeking the Communist party has perhaps the scaffolding of political favours ourselves. Could this be the case Put the question another way. on and making money. “They want to learn from the ousted despots’ two or three decades in which to and shady businesses is collaps- that bucks the trend? At least Two years ago, when the Arab a peaceful life,” he told me. They mistakes. One immediate response reform. The regime that rules ing, allowing many things to be we’re now in the mood for change. spring first blossomed, there began suspect political action “would was to prevent the possibility of China is mighty indeed. But the revealed. But the change comes Until now, we didn’t even care a global guessing game as to who only bring chaos, like in Egypt”. large crowds, flooding popular dragon seems to be trembling also from the fact that the crisis enough. It’s an improvement. would be next. By rights, China Others suggest that, despite areas with security personnel to within. THE GUARDIAN has turned politics from a boring THE GUARDIAN SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

Tunisia party says Iran unveils new fighter jet Somali who alleged Islamists attacked Fury after brutal beating in Egypt Tehran announces new advance amid heightened tensions with Israel rape goes on trial its meeting TUNIS: A political party President’s office to hold probe; incident reminds citizens of Mubarak era brutalities DUBAI: Iran unveiled what it MOGADISHU: A woman who accused “mercenaries” hired by said was a new, domestically said she was raped by Somali violence victims in Somalia. Tunisia’s ruling Islamists of car- The trial, which began yester- built fighter jet yesterday, local soldiers and a journalist who day was immediately adjourned rying out an attack on a meeting CAIRO: After eight days of protests that military rulers who held power between media reported. interviewed her went on trial until Tuesday. of its members yesterday. killed nearly 60 people, a video of one Mubarak’s fall and Mursi’s rise. President Mahmoud yesterday in a case that has Only in September, observers “At the end of our meeting, a demonstrator stripped naked, dragged The anger was compounded with disbe- Ahmadinejad said at a ceremony sparked international concerns heralded peaceful presidential group of Ennahda mercenaries across the ground and beaten with trun- lief yesterday when the prosecutor’s office in Tehran that the Qaher 313 over sexual violence and press elections, the first since military and Salafists attacked our activ- cheons by helmeted riot police has fired released a statement saying Saber had demonstrated Iran’s growing self- freedom in the country. dictator Mohamed Siad Barre ists (in the northwestern city of Egyptians to a new level of outrage. exonerated the police and denied they had reliance in the field of military The woman, her husband and was overthrown by warlords Kef),” said Chokri Belaid, coordi- Hamada Saber, 48, lay in a police hospital assaulted him. His clothes had inadvert- technology. journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur face in 1991, as the dawn of a new nator of the Democratic Patriots, yesterday, the morning after he was shown ently come off while police were shield- Iran’s functional air force has charges including insulting a era for Somalia.. The Horn of a left-leaning party. on television naked, covered in soot and ing him from protesters, it quoted him as been limited to perhaps as few as government body, making false Africa state has been plagued by “Scuffles broke out and a dozen thrashed by half a dozen policemen who saying. a few dozen strike aircraft, either accusations, and seeking to profit civil war, anarchy and Islamist of our members were injured,” had pulled him to an armoured vehicle near “This shows that state institutions are Russian or ageing US models from the allegations. Neither the insurgencies. he added, cited by local radio the presidential palace. collapsing, as is the rule of law. We are liv- acquired before the 1979 Iranian 27-year-old woman nor her hus- The woman, who said she was stations. President Mohammed Mursi’s office ing in chaos,” said lawyer Achraf Shazly, 35. revolution. band have been named. gang-raped by soldiers last year, Belaid condemned security promised an investigation into the inci- “Next thing you know, the martyr killed The Islamic Republic, under an The trial has brought criticism was arrested on January 10 and forces for not having intervened. dent, which followed the deadliest wave yesterday will rise from the dead and say international arms embargo, has from the United States, which released after two days of inter- The centrist Al Joumhouri of bloodshed of his seven-month rule. His he wasn’t shot.” long struggled to find spare parts only last month officially recog- rogation, with the police saying party was prevented on Friday opponents say it proves he has chosen to The rise of Mursi — the first freely and some military experts say the nised the Somali government in she admitted fabricating the from holding a meeting in the order a brutal crackdown like that carried elected leader in Egypt’s 5,000-year his- fleet is outdated. Mogadishu for the first time in 20 story. Abdinur, who was arrested town of Kairouan by activists who out by Hosni Mubarak against the uprising tory — is probably the single most impor- “This advanced fighter jet with years. Human rights groups and the same day, remains in custody. opposed an alliance they struck that toppled him in 2011. tant change achieved by two years of unique physical characteristics the UN have also expressed con- They both face prison terms of with two other opposition parties. “Mursi has been stripped bare and has revolts across the Arab world. But seven has a very low radar cross section cerns over treatment of victims several years. Al Joumhouri Secretary lost his legitimacy. Done,” tweeted Ahmed months since taking office, he has failed to and therefore is capable of oper- of rape and over press freedom. Local media subsequently General Maya Jribi said the meet- Maher, founder of the April 6 youth move- unite Egyptians. Street unrest and politi- ating at low altitudes,” Defence “The world is watching, and reported the woman as saying ing was disrupted by activists of ment that helped launch the anti-Mubarak cal instability threaten to render the most Minister Ahmad Vahidi said of this is a litmus test of the future police pressured her into retract- the League for the Protection of protests. populous Arab state ungovernable. the Qaher 313, according to Mehr Somalia,” US State Department ing her allegations. The woman’s the Revolution, a group supported Another protester was shot dead on The latest round of violence was trig- news agency. spokeswoman Victoria Nuland husband was later arrested for by the Ennahda party. Friday and more than 100 were injured, gered by the second anniversary of the A handout picture made available by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s official website shows the Tensions in the region have told reporters, voicing “deep con- corroborating she was raped. The Islamist Ennahda came many seriously, in battles between police uprising against Mubarak and death sen- simmered over Tehran’s nuclear domestically-designed and developed Qaher (Conqueror)-F313 during an unveiling ceremony in Tehran. cerns” about protection of sexual REUTERS to power after a revolution that and demonstrators who attacked the palace tences handed down last week in Port Said programme. ousted former dictator Zine El with petrol bombs. An image from Al-Hayat TV purportedly shows Egyptian riot policemen dragging and beating over a soccer stadium riot. Israel has threatened to bomb circumstances, it depends on our country’s affairs,” he said. limited oil sales, a major source Abidine Ben Ali and has been That unrest followed eight days of vio- an unidentified naked man during clashes with protesters outside the Egyptian Presidential Mursi has had little opportunity to its nuclear sites if diplomacy and will,” Ahmadinejad said yester- Iran often holds military drills of revenue for the government. accused of stifling freedom of lence that saw dozens of protesters shot Palace on Friday in Cairo. reform the police and security forces he sanctions fail to stop Iranian day in remarks carried on state and announces weapons advances But Tehran has shown no sign of Ahmadinejad to visit Cairo expression and seeking to monop- dead in the Suez Canal city of Port Said inherited from Mubarak and the military nuclear activity the West suspects television. “We should set higher that it says are for purely deter- backing down from what it says olise power. and Mursi respond by declaring a curfew prone and no possible threat. The incident was an unmistakable men. is aimed at developing a weapons targets. We see that it is possible, rent purposes, though some is its right to enrich uranium for CAIRO: Mahmoud between the two most popu- The country is in the middle and state of emergency there and in two “Stripping naked and dragging an reminder of the beating of a woman by riot But the police action against protests capability. Iran denies the weap- we have the capabilities.” analysts are sceptical of such civilian uses. Iran is commemo- Ahmadinejad will visit Cairo lous countries in the Middle of a political crisis as talks on a other cities. Egyptian is a crime that shows the exces- police on Tahrir Square in December 2011. this time has been far deadlier than it was ons charge, saying it seeks only “This project carries the mes- reported advances because they rating the 34th anniversary of next week, becoming the first East. Ahmadinejad will go to long-overdue cabinet reshuffle to But none of the bloodshed — which the sive violence of the security forces and the Images of her being dragged and stomped even a few months ago, when bigger crowds electricity and medical isotopes. sage of brotherhood, peace, and cannot be independently verified. the 1979 Islamic revolution that Iranian president to travel to Egypt to attend a summit of include a wider range of parties in authorities have blamed on the need for continuation of its repressive practices — on — her black abaya cloak torn open to demonstrated against a new constitution. “Now the speed of Iran’s security and it doesn’t pose any Western sanctions levied on toppled the US-backed Shah in Egypt since Iran’s 1979 revo- the Organisation of Islamic a coalition led by Ennahda have police to control violent crowds — has quite a crime for which the president and his reveal her naked torso and blue undergar- That suggests to opponents that Mursi has development in science and threat to anyone. There is no Iran’s energy and banking sectors 10 days of events that began on lution ruptured diplomatic ties Cooperation. REUTERS broken down. resonated like the images of officers abus- interior minister are responsible,” liberal ment — became a rallying symbol for the ordered a tougher response. technology does not depend on intention to interfere in any other have damaged its economy and Thursday. REUTERS AFP ing a man at their feet — clearly helpless, politician Amr Hamzawy said on Twitter. revolution and undermined the interim REUTERS Syria opposition, Russia hold talks in Munich

MUNICH: The Syrian oppo- readiness to talk to Damascus. Alkhatib’s move would damage Assad’s chances of staying in has also tried to distance itself sition leader met Russia’s for- He also met separately with the revolt’s morale. Outgoing power were getting “smaller from Assad by saying it is not eign minister yesterday and US Vice President Joe Biden US Secretary of State Hillary and smaller” was regarded in trying to prop him up and will a diplomatic source said he and UN special envoy for Syria Clinton praised Alkhatib’s some quarters as a sign of a not offer him asylum. would also see Iran’s foreign Lakhdar Brahimi. “The talks about Syria are apparent readiness to meet shift in the Kremlin’s Syria minister, opening a window “Russia has a certain vision intensifying and the Iranians Assad envoys outside Syria, policy. to a possible breakthrough but we welcome negotiations have been drawn in. Let’s see calling him “not only coura- At the same time, Syrian in efforts to broker an end to to alleviate the crisis and there how it all ends,” the diplomatic geous but smart”. opposition figure Hassan Bali, Syria’s civil war. are lots of details that need to source said, speaking on condi- She also voiced concern that in Munich as an independ- Russia and Iran have been be discussed,” Alkhatib said tion of anonymity. Iran had recently increased ent observer, called Alkhatib’s the staunchest allies of Syrian after the meeting. Alkhatib put his authority military support for Assad. meeting with Biden “a big sig- President Bashar Al Assad A diplomatic source said within the opposition move- While some headway was nal from the Americans” that throughout an armed upris- that Alkhatib would also meet ment at risk earlier this week apparently being made in they were upgrading support ing against his rule, and any Iranian Foreign Minister Ali when he broke ranks to say he Munich, Iranian media said for rebels fighting to topple understandings they might Akbar Salehi, who was attend- would be willing to meet Syrian that Saeed Jalili of Iran’s Assad. reach with Assad’s foes could ing the Munich security con- officials to discuss a transition Supreme National Security Biden said in Munich that help overcome the two sides’ ference yesterday, but this if political prisoners arrested Council had travelled to although there was still no refusal to negotiate. could not be independently during the uprising were freed. Damascus to meet officials and international agreement, At an annual international confirmed. The opposition coalition’s help Assad “stand against plots nobody could doubt “the security conference in Munich, Russia has blocked three UN 12-member politburo then hatched by global arrogance” — increasingly desperate plight Syrian National Coalition Security Council resolutions told Alkhatib not to respond to an allusion to the United States of the Syrian people and the leader Moaz Alkhatib had talks aimed at pushing out Assad or any proposals made in Munich and other Western powers. responsibility of the interna- with Russia’s Sergei Lavrov pressuring him to end the civil without consulting with them A comment by Russian tional community to address that may have been made pos- war, in which more than 60,000 first, with one opposition Prime Minister Dmitry that plight”. sible by Alkhatib signalling people have died. But Moscow source citing concern that Medvedev this week that REUTERS

US ready to hold direct talks Leftist group behind with Iran, says Joe Biden US embassy blast MUNICH: The United States is ready ISTANBUL: A member of “Murderer America! You will to hold direct talks with Iran if it is seri- a Turkish leftist group that not run away from people’s rage,” ous about negotiations, Vice President Joe accuses Washington of using the statement on “The People’s Biden said yesterday, backing bilateral Turkey as its “slave” carried out Cry” website said, next to a pic- contacts that many see as crucial to eas- a suicide bomb attack on the US ture of Sanli wearing a black beret ing an international dispute over Tehran’s embassy, the Ankara governor’s and military-style clothes and nuclear programme. office cited DNA tests as show- with an explosives belt around Speaking at a security conference in ing yesterday. his waist. Munich, Biden said Iran — which says it is Ecevit Sanli, a member It warned Erdogan that he too enriching uranium for peaceful energy only of the leftist Revolutionary was a target. Turkey is an impor- — now faced “the most robust sanctions in People’s Liberation Army-Front tant US ally in the Middle East history” meant to ensure it does not use its (DHKP-C), blew himself up in a with common interests ranging programme to develop nuclear weapons. perimeter gatehouse on Friday as from energy security to counter- “But we have also made clear that Iran’s he tried to enter the embassy, also terrorism. Leftist groups includ- leaders need not sentence their people to eco- killing a Turkish security guard. ing the DHKP-C strongly oppose US Vice President Joseph Biden (right) and nomic deprivation and international isola- The DHKP-C, virulently anti- what they see as imperialist US Russian Foreign Sergei Lavrov meet for bilateral tion,” Biden said. “There is still time, there is American and listed as a terrorist influence over their nation. still space for diplomacy backed by pressure talks at the 49th Munich Security Conference organisation by the United States DNA tests confirmed that Sanli to succeed. The ball is in the government of yesterday. and Turkey, claimed responsibil- was the bomber, the Ankara gov- Iran’s court.” ity in a statement on the internet ernor’s office said. It said he had To date, fitful talks on Iran’s nuclear pro- direct talks with Iran to smooth the process, in which it said Turkish Prime fled Turkey a decade ago and was gramme have been between Tehran and the Biden said, “When the Iranian leadership, Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted by the authorities. EU’s top diplomat representing six world Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei), was a US “puppet”. REUTERS powers including Washington. But analysts is serious. have suggested that with his re-election “We have made it clear at the outset that behind him, President Barack Obama might we would be prepared to meet bilaterally with have more leeway to take on direct negotia- the Iranian leadership, we would not make it Netanyahu asked to form govt tions with Iran. a secret that we were doing that, we would That makes the year ahead critical for let our partners know if that occasion pre- JERUSALEM: Israeli Benjamin Netanyahu with form- chances of overcoming a stand-off which, if sented itself. President Shimon Peres ing the government,” Peres said left to fester further, could see Iran approach “That offer stands, but it must be real and tasked Prime Minister at a press conference at his offi- a nuclear weapons capability and possibly tangible and there has to be an agenda that Benjamin Netanyahu yester- cial residence in Jerusalem, after provoking military action by Israel that could they are prepared to speak to. We are not just day with forming a new gov- 82 of the 120 members of the inflame the Middle East. prepared to do it for the exercise.” ernment after two days of Knesset had declared in favour Progress on Iran would also help ease Negotiations with Iran have so far been intense talks with the parties of the premier. “I hope that this regional tensions as the United States pre- overseen by European Union foreign policy recently elected to the new task will soon be completed,” pares to pull most combat troops out of Iran’s chief Catherine Ashton on behalf of France, parliament. Peres said, as Netanhyahu stood neighbour Afghanistan by the end of 2014. Britain, Germany, China, Russia and the “I have decided to charge beside him. AFP Asked whether Washington might consider United States. REUTERS SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Mali hails ‘liberator, saviour’ Hollande French President tells troops ‘the combat is not over’; visits Timbuktu mosque

TIMBUKTU/BAMAKO: U.N.-backed African military that was ransacked by the rebels. Cheering, grateful Malians force, which is being deployed, Hollande said it was essential mobbed French President could take over from the French. that Timbuktu, a Unesco World Francois Hollande yesterday as “We do not foresee stay- Heritage site, should be properly he visited French troops fight- ing indefinitely,” he said, but he protected so that it could “shine” ing Islamist jihadist rebels, and spelled out no specific time frame as a cultural treasure for the he pledged France would finish for the French mission. world. the job of restoring government Mali’s interim President Heavily armed French soldiers control in the Sahel state. Dioncounda Traore thanked “our in armoured vehicles and Malian In a one-day trip to Mali brother” Hollande for launching troops protected the French accompanied by his ministers for the French intervention. It has leader as he visited the mosque, defence, foreign affairs and devel- cost the life of only one French which was built from mud bricks opment, Hollande was hailed as a serviceman so far and has driven and wood in 1325. liberator in the ancient northern the rebels into the mountains of “We have got our old lives back,” city of Timbuktu, which French northeast Mali. said Khalifa Cisse, the muezzin and Malian forces retook from “Together we will hunt the ter- or crier who calls the faithful to the rebels six days ago. rorists down to their last hiding prayer at the mosque. He also received a rapturous place,” Traore said. In Timbuktu, Hollande has repeated that reception in the capital Bamako, several thousand local residents the French operation, where the where he said the Islamist fight- in colourful robes and wraps sang ground forces are backed by war- ers allied to Al Qaeda had suffered and danced, shouting “Thank you, planes, helicopters and armoured heavy losses in a three-week- France” and “Papa Hollande”. In vehicles, aims to make way old French intervention that Bamako, there were similar scenes, eventually for the larger multi- he ordered last month at Mali’s with thousands cheering Hollande national African force, which is request. and waving French flags. still being put in place. Although the insurgents have “Vive Hollande, Vive la France,” Drawn mostly from Mali’s West been driven from Mali’s main said one Bamako resident, Sidibe African neighbours, this force is northern towns, Hollande cau- Lisa Camara. “Hollande our expected to number more than tioned that the task of France’s Saviour!” read one banner. 8,000. But its deployment has military operation in Mali, code- The United States and the been badly hampered by short- named Serval (Wildcat) and European Union are backing ages of kit and airlift capacity and involving 3,500 soldiers on the the Mali intervention as a coun- questions about who will fund the ground, was not yet over. ter strike against the threat estimated $1bn cost. “There is still a whole part of of Islamist jihadists using the France’s role in Mali has raised the north that remains uncon- inhospitable and ungoverned fears of reprisal attacks by Islamist French President Francois Hollande (left) and Malian President Dioncounda Traore (right) wave to the crowd after quered ... There are terrorist Malian Sahara as a launch pad radicals against French and their speech in Bamako, yesterday. elements concentrated in some for international attacks. They other Westerners. A Frenchman areas of the country, others who are providing training, logisti- was among four people killed in the radical Islamist occupiers version of Shariah (Islamic law) Lala Toure, a woman who went are dispersed. There are risks of cal and intelligence support, but Senegal’s southern Casamance smashed ancient Sufi mausole- imposed by the rebels, who had unveiled and wore a short-sleeved terrorism. So, we have not yet fin- have ruled out sending their own region on Friday when suspected ums, calling them idolatrous. forced women to go veiled and white T-shirt with the printed ished our mission,” he told a news ground troops. separatists clashed with troops, but The rebels also destroyed up inflicted beatings and amputa- words “Thank you France for conference at the French ambas- In Timbuktu, the Saharan the incident did not appear to be to 2,000 of some 300,000 price- tions. Hollande said Mali’s courts your help”. Cisse, the muezzin, sador’s residence. trading town and seat of Islamic linked to Mali. less ancient manuscripts held and the International Criminal said the rebels, grouped in a loose He added France would with- learning that spent 10 months The international commu- in the city. Experts say the bulk Court should try those responsi- alliance that includes Al Qaeda’s draw its troops from Mali once under rebel occupation, Hollande nity has greeted the liberation of the texts are secure and safe, ble for war crimes. North African wing AQIM, had the West African country had visited the Djingarei-ber Mosque of Timbuktu with relief. It is a however. “These so-called Islamists did tried to impose an unfamiliar restored sovereignty over all and the Ahmed Baba Institute, centre of Islamic scholarship in Timbuktu residents rejoiced nothing but evil to us, they beat radical form of Islam on Mali. its national territory and a a library of ancient manuscripts the tolerant Sufi tradition, but at being freed from the severe people, they cut off limbs,” said REUTERS

Obama calls for balanced approach Spanish PM denies to budget cutting

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama urged members corruption claims of Congress yesterday to display MADRID: Spain’s Prime The newspaper said the alleged a “balanced approach” to cut- Minister Mariano Rajoy yester- fund was made up of donations, ting government spending as he day denied allegations that he mostly from construction compa- geared up for a new battle with received undeclared payments nies, adding that such payments congressional Republicans over from his ruling party, as he would be legal as long as they budget priorities. sought to douse a major corrup- were fully declared to the taxman. “2013 can be a year of solid tion scandal. Rajoy said the ledgers were false. growth, more jobs, and higher Rajoy vowed not to resign The allegations fuelled anger wages,” Obama said in his weekly despite the publication of docu- among Spaniards suffering in a radio and Internet address. “But ments purportedly showing secret recession that has thrown mil- that will only happen if we put payments to him and other top lions out of work. “We must not a stop to self-inflicted wounds party officials, branding the dam- allow Spaniards, of whom we are in Washington.” The comments aging reports “harassment”. demanding sacrifice to think that came as new economic statis- He promised to publish full we do not observe the strictest tics showed the economic recov- details of his income and assets, ethical rigour,” Rajoy said. ery advertised by the president speaking at an emergency meeting Protesters say ordinary during the election campaign of his conservative Popular Party as Spaniards are being made to pay remained uneven and lackluster. angry demonstrators outside called for an economic crisis brought on According to the Labour for him to step down. by the collapse of a construction Department, the jobless rate rose “I have never received nor dis- boom which many blame on cor- in January to 7.9 percent from 7.8 tributed undeclared money,” he rupt politicians and unscrupulous percent just a month ago — prac- said, adding that he would publish banks. As Rajoy spoke, demonstra- tically the same level seen in the online “statements of income, pat- tors yelling “Thieves!” gathered People watch the fireworks exploding over the giant Mother Motherland statue, at the Stalingrad Battle memorial, country since September. rimony and any information nec- near the party headquarters, kept in the Russian city of Volgograd, yesterday. The economy has also suf- essary” to refute the allegations. at some distance by police barriers. fered an unexpected 0.1 percent “I commit myself personally Among them, 54-year-old fourth-quarter contraction, a and all of my party to maximum school teacher Maxi Sanchez Russia commemorates pivotal sharp downturn after a strong transparency.” Pizarro vented his anger at the 3.1 percent pace of growth in the Rajoy, 57, was speaking out for politicians he blamed for eco- third quarter, the government the first time since being named nomic hardship. “My sister is on acknowledged. in the scandal which struck at the verge of being evicted and I Battle of Stalingrad, 70 years on Against this backdrop, Obama a tense time as the government didn’t get my Christmas bonus, is preparing for tough negotiations imposes tough spending cuts on while those ladies and gentlemen VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA: The leaders, fought here for each of Moscow after holding a recep- with congressional Republicans Spaniards suffering in a recession. not only got their Christmas city of Volgograd readopted its building, for each street.” tion for veterans in the Kremlin over next fiscal year’s budget as Last year he defied specula- bonuses but have also been rob- old name of Stalingrad for a few Hundreds of war veterans on Friday. He hopes to tap a vein well as the debt ceiling, which has tion that the country would need bing our money,” he said. hours yesterday, as Russia com- turned up for the parade on of sentiment that harks back not been suspended by Congress, but a financial bailout only for the “They are shameless crooks and memorated the 70th anniver- Volgograd’s central Square of only to before the collapse of only until May 18. political scandal to erupt in the thieves,” he added. “I hope they sary of the battle that turned the Fallen Fighters, their coats Moscow’s Soviet empire but to a The United States exceeded new year. Leading centre-left have the honour to resign and call the tide of World War Two. weighed down by medals, the dictator disowned as a genocidal its congressionally mandated $16 newspaper El Pais on Thursday an election.” An online petition The victory in the six-month youngest of them now 89. tyrant even by his Communist trillion borrowing limit late last published account ledgers pur- at change.org calling for Rajoy to Battle of Stalingrad, which killed After Stalingrad, Soviet troops heirs. For all Stalin’s crimes, month, and the Treasury has portedly showing that donations resign, launched on Thursday, had about two million people, is a sym- fought their way westward to defeating Adolf Hitler is a source taken extraordinary measures to were channelled into secret pay- gathered nearly 650,000 signatures bol of national pride which has Berlin, taking the German capi- of immense pride in a country keep paying the government’s bills ments to him and other top party by yesterday afternoon. produced an outburst of patriotic tal 27 months later. Many of the seeking a new identity. through late February. AFP officials. AFP fervour and, for some, nostalgia veterans said the ceremony was “At the heart of all Russia’s for the Soviet era and dictator bitter-sweet as they had lost so victories and achievements are Josef Stalin. many comrades-in-arms and patriotism, faith and strength of President Vladimir Putin flew loved ones. spirit,” Putin said on Friday. “In to Volgograd, known as Stalingrad “It’s very important to remem- World War Two, these true val- Queen most amused when pageantry goes wrong from 1925 until 1961, to lay a ber this battle,” said Valentina ues inspired our people and our wreath and meet veterans after Olekhina, who was celebrating army.” Under a decision by the LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II than 320 events including the positioned to press the detonator a military parade led by soldiers her 70th birthday. She was born city council intended to please dutifully sits through endless 80th, 90th and 100th birthday did so prematurely, with the fuse in World War Two uniforms and in Stalingrad on February 2, the veterans, Volgograd was hours of displays of military celebrations for the monarch’s lit by the monarch still fizzing featuring a wartime T-34 tank. 1942, the day Nazi German Field referred to as Stalingrad at the pomp rehearsed to the second — late mother, queen Elizabeth, plus some 60 yards away. “Can’t think “I saw cities in Europe that were Marshal Friedrich Paulus told official events. Admirers of Stalin and secretly loves it when eve- Victory in Europe and Victory over why you bothered to ask me!”, she practically untouched by the war, his forces to cease fire after he posted his portrait in minibuses, rything goes wrong, Britain’s Japan anniversary celebrations. laughed. The sound system was countries that capitulated to the was captured in a cellar by Soviet in a move not approved by the pageant master said yesterday. Parker recalled the 1977 Silver failing and a deafening firework more powerful enemies even before troops. “I think my mother authorities. Major Sir Michael Parker, Jubilee beacon-lighting in Windsor mortar went off instead of a flare. war was declared,” First Deputy went into labour out of relief or For 200 days, Germans and who has spent 46 years produc- Great Park, west of London, which “The best decision I made in my Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin excitement. I was born outside Russians fought hand to hand, ing grand events, told The Daily was his first national spectacular. life was to be honest,” said Parker. said in a speech at the parade. but I don’t know exactly where,” street by street and from room Telegraph that the sovereign is He stuffed the beacon full of fire- “’Your Majesty’, I said, ‘I’m afraid it’s “But we are not like that. she said. to room, battling the winter cold most amused when showpiece works as he worried that it might all going terribly wrong.’ Her face lit Our grandfathers, our fathers, Putin did not attend the parade and sometimes starvation too. spectacles descend into calamity. not catch light fast enough. up. ‘Oh good,’ she said. ‘What fun!’. our older generation, our great but flew to the city 900km south REUTERS Parker, 71, has produced more The Royal Signals major AFP SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Arroyo praises Japan arrests Aquino for economic China fishing growth MANILA: Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo praised yesterday President Beningno boat captain Aquino for the impressive eco- nomic growth, but she also warned him that his anti-cor- Abe visits region near disputed island ruption campaign should uphold the rule of law and respect the TOKYO: Japan’s coastguard September, when Tokyo national- independence of the judiciary. arrested the captain of a ised some of them. The former president’s spokes- Chinese boat on suspicion of Chinese planes have also spo- person Elena Bautista-Horn said illegal fishing in the country’s radically breached the airspace reports that the country posted a exclusive economic zone yester- over them, stoking the long-run- 6.6 percent gross domestic product day amid a festering territorial ning sovereignty row. (GDP) growth in the fourth quar- row between the two countries. The boat Qiong Yang Pu F8139 ter of 2012 were “welcome news.” The 100-tonne coral fishing was first spotted by a coastguard “Going beyond the anti-corrup- boat with a crew of 13 was stopped patrol plane at 7.43am (2243 GMT tion campaign, President Aquino by a coastguard patrol in waters Friday) and tried to escape when Chairman of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Pushpa Kamal Dahal known as Prachanda (left) and is to be commended for the latest some 45km northeast of Miyako the Japanese coastguard boat Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai (right) attend the inauguration of the party general convention at GDP growth rate,” Horn said in island in the Okinawan chain, the approached it, the JCG branch Hetauda, some 100km south of Kathmandu, yesterday. a statement. local branch of the Japan Coast said in a statement. “He is on track restoring the Guard (JCG) said. Coastguard officers boarded the growth of 7.9 percent where it The captain, who identified him- fishing boat and stopped it soon was before the first half of 2010,” self as Xue Changlong, was arrested afterwards. The 63-year-old cap- Nepal Maoists stage first she said. on suspicion of fishing in the exclu- tain was arrested at 8.53am. “The She said Arroyo, who is detained sive maritime zone without permis- suspect has admitted to illegal at the Veterans Memorial Medical sion from Japan, the coastguard fishing,” the coastguard said. Center (VMMC) in Quezon City said, adding that all the crew mem- He told the officers that his post-war convention on plunder charges, will sup- bers called themselves Chinese. boat was hunting corals in the port Aquino’s policies “that will The incident occurred amid area, NHK reported, with the HETAUDA, Nepal: Thousands growing provincial city 130km betrayed and say their sacrifices translate such policies to poverty a simmering dispute over the public broadcaster adding that of Nepal’s former rebel Maoists from Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, have been forgotten. alleviation.” Tokyo-administered Senkaku there has been growing demand gathered yesterday for their has a population of around 80,000 Rights campaigners say Nepal Horn said Arroyo also shared islands, which China also claims for coral jewellery in China. biggest show of strength since but this is expected to swell at remains deeply divided and riven Aquino’s commitment to integrity and calls the Diaoyus. Unauthorised fishing in Japan’s taking up arms in a 10-year least three-fold during the five- with gender and caste-based dis- and stand against corruption. Miyako is located about 210 km 200-nautical-mile exclusive eco- insurgency and toppling the day convention. crimination despite the Maoists’ She said Arroyo also fought off the biggest Senkaku isle. nomic zone can be punished by a world’s last Hindu monarchy. A giant marquee constructed promise after the insurgency to corruption through available The arrest was made on the fine of up to 10m yen ($109,000) Party leaders who swept to at the edge of a playground will create a more equal society. legal remedies including the pas- same day that Japanese Prime under Japanese law, the JCG power in 2008 elections following house around 200,000 supporters “There appears to be collective sage of legislation, such as the Minister Shinzo Abe toured statement said. a peace deal are using a general for the inaugural session later amnesia among Nepal’s policymak- Government Procurement Reform the southern region of Okinawa The captain was transferred to convention in the southern indus- yesterday, with buildings across ers about the inequities and injus- Act of 2003, Attrition Act of 2005, near the disputed islands in Miyako by a coastguard boat and trial hub of Hetauda to shore up the city displaying the red ham- tice that helped fuel the conflict in Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 and the East China Sea, where he the 12 other crew members reached grassroots support amid grow- mer and sickle flag of the Maoists. the first place,” said Brad Adams Prosecution Service Act of 2010. vowed to defend Japan against the island aboard the fishing boat, ing disillusionment among the Hundreds of police officers were of Human Rights Watch, which “But the campaign against cor- “provocations”. escorted by another patrol boat, a ex-fighters. patrolling streets festooned with published a report on Friday criti- ruption must uphold the rule of Abe’s comments came in the JCG spokeswoman said. Around 3,000 delegates and banners welcoming the party but cising the nation’s lack of progress law, due process and the independ- same week that his government It was the first time that the cap- hundreds of thousands of sup- also displaying slogans demand- on equality and justice. ence of the judiciary,” she said, approved a rise in defence spend- tain of a Chinese fishing boat was porters attending the party’s ing “a new communist party” and In-fighting, including a split referring to what defence lawyers ing for the first time in over a detained in waters in the Okinawa first convention in 21 years are “down with factionalism”. in the party last year, has con- noted were various legal moves decade, explicitly aimed at beef- region since September 2010 when expecting to hear a rousing open- Large parts of the city have founded efforts to draw up a post- of the Aquino administration to ing up defence of the contested Japan arrested a Chinese trawler ing address from leader Pushpa been painted red and cafes, parks conflict constitution spelling out keep Arroyo detained, as well as island chain. captain after he rammed his vessel Kamal Dahal calling for unity and hotels were buzzing with the how Nepal should be run as a the impeachment of former chief Chinese government ships have against two JCG patrol boats. among the rank-and-file. excited conversation of Maoists modern, democratic republic. justice Renato Corona last year. routinely circled the islands since AFP “The biggest challenge we face from across the country, many of An interim assembly elected for “She followed the rule of law, is how to manage the former com- whom would be hearing from their the task was dissolved in May last due process, and the independence batants, especially those injured leaders in person for the first time. year and fresh elections promised of the judiciary by respecting and during the war. The former fight- An estimated 16,000 people died for November were shelved, with implementing all court decisions, 6.9 quake strikes off Hokkaido ers spent the most productive in the 1996-2006 conflict fought by a new target of polls by May this studiously avoiding any interfer- years of their lives fighting the the Maoists against the monar- year looking equally shaky. ence or comment on judicial pro- TOKYO: A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s war,” said Uttam Basnet, 49, a chy, which was deposed when the “Although, turning the country ceedings and rulings,” Horn said. Hokkaido island late yesterday, the US Geological Survey regional leader in eastern Nepal. rebels turned to mainstream poli- into republic and ensuring federal- Arroyo – armed with a Supreme reported, but there was no warning of a tsunami. A destruc- “There are issues such as tics and took power in elections. ism have been our major achieve- Court decision – had tried to seek tive tsunami was not generated, said a release from the Pacific reintegrating them into the soci- Party leaders will spend the ment, the revolution has not been medical treatment abroad in the lat- Tsunami Warning Centre, while Kyodo news agency said there ety they left to fight the war. We next five days trying to ensure completed yet,” said party member ter part of 2011 but was physically was no threat of tsunami, citing the Japan Meteorological Agency. need a sustainable solution, not the support of former cadres Khadga Yogi, 42, of Okhaldhunga blocked by immigration agents at the AFP some temporary package.” struggling to rejoin civilian life district in eastern Nepal. airport upon orders of Malacanang. Hetauda, a small but rapidly after the war, many of whom feel AFP THE PHILIPPINE STAR Sri Lanka blocks Indonesia to execute convicts international JAKARTA: Indonesia is set to execute some were in 2008 when three Islamist militants convicts on death row for murder and drugs convicted over the 2002 bombings in Bali which probe into offences in 2013 after not carrying out an exe- killed 202 people, including many foreign tour- cution for several years, a senior official said ists, were put to death. Mannan said that he yesterday. did not know precisely when Indonesia had last impeachment There are 17 convicts, among them foreigners, carried out an execution but said it had not been who “can be executed starting from this year as for several years. COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has they have exhausted all legal avenues for appeal,” Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, two blocked entry of a London- Mahfud Mannan, Deputy Attorney General for Australians on death row for attempting to based group of lawyers who Criminal Cases, said. smuggle heroin to Australia from Bali lodged planned to probe the controver- He did not reveal their identities or say when appeals for clemency with the president last year, sial impeachment of the island’s executions might take place. “Not all will be exe- but have yet to receive a response. chief justice, the International cuted this year but what’s certain is there will British grandmother Lindsay Sandiford, 56, Bar Association said yesterday. be executions this year,” he added. was sentenced to death last month for smuggling The group expressed “serious But no one on death row in the prison on the nearly 5.0 kilos of cocaine worth $2.4m onto Bali. concern” over the withdrawal resort island of Bali, where some foreigners are In Indonesia there are 111 people on death of visas for the Human Rights jailed, would be executed this year as they are all row, of whom 60 are Indonesians convicted for Institute lawyers, who were due to pursuing legal challenges, Mannan said. premeditated murder, two for terrorism and 49 visit Colombo for 10 days starting This includes a British grandmother sentenced other people convicted for drugs offences, most Friday. The institute is a branch to death last month for cocaine smuggling, who is of whom are foreigners, Mannan said. of the bar association. pursuing an appeal that could take years, and two Under Indonesian law, execution is conducted The delegation was going to Australians convicted of attempted drug smuggling. by a firing squad. “consult a wide diversity of stake- The last prominent executions in Indonesia AFP holders” about “the rule of law and the independence of the judi- ciary in Sri Lanka”, the associa- tion said. It did not say how many Colombo kite seller lawyers were to travel to Colombo. The panel was going to study Sri Lanka’s sacking of chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake, the first woman to hold the nation’s highest judicial office. The government dismissed Bandaranayake despite two Sri Lankan court rulings that the impeachment was illegal and unconstitutional. There was no immediate com- ment from Colombo on the asso- ciation’s statements. Sri Lanka insists it followed proper legal pro- cedures in firing Bandaranayake, 54, on charges of professional and personal misconduct. Bandaranayake was dismissed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on January 13, two days after Sri Lanka’s parliament voted to The silhouette of a vendor flying a kite as he waits for customers during sunset at Galle Face Green impeach her, despite a chorus of in Colombo, yesterday. international criticism. AFP SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Cameron set for talks Kidnapping protest with Karzai, Zardari Ongoing efforts to help strengthen relationship

LONDON: British Prime and stability,” a Downing Street be the third trilateral session Minister David Cameron will spokesperson said. since summer last year, after meet the leaders of Afghanistan “For the first time, we will meetings in Kabul in July and in and Pakistan this weekend bring together the political and New York in September. as part of moves to prevent a security establishments from both “This trilateral process sends a Taliban resurgence when for- Afghanistan and Pakistan, with very clear message to the Taliban: eign troops leave, Downing foreign ministers, chiefs of army now is the time for everyone to Street said yesterday. staff, chiefs of intelligence and the participate in a peaceful politi- The premier will dine with chair of the Afghan High Peace cal process in Afghanistan,” the Afghan President Hamid Karzai Council attending the meeting. spokesperson added. and Pakistan’s President Asif Ali “Discussions are expected to “As the Prime Minister has set Zardari at his country retreat focus on the Afghan-led peace out previously, a stable Afghanistan Chequers in Buckinghamshire, process and how the Pakistanis is not just in the interests of southeast England today. and international community can Afghans, but also in the interests Cameron will then hold the support it. We also expect the of their neighbours and the UK. first in-depth top-level talks with Afghans and Pakistanis to make “We share the same vision for both leaders and their key officials further progress on the Strategic Afghanistan: a secure, stable and on Monday. Partnership Agreement they democratic country that never “The Prime Minister will host committed to in September.” again becomes a haven for inter- the leaders of Afghanistan and Back in December, Cameron national terror. Pakistan at Chequers on Sunday had announced Britain would “We are working together (today) and Monday as part withdraw 3,800 of the country’s to achieve it and Afghanistan’s of his ongoing efforts to help to 9,000 troops from Afghanistan neighbours have a vital role to strengthen Afghanistan-Pakistan in 2013, as Nato prepares for a play. It is vital not just for the relations, support an Afghan full security handover to Afghan future security of their citizens, peace and reconciliation proc- forces at the end of next year. but for their prosperity too.” Afghan men chant for justice and punishment for kidnapping gangs involved in the killing of a 10-year-old ess and promote regional peace Monday’s talks will meanwhile AFP boy during a demonstration in Herat, yesterday. About 4,000 to 5,000 protesters, mostly businessmen, shop- keepers and civil society members protested outside the Herat governor’s office. 35 killed in Pakistan checkpoint attack US needs to keep up

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Waziristan last month in which militants and 13 soldiers were with the US in its drone strikes Militants attacked an isolated two commanders were killed. killed in the clash. Two bodies that killed our two senior com- drone war, says Panetta army checkpoint in Pakistan’s The Pakistani military and pro- had suicide bomb belts on them. manders, Faisal Khan and restive northwest yesterday, government militias have since “Cross-firing between militants Toofani, and the attack on mili- WASHINGTON: The United Yemen, in Somalia and I think it with at least 35 people killed in 2009 regained territory from the and security officials continued tary camp was the revenge of States will have to keep up ought to continue to be a tool we the initial assault, subsequent Pakistan Taliban, who once con- for four hours,” one source said. their killing,” the Taliban spokes- an open-ended drone war ought to use where necessary,” he crossfire and a rocket attack on trolled land a few hours’ drive The militants also targeted man said. against Al Qaeda militants in said. a house, officials said. from the capital of Islamabad. a house next to the camp with He said four suicide bomb- Pakistan and elsewhere to pre- “And also where we can use it The Pakistan Taliban claimed The militants attacked the rockets, killing 10 members of one ers attacked the camp and blew vent another terror attack on in conjunction with other coun- responsibility, saying the attack post at Lakki Marwat early family, including three children, themselves up. He said more than America, Defence Secretary tries that are pursuing the same was in response to a US drone yesterday. the official said. a dozen soldiers were killed. Leon Panetta said. goal,” said Panetta, citing Yemen’s strike in neighbouring North A security official said 12 “Pakistan has been co-operating REUTERS The assassination of Al Qaeda strong support for drone strikes. figures in Pakistan, Yemen and The CIA drone bombing raids, Somalia with unmanned, robotic by Predator and Reaper aircraft Big catch aircraft has provoked widespread armed with Hellfire missiles, have criticism from human rights caused an unknown number of groups and some US allies, but civilian casualties and prompted 4,000 Khyber Panetta said the US campaign has accusations that Washington is been effective. carrying out extrajudicial killings Asked if the CIA “targeted in the shadows with no genuine Pakhtunkhwa killings” should be curtailed in oversight by courts or lawmakers. coming years, Panetta said in an Panetta, who as CIA direc- interview Friday that there was tor presided over the success- employees still a need to continue the drone ful raid that killed Al Qaeda strikes more than a decade since founder Osama bin Laden, said reinstated the attacks of September 11, 2001. the campaign still needed to be “I think it depends on the regularly reviewed but did not PESHAWAR: The govern- nature of the threat that we’re say he favoured turning over the ment of Pakistan’s north- confronting. We are in a war. spy agency’s drone war to the western province of Khyber We’re in a war on terrorism and military. Pakhtunkhwa has reinstated we’ve been in that war since 9/11. Some critics have called for more than 4,000 civil servants, “The whole purpose of our giving the US military authority who were sacked by the sec- operations were aimed at those over the drone air strikes, which ond Pakistan Muslim League- who attacked this country and would require openly reporting Nawaz government in the killed 3,000 innocent people in every operation. province after being declared New York as well as 200 peo- But he said “to protect this redundant, officials said. ple here at the Pentagon,” said country” it was not enough to Their reinstatement comes Panetta, who is days away from have operations carried out after the Election Commission retiring as Pentagon chief. openly by the military. of Pakistan banned recruitment Before taking over as defence Secret action led by the CIA in the public sector, according to secretary, Panetta oversaw a dra- was also needed “when you got official documents. matic increase in drone raids in those kind of operations where, “The provincial authorities are Pakistan as head of the CIA from because of the nature of the coun- of the view that the decision to 2009-2011. try you’re in or the nature of the restore their services had been “I think we had a responsibil- situation you’re dealing with, it’s taken much before the Election ity to use whatever technology got to be covert.” Commission’s decision ban- we could to be able to go after According to the London- ning new recruitments,” said an those who not only conducted based Bureau of Investigative official. that attack but were planning to Journalism, between 2,627 and However, according to continue to attack this country,” 3,457 people have been reportedly the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa he said. killed by US drones in Pakistan Establishment Department’s “It’s been an important part of since 2004, including between 475 appointment letter, in one partic- our operations against Al Qaeda, and nearly 900 civilians. ular case, the restored employee, not just in Pakistan, but also in AFP who was appointed to a BPS- Residents gather around a whale shark after it was brought to Karachi’s fish harbour on Friday. Local fisher- 07 post, was informed that his men caught the 12 feet long whale shark off the coast of Karachi, local media reported. appointment would be considered a fresh appointment. There is difference of opin- ion in official circles about the Pakistan exhumes graft investigator’s fresh appointments following the Provincial govt woos Pakistani Election Commission’s recently imposed restriction on recruit- body for forensic investigation ment in public sector entities. Defending the provincial gov- MULTAN: Pakistan’s forensic Ahmed, head of a six-member voters with free laptops ernment’s move to issue appoint- experts yesterday exhumed the forensic team said. ment letters to the reinstated body of an official probing a cor- “Punjab Forensic Science RAWALPINDI: With elec- institutions in Islamabad, includ- will be given to students of gov- employees, a well-placed official ruption scandal involving the Agency sought the exhumation tions just a few months away, ing Comsats, National University ernment colleges. said the election commission’s prime minister, after the graft of the body after a controversy the Punjab government is offer- of Modern Languages, National A senior official in Punjab said instructions did not stand vio- investigator was found dead last was developed on the initial post- ing laptops to brilliant students University of Science and the chief minister’s secretariat lated because the decision to month. mortem report,” he said. of federal government educa- Technology, National College of had prepared the final lists and restore the employees had been Kamran Faisal was found Another official said that the tional institutions, provincial Arts, Federal Urdu University, given them to the City District taken by the provincial govern- hanging from a ceiling fan in a body was exhumed to determine colleges and universities located and Quaid-i-Azam University. Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) ment in November 2011. government hostel on January whether Faisal committed suicide in Rawalpindi. In Punjab government schools, for the distribution. As per the government’s deci- 18, three days after the Supreme or if it was a murder. In this regard, the provincial colleges and universities located When approached for his com- sion, the sacked employees have Court ordered Prime Minister “We are supervising the proc- government has finalised a list of in Rawalpindi, a total 4,400 stu- ments, District Coordination been re-employed on a temporary Raja Pervez Ashraf’s arrest over ess of exhumation of the body to 8,500 students of provincial and dents will get the laptops. Officer Saqib Zafar said the lap- basis. a long-running scandal into so- reach at a conclusion whether federal institutions. Students of Fatima Jinnah top scheme was part of a previous According to an appointment called Rental Power Plants. it was a suicide or murder,” Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Women University will get 1,041 scheme and the provincial gov- letter, the reappointed employee The initial findings of an autopsy said Muhammad Shafiq, a local Sharif will distribute the laptops laptops, those at University of ernment had not launched any concerned has been informed that said Faisal committed suicide, but magistrate. among the students at ceremo- Engineering and Technology, new scheme. the appointment was temporary his family and some of his col- The long-running corruption nies to be held at Fatima Jinnah Taxila, will get 1,110 laptops, Pir However, political parties have and liable to be terminated at leagues believe he was murdered. probe relates to allegations of Women University and Jinnah Mehar Ali Shah Arid Agriculture termed the distribution of laptops any time without assigning any “We have exhumed Kamran kickbacks during Ashraf’s tenure Convention Centre on February 4. University students will get 1,500 a violation of the election commis- reason. Faisal’s body for an independ- as minister for water and power. A total 4,100 laptops will be laptops, Rawalpindi Medical sion’s directives. INTERNEWS ent examination,” Rana Naseer AFP given to students of educational College students 94, and the rest INTERNEWS SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Daredevilry on wheels 13 charges slapped on rape accused Sonia visits victim’s family, and weeps

NEW DELHI: A city court except the sixth who is a juve- yesterday framed charges of nile, will be convicted by the end murder, gang rape, kidnapping of February,” he said. and on 10 other counts against The victim’s younger brother the five accused involved in the told IANS: “I request the court December 16 rape of a 23-year- to hang the five accused.” old woman, paving the way for “My sister wanted the accused their trial from Tuesday as to be burnt alive. My family’s wish Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is to hang five of the six accused. and party vice president Rahul In case of the sixth accused, police Gandhi went to meet the family should approach the higher court of the dead woman. Protesters demand death sentence for his bone ossification test,” he The court ruling was welcomed for the rapists in New Delhi. added. by the families of the trainee The father of the woman’s physiotherapist and her male had been airlifted for specialised 28-year-old male friend, a soft- friend. They voiced hope that the treatment . Her friend is the main ware engineer who was badly fast-track court would hand down witness in the case. beaten up when he tried to rescue quick punishment to the accused. Pre-trial proceedings in the the woman, told IANS that they Additional Sessions Judge case started on January 21 at the welcome the court’s decision. Yogendra Khanna framed the fast-track court which was set “My son, the only eyewitness Army members display their skills during a weaponry exhibition in Kolkata, yesterday. The event was held charges under 13 sections of the up following nation-wide outrage in the case, will appear before the to draw young talent to the country’s armed forces. Indian Penal Code (IPC). over the incident and against ris- fast-track court on February 5. The five accused are bus driver ing crimes against women. He will tell the court what had Ram Singh; his brother Mukesh; The accused were formally happened that night,” the father, Pawan Gupta, a fruit seller; Vinay charged by police on January 3 in a lawyer, said. Sharma, a gym instructor; and the Saket court, 18 days after the “I think the decision will come One arrested Akshay Thakur, a bus cleaner. brutal gang-rape. soon as the trial will be held in a Kamal Haasan agrees to They are currently in Tihar Jail. The chargesheet, with annex- fast-track court,” he said. over Rs10m The other charges framed ures, runs into thousands of pages He said they would challenge against them are commiting an and includes the victim’s state- the decision of the Juvenile Justice e-banking fraud release film, with cuts unnatural offence, destruction ment, details of the accused, evi- Board that the sixth accused is a of evidence, attempt to murder, dence and forensic reports. minor. MUMBAI: One person was CHENNAI: After talks with present. Muslim leaders had met causing hurt while committing All the accused were arrested “As per law, a complainant arrested yesterday and a hunt Muslim groups yesterday, Tamil filmmaker Ameer Sultan robbery, dacoity with murder, and between December 17 and 21, 2012. can challenge the decision of the launched for 11 others in con- Kamal Haasan has agreed to and Chandra Haasan, Kamal common intent. Speaking to IANS, the woman’s Juvenile Justice Board before a nection with a Rs10m illegal cut some scenes from his con- Haasan’s brother and his part- Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi father said he was happy about sessions judge within 60 days,” he transfer from a businessman’s troversial film “Vishwaroopam”. ner in production company Raj and some MPs visited the vic- the court decision. According to said. The juvenile was the main bank account here, police said. The film will be released as Kamal Films International, on tim’s family in south west Delhi Indian laws, a rape victim and her accused who instigated all the “We have arrested one per- soon as Tamil Nadu government January 31. and spent an hour with them. The family cannot be named due to accused to physically assault the son in this connection and are withdraws its prohibitory order. “We’ve submitted letters to Congress chief hugged the wom- issues of privacy. woman victim and use a rod. on the lookout for another 11 “I’ve arrived at a consensus the government requesting it to an’s mother and cried, a source “I feel that the five accused, IANS who are suspected to be involved with my Muslim brothers. We’ve oversee talks between Raj Kamal told IANS. in this fraud,” Additional Police agreed to cut some scenes from Films International and (Muslim) The Juvenile Justice Board has Commissioner (East) Quaiser the film which they found to be leaders,” Chandra Haasan said on declared the sixth accused, who is Khalid told IANS. objectionable,” Kamal Haasan, Thursday. The preliminary talks six months younger than 18 years Govt open to consultations on bill The financial crime — con- who produced the film and acted between both parties on Friday according to his school certificate, NEW DELHI: After the nance, which is what we have sidered one of the biggest online in it, told reporters here. were moderated by Tamil Nadu a minor last month. His case will union cabinet approved an done,” said External Affairs banking and business fruads — “I’ll announce the release date Home Secretary R Rajagopal. be heard by the board. ordinance to effect changes Minister Salman Khurshid on took place on Thursday in Mulund of the film soon. We’ve also with- Both sides agreed to meet The dead woman’s family told in laws against sexual crimes, the sidelines of a function here. in north Mumbai. drawn our written petition and after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister IANS they hoped the fast-track the government yesterday said “It does not mean that wide- Ankur Korane, 29, a director expect the same from the govern- J Jayalalithaa said her govern- court would deliver the judgment it was open to consultation and spread consultation cannot in a cosmetic company, suspected ment,” he added. ment would help Kamal Haasan by the month-end. “We are hope- changes after women’s groups take place when the actual bill something amiss that morn- Kamal Haasan joined the for- release the film if he reaches a ful about an early judgment,” said urged the president not to sign is brought into parliament,” ing when he received 12 SMSes mal tripartite talks yesterday pact with the protesters. the woman’s brother. it. “Justice Verma committee he said. The ordinance proposes informing him of debits of Rs1.2m, with Muslim groups to end the The Rs950m espionage thriller The young woman, who was and public opinion were both enhanced punishment, including Rs500,000, Rs1.5m and other ban on his mega-budget multilin- was set for release in Tamil and gang-raped by six males in a of the view that something death in rare instances, in cases amounts totalling Rs10m. gual film “Vishwaroopam”. Telugu on January 25, but a day moving bus, was thrown off along- needs to be done with a sense of crimes against women, includ- After the first two messages, The talks, which were sched- earlier the Tamil Nadu govern- with her male friend on the road of urgency. All you can do is ing sexual assault, acid attacks, Korane asked his bank to freeze uled on Friday, were called off ment imposed a two-week ban — bloodied and without clothes. when the parliament is not in voyeurism and trafficking. his account but was told to fur- because Muslim organisations on it fearing protests by Muslim She died on December 29 in a the session is to bring an ordi- IANS nish a police complaint. IANS wanted Kamal Haasan to be groups. IANS Singapore hospital, where she

Kerala CM asks media not to target Kurien

KOCHI: Kerala Chief conference here. is nothing but an attempt for He added that in the 17 years Minister Oommen Chandy The apex court on January political gain. This is really sad, since the scandal took place, yesterday urged the media 31 cancelled a Kerala High especially the media targetting the Left government was in to refrain from linking Rajya Court verdict acquitting all Kurien,” he said. office for 10 years. When V S Sabha Deputy Chairman but one of the accused in the The chief minister said Achuthanandan headed the P J Kurien to the Suryanelli 1996 Suryanelli sex scandal and the scandal took place when government from 2006-11 no sex scandal, saying he has ordered a retrial in the case. A K Antony was state chief progress was made in the case, been “exonerated by two pre- The victim on Friday indicated minister, and a police team Chandy claimed. The Suryanelli vious state governments and that she was considering the appointed by him had prepared case was named after the place the Supreme Court” from legal option of reopening the a list of accused. But soon the where the victim hailed from in the charges. case against Kurien. Left government assumed the state’s Idukki district. The “It’s most unfortunate that “The victim said the same office, a new probe was con- crime occurred in January 1996 the media has targeted Kurien things about Kurien that she ducted under police officer Siby when the then 16-year-old was in the Suryanelli case. Kurien said 17 years ago,” Chandy said. Mathews. threatened, abducted, abused by has been exonerated both by two “We did everything according However, he said, after the a bus conductor, and brutally previous Left governments in to the rule of law and Kurien new inquiry into the scandal, no raped and treated as a pleasure Kerala and the Supreme Court,” has been exonerated by the apex new names were added to the object for a period of 45 days Chandy told reporters at a press court. Raising this issue again list of accused. by 42 men. IANS

Rural Olympics Bihar court gives death to rapist after nine-day trial

PATNA: Within nine days of a crime, a Bihar court yesterday awarded the death penalty to a man who raped and murdered a three-year-old girl, a lawyer said. District and Sessions Court of Bateshwar Nath Pandey based in Katihar, about 160km from here, handed out the death penalty to Sanjay Rishi for the rape-cum- murder of the victim who was related to him, a prosecutor said. The court described the inci- dent as “rarest of rare” and sent Rishi to the gallows for the January 24 incident. Competitors take part in a bullock cart race during the Kila Raipur Sports Festival, also known as the According to the police Rural Olympics, at Kila Raipur, near Ludhiana, yesterday. The event, which first took place in 1933, is chargesheet, Rishi first raped the held over three days with contests like bullock cart racing, equestrian events, and shows of strength. victim and then killed her in a village in Katihar. IANS SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Job guarantee Putting their heads together scheme helped villagers: PM Sonia calls for check on corruption

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister collaborate with states to pro- Manmohan Singh yesterday vide technical assistance to pan- said his government’s flag- chayats. “It will help empower ship MGNREGA scheme had Panchayati Raj Institutions, accelerated the pace of finan- improve participation of people cial inclusion in villages while in development process and allow Congress chief Sonia Gandhi proper formulation of labour said it could usher in a second budget under the local develop- ‘Green Revolution’ but corrup- ment plan,” he said. tion in the scheme had to be The prime minister said con- checked. struction of anganwadis had Speaking at the Mahatma been added to new works under Gandhi National Rural MGNREGA approved last year. Employment Guarantee Act “If resources under ICDS (MGNREGA) anniversary func- (Integrated Child Development tion here, Manmohan Singh said Scheme) and MGNREGA were that over 40m bank accounts have used collectively, it will signifi- been opened after the implemen- cantly improve services under tation of the scheme, and many ICDS,” he said. Monks from the Himalayan Buddhist Culture Association prepare a sand ‘mandala’ as they prepare for the arrival of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai more have been started in post He said amended rules were Lama to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, yesterday. offices. being formally implemented from “These accounts will also help yesterday and stress had been laid in the direct cash benefit transfer on improving planning, increasing scheme,” the prime minister said. role of panchayats and improving Gandhi, also the United quality of assets. Khurshid bats for Shinde as BJP takes aim Progressive Alliance (UPA) chair- Terming MGNERGA as the person, stressed the need to check biggest poverty alleviation scheme complaints of corruption and mis- in the world, the prime minister NEW DELHI: With the BJP confrontation,” External Affairs and the government has taken. statement on January 24 and use of money under MGNREGA. said over 80 million people had deciding to boycott Home Minister Salman Khurshid said. Terrorism is terrorism and we its leaders had said the party Noting the scheme faces chal- benefited and Rs 1 lakh crore had Minister Sushilkumar Shinde “Both his views and that of the must fight it,” he added. will create a situation in the two lenges of greater inclusion and been spent on it. He said schemes over his “Hindu terrorism” party (Congress) and government The BJP on Friday decided houses of parliament that will creating durable assets, she said such as MGNREGA reflect the remarks, the Congress yester- are very clear. We collectively as to boycott Shinde’s public pro- force Prime Minister Manmohan there was need to implement the stress being laid by the govern- day said the party can disagree a nation have to fight terrorism grammes and not respond to Singh to remove the minister. scheme effectively in Maoist- ment on inclusive development. with his comments but it is of any kind,” Khurshid said while any communication from him as The budget session of parlia- affected areas and all steps should “More than half of the works unfair to reduce everything to speaking on the sidelines of a leader of the house in the Lok ment is expected to start in the be taken to provide work under have benefited the scheduled confrontation. function here. Sabha over his “Hindu terrorism” second half of February. the scheme within 15 days of the castes and scheduled tribes “It is a bit unfair. Sushilkumar He said giving labels to terror- and “saffron terrorism” remarks BJP leaders have demanded demand having been made. and participation of women has Shinde is the home minister. He ism will not help as there is a fear at the Congress conclave in Jaipur that the prime minister and She also called for timely social been around 47 percent. Of the obviously has information and that people will try to divide us last month. Congress president Sonia Gandhi audit under the scheme. money going to women, more he is very seasoned. We should with colour, religion, caste, com- The BJP took the decision at should “apologise” for Shinde’s The prime minister, in than eighty percent is going to respect him. You can always say munity and region. the party’s core group meeting. remarks and the minister should his speech, asked the Rural their bank accounts,” the prime that you disagree but it is not “We must not fall to these The BJP had held nation- be sacked. Development Ministry to minister said. IANS fair to reduce everything to a labels. This is a position the party wide protests against Shinde’s IANS

Mamata cracks the whip on Feb 20 strike KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief “We won’t allow any strike. I am unions across the country have Minister Mamata Banerjee telling everybody — farmers, art- called for a 48-hour general strike said yesterday that she would ists, businessmen, those who have in support of a 10-point char- crack down heavily on striking to earn their daily living — that ter of demands. These include trade unions, who have called there will be no strike,” Banerjee a monthly minimum wage of for a countrywide shutdown on said at an official programme in Rs.10,000 for workers and jobs February 20. Polba in Hooghly district. Trade for the unemployed. IANS Punjabi Gulf NRIs, who cares!

he mention of a non-res- Punjab and government agen- turned up at NRI Sabha Bhawan, ident Indian (NRI) from cies and officials. It claims to be For the first time in the sabha’s 15 Tthe north Indian state of a non-political body, but all major years of existence, the NRI mem- Punjab generally brings to mind candidates in the recent elections bers had to be present physically the image of a wealthy hotelier to its executive were supported by to cast their vote. The earlier living in Europe or the US. His Akali leaders. practice of awarding the right major concern here is for his vast NRI Sabha has several achieve- to their nominees to participate properties that are in danger of ments to its credit, mainly in the in the process was abolished in a being encroached upon, at times area of administrative, legal and constitutional amendment in the by his own relatives. law-enforcement measures for the general-house meeting of October Now this is not a stereotype protection of properties of NRIs in 28, 2012. International directors, reinforced by the Hindi film Punjab. It has emerged as a potent who earlier had five votes, have industry. Rather it is a reflec- force in lobbying with the govern- also been denied the privilege. tion of the scenes at all the NRI ment of the day to make it easy Immediately after taking conclaves at Punjab or national for Punjabi NRIs to deal with the charge of the new office, Gill pro- level that one has witnessed over officialdom in a variety of matters. claimed his resolve to give equal the years. Rarely has any Punjabi The Government of Punjab status to Punjabi NRIs settled in NRI organisation or government gave its approval to the consti- the Gulf countries. “These NRI official ever talked about low or tution of NRI Sabha Punjab and Sabha elections have opened a middle income overseas workers for its registration in March 1998. new channel for our NRIs who who might have issues similar to The Chief Minister of Punjab is are toiling hard in the Gulf. Our those from Kerala, Tamil Nadu or constitution fully supports them Andhra Pradesh. THE NR EYE and they deserve equal status. Even less often have we heard We will make sure that like the of Punjabi NRIs in the Gulf coun- Moiz Mannan Kerala and Gujarat governments, tries. While it is a fact that a our Punjab government too would sizeable number of workers from back them to the fullest,” said Gill Punjab are employed in the GCC its Chief Patron and he can nomi- in an interview to Punjab News region, why are they invisible nate one or more Patrons of the Express. when it comes to discussing NRI Sabha. He also announced plans to matters in their home state? The President of NRI Sabha streamline the grievance redres- In India, where politics moti- is elected by the NRI members sal mechanism through a single vates just about everything, it every two years. Only an ex- window system and a new inter- took a twist in the results of NRI not affiliated to any politi- active website. the elections of a powerful NRI cal party can stand for election Further, Gill, who had unsuc- grouping to bring the issue of of President. This election, it cessfully contested the elections Punjabi NRI workers in the Gulf was a face-off between two past last time, spoke about plans to to the centrestage. The man who presidents Kamaljit Singh Hayre introduce ‘smart cards’ to facili- won the prestigious post is now and Pritam Singh Naurangpur tate various matters pertaining swearing by the interests of these and former senior vice president to NRIs. On his part, incumbent low paid workers and the incum- Jasvir Singh Gill. President Hayre, who lost the bent who lost is crying foul. Gill won, Naurangpur accepted post by 197 votes, termed the elec- The Jalandhar-based NRI the result and Hayre alleged tion process a ‘sham’ alleging that Sabha Punjab was established irregularities and swore to go Gill has brought (read bought) a as an NGO Society registered to court against the result. The bunch of dubious NRIs workers with the approval of Punjab bone of contention was a bunch from West Asia to vote for him government under the Societies of low paid NRIs from the Gulf and this tilted the balance. Registration Act in 1996. It is a who voted probably for the first Whatever the reason, the fact professionally organised serv- time in this election. is it is probably for the first time ice body with an involvement Although over 18,000 NRIs that the issue of Punjabi NRIs in of NRIs, their well-wishers in were enrolled as voters, only 1,624 the Gulf is in focus.

SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Hackers target News in Numbers CONSTRUCTION SECTOR Twitter, could Latest Developments 2 Fajr (Dawn) 4:57 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:16 affect 250,000 Zuhr (Noon) 11:48 user accounts Asr (Afternoon) 2:57 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:20 SAN FRANCISCO: Anony- mous hackers attacked Twitter Isha (Night) 6:50 this week and may have gained access to passwords and other information for as many as 250,000 user accounts, the micro- blog revealed late on Friday. WEATHER Twitter said in a blog post that Weather the passwords were encrypted Today Monday Tuesday Conditions: and that it had already reset them as a “precautionary measure,” and Awarded projects in construction Clear Clear Clear that it was in the process of noti- Slight dust with fying affected users. ($Bn) some clouds to The blog post noted recent blowing dust at 3.4 High: 23° High: 21° High: 21° revelations of large-scale cyber 3.5 Low: 15° Low: 15° Low: 13° places. attacks against the New York 3.0 Times and the Wall Street 3.0 Journal, but unlike the two news 2.6 2.6 organisations, Twitter did not 2.5 2.2 DOHA - SUN & SEA provide any detail on the origin SUN TIDE SEA or methodology of the attacks. 2.0 “This attack was not the work 1.6 SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND of amateurs, and we do not 1.5 believe it was an isolated inci- 06:16 | 17:20 09:00 & 23:15 03:00 & 16:00 10-20/25 KTS dent,” Twitter said. “The attack- 1.0 0.9 THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW ers were extremely sophisticated, and we believe other companies 0.5 HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER and organizations have also been recently similarly attacked.” 0.0 MUSCAT 25/17 Rain 23/17 Mostly sunny Privately held Twitter, which Q1-11 Q2-11 Q3-11 Q4-11 Q1-12 Q2-12 Q3-12 MAKKAH 31/18 Clear 32/21 Mostly sunny has 200 million active monthly KUWAIT 18/10 Clear 18/10 Clear users, said it was working with Top 5 awarded projects BAHRAIN 20/15 Clear 20/15 Clear government and federal law SANAA 19/06 Mostly sunny 20/04 Mostly sunny enforcement officials to track RIYADH 18/06 Clear 18/05 Clear down the attackers. Project Value ($m) DUBAI 25/20 Clear 23/13 Clear The company did not specifi- BAGHDAD 15/08 Mostly sunny 17/06 Clear cally link the attacks to China in the blog post, in contrast to the New Doha Port: Dredging Works 1,200 THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, which both said HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER the hackers originated in China. Musheireb: Phase 1c 450 Twitter, the social network ATHENS 16/12 Mostly sunny 16/10 Chance of rain known for its 140-character mes- WASHINGTON 03/-3 Mostly sunny 03/-1 Mostly sunny Lusail Development - Infrastructure: sages, could not speculate on the 300 SYDNEY 22/17 Chance of rain 26/17 Mostly sunny origin of the attacks as its inves- Design Package VB LONDON 11/08 Chance of rain 11/03 Mostly sunny tigation was ongoing, said spokes- PARIS 08/10 Mostly sunny 13/08 Mostly sunny man Jim Prosser. “There is no ISTANBUL 15/08 Mostly sunny 11/08 Chance of rain evidence right now that would Qatar University Student Housing 300 MANILA 31/23 Chance of rain 31/23 Thunderstorms indicate that passwords were DHAKA 28/16 Mostly sunny 28/16 Mostly sunny compromised,” said Prosser. DELHI 23/15 Mostly sunny 23/15 Mostly sunny REUTERS Marsa Malaz Hotel 223 ISLAMABAD 18/07 Clear 15/09 Clear Source : http://www.cbq.com.qa/ Wickr app aims to safeguard online privacy Warmer Earth will have less SAN FRANCISCO: Wickr June, only worked on the data “We expect to have it all cov- is designed not to store any infor- on versions of Wickr for smart- co-founder Nico Sell is working within text, picture, video and ered by the end of the year,” Sell mation mined from people’s con- phones or tablets powered by toward “geek utopia”, a world voice messages. “It shows the big- said. “The idea is you would use tact lists. “Right now Facebook Google-backed Android software. rain, not more where people hold the power ger vision of where we are going,” Wickr to interact with all the has all my contact information Wickr’s business plan is to have PARIS: Climate scientists said when it comes to who sees what Sell said. other networks.” even though I boycott Facebook, hundreds of millions of people glo- that they found evidence to back they share on the Internet or “We plan on overlaying this Wickr will evolve to be able to because a bunch of my friends bally use the free versions of the predictions for a future with from their phones. protocol on every communica- hide pictures posted at Facebook uploaded it with their contact application while a small percent- lower average rainfall, even The startup’s services — giv- tion channel that exists in the behind “decoy images,” with per- lists,” Sell said. “This needs to age opt to pay for premium fea- though Earth’s past warming ing users of Apple gadgets online world,” continued Sell, a mission needed to look behind the change as an industry.” tures such as being able to control episodes had led to more pre- uncrackable communications key behind-the-scenes figure at masks, according to company co- The Wickr app has been down- larger data files. cipitation, not less. that can self-destruct — were the famous Def Con hacker gath- founder Robert Statica. loaded hundreds of thousands of “We are trying to flip mes- Writing in the journal Nature, beefed up this week, just in time ering that takes place annually in “There will be a decoy image times in more than 110 countries saging on its head and give con- researchers said they had found for reports of cyber spies trying Las Vegas. “It’s geek utopia, and that the public sees, and you clear since the software crafted for trol to the sender instead of proof that global warming caused to snoop on Western journalists we think we can get to it.” your friends or your group to see iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch the receiver or the servers in by Man’s greenhouse-gas emis- covering China. Wickr has a patent pending on the real image,” explained Statica, devices hit the App Store, accord- between,” Sell said. “We can’t sions has a different effect on The free software, available technology which Sell said could a professor of information tech- ing to the co-founders. “Private expect these cloud services to rainfall than warming caused by at Apple’s online App Store, give people ways to safeguard nology at the New Jersey Institute communication is a universal protect our privacy; we need to increased solar radiation. was enhanced to let people send anything they send or put online, of Technology. “We will let people human right,” Sell said. “Freedom: do it ourselves.” More informa- Warming induced by carbon encrypted file attachments pro- even digital bytes in Internet tel- make regular Facebook posts if there’s an app for that.” tion about the application was emissions is expected to accom- grammed to erase themselves. ephone calls or posts to leading they don’t care about privacy.” The San Francisco-based star- available online at mywickr.com. pany a rise in droughts in the The original service, released in social network Facebook. Unlike many other apps, Wickr tup behind the software is working AFP future, they said. This runs con- trary to experience during the so-called Medieval Warm Period, from 1000 to 1250 AD, when Zebra drill Earth was hotter than today as a result of solar heating — but also wetter. Scientists have long bat- US scientists explain how tled to understand the apparent contradiction. Now they have shown that the owl fully rotates its head two causes induce warming in different regions of the atmos- phere, with different outcomes WASHINGTON: US medi- and scanned to allow detailed for rainfall formation. cal specialists from Johns analysis. The introduction of heat- Hopkins University in The most striking finding absorbing greenhouse gases Baltimore have figured out came after researchers injected leads to a narrowing of the how owls can almost fully dye into the owls’ arteries, mim- usual temperature difference rotate their heads — by as icking blood flow, and manually between different layers of the much as 270 degrees in either turned the animals’ heads, the atmosphere — thus a more stable direction. study says. Blood vessels at the atmosphere that is less condu- The birds do so while hunting base of the head, just under the cive to rain, said the report. without damaging the delicate jaw bone, kept getting larger “For the same increase in tem- blood vessels in their necks and and larger, turning into reser- perature, solar heating will induce heads, and without cutting off voirs as more of the dye entered an overall higher level of rainfall blood supply to their brains. the system. than greenhouse gases,” said a “Until now, brain imaging This contrasted starkly with Nature press statement. “Less specialists like me who deal human anatomical ability, rainfall (under the greenhouse- with human injuries caused A file picture of Eurasian where arteries generally tend gas warming scenario) means by trauma to arteries in the eagle-owl to get smaller and smaller, and on average increasing chances head and neck have always do not balloon as they branch for droughts,” said co-author been puzzled as to why rapid, out. Researchers believe these Bin Wang of the University of twisting head movements did not leave blood reservoirs allow owls to pool blood to Hawaii’s International Pacific thousands of owls lying dead on the for- meet the energy needs of their large brains Research Centre. est floor from stroke,” said interven- and eyes, while they rotate their heads. Solar radiation can be affected tional neuroradiologist Philippe Gailloud, The supporting vascular network, with by factors like volcanic activity, the lead author of the study. its many interconnections and adapta- the level of aerosols in the atmos- To solve the puzzle, the team studied tions, helps minimise any interruption in phere and changes in the Earth’s the bone and blood vessel structure in the blood flow, the study said. “Our new study orbit around the Sun. The study heads and necks of several types of owls results show precisely what morphological says the estimates for future rain- A zoo staff dressed as a zebra performs in an annual drill to practise what to do in the after their deaths from natural causes. A adaptations are needed to handle such head fall are a global average, and do event of an animal escape at the Tama zoo in the western suburb of Tokyo. About 60 contrast dye was used to enhance X-ray gyrations and why humans are so vulner- not apply to what is expected to zookeepers participated in the annual drill. imaging of the birds’ blood vessels, which able to osteopathic injury from chiropractic happen locally. were then meticulously dissected, drawn therapy,” said Gailloud. AFP AFP Sunday 3 February 2013 22 Rabial I 1434 Volume 17 Number 5599 Price: QR2

KPMG meet discusses new strategy

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar tops January M&A transaction value table M&A activity in Middle East drops, says report

BY SATISH KANADY TARGET COUNTRIES BY VALUE DOHA: Qatar has topped in the Target country Jan-12 Dec-12 Jan-13 Merger and Acquisitions (M&A) (mil USD) (mil USD) (mil USD) activity targeting companies in the Middle East in January Qatar 0 0 261 2013. The month’s top trans- Saudi Arabia 374 388 104 action was a rights issue by Al Kuwait 0 3,233 31 Meera in which it will sell a 50 UAE 2,016 41 10 percent shareholding for almost Jordan 21 50 1 $261m (QR950m), according to Oman 150 16 0 a new report by global deal data Yemen 0 0 0 provider Zephyr. The second highest-value deal Syria 0 0 0 was valued at less than half the Bahrain 0 0 0 Qatari transaction - purchase of a 13 percent stake in Saudi Arabia- Iran 0 0 0 Officials signing the financing agreement in Doha yesterday. based cement producer Najran Iraq 0 0 0 valued at $104m.Together, these Lebanon 95 0 0 deals represented 90 percent of the total transaction value in the QIB signs QR800m financing month under review. TARGET COUNTRIES BY VOLUME However, mergers and acqui- sitions (M&A) activity targeting Target country Jan-12 Dec-12 Jan-13 companies in the Middle East, UAE 9 4 3 agreement with NBK Holding dropped in January, with vol- Saudi Arabia 3 4 3 ume and value both plummeting. Jordan 8 17 2 DOHA: QIB, the leading Islamic institutions. We are very happy 2030, one of which is to build an There were no deals valued at Kuwait 0 4 2 bank in Qatar, has announced with the Islamic finance solu- even stronger local economy. $1bn or over in January. the signing of a QR800m financ- tions that QIB presented to us to “This financing agreement Qatar 2 0 1 Though Qatar topped the value ing deal with NBK Holding. finance our projects, and we will reflects the strong relationship table, it fell behind on volume. Oman 3 4 0 The signing ceremony took work with the Bank to develop between QIB and NBK Holding This was entirely due to the single Yemen 0 0 0 place at NBK Holding’s head- this relationship further into the that has a great history of serv- deal. Nevertheless, this still com- quarters and was attended by future by nurturing the construc- ing the Qatari economy. NBK pares well with December, when Syria 0 0 0 Sheikh Nawaf Nasser bin Khaled tive co-operation between the two Holding widened its umbrella no deals were recorded. Bahrain 0 1 0 Al Thani, Chairman and CEO organisations. of businesses to encompass sev- While the UAE and Saudi Iran 0 0 0 of NBK Holding, and Ahmad “The diversity in the activi- eral new companies with vari- Arabia were both placed first by Meshari, Acting Chief Executive ties of NBK will enable it to help ous operations including cars, Iraq 0 0 0 volume, with three deals apiece, the Officer of QIB. achieve the aspirations of the wise heavy equipment, real estate latter was ranked second by value Lebanon 3 1 0 Sheikh Nawaf said: “The leadership of the country which is and others. with $104m and the former fourth financing agreement with QIB to diversify its economic resources “This new arrangement with $10m. Kuwait took third place coming in 69 percent lower than performed best in terms of trade will enable NBK to move for- in order to achieve sustainable enhances the leading role of the by value, attracting $31m of invest- December’s figure of 35 transac- value. A total of 20 deals were ward with its ambitious expansion economic growth.” Bank in supporting local businesses ment. The country was placed joint tions and down 61 percent on the sealed in August 2012 with a total plans. NBK Holding’s subsidiar- Ahmad Meshari, QIB’s Acting and financing national develop- second with Jordan by volume, both same time last year when 28 deals value of $6.57bn. ies have significantly contributed Chief Executive Officer, saod: ment projects. QIB directs 98 per- firms having targets in two deals in were recorded. The Zephyr report The deal value for the month to the Qatari private sector and “QIB has a strategic vision that cent of its operations and funding December. showed there were no deals val- December 2012 was$3.7bn from 35 the company’s strategy is to con- aims to provide Islamic financing activities to the local market, and In total, just $406m was injected ued at $1bn or over in January. deals. An equal number of deals tinue its pioneering role in the solutions to national companies. this is reflected in the growth of across 11 deals, an 89 percent According to the Zephyr were also struck in September 12 economic growth of Qatar. It also aims to build partnerships the financing activities of the Bank, decline in value from December report, in 2012, maximum number for $180m. The month for January “This collaboration between with these companies based on which reached QR43.1bn by the 2012, and down 85 percent on a of deals were sealed in October, 12, saw a total of 28 deals for a NBK Holding and QIB is an exam- common interest and continuous end of 2012, a 45.7 percent increase year ago. 36 deals worth a total of $2.1bn. total value of $2.65bn. ple of successful partnerships that co-operation to achieve the objec- compared to the 2011 figure.” Volume also weakened, However, the month of August THE PENINSULA should and do exist between local tives of the Qatar National Vision THE PENINSULA

Daimler stake in BAIC Motor PowerGen to discuss region’s core projects DOHA: The Public Works the Middle East and Integrating to discuss important issues and including nearly $17bn in Saudi Authority’s (Ashghal) flagship Renewable Generation” into the share knowledge about the latest Arabia in 2013. Projects worth QR10bn re-sewerage project Mena Energy Mix. These hot research and technologies as well about $4.2bn are also planned in will feature in the spotlight topics will look at a smart road as lessons learned about influen- the UAE and Kuwait. session of upcoming Doha to sustainable energy future and tial projects, the organisers said. She said that rising oil and gas PowerGen conference. The opportunities and challenges of In the coming years, far more prices combined with increasing Middle East conference will nuclear energy in the Middle East attention will need to be placed domestic power requirements also discuss the region’s mega as well as the future role of solar on demand supply management are prompting GCC govern- upcoming projects including energy in the Middle East. of power and water. To ensure ments to increase investments Jordan’s water sector, Iraq’s Sessions that are likely to sustainable growth in the long- in the power and water sector, w waste water sector and the attract great interest in the term, more investment needs to as well as secure alternative desalination developments WaterWorld Middle East pro- be channeled towards energy-effi- sources of energy. across the Middle East. gramme include Privatisation ciency measures such as clean fuel “Financing for future projects The organisers said yesterday Progress, Water Resource and renewable energy supplies, needs to come from private that the conference will feature Management, Desalination improving water efficiency, invest- financial corporations such a country spotlight too. The Operational Challenges and ing in new water desalination as the International Finance other sessions will expand on Utility Management. capacity, said Debbie Stanford- Corporation which is part of the GCC Interconnection: Promoting PowerGen Middle East & Kristiansen, International Events World Bank Group, together with Power Trade and Renewable WaterWorld Middle East has a Director at PennWell Corporation a consortium of international Integration with presentations distinguished reputation as being Middle East. development finance institutions. including “Maximising Today’s one of the leading platforms for She said multi-billion-dollar Lenders include other banks and Grid Potential and Tomorrow’s experts, decision makers and projects are on the cards in the Infrastructure Funds,” she said. Alternatives, Nuclear Power in industry leaders to come together GCC and other Arab countries, THE PENINSULA Iranian rial plummets to all-time low TEHRAN: Iran’s currency plummeted It had briefly dropped in late January to at 12,000 in late 2011, prior to the introduction to an all-time low yesterday, registering 37,000 per dollar amid rumours that central of tough Western sanctions on Iran’s oil and a more than 21-percent drop in a span of bank head Mahmoud Bahmani could be sacked banking sectors. A file picture shows a hostess in front of the logo of Chinese car two weeks against the US dollar, currency because of his failure to shore up the rial. The official dollar rate in Iran has been fixed manufacturer BAIC Motor at the Auto China 2012 car show in Beijing. tracking websites and money changers said. The devaluation comes with Iran facing for several months at 12,260 rials, but is reserved German carmaker Daimler announced on Friday that it is to take a 12 The rial was traded at between 39,000 and a growing shortage of foreign cash because for official government business. Parallel to the 40,000 per dollar on the open market yester- of international sanctions against its central open market, another rate of 24,550 rials is percent share in BAIC Motor. day, down from about 33,000 two weeks ago, bank and vital oil sector over its disputed reserved for a few companies importing food according to money changers. nuclear programme. The currency was traded or other goods judged essential. REUTERS SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Inflation rate in euro area slows in Jan ECB may leave rates unchanged

MADRID: The euro area infla- households and companies shrank tion rate unexpectedly fell in for an eighth month in December. January as high unemployment Several countries this week and austerity measures across reported inflation eased more the 17-nation currency bloc than forecast during the first Officials pose for a group picture in Doha recently. damped demand. month of the year. The rate in The annual inflation rate Europe’s largest economy slowed dropped to 2 percent from 2.2 to 1.9 percent from 2 percent percent a month earlier, the in December, according to the KPMG hosts meeting to review strategy European Union’s statistics office German Federal Statistics Office, in Luxembourg said on Friday. while it fell to the slowest pace DOHA: Managing and senior “The Middle East and South Doha was chosen as the venue. in the country. Fakhro said it was Economists had forecast the rate since August in Spain. partners from KPMG Middle Asia includes some of the world’s “Qatar is one of the fastest a pleasure to meet so many local to remain unchanged, according East and South Asia (MESA) most dynamic growth markets,” growing economies in the world, business leaders at the reception to the median of 39 estimates in JOBLESS RATE held a meeting here recently to said Fakhro, “It’s important which is drawing on some of the and to discuss the aspirations and a Bloomberg News survey. The euro-area unemployment discuss and review their strategy KPMG continues to review and world’s leading business people,” ambitions of the people of Qatar. The European Central Bank rate held at 11.7 percent as the for the fastest growing econo- enhance its service offering in this said Fakhro, “There is much “KPMG is committed to play- will leave its benchmark interest November rate was revised down mies in the region, with special important region.” interest from across the region ing its role in supporting these rate unchanged at 0.75 percent to 11.7 percent from 11.8 percent focus on Qatar, a press statement The quarterly strategy session in what’s happening here.” aspirations and in supporting next week, economists forecast in reported earlier. Economists issued by KPMG said yesterday. brought together representatives On November 21, 2012, over Qatar’s ongoing development,” a separate Bloomberg News sur- had forecast an increase to 11.9 MESA Chairman Jamal Fakhro from Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi 1,000 KPMG clients, partners said he. KPMG Qatar expects vey. The central bank sees infla- percent, the median estimate in said the high-level meeting held at Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Lebanon, and high-level friends of the firm to double the size of its practice tion at 1.6 percent this year and a Bloomberg News survey of 34 the Ritz Carlton Hotel would ena- Jordan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Pakistan, attended a major client reception. in the next few years and is lev- 1.4 percent in 2014. The euro-area economists. ble the global professional services Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. This Designed to celebrate KPMG’s 35 eraging the full strength of its jobless rate remained unchanged Friday’s report showed that 18.7 firm to review its operations in the was the first time that the strat- years of operations in Qatar, the global firm to support its local in December at 11.7 percent, a million people were unemployed region, including its strategy for egy session was held here in Qatar. reception was one of the largest team and clients. second EU report today showed. in the euro area in December, growth and expansion. Fakhro said it was appropriate that professional services events held THE PENINSULA “The data isn’t too surprising “nearly stable” from the previous as the impact of sales in January month. The data also showed that on retail prices and oil price fluc- youth unemployment is at 24 per- tuations are always difficult to cent, with Spain’s rate more than predict,” said Dominique Barbet, double that, at 55.6 percent. senior economist at BNP Paribas At 26.1 percent, Spain also had India oil firm stake sale ‘lapped up’ Chevron Q4 profit in Paris. the highest overall jobless rate in “Slowing inflation across the the currency bloc among those rises to $7.25bn euro zone reflects a general slack- countries reporting December NEW DELHI: India’s sale of and retail investors, a government The government was forced to ening of activity with a marked data. Portugal’s unemployment a stake in state-run refiner Oil official said, according to the jettison a few earlier sell-offs due CHICAGO: Chevron Corp., the deterioration in France as it joins rate was at 16.5 percent, while India was “lapped up”, an offi- Press Trust of India news agency. to sluggish share market condi- second-largest US energy com- the countries where deep budget Ireland reported a jobless rate cial said, raising nearly $600m The “issue was lapped up by tions in a sharply slowing econ- pany, said that fourth-quarter cuts are weighing on growth.” of 14.7 percent. Germany’s job- as the government tries to cut investors across the board”, the omy. But it has re-energised its profit increased 41 percent to Energy prices increased 3.9 less rate was 5.3 percent and its growing deficit. unnamed privatisation depart- privatisation drive with the stock a record $7.25bn as it reported percent in January after a 5.2 per- France’s stood at 10.6 percent. The Congress-led government ment official said. The sale market trading at two-year highs stronger refining results and a cent gain a month earlier, today’s Austria had the lowest rate at of Prime Minister Manmohan was underpinned by a boom- on investor optimism about an gain from an Australian natu- report showed. Prices of food, bev- 4.3 percent. Singh urgently needs to raise cap- ing domestic share market and economic upturn. ral gas field swap. erages and tobacco rose 3.2 per- “January’s fall in euro-zone ital from privatisation with the partial government deregulation To ensure the success of the Oil Net income rose to $3.70 a cent, the same as in December, inflation is good news for con- government’s deficit threatening of the energy sector that has India sale, the government set the share from $2.58, or $5.12bn, a while the cost of services rose 1.7 sumers, but with unemploy- to exceed a targeted 5.3 percent allowed higher prices. floor price at a deep discount of year earlier, the San Ramon, percent after a 1.8 percent gain. ment still at a record high in of gross domestic product in this The government has raised nearly six percent to the market California-based company said. The euro-area economy has December, incomes and spend- fiscal year. Rs69bn ($1.25bn) from privati- price. It is expected to offer simi- Chevron’s refining segment shrunk for two successive quar- ing will remain under severe The sale of the 10 percent stake sations — still a long way off its lar discounts for other sales. returned to profit from a loss ters and economists foresee a strain,” Ben May, a European in Oil India received investor Rs3,000bn target in the financial Cutting the deficit has become a year earlier as rising supplies further decline in gross domestic economist at Capital Economics bids that were more than twice year to March 2013. But it has a even more vital for the gov- from US shale formations lowered product in the final three months in London, wrote in an e-mailed the share offer size and raised string of sell-offs planned for the ernment since global ratings crude input costs and process- of last year. note. “By the middle of the year, Rs31.14bn ($585m), according to last two months of the financial agencies reduced India’s sover- ing margins climbed 46 per- The ECB estimates contrac- we expect the headline inflation stock exchange data. year, including disposal of stakes eign ratings outlook to “nega- cent. Chevron also benefited as tions of 0.5 percent and 0.3 rate to be well below the ECB’s Bidding was good from par- in steelmaker Steel Authority of tive”, jeopardising the country’s crude prices rose in international percent in 2012 and 2013. The inflation target.” ticipants including foreign insti- India, leading power utility NTPC investment-grade status. energy markets. ECB this week said lending to WP-BLOOMBERG tutional investors, mutual funds and state trading company MMTC. AFP WP-BLOOMBERG Telecoms boom leaves rural Africa behind

JOHANNESBURG/FREETOWN: In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous coun- herding cows, it doesn’t make sense,” said While mobile phone usage has exploded try, there are more than enough SIM cards Issam Darwish, IHS’s chief executive. across Africa over the last decade, trans- for everyone, but penetration is only 61 per- Average revenue per user is also low. It forming daily life and commerce for mil- cent, according to a 2012 study by research can vary between $1 and $10 per month, lions, it’s a revolution that has left behind firm Informa. The average mobile phone much lower than in developed markets such perhaps two thirds of its people. user in Nigeria owns an average of 2.39 SIM as the United States, which delivered ARPU Poor or no reception outside the towns cards. Globally, only Indonesia is higher, of $51 in 2012 or Britain, $27. helps explain why the continent’s mobile with an average of 2.62 SIM cards per user. Bharti, sub-Saharan Africa’s third- penetration, in terms of the percentage of Even in Africa’s biggest economy, South largest telecom group, says it makes the population using the service, is far lower Africa, SIM numbers comfortably exceed $6.40 per user in Africa, which is higher than previously thought, and the cost of pro- the population, but given the number of than its home Indian market, where it viding that service to impoverished, sparsely people using multiple devices, actual popu- makes only $3.30 a month, but the cost populated areas remains prohibitive. lation penetration is closer to 80 percent, of operating in Africa is much higher In rural Sierra Leone, a country where says market leader Vodacom. and there isn’t a comparable middle class GDP per capita is less than $400 a year, “You’ve got a lot of people buying SIMs, ready and able to spend more. money doesn’t grow on trees, but mobile but maybe not enough phones to put it in,” “You either have a handful of people reception can, says street trader Abass said Olayemi Jinadu, an executive with the in the affluent part of the society or you Bangura in Freetown, the West African Sierra Leone arm of Indian telco Bharti have lots of people who can’t afford the country’s capital. In parts of Tonkolili, a Airtel . services,” its Chairman Sunil Mittal said district in the centre of the country, or last year. Operators can save money by Kailahun to the east, it’s the only way COST VERSUS BENEFIT sharing towers, but even then, some sites you can get reception, he said. “You climb The unserved rural millions could rep- will never make sense without government stick, like mango tree, before you have net- resent another growth opportunity for subsidies, analysts say. work,” he said. Africa-focused telcos like South Africa’s African expansion has not been cheap for In South Sudan, the world’s newest state, MTN Group, Bharti Airtel and Kuwait’s telcos. Over the past five years, mobile oper- it’s a similar story. Less than a year old, the Zain, but first they have to figure out a ators have spent a combined $16.5 billion on country already has five mobile operators, cost-effective way to push into sub-Saharan capital expenditure in the key markets of and its capital, Juba, is teeming with giant Africa’s remote corners. South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal and billboards advertising mobile phones, but go “There’s great potential, but the big con- Ghana, according to Wireless Intelligence. just a few kilometres beyond a handful of cern for us is operational costs,” said Andre Bharti has earmarked $1.5bn for capex fast-growing towns, and cell phones become Claasson, chief operating officer at Zain this year, while fourth-placed France useless. South Sudan. Telecom is spending $9.3bn between 2010 Multiple SIM cards help users navi- In rural Africa, the cost of running a net- and 2015. Spare cash is increasingly rare for gate patchy network coverage and take work tower often exceeds the revenue it debt-strapped European telecoms operators, advantage of price promotions from rival reaps. Fuel is typically about 40 percent of a which are cutting their dividends to cope operators. That is typical of much of the tower’s operating cost, and in remote areas with falling revenues and network upgrade continent. companies burn more diesel by bringing fuel costs in their home markets. With a population of just over a bil- to towers than is used powering them. Some African regulators have set up lion people, Africa has over 700 million Although roughly 73 percent of Africa’s funds to promote coverage, to which opera- SIM cards, but with most users owning at land has cell phone coverage, according tors are expected to contribute. least two cards, penetration is only about to market research firm IDC, that still In Sierra Leone, the Universal Access 33 percent, according to a study released leaves vast tracts of rural Africa without Development Fund (UADF) is yet to sub- in November by industry research firm network access. sidise the cost of putting up a single mast, Wireless Intelligence. Africa has 170,000 mobile towers now and though it has been active for several years. “If we look at the fact that the rural popu- needs another 60,000, according to tower The regulator complains networks do not lation of Africa is about 60-70 percent of the company IHS Group, which at an average contribute the fees they should. “If we population, and if we look at the degree of $200,000 each means an outlay of $12bn. can’t subsidise, they’ll never erect tow- penetration into the rural market, it’s very, “If you are an operator asked to spend ers there,” said Bashir Kamara, Project very low,” said Spiwe Chireka of advisory $200,000 to build a site and another $2,000 Manager at UADF. firm IDC. a month to run it in an area with 500 people REUTERS SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Commodities: Oil market hits four-month peaks Gold rises to $1,669 an ounce; silver eases to $31.43; sugar prices rebound; rubber market gains ground

LONDON: Crude oil prices spiked to positive manufacturing data from two of By Friday on the New York Mercantile $1,678. Palladium increased to $745 an COCOA: Cocoa futures hit multi- four-month peaks this week, energised the world’s largest economies—China and Exchange, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) ounce from $725. month lows as rainy weather in key by the weak dollar, mostly upbeat glo- the United States,” said Inenco analyst or light sweet crude for delivery in March BASE METALS: Base or industrial producer Ivory Coast stoked hopes of a bal economic data and Middle East Joe Conlan. soared to $97.24 a barrel from $95.70 a metals climbed as traders also seized on better-than-expected harvest. By Friday tensions particularly in Syria, while “US GDP contracting in the first quar- week earlier. On London’s Intercontinental the Chinese data, with star performer on LIFFE, London’s futures exchange, other commodities mainly rose. ter initially came as a shock to the mar- Exchange, Brent North Sea crude for copper nearing a four-month high point. cocoa for delivery in March dipped to The European single currency rallied ket.” However, he argued that the global March jumped to $116.82 a barrel com- “Copper has delivered its biggest £1,428 a tonne from £1,440 a week earlier. to $1.3711 — reaching a point last seen outlook was bullish following recent news pared with $113.17 the previous week. weekly gain of 2013 as speculation of On New York’s NYBOT-ICE exchange, on November 14, 2011 — lifted by the that German investor confidence had PRECIOUS METALS: Prices increased demand sparked by the Chinese cocoa for March eased to $2,200 a tonne brighter eurozone outlook, dealers said. risen for the first time in four months. advanced on the struggling dollar after recovery story puts a stronger bid under from $2,205 a week earlier. A weak greenback tends to stimulate “I predict that oil could get as high the Fed opted to keep its ultra-loose the price, with Chinese manufacturing COFFEE: Coffee futures enjoyed demand for dollar-priced commodities, as $120 per barrel on the positive eco- monetary policy unchanged. “Dealers expanding for the fourth consecutive mixed fortunes in subdued deals. By which becomes cheaper for buyers using nomic sentiment in the market.” Prices (are positioning) themselves in the pre- month in January,” said CMC Markets Friday on NYBOT-ICE, Arabica for stronger currencies like the euro. That had also jumped higher on Wednesday cious metal as a hedge against the poten- analyst Matt Basi. delivery in March declined to 147.85 US tends to boost demand and spark higher as the dollar weakened following this tially inflationary stimulus pumped in by Official figures showed that China’s cents a pound from 148.10 US cents a prices. Oil won another boost on Friday week’s Federal Reserve monetary policy the central banks,” said CMC Markets official purchasing managers’ index week earlier. On LIFFE, Robusta for as healthy manufacturing data in top announcement, and after largely upbeat analyst Nick Dale-Lace. (PMI) came in at 50.4 in January. That March delivery rose to $2,023 a tonne crude consumer the United States offset economic news in Europe and elsewhere. The US central bank decided on marked a slowdown from 50.6 in the pre- from $1,945 a week earlier. a mixed non-farm payrolls report. “There has been a lot of good news. Thursday to keep its record-low key vious month but still showed growth. A SUGAR: Prices rebounded after strik- The Institute for Supply Management’s Europe is on a brighter note, and the US interest rate between zero and 0.25 per- separate PMI from British bank HSBC ing their lowest points since summer 2010 manufacturing sector index rose to 53.1 has deferred debt ceiling talks. General cent, as expected, to push down long- came in at a two-year high of 52.3 for last week, boosted by technical buying. By from 50.2 in December as new orders and optimism continues to buoy the market,” term interest rates to boost the economy. last month, up from a preliminary 51.9 Friday on LIFFE, the price of a tonne of inventories picked up, expanding for the added Yang Weiming, premium client The Fed added it would continue released last week and 51.5 in December. white sugar for delivery in March increased second straight month. manager at IG Markets Singapore. bond and mortgage security purchases, By late Friday on the London Metal to $501.20 from $486.70 a week earlier. On OIL: The market forged a series of US lawmakers on Thursday sus- increased from $40bn to $85bn a month Exchange, copper for delivery in three NYBOT-ICE, the price of unrefined sugar multi-month pinnacles with Brent crude pended the country’s debt ceiling until in December, to support the economy— months rose to $8,304 a tonne from $8,028 for March rose to 18.80 US cents a pound prices rallying on Friday to $117.07 per May, giving them three months to hold news that stoked inflation worries and a week earlier. Three-month aluminium from 18.39 cents the previous week. barrel — which was the highest level since high-stakes budget negotiations to avert weighed on the dollar. climbed to $2,122 a tonne from $2,066. RUBBER: The market gained ground September 14, 2012. New York crude a potentially catastrophic default. And By late Friday on the London Bullion Three-month lead advanced to $2,460 on concerns over tight supplies in major had meanwhile surged on Wednesday to while data showed the US economy Market, gold rose to $1,669 an ounce a tonne from $2,364. Three-month tin producing countries. The Malaysian $98.24 per barrel, which was a level last shrank 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter from $1,660 a week earlier. Silver eased gained to $24,937 a tonne from $24,760. Rubber Board’s benchmark SMR20 witnessed on September 17. of 2012, there were upbeat signs, with pri- to $31.43 an ounce from $31.56. On the Three-month nickel soared to $18,615 a ended the week at 305.85 US cents a kilo, “Oil prices broke through $117 per bar- vate consumption, business investment London Platinum and Palladium Market, tonne from $17,365. Three-month zinc up from 303.25 cents the previous week. rel this week, due to tension in Syria and and housing all seeing growth. platinum firmed to $1,687 an ounce from rallied to $2,173 a tonne from $2,081. AFP

New Maserati factory opened in Italy Asian LNG prices rise towards new record

LONDON: Asian liquefied natu- for spot cargoes, the source said. ral gas (LNG) prices rose toward In Europe, Turkey is suck- record highs this week as fresh ing up cargoes to meet elevated production outages in Norway demand due to cold weather and and project delays in Angola inadequate pipeline deliveries, threatened another year of con- several sources said. “(French strained fuel supplies, while gas company) GDF is currently demand from South America and taking a re-load there on the Asia continued to march higher. Excelerate (a gas tanker),” the Spot prices in Asia for March first source added. delivery topped four-year highs at Although tight supplies have $19.50 per million British thermal helped drive prices higher, traders units (mmBtu), due to a combina- expect prices to ease back in April tion of tight supplies and growing with the onset of milder weather demand from new and established and reduced demand for gas-fired LNG importing countries. Prices heating. Asian LNG prices for last week were just below $19/ April delivery are discounted by mmBtu. several dollars compared with The start-up of Angola’s first March, one trader said. liquefaction plant has been The recent lifting of force delayed until the second quarter majeure at Nigeria’s Bonny Island of 2013, developer Chevron said production plant has also raised in its annual financial results on hopes that the country will be able Friday. The plant was initially to offer spare volumes on the spot expected to begin production in Q1 market, relieving supply tightness 2012. Angola LNG was expected further. “Personally I remain scep- to provide a much needed boost tical about the depth of very high to global LNG supplies this year, pricing. It would only take three or after an unprecedented drop in four cargoes to fill Japan’s demand production last year, but analysts to end-March, (South Korean say repeated start-up delays now state-owned gas firm) Kogas is make that increasingly unlikely. pretty well covered and with any Fiat President John Elkann (right) and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne posing next to a Maserati luxury sports car during the opening of a Maserati fac- Norway’s Snoehvit LNG plant, luck the weather will be warmer tory in Grugliasco, near Fiat’s Turin base, Italy, recently. Marchionne said the company does not intend to close down any of its factories in Italy. The Europe’s only production facility, soon,” a trader said. company has been hard hit by falling sales in recession-hit Europe. Marchionne wants to build more luxury cars, which are more profitable, in a bid will shut down for three weeks South Korea, the world’s sec- to turn the company’s fortunes around. from the end of January, opera- ond largest LNG importer after tor Statoil said, while Egypt and Japan, ramped up imports late Indonesia are expected to export last year in order to replace lost even less this year due to domes- nuclear output due to unplanned tic gas shortages. In contrast to reactor outages, but those plants RBS bonuses at risk reduced supplies, LNG demand is have returned to service, reducing Arab Bank Group net profit as UK intervenes expected to grow this year. LNG demand. “I would say the price driv- In Europe, British gas prices on Libor fines ers remain tight supply and high moved higher as the system was demand from new importers left short by lower flows from UK rises 15 percent in 2012 LONDON: Royal Bank of outside of long term contracts, gas fields, fewer imports and less Scotland faces the prospect primarily South America but I LNG, while colder weather will of scrapping all bonuses for its believe Thailand’s PTT has ten- drive demand for heating, traders AMMAN: Jordan’s larg- Masri said the results showed Sabbagh said. Non-performing investment bankers this year to dered recently (for supply) and said. In the US, gas futures see- est lender, Arab Bank Group, that Arab Bank, which has a loans as of total of credit facili- free up cash to pay fines for its PetroChina is buying too,” a trade sawed on either side of unchanged posted a 15 percent rise in 2012 $45.6bn balance sheet spread ties were a minimum with non- involvement in a global interest source said. early on Friday, with a slight bias net profit to $352m on higher across 30 countries and five con- performing loans covered by 100 rate rigging scandal (Libor). India’s state-led gas firm Gail is to the upside as expectations for revenues, with its chairman say- tinents, was able to maintain the percent of provisions, Sabbagh The part-nationalised bank, said to have lined up several spot stronger heating demand added ing a conservative policy eased steady growth it has shown in said. which is expected to face fines shipments into its Dabhol ter- support amid another burst of cold the impact of political upheaval recent years. Sabbagh said the bank, one of of between £400m and £500m minal following a recent tender, in the eastern half of the country. across the Arab region. The Amman-based Arab Bank’s several major regional and inter- ($787m), is under pressure from while Mexico is also in the market REUTERS Its focus on top-tier assets and growth has long been tied to its national banks exposed to the Britain’s Finance Minister George steering away from significant regional and global expansion and debt ridden Saudi conglomer- Osborne to ensure that taxpayers lending to governmental entities it has built a reputation for low ates Saad and Algosaibi, had now do not suffer as a result. has served it in a climate where vulnerability to major political fully set aside provisions for their RBS is expected to be fined up to banks exposed to former toppled upheaval. exposure in the troubled firms. £100m by Britain’s financial regu- governments in the Middle East Bankers said Arab Bank set lator with the rest being paid to had suffered, bankers say. CASH DIVIDEND aside nearly $1bn in provisions in US authorities, sources have said. • Bullion - Mumbai Chairman Sabih Al Masri said Masri also said the board pro- the last two years to cover non- Britain’s finance ministry wants the Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30610 in a statement the bank, one of posed paying 30 percent of 2012 performing loans by businesses US fines to be paid out of money. Silver (1 kg) Rs. 59340 the Middle East’s major financial profits in a cash dividend, up from reeling from the global downturn, “Any UK fine will already go to the • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.68 institutions with a strong pres- 25 percent in 2011. but was cushioned by a healthy public, and the Chancellor has made • Sensex ence across the region, saw depos- Arab Bank’s Chief Executive capital base. it clear that on this occasion the bill its increase by $1.2bn to $32.9bn Officer Nemeh Al Sabbagh said The firm is one of the Arab for any US fine should be paid for by BSE 20103.35 against $31.7bn at end of 2011. the bank would focus on keeping world’s largest privately owned the bankers, and not the taxpayer,” a NSE 6074.80 “This exceptional performance a high level of liquidity, with a banks. Over 20 percent is owned Treasury source said. The directive • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – shows the bank’s ability to adjust capital adequacy of 15.09 percent by the family of Lebanon’s former will not be welcomed by the bank, which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN to the changes and the circum- at the end of 2012. “It’s impor- prime minister, Rafiq Al Hariri, which has previously complained Card/Demat Account not required. stances the Arab region is going tant to keep high liquidity which who was assassinated in 2005. about government interference. • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return through by adopting a conserva- is a main pillar of the bank’s solid Jordan’s social pension fund has Last year, RBS paid out £390m p.a. (in dollar) tive credit policy” Masri said. financial position,” Sabbagh said. a 15.5 stake. The remainder is to its investment bankers. It had • Housing loan from HDFC LTD Investment analysts say the Net operating income of the mainly held by long-term inves- proposed reducing the amount bank has traditionally had a lower bank, which has a $45bn balance tors. Arab Bank owns 40 percent paid by between £100m and • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, risk appetite than peers and it sheet, rose 8 percent in 2012 as of Saudi Arabia’s Arab National £150m this year to help pay the Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. favours capitalisation and liquid- a result of growth in net inter- Bank ANB. fines, sources had previously said. Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] ity versus profitability. est and cost cutting measures, REUTERS REUTERS SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Bumpy road ahead for Small investors spark ‘great wider biofuel use BY STEVEN MUFSON rotation’ on Wall Street

HE road to wider biofuel use may have been paved with BY EDWARD KRUDY flooding back into the stock market. 500 companies are beating earnings forecast. good intentions, but it’s turned out to be full of potholes. Heading into another busy week of earn- That’s also the case for revenue, which is a When Congress in 2007 mandated greater use of ethanol ALL Street’s current ings, the equity market is knocking on the departure from the previous two reporting Tin US motor fuel, it wanted to avoid a collision between jubilant narrative door of all-time highs due to positive senti- periods where less than 50 percent of com- food and fuel. So instead of creating a mandate for ever-rising is that a rush into ment in stocks, and that can’t be ignored panies beat revenue expectations, according amounts of corn-based ethanol, it ordered refineries to use a stocks by small inves- entirely. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to Thomson Reuters data. billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol in 2013 and to use 16 billion tors has sparked a ended the week about four percent from Meanwhile, those on the front lines say barrels of cellulosic ethanol by 2022. This was the fuel based on “great rotation” out of an all-time high touched in October 2007. mom and pop investors are still wary of raw materials such as switch grass that president George W Bush Wbonds and into equities that will power the Next week will bring results from insur- equities after the financial crisis. “A lot of had mentioned in a speech to Congress. bull market to new heights. That sounds ers Allstate and The Hartford, as well as people I talk to are very reluctant to make But cellulosic ethanol projects have had trouble gaining trac- good, but there’s a snag: The evidence for from Walt Disney, Coca-Cola Enterprises an emotional commitment to the stock tion. One project after another has been shelved. In October last this is a few weeks of bullish fund flows that and Visa. But a comparison of flows in market and regardless of income activ- year, for example, BP cancelled plans it had announced in 2008 are hardly unusual for January. January, a seasonal strong month for the ity in January, I think that’s still the case,” to build a cellulosic ethanol plant in Florida. Last year, there was Late-stage bull markets are typically stock market, shows that this January, said David Joy, chief market strategist at virtually no cellulosic ethanol consumed nationwide. marked by an influx of small investors while strong, is not that unusual. In Columbia Management Advisors in Boston, So recently, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed coming late to the party — such as when January 2011 investors moved $23.9bn where he helps oversee $571bn. a new standard, slashing the amount of cellulosic ethanol that your waiter starts giving you stock tips. For into stock funds and $28.6bn in 2006, but Citi’s Levkovich also argues that bond refiners would need to use to just 14 million barrels a year. At the that to happen you need a good story. The neither foreshadowed massive inflows the investors are unlikely to give up a 30-year same time, EPA said refiners would still need to use high levels “great rotation,” with its monumental tone, rest of that year. Furthermore, in 2006 the rally in bonds so quickly. He said stocks only of “advanced biofuels”. The EPA move did nothing to calm the is the perfect narrative to make you feel like market gained more than 13 percent while began to see consistent outflows 26 months storm of lobbying and litigation over the fuel standard: Corn-based you’re missing out. in 2011 it was flat. after the tech bubble burst in March 2000. ethanol producers see new opportunity, the American Petroleum Even if something approaching a “great Strong inflows in January can happen for By that reading it could be another year Institute vows to continue to fight against the standard and envi- rotation” has begun, it is not necessarily a number of reasons. There were a lot of before a serious rotation begins. ronmentalists are worried about the use of crops such as corn or bullish for markets. Those who think they special dividends issued in December that On top of that, substantial flows continue sugarcane, cultivation of which requires higher levels of green- are coming early to the party may actually need reinvesting, and some of the funds to make their way into bonds, even if it isn’t house gas emissions than cellulosic feedstocks. be arriving late. Investors pumped $20.7bn raised in December tax-selling also find low-yielding government debt. January 2013 The new proposed standard also comes in the shadow of a DC into stocks in the first four weeks of the their way back into the market. was the second best January on record for Court of Appeals ruling last week that threw out the standards year, the strongest four-week run since During the height of the tech bubble the issuance of U.S high-grade debt, with EPA set in 2010 and 2011. The agency had set a mandate of five April 2000. But that pales in comparison in 2000, when retail investors were really $111.725bn issued during the month, accord- million gallons of cellulosic ethanol use for 2010 and 6.6 million with the $410bn yanked from those funds embracing stocks, a staggering $42.7bn ing to International Finance Review. gallons for 2011 and none was produced. The court said there was since the start of 2008. flowed into equities in January of that Indeed, the evidence suggests some of no basis for those figures. “EPA points to no instance in which the “I’m not sure you want to take a couple year, double the amount that flowed in this the money that went into stock funds in term ‘projected’ is used to allow the projector to let its aspirations of weeks and extrapolate it into whatever January. That didn’t end well, as stocks January came from money markets after a for a self-fulfilling prophecy divert it from a neutral methodol- trend you want,” said Tobias Levkovich, peaked in March of that year before drop- period in December when investors, worried ogy,” the court said. chief US equity strategist at Citigroup. “We ping over the next two-plus years. about the budget uncertainty in Washington, EPA’s new projection of 14 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol have had instances where equity flows have Arguing against a ‘great rotation’ is not started parking money in late 2012. matches the amount that venture capital investor Vinod Khosla, picked up in the last two, three, four years necessarily a bearish argument against Data from iMoneyNet shows investors in an interview last October, said would be produced this year at when markets have picked up. They’ve gen- stocks. The stock market has done well placed $123bn in money market funds in the a small commercial plant in Mississippi by Kior, a company he is erally not been signals of a continuation of since the crisis. Despite the huge outflows, last two months of the year. In two weeks in backing. Another company, Ineos, expects to produce some too. And that trend.” The S&P 500 rose five percent the S&P 500 has risen more than 120 per- January investors withdrew $31.45 billion of POET, one of the world’s largest corn-based ethanol producers, is in January, its best month since October cent since March 2009 on a slowly improv- that, the most since March 2012. But later constructing a cellulosic-based plant that might be done this year. 2011 and its best January since 1997, driv- ing economy and corporate earnings. in the month money actually started flowing However, the oil industry, which runs the nation’s refineries, ing speculation that retail investors were This earnings season, a majority of S&P back. REUTERS says that even the new standard is arbitrary and optimistic. And the Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration has forecast nationwide production of just 9.6 million gallons. “This entire mess underscores the need to look under the hood at what works, what doesn’t and adjust the volumes in the [renew- able fuel standard],” said Stephen Brown, vice president of gov- ernment affairs for Tesoro, a San Antonio, Texas-based refining company. He estimates that Kior and Ineos, together, will fall short of the EPA’s new target. “If you believe in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny, you believe in 14 million gallons,” he said. Oil refiners say they are particularly upset because the law requires them to buy special certificates if they do not or cannot buy enough advanced biofuels to meet the federal mandate. The American Petroleum Institute said that raises costs for refin- ers and motorists alike. “The court recognised the absurdity of fining companies for failing to use a nonexistent biofuel,” said API downstream group director Bob Greco. “But EPA wants to nearly double the mandate for the fuel in 2013. This stealth tax on gasoline might be the most egregious example of bad public policy, and consumers could be left to pay the price.” The new EPA standard was good news for the makers of corn-based ethanol. The Renewable Fuels Association said that the new regulations would be the “catalyst that finally compels oil companies to get serious” about making motor fuel with 15 percent or more ethanol content. Oil refiners have been resisting that too. “The programme is working as envisioned by Congress,” RFA President Bob Dineen said. He said that EPA has shown “flexibility” by using the waiver power Congress gave it in the 2007 legislation. He added that “we fully expect 2013 to be the breakthrough year for cellulosic ethanol” and that the industry would be able to meet mandates in later years. But Dineen said he was worried that there might be a flood of imported sugarcane-based ethanol from Brazil. Last year those imports filled 92 percent of the U.S. advanced biofuel mandate, the RFA said. Dineen said that EPA should restrict such imports. Meanwhile the Union of Concerned Scientists said that the lower cellulosic ethanol requirements would lead to increased use of food-based biofuels to make up for a shortfall in cellulosic biofuels, which are better from a greenhouse gas viewpoint. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate UAE central bank faces battle to impose rules on risk

BY MARTIN DOKOUPIL, to nine months’ time, after con- percent of risk-weighted assets in — and tell the banks, ‘here is what Dubai unveiled a raft of ambitious consulted ahead of time about the DAVID FRENCH & sultations with commercial banks. September, well above banks in you need to do’.” economic projects, including plans central bank’s regulatory initia- STANLEY CARVALHO Last year the central bank also many Western countries, central The banks may find it easier to to build the world’s largest shop- tives, and were not given enough announced rules limiting banks’ bank data shows. drive their points home because ping mall and 100 hotels. time to comply with them. ONTROVERSY over exposure to state-linked borrow- The banks say they do not ques- significant chunks of most of them Abu Dhabi is the strongest They were originally given only rules to limit banking ers, and another set of regulations tion the central bank’s good inten- are owned by the governments of partner in the UAE govern- five months, for example, to reduce risk in the United Arab requiring them to hold a certain tions — the mortgage caps, for individual emirates in the UAE ment and bailed out Dubai with their exposure to state borrowers CEmirates shows how proportion of their assets in the example, aimed to curb banks’ expo- federation, and since royal family $10bn of aid in 2009. The mort- below new ceilings; if they had hard it can be to regulate finan- form of liquid instruments. Both sure to speculators in the property members sit on their boards. gage cap initiative may have been complied, they could have been cial systems when banks and key initiatives were suspended in market by restricting the sizes of Royals and merchant fami- intended as a shot across Dubai’s forced into loss-making fire sales companies are closely tied to the December pending discussions loans relative to property values. lies form the top echelons of the bows, warning it that Abu Dhabi of loans that would have cost them state. Three times over the past with banks. “It’s the intention of the central UAE’s government, meaning that does not want to have to conduct money while starving state compa- year, the UAE central bank has “They made a good effort and bank to ensure the health of the if necessary they can take issues another bailout down the road. nies of fresh financing. imposed regulations on the com- were pushed back, as one would economy, the health of real estate straight to the top, where UAE “When it comes to strategic But some bankers believe that in mercial banking sector of the expect they would be,” a London- developers and the banking sys- President H H Sheikh Khalifa bin policy decisions, there are dif- the complex world of UAE politics world’s third biggest oil exporter, based investor in Gulf debt said tem,” said Abdulaziz Al Ghurair, Zayed Al Nahayan, Abu Dhabi’s ferent opinions between the two and policy-making, the suddenness only to back off from enforcing of the central bank’s move on the chairman of the Emirates Banks ruler, has the final say on laws. emirates but, on balance, Abu of the central bank’s moves was well- them after meeting stiff opposi- mortgage caps, speaking on condi- Association, a lobby group, and “Legally, the central bank is Dhabi has a stronger say given calculated. If it had consulted banks tion from banks. tion of anonymity because of the Chief Executive of Mashreq, an institution which is reason- its stronger fiscal position,” before announcing its rules, it might The incidents raise questions matter’s sensitivity. “It was an Dubai’s second biggest bank. ably tuned in, but they are not said Apostolos Bantis, emerg- have been overwhelmed by lobbying; over how much leverage the regu- aggressive move on their part ... It But the banks complained that a major actor politically,” the ing markets credit analyst at by taking an extreme position at the lator can exert in its efforts to pre- will probably never be implemented the central bank’s regulatory ini- London-based investor said. Commerzbank in London. outset, it has room to compromise vent another boom-and-bust cycle on the terms they proposed.” tiatives threatened to slow their Several UAE-based bankers and The central bank does not pub- with the banks while still sending in Dubai’s property market, after a business, force them into loss- analysts said they believed a differ- licly discuss its decisions and did them a message and tightening crash in 2008-2010 triggered a cor- INFLUENCE making trades and entangle them ence in focus between Abu Dhabi, not respond to calls and questions regulation significantly. porate debt crisis in the emirate. In some ways, UAE banks are in red tape. “The UAE believes in which is rich in oil and fiscally con- from Reuters. Central Bank gov- Banks may not sharply cut their In the latest climb-down, the stronger and have been more pru- a free economy and a regulation- servative, and Dubai, which lacks oil ernor Sultan Nasser Al Suweidi exposure to state borrowers, for central bank confirmed last week dent than their counterparts in less economy - as little as possi- and depends more on freewheeling is a veteran in his post, holding example, but they will certainly that it would not enforce limits on Europe and the United States. ble,” said Ghurair. private business for growth, may also it since 1991. Last November, think twice about raising it further residential mortgage loans that They survived the Dubai property “Some regulation is important have played a part in the controversy top Abu Dhabi banker Khalifa if they know the central bank could it had set three weeks earlier. crash and the global financial cri- but we don’t want the central over the mortgage caps. Mohammed Al Kindi became revive its effort to regulate the area Instead, it will introduce rules sis without major failures; UAE bank to write a uniform mortgage The central bank announced the new chairman. Commercial sometime in the future. for the mortgage market in six banks had core capital worth 17.2 policy in detail — a 50-page policy the mortgage caps just weeks after banks complained they were not REUTERS SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 GECM & TENDERS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS MAP (GECM) Every Sunday German manufacturing suggests China economy to underpin global UK economy on edge of triple return to economic growth: PMI demand in 2013: CIC dip recession BERLIN: German manufacturing contracted BEIJING: China’s trade growth rebounded very slightly in January but output and new US economy adds 157,000 jobs; LONDON: Official GDP figures show strongly in December in a positive Japan forecasts real GDP business grew, a survey showed on Friday, sign for the gradual and still uncertain unemployment rate up to 7.9pc the UK economy contracted in the suggesting Europe’s largest economy is growth of 2.5 percent in year recovery of the world’s second-largest WASHINGTON: US employers last quarter of 2012 by 0.3 percent. picking up after shrinking in the last quarter from April Manufacturing fell by 1.5 percent in economy. Export growth more than added 157,000 jobs in January and of 2012. Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index TOKYO: quadrupled from the previous month Japan’s economy will hiring was stronger over the past the fourth quarter, the service sector (PMI) for the German manufacturing sector to 14.1 percent while imports — which likely grow 2.5 percent in the two years than previously thought, was flat and construction rose by 0.3 rose to 49.8 in January from 46.0 the previous failed to grow at all in November — fiscal year starting in April, the providing reassurance that the job percent. It is widely expected that month, coming in just below the 50 threshold rose 6 percent in a sign of increasing government said on Monday, as market held steady while economic Britain will soon enter a “triple-dip” that separates growth from contraction. It domestic demand, data showed Thursday. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s growth sputtered. The mostly recession through negative growth in was the 11th straight month of decline, but easily the slowest rate of contraction in ambitious fiscal and monetary upbeat Labor Department report the first quarter of 2013. Recession is that time. The final reading came in above a policies boost domestic demand Friday included one negative sign: defined by two consecutive quarters of contraction. preliminary estimate of 48.8. and a rebounding overseas the unemployment rate rose to 7.9 economy helps exports. percent from 7.8 percent in December. The unemployment rate is calculated India faces less risk of credit rating from a survey of households, while job gains come from a survey of SA economy facing a storm downgrade: S&P NEW DELHI: India’s economic growth, which employers. JOHANNESBURG: Experts are worried was close to hitting double-digits before about South Africa’s economic the global financial crisis in 2008, has been prospects, citing gloom in some stuck below 6 percent for the past three key economic sectors and a poor quarters. In the fiscal year ending March outlook for the rand. the economy Australia feared banknote shortage Brazil’s conundrum: The strong 2013, the economy is expected to expand grew by 1.2% in the third quarter of during crisis weak economy by about 5.5 percent, the worst pace since last year, the lowest growth in the SYDNEY: Australia’s central bank feared it 2002/03. Growing economic pains are SAO PAULO: In Brazil, unemployment real gross domestic product (GDP) wouldn’t have enough banknotes to meet making it tougher for Prime Minister Singh is shrinking and the stock market since the second quarter of 2009 and a surge in withdrawals that took place in to fund flagship welfare programmes ahead is in decline. The economy that was analysts forecast another mediocre the wake of the global financial crisis. A of a national election due by mid-2014. supposed to grow over 4 percent in performance in the fourth quarter of central bank report Wednesday showed 2012, grew by maybe 1 percent. This this year. that demand for withdrawals of Australian year, it’ll probably grow by 2 percent. dollars grew “abnormally quickly” after the Even as the economy remains weak, collapse of US investment bank Lehman the currency is starting to strengthen, Brothers in September 2008. The Reserve going from a weakness of over two Bank of Australia, or RBA, responded to the dollar to around 1.99 Brazilian by putting an extra A$5 billion worth of reals to the dollar on Friday. banknotes into circulation by the end of that year.

TENDERS

TENDER TENDER CLOSING TENDER TENDER CLOSING No. COMPANY TENDER NO. SUBJECT No. COMPANY TENDER NO. SUBJECT BOND FEES DATE BOND FEES DATE Development of operating manuals for Construction exhibition stand QP 21 LT13100800 QR 55,000 QR 200 17/02/2013 1LT13100700 QR 90,000 QR 200 10/2/2013 Halul oil terminal Environment and Career Fair Call-off contract for annual maintenance 22 LT13100900 QR 35,000 QR 200 17/02/2013 Design, supply and installing of a new of cable laying for 3 yrs, QPREF MES AF/C/ environmental chamber or shifting the 2 QR 200,000 QR 1,500 3/3/2013 Water leak inspection for underground ASP5187/12 existing environmental chamber at 23 AF/C/AL5197/13 fire, domestic irrigation and chilled QR 100,000 QR 700 17/02/2013 Aspetar water piping at Aspire Zone AF/M/ Comprehensive Maintenance of AF/C/ Design, supply and installation of a new 24 QR 30,000 QR 400 7/2/2013 3 QR 100,000 QR 1,000 24/02/2013 AA3044/12 motorized curtains in Aspire Sports Hall ASP5186-R1/13 hypoxic room at Aspetar Supply and delivery of gym equipment 25 AF/C/AA5188/12 QR 20,000 QR 400 7/2/2013 for Aspire Academy Auditing of event at Aspire Zone Supply of equipment on rental basis 4AF/D/AF0114/13 QR 12,000 QR 200 24/02/2013 26 AF/C/AL5201/13 QR 100,000 QR 700 14/02/2013 Foundation (call-off) for Aspire Logistics Active directory and exchange migration 27 AF/C/AF5204/13 QR 50,000 QR 400 17/02/2013 to Aspire Zone foundation Supply, delivery and installation of Consultancy for material specifications AF/C/AL5198/13 sealed lead acid batteries for Aspire QR 15,000 QR 300 7/2/2013 07/03/2013 28 GTC/529/2012 & standards of electricity distribution QR 100,000 QR 800 logistics (before noon) system Supply, delivery and installation of 29 AF/C/AF5203/13 MAC Pro with design tools for AZF QR 5,000 QR 300 6/2/2013 Design, manufacture, supply, delivery, management section installation, testing, commissioning 17/02/2013 6GT12MT0083 & training of racking equipment for QR 65,000 QR 1,000 Supply, delivery, testing and (12:00hrs) AF/C/ commissioning & execution of civil & Erhama bin Jaber Al Jalahma ship yard 30 QR 15,000 QR 300 10/2/2013 project phase 4A, port of Ras Laffan ASP5192/13 electrical refurbishment works of the CEO office at Aspetar

Epic of standby diesel generators for Supply & delivery of reprographic 7GT13101500sewerage pumping stations in Dukhan QR 150,000 QR 500 3/3/2013 31 AF/C/AF5193/13 consumables on call-off basis for Aspire QR 5,000 QR 300 7/2/2013 fields zone Supply, delivery and installation of AF/C/ Supply & commissioning Telescopic 25/02/2013 32 renovate furniture to the CEO office at QR 10,000 QR 300 10/2/2013 8LT12MT0011 QR 92,500 QR 500 ASP5200/13 folding boom wire line Mast. (12:00hrs) Aspetar Supply of general instrumentation PWA/ 33 spares for various pumping stations AA- QR 20,000 QR 400 25/2/2013 Stocking and supply of high end STC/054/12-13 24/02/2013 DOM/12-13/M/1301-8A/S 9GT13MT0076workstations on call-off basis for a QR 120,000 QR 1,000 (12:00hrs) Provision and maintenance of safety period of two (2) years PWA/ 34 barriers and fences throughout Qatar, QR 140,000 QR 750 24/02/2013 ITC/047/12-13 contract #2 AA-R/12-13/OM/056/I Provision of 17025 accreditation 10 ST12108700 QR 10,000 N/A 11/2/2013 Post-contract professional consultancy auditing services PWA/ 35 services for Muraikh Area Sewerage QR 65,000 QR 750 17/02/2013 ITC/048/12-13 Phase 4-package A IA/12-13/S/02/I Real time process information MGT 11 GT13101600 QR 375,000 N/A 10/3/2013 system licenses & services 36 LTC/631/2012 Network capacity upgrade QR 100,000 QR 500 17/02/2013

Supply and install outdoor/health fitness 17/02/2013 Reconstruction & upgrading of old 12 LT13MT000 QR 30,000 QR 500 equipment (12:00hrs) S a l w a R P S w i t h u n d e r g r o u n d r e s e r v o i r s Designs, supply and construction of a 30MIG rectangular RC underground Provision of industrial cleaners for 13 GT13100600 QR 400,000 QR 500 10/2/2013 reservoir, pumphouse to accommodate Dukhan field 8 nos. pumps + 4 slots for future VFD 21/02.2013 335 Ips @45 meters headpumps, control QR 37 GTC/518/2012 QR 20,000 Time before 14 ST13100900 Provision of RFID maintenance service QR 9,000 QR 200 18/02/2013 building. In addition, office building of 2,000,000 12:00 noon 1350m2/Floor, and 2 office buildings Call off contract for supply of water of 500 m2/floor, water operation & 15 LT13101100 QR 100,000 QR 200 24/02/2013 tankers on hire maintenance building 960 m2/floor, all comprise of basement, ground and 3 floors, lagoon, chlorination building, Instrument support services at offshore 16 GT13100700 QR 150,000 QR 500 17/02/2013 guard houses and switch gear building. location Construction of Kahramaa Customer Contact & AMI Center The proposed customer contact and AMI center is Trailers for transporting breathing 25/02/2013 14/02/2013 17 ST12MT0377 QR 10,000 QR 100 GTC located at Al Thumana south of Doha. QR apparatus cylinders (10 Nos.) (12:00hrs) 38 QR 20,000 (before 12:00 516/2012 The building comprises Basement, 3,000,000 noon) ground and two floors and a service Mobile security forward command 17/02/2013 18 LT12MT0136 QR 100,000 QR 500 area with total built up area of 18,092 vehicle diesel engine driven (1 No.) (12:00hrs) m2, in addtion to external landscape

Epic of online condition monitoring Epic for modification of power supply to 39 GT13101300 QR 100,000 QR 500 17/03/2013 19 ST13100800 QR 30,000 QR 200 18/02/2013 system for rotating equipment at NFA CID building & Police STN in Dukhan

Consultancy services for Enterprise PWA/ Maintenance support for repair of valves 40 CAD solution implementation QR 150,000 QR 750 17/02/2013 20 ST13101000 QR 30,000 QR 200 18/02/2013 ITC/043/12-13 at contractor’s workshop EBSD/11-12/N/004/I SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Mickelson Brothers lead 49ers, Ravens in control at Phoenix into Super Bowl showdown Open

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona: Phil NFL championship game will pit two siblings against each other Mickelson maintained a four- stroke lead at the Phoenix Open yesterday, despite denting an NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana: otherwise strong second round The Baltimore Ravens are the Super Bowl Factfile with a double bogey at the 18th closest thing anyone has seen to NEW ORLEANS, Lousiana: hole. defensive perfection this post- Factfile on Super Bowl 47: Mickelson, who missed shoot- season and will enter today’s SAN FRANCISCO 49ers (11-4-1) vs ing golf’s magic number of 59 in Super Bowl 47 looking to take BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-6) the first round by only one shot, down another NFL powerhouse When: Sunday, February 3 followed up with a six-under 65 team. Venue: Superdome (Capacity 70,000) for a 17-under total of 125. Ravens’ coach John Harbaugh His stumble at the finish, how- Time: 6:30 pm EST (2330 GMT) expects his players will rise to the ever, meant he missed out on the Trophy: Vince Lombardi (first given out in moment and hopefully snatch a US PGA Tour’s 36-hole scoring 1967) win from younger brother Jim’s record. Prize money: Winning team, $88,000 per San Francisco 49ers in the Although he was disappointed player; loser $44,000 each National Football League cham- to drop two shots at the TPC pionship game at the Superdome Super Bowl records: 49ers 5-0, Ravens Scottsdale’s par-four finishing 1-0 Stadium. hole -- where he hit his tee shot “Big plays are going to be a Performers: Halftime, Beyonce; Anthem, into the water -- Mickelson said Alicia Keys determining factor in every single the wobble could help him in the game,” John said Friday. “But it Commercials: Cost is a record $4m on long run. will be the little plays in between average for a 30-second spot Instead he watched his chip go that make the difference. Previous Super Bowls in New Orleans: past the cup, then two-putted. “Guys that are in the right Nine His second round included six place in coverage, spacing, assess- Previous Super Bowls in Superdome: birdies and an eagle at the par- ing the routes correctly, blocking, Six five 15th and left him four strokes tackling, handoffs, quarterback- Baltimore Ravens head Coach John Harbaugh (left) speaks alongside his brother San Francisco 49ers head Last meeting: Ravens beat 49ers 16-6 on in front of Bill Haas. centre exchanges and throwing. coach Jim Harbaugh during a joint press conference on Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, yesterday. The two November 2011 Mickelson, a two-time winner Every little thing wins this game.” will play each other in the Super Bowl today. Head-to-head history: Ravens lead 3-1 of this event, didn’t pick up his The “Har-Bowl” will take John first birdie of the day until the and Jim’s sibling rivalry to a new into this game and all the while The first Super Bowl in New seventh. He added another at level after they led their respec- just thinking about the most Orleans since Hurricane Katrina nine, then reeled off a string of tive teams to the NFL’s ultimate exciting thing -- when that ball in 2005 and will also mark the three birdies starting at the 11th challenge. is kicked off on Sunday for the last hurrah in a sparkling 17-year hole. Jim, who is 15 months younger game,” Jim said. career for Ravens linebacker Ray At 15, his approach from the than his brother, says his coaches The Ravens’ team-of-destiny Lewis. fairway landed within four feet are ready and the players excited tag has grown with each playoff Former Super Bowl Most and he made the eagle putt. He for Sunday’s game, which will be victory. Valuable Player Lewis will be drove the green on the par-four the 10th Super Bowl held in New Baltimore’s vaunted defence looking for a big impact in his 17th en route to a birdie. Orleans. enters today’s contest having shut final game, hoping to ride off into Mickelson was one stroke off “We are getting a good under- down the league’s top two scoring the sunset with a second NFL the US tour’s record for 36 holes standing of what our plan is going offences in as many weeks. title ring. of 124, set by Pat Perez at the 2009 “It is going to be 60 minutes of Bob Hope Classic and matched by great football because you’ve got David Toms at the 2011 Colonial. Super Bowl Winners two fundamentally sound football Haas carded a seven-under 64 teams playing with total focus that included seven birdies for NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana: List of the past 10 Super Bowl on this one moment, in this one 129. AFP champions: game,” John said. Year Teams Host city The Ravens look and sound 2012 New York Giants 21 New England Patriots 17 Indianapolis determined, but San Francisco Phoenix Open 2011 Green Bay Packers 31 Pittsburgh Steelers 25 Dallas have history on their side 2010 New Orleans Saints 31 Indianapolis Colts 17 Miami with a perfect 5-0 Super Bowl Scores record. 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers 27 Arizona Cardinals 23 Tampa SCOTTSDALE, Arizona: The 49ers are returning to the 2008 New York Giants 17 New England Patriots 14 Phoenix Leading second-round scores Super Bowl for the first time in yesterday in the US PGA Tour 2007 Indianapolis Colts 29 Chicago Bears 17 Miami 18 years to face a Ravens team $6.2m Phoenix Open (USA 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Seattle Seahawks 10 Detroit aiming to add a second title to the unless noted, par-71): 2005 New England Patriots 24 Philadelphia Eagles 21 Jacksonville one they captured in 2001. 125 Phil Mickelson 60-65 2004 New England Patriots 32 Carolina Panthers 29 Houston Both the 49ers and the Ravens Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Paul Kruger (99) warms up during the 129 Bill Haas 65-64 2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48 Oakland Raiders 21 San Diego have had to weather adversity this season. AFP NFL’s Super Bowl XLVII football practice in Metairie, Louisiana, yesterday. 130 Keegan Bradley 67-63, Brandt Snedeker 64-66 131 Angel Cabrera (ARG) 66-65, Charlie Wi (KOR) 68-63, Brian Gay 65-66 Vancouver 132 Robert Garrigus 66-66, Ryan Moore Gay makes instant 66-66, John Rollins 66-66, Matt Every 65-67, David Hearn (CAN) 67- heap more 65, Troy Matteson 67-65 133 Kevin Na 69-64, Roberto Castro 65- impact for Raptors 68, Brendon de Jonge (ZIM) 66-67, misery on Gary Woodland 67-66, Ted Potter 64- TORONTO: Rudy Gay 69, William McGirt 67-66 made an instant impact NBA Results 134 Jeff Maggert 64-70, Rory Sabbatini in his first game with the Chicago Toronto 98 LA Clippers 73 (RSA) 68-66, Bubba Watson 67-67, Toronto Raptors yester- Brendan Steele 69-65, John Mallinger day, coming off the bench to Indiana 102 Miami 89 65-69, Casey Wittenberg 67-67, NEW YORK: The Vancouver score 20 points and lead his Boston 97 Orlando 84 Harris English 67-67, Kevin Chappell Canucks handed the Chicago new NBA team to a 98-73 Brooklyn 93 Chicago 89 66-68, Hunter Mahan 67-67, Padraig Blackhawks a second successive rout of the Los Angeles NY Knicks 96 Milwaukee 86 Harrington (IRL) 64-70, Bryce Molder shootout loss, taking their home Clippers. Philadelphia 89 Sacramento 80 67-67 NHL clash 2-1 yesterday. The Raptors acquired Gay Detroit 117 Cleveland 99 Chicago opened the season and center Hamed Haddadi with a franchise record 6-0 start on Wednesday from the Memphis 85 Washington 76 but after falling to Minnesota Memphis Grizzlies in a Denver 113 New Orleans 98 Sturm loses on Wednesday via shoot-out three-team trade that saw Utah 86 Portland 77 they were sent home packing Toronto ship out Ed Davis, Dallas 109 Phoenix 99 to Australia’s in similar circumstances by the and Spanish guard Jose LA Lakers 111 Minnesota 100 Canucks. Calderon. Calderon landed Tied 1-1 after regulation and with the Detroit Pistons, unable to be separated after who sent Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye to Memphis. Soliman overtime, Jordan Schroeder Gay, energized by a warm welcome from fans at Air Canada emerged as the home side hero, Centre, made half of his 16 shots from the field. BERLIN: Former world mid- sliding the puck through Corey “It felt great, it’s exciting what they did today,” Gay said. “They dleweight boxing champion Crawford’s legs after each side’s make you want to play hard.” Felix Sturm of Germany has first three shooters were unable Three other Toronto players scored in double figures, includ- lost to another Australian after to connect. ing Amir Johnson who had 19 points to go with a career-best Sam Soliman claimed a unani- Vancouver goaltender Roberto 16 rebounds. mous points victory in their IBF Luongo stood out with 28 saves DeMar DeRozan added 19 points and seven assists and John middleweight title eliminator. despite still expecting to be traded Lucas scored 17. Sturm, 34, suffered a second away from the side should the Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 17 points and nine rebounds. consecutive defeat in Duesseldorf right deal come along. Jamal Crawford chipped in 14 points, but the Clippers lost for yesterday having lost his WBA Zack Kassian sent a great pass the fifth time in their last seven games as they played without crown to Australia’s Daniel Geale back to Alexander Edler in the point guard Chris Paul -- who missed his sixth straight game last September. opening third and the Vancouver with a bruised right kneecap. The former champion suffered defenseman made no mistake and Los Angeles were also without forward Matt Barnes, who was the fourth loss of his career after a slammed the puck home for the suspended for the game by the NBA for striking Minnesota’s plucky display by Soliman, to whom early lead. REUTERS Greg Stiemsma in the neck in the second quarter of a victory the judges awarded the fight 116- over Minnesota on Wednesday. 111, 114-113, 114-113, to give the NHL Results Gay opened his Toronto tenure by scoring seven points in 39-year-old Australian a record the first quarter. of 43 wins, 17 KOs and 11 defeats. Washington 3 Philadelphia 2 He entered the contest with 5:10 remaining in the period and The German had needed to win the Carolina 1 Ottawa 0 little more than two minutes later finished off an alley-oop dunk bout to become the IBF number- Tampa Bay 8 Winnipeg 3 off a pass from DeRozan. one challenger in order to secure Detroit 5 St Louis 3 Gay added a second alley-oop dunk as the first quarter was a rematch against Geale, who beat Dallas 4 Phoenix 3 winding down. compatriot Anthony Mundine He said he thought he and his team-mates, in particular in Sydney last Wednesday, but Vancouver 2 Chicago 1 DeRozan, could mesh even better once they’d had more time Soliman is now set for a crack at Anaheim 3 Minnesota 1 to train together. AFP the IBF title. AFP SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Tour of Qatar Stages Today: Stage 1: Katara Cultural Village to Dukhan Beach, 145km Tomorrow: Stage 2: Al Rufaa Cavendish, Cancellara Street to Al Rufaa Street, 14km Tuesday, February 5 - Stage 3: Al Wakra to Mesaieed, 143km Wednesday, February 6 - Stage 4: Camel Race Track to Al Khor Corniche, 160km headline Qatar field Thursday, February 7 - Stage 5: Al Zubara Fort to Madinat Al Shamal, 154km Defending champ Boonen to miss event due to injury Friday, February 8 - Stage 6: Sealine Beach Resort to Doha DOHA: Top British cyclist already won stages (in Qatar). A picture taken on July 15, 2012 Corniche, 116km Mark Cavendish and Swiss He knows the parcours and the giant Fabian Cancellara will be conditions we will find in Qatar,” shows stage winner, Spain’s 18 teams consisting of 8 riders looking to gather serious early Peeters added. Luis Leon Sanchez. Blanco said Three jerseys season momentum when they “We will work for him to give yesterday they have suspended Gold - General individual kick-off their campaigns at the him the best situation for the Spanish rider Luis Leon Sanchez classification six-stage Tour of Qatar which sprint. But we also have other provisionally amid accusations begins today. riders who can do well in Qatar,” he was linked to Spanish doctor Silver - General points Cavendish - who won two stages he said. Eufemiano Fuentes in the classification in Qatar last year - will be lead- Boonen, the sprint star, has Operation Puerto blood doping Pearl White - Best young rider ing the charge for Omega-Pharma won 20 stages ever since the race racket. classification Quick Step (OPQS), a team that was launched in 2002. Team classification will miss the defending champion Cavendish, who arrived on Tom Boonen this year. Friday night, showed sparkling €103,375 euros of prize money Cancellara - a time-trial spe- form by winning the opening Sanchez including €10,000 euros for the cialist of considerable repute stage of the Tour de San Luis in overall winner - will start his Qatar campaign Argentina. with RadioShack Leopard today Zdenek Stybar will replace suspended Past Champions when the riders brace up for the Boonen who will also miss next Year, Rider, Team first stage. week’s Tour of Oman. Cavendish, winner of an aston- Also in the team are Iljo Keisse, over doping 2012 Tom Boonen, (BEL), ishing 23 stages at the Tour de Niki Terpstra, Matteo Trentin, Omega Pharma-Quick Step France, has been welcomed with Guillaume Van Keirsbulck, Stijn allegations 2011 Mark Renshaw, (AUS), open arms by the Omega-Pharma Vandenbergh and Martin Velits. HTC-Highroad Quick Step for the six-day race. Peeters said: “OPQS special- Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara (right) of Radioshack Leopard team cycles THE HAGUE: Blanco, for- Boonen, a four-time winner in ises in these kinds of races in the during a training session in Doha, Qatar, yesterday. The Tour of Qatar merly the Rabobank team, said 2010 Wouter Mol, (NED), Qatar, is still recovering from a desert, with a lot of wind. Mark begins today. yesterday they have suspended Vacansoleil minor operation to resolve a sep- (Cavendish) can benefit from the Spanish rider Luis Leon Sanchez 2009 Tom Boonen, (BEL), tic infection in his elbow, accord- experience of the team on this provisionally amid accusations Quick Step ing to reports. kind of parcour.” (Portugal), Yaroslav Popovych Cancellara, 31, will be a strong he was linked to Spanish doc- 2008 Tom Boonen, (BEL), “This year he (Tom Boonen) Meanwhile, Cancellara is one (Ukraine), Gregory Rast contender for a win in the 14 km tor Eufemiano Fuentes in the Quick Step can’t attend, so we will focus our of eight cyclists set to ride for (Switzerland) and Hayden time trial tomorrow. Operation Puerto blood doping attention on other riders, and of RadioShack Leopard this week Roulston (New Zealand). Other sprinters and clas- racket. 2007 Wilfried Cretskens, course Mark Cavendish,” Wilfried in Qatar. Cancellara, the 2008 Beijing sics rider in action in Qatar The Dutch team said it is inves- (BEL), Quick Step-Innergetic Peeters, the sporting director Other members of the Games champion in the men’s include Baden Cooke (Orica- tigating and would in the mean- 2006 Tom Boonen, (BEL), at Quick-Step, told the team’s RadioShack Leopard team road time trial, will be utilising GreenEdge), Daniele Bennati time not select Sanchez. Quick Step-Innergetic website. include Stijn Devolder (Belgium), the conditions in Qatar to get into (Team Saxo-Tinkoff), Russell “The object of this investigation 2005 Lars Michaelsen, (DEN), “We are happy to have a rider Tony Gallopin (France), Markel the right kind of condition for the Downing (NetApp-NetApp) is to verify or refute revelations Team CSC like Mark with us, who has Irizar (Spain), Nelson Oliveira spring classics campaign. Elia Viviani (Team Cannondale), which appeared in the Dutch Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro press on the subject of the role of 2004 Robert Hunter, (RSA), Team), John Degenkolb (Argos- our rider in the Fuentes affair,” Rabobank Shimano), Heinrich Haussler Blanco said in a statement. 2003 Alberto Loddo, (ITA), (IAM Cycling), Edvald Boasson Spanish police believe Sanchez Lampre Hagen and Geraint Thomas was a client of the doctor in 2002 Thorsten Wilhelms, (Team Sky) and Taylor Phinney 2006 while riding for the Liberty (GER), Team Coast (BMC Racing Team). Seguros team -- something the Eighteen teams will contest the 29-year-old denies. 2013 race. Sanchez has won several major The participating teams are titles, including the San Sebastian a mix of World Tour squads and Classic in 2010 and 2012, the 2009 Professional Continental outfits. Paris-Nice, the Tour Down Under A bunch of riders from Japan in 2005 and four stages of the are also part of the Tour this year. Tour de France. Each squad will field eight riders. Last Wednesday, a Spanish Sky squad includes Edvald judge refused to demand that Boasson Hagen, Bernhard Fuentes, the suspected mas- Eisel and Brits Luke Rowe, Ian termind of one of the sport- Stannard and Geraint Thomas. ing world’s biggest blood doping The first stage in Qatar starts rackets, provide the names of ath- with a 145km dash from Katara letes iThe ruling in the so-called Cultural Village in the heart of “Operation Puerto” case could the city to Dukhan Beach in the avert a huge fall-out from the Belgian rider Stijn Vandenbergh (left), British rider Mark Cavendish (centre) and Czech Zdenek Stybar of Omega west of the country. high-profile trial, with suspects Pharma Quick Step team walk to a training session in Doha, yesterday. RIGHT: Cavendish (centre) of the Pharma The 732.2km Tour of Qatar across the drug-tarnished world Quick Step team cycles during a training session. ends on February 8. of cycling and perhaps in other THE PENINSULA sports potentially at risk. AFP

Paes keeps Errani, Barthel to clash in final Indian hopes Serbia reach quarters; PARIS: Top seeded Italian Sara Errani will play Germany’s alive against Mona Barthel in the final of Spain face early exit the Paris Open after they both clinched easy semi-final victo- South Korea PARIS: Serbia and France world number eight, beat Amir ries yesterday. cruised into the Davis Cup Weintraub 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 before Errani was hardly tested as NEW DELHI: Veteran quarter-finals yesterday as five- world number 10 Richard Gasquet lucky loser Kiki Bertens of the Leander Paes teamed up with time champions Spain faced a breezed past Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-2, Netherlands retired injured in debutant Purav Raja to win the humiliating first round exit. 6-2. the first set with a back prob- doubles and keep India afloat Serbia, the 2010 champi- France will now either head lem when the 2012 French Open in the Asia-Oceania group one ons, reached the last eight for to Argentina or host Germany finalist was leading 5-0 and in full Davis Cup tie in New Delhi the fourth successive season in April -- the South Americans command. yesterday. when Viktor Troicki and Nenad led 2-0 after the opening day in Barthel sailed through the first Paes and Raja beat South Zimonjic defeated Steve Darcis Buenos Aires. set 6-1 against Frenchwoman Korea’s Lim Yong-Kyu and Nam and Ruben Bemelmans 6-4, 6-4, In Vancouver, Spain were trail- Kristina Mladenovic before Ji-Sung 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to pull 5-7, 6-4 to secure a 3-0 win over ing 2-0 against Canada, a country overcoming sterner resistence to one back for the badly depleted Belgium. who have never previously won a close out the match 6-4 and reach home team which had lost both The Serbs were 2-0 up over- World Group clash. today’s championship match. the opening singles on Friday. night in Charleroi when Troicki Missing top players Rafael Meanwhile, Maria Kirilenko India will, however, still need to survived a marathon battle to beat Nadal, David Ferrer, Nicolas of Russia and Germany’s Sabine win the two reverse singles today David Goffin 1-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), Almagro and Fernando Verdasco, Lisicki will meet in the Pattaya to qualify for the next round. 6-4, 6-4 before world number one Spain, the champions in three of Open final after both claimed Sara Errani of Italy (right) speaks to Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands who “Winning a Davis Cup tie still and Australian Open title-holder the last five years, and runners- straight set victories yesterday. forfeited her semi-final match at the 21st GDF Suez Tennis Open in Paris, excites me,” said 39-year-old Paes, Novak Djokovic eased past Olivier up in 2012, were blown off court. Second-seeded Kirilenko France, yesterday. who made his debut in the tour- Rochus 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Canadian veteran Frank needed just 67 minutes to over- nament in 1990. Serbia are likely to face the Dancevic, ranked 166th in the whelm fourth seed Sorana Cirstea “And nothing better than win- United States for a semi-final world, stormed to a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 of Romania 6-0, 6-2, and Lisicki lead 3-0, Cirstea failed to con- well, came to the net and made ning in front of your home crowd. place after the 32-time champi- victory over Marcel Granollers, beat Russia’s Nina Bratchikova vert three break points in the some excellent winning passes. Hopefully we can turn the reverse ons opened a 2-0 lead over Brazil ranked 34th, to put the hosts up 7-5, 6-3. next game, and she also began The first five games went singles our way,” he said. AFP in Florida. 2-0. Kirilenko was in blistering the second set in dismal form by against serve before Lisicki held In Rouen, Michael Llodra and World number 15 Milos Raonic form against a lethargic opponent dropping the opening game with for 4-2, and Bratchikova also Julien Benneteau teamed up to had opened the tie with a 6-7 who rarely raised a challenge. a double-fault. faced two break points before Davis Cup Results move France into the quarter- (5/7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Albert After Kirilenko broke twice to The Romanian finally held holding serve in the next game. India 1 South Korea 2 finals as they powered past Israeli Ramos. serve in the ninth game and then Lisicki then failed to serve out Leander Paes/Purav Raja (IND) bt Lim Yong-Kyu/ pairing Dudi Sela and Jonathan Spain, who haven’t lost in the broke to level the set at 2-2, but the set at 5-4 but broke serve Nam Ji-Sung (KOR) 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 Erlich. first round since 2006, now need Paris Open Results Kirilenko swiftly regained control again to lead 6-5, saving a break Serbia 3 - 0 Belgium The French duo won 7-6 (7/3), Granollers and Marc Lopez to to earn her best win since October point before claiming the set. 6-1, 6-0 in the doubles to cement beat Daniel Nestor and Vasek Viktor Troicki/Nenad Zimonjic (Serbia) beat Results from the Paris Open 2011. After breaking to lead 2-1 on an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the Pospisil in the doubles later yes- Women’s Singles Semi-final Ruben Bemelmans/Steve Darcis (Belgium) Fifth-seeded Lisicki failed to her fifth break point Lisicki’s tie. terday to stay alive in the tie. matches yesterday 6-4, 6-4 5-7, 6-4 find her best form in the early game finally clicked into gear and France had led 2-0 overnight “It was beautiful tennis - Mona Barthel (Germany) bt Kristina Mladenovic stages, making countless poor she produced some fine serves and France 3 Israel 0 in Arnaud Clement’s debut as unfortunately it was painful for (France) 6-1, 6-4; 1-Sara Errani (Italy) bt Kiki returns as she battled with an crisp winners to blunt her oppo- Michael Llodra/Julien Benneteau (FRA) bt Dudi national coach. us,” admitted Spain captain Alex Bertens (Netherlands) 5-0 (Bertens retired). enterprising opponent who rallied nent’s comeback. AGENCIES Sela/Jonathan Erlich (ISR) 7-6 (7/3), 6-1, 6-0 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the Corretja. AFP SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

PSG focused Revised format for 2013 on Beckham as a player: Sealine Cross-Country Rally Leonardo TOULOUSE, FRANCE: David Beckham may have coyly stated This year’s event to consist of four desert stages, longer route he expects to have a fight on his hands to take his place in Paris Saint Germain’s starting line- DOHA: This year’s Sealine up after his arrival this week in Cross-Country Rally, organ- the City of Light. ised by the Qatar Motor Yet PSG’s sporting director and Motorcycle Federation Leonardo insists the 37-year-old (QMMF), will be fought out is not coming to make up the over four special desert stages numbers. and will feature a longer route “You know what he brings on but a shorter timetable. the pitch -- he is renowned for The event is the third round his professionalism -- he is very of the 2013 FIA World Cup for rigorous with himself,” said the Cross-Country Rallies and round Brazilian. two of the FIM Cross-Country “If he has accepted this chal- Rallies World Championship and lenge it is because he figures he takes place from April 22 to 26. can rise to it on the pitch. Qatar’s premier off-road event “For us he is a player. We are entered the FIA and FIM World not here to have a good time or Championships for the first time have photshoots but to win titles. in April last year and was an “That’s what he has signed up unmitigated success. for -- and that alone.” Local hero Nasser Saleh Al Leonardo, who was in the Attiyah won the car category with dugout during one of Beckham’s an Overdrive Toyota Hilux, while loan spells with AC Milan, said Spaniard Marc Coma achieved after Thursday’s unveiling of the success with his KTM 450 in the former Manchester United and motorcycle category with Poland’s Real Madrid star that Beckham Rafal Sonik winning the quad would “surprise” many observers class on a Honda TRX. with his continued prowess on the Run under the guidance of pitch. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, presi- And speaking after Friday dent of the QMMF, this year’s evening’s 4-0 romp over Toulouse event will run over just four which cemented PSG’s place at desert special stages. A file picture of Marc Coma in action at the Sealine Cross-Country Rally in 2012. Coma won the motorcycle category. RIGHT: Qatar’s Faisal Al Attiya the top of Ligue 1, the Brazilian Britain’s Fred Gallagher is seen during the same event in this 2012 file picture. This year’s event will consist of four special desert stages which will begin on April 23. went further. will act as event director and “It’s normal there should be Portugal’s Pedro Almeida has questions (but) after the depar- been appointed as clerk of the “Because of that the rally will route of 250km on the final day. control centre, rally headquarters 26. Entries open for all categories ture of seven players and the course for the second year. Jaime be one day shorter than 2012 and “We are not planning to use any and all the media facilities will be on Thursday, February 21. arrival of two others (in the Santos and Marwan Musabah will finish on a Friday. We will repeated stages,” confirmed the situated at the bivouac and not at Supplementary regulations are transfer window) we will have a have compiled the road books. have four competitive days, four Portuguese. the nearby Sealine Beach Resort. now available for download from reduced squad” of 24, Leonardo The FIM section for motor- legs and four selective sections. “Plenty of new tracks will be The ceremonial start will get www.qmmf.com. told reporters. cycles and quads will run under The total length will be over used. If we compare to 2012, there proceedings under way on Doha Entries close at the reduced Among the departures are clerk of the course Iain Black and 1,500km,” he said. will be more off-road sections and Corniche from 6:30pm on Monday, rate on Thursday, March 14, Brazilian winger Nene, who has deputy clerk of the course Rashid Almeida added that each of the more tricky navigation,” he added. April 22 and the first of four with the final entry cut-off set joined Qatari club Al-Gharafa, Abdullah Al Sulaiti. first three legs will run over more QMMF president Al Attiyah desert legs begins on Tuesday, for Thursday, April 4. and France forward Guillaume “This year there will be no than 400km and the last will be also confirmed that the bivouac April 23. Full details on costs and conces- Hoarau, who has joined Chinese super special stage,” confirmed approximately 300km, with the will be located close to last year’s Action of the competition sions can be found on the QMMF outfit Dalian Aerbin. Almeida. bikes running a slightly shorter site at Sealine and that the rally draws to a close on Friday, April website. THE PENINSULA “He will therefore be an impor- tant guy. David Beckham is an exemplary player who has had an exemplary career in all respects, wining top honours throughout.” Third round of Arab Drag Race event draws end Leonardo said he had been DOHA: With a dashing adren- Manager of the club, as well as, impressed when Beckham played aline rush and extreme excite- Abdulrahman Kharji, Director of under him at San Siro in 2009. ment, the third round of the the Vice President’s office of the “He was always at a very high Arab Drag Race Championship club and the media center, and level. I was his coach - I saw him came to a close with the final Nick Cheliotis the events co-ordi- every day. race in the Qatar Racing Club nator, each crowned the winning “That is the most important located in the Industrial Area champions. thing with David Beckham, not yesterday. In the ‘pro extreme’ cate- his notoriety or what gets said The race witnessed large par- gory, US driver Frankie Taylor around him. ticipation from renowned world achieved first place after defeat- Khalid Al Balooshi Forbes magazine indicated that champions particularly from the ing his Anabi rival Alex Hossle (fourth left) of Beckham was a major factor in United States of America, which in the final race, recording a time Al Anabi is seen Real Madrid’s huge increase in is considered a hub for the drag of 3.769 seconds. after receiving a merchandise sales, which topped race sport, along with champions Hossler had won the second trophy during the $600m in his four years with the from the gulf region and Al Anabi round in first place, achieving a third round of the Spanish giants -- a 60 percent rise Drag Racing Team. time of just 3.534 seconds and Arab Drag Race within two seasons of his arrival. Meanwhile, huge masses con- quickly reached to 213.27 miles Championship in AFP tinued to take part of this cham- per hour after defeating his fellow Doha, yesterday. pionship who enjoyed a great deal Anabi driver Von Smith. of excellent performances among Smith achieved a time of 3.555 Ghana end Cape the participants. seconds and quickly reached to The results manifested by 212.43 miles per hour. Frank Verde’s run in the third round of the Arabian Taylor had also won the first Drag Racing League, as part of round achieving a new world its five rounds which determine record. Africa Cup the champions of its 11 categories, In the category of ‘Pro Nitrous’, ranks it as one of the most inter- Anabi driver, Khalid Al Balooshi PORT ELIZABETH, South nationally acclaimed and recog- captured the title after defeat- Africa: Ghana halted the fairy- nised Drag Race Championships. ing fellow Anabi driver Mike first place after defeating the Mohammed, who finished second. Kuwaiti rider Mishary Mesfer tale run of debutants Cape Yesterday’s round had brought Castellana with a time of 3.848 UAE driver Ali Yusuf Ali. Fans who attended yester- won first place while Saudi Verde in the Africa Cup of up a number of new world records, seconds. At one time, Al Balooshi Anabi driver Todd Tutterow, day’s race, also saw action in the Ibrahim Al Hofi finished in sec- Nations with a 2-0 quarter-final which undoubtedly made it a quickly reached 197.33 miles per won the ‘10.5W outlaw Back Half’ motorcycles category. ond place. win yesterday. treat to millions of drag race rid- hour. category, while American driver Bailey Vose, of the US won the In another race that took place Victory set up the Black Stars ers and enthusiasts from around In the category of ‘Top Steve Jackson triumphed in the ‘Pro Bike’ category, with Kuwaiti yesterday, UAE’s Mogammed Al for a February 6 semi-final clash the world. Sportsman’, Syrian driver Fady ‘Superstreet outlaw 8 cylinders,’ driver, Mohamed Borshid in sec- Mulla won the ‘Dragster’ category with the winners of Sunday’s fix- With an atmosphere of joy and Tamory achieved first place after category. ond place. edging his compatriot Mohammed ture between Burkina Faso and a huge crowd of excited fans, the defeating Emirati Ali Khalil In the category of ‘Superstreet Turkish rider Meshary also Abdullah, who finished in second Togo in Nelspruit. coronation ceremony for race cars Ansari in the final race. outlaw 6 cylinders’, Bahraini tasted glory when he defeated place. Substitute Mubarak Wakaso and motorcycles winners in each Elsewhere, in the category of driver Yousef Al Zayani won Kuwaiti Yaacoub Ali in the Qatari Nasser Al Suwaidi gave Ghana the lead in the 54th of the 11 categories took place, ‘4.50 competition index’, Saudi first place after defeating his fel- ‘Superstreet Bike’ category. finished in third place. minute when he fired home a where Fahad Behzad, General driver Hisham Mullah won the low Bahraini driver Mohammed In the category of ‘Street Bike’, THE PENINSULA penalty after skipper Asamoah Gyan was fouled inside the box by Carlitos. Wakaso doubled Ghana’s advantage in stoppage time when he ran half the length of the pitch to slot home after Cape Verde committed every player, includ- ing goalkeeper Vozinha, upfield for a corner. Wakaso’s opening goal ignited the clash and in the 59th minute Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda denied Platini as he parried a goal-bound effort for a corner. Cape Verde pressed for an equaliser. In the 82nd minute, Dauda pulled off the best save of the match when he dived full length to scramble away a goal-bound shot by substitute Djaniny. An Al Anabi Drag Racing Team car is seen before a race at Qatar Racing Club in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: A drag racing driver is seen in action during the third round of the Arab Drag Race In the 90th minute, Emmanuel Championship. The event attracted world champions from the United States as well as from the Gulf countries. Agyeman Badu was also denied in the late part of the match. AFP SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 England too strong for Scotland Rugby: Hosts start their Six Nations campaign with a 38-18 Calcutta Cup victory

LONDON: England started Ryan Grant had been held up, their Six Nations campaign Laidlaw passed to Maitland and with a 38-18 Calcutta Cup win he went in at the right corner. yesterday as Scotland’s 30-year Laidlaw missed the conver- wait for a Twickenham triumph sion and Scotland’s lead was was extended yet again. short-lived, with Farrell landing Scotland’s first match under another penalty to make it 6-5 to Australian interim coach Scott England. Johnson, assisted by ex-England Farrell and Laidlaw then forward Dean Ryan, saw them exchanged penalties, with score the first try of the 131st Scotland, beaten 21-15 by Tonga meeting between rugby’s old- last time out -- a defeat that led est international rivals as New to Andy Robinson’s resignation Zealand-born wing Sean Maitland as coach -- eager to run the ball. crossed on his Test debut. However, England eventually But England, fresh from their managed to retain possession long record-breaking 38-21 win over enough to score their first try 10 world champions New Zealand minutes before half-time. last time out, hit back through Twelvetrees advanced into the Chris Ashton’s 17th try in 30 22 and, after Joe Launchbury had Tests. gone close, it was wing Ashton And with fly-half Owen Farrell who grounded the ball. landing five out of five goalkicks Farrell added the conversion in the opening period, England led and England were 16-8 in front. 19-11 at half-time. That became 19-8 when, after That became 24-11 when cen- a high tackle by Scotland No 8 tre Billy Twelvetress marked his Johnnie Beattie, Farrell landed Test debut with a try shortly after a penalty from just short of the the break and lock Geoff Parling half-way line. increased England’s lead with his But Laidlaw’s penalty on the first international try. stroke of half-time reduced Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg, England’s interval lead to eight in a move started in front of his points. own line, scored a fine try 10 However, that became a minutes from time but England 15-point advantage in the 42nd replacement scrum-half Danny minute when scrum-half Ben Care rounded off the try-count Youngs fed Twelvetrees and the on the stroke of full-time. Gloucester midfielder, taking the “It was nice to get on the score- crash ball at pace, went over for board but it hasn’t sunk in yet,” a try that Farrell duly converted. Twelvetrees, in for the injured It looked as if England had Manu Tuilagi, told the BBC. “I put the match beyond Scotland’s just wanted to get out there and reach when Launchbury crossed England’s Billy Twelvetrees (centre) celebrates after scoring a try against Scotland during the Six Nations Rugby Union match at the Twickenham do what I do every weekend for only for his ‘try’ to be disallowed Stadium in London, yesterday. England won 38-18. Gloucester.” by Irish referee Alain Rolland England coach Stuart for a high tackle by hooker Tom Lancaster added: “I’m really Youngs earlier in the move. pleased with the scoreline. We But barely a minute later after Ireland survive Wales fightback definitely would have taken that Ben Youngs’s sniping break, at the start of the day. Farrell’s long cut-out pass found “That New Zealand game gave Parling, who went over in the CARDIFF, United Kingdom: men can now look forward to wel- probably left three or four tries into the corner. Sexton slotted us a lot of confidence and what corner. Ireland survived a second-half coming England to Dublin next out there as well,” he said. the conversion and Ireland con- we’ll do is continue to build on Farrell missed his first goal- comeback to kick-off their Six week, while wounded Wales face “To score three tries and be on tinued to exert their dominance that. Our intent to play (was kick in seven attempts but Nations campaign with a 30-22 a daunting trip to France. the losing side, you look back and on the encounter, threatening pleasing). Fair play to Scotland, England were now 20 points in victory yesterday and consign “The first game is a must- that first 20 minutes was key.” the Welsh whitewash on several their defence was outstanding.” front at 31-11. Wales to an eighth successive win otherwise you are chas- Wales made a bright start at occasions. England started brightly but it Scotland refused to fold, defeat. ing your tail for the rest the Millennium Stadium but Ireland settled for a Sexton was Scotland, searching for only though, and were rewarded with a Declan Kidney’s men raced of the Championship. We Ireland quickly took control of penalty on 21 minutes, as Andrew their fifth Twickenham victory in converted try in the 70th minute. into 30-3 lead thanks to tries started really well today,” said the encounter. Coombs came in from the side 46 matches, who scored the first England replacement back from Simon Zebo, Cian Healy and O’Driscoll. They launched a sustained and was fortunate to escape a try, in the 10th minute. Toby Flood was well-tackled by Brian O’Driscoll. Wales interim coach Rob period of pressure and they yellow card. Hogg burst through a gap in Richie Gray and David Denton The game appeared dead and Howley admitted his team paid raced into the lead thanks to a Within a matter of minutes England’s defence between wing forced a turnover. buried but Wales fought back with a heavy price for their first half bit of magic from veteran centre the visitors extended their lead Mike Brown and prop Dan Cole Maitland kicked on and found touchdowns of their own from problems when they slipped 23-3 O’Driscoll. further when Dan Biggar, mak- before brushing aside a weak Hogg, who then won the race to Alex Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny down. After Rob Kearney fixed the ing his first appearance in the tackle from full-back Alex Goode. his own fly-hack before Care had and Craig Mitchell. “We showed great charac- Welsh defence with a clever Six Nations, saw his clearance The ball went inside to scrum- the last word. AFP However, it was not enough as ter and resilience in the second dummy run, the Leinster legend charged down by Rory Best, who half Greig Laidlaw and after prop Ireland hung on, and Kidney’s half to come back into it, but we mesmerised them to send Zebo re-gathered. AFP Qatar Open Shotgun championship Qatar team training in Doha to begin from Febraury 5 at Losail DOHA: London Olympic Games bronze medallist Nasser Qatar Open Shotgun Saleh Al Attiyah will lead the host nation’s challenge Championship at the Qatar Open Shotgun Championship which will begin Schedule from February 5 at the Losail Shooting Complex. 5 February: 9:00am: Official Training The eight-day championship -Double Trap will be contested by shooters from 6 February 9:00: Double Trap - 150 26 countries, informed Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation Qatar’s Nasser Targets; 14:00: Semi-final (QSRF) officials here yesterday. Saleh Al Attiyah Double Trap, Medal Matches - Shooters from Algeria, celebrates Double Trap Australia, Russia, Finland, France with his fam- Germany, United Kingdom, China, ily members 7 February 9:00: Official Training - Skeet Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, after winning M/W Lebanon, Norway, Oman, Qatar, the gold medal 08 February 9:00 Skeet W 75 Targets Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and equal- Thailand, Turkey and United ling a world 10:00 Skeet M 50 Targets; 14:30 Arab Emirates will be taking part record at the Semifinal Skeet W, Medal in the championship. Losail Shooting Matches Skeet W Mohammed bin Ali Al Ghanim Complex dur- Maadheed, President of QSRF, ing the Asian 09 February: 10:00 Skeet M 75 Targets; said that all arrangements have 14:00 Semifinal Skeet M, been completed for the successful Shooting Medal Matches Skeet Men conduct of the event. Championships in this file pic- “The hosting of a high level 10 February: 9:00 Official Training - Trap ture of Janaury technical championship will ben- M/W efit our young Qatari shooters 18, 2012. who will gain experience. Most of 11 February 9:00 Trap W 75 Targets; 9:30 the world top shooters will be in Trap M 50 Targets, 14:00 Qatar for the event and hopefully Semi-final Trap W, Medal our young shooters will pick up a trick or two from them” said Matches Trap W Maadheed. 12 February 9:30 Competition Trap M 75 Ali Mohammed AlSheikh Targets; 13:00 Semifinal Trap Qatar football team goalkeeper Qassim Burhan talks to a member of the Al Kuwari is the Chairman M, Medal Matches Trap M coaching staff during a training session at Aspire Academy yesterday. of the Organising Committee Qatar will play against Malaysia in the 2015 Asian Cup qualifier to be Championship. Venue: Losail Shooting Complex, Doha held on February 6. THE PENINSULA Sunday 3 February 2013 22 Rabial I Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5599 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Steyn helps South Africa bundle Pakistan out for 49 Fast bowler takes six wickets for eight runs at the Wanderers

JOHANNESBURG: Dale than two seasons that the world’s Steyn was outstanding, bowl- Steyn sent Pakistan crashing to number one Test team had bowled ing at high pace and making a new low as South Africa took out opponents for less than 50. the ball move away disconcert- control on the second day of Australia were routed out for ingly from the right-handed the first Test at the Wanderers 47 in 2011/12 and New Zealand batsmen. Stadium yesterday. were dismissed for 45 earlier this He started Pakistan’s collapse Steyn took six for eight in 8.1 season. Both matches were in by taking three wickets in 14 balls overs as Pakistan were shot out Cape Town. at the start of the day and fol- for 49, four fewer than their pre- AB de Villiers equalled the lowed up with three more in 12 vious lowest total of 53 against South African wicketkeeping deliveries to wrap up the innings Stephen Gallacher of Scotland fol- Australia in Sharjah in 2002/03. record by holding six catches soon after lunch. lows his shot during the third round South Africa led by 204 runs on and there were three catches in Batting conditions remained of the Dubai Desert Classic golf the first innings but decided not the slips as the Pakistan bats- difficult at the start of South tournament in Dubai, yesterday. to enforce the follow on. men failed to cope with top qual- Africa’s second innings but The hosts were 207 for three in ity bowling on a pitch with steep Graeme Smith and Alviro their second innings at the close, and sometimes variable bounce as Petersen put on 82 for the first Double eagle an overall lead of 411, with Graeme well as some sideways movement. wicket. Smith (52), Hashim Amla (50 not Vernon Philander took two for Three wickets fell in quick out) and AB de Villiers (63 not 16 and Jacques Kallis two for 11. succession before Hashim Amla joy puts out) hitting half-centuries. Azhar Ali (13) and captain and AB de Villiers pressed home It was another triumph for Misbah-ul-Haq (12) were the only South Africa’s advantage with South Africa’s barrage of fast Pakistan batsmen to reach double an enterprising unbeaten fourth Gallacher in bowlers and the third time in less figures. wicket stand of 108. AFP Dubai lead Scoreboard Lowest Pakistan Test South Africa (I innings): ...... 253 Bowling: Philander 9-5-16-2; Steyn 8.1-6-8- Innings Scores DUBAI: Stephen Gallacher Pakistan (I innings): 6; Morkel 6-3-11-0 (1w); Kallis 6-2-11-2. fired two eagles on the back Ten lowest Pakistan Test innings nine in a remarkable bogey-free Mohd Hafeez c De Villiers b Steyn ...... 6 South Africa (II innings): totals. Nasir Jamshed lbw Steyn ...... 2 A Petersen c Mohd Hafeez b Umar Gul ...... 27 round of 10-under par 62 to take 49 vs South Africa (Johannesburg) Feb. 2 a three-shot lead into the final Azhar Ali c De Villiers b Kallis ...... 13 G Smith c S Ahmed b Umar Gul...... 52 2013 Younis Khan c Smith b Steyn ...... 0 H Amla (batting) ...... 50 day of the $2.5m Omega Dubai 53 vs Australia (Sharjah) October 11 2002 Desert Classic. Misbah-ul-Haq c De Villiers b Kallis ...... 12 J Kallis c A Shafiq b S Ajmal ...... 7 59 vs Australia (Sharjah) October 11 2002 Asad Shafiq c De Villiers b Philander...... 1 A de Villiers (batting) ...... 63 Gallacher, nephew of the 62 vs Australia (Perth) November 13 1981 Sarfraz Ahmed c De Villiers b Steyn ...... 2 Extras (LB-4, NB-3, W-1) ...... 8 former European Ryder Cup cap- 72 vs England (Birmingham) August 6 2010 Umar Gul c Smith b Philander ...... 0 Total (for 3 wkts) ...... 207 tain Bernard, rattled the pin with 72 vs Australia (Perth) December 16 2004 Saeed Ajmal c De Villiers b Steyn ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-82, 2-87, 3-99. his second shot on the par-5 13th Junaid Khan (not out) ...... 8 Bowling: Umar Gul 9-2-25-2 (1w); Junaid 74 vs England (Lord’s, London) August 26 and then holed his bunker shot on 2010 Rahat Ali c Du Plessis b Steyn ...... 0 Khan 11-1-41-0 (3nb); Rahat Ali 11-1-44-0; the 18th from 30 yards. Extras (LB-3, W-1) ...... 4 Mohammad Hafeez 5-0-32-0; Saeed Ajmal 77 vs West Indies (Lahore) November 7 That, along with six other bird- 1986 Total (all out) ...... 49 16-1-61-1; Younis Khan 1-1-0-0. ies, helped him reach 21-under 80 vs England (Nottingham) July 29 2010 South Africa’s Dale Steyn (left) celebrates after taking the wicket of par 195 after three rounds. Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-12, 3-12, 4-36, 5-37, Match situation: South Africa lead by 411 runs Pakistan’s Nasir Jamshed during the second day of their first Test match 6-39, 7-39, 8-40, 9-41. with seven wkts remaining in the 2nd innings. 87 vs England (Lord’s, London) June 10 The 195 total of the 38-year-old 1954 in Johannesburg, yesterday. Scotsman was one better than the tournament record of 20-under par set by Tiger Woods during his first visit to the UAE in 2001. The lowest winning total in the tournament is 22-under par by Thomas Bjorn that same year. Rooney goal sends Man South Africa’s Richard Sterne, leader after the first two days at 12-under par, added a solid third round of six-under par 66. Two shots behind Sterne’s 198 United 10 points clear was rising Danish star Thorbjorn Olesen (67), while Chile’s Felipe LONDON: Manchester United “I remember watching him for Aguilar (66) and India’s Jeev overcame a floodlight failure to English Premier Toulouse 14 months ago, and I Milkha Singh (67) were tied for win 1-0 at Fulham through a thought he was the one for us. We the fourth place at 14-under par late Wayne Rooney goal yester- League Results watched him and set our sights on 202.World No8 Lee Westwood day as Alex Ferguson’s side went him for a long time.” made a charge with a 66 that 10 points clear at the top of the LONDON: English Premier Defeat left Chelsea six points moved him to ninth place at 204, Premier League. League results yesterday: behind City and 16 points shy of nine shots behind the leader. An open first half saw the Arsenal 1 (Podolski 78) Stoke 0 Manchester United. AFP woodwork rattled four times, Everton 3 (Anichebe 21, Fellaini 69, 90+3) “There were too many mis- with Bryan Ruiz hitting the Aston Villa 3 (Benteke 2, 61, Agbonlahor 24) takes,” said Chelsea interim man- post for Fulham, while Patrice Fulham 0 Manchester Utd 1 (Rooney 79) ager Rafael Benitez. Dubai Desert Evra, Fulham defender Brede Newcastle 3 (Gutierrez 41, Sissoko 68, 90) Arsenal left it late to beat

Hangeland and Rooney all sent Chelsea 2 (Lampard 55, Mata 61) Stoke City 1-0 and move to within Classic Results the ball against the frame of the QPR 0 Norwich 0 a point of the Champions League DUBAI: Third-round scores hosts’ goal. places. in the $2.5m Omega Dubai Reading 2 (Kebe 7, 85) Sunderland 1 (Gardner A floodlight failure in the 43rd Substitute Lukas Podolski set- Desert Classic yesterday at 29-pen) minute plunged Craven Cottage tled the game in the 78th minute the par-72 Majlis course of into darkness and forced the West Ham 1 (Carroll 77) Swansea 0 with a low free-kick that deflected Emirates Golf Club: players off the pitch, but they Wigan 2 (Caldwell 25, Maloney 90) Southampton off Geoff Cameron to wrong-foot 195 Stephen Gallacher (SCO) 63-70-62 2 (Lambert 64, Schneiderlin 85) returned to complete the first goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. 198 Richard Sterne (RSA) 62-70-66 half after the lights came back on. Playing today At Goodison Park, Marouane 200 Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN) 67-66-67 Rooney netted the winner in West Bromwich Albion vs Tottenham Fellaini headed in an injury-time 202 Felipe Aguilar (CHI) 68-68-66, Jeev the 79th minute, haring down the (1330GMT), equaliser to earn Everton a 3-3 Milkha Singh (IND) 68-67-67, Tommy inside-left channel and steering draw in a breathless game at Manchester City vs Liverpool (1600GMT) Fleetwood (ENG) 65-68-69 the ball into the bottom-right home to Aston Villa, who once corner to send United well clear Newcastle ahead in the first half, again failed to defend a lead and 203 Steve Webster (ENG) 69-69-65, of second-place Manchester City, Chelsea hit back through fine remain firmly entrenched in the Maximilian Kieffer (GER) 66-68-69, who host Liverpool today. goals from Frank Lampard and bottom three. 204 Lee Westwood (ENG) 67-71-66, Earlier in the day, new signing Juan Mata to take a 2-1 lead, A Christian Benteke brace and 205 Robert Rock (ENG) 70-68-67, Justin Moussa Sissoko completed a sec- but Sissoko equalised in the 68th a goal from Gabriel Agbonlahor Walters (RSA) 68-70-67, Noh Seung- ond-half brace with a last-minute minute before driving home his meant Villa were 3-1 up with 21 Yul (KOR) 66-72-67, Gareth Maybin winner to give Newcastle United late winner. minutes to play, Victor Anichebe (NIR) 69-67-69, Marcus Fraser (AUS) a 3-2 victory at home to Chelsea “I don’t need to say anything having replied for Everton, only 67-69-69, Andy Sullivan (ENG) 69-67- Fulham’s Costa Rican striker Bryan Ruiz (left) vies with Manchester that prevented the visitors from because his performance said it for a second-half double from 69, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 70-66-69, Andreas United’s Portuguese midfielder Nani during their English Premier League making ground on the top two. all,” said Newcastle manager Alan Fellaini to give Everton a share Harto (DEN) 67-67-71, Chris Doak (SCO) match at Craven Cottage Stadium in London, England, yesterday. After Jonas Gutierrez put Pardew of Sissoko. of the spoils. AFP 65-69-71