QATAR | Page 20 CRICKET | Page 34 India end Women’s World INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 3, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 Cup on ARAB WORLD 4, 5 BUSINESS 21-27 13,934.20 8,757.59 95.72 INTERNATIONAL 6-16 CLASSIFIED 28, 29 Fun at Souq Waqif -52.37 -11.61 -0.90 ISLAM 17 SPORT 29-36 a high -0.37% -0.13% -0.93% Spring Festival Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXIII No. 8897 February 8, 2013 Rabia-I 27, 1434 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals In brief Golden Sword winner Anti-drug

QATAR | Finance Govt posts $26bn budget surplus in July-Sept Qatar’s government budget leaped centre for into a large surplus of QR94.6bn ($26.0bn) in the July-September period, the second quarter of its 2012/13 fiscal year, preliminary central bank data showed yesterday. The fiscal surplus of the world’s No. 1 exporter of liquefied GCC opens natural gas was equivalent to 53.9% of gross domestic product in the period, according to the central bank. It was more than double the QR42.2bn surplus recorded in the same quarter of the previous year, and compared with an QR18.5bn in Doha deficit in April-June. That put the cumulative surplus at QR76.1bn in By Ayman Adly He pointed out that large quantities April-September. Staff Reporter of narcotic substances, including hash- ish, heroin, cocaine and hallucination pills, and other types of illicit drugs QATAR | Report arking a huge step in the fi ght had been seized in joint GCC raids. As Food consumption and against drug abuse in the many as 23 dealers have been arrested farm produce up in 2011 MGCC, the Gulf Drugs Preven- and convicted while some others are HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday attended the Annual Pure-bred Arabian Horse Race for tion Information Centre (GDPIC) was still under investigation. The annual rate of food HH The Heir Apparent Sword and two trophies at the Racing and Equestrian Club. HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, the yesterday inaugurated in Doha by HE The primary strategy of the centre consumption in Qatar was 884kg Personal Adviser of HH the Emir, a number of their excellencies Sheikhs and ministers also attended the race along with horse the Minister of State for Interior Af- was approved way back in 2009 and it per person in 2011 compared to owners and racing fans. After the race HH the Heir Apparent handed the Golden Sword to HE Sheikh Hamad bin Mishaal bin fairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin started functioning in April 2010. The only 711kg in 2009, a report of Hamad al-Thani, owner of “Al-Mujahaz” the winner of the main 7th race. The Heir Apparent also handed the two trophies of the Khalifa al-Thani, and GCC Secretary formal inauguration of the centre’s of- the Ministry of Environment has 5th and 6th races to HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani and the owner of both “Tabarak” and “Very Nice Name”. Page 36 General Abdul Latif al-Zayani. fi ce took place in Doha yesterday. revealed. Food imports in 2011 The GDPIC, the fi rst-of-its-kind The centre, said Col al-Muraikhi, has amounted to 2,934,033 tonnes centre in the GCC, aims to facilitate the signed an agreement with the United and 3,456,489 tonnes in 2009. exchange of information and experi- Nations Offi ce on Drugs and Crime The arable area in the country ence in related fi elds for the benefi t of for technical and training support. Be- remained the same through 2009- all the countries in the region. sides, steps are afoot to sign a memo- 2011, with around 65,000 hectares. After the inauguration, the minister randum of understanding (MoU) with The number of farms reached toured the facilities at the centre and the Dubai Police for training and an- 1,281 in 2011 with an increase in the Emir calls for unifi ed got acquainted with its technical and other with the International Criminal local production of vegetables and technological capabilities, its main Police Organisation (Interpol) for pos- other agricultural products. The duties and how it could carry out the sible co-operation in the fi eld. The GD- annual report on agriculture and task of co-ordination among the GCC PIC also works in close co-ordination consumption rate of food items member-states. with drug prevention centres in Europe published yesterday in local Arabic vision to face challenges Col Saqr Rashid al-Muraikhi, GDPIC and other regions. daily Al-Sharq indicates that director, said the centre is the outcome The centre has convened three spe- the total cultivated land in 2011 QNA lenges requires attention to human as well as achieving the unity of the Is- of the joint eff orts of GCC countries cialised training courses with the UN amounted to 9,021 hectares with Cairo development and youth issues and not lamic nation on the basis of tolerance in drug prevention. Outlining the key and held a regional workshop on chem- a production of 386,877 tonnes of to marginalise them, in addition to un- and the recognition of diversity as a functions of the centre, he said the GD- ical precursors. food. In 2010 this area was 10,505 derstanding their aspirations through source of strength and richness, and on PIC facilitates the collection of infor- Al-Zayani expressed his gratitude to hectares with a production of H the Emir of Qatar Sheikh education, employment, the elimina- the basis of common interests, the em- mation, investigation and surveillance HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa 469,004 tonnes. Hamad bin Khalifa al-Tha- tion of unemployment and to involve bracement of peoples’ aspirations, and operations in co-ordination with com- al-Thani for his support. “This indi- Hni has called on the Islamic them in decision-making. the unity of visions in common issues. petent entities to suppress any attempt cates the keenness of the ministries of countries to crystallise a unifi ed vision HH the Emir highlighted the neces- Commenting on Israel’s de facto of illegal trade in drugs. It also gathers interior in the GCC to address issues ARAB WORLD | Unrest to face the challenges of the present sity of spreading the correct teachings strategy, including the new settlement information on all illegal dealings in that aff ect the people of the region. The Tunisia presidency has and the future in a changing world of Islam and deepening rapprochement decisions, the Judaisation of Jerusa- drugs, chemicals and hallucination pills, issue of drugs aff ects health, education, where barriers were crumbling and and peaceful coexistence with others, lem, and practices that prevent the es- stores the data and analyses the same for economic development and the overall ‘no info’ on new govt crises were crossing borders from one tablishment of a sovereign Palestinian the benefi t of interested parties. security of the region,” he said. The Tunisian presidency country to another. state, HH the Emir said these measures said yesterday that it had no He said nihilist terrorism, which has Islamic states urge ‘serious constituted a challenge to the interna- information about a government no regard for reality of the present and dialogue’ on Syria tional community and a clear violation of non-partisan technocrats that future of communities and nations of international law and human values. Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali said and which uses religion as a cover, Leaders of Islamic states called for On the Syrian crisis, the Emir said would be formed, after his own remained one of the most important a peaceful resolution to the Syrian the crisis would only end if the cur- party rejected the move. “The challenges facing the Islamic nation as confl ict through “serious dialogue” rent regime relinquishes power or gets president has not received the a threat to social peace and the secu- between the regime and its foes, as Iran toppled, and an immediate cessation resignation of the prime minister rity of the Islamic peoples. voiced reservations, at a summit in of violence is in place, with Syrian nor the details of the cabinet This came in a speech of HH the Emir Cairo yesterday. people getting the right to self-deter- of technocrats announced by delivered at the 12th Islamic Summit in Leaders and representatives of the mination so as to preserve the unity, the prime minister,” presidency Cairo. The Emir explained that these Organisation of Islamic Co-operation stability, and sovereignty of Syria. spokesman Adnene Manser told challenges required four matters, the also said they support eff orts to help He stressed that the Security Coun- reporters. Jebali, who hails from fi rst is the need to adopt dialogue and Mali “regain its territorial integrity” . cil is to shoulder a historic responsi- the ruling Islamist party Ennahda, negotiations and other peaceful means The OIC called for a “serious dialogue bility in ending the Syrian bloodshed said on Wednesday evening that he as an optimised way to resolve disputes between the opposition (National) through the employment of Chap- would form a new administration between states, as well as between con- Coalition and government offi cials who ter VII of the Charter, including the of non-political technocrats, but fl icting parties in one state, and away believe in political change and are not prompt issuing of a binding cease- Ennadha’s parliamentary leader from the fuelling religious racism. directly involved in the repression” in fi re decision, sending peacekeeping said his bloc of MPs rejected the HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al- Syria, said spokesman Tareq Ali Bakhit. forces, and ensuring a peaceful power HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani cutting the ribbon with al-Zayani idea. Page 5 Thani noted that addressing the chal- transition. to open the Gulf Drugs Prevention Information Centre. HRW urges Qatar to protect migrant workers’ rights

By Bonnie James rights, has urged Qatari authorities to Nicholas McGeehan, a Middle East laws and sanction the violators.” Deputy News Editor impose sanctions on violators of laws researcher with HRW, was of the view “We have seen the beginnings of designed to protect migrant workers’ that “Qatar cannot aff ord to run a 21st some political will, but it has to go for- rights. century World Cup with a 19th century ward further,” he said. atar should set out a timetable HRW has called upon the Qatari labour system.” The HRW offi cials recounted that “as soon as practically pos- authorities “to ensure migrant work- “We have had discussions with the migrant workers reported “‘exten- Qsible to abolish the sponsor- ers have not paid illegal recruitment Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee and sive violations of labour law in Qatar.” ship system and militate against the fees, and prohibit companies from do- are impressed by their commitment. “Common complaints included late serious threat of traffi cking and forced ing business with recruitment agen- But there is a lack of reforms in key ar- or unpaid wages. Some lived in over- labour,” Human Rights Watch (HRW) cies and subcontractors, in Qatar and eas,” he said. crowded and unsanitary labour camps, has urged. abroad, that impose illegal charges on HRW, which also spoke to Qatar’s with no access to potable water, were “We understand change cannot be workers.” National Human Rights Committee not properly ventilated, and not fur- brought forth overnight in a country “The 2022 World Cup presents Qatar and Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, hopes nished with functioning air-condition with over a million migrant workers,” with an unprecedented opportunity to to work together in partnership, ac- units.” Jan Egeland, deputy executive direc- take the lead on migrant workers’ rights cording to McGeehan. McGeehan asserted that the “fi nd- tor, told Gulf Times yesterday after an- in the Gulf region, and to leave a posi- Egeland believes that Qatar has plans ings of our report are representative of nouncing the key observations from tive and lasting legacy,” Egeland stated. for positive change. “We will monitor the situation in Qatar.” HRW’s World Report 2013. “We are calling for a great games and this each and every year until 2022,” he “Qatar’s increasing prominence on HRW, one of the world’s leading in- not a boycott. It is a great thing that declared. the international stage should not di- dependent organisations dedicated the World Cup is coming to the Arab McGeehan urged that “Qatar ought vert attention from its domestic rights Jan Egeland Nicholas McGeehan to defending and protecting human world,” he said. to enforce the good laws, repeal the bad record,” Egeland said. Page 3 Gulf Times 2 Friday, February 8, 2013 QATAR

Infl uenza vaccines safe for breastfeeding women Vaccination to protect against influenza is not only safe for breastfeeding women but also recommended, says Dr Mohamed Ilyas Khan, clinical associate and certified lactation Residents urged to get consultant (obstetrics and gynaecology department), Al Khor Hospital. Dr Khan asserts that according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “breastfeeding is fully compatible with flu vaccinated against fl u vaccination”. “The CDC recommends ith temperatures fatally ill from infl uenza if they influenza immunisation Dr Mohamed Ilyas Khan, dropping and infl u- do not get the vaccine. In par- for all persons who are six clinical associate and certified Wenza cases on the rise, ticular, children below fi ve years months of age or older. To lactation consultant residents of Qatar have been ad- can get very sick because they protect infants and young (obstetrics and gynaecology vised to visit primary healthcare have small airways.” children, it specifically department), Al Khor Hospital. centres and get the infl uenza Residents not belonging to recommends the flu vaccine without any delay. these high-risk groups can also vaccine for women who are best flu protection for infants “It is best for everyone to get ask for the vaccine from their breastfeeding and other is prevention. With the vaccinated to avoid getting sick primary health centres. Those household members and mother’s vaccination and and exposing one’s family, espe- with severe allergies, however, contacts of children less breastfeeding, protective cially children and other high- should not get vaccinated while than five years of age,” said antibodies may be transferred risk persons, to the virus,” said those who have fever should de- Dr Robert M Lawrence in through the breast milk, Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, head of lay getting the vaccine until their Breastfeeding Medicine, further reducing an infant’s the infectious diseases depart- condition improves. the off icial journal of the risk of infection. ment at Hamad Medical Corpo- Those who are travelling dur- Academy of Breastfeeding He mentioned a recent article ration (HMC). ing the winter are advised to get Medicine (ABM), of which he in the New England Journal “We recommend that people vaccinated at least two weeks is senior associate editor. of Medicine that reported obtain the vaccine as soon as - and preferably one month - Dr Lawrence is also a professor on a study of flu vaccination possible during the cold months, before they travel, especially if of paediatric immunology in pregnant women, which which are usually over by April they are going to countries with and infectious diseases at showed it not only to be secure or May.” known endemic diseases such as the University of Florida, and eff ective in protecting Dr al-Khal said there has meningitis or malaria. Gainesville. pregnant women against been a noticeable increase in the Dr al-Khal said they have con- ABM president Arthur Eidelman influenza infection, but also number of infl uenza cases this ducted a two-week campaign to said in the same journal. safe for the baby. winter. “We are seeing more cas- vaccinate clinical and support “Protecting a breastfeeding Researchers from the United es of A(H3N2) virus as compared staff across HMC. mother against flu also States National Institutes of to more A(H1N1) cases last year.” “Infl uenza usually lasts for reduces the risk of Health and the Norwegian Because the virus changes fi ve days. However, if it lasts transmission to her infant Institute of Public Health from year to year, the vaccine longer than that, people should and other young children have found that among will also be slightly diff erent consult their physician because in the household, who are pregnant women with from the previous one. “Getting infl uenza can at times result in at especially high risk for influenza during pregnancy, infected with one infl uenza virus Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, head of the infectious diseases department at Hamad Medical Corporation. another infection. The elderly influenza complications.” the risk of foetal death does not give protection for the can develop bacterial infection Flu vaccines and antiviral increases two-fold. next year or against other infl u- get sick from, and the current patients who are at higher risk, Dr al-Khal said it is safe for or pneumonia. Most people who medication are not Breastfeeding does not enza types. This means people vaccine will protect against all of such as elderly people, children, pregnant women and children suff er from infl uenza are at risk recommended for children who adversely aff ect a woman’s who got vaccinated last year will them,” Dr al-Khal explained. those with chronic ailments aged six months and above to even if they get better, and can are less than six months and immune response and a still need to get the new vaccine “We have requested physi- such as heart or lung disease (eg be vaccinated. “It is also very still develop what is called sec- one-year old, respectively. breastfeeding mother can this year. Also, there are three cians to give the infl uenza vac- asthma), and pregnant women,” important for them to be vacci- ondary pneumonia or lung in- Dr Khan advises that the receive the influenza vaccine. types of infl uenza that one can cine to certain categories of he added. nated, because they can become fection due to bacteria.” DIA gears up to Qatar Charity conducts meet holiday rush Arabic course for teachers

oha International Airport bles passengers to check-in be- offi ce or anywhere through their atar Charity (QC) has (DIA) has geared up to tween 24 and 48 hours prior to mobile devices. Passengers can organised an Arabic Dmeet the large increase in their scheduled fl ight departure print their boarding passes be- Qcourse for teachers in passenger traffi c in the departure time depending on the airline. fore arriving at DIA to reduce co-operation with the Interna- terminals from the weekend in Check-in can be done at home, their check-in time upon arrival. tional Universe Academy. view of the forthcoming school The course teaches Arabic midterm holidays that begin on via a “nature and practice” ap- February 10. proach and is aimed at local The arrivals terminal at DIA teachers. is also expected to be extremely Doha Airport handles They will learn to be facili- busy for holidaying families re- tators of the learning process, turning to Doha from February 1. making the transition from a DIA has advised passengers more than 21mn focus on knowledge content to check-in online and arrive to the processes of learning, at least three hours before their building and producing, ulti- scheduled departure time as in- passengers in 2012 mately enabling them to teach creased queuing times through- classical Arabic to students ef- out the terminals are expected. fectively. Doha International Airport will oha International Airport which has been spearheaded “This partnership with the deploy additional staff in the de- (DIA) handled more than by the huge infrastructure im- International Universe Acad- parture and arrival terminals and D21mn passengers in 2012 provements taking place in the emy aims at rooting and con- open more check-in counters at with passenger numbers grow- country. solidating values so that they the departure lounges to reduce ing by 17.4% last year compared Operations will switch to are present since childhood, queues, ensuring that passengers with 2011. Hamad International Airport, working on the development of continue to enjoy a pleasant ex- DIA expects the passenger formerly known under the language skills and helping cre- perience at the airport. numbers to grow even further project working name New ate a professional competence To help reduce traffi c conges- with operations getting switched Doha International Airport, in teachers who employ mod- tion and delays for passengers in in phases to Hamad Internation- within weeks. ern technology, as part of Qatar front of the departures and ar- al Airport from April 1. It will be a world class avia- Charity’s initiative to support rivals terminals, it is advisable “The outlook for 2013 is an- tion hub, set to initially open the Arabic language,” said Ib- A class in Arabic language in progress at Qatar Charity. for those seeing off passengers, ticipated to be very positive for for some 11 airlines on April 1, rahim al-Muhannadi, executive as well as meet and greet indi- Doha International Airport,” the before beginning full opera- director of QC’s local develop- educational curriculum in the language teaching in such ity of the initiative. viduals to park their vehicles in authorities said yesterday. tions by the second half of this ment department. countries in which it operates, countries would benefi t their QC has set up a large number the short term parking. Doha International Airport year. The project, which has wit- in order to respond to the grow- projects by gaining them offi - of cultural centres in Europe Passengers are also encour- has undergone a drastic change The new airport will off er a nessed considerable success ing need for Arabic for non- cial support and that if fund- and other countries of the world aged to use the web check-in over the last three years, vir- convenient and effi cient passen- so far, has been running for six native speakers, particularly in ing was obtained for the ini- and the centre receives a large facility provided by Qatar Air- tually doubling in size to cope ger gateway for the region, with years now. QC is also seeking non-Arab Muslim states. tiatives by the donor partners number of requests for teaching ways and most other airlines. with the huge demand for an initial capacity for 24mn pas- to propose classical Arabic lan- The organisation believes of the benefi ciary countries it Arabic to non-native speakers The web check-in service ena- air travel to and from Qatar, sengers annually. guage teaching as part of the that the adoption of Arabic would ensure the sustainabil- in various countries . Prince Hassan of Jordan visits NU-Q, Silatech

rince Hassan bin Talal of fi eld of journalism through reli- Jordan met students at able reporting and critical think- PNorthwestern University ing. “Try to be truthful to your- in Qatar (NU-Q) and shared his self, and then try to be truthful views on a variety of issues. with others,” he advised. “It’s During his visit to Qatar, not only the art of conversing, Prince Hassan also held a dis- but it’s also the art of listening cussion with the management that is important.” and staff of Silatech at its head- At Silatech, he was introduced quarters in Doha. to a number of the organisation’s Speaking to NU-Q students of main initiatives in the areas of a Media Law and Ethics class, he entrepreneurship, employabil- addressed the role of the press in ity and engagement for youth in Arab societies, emphasising the the region. Prince Hassan and importance of open dialogue - the Silatech staff then discussed whether positive or negative - on issues such as inter-faith toler- social and political issues in the ance and dialogue, challenges Middle East. Journalists “can facing the Arab youth, the re- only help the process if knowl- lationship of peace and stabil- edge is burst open”, he said. ity with economic development, Prince Hassan also gave stu- and the road ahead. dents insight into Jordan’s up- He expressed hope that the coming national census, stress- people of the region could bridge ing the need for accessible data their ethnic, sectarian and na- about the region. He encouraged tional diff erences to work to- Prince Hassan bin Talal discussing with NU-Q students how journalists can NU-Q students to enhance the gether for the common good. Prince Hassan at Silatech. overcome bureaucracy in the Middle East by tapping into off icial sources. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 3 QATAR Peruvians eagerly looking forward to Emir’s state visit By Ramesh Mathew agreements,” added Marcovich. He their country has identifi ed two focal Staff Reporter disclosed that during the delibera- points — investments and trade — to tions, issues such as energy, dissemi- building and strengthening relations nation of news through offi cial agen- with the GCC states. Peru has opened he South American nation of cies, legal aff airs and availability of the doors for foreign investments. Peru hopes its growing rela- visas for diplomatic passport holders During the meeting with the del- Ttions with the GCC states in fi gured prominently. egation, director of Peruvian Ministry recent years would be mutually ben- The Peruvian delegation held meet- of Foreign Trade and Tourism Alvaro efi cial to the people of this region and ings with the CEO of Qatar Airways, Silva-Santisteban said their country their country in the coming years. Akbar al-Baker, and offi cials of Min- has immense natural resources and Speaking to Gulf Times yesterday, istry of Energy and Industries, Su- large tracts of agricultural lands which Santiago Marcovich, senior offi cial preme Education Council, Ministry of could be leased for people of this re- from the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Municipal Aff airs etc. The offi cial said gion for their food security. Aff airs, said their nation was eagerly their earnest hope is that improved “Ours is a country with consider- looking forward to the state visit of connectivity between the two nations able levels of agricultural produc- HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Kha- would contribute substantially to tion. We are the largest producers of lifa al-Thani, scheduled to begin on strengthening the relations between asparagus in the world. Peru also has February 14. the two countries in the coming years. substantial production of mangoes, “We Peruvians are extremely happy “In the last three years, there has evaporated milk and fi sh oils for ex- at the scheduled visit of Qatar’s Emir been a phenomenal improvement in ports,” he said, while highlighting the to our country during which a number the relations between Peru and coun- rich natural resources and minerals, of agreements and MoUs between tries of the region. Besides Qatar, Pe- including iron ore and silicate in their the two countries are expected to be ruvian embassies were opened in Ku- country. signed,” said Marcovich, whose an- wait and Saudi Arabia and a General Qatar’s requirements in its grow- cestors migrated to Peru from Croatia Consulate and trade offi ce was opened ing construction sector could be ef- more than 100 years ago. in Dubai,” said Markovich. fectively met through imports from A seasoned diplomat and the Di- “Peru, like other Latin American Peru in coming years, said Santiste- rector General for Africa, Middle East nations, has realised the importance ban, who hoped their country would and GCC in the Peruvian Ministry of of building relations with the GCC be able to supply large quantities of Foreign Aff airs, Marcovich was on a states and the best way to achieve this construction materials while Qatar is three-day offi cial visit to Doha, lead- is through the starting of diplomatic on an infrastructure building spree for ing a four-member delegation from missions in the region,” he added 2022 FIFA World Cup. diff erent ministries in his country. while acknowledging Qatar’s grow- The Peruvian delegation also point- “We had some fruitful discussions ing bilateral relations with the South ed out their country has more than with local (Qatari) authorities cover- American countries in recent years. 20,000 Arab expatriates, mainly from ing a number of areas. The two sides Qatar opened its embassy in Peru last Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Palestin- Marcovich (third from right) and Santisteban (third from left)with other delegates at a meeting in Doha yesterday: signed some mutually benefi cial year. The Peruvian offi cial observed ian territories. PICTURE: Jayaram

In brief The Changers begins fi ve-day camp for youths Traff ic diversion Commuters moving westwards towards Al Diwan Street on Al Rayyan By Noimot Olayiwola Currently, the group being backed by Dr Mokhtar al-Mokhtar told Gulf Times. Changers because it is a group that pre- Road from Al Khoot Fort round about and Jassim Bin Mohamed Street Staff Reporter Reach Out to Asia (Rota), has around 100 He explained further that the aim pares youths for leadership roles and also will not be able to travel for the next one year starting from today high schoolers as members, who are aged of the organisation was not to change teach them how to improve their skills. onwards because of a work being undertaken in the area, according to between 15-18 years. Anyone seeking to members but to help them actualise their During these fi ve days, they will be taking an Ashghal statement. However, it said the existing west-bound one- he Changers — a group comprising be member of the group must possess dreams. “We are not here to impose any part in a lot of activities that will develop way on Al Rayyan road will be lifted so that commuters could proceed high schoolers — with a mission to some skill sets such as ability to develop ideologies on these young people but we them for future achievements,” he noted. towards Souq Waqif and Corniche from Al Diwan Street. Tbring out the core personalities in talents, they must be supportive to their are striving to see them become useful To ensure that the participants con- the youths, yesterday began a fi ve-day family and should be able to make per- and noble citizens of the world through centrate and are able to assimilate most camping session ‘Back to the Future’ in sonal choices on their own aside exhibit- the skills we are impacting in them,” he of the values to be taught to them at the Kahramaa signs amendment a bid to equip participants with some ing some societal values, which will help stated. camp, they will have limited access to Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), Qatar necessary life-changing skills. Some 32 them fi t into the Qatari Arab Muslim so- Al-Mokhtar explained that during the technologies such as phones and Internet Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) and Chubu Electric Power students, comprising both males and ciety. camp, participants will be thought some but will only be allowed to make calls to yesterday signed — in the presence of HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh females including Qataris and non-Qa- “Because many young people do not ethics and manners as well as the human their families when they earn some cred- al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and CMD of Qatar Petroleum taris, are taking part in the camp being believe they have talents and for some core values such as how to be patient and its from their daily work. (QP) — the third amendment to the agreement on their partnership held at the Governor West Bay hotel. who actually believe that they have be humble while at the same time devel- During an interactive meeting held project. The project includes the mutual co-operation and exchange The Changers was formed here in 2009 dreams, they do not know how to improve oping their innate talents. yesterday at the Governor West Bay ho- of expertise in practical and technical fields among the signing parties. by a young Palestinian, Khader Ibrahim themselves towards realising that dream. Rota’s National Programmes director tel as part of the opening of the event, The amendment was signed by Kahramaa president HE Essa bin Hilal Sulyman, who is presently a student of That is why this organisation was formed Mohamed Abdallah Saleh said that Rota participants’ families were enlightened al-Kuwari, QEWC general manager Fahed bin Hamad al-Muhannadi and Electrical and Electronics Engineering at by Khader for young people and in order has chosen to support the group as part on the mission and vision of the group, the president and director of Chubu Electric Power, Akihisa Mizuno. Qatar University, with a vision to enable to provide them with the right tools and of its community services, being carried after which they were taken on a tour of young people follow their dreams pur- show them how to discover themselves,” out in Qatar, Asia and internationally. the rooms to be occupied by the students posefully and strongly. the group’s Human Development coach “We at Rota are supporting the Life throughout the fi ve-day event. St Regis ‘weekend escape’ plan The St Regis Doha yesterday announced a new package that would give people an opportunity to enjoy a “weekend escape” at the luxury hotel. The off er will allow guests to optimise their stay and enjoy the beach facilities, private gazebos and leisure services the hotel has to off er. Guests can book their weekend break at The St Regis Doha at prices starting from QR1,600 per night for a Superior room. After a long week, guests can enjoy a break from the hustle of the city and benefit from the inclusive package, which includes breakfast, relaxation by the pool and walks on the beach. The package includes early check- in at 10am and late checkout at 6pm, daily breakfast for two in Vine Restaurant, complimentary internet and 25% off on spa treatments. Countering violent extremism International Centre for Counter-Terrorism – The Hague (ICCT) and Qatar International Academy for Security Studies (QIASS) met in The Hague yesterday to explore the possibility of future co-operation and sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Areas of mutual interest for both organisations include countering violent extremism, counter-narratives as well as the rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremist off enders. The ICCT and QIASS delegations, along Khader is seen speaking about the group during the opening of the with several Dutch and Qatari counter-terrorism off icials, engaged in camp yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram Mohamed Abdallah Saleh. A section of the families at the interactive session yesterday. discussions on topics of mutual interest. More needs to be done on migrant workers’ rights: HRW ore than two years after rights, but these lack detail,” he tained. “The willingness of new rise as World Cup 2022 construc- sources and that is why we are it won the right to host told a press conference convened governments to respect rights tion begins in earnest in 2013. confi dent of the facts,” he said Mthe 2022 World Cup, it in Doha to explain HRW’s World will determine whether the Arab HRW pointed out that most come while adding that ‘when truth is is high time for Qatar to deliver Report 2013. uprisings give birth to genuine from countries in south Asia. It exposed in the media, it results in on its promise for reforms that “Nor do they mask the failure democracy or simply spawn au- demanded strict enforcement positive change.’ would lead to improvement in the of the Qatari authorities either thoritarianism in new clothes,” he of the laws intended to protect However, sources among lo- working conditions of the expa- to reform exploitative laws, such said. workers in Qatar. cal employers said the Labour triate labour force in the country, as the kafala system of sponsor- The HRW offi cial pointed out “Employers routinely confi s- Ministry is very strict in enforc- Human Rights Watch (HRW) said ship-based employment and the that the ‘Qatari labour law ex- cate passports, making it harder ing the laws and fi rms that violate yesterday. prohibition on trade unions, or to cludes domestic workers, almost for workers to leave, and workers the rules are severely punished. The US-based international enforce the prohibition on illegal all of them girls or women, deny- typically pay exorbitant recruit- “Qatar has outlawed confi scation rights group called for introduc- recruitment fees and the confi s- ing them basic protections such ment fees to agents who operate of passports and the inspectors tion of measures to prevent traf- cation of passports,” Egeland as- as limits to hours of work and in Qatar and in the countries of at the Labour Ministry have been fi cking and forced labour of mi- serted. weekly days off . “A maid is not origin. Migrant workers have no vigourosly enforcing the laws, grant workers, though Qatar has The offi cial, who is also the supposed to be on duty 24 hours. right to unionise or strike, though leading to huge improvement in taken a slew of steps to curb any Europe director at HRW, recalled There should be stipulated work- they make up the majority of the the situation,” they claimed. such practice. that ‘Qatar asserted in 2010 that ing hours and rights,” Egeland re- private sector workforce,” HRW According to fi gures released by “Qatar has not delivered on its the country’s successful bid for Human Rights Watch’s Egeland, flanked by his colleagues McGeehan minded. said. the Labour Ministry, the Inspec- pledges to improve migrant work- the World Cup could inspire posi- and al-Rifai, speaks in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil In June 2012, HRW had, in a Egeland, accompanied by his tion Department served as many ers’ rights,” stated Jan Egeland, tive change and leave a huge lega- 146-page report titled ‘Building colleagues Nicholas McGeehan as 7,337 warning notices on com- the deputy executive director of cy for the region.’ become an important place in the assessed progress on human a Better World Cup,’ outlined the (Middle East researcher) and Ta- panies in 2012, asking them to re- one of the world’s leading inde- “But, the past two years have world and play a key political and rights during the past year in ‘shortcomings in Qatar’s legal mara al-Rifai (Middle East advo- dress various violations. pendent organisations dedicated seen an absence of reform and economic role. We hope Qatar can more than 90 countries, includ- and regulatory framework, and cacy director) described HRW as They also pointed out that in- to defending and protecting hu- if this persists, the tournament become a positive example in hu- ing an analysis of the aftermath the consequences’ for its migrant ‘an impartial and independent spectors visited 46,624 sites in- man rights. “The Qatar 2022 threatens to turn Qatar into a cru- man rights and migrant workers’ of the Arab uprisings. “Looking at workers’ who number way above organisation, which gives enor- cluding offi ces and workplaces Supreme Committee – the tour- cible of exploitation and misery rights. We want Qatar to treat em- the Arab awakening, we are very 1mn out of a population of 1.9mn. mous resource to researchers to during last year to check on the nament’s quasi-governmental for the workers who will build it,” ployees like the rest of the world worried that there are setbacks for The human rights organisation document the truth.’ compliance of labour laws by em- delivery committee – has made Egeland said. does,” he stated. aspirations to realise freedom, in- had observed that the numbers of “We have prepared our report ployers and said the HRW allega- encouraging pledges on workers’ “We are here because Qatar has In its 665-page report, HRW cluding in Egypt,” Egeland main- migrant workers will continue to after interviewing hundreds of tions are not true. Gulf Times 4 Friday, February 8, 2013 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Oman to curb Iran’s Khamenei rebuff s foreign workers, raise minimum US off er of direct talks wage for locals Reuters Supreme leader says Biden Iran airs video from Dubai talks off er just a ploy; Israel captured US drone sees little chance of progress at nuclear talks Iranian state television has aired man’s government will limit the number of for- video footage that it says was eign workers and sharply raise the minimum Reuters extracted from a CIA drone it cap- Owage for locals in a drive to increase employment Dubai tured inside the Islamic republic’s of Omani citizens, state news agency ONA has reported. airspace in December 2011. A statement by the council of ministers, carried by ONA In a documentary broadcast yesterday, said the government would aim to limit for- ran’s highest authority, Ayatollah on Wednesday night, the elite eign workers to 33% of Oman’s total population. Ali Khamenei, yesterday slapped Revolutionary Guards released The minimum monthly wage for Omanis in the pri- Idown an off er of direct talks made the video, the first time it has been vate sector will jump to 325 rials ($845) this July from by US Vice President Joe Biden this seen since the RQ-170 Sentinel was the current 200 rials, ONA quoted the council as say- week, saying they would not solve the captured after it entered Iranian ing. The government is keen to move more Omanis into problem between them. airspace from its eastern border private employment to avert social unrest and prepare “Some naive people like the idea with Afghanistan. the economy for an eventual fall in oil reserves, which of negotiating with America, how- The Guards aerospace division, could start later this decade. Since 2011, there have ever, negotiations will not solve the which said it seized the unmanned been sporadic street protests to demand more jobs. problem,” Khamenei said in a speech aircraft, said the footage showed The International Monetary Fund estimates unem- to offi cials and members of Iran’s air images of the drone landing at an ployment among Omani citizens may have exceeded force carried on his offi cial website. airbase in Kandahar in Afghanistan, 20% in 2010, though government offi cials say that “If some people want American as well as at a base in Pakistan. estimate was far too high and that the number of reg- rule to be established again in Iran, Iran has previously claimed istered unemployed was reduced by three-quarters to the nation will rise up to face them,” that it brought down the drone about 17,000 last year. he said. “American policy in the electronically by “spoofing” its GPS The new measures, which are subject to review by Middle East has been destroyed and guidance system. US off icials have the government’s Shura Council, could have a major Americans now need to play a new said that the Sentinel suff ered a impact on the economy, though in practice authorities card. That card is dragging Iran into malfunction. may implement them cautiously to avoid disruption. negotiations.” “By decoding data extracted Around 1.3mn or 39% of the population of about Khamenei made his comments just A handout picture made available by the Iranian Supreme leader’s off icial website of shows Ayatollah Ali Khame- from the drone, we found out 3.3mn are foreigners, most of them workers brought in days after Joe Biden said the US was nei speaking to Iranian Air Force commanders during a ceremony in Tehran yesterday. that the aircraft had conducted to do skilled or strenuous jobs in the oil, construction prepared to meet bilaterally with the many flights in Iran’s neighbouring and services industries, according to offi cial data last Iranian leadership. “That off er stands monarchy and diplomatic meetings a pre-emptive strike on Iranian is intent on developing a weapons countries,” Brigadier General Amir year. Most are from south or southeast Asia. but it must be real and tangible,” Biden between offi cials have since been atomic sites. Israel sees its exist- programme. Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Guards’ Oman’s ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, has acknowl- said in a speech in Munich. very rare. Currently US-Iran con- ence as directly threatened by the Many believe a deal on settling aerospace division, said in the edged that large numbers of foreign workers are need- With traditional fi ery rhetoric, tact is limited to talks between Te- prospect of an nuclear-armed Iran, the nuclear issue is impossible broadcast. ed for industrial development and construction of a Khamenei lambasted Biden’s off er, hran and a so-called P5+1 group of given Tehran’s refusal to recognise without a US-Iranian thaw. But any Shortly after Iran announced national railway. It would be impossible to fi nd local saying that since the 1979 revolu- powers on Iran’s disputed nuclear the existence of the Jewish state. rapprochement would require di- the drone’s capture, the Nato-led replacements for many of these workers in the fore- tion the US had gravely insulted programme which are to resume on “The fi nal option, this is the rect talks addressing many sources military force in Afghanistan said seeable future. So a sudden mass expulsion of foreign Iran and continued to do so with its Feb. 26 in Kazakhstan. phrasing we have used, should re- of mutual mistrust that have lin- the aircraft had been on a mission workers looks unlikely. The Council of Ministers did threat of military action. Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister main in place and be serious,” said gered since Iran’s 1979 Islamic over western Afghanistan. not specify a deadline for the 33% target to be hit. “You take up arms against the na- Dan Meridor said he was sceptical Meridor. Revolution and the subsequent US US media had reported fears in But the rise in the minimum wage could aff ect tion of Iran and say: ‘negotiate or we the negotiations in Almaty could “The fact that the Iranians have embassy hostage crisis in Tehran. the US that Iran could access and many businesses in the near term. The Times of Oman fi re’. But you should know that pres- yield a result, telling Israel Radio not yet come down from the path Moreover, although his re-elec- make use of the highly advanced quoted the Public Authority for Social Insurance as sure and negotiations are not compat- that the US needed to demonstrate they are on means that talks ...are tion last November may give Presi- technology used in the drone. estimating over 122,000 registered employees would ible and our nation will not be intimi- to Iran that “all options were still on liable to bring about only a stalling dent Barack Obama a freer hand to But a US off icial later cast doubts receive higher pay. The Oman Society of Contractors, dated by these actions,” he added. the table”. for time,” he said. pursue direct negotiations, analysts that “the Iranians have the exper- the umbrella body for construction fi rms in the coun- Relations between Iran and the Israel, widely recognised to be Iran maintains its nuclear pro- say Iran’s own presidential election tise” to exploit the technology try, asked the government to reimburse companies for US were severed in 1979 after the the only nuclear power in the Mid- gramme is entirely peaceful but in June may prove an additional ob- found in the aircraft. additional costs incurred because of the wage hike, overthrow of Iran’s pro-western dle East, has warned it could mount Western powers are concerned it stacle to progress being made. the newspaper reported. The council of ministers identifi ed mechanisms that could be used to boost employment for Oma- nis, including revising the foreign investment law to stop unnecessary recruitment of foreign workers, and Heritage festival changing procedures for registering companies, ONA Syria govt troops said. A team of government agencies will be formed to submit progress reports on moving Omanis into pri- retake rebel town vate sector jobs, it added. Kuwait MPs give first nod to AFP naturalise 4,000 stateless Beirut bill to grant Kuwaiti citizenship to at least 4,000 roops overran a rebel town and were locked stateless people this year passed the fi rst stage in a second day of fi erce fi ghting around Aof approval yesterday in the Gulf state’s parlia- TDamascus yesterday, a watchdog said, as ment. The bill, approved by 33 MPs with 14 others in- Syria’s opposition leader threatened to withdraw cluding nine cabinet ministers abstaining, will become his peace initiative. eff ective after it clears a second round of voting later Muslim leaders at a summit in the Egyptian cap- this month and after it is signed by the Gulf state’s ruler. ital, meanwhile, worked on a draft resolution call- Stateless, locally known as bidoons, were born ing for “serious dialogue” between the opposition and raised in Kuwait and claim they have the right and government offi cials. to Kuwaiti citizenship, but the government says only After a 16-day onslaught, troops retook Karnaz, 34,000 out of more than 106,000 qualify for consid- a town on the strategic highway linking Damascus eration, while the rest hold other nationalities. and Aleppo in the north, said Rami Abdel Rahman The emirate alleges that bidoons, or their ancestors, of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. destroyed their original passports to claim the right to “(Rebel) fi ghters withdrew from Karnaz, which citizenship in order to gain access to the state-provided they seized in December last year, after heavy services and benefi ts. Bidoons have been deprived of ba- fi ghting and regular forces regained control,” he sic rights to force them to reveal their original identities. said. Clashes and heavy shelling were reported “Bidoons have been oppressed and deprived of jobs, in rebel strongholds around the capital for a sec- education, health, getting a driver’s licence and even get- ond day as the army pressed a major off ensive the ting married,” Shia lawmaker Yussef al-Zalzalah said dur- Observatory said had killed at least 64 people on ing the debate yesterday. “They are being humiliated and Wednesday. mistreated ... What we have been doing to them is unfair.” Another six civilians - three of them under 18 Stateless people have been protesting for the past - were killed when mortar rounds slammed into a two years to demand citizenship and basic rights. Police bus garage in the northeastern district of Qaboon. repeatedly used force to disperse demonstrators and “The army is determined to crush terrorism more than 200 bidoon protesters are currently on trial. around the capital and big cities, and over the past A Kuwaiti man leads a camel during a competition in the Al Salmi district, a desert area 120km west of Kuwait City, held as part In October, Refugees International, Human Rights several days it has launched a qualitative operation of the Popular Heritage Festival. The month-long event is held annually to commemorate popular activities in Kuwaiti heritage, Watch and Amnesty International sent a joint letter to and killed dozens of terrorists who dreamt of at- featuring camel races, falcons contests and fishing competitions. Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, urging him to tacking and entering Damascus,” said pro-regime end alleged abuses against stateless people. newspaper Al Watan. The Observatory - which relies on a vast net- work of sources on the ground for its information - also reported regime shelling and clashes along a southern highway of the capital. “Rebels attacked an army checkpoint overlook- ICC demands Libya hand over Ex-hunger striker Palestinian is ing the highway and now there are fi erce clashes there,” said Marwan, an employee at a restaurant in the southern Midan district, by phone. Gaddafi ex-spy chief Senussi released early from Israeli jail The Observatory also reported the arrival of military reinforcements at Daraya, an embattled southwestern suburb of Damascus that the army AFP while the ICC itself wants to try Saif and AFP The London-based rights group said that Jaafar has bombarded for months. The Hague Senussi on charges of crimes against hu- Gaza City Ezzedine and Tareq Qaadan were visited by their On the outskirts of Damascus, troops pounded manity committed in the confl ict that lawyer last week in the medical wing of Ramle rebel positions across the east and in the south, overthrew Gaddafi in 2011. prison, in central Israel. the Observatory said, as clashes broke out around nternational Criminal Court judges The Libyan prosecutor general’s Palestinian prisoner who last year staged “Jaafar and Tariq are taking only water,” an Am- a military vehicle depot to the northeast. yesterday demanded that Libya hand spokesman, Taha Baara, played down a hunger strike of more than 100 days was nesty statement quoted the unnamed lawyer as These areas are among the strongest bastions of Iover Muammar Gaddafi ’s former spy the ICC demand as “standard proce- Afreed yesterday from an Israeli prison and saying. “Last week both were taken to a hospital for the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad’s chief Abdullah Senussi to face charges of dure.” returned to his home in the Gaza Strip. eight hours and underwent medical checks. I was regime, which is battling to suppress a revolt the crimes against humanity. Libyan authorities fi led a request on Akram al-Rikhawi was shown on Palestinian with them in the hospital and spoke to the doctors UN says has killed more than 60,000 people. The latest broadside in the legal tug- January 23 to try Senussi in Libya and television being welcomed by a large crowd of who told me their health is in a very critical state.” The intensifi cation of the fi ghting further of-war between The Hague-based ICC “we now have eight weeks from that date wellwishers as he crossed into Gaza after close to He added that both men accepted injections dimmed prospects for peace talks suggested by op- and Tripoli over where Senussi and to complete the fi le and submit the nec- nine years in jail. of vitamins and other supplements. Palestinian position leader Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib. Gaddafi ’s son Saif al-Islam should be essary documentation,” he said. Israel convicted Rikhawi in 2004 for member- prisoner support group Adameer says six prison- The surprise gesture by Khatib, head of the op- tried repeated a demand for Senussi to If the request is turned down, Tripoli ship of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas ers held by Israel are currently on hunger strike. position National Coalition, was welcomed by the be handed over. still has the right to fi le an appeal, Baara which rules the Gaza Strip. He was due to be freed The longest serving are Ayman Sharawneh and US and the Arab League, and was expected to re- The ICC “orders the Libyan authori- said. “We have a strong judicial system in June this year, but the West Bank-based Pales- Samer Assawi who have been fasting for months to ceive the backing of the Organisation of Islamic ties to proceed to the immediate sur- and the capacity.” tinian Prisoners’ Club said that the Israel Prisons demand their release from imprisonment without Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Cairo. But Damas- render of Mr Senussi to the court,” said The ICC, which was mandated by Service agreed to bring forward his release in ex- trial, although the exact length of time is unclear. cus has so far ignored it and a key opposing faction a ruling issued Wednesday and made the Security Council to investigate the change for his ending the hunger strike. Amnesty demanded that Israel either charge has fl atly rejected the initiative. public yesterday. The ICC has the option Libyan confl ict, issued arrest warrants Amnesty International yesterday warned that or release immediately those interned and end The Syrian National Council, the main compo- of calling on the UN Security Council to in June 2011 for both Saif and Senussi on two Palestinians imprisoned without charge the practise of “administrative detention,” under nent of the Coalition, has rejected the possibility of take action. charges of crimes against humanity. since November were suff ering deteriorating which suspects can be imprisoned without trial any talks, saying it is committed to ousting Assad’s The ICC is mulling a Libyan request to Lawyers for the two accused have said health after being on hunger strike since shortly by order of a military court. The order can be re- regime and protecting the revolution. put Senussi and Gaddafi on trial there, they will not get a fair trial in Libya. after their arrest. newed indefi nitely for six months at a time. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 5 ARAB WORLD Tunisian Islamists slam Egypt secures liberals’ homes

Reuters cal opponents with weapons,” he Cairo told the Thomson Reuters Foun- PM over govt dismissal dation-sponsored news website Aswat Masriya in an interview. Unions to stage general strike today; “It seems that the opposition wants gyptian police deployed Prime Minister Hisham Kandil Protests over killing of opposition to secure the maximum possible politi- security yesterday at the said on his Facebook page the leader resume; Ruling Islamist party cal gains but the fear is that the ... crisis Ehomes of prominent lib- cabinet was looking into legal split over move to dismiss cabinet will deepen if things remain unclear at eral opponents of the government steps it could take against “all the political level. That could increase the after a hardline cleric called for those who issue or spread edicts Reuters anger of supporters of the secular oppo- their deaths and a secular politi- or fatwas inciting violence”. Tunis sition, which may go back to the streets cian was gunned down in Tunisia. President Mohamed Mursi, a again,” he said. The death on Wednesday of Brotherhood member, has strug- Many Tunisians complain that radical Chokri Belaid, an outspoken crit- gled to restore security and mend unisia’s governing Islamists yes- Salafi Islamists could hijack their demo- ic of Tunisia’s Islamist-led gov- the ailing economy in the Arab terday rejected a plan by the prime cratic revolution, fearing Ennahda is ernment, was condemned by the world’s most populous country, Tminister to replace the government coming increasingly under their sway. opposition in Egypt, where two since he was elected in June. after unrest erupted over the killing of an Nervous about the extent of hardline years of political turmoil has ex- At least 59 people died in more opposition leader, deepening the worst Islamist infl uence and the volatility of the posed divisions between Islam- than a week of street protests crisis since the country’s 2011 revolution. political impasse, global powers urged ists and their secular opponents. starting late last month over what Protests resumed in the North African Tunisians to see through a non-violent The same day, Egyptian liberal demonstrators saw as Mursi’s at- state that gave birth to the Arab Spring shift to democracy. politician Mohamed ElBaradei - tempts to monopolise power, as uprisings, with police fi ring teargas to “The revolution at the beginning was former head of the International well as a broader sense of political scatter demonstrators near the interior a fi ght for dignity and freedom, but vio- Atomic Energy Agency - sound- and economic malaise. ministry in Tunis and stone-throwing lence is taking over,” said French Foreign ed the alarm on a hardline cleric’s Activists have called for more youths in the southern town of Gafsa. At A Tunisian protester jumps amid smoke after police fired teargas during a rally Minister Laurent Fabius. “I want to off er call for his own death. demonstrations today. Ahead of least seven people were wounded in Gaf- outside the Interior Ministry in Tunis. France’s support to those who want to The cleric, Mahmoud Shaaban, those protests, Egyptian police sa, witnesses said. end the violence. We cannot let closed- appeared on a religious television stationed forces in front of op- Labour union leaders declared a gen- opinion of his party,” said Abdelhamid party had nothing to do with it. mindedness and violence take over,” he channel and said leaders of Egypt’s position politicians’ homes, se- eral strike for today in protest at the as- Jelassi, Ennahda’s vice-president. “We in But a crowd set fi re to the Tunis head- said on BFM-TV. main opposition coalition would curity sources said. sassination of secular politician Chokri Ennahda believe Tunisia needs a political quarters of Ennahda, which won the most But discontent has smouldered for get a death sentence under Sha- “We’ve asked the Central Secu- Belaid and his family said the funeral government now. We will continue dis- seats in a free election 16 months ago. some time, not only over secularist- riah. He specifi cally mentioned rity leadership to appoint a fi xed could be held then too, raising the spectre cussions with other parties about form- Protests also hit Sidi Bouzid, fount of the Islamist issues but also over the lack of ElBaradei, a Nobel Peace Prize guard in front of the homes of Mo- of further turmoil. ing a coalition government.” Jasmine Revolution that ousted dictator progress towards better living standards laureate, and former presidential hamed ElBaradei and Hamdeen An aide to Hussein Abassi, leader of Tunisia’s main opposition parties also Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011. expected after Ben Ali’s exit. candidate Hamdeen Sabahy. Sabahy,” one security source said. the UGTT union, Tunisia’s biggest, said rebuff ed any step towards a government While Belaid had only a modest politi- “We are already suff ering from recession The statements were de- A witness said around 15 police he had received a death threat after an- of technocrats, demanding too that they cal following, his sharp criticism of En- since the revolution. We rarely see tourists nounced by Islamists and left- and a security car had been deployed nouncing the country’s fi rst general be consulted before any new cabinet is nahda policies spoke for many Tunisians now, and this violence will deprive us even ists across Egypt’s political on the street where ElBaradei’s strike in 34 years. formed. who fear religious radicals are bent on of our Tunisian customers,” said Fethi Ben spectrum, including the Muslim home is. ElBaradei’s press offi ce said Wary of further violence, many shops Political analysts said protracted dead- snuffi ng out freedoms won in the fi rst of Saleh as he closed his Tunis gift shop earlier Brotherhood, which has domi- he did not request the protection. in Tunis closed at 2pm (1300 GMT) while lock could aggravate the unrest, which the revolts that rippled through the Arab than usual yesterday afternoon. nated democratic elections since While Islamists enjoy sub- France, the old colonial power in Tunisia, has underscored the chasm between Is- world. “I do not care about this confl ict be- mass protests ousted President stantial popular support, many said it would shut its schools in Tunis to- lamists and secular groups who fear that Mehrzia Abidi, vice-president of the tween Islamists and secularists. I hate Hosni Mubarak two years ago. Egyptians have grown frustrated day and tomorrow. freedoms of expression, cultural liberty interim parliament that has been strug- them all,” he said. “The Muslim Brotherhood at what they see as attempts to Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali of Ennah- and women’s rights are in jeopardy just gling for months to draft a new post-Ben Jebali declared after Wednesday’s pro- condemns calls allowing blood- hijack a revolution they started da had announced on Wednesday night two years after the Western-backed dic- Ali constitution, said it would discuss tests that weeks of talks on reshaping the shed and inciting killing, what- to topple a dictator and improve he would dismiss the government led by tatorship crumbled. Jebali’s proposal for a temporary govern- government had failed amid infi ghting ever their source,” it said in a their quality of life. his moderate Islamist party in favour of Belaid was shot as he left home for ment of experts. within the three-party coalition. One statement on its website, quoting The Nour Party, which pro- a non-partisan cabinet until elections work on Wednesday by a gunman who Sadok Belaid, a constitutional law ex- secular party threatened to bolt unless spokesman Mahmoud Ghozlan. fesses a strict Salafi st form of could be held, as soon as possible. fl ed on the back of a motorcycle. That pert, said the assembly would have to Ennahda replaced some of its ministers. Abboud al-Zumar, an Islam- Islam, called cleric Shaaban’s But a senior Ennahda offi cial said Jebali sent thousands of protesters into the approve the cabinet overhaul. But the as- Shortly before his death, Belaid said ist who served three decades in statements “irresponsible” and had not sought approval from his party, streets nationwide hurling rocks and sembly’s dysfunctional record raised the tolerance shown by Ennahda and its two, prison for his role in the 1981 as- said he should be investigated. suggesting the Islamist group was split fi ghting police, similar to disturbances in threat of drawn-out instability. smaller secularist allies toward Salafi sts sassination of Anwar Sadat, also The Al Watan party, which over the move to supplant the governing Egypt last month. Political analyst Salem Labyed said the had allowed the spread of groups hostile rejected the statements. split from Nour, and the leftist coalition. No one claimed responsibility for the opposition appeared to want to leverage to modern culture in what has been one of “There’s never any place for a Popular Current party also criti- “The prime minister did not ask the killing, and the head of Ennahda said the the crisis to its own advantage. the most broadly secular Arab states. person to deal with their politi- cised Shabaan’s utterance. Gulf Times 6 Friday, February 8 , 2013 LATIN AMERICA

Colombia kidnappings seen as a bid for peace talks

The recent kidnapping of several foreigners by Colombia’s leftist ELN guerrilla group No breakthrough yet may, paradoxically, be aimed at prodding the government into peace talks, analysts say. The government is already carrying out peace negotiations in Havana with Colombia’s largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), but President Juan Manuel Santos has not been keen to extend the negotiations to the lesser-known ELN. in Acapulco rape case The ELN, which professes to be eager for peace talks and has even formed a negotiating team, has meanwhile embarked on a wave of kidnappings and attacks on infrastructure in recent weeks, in what Mexico police question could be a bid for attention. “One of their objectives eight suspects in rape of six is to draw attention to the peace negotiations,” said Spanish tourists in Acapulco Leon Valencia, a former ELN guerrilla who now leads an NGO specialising in armed conflict. “They want in. But resorting to kidnapping to link up to AFP a negotiating table is a very misguided course of Acapulco action,” he said. There have been other missteps as well. Santos rebuked the ELN for publicising behind-the- exican investigators ques- scenes contacts with the government last year, tioned eight people in pouring cold water on the prospects for talks. Mconnection with the rape The government wants the ELN to first renounce of six Spanish tourists in Acapulco, kidnappings of civilians as a tactic, as the FARC has as offi cials scrambled to contain done, and agree on all agenda items, Valencia says. the potential damage on tourism. “It appears that the government, based on Around fi ve gunmen wearing masks information that has come out, has suspended burst into a beach bungalow where contacts with the ELN since October, and I think 14 tourists were staying late Mon- they are responding with these types of actions,” day, tying up seven Spanish men he said. ELN rebels have blown up sections of oil and raping the six Spanish women pipelines and on January 18 kidnapped six mining while sparing a Mexican woman. company employees, including a Canadian and two The assault has further tarnished Peruvians. On Monday, they said they have been the reputation of Acapulco, a once holding two Germans for weeks. glitzy haunt of Hollywood stars Jairo Libreros, a security expert, said the kidnapping such as Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth of foreigners was a “political blunder.” “They bet on Taylor that has been beset by drug a political kidnapping, hoping for an international violence in recent years. payoff , and they miscalculated. They are not Police in quad bikes and boats going to get one,” said Libreros, a professor at the combed the beach for suspects Universidad Externado de Colombia. while soldiers set up security posts A German government source told the newspaper along the road leading to the district El Tiempo that Germany would not be interceding of Barra Vieja, where the rapes took with Bogota to get it to open a dialogue with the place. Authorities stressed that the ELN. eight people who were questioned The ELN said the two Germans it is holding were had not been detained. “They are captured in an area near the Venezuelan border and people whom we are questioning accused them of being spies, which Santos denied. with intensity to fi nd out what they The German embassy said they were tourists. know about this,” Marcos Juarez, Police patrol a beach near the hotel, where six female Spanish tourists were raped by armed men, in Acapulco. But Valencia, who was an ELN member for more director of the Guerrero state inves- than 20 years, said the group has been gaining tigative police, told reporters. in rural mountains to set up armed operate in Acapulco, and some have of they determined “she passed the “happens everywhere in the world.” strength by tapping lucrative sources of funding like “They are people who were clos- vigilante squads. links to two drug cartels, the Zetas test by being Mexican.” The Acapulco hotel industry fears illegal gold mining, extortion and petrol smuggling est to these questions. They are not Mexico has sought to clean up its and their rivals, the Knights Tem- Meanwhile, Acapulco Mayor Luis that foreign nations will maintain along the Venezuelan border. “War is waged with detainees,” he added. image as a violent country in order plar. “We will have to do a very big Walton Aburto urged President En- their travel alerts on Acapulco a money,” he said. “Now they have big camps, arms, Governor Angel Aguirre Rivero to convince tourists to keep coming campaign so that an event like this rique Pena Nieto to deploy more while longer. The president of the uniforms and the capacity to conduct actions in said he would hold a news confer- despite more than 70,000 drug- one does not aff ect and hurt visitors federal security following the sexu- Acapulco Hotel and Tourism In- some areas. It’s very worrying.” ence to give the fi rst results of the related deaths since 2006. in an important way,” the governor al assault. “Today we have not seen dustry Association, Mary Bertha The ELN, which is estimated to have some 2,500 investigation. “This will not remain Acapulco has seen its share of said. “This is why we hope to detain the support of the president, and Medina, urged tourists to stay in fighters, has been active for 48 years, although it unpunished. I share your pain and drug violence, with gangs dumping the culprits soon and punish them.” we are demanding that he return to hotels rather than beach houses, has often been overshadowed by the larger, slightly indignation,” he said. the bodies and heads of rivals in the The state attorney general, Mar- see Acapulco,” Walton Aburto said. which she said lack security. “It is older FARC. According to Valencia, the two rebel Aguirre Rivero met with Inte- street. It still attracts 9mn visitors a tha Elva Garzon, said the suspects’ “Acapulco has a lot of needs.” very hard for a commando of this groups currently enjoy excellent relations after rior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio year, though only one third are for- motive was to steal “and amuse The mayor was forced to apolo- size to enter into a hotel,” she said. years of clashes, but they still have ideological Chong to discuss the violence in the eigners. themselves,” and that they spared gise after causing outrage by saying “It is diffi cult and it has never hap- diff erences. —AFP state, which has prompted farmers Seventeen gangs are believed to the lone Mexican woman because that the crime was something that pened.”

Opposition at odds as Small gesture for little ones Chavez absence lingers Even among the Latin Ameri- can leaders who have gone to Cuba to off er their well-wishes to Chavez, none has claimed to have seen him. Maduro and Foreign Minister Elias Jaua visited Chavez earlier this week in Havana, the gov- ernment said. But it released no photo of Chavez, instead putting out photos of each man holding religious statues that were gifts for the ailing president, who is 58. Chavez was supposed to have been sworn in last month but was too sick to travel to Caracas, and the ceremony was post- poned indefi nitely. The longer Chavez is absent, the greater the risk that people will perceive a power vacuum s cancer-stricken Hugo and start to look for an alterna- Chavez’s (pictured) con- tive leadership for the oil-rich Avalescence drags on, his nation, said Luis Vicente Leon, government is stepping up at- of the consulting fi rm Datanali- tacks on the opposition and sis. closing ranks to dispel any ap- The government is trying to pearance of a power vacuum. “frighten the adversary so as to The National Assembly, con- undermine it and send concrete trolled by lawmakers loyal to messages to the eff ect that there Chavez, opened a corruption is no power vacuum,” and that probe earlier this week into two it can be tougher than Chavez members of the Justice First himself, Leon said. Capriles de- party, accusing them of illegally nied the corruption allegations accepting campaign donations against his party colleagues and without reporting them. said the off ensive was in fact The party is led by Henrique aimed at him. Capriles, whom Chavez defeated “Make no mistake. They in presidential elections back in are coming after me,” he said. October. With Chavez out of the picture, Brazilian UN peacekeepers distribute juice and crackers to students at the Immaculate Conception School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Last month, the government the two most visible faces of said far right groups in Ven- Chavez’s populist movement are ezuela and abroad were planning Maduro and Cabello. an attack against Vice-Presi- They say the opposition is dent Nicolas Maduro, Chavez’s trying to turn them against handpicked political heir, and each other as rivals to succeed the speaker of the National As- Chavez. So they are acting al- British posture on Falklands ‘smells of oil’: Argentina sembly, Diosdado Cabello. The most in unison in attacking the vice president has also accused opposition as a way to show a Capriles of conspiring against united front and close ranks. AFP iota” and “using the islanders to justify its trip, but Argentina’s top diplomat point- to send ships and troops to reclaim con- the country from Colom- “This ruling duo want to be London own intransigence.” edly declined. trol. The 74-day war left 649 Argentines bia, where he met with former more ‘chavista’ than Chavez “What I sense in the British position is a In London, Timerman said Falkland Is- and 255 Britons dead. Spanish prime minister Felipe — tougher, less tolerant, look- strong smell of oil,” Timerman told Radio landers “do not exist” and that Argentina Buenos Aires, which calls the islands Gonzalez. ing both outward and inside the rgentina’s foreign minister said that del Plata. would have control of the British-held is- the Malvinas, claims the archipelago is Chavez underwent his fourth country,” Vladimir Villegas, a Britain’s attachment to the Falk- The dispute between the two nations lands within 20 years. occupied Argentine territory and that the round of cancer surgery in Ha- formerly pro-Chavez journalist Aland Islands had a “strong smell of has heated up since Britain authorised Argentina says the dispute must be 3,000 islanders are simply British citizens vana on December 11, and since and politician who has turned oil,” in a swipe at British underwater pros- oil prospecting in the waters around the resolved through negotiations between who live there. A referendum is to be held then has neither been seen nor against Chavez, wrote in the pecting around the disputed archipelago. South Atlantic islands in 2010. British Buenos Aires and London, without the on the Falklands on March 10 and 11, ask- heard, a dramatic departure for newspaper El Nacional. Foreign Minister Hector Timerman, who Foreign Secretary William Hague invited participation of the islanders. Britain has ing the islanders whether they wish to re- the fl amboyant leader who had “This is their way of making visited London this week to meet groups Timerman to join him in talks with two held the islands since 1833, but Argentine tain their status as a self-governing British been a near-constant presence up for the president’s absence,” promoting bilateral dialogue, accused members of the eight-member Falkland forces invaded in 1982, prompting then overseas territory. Argentina says the vote in state-run media. he added. Britain of “not moving its posture by one Islands legislative assembly during his British prime minister Margaret Thatcher is illegal. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 7 AMERICAS

LA police launch manhunt US military is not a 911

AFP Los Angeles

os Angeles police launched service, says Panetta a full-scale manhunt yes- Lterday for a dismissed of- AFP were grilled by senators inves- contingency around the world,” Department, was putting in fi cer believed to have killed three Washington tigating what happened during Panetta said. “The US military place new measures in the wake people in the US state of Califor- the deadly September 11 mili- has neither the resources nor the of the attack, including plans to nia, including another cop. tant attack on the US mission in responsibility to have a fi rehouse base 1,000 more Marines at US Christopher Jordan Dorner he US military is not a 911 Benghazi. next to every US facility in the missions around the world. had posted a chilling online service ready to rush to “I fi rmly believe that the De- world.” But he warned of the threat to warning about “terminating” Tevery emergency around partment of Defence and the US Panetta also stressed there the Pentagon if lawmakers fail the life of a colleague he blamed the world, Pentagon chief Leon armed forces did all we could do had been “no specifi c intelli- to reach a deal with President for his dismissal, and threaten- Panetta told lawmakers yester- in the response to the attacks in gence” of an attack on the mis- Barack Obama to avert automat- ing other police and their fami- day, defending the response to Benghazi,” Panetta told the Sen- sion in Benghazi, in which the ic budget cuts on March 1, which lies. an attack on a mission in Libya. ate Armed Services Committee. US ambassador to Libya, Chris would slash the defence budget The LA Police Department He also urged a Senate com- Despite having US bases in the Stevens, and three other Ameri- by $46bn. (LAPD) said it was increasing mittee to help remove the threat Africa region and in Italy, Panet- cans were killed. The threat of what is called protection for a number of peo- of deep automatic budget cuts ta said that there was not enough Panetta and General Dempsey testify on the Defence Department’s “Frankly, without an adequate sequestration is “one of the ple named in an online mani- set to hit the Defence Depart- time to scramble resources to response on the attack on US facilities in Benghazi, Libya before the warning, there was not enough greatest security risks we are festo by Dorner, a 33-year-old ment from March 1, calling Benghazi as the mission and a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington. time, given the speed of the at- now facing as a nation”, Panetta US Navy reservist who was de- them one of the greatest risks to nearby annex came under fi re. tack, for armed military assets to said. scribed as “armed and extremely America’s national security. An unmanned surveillance have taken a fi xed-wing aircraft as I’ve said, is not and frankly respond,” Panetta said. “This budget uncertainty dangerous”. The defence secretary and the drone did arrive on the scene an between nine to 12 hours to get should not be a 911 service ca- However, he assured lawmak- could prompt the most signifi - Dorner was already wanted chairman of the Joint Chiefs of hour and 11 minutes after the there. pable of arriving on the scene ers that the Defence Depart- cant military readiness crisis in over the suspected revenge kill- Staff , General Martin Dempsey, start of the attack, but it would “The United States military, within minutes to every possible ment, working with the State more than a decade,” he warned. ing on Sunday of a couple, Keith Lawrence and Monica Quan, who was the daughter of Randy Quan, a retired police offi cer he blamed for his fi ring. Then he allegedly attacked two other offi cers overnight on Brennan faces hard Wednesday in Riverside, east of Los Angeles, killing one and in- juring the other, triggering the full-scale manhunt. Dorner posted a multi-page Senate questioning manifesto online on Monday, saying that he was not afraid to die because he had already died AFP legal opinion justifying target- Brookings Institution think- when he was dismissed in Sep- Washington ing Americans, but members tank, told AFP. tember 2008 for making false of the intelligence and judiciary Critics paint Brennan as statements about his training committees had demanded the running roughshod over legal offi cer. he hard-nosed archi- original document. concerns and presiding over a “I never had the opportunity tect of the US drone war The secret memo was used shadow war in which the US to have a family of my own, (so) I Tagainst Al Qaeda, John as the legal basis for a contro- president wields enormous am terminating yours,” he wrote Brennan, is facing diffi cult versial September 2011 drone power but is not held account- to Randy Quan. questions about secret assassi- attack in Yemen that killed the able by the courts, Congress or An LAPD statement on nations from senators weighing extremist cleric Anwar al-Aw- the public. Wednesday said it took the his nomination to lead the CIA. laki and another target Samir Senators “should not vote threats “very seriously” and Brennan’s confi rmation Khan. on his nomination until all promised “all measures possible hearing before the Senate In- The missile strike sparked Americans know whether the to ensure the safety of our LAPD telligence Committee thrusts a concerns because Awlaki and decisions Brennan made at CIA personnel, their families and the rare public spotlight on Presi- Khan were US citizens who headquarters and in his White Los Angeles community”. dent Barack Obama’s covert had never been charged with a House offi ce comply with our Dorner is described as black, drone use and associated mis- crime. laws and uphold basic Ameri- six feet (1.8m) tall and weighs CodePink activists protest yesterday against John Brennan, the hard-nosed architect of the US drone war sile strikes, which have become Obama’s aides argue that can values”, said Christopher 270 pounds (120kg). Anyone en- against Al Qaeda, outside the Dirksen Senate Off ice Building in Washington, DC. Brennan’s confirmation a hallmark of his presidency. drone strikes are eff ective and Anders, senior legislative coun- countering Dorner should con- hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee for the post of head of the CIA, thrusts a rare public On the eve of the hearing, only carried out after careful sel for the American Civil Lib- sider him “armed and extremely spotlight on President Barack Obama’s covert drone use and associated missile strikes, which have Obama bowed to pressure from review. erties Union. dangerous”, it said. become a hallmark of his presidency. lawmakers and handed over a They insist that hundreds of But former offi cials and col- secret memo that outlines the strikes in hotspots such as Pa- leagues say Brennan is no vil- legal justifi cation for killing kistan and Yemen comply with lain and instead has exerted a Americans abroad if they are US law and the Constitution, restraining infl uence, reject- suspected of plotting with Al even when no intelligence links ing requests for broader strikes Qaeda. a designated target to an immi- from the CIA and the military Committee postpones vote on Hagel Some Senate Democrats nent terror plot. and pushing through stricter and Republicans have long de- rules to avoid a local backlash or manded the document and had Brennan is expected to be civilian casualties. Reuters Pentagon chief. They attributed ference on the defence budget. a last-ditch eff ort to convince threatened to delay confi rming quizzed on aspects of the Some commentators have Washington the postponement to Republican Levin aides declined to elabo- Obama to withdraw Hagel’s Brennan as the next director of open-ended war against Al called for placing the drone insistence on political posturing. rate on why the vote did not take nomination, which is not likely. the Central Intelligence Agency Qaeda-linked militants strikes entirely under military Levin, a Democrat, said he in- place yesterday as had been ex- One Democratic offi cial who over the issue. control, to make the raids more he Senate Armed Serv- tended to schedule a vote as soon pected. supports Hagel criticised pos- The Obama administration But human rights groups ac- transparent and remove the ices Committee delayed as possible. Hagel has provided some in- turing by Republicans and said it has sought to shroud the raids cuse Obama of abusing his ex- “covert” authority that imposes Ta vote on Chuck Hagel’s “There’s a sense that Levin is formation on his personal fi - was “irresponsible” given press- in secrecy but the threat of ecutive powers and violating his veil of secrecy. confi rmation as secretary of de- trying to help by giving critical nances, but said he could not ing national security matters, lawsuits and frustration from campaign promises by adopting Known for his relentless work fence, the panel’s chairman said Republicans a win in the battle provide all of what has been re- including the war in Afghanistan. Congress has put pressure on the same secretive approach to ethic, Brennan, a former CIA on Wednesday, amid Republican but not the war. A few more days quested because it was the prop- Hagel, 66, a former senator offi cials to publicly defend the the “war on terror” as his pred- station chief in Saudi Arabia, demands for more information won’t hurt the overall process erty of private organisations that from Nebraska, faced a barrage drone campaign. ecessor, George W Bush. was on a shortlist for the CIA from President Barack Obama’s and can take some of the steam he was not authorised to disclose. of often heated questions about Although Brennan is expect- Brennan, 57, a veteran of director’s job when Obama en- nominee. out of Republican tactics,” a US Some Republicans have de- his record from fellow Republi- ed to be approved as the new the CIA, where he worked for tered offi ce in 2009. “The committee’s vote on offi cial said. manded the texts of speeches by cans last week when he appeared head of the CIA, some senators 25 years, currently serves as But he bowed out in the face Senator Hagel’s nomination has But Republicans said they Hagel that the nominee said were before the Armed Services Com- see the hearing – which is due Obama’s counter-terrorism ad- of opposition over his role when not been scheduled,” Senator still wanted more information not available because he spoke mittee, which must approve his to start at 2.30pm (1930 GMT, viser and is widely seen as the the US spy agency used harsh Carl Levin said in a statement. “I on issues including the former extemporaneously. nomination before it faces a vote almost midnight in Qatar yes- most infl uential fi gure in the interrogation methods, includ- had hoped to hold a vote on the Republican senator’s business Others have said they were in the full Senate. terday) – as a chance to ques- administration when it comes ing waterboarding, that have nomination this week, but the dealings and past speeches, and awaiting results of a 2007 sex- His appearance before the tion him on the legality of drone to the drone war. been widely condemned as tor- committee’s review of the nomi- would try to prevent a quick con- ual harassment claim against a committee was broadly criti- use. “John has been the czar of ture. nation is not yet complete.” fi rmation if they did not get it. former member of Hagel’s staff cised, with even some Democrats He is also expected to be American counter terrorism for In his written responses to But the delay is not expected to “I look for people to slow this by another member of his staff , saying he appeared hesitant at quizzed on other aspects of the last four years. He has been the intelligence committee be- mean that Hagel will not be con- train down, and let’s get every- Foreign Policy reported. times and unprepared when fac- the open-ended war against Al central to every decision and a fore the hearing, Brennan said fi rmed. thing we need. And that’s what There was no indication Hagel ing tough questions from some Qaeda-linked militants. key interlocutor with foreign he was aware of the interroga- The former senator’s backers I want to do,” Senator James In- was involved in the incident. fellow Republicans with whom Last year, the Justice Depart- governments, especially the tion methods but had no role are still confi dent he will suc- hofe, the committee’s senior Re- Democrats have characterised he served during his two terms in ment had provided lawmakers Saudis,” Bruce Riedel, a former in their “creation, execution or ceed the retiring Leon Panetta as publican, said after a news con- the Republicans’ objections as the Senate. with a summary of the secret CIA offi cer and a fellow at the oversight”.

CANADA ‘Most energy-eff icient’ bulb invented A trio of Canadians claimed Wednesday to have invented the More than 90% back gun world’s most energy-eff icient bulb: a 12-watt LED light that shines as bright as a 100-watt incandescent one. MALL CINEMA (1): Rise Of The Guardians 2.30 & 4.30pm; Lucky Product developer Gimmy Chu told AFP the NanoLight design One 6.30pm; Jack Reacher 8.30 & 11pm. consists of a circuit board dotted with LED lights and folded into background checks: poll MALL CINEMA (2): The Guilt Trip (2D) 2.30pm; ABCD (Any the shape of a bulb that plugs into a regular light fixture. “We needed the light to shine in all directions to mimic a traditional Body Can Dance) 4.15 & 7pm; The Final (2D) 9.45pm; Hansel & incandescent light bulb,” said Chu, who with pals Tom Rodinger and Reuters In households with a gun, 91% high-capacity magazines, de- Gretel: Witch Hunters (3D) 11.30pm. Christian Yan launched a company last year to market the product Washington were in favour, while 8% were fi ned as those holding more than MALL CINEMA (3): Aala Gosety (Arabic, 2D) 2.30 & 7.15pm; Broken after working on it for three years. opposed, Quinnipiac said. 10 rounds. City (2D) 5pm; Bullet To The Head (2D) 9.30 & 11.30pm. The idea has raised more than $100,000 on a US crowdfunding In response to the Decem- Congress would need to ap- website and generated pre-orders for more than 3,000 bulbs in the ore than 90% of US ber 14 shooting that killed 20 prove those initiatives. ROYAL PLAZA Cinema Palace (1): Aala Gosety (Arabic, 2D) last month, according to Chu. voters supported back- schoolchildren and six adults in “The politics of gun policy are 2.30pm; Broken City (2D) 5pm; Cockneys Vs Zombies (2D) 7.15pm; The trio is now working on a version of the bulb that can be Mground checks for all Newtown, Connecticut, Obama also unclear,” Peter A Brown, as- Bullet To The Head (Arabic, 2D) 9.15 & 11.30pm. gun buyers, while much smaller last month announced a series of sistant director of the Quinnipiac dimmed. ROYAL PLAZA Cinema Palace (2): Mirror Mirror (2D) 3 & 5pm; majorities were for stricter gun gun-control measures opposed University Polling Institute, said control laws such as bans on as- by the NRA, including proposals in a statement. “Despite the huge One For The Money 7pm; What To Expect When You’re Expecting NEW YORK sault weapons and high-capacity for enhanced background checks news media coverage of the is- 9pm; Devil’s Double 11pm. Guilty plea in bombing plot case magazines, said a poll released and a ban on military-style as- sue since the Newtown shooting, ROYAL PLAZA Cinema Palace (3): Ice Age 4: Continental Drift yesterday. sault weapons. only 37% of voters are more likely 2.30 & 4.30pm; The Bangbang Club 6.30, 8.30 & 11pm. A Bangladeshi man pleaded guilty yesterday to attempting to use But the National Rifl e Associa- House Democrats were ex- to vote for a congressman who a weapon of mass destruction in what authorities called a plot to tion (NRA) edged out President pected to announce their own votes to ban sales of assault ri- CINEMA LANDMARK (1): Special 26 (2D - Hindi) 2.30 & 7pm; blow up the New York Federal Reserve Bank. Barack Obama in the poll, with fi rearms legislation this week. fl es, while 31% are less likely, and Bullet To The Head (2D) 5.15 & 9.45pm; The Final 11.30pm. He faces up to life in prison under a plea agreement. 46% saying that the pro-gun A majority of those surveyed 30% say that it would not aff ect CINEMA LANDMARK (2): Cockneys Vs Zombies (2D) 3pm; Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis, 21, was arrested on lobby better refl ects their views supported stricter national gun their vote.” Broken City (2D) 5 & 9.15pm; Bullet To The Head (2D) 7.15pm; October 17 after pulling up to the Federal Reserve near Wall Street on guns, versus 43% for Obama. control laws, Quinnipiac said. The poll surveyed 1,772 regis- and attempting to detonate what he believed to be a 1,000-pound By a margin of 92% to 7%, Fifty-six per cent were for a tered voters from January 30 to Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (3D) 11.30pm. (454kg) bomb hidden in a van. voters supported background ban on the sale of assault weap- February 4 and had a margin of CINEMA LANDMARK (3): The Guilt Trip (2D) 2.30 & 9.15pm; Aala Instead, he was carrying inert materials planted by an undercover checks, the Quinnipiac Univer- ons, and the same percentage error of plus or minus 2.3 per- Gosety (Arabic, 2D) 4.30 & 7pm; Cockneys Vs Zombies (2D) 11.15pm. FBI agent. sity telephone poll showed. supported a ban on the sale of centage points, Quinnipiac said. Gulf Times 8 Friday, February 8, 2013 BRITAIN BRITAIN

DEFENCE INVESTIGATION SEARCH DECISION OBITUARY Ex-police off icer to be Murderer may have killed New flood defence Onedin Line star Gilmore charged over Sun stories ex-girlfriend, fear police schemes approved dies in London aged 81

A former police off icer is to be charged with Detectives are searching for the ex-girlfriend Almost 100 new flood defences have been Peter Gilmore, who played the captain in misconduct in a public off ice over claims he of a convicted double killer fearing she may given the green light in a move the government long-running seafaring drama The Onedin passed details of investigations to the Sun have become another of his victims. John says will better protect more than 64,000 Line, has died at the age of 81. The actor, newspaper, prosecutors said yesterday. Alan Sweeney, 56 — who called himself the Scalp homes from flooding. A total of 93 defences who also appeared in a number of Carry On Tierney is accused of receiving £1,750 from the Hunter — was convicted in 2011 of murdering have been given the go-ahead to begin films, died at the Trinity Hospice in London The section of the new Royal Navy Aircraft Sun, part of Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper former partners Paula Fields and Melissa construction this year. The government said following a long illness. German-born Gilmore Carrier (HMS Queen Elizabeth II) sails from business News International, for information Halstead then dumping their chopped-up £294mn was being invested in flood risk appeared in numerous TV dramas such Her Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth relating to two stories in 2009. The first related bodies in canals. He was jailed for life by the management in 2013. In total 165,000 homes as Doctor Who, The Persuaders, The Ruth yesterday. The final piece of the aircraft carrier to a shoplifting case involving the mother and Old Bailey and told he will die in prison. But are expected to be better protected by 2015 Rendell Mysteries and Heartbeat. But he to be built in Portsmouth was towed by tugs on mother-in-law of Chelsea captain and former police believe he may have killed five more after investment. As part of the spending, the will be best remembered for his portrayal the long journey to Rosyth in Scotland where it England player John Terry, while the second people in a 10-year reign of terror across government has provided additional funding of mutton-chopped lead character James will be joined to the already completed sections to an incident involving Rolling Stone Ronnie Britain and Holland. Police said Sweeney was for projects it is hoped will unlock economic Onedin in 91 episodes of the BBC1 series. The there. The aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth Wood, media reported. Tierney will appear at a thought to have dated a Scottish woman called growth, including defences in Exeter which Onedin Line followed the fortunes of a family and Prince of Wales are the future flagships of Westminster Magistrates’ Court at a date to be Fiona, with whom he shared a flat at Hornsey it says will create 1,000 jobs and protect shipping line in the second half of the 19th the British Royal Navy. determined. Park Road, north London, in 1985. businesses employing 4,700 people. century. Churchill’s Show preparation manuscript reveals his poetic side

Guardian News and Media ill discovery I have seen”, admits London it is merely “passable”. Andrew Motion, the former Poet Laureate, goes further, call- inston Churchill was ing it “heavy-footed”. “I didn’t a journalist, essayist, know he wrote poems, though Wauthor and novelist; somehow I’m not surprised: oils, a historian, biographer and re- walls, why not poems as well?” nowned speaker. But now, the said Motion. man praised by John F Kennedy “This is pretty much what for having “mobilised the Eng- would expect: reliable, heavy- lish language and sent it into footed rhythm; stirring, old- battle” has been revealed to be fashioned sentiments. Except that most sensitive of all plants: for the lines ‘The tables of the a young poet. evening meal/Are spread amid Around 115 years after it was the great machines’, where the written, the only known poem shadow of Auden passes over written by an adult Churchill has the page, and makes everything been discovered by Roy Davids, a briefl y more surprising.” An employee tends to Moth Orchids during a photocall to mark the opening of the Orchids display in the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in retired manuscript dealer from Despite its lack of literary vir- west London yesterday. The Orchids display will run from tomorrow to March 3, 2013. Great Haseley in Oxfordshire. tues, however, the poem written Our Modern Watchwords, in blue crayon on two sheets of which was apparently inspired 4th Hussars-headed notepa- by Tennyson and Kipling, will per is expected to raise between go on sale at Bonham’s auction £12,000 to £15,000 when it goes house in London in the spring. on sale on April 10. Written in 1899 or 1900, when Its price refl ects its rarity: Churchill was a cornet equiva- the only other poem known to lent to today’s second lieutenant be penned by Churchill is the in the 4th Hussars, the 10-verse 12-verse The Infl uenza, which poem is a tribute to the Empire. won a House Prize in a compe- Gove forced into U-turn tition at Harrow school in 1890 “I didn’t know he wrote when he was 15. poems, though somehow Churchill was well-known for I’m not surprised: oils, his love of poetry. He won the walls, why not poems as headmaster’s prize at Harrow for well?” reciting from memory the 1,200- line The Lays of Ancient Rome, by on GCSE replacement The author peppers the poem Thomas Macaulay. with the names of remote out- Allan Packwood, director of Agencies ate Certifi cate in core academic cation Committee said the gov- petition between exam boards to off ering a new exam in each aca- posts defending Britain’s inter- the Churchill Archive Centre at London subjects were unveiled last Sep- ernment had “not proved its case” off er GCSEs in core academic demic subject - instead we will ests around the world many of Churchill College, Cambridge, tember and billed as the biggest that GCSEs should be abolished in qualifi cations and have just one concentrate on reforming exist- which he would have visited as said the wartime prime minis- overhaul in a generation. key academic subjects. - wholly new - exam in each ing GCSEs along the lines we put a young offi cer and even fought ter’s interest in poetry spanned lans to scrap GCSEs in key But they have been shelved af- The education secretary told subject was just one reform too forward in September.” at including Weihaiwei in China, the sophisticated to the more subjects in England and ter opposition within the coali- MPs GCSEs would now be re- many at this time. Gove had wanted to intro- Karochaw in Japan and Sokoto, in earthy. Preplace them with English tion from the Liberal Democrats, formed rather than scrapped, “The exam regulator Ofqual duce the new EBacc certifi cate north-west Nigeria. “In his speech accepting free- Baccalaureate Certifi cates are and more widely from regulators with the focus on end-of-course ... was clear that there were sig- in England in the fi ve core aca- The paean to Britain’s might, dom of the city of Edinburgh in being abandoned by the govern- and teachers. exams, longer questions and less nifi cant risks in trying to both demic areas of English, maths, however, does not scale the 1942, he quoted Robert Burns ment. A move to hand each core internal assessment. strengthen qualifi cations and science, languages and humani- heights of the literary eff orts that and ended by quoting the music Education Secretary Michael subject to a single exam board He insisted there was still a end competition in a large part ties - history or geography. marked Churchill’s later life in- hall entertainer Sir Harry Lauder, Gove confi rmed the embarrass- - something Gove previously consensus that the system has of the exams market. Each of the core subjects cluding his Nobel Prize-winning who was in the audience,” said ing U-turn in a statement to the claimed was vital to prevent to change and tried to downplay “So, I have decided not to would have been handed to a History of the English Speaking Packwood. Commons as Labour accused “dumbing down” - has also been the U-turn by saying: “One of make the best the enemy of the single examination board but Peoples. “This was no cheap politi- him of presiding over a “fi asco”. ditched. the proposals I put forward was good. offi cials had warned the plan Davids, who says the poem “is cian’s trick, Churchill was an ad- Gove’s plans to replace GCSEs The reverse comes days after a bridge too far.” “And I will not proceed with could fall foul of EU procure- by far the most exciting Church- mirer of Lauder’s.” with a new English Baccalaure- the cross-party Commons Edu- “My idea that we end the com- plans to have a single exam board ment rules. Broadcaster vows to Fugitive ‘laid trap to kill policewomen’

fi ght sex abuse charges by pretending there had been AFP London a burglary. “He lay in wait London Evening Standard “The last two months of my survive another couple of years. with a Glock firearm with an London life have been a living nightmare. “But I hope to survive those extended magazine that was I have never gone through so two years and regain my honour one-eyed fugitive lured fully loaded,” Clarke said. much stress in my life and I am and reputation and more than two unarmed police- “Constables Fiona Bone and eteran BBC broadcaster fi nding it diffi cult to sustain. ever, my life.” A women towards him Nicola Hughes attended. As Stuart Hall yesterday “Fortunately I have a very The football commentator before shooting them repeat- soon as they arrived Cregan Vvowed to fi ght allegations loving family and they are very from Wilmslow, Cheshire has edly and then lobbed a mili- shot the officers repeatedly, of child sex abuse and “regain my supportive and I think but for been charged with the rape of a tary grenade at his victims, a until his magazine was empty. honour” as he revealed he had their love I might have been con- 22-year-old woman and inde- court heard yesterday. As he left the scene he again considered suicide after his ar- strained to take my own life. cent assault of 10 girls aged nine Dale Cregan, 29, wearing threw a grenade towards the rest. to 16. a false left eye made of black victims.” Speaking outside Preston “I have never gone Hall is due to face trial in onyx, had evaded a nation- The prosecution said Cre- magistrates’ court, the 83-year- through so much stress in April. At a brief court appear- wide manhunt when he set gan was on the run from po- old presenter said he had been my life and I am fi nding it ance yesterday he was bailed to the trap in Manchester, Pres- lice at the time after he had through a “living nightmare” diffi cult to sustain” appear at Preston crown court ton Crown Court was told at shot dead father and son since charges were brought two on March 1. the start of his trial. David and Mark Short in two months ago, adding: “I have nev- “They have encouraged me Lancashire police said the rape Cregan has pleaded not separate attacks. er gone through so much stress in to fight on, to fight the charg- was alleged to have taken place guilty to murdering police- The jury heard that Mark my life.” es and regain my reputation in 1976 and the indecent assaults women Nicola Hughes, 23, Short was shot at a pub in Hall, who has been charged and good name and whatever I related to incidents which took and Fiona Bone, 32, on Sep- Manchester on May 25 last with one count of rape and 14 have represented to this coun- place between 1967 and 1986. tember 18 last year. year. He died in the arms of counts of indecent assault, said: try down the years. With that I Hall is best known for his dis- He also denies the mur- his father who had been in “May I just say these allegations would like to thank everybody tinctive style of sports reporting ders of David Short, 46, and the pub toilet when the gun- are pernicious, callous, cruel and who has supported me for their on BBC Radio 5 live and his work his son, Mark, 23, who were men arrived. After his son above all spurious. good will which has sustained on the Seventies TV show It’s A gunned down in the months was buried, his father visited “And may I just say I am not me through this absolutely hor- Knockout. before. his grave every day, but on guilty and will be defending rific ordeal. He has been a familiar face and The parents of the mur- the morning of August 10 he these accusations. Like a lot of “As I say, I shall be defending voice in British broadcasting for dered policewomen were in was at home when his killers other people in this country to- myself. I am 83 years old. I was half a century and was awarded court to hear prosecution came calling. “He was chased day I am wondering why it has a healthy 83-year-old, but I am an OBE in the 2012 New Year lawyer Nicholas Clarke de- through the house and shot taken 30 or 40 years for these al- now incubating a heart com- Honours for services to broad- Broadcaster Stuart Hall leaves Preston Magistrates court in Preston scribe how Cregan lay in wait many times,” Clarke contin- legations to surface. plaint and I’ll be very lucky to casting and charity. yesterday. after luring them to a house ued. The trial continues. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 9 EUROPE

SPAIN 1mn sign petition for Rajoy to quit

A petition calling for Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to resign over a corruption scandal has garnered more than Putin sacks offi cial over 1mn signatures, an online count showed yesterday. The petition at change.org was sparked by the publication of documents purportedly showing that Rajoy and other members of his conservative Popular Party had received undeclared Winter Olympics delays payments. “I demand the immediate Reuters cameras at the Black Sea resort obligations on such a scale can- events, 13 years after he rose to “It’s good they are building resignation of Prime Minister Sochi, Russia of Sochi on Wednesday, then not lead the Olympic movement power. new roads here, but the benefi ts Mariano Rajoy and the calling sacked him as vice-president of in our country,” Kozak told re- “The main thing is that no of all of that will not be felt soon of snap elections, as well as the Russia’s Olympic Committee. porters in Sochi, a popular tour- one steals anything, so there and people are getting upset,” resignation of any member of ladimir Putin has fi red a “How is it possible that the ist destination for Russians in are no unexplained increases in said Vladimir, a taxi driver in his the Popular Party named in the top Russian Olympic of- vice-president of the Olympic summer and winter. costs,” he said on Wednesday as mid-30s. documents who holds off ice Vfi cial after publicly ridi- Committee is delaying devel- In Sochi, the din of the heavy he went rapidly from one venue Approaching a new rounda- publicly or in the party,” the culing him on a visit to half-fi n- opment?” Putin said after tour- trucks and diggers did not stop to another. bout, he said: “This roundabout petition read. ished sports complexes planned ing Sochi, which has become a as the day’s countdown fes- Russia has been trying to is a good example of how things Yesterday afternoon the number for a winter Olympics dogged by huge construction site with the tivities began. Large areas are shed its reputation for corrup- work here. It’s broad and smooth of signatories logged on the reports of corruption and con- concrete carcasses of unfi nished fenced off in the city centre and tion, which has long put off for- but it’s surrounded by narrow online petition was 1,017,188 and struction delays. buildings hugging the skyline. many of the roads are closed. eign investors. But fears of foul roads, so there’s no real point in counting – about one signature The humiliation of Akhmed With Bilalov squirming in the The ski resort of Krasnaya play prompted then-president it. There’s traffi c jams all around for every 47 people in Spain. Bilalov, 42, stamped President background, he added: “Well Polyana, which looks down on Dmitry Medvedev to order an it anyway.” Rajoy has resisted calls from the Putin’s authority over the 2014 done. You are really working Sochi, is still a muddle of fences, investigation in 2010 into a Thirteen offi cial sites are be- opposition Socialist Party and Sochi Games and underlined well.” cranes, trucks and unfi nished senior Kremlin offi cial accused ing built, including a stadium from angry street protesters to the importance he attaches to an Bilalov’s dismissal over- buildings. There is little snow of extorting bribes over Games that can house 40,000 people, resign over the scandal. event he hopes will show how far shadowed a day of festivities as but plenty of mud. construction work. plus facilities for ice hockey, ski- It came at a sensitive time for Russia has come since the Soviet Russia unveiled huge diamond- Putin had warned offi cials on The price of building a 50km ing, snowboarding and skating. Spain as Rajoy’s government Union collapsed in 1991. shaped clocks in Moscow, Sochi Wednesday not to let corruption stretch of road for the Games has About 120,000 visitors are ex- Putin: humiliated Bilalov on TV. imposes spending cuts and tax In a vintage performance, and six other cities counting push up the costs of the Games, been estimated at $7.5bn, a fi g- pected during the Games. rises on Spaniards suff ering in a reminiscent of an all-powerful the days, hours, minutes and already expected to reach $50bn, ure so high that it fuelled more But beneath the slopes, Sochi Russian businessmen who have recession. tsar sweeping through town in seconds to the opening of the or fi ve times more than the ini- corruption allegations. has palm trees and a sub-trop- invested in the Games and want imperial times, Putin became Games a year from now. tial price tag. There is also a security threat ical climate. The temperature the government to provide more angry when he heard of the ris- Deputy Prime Minister Dmit- This would make them the from an Islamist insurgency yesterday was around 13 degrees help with the funding. GERMANY ing costs and construction de- ry Kozak made clear Bilalov was costliest Games so far. raging nearby, concerns about Celsius. Some Russians wonder At least half the money for the lays at the ski-jump complex also likely to lose his job on the The Olympics are a prior- environmental damage, allega- why and how a Winter Olympics Games is coming from the state Anti-drink-driving Bilalov has been involved in. board of the Resorts of the North ity for Putin in his third term tions that some workers have can be hosted by such a warm and private Russian business- minister caught Unsmiling and sarcastic, Pu- Caucasus, a state fi rm created to as president, a chance to show been underpaid and residents city. men or state-controlled compa- tin unceremoniously scolded develop luxury resorts. Russia is a modern democracy are grumbling about the state of The rising costs have also nies are making up the rest, Rus- A German state justice minister Bilalov in front of television “People who do not fulfi l their capable of organising global the city. brought grumbles from wealthy sian Olympic offi cials say. who has campaigned against drink-driving has apologised after police caught him behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit. Bernd Busemann, who is set to Martial arts drama leave his post after his party’s Lower Saxony election defeat last month, said he had some kicks off Berlinale drinks on Tuesday after his party nominated him as state assembly president. Reuters his best known fi lm to date In Police stopped the 60-year-old Berlin the Mood for Love, also starring that night as he drove his off icial Leung. car home, and a breath test Leung, 50, said he started showed a blood alcohol content he 2013 Berlin fi lm fes- training for the part four years above 0.08%. Germany’s legal tival kicked off yester- ago, and reportedly broke his limit is 0.05%. Tday with the red carpet arm early in the process. About two years ago Busemann, premiere of The Grandmaster, “There is a spiritual side of a Christian Democrat, had Hong Kong director Wong Kar- kungfu and that side cannot be invited journalists for a drink in a wai’s martial arts period drama learned from books or by fact- Hanover pub, followed by blood- set in China at the time of the fi nding,” he said. “It grows alcohol tests, to demonstrate the Japanese invasion in the 1930s. spontaneously. So that’s why I dangers of drink-driving. Starring regular collaborator had to practice four years. You He had made a point of walking Tony Leung Chiu-wai as kung- can only achieve that thing home after the event. fu master Ip Man and Zhang through practice.” Ziyi as his rival and friend Gong The Grandmaster marks Er, the heavily stylised picture the offi cial start of 11 days of RUSSIA is a story of honour, principle, screenings, photocalls, inter- betrayal and forbidden love all views and parties across Ber- Sex cult leader Party time set in a time of turmoil. lin where hundreds of movies jailed 11 years Above: Queen of the 2013 Santa Cruz Wong, also president of the will be screened, reviewed and carnival Soraya Rodriguez performs late jury at the cinema showcase traded at a fi lm market that ac- A Russian court has sentenced on Wednesday in Santa Cruz de Tenerife this year, said that he was de- companies the Berlinale. the leader of a Siberian sex cult on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife. termined to get beneath the Matt Damon, Anne Hatha- to 11 years in prison on rape and surface of martial arts in a way way and Nicolas Cage are ex- drug traff icking charges, the Ria Right and left: People dressed as an most fi lms in the genre had not. pected on the red carpet, as Novosti news agency reported. imperial courtesan and as soldiers take “The Grandmaster is a fi lm are European heavyweights The 44-year-old behind the part yesterday in the traditional Chinese about kungfu. It tells you more Catherine Deneuve and Jude Ashram Shambala sect isolated carnival parade in Dietfurt, Germany. Every than the skill,” he told report- Law and Asian stars including members and subjected them year the carnival participants dressed ers after a press screening and Leung and Zhang. to “brainwashing”, the court in as East Asians take part in a parade in ahead of the opening night In the main competition of Novosibirsk found. Dietfurt. gala. “It tells you more about 19 movies eligible for awards is Constantine R, as the media is these people, martial artists, Promised Land, about the con- naming him, also forced minors Right: Members of a carnival band join the the world of martial arts. What troversial drilling technique to participate in orgies and Fasnacht procession yesterday in the is their code of honour? What for extracting gas known as sold pornographic films with historic centre of Lucerne, Switzerland. is their value? What is their “fracking” and starring Matt “hypnotised actors”. philosophy? Damon directed by his Good Experts estimate that the cult has Below, right: ‘Darth Vader’ and his Storm “I hope this fi lm can bring Will Hunting collaborator Gus up to 30,000 members. Russian Troopers pose yesterday at Alter Markt the audience a new perspective Van Sant. police stormed its headquarters (old market) in Cologne, Germany. The about martial arts, kungfu and Steven Soderbergh’s Side Ef- in 2008 and arrested R. carnival in the Rhineland started yesterday also Chinese,” he added, wear- fects is in part a critique of the with the Women’s Carnival Night. ing his trademark dark glasses pharmaceutical industry and and speaking in English. boasts Law, Channing Tatum SPAIN Below, left: Fools celebrate the beginning The idea for The Grandmas- and Catherine Zeta-Jones in of the street carnival in Duesseldorf, ter was fi rst announced more the cast. Bomb in Madrid western Germany. than a decade ago and it took Soderbergh, an Oscar win- cathedral defused the notoriously slow fi lmmak- ner for his 2000 narcotics dra- er four years to make, involv- ma Traffi c, has announced it Spanish police defused yesterday ing rigorous training for both will be his fi nal big screen fea- a nail bomb found next to a Leung and Zhang which both ture fi lm, at least for the fore- confessional in the Almudena actors said changed them pro- seeable future. Cathedral in the historic heart of foundly. One of the most eagerly Madrid, off icials said. Leung’s character, which awaited pictures at the festival A priest found the bomb in a bin dominates the fi rst part of the is Closed Curtain, co-directed bag and evacuated the cathedral, fi lm, is based on a real-life by acclaimed Iranian director a tourist attraction next to master of the same name who Jafar Panahi who made it in de- the city’s old royal palace, a developed the Wing Chun fi ance of a 20-year ban on fi lm spokesman for the archbishopric school of martial arts and making imposed by authorities of Madrid told AFP. counted Bruce Lee among his at home. A bomb disposal team came and students. Out of competition is 3D defused the device, “composed of Gong Er’s character gradu- prehistoric animation comedy a detonator, 200g of gunpowder, ally takes a central role, and The Croods, featuring the voic- a metal gas canister-type her repressed longing for Ip es of Cage and Ryan Reynolds, container full of nails, and an Man brings to the fore Wong’s and Dark Blood, which River alarm clock”, a police spokesman mastery of melancholy, which Phoenix was fi lming when he added. he showed so memorably in died aged 23 in 1993. Serbia, Kosovo heads of state meet for fi rst time

AFP The historic encounter was continued support and commit- towards the European Union,” an EU diplomat who asked not to meeting that there was no ques- Neither do many of the 40,000 Brussels “open and constructive” said EU ment” to EU-sponsored talks Ashton said in a statement. be named. tion of Belgrade “recognising an ethnic Serbs living in northern foreign policy chief Catherine aimed at normalising ties since Though no concrete an- The meeting comes nearly 14 independent Kosovo” and that Kosovo. Ashton after meeting separately Pristina unilaterally declared in- nouncements were made, this years after the end of the 1998- he favoured “a wide institutional The Kosovo leader delivered a he presidents of Serbia with Serbian President Tomislav dependence in 2008. fi rst top-level meeting marked 1999 confl ict between Belgrade autonomy” for ethnic Serbs in softer message, saying that the and Kosovo met for the Nikolic and Kosovo leader At- “I reaffi rmed the European a signifi cant step in two years of and Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian northern Kosovo. talks were “the expression of our Tfi rst time on Wednesday in ifete Jahjaga, and then bringing perspective for both Serbia and EU eff orts to ease tension on its separatist guerrillas as Brussels Serbia, along with fi ve of the interest for good neighbourly re- talks mediated by the EU to de- the pair together for a fi rst-time Kosovo and encouraged both Western Balkans doorstep. works to normalise ties between 27 European Union nations, still lations. Our countries benefi ted, fuse tension in one of the conti- tete-a-tete. sides to continue with the ef- “The handshake will be highly the pair. does not recognise Kosovo’s in- but the whole region as well”, she nent’s last simmering hot-spots. Both “assured me of their forts needed for further progress symbolic, very important,” said But Nikolic said after the dependence. said. Gulf Times 10 Friday, February 8, 2013 INDIA

ACCIDENT CRIME CONTROVERSY SCANDAL Three die as airport Woman, children set Karnataka ‘snubs’ SC Govt powerless against flyover bridge collapses on fire by husband order on water row Dental Council: minister

The collapse of a flyover bridge being built at A 27-year-old woman is battling for her life, Karnataka is unlikely to release Cauvery The central government does not have much Mumbai’s main airport killed three people and while her three minor children were killed after water to Tamil Nadu immediately though the powers to act against the Dental Council of injured another seven, police said yesterday. “A they were set ablaze allegedly by her husband Supreme Court yesterday ordered it to do so India (DCI) as it has been constituted under large slab fell suddenly late last night, trapping and in-laws on charge of stealing jewellery in “forthwith,” Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar an act of parliament, Minister for Health several people underneath it. Most of them were a Bihar village, police said yesterday. Shinti indicated. “It (the directive to release water and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad labourers,” senior police inspector Uttam Korekar Devi and her three minor children were set forthwith) is a matter of serious concern,” said yesterday. “The council elects its own said at the site of the accident. The injured are on fire late Wednesday night in Arnia village Shettar told the state assembly soon after secretaries and representatives,” Azad said in being treated at nearby hospitals, he said. Police in Vaishali district. A case has been lodged the court ordered Karnataka to release 2.44 Chennai while answering a question about a arrested three employees from engineering firm against the woman’s husband and in-laws on tmc (thousand million cubic feet) of Cauvery scandal involving the DCI. Two senior members Larsen and Toubro - which is building the bridge the basis of her statement, a police official river water to Tamil Nadu for irrigating of the DCI were arrested recently on charges - for further investigations. The flyover is part of a said. According to the woman’s statement, standing crops in the state. “Myself and Water of demanding bribe to provide accreditation major construction project for a new terminal at the husband and in-laws first locked her along Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai will fly to courses offered by dental colleges. He said the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. This with the children in a room, beat her and then to Delhi later today to consult our legal experts under the present law, the government was is the third such incident hitting a major urban Workers stand at the site of an under-construction set them ablaze for allegedly stealing her on what needs to be done “ he said, replying to powerless unless “we dissolve and change the infrastructure project in the past six months. bridge which collapsed in Mumbai yesterday. sister-in-law’s jewellery. a brief discussion on the court order. law to assume the powers.” Boeing talks unaff ected by budget cuts: top offi cial

Reuters after $12bn fighter jet contract. Bangalore “We do see additional op- portunities for C-17s,” Swan- son added, without providing oeing Company’s con- details. tract talks with India for The US company’s civil avia- Bmilitary helicopters will tion division is in talks to sell its be unaffected by planned budg- 737-MAX aircraft to Indian car- et cuts, an executive said yes- riers Jet Airways , SpiceJet and terday, a day after the country’s Air India, another executive said. defence minister said spending “737 has been the mainstay on arms would be tightened. of domestic aviation in India India, the world’s biggest ... All these airplanes will be arms importer in recent years replaced some day and the re- as it looks to upgrade its mostly placement for that is MAX,” Soviet-era military hardware, Dinesh Keskar, Boeing’s vice- is cutting defence spending as president for sales in Asia Pa- Visitors look at aircrafts on display during the second day of the ninth edition of Aero India Show 2013 on the outskirts of Bangalore yesterday. India, the world’s leading importer part of a wider push by New cific said. “We are in conversa- of weaponry, is hosting one of Asia’s biggest aviation trade shows with Western suppliers eyeing lucrative deals and a Chinese delegation attending for the first time. Delhi to rein in its fiscal deficit. tions with the airlines here.” “There is nothing that will State-run passenger carrier lead me to believe there will be Air India was the world’s fifth any delays,” said Dennis Swan- airline to take delivery of Boe- son, vice president, interna- ing’s Dreamliner jet, and has tional business development ordered 27 in total. at Boeing’s Defence, Space and The manufacturer will ad- Security Division. dress compensation issues over “India is one of our big- the grounded Dreamliners after Rafale deal of highest gest growth markets. We are the troubled aircraft take to the certainly aware of (the budget skies again, Keskar said. cuts). We are not changing “The focus is to get the air- anything that we are doing,” plane back, then we will deal Swanson said on the sidelines with that issue (of compensa- of an air show in Bangalore. tion) like we dealt with all these Boeing is in exclusive talks deliveries that are happening,” priority, says IAF chief to sell 22 of its Apache com- Keskar said. bat helicopters and 15 Chinook “We will deal with that in closed India picked the Rafale jet year ago after a hotly contested needs for an additional 63 planes Defence Minister A K Antony rent fiscal year in March. heavy lift helicopters to India. rooms and with customers.” for exclusive negotiations bidding war with rival manu- beyond the initial order of 126, as giving an indication of the Hollande will be followed Swanson declined to comment Boeing’s 50 Dreamliners in over a year ago after a hotly facturers, but is still to finalise reported after a visit by India’s complexities involved in a days later in Delhi by British on the deal value. service have been grounded contested bidding war with the $12bn deal. Foreign Minister Salman Khur- Wednesday news conference. Prime Minister David Cameron India agreed in 2011 to buy 10 since mid-January following rival manufacturers, but is The deal would not be signed shid to Paris in January. The deal will have to pass who has lobbied on behalf of C-17 military cargo planes from two incidents involving battery still to finalise the $12bn deal during a visit of French Presi- “It’s to let us know that through “six or seven layers” of the Eurofighter, a rival jet made Boeing in a $4.1bn deal, but problems. A US investigation dent Francois Hollande to India they’ll need the assembly lines vetting before being presented by a partly British consortium overlooked the US company into the issues is “weeks away” Agencies next week, a diplomatic source for a long time,” he said. to the finance ministry and the which is ready to step in if Das- in favour of France’s Dassault from completion, its head said Bangalore said on Wednesday. Hollande is to visit New Del- cabinet committee on security. sault fails. Aviation for a highly sought- this week. Dassault Aviation too said it hi on February 14-15 on his first Antony, seen as a clean oper- Under the proposed Rafale hoped to conclude the deal this trip to India since being elected ator in India’s notoriously dirty deal, the first 18 aircraft are to ndia’s agreement to buy year, with negotiations set to in May. Trappier will be in the politics, also said his officials be made in France with the re- 126 Rafale fighter jets from be taken up by Hollande. delegation. would ensure “no malpractice mainder to be produced under IFrance’s Dassault Aviation “The ideal would be to sign it “I don’t think there are mili- is there” and denied budget licence by Hindustan Aeronau- is of the “highest priority” in in 2013,” Dassault chief execu- tary aircraft sales without good cuts in his ministry would have tics Limited (HAL). India’s budget for the upcom- tive Eric Trappier said about political relations,” said Trap- an impact on “the mother of all Dassault must conclude li- ing financial year that begins in the world’s biggest defence pier. contracts.” cence deals with about 20-30 April, Indian Air Force chief Air deal at the air show. Dassault is one of the big France is desperate to make different Indian partners, ac- Chief Marshal N A K Browne “It’s not that surprising that names at this week’s Aero India its first foreign sale of the Ra- cording to Trappier. “We’ve said yesterday. it takes a bit of time,” he said, as it shows off the Rafale which fale, which has struggled to done more than half of the He was speaking to reporters pointing out that the contract beat competition from six ri- find buyers after investments work so far,” he said. on the sidelines of Aero India involved production of 126 vals from Russia, the US and of tens of billions of euros. The French group has also 2013 air show at Yelahanka air state-of-the-art fi ghters in Europe last year. The conclusion of the deal formed a joint venture with the force station on the outskirts of France and India over a 15-20 Exclusive negotiations are has been repeatedly delayed. Indian conglomerate Reliance, Bangalore. year period. under way to determine the fi- India initially set a target of which has no former military Dinesh Keskar, Boeing’s vice-president for sales in Asia Pacific and India picked the Rafale jet for He also confi rmed Indian nal price and amount of tech- the end of last year, which production experience but will India, poses with a model of 787 Dreamliner during the Aero India 2013. exclusive negotiations over a negotiators had detailed their nology transfers, with Indian slipped to the end of the cur- be involved as a supplier. 3 held for online campaign Mamata under fi re for against Kashmir girls’ band ‘whip’ threat to cop IANS policemen scurried to fetch the Kolkata chief minister’s car. Agencies girls’ singing “unIslamic”. Aneeqa Khalid said at a press Television cameras picked up Srinagar Noma Nazir, 15, Aneeqa Kha- conference on Monday that the chief minister’s loud words, lid, 16, and Farah Deeba, 15, they decided to disband Pra- fter screaming at police- and news channels have been formed the Kashmir Valley’s gaash in deference to the Grand men serving as her security playing the footage over and olice in Jammu and Kash- first all-girl rock band last year. Mufti Bashiruddin’s fatwa. Astaff , West Bengal Chief over again. mir arrested three sus- Pragaash came to prominence She said they were not feel- Minister Mamata Banerjee has The Association for the Pro- Ppects yesterday for posting in December by winning a “Battle ing threatened, but were sad fresh trouble to deal with - a civil tection of Democratic Rights abusive comments and threats of the Bands” contest in Srinagar. they could no longer pursue rights group has taken the matter (APDR) yesterday lodged a during an online hate campaign Despite the threats, the band their passion. to the state human rights panel. complaint with the West Ben- against an all-girl rock band. also won widespread support and One member of the band has And opposition parties and gal Human Rights Commission, “We tracked them down police say only around a dozen of reportedly left the valley as she intellectuals have counselled her alleging that the chief minister through Internet Protocol ad- the 1,000 comments posted on- was depressed after the raging to desist from shrieking. had “violated the human rights” dresses and there are many line were found to be abusive. controversy that hit national Banerjee lost her cool at the of police personnel. Opposition more out there we are looking Chief Minister Omar Abdul- headlines. Kolkata International Book Fair on parties also came down heavily for,” Afadul Mujtaba, deputy lah, who had promised action Meanwhile, a civil society Wednesday night, when she had on the chief minister. inspector general of police said. against the offenders, wel- human rights group said they to wait several minutes for her car. “A person behaves like this They have been booked under comed the arrests. would file a case against the Banerjee was heard saying to when she thinks ‘I am the master the Information Technology Act “The government worked Grand Mufti for issuing fatwas Special Branch offi cers who and people are my slaves’. She and a provision of the state’s own swiftly to ensure that such people which project the state in bad provide her security: “Ap- always treats her offi cers like law for criminal intimidation. who spread hatred are brought to light internationally. nader dhore chab- this. She makes them run, The three-member band book,” Tanvir Sadiq, spokesman Pervez Imroze, patron of Jam- kano uchit, chab- orders them to stand up, Pragaash (First light) was of the ruling National Conference mu and Kashmir coalition for kano uchit apnader orders suspension of po- forced to split up on Monday party told NDTV news channel. civil society said: “He is a self- dhore (You should lice offi cers while address- following a string of abusive “The constitution gives you appointed religious leader who be whipped).” ing public meetings,” said and threatening posts on social the right to speak but does not has been issuing fatwas which “Whipped” Communist Party of media and a fatwa by the state’s give you the right to intimidate project Kashmir and Kashmiris The fatwa issued by Grand Mufti Bashiruddin forced Kashmir’s into action by India (Marxist) MP most senior cleric calling the anyone.” in bad light internationally.” first all-girl rock band to stop performing. the words, Sujon Chakraborty. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 11 INDIA

PROTEST SCAM RESEARCH PEOPLE GORKHALAND House of actress Chautala wants jail Chandy inaugurates Kerala politician Khushboo attacked term suspended science institute in Kerala K K Nair dies

The house of Tamil actress and Dravida Former Haryana chief minister and Indian Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy K K Nair, whose relentless eff orts led to Munnetra Kazhagam party member Khushboo National Lok Dal chief Om Prakash Chautala, yesterday inaugurated an institution in Kottayam the birth of the central Travancore district was attacked by a group of people following who was sentenced to 10 years in jail in a to foster research in science and mathematics of Pathanamthitta in Kerala and became an interview she gave to a magazine in which teacher recruitment scam, yesterday moved and vowed to provide facilities for world class synonymous with the district, died of heart failure she repeated the party line that the general the Delhi High Court seeking suspension of the research in the state. The Srinivasa Ramanujan early yesterday at the age of 82. Nair represented council would decide on the next party sentence. A trial court last month sentenced Institute for Basic Sciences (SRIBS) has been Pathanamthitta constituency for 34 years in chief, police said in Chennai. They suspect Chautala, his son Ajay Chautala, and eight designed as a higher-level capacity building the state assembly. He contested the assembly that the actress’s views apparently enraged others to 10 years in jail while one convict was initiative by the Kerala State Council for Science, elections 12 times as a candidate of the Congress DMK activists owing allegiance to M K Stalin, sentenced to five years and 45 others to four Technology and Environment (KSCSTE). “This party-led United Democratic Front (UDF), the Left Gorkha activists, with heads shaved as a party treasurer and son of party president years in jail. The court had earlier found prima research-centric institution came into being at as well as an independent since 1960, and won sign of protest, shout slogans to voice their M Karunanidhi. The actress was away in facie evidence against the Chautalas and 53 a time when the state is witnessing an upsurge eight times. As an independent legislator, it was demands for a separate state within India for Tiruchirapalli, around 350km from Chennai at others and charged all of them on June 6, 2008, of interest in science education,” Chandy said. his single vote that toppled the Left Democratic the Gorkha people during a demonstration in the time of the attack. As she emerged from for their role in the irregularities in recruitment “We need to look at the future, provide facilities Front (LDF) government led by E K Nayanar in New Delhi yesterday. Gorkhas want a separate her hotel in Tiruchirapalli, a group of people of teachers that took place between 1999 and for world class research and implement globally 1982 and paved the way for the government state in the Darjeeling area of the state of West flung their footwear at her. 2000 when he was the chief minister. accepted quality parameters,” he said. headed by Congress leader K Karunakaran. Bengal to be named Gorkhaland.

Women dumped India urged in field after to protect surgery

AFP Kolkata children from cores of women were dumped unconscious in Sa field after a mass steri- lisation in West Bengal because there was no room in hospital for them to recuperate, medical sexual abuse officials said yesterday. The women had all under- The government has failed to er, who cannot be named, was the handling of sex attacks. gone surgical procedures at a curb rampant sexual abuse of quoted as saying in the report. The number of reports of hospital in the Malda district children, say a rights group Ganguly said it was this sort sexual assault in India, whether of the eastern state, around of “mistreatment” that needed attacks on children or adults, 360km north of Kolkata, which Agencies to be addressed and called for are believed to represent only a officials admitted was not New Delhi an urgent overhaul of the crim- fraction of the overall number, equipped to accommodate such inal justice system. with victims often too scared to a large number of patients. The report said child sexual file complaints. The scandal came to light af- hild victims of sex as- abuse is disturbingly common and “It is hard enough for a sexually ter news channel NDTV aired saults in India often fi nd government responses fall short abused child or their relatives to amateur footage of unconscious Cthemselves humiliated in protecting children and treating come forward and seek help, but women being carried out of the by the police and mistreated by victims. It also said the inspec- instead of handling cases with hospital on Tuesday by men and doctors when they pluck up the tions of state-run child facilities sensitivity Indian authorities then placed on open land. courage to report abuse, Human were inadequate, with many not often demean and retraumatise Local health officials ac- Rights Watch said yesterday. even registered with the govern- them,” Ganguly told reporters. knowledged that the patients’ In a report released amid ment as required by the law. “The failure to implement treatment was unacceptable continuing anger at the han- “Shockingly, the very in- needed police reforms to be and promised an inquiry. dling of sex cases in the wake stitutions that should protect more sensitive and supportive “Over 100 women, mostly of a deadly gang-rape in Delhi, vulnerable children can place to victims has made police sta- poor, came to the camp for the rights watchdog said the them at risk of horrific child tions places to be dreaded.” the surgery. Immediately af- authorities had to become more sexual abuse,” Ganguly said. According to a government ter the procedure, the doctors sensitive towards victims. Many of the criticisms con- report, 7,112 children includ- asked the helpers to move each “Children who bravely com- tained in the report echo those ing infants were raped in 2011, of them to the adjacent field,” plain of sexual abuse are often voiced by protesters in the af- an increase of 30% from the Biswa Ranjan Satpathi, West dismissed or ignored by the po- termath of the December 16 previous year. Another report Bengal’s director of health lice, medical staff and other au- gang-rape that triggered dem- in 2007 said over 53% of 12,447 services, said in Kolkata. thorities,” said HRW’s regional onstrations across the country children surveyed reported one “This is inhuman and we director Meenakashi Ganguly at and deep soul-searching about or more forms of sexual abuse. have ordered a probe into the the unveiling of the report. incident,” he added. “Instead, they subject the Another woman gang-raped in Delhi Medical experts also voiced victim to mistreatment and shock over conditions at the humiliation.” Delhi police have arrested four of the many new checkpoints hospital, where four doctors The report details how children men for the alleged gang-rape set up after the December 16 carried out a total of 106 steri- are sometimes forced to undergo a and kidnap of a 24-year-old attack. “The accused refused lisations in one day. so-called ‘fi nger test’ to determine mother they were later caught to stop at the checkpoint and Uday Roy, a health cam- their sexual history, even though driving through the city with, when the driver swerved past, paigner who was present at the forensic experts say the examina- an off icial said yesterday. The the off icers alerted the nearest sterilisation camp, said some of tion has no scientifi c value. incident, which happened on police vans, which chased the women were shoved on rick- It also quotes the mother of Wednesday night, comes less the car and nabbed the men,” shaws after surgery even though a three-year-old girl who was than two months after a fatal Assistant Police Commissioner they were clearly in no fi t state to left in severe pain after being attack on a 23-year-old student Sanjay Sehrawat said. Sehrawat make any kind of journey. seen by doctors examining her who was gang-raped and said a medical examination “A woman sterilised in the alleged assault. violated with a rusty iron bar was conducted on the victim, hospital fell off the rickshaw on “For six to eight hours after on a bus in Delhi. The four men who told police that one the way to her home and she had the examination my daughter were driving through the city of the attackers was an old to be hospitalised with severe in- Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest in New Delhi yesterday demanding the did not urinate because it was but failed to stop their car at one acquaintance of hers. juries,” said Roy. implementation of harsher punishments and quicker trials for rape cases. hurting her so much,” the moth- Fans celebrate release of ‘Left playing politics Vishwaroopam in TN with Suryanelli case’ IANS of all but one of the 35 accused. Thiruvananthapuram As the victim and her parents IANS much rush to watch the thriller family and friends in the indus- repeat that Kurien got away scot- Chennai that online bookings “suffered try on Wednesday. free due to his political clout, the traffic congestion for a few “Vishwaroopam takes Tamil he Congress Party in Ker- Left has rushed to draw mileage hours since bookings opened.” cinema to a new level. It’s a visu- ala asked the Left opposi- from the accusations. ans, queuing up outside “We had to shut it down for ally brilliant fi lm made on par Ttion to desist from politi- cinemas from as early as some time and open extra win- with Hollywood standards. I cising the Suryanelli sex case and F5.30am to off er garland to dows for tickers to be sold over the didn’t fi nd a single scene objec- baying for the blood of Rajya Sab- actor Kamal Haasan’s cut-outs, counter. The tickets for the next tionable as it’s a fi ctional story ha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien. went berserk when Vishwaroopam fi ve days are sold out,” he added. set in Afghanistan,” G Dhanan- “The Left, to divert public at- was released across Tamil Nadu Theatres are screening as jayan of Disney-UTV said. tention from its party matters, yesterday after a two-week delay. many shows as possible. The fi rst The fi lm was banned after Mus- has taken the Suryanelli sex case Written, produced and di- show starts as early as 6am and lim groups said they found some to the centre-stage of a political rected by Haasan, the film got the last screening is at 10.30pm. scenes portraying their commu- platform. If they do not desist an overwhelming response One of the leading multiplexes nity in a negative light. It was al- from politicising this issue, the when it hit some 600 cinemas is screening more than 80 shows lowed to be released after Haasan Congress will have to pay them across the state. across multiple screens. In Wood- agreed to edit a few scenes. back in the same coin,” state “We sold about 450-500 tick- land theatre, celebrations started “Only actors such as Ra- party president Ramesh Chen- “If they do not desist from ets for our fi rst show at 8am. around 6am. Fans celebrated by jinikanth and Ajith Kumar are nithala told reporters in Kurien’s politicising this issue, the Since today is Thursday, we had putting garlands on large posters known for blockbuster open- home town of Pathanamthitta. Congress will have to pay about 85-90% occupancy, but of the actor, poured milk on life- ings, but from the initial re- The horrifi c Suryanelli sex them back in the same coin” we’re sure it will increase during size cut-outs and even danced to sponses from people, it’s very case occurred in Kerala’s Idukki the course of the day, especially songs from Haasan’s fi lms. likely that this fi lm will have a district in January 1996, when The budget session of the later in the evening,” a spokes- “Fans have been patronising great opening. Trade pundits are a 16-year-old was threatened, Kerala assembly, which began man of Rakki Cinemas said. since Tuesday evening, making ar- expecting anywhere between abducted and abused by a bus three days ago, has been repeat- “Recent releases such as rangements for the grand release. Rs7 to Rs10 crore on the opening conductor. She was sexually as- edly stalled by the ruckus raised David and Kadal have been re- They erected large cut-outs of the day,” trade analyst Trinath said. saulted for 45 days by 42 men. over the Suryanelli sex case. placed with Vishwaroopam in actor and even printed T-shirts Meanwhile Haasan said that In repeated statements, the The victim’s mother yester- all four screens. We’re screen- with his picture. We had to open a sequel to Vishwaroopam is victim has claimed that Kur- day sent a letter to Congress ing five shows a day,” he added. the gates as early as 6am since by likely to go on the floors soon. ien was among the men who president Sonia Gandhi saying The tickets are moderately then they had already gathered “Vishwaroopam 2 is in its abused her 17 years ago. that as the Rajya Sabha dis- priced at Rs80 to Rs100 in single around the theatre,” a Woodlands pre-production phase. I’ll The Supreme Court on Janu- cussed issues related to women, screens and Rs120 in multiplexes. theatre representative said. start shooting for it very soon,” Fans of Tamil actor and director Kamal Haasan pour milk on ary 31 ordered a retrial in the it was disheartening that Kur- According to a multiplex Haasan arranged a special Haasan, 58, said at the screen- his life-sized cardboard cut-out to celebrate the release of his case, setting aside the acquittal ien, her daughter’s tormentor, representative, there was so premiere of the fi lm for close ing of the film here. new movie Vishwaroopam in Chennai yesterday. in 2005 by the Kerala High Court should oversee the proceedings. Gulf Times 12 Friday, February 8, 2013 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

MILITANCY DISASTER COST OF LIVING ASSISTANCE FREEDOM Bomb blast kills four in Nato helicopter crashes Consumers get relief as $300mn soft loan sought north Afghanistan in Afghanistan: ISAF vegetable prices drop by Pakistan from WB

A remote-controlled bomb ripped through a A Nato helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan Pakistani consumers witnessed some relief in Pakistan is seeking a soft investment loan of police pick-up truck in northern Afghanistan yesterday but there were no fatalities, an ISAF the prices of vegetables in the first week of the $300mn from the World Bank for the extension yesterday, killing a district police chief and spokesman said, while the Taliban claimed to current month as compared to the previous of an education sector project in Sindh province his three bodyguards, off icials said. Police are have shot it down and killed all on board. “I can month. There was, however, no noticeable to be carried out over a period of 2013-17 to increasingly targeted by Taliban insurgents confirm an International Security Assistance drop in the prices of various other edible items. raise school participation by improving sector as Afghan security forces take greater Force helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan Retailers said prices of most of vegetables have governance and accountability and measure responsibility for security before Nato troops today,” the ISAF spokesman said. “The cause is fallen, except for some off -season items, like student achievement, it was learnt yesterday. withdraw next year. The attack came as the men under investigation but initial reporting indicates ladies finger and karela whose price further The loan sought from the World Bank-aff iliate were travelling from Kishindih district of Balkh there was no enemy activity in the area at the went up. Peas (malir) whose price had jumped International Development Association (IDA) province to the capital Mazar-i-Sharif, deputy time. The reporting we have at this time is that to Rs80-100 per kg, fell to Rs50 per kg. However, will be utilised for the second phase of Sindh An Afghan boy walks with balloons for sale on provincial police chief Abdul Razaq Qaderi said. there were no casualties.” He would not give price of peas from Punjab declined to Rs40 from Education Sector project, for which the Sindh a cold winter’s day in Kabul yesterday. Despite Three others were wounded in the attack, Balkh details of the type of helicopter involved or the Rs60-70 per kg last month. Retailers are selling government will allocate $2300mn.The Sindh massive injections of foreign aid Afghanistan provincial governor’s spokesman Farhad Munir number of troops aboard, saying the crash was Punjab’s peas at Rs50-60 (for 2kgs) after lifting it government views poor sector governance as remains desperately poor with the lowest said. under investigation. in bulk from subzimandi. the principal problem in public education. standards in the world. People of Qadri submits petition in SC Swat vow to back Malala mission Malala Yousufzai’s well- tion including men, women and wishers and schoolmates children are happy with her fast have greeted the champion recovery.” of girls’ education on her She said: “We are happy that successful surgery she is getting better day by day. The schoolmates are missing Sufi cleric and leader of the Minhaj-ul-Qur’an Mohamed Tahirul Qadri (right) leaves the Supreme Court building after submitting his Internews her. Malala’s mother is in con- petition in Islamabad yesterday. Qadri submitted a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking the reconstitution of the Election Islamabad stant contact with us. She has Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in accordance with the constitution, local media reported. told us that Malala will defi nitely come to Swat soon after com- eople of Swat have greeted plete recovery.” rights activist Malala You- Kainat said like Malala, she Psufzai over successful sur- thought that girls’ education gery and said they would carry was vital for a peaceful and civi- forward her mission to promote Malala Yousufzai lised society. girls education in the region. She said she wanted each and every girl to get education and Half of all Afghans paid Malala, who was shot by the spokesman for Swat Qaumi Jirga Taliban in Oct for campaign- before his daughter was targeted play due role in national devel- ing for girls’ education in Swat, by the Taliban. He also praised opment. underwent cranial reconstruc- students Kainat Riaz and Shazia “Without education no coun- tion and a procedure for a coch- Ramazan, who, too, suff ered in- try can make progress. Girls education is the only solution to bribes in 2012: UN report lear implant at Queen Elizabeth juries in the Oct 2012 Malala at- Hospital in Birmingham in what tack. the present crisis being faced by doctors hoped will be last round He said despite threats, these the nation,” she said. AFP nation to a crackdown on graft. ODC regional representative dropped from 58% in 2009 to of her operations. girls were still continuing their Shazia Ramazan, grade 8th Kabul The report by the UN offi ce Jean-Luc Lemahieu. 50 percent last year — but they The leaders of Swat Qaumi education. student, who got injuries in Oct on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) The report shows that cor- were paying more often. jirga, schoolmates, well-wishers The Swat Qaumi Jirga rep- 9 attack along with Malala, said and Afghanistan’s anti-cor- ruption appears to be increas- The survey was based on a and people of all walks of life resentative said the jirga con- it was a good news that Malala he cost of corruption in ruption unit says that while ingly tolerated by ordinary peo- representative sample of 6,700 greeted Malala and her father demned violence in all its forms was fast recovering. Afghanistan has risen there has been “some tangible ple. citizens interviewed across the Ziauddin on the successful op- and manifestations and would She said Malala was her best Tsharply and half of all progress”, the total cost of cor- More than 68% of those sur- country. eration. They prayed for her use all possible resources and friend and she was anxiously citizens paid a bribe to public ruption increased to $3.9bn in veyed considered it acceptable President Hamid Karzai in immediate recovery and vowed means to promote girls educa- waiting for her homecoming. offi cials last year, a new Unit- 2012 – 40% up on 2009. for a civil servant to top up a low December blamed foreigners to carry forward her mission of tion. She also vowed to get education ed Nations study said yester- “The bribes that Afghan citi- salary by accepting small bribes for most of the corruption in promoting education among He said girls’ education was and carry on mission of Malala day. zens paid in 2012 equals double — up from 42% in 2009, the re- Afghanistan and said the with- girls in Swat. the need of the hour and the Yousufzai. More than 11 years after a US- Afghanistan’s domestic reve- port noted. drawal of Nato troops in 2014 Khurshid Kakji of Swat Qaumi people should concentrate on Riaz Khan, who is a school- led invasion led to billions of nue or one-fourth of the Tokyo And 67 percent considered would help rid the country of Jirga declared Malala daughter of providing all facilities and sup- teacher and father of Kainat, dollars in aid fl owing into one of pledge,” the report says, refer- it “sometimes acceptable” for graft. Swat and said: “Malala is a brave port to their daughters in getting said Malala Yousufzai was like the world’s poorest countries, ring to the $16bn promised by a civil servant to be recruited The Afghan government has and courageous girl. People of education. her daughter. Afghanistan ranks among the donors at a conference in Japan on the basis of family ties and previously pointed the fi nger Swat pay salute to her for her Kainat Riaz said, “God has He said Malala’s successful most corrupt nations on earth. last year. friendship networks — also up at the contract systems of the vision. We are proud of her and given second life to my col- surgery was result of the prayers And Western nations due to “Nobody doubts the serious- from 42% four years ago. international community for pray for her good health.” league Malala Yousufzai due to of the people of Pakistan, in- pull their troops out next year ness of the issue, the art is to While the cost of corrup- spreading corruption, although Kakji said Malala’s father, the prayers of her supporters and cluding those from Swat. He have linked future fi nancial design the correct strategy to tion had risen, the total number it admits graft is rife within its Ziauddin Yousafzai, was the well-wishers. The whole na- wished her early recovery. support to the aid-dependent remedy the situation,” said UN- of people paying bribes had own ranks. Graduation ceremony Hafi z Saeed lives in the open in Pakistan: NY Times

IANS Washington

espite a $10mn US bounty on his head, DLashkar-e-Taiba found- er Hafi z Mohamed Saeed lives openly in Pakistan, the New York Times said yesterday. “I move about like an ordi- nary person - that’s my style,” Saeed told the Times in an in- terview at his home in Lahore. “My fate is in the hands of God, not America,” he was Hafiz Mohamed Saeed. quoted as saying by the infl u- ential US daily. time television, and now even “And Saeed’s freedom to “Saeed’s very public life gives interviews to Western roam around Lahore - and, in- seems more than just an act of news media outlets he previ- deed, across Pakistan - sug- mocking defi ance against the ously eschewed. gests some generals still believe Obama administration and its “The militant struggle the ‘good’ jehadis are worth bounty,” the Times said citing helped grab the world’s atten- having around,” it said. unnamed analysts. tion,” he told the Times. “But Western intelligence of- At his Lahore compound - now the political movement is fi cials cited by the Times said a fortifi ed house, offi ce and stronger, and it should be at the Lashkar’s training camps in mosque - Saeed is shielded not forefront of the struggle.” northern Pakistan have not only by his supporters wielding Pakistan’s generals insist been shut down. One of those Kalashnikovs outside his door, they have abandoned their dal- camps was the training ground but also by the Pakistani state, liance with jehadi proxy groups, of David Headley, a Pakistani- An Afghan policeman who was trained by the British soldiers of Nato’s International Security Assistance Force ISAF jokes with British the Times said. the daily said. “But for all that, American citizen recently sen- off icers attending his graduation ceremony in volatile Helmand, Afghanistan, yesterday. The leaders of Britain, Afghanistan and Pakistan Saeed has over the past year there is ample evidence that tenced to 35 years in jail by a on 4 February called on the Taliban to join peace talks, as part of eff orts to ensure stability in Afghanistan. addressed large public meet- parts of the military remain Chicago court for his role in the ings and appeared on prime- wedded to jehadi proxies. 2008 Mumbai attack. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 13 ASEAN

CELEBRATION DECISION LAW AND ORDER RULING PEOPLE Aquino blocks proposed Abu Sayyaf men to walk Court refuses to dismiss Cambodia ends lavish road repair works free after bungled arrests judge over rape remarks funeral for ex-king

President Benigno Aquino has ordered the Eighteen Philippine Muslims wrongly accused of Indonesia’s Supreme Court has refused to dismiss Cambodia yesterday wrapped up a week-long postponement of the proposed year-long repair kidnapping and beheading Christian missionaries a judge for making derogatory remarks about rape funeral for former king Norodom Sihanouk with a of the 23.8km Epifanio de los Santos Avenue are to be freed from prison, the government said. victims, an off icial said yesterday. The Supreme procession to return the cremated remains of the that is expected to trigger traff ic chaos. Palace They include five possible members of the militant Court denied a request by the judicial commission ex-monarch to the royal palace. After chanting by deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said the group Abu Sayyaf who had not apparently taken to convene an ethics tribunal over the case, saying 90 Buddhist monks, two diamond-studded gold president wants all off icials of the department of any part in the crimes, said Peter Ong, vice- the judge has apologised, the commission’s deputy urns and one marble urn containing the remains public works and highways and the Metropolitan chairman, justice department’s counter-terrorism chairman Imam Anshori Saleh said. Daming were transported atop a golden float shaped like Manila Development Authority, to further study task force. “There is no denying that members Sanusi, the head of a regional High Court, said in a mythological bird from the crematorium to the the project. Valte said Aquino wanted both of the Abu Sayyaf Group are responsible for the January that rapists should not be sentenced to palace. “This is to honour his majesty who is the A vendor peddles a golden snake figurine ahead agencies to come up with additional measures kidnapping of six members of Jehovah’s Witnesses death because “victims might have enjoyed” the greatest hero of Cambodia,” Sihanouk’s long-time of Lunar New Year celebrations in Manila’s “to mitigate inconvenience to motorists.” Public on August 20, 2002,” Ong said. “However, we note sex, prompting widespread condemnation and personal assistant Prince Sisowath Thomico said. Chinatown yesterday. The Lunar New Year, or the Works Secretary Rogelio Singson earlier gave the indiscriminate arrest of alleged members of the public calls for him to be fired. Sanusi is the head of The rest of the remains had been lowered into the Spring Festival, begins on February 10 this year assurances that the avenue would not be closed (Abu Sayyaf), even those who did not participate in the High Court in Palembang, the capital of South confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Tonle and marks the start of the Year of the Snake. entirely and repairs would be done in sections. the kidnapping.” Sumatra province. Bassac rivers in Phnom Penh on Tuesday. Philippine Quezon City shanties demolished farmers hope for coconut craze windfall

AFP “Athletic types have taken to Manila coco water for its natural electro- lytes.” Fruits of Life, which began ex- truggling Philippine farmer porting its own branded product Liezl Balmaceda has never in 2006, now exports about 240 Sheard of Madonna, but the tonnes in cans and tetra packs US pop star’s endorsement of co- a year directly to supermarket conut water may help change her chains in the US and Canada. life for the better. The biggest players in the glo- After centuries of replenish- bal beverage industry, including ing Filipinos, the mineral-rich Coca-Cola and Pepsi, have also liquid has become a must-have jumped into the coconut water health drink thanks to aggressive health drink craze in recent years. marketing by a beverage industry ZICO, a US coco water brand looking to off set soda sales that majority owned by Coca-Cola, have lost their fi zz. has supermodel Gisele Bundchen Balmaceda, 33, and her hus- and basketball star Kevin Garnett Filipino informal settlers look on as workers take apart houses during a demolition operation in a poor urban district of Quezon City, east of Manila, Philippines, yesterday. band process truckloads of coco- as its endorsers. Local media reports stated that around 200 families were aff ected and resistance from informal settlers was overcome by police followed by a demolition team. nuts at their backyard each week Meanwhile, pop stars such as to get the meat that is turned into Madonna and Rihanna, as well as vegetable oil. The arduous labour baseball player Alex Rodriguez, earns the family of fi ve about $9 are among celebrity shareholders a day, barely enough to get by on. in Vita Coco, one of the other ma- jor brands. “Athletic types have taken Its 0.33-litre (11-ounce), $3 to coco water for its natural drink is touted as a healthier al- electrolytes” ternative to energy drinks for athletes and the company boasts “We just throw the water away an offi ce in New York’s Flatiron Top court clears Arroyo when we extract the copra (coco- District. nut meat). But if you tell me peo- The Philippines is already the ple actually pay money to drink it, world’s biggest exporter of coco- we could use the extra cash,” she nut products. said in rural Mulanay town, a four Supply is not a problem in the hours’ drive south of Manila. Philippines with 350mn coconut In his most recent state of the trees growing from the beaches of fund misuse charges nation address, President Be- up to its hills and yielding 15bn nigno Aquino hailed coconut wa- fruits a year, according to indus- Manila Times criminal charges fi led by former istration’s capital fund to several were transferred, it was because a Quezon City court also granted ter as one of the country’s most try regulator the Philippine Co- Manila solicitor general Francisco Chavez labour attachés in the Middle East of the compulsory health cover- Arroyo’s motion to suspend the promising new export opportu- conut Authority. against Arroyo and several high- during the United States and Iraq age of Filipino overseas workers trial of the P15mn civil suit fi led nities. In the Philippines, coconut ranking offi cials. crisis. enshrined in Republic Act 7875, by the group called Morong 43 He cited industry fi gures water remains a popular, cheap he Philippine Supreme “Unless tainted with grave Also absolved were former or the National Health Insurance against her. showing exports jumping more drink, with stalls selling it straight Court has upheld a deci- abuse of discretion, the judg- foreign aff airs secretary Alberto Program that established the Jose Flaminiano, Arroyo’s than nine-fold to 16.76mn litres from the fruit — a common site Tsion by the Offi ce of the ments and orders of the ombuds- Romulo, former OWWA admin- PhilHealth. counsel, said that judge Afable (4.4mn gallons) in 2011. throughout the big cities as well Ombudsman clearing former man shall not be reversed, modi- istrator Virgilio Angelo, former In its decision, the Su- Cajigal of Branch 96 of the Manila-based Fruits of Life is as the countryside. president and now Rep Gloria fi ed, or otherwise interfered with health secretary and civil service preme Court agreed with Regional Trial Court of one local business to have started However, because of a lack of Arroyo of Pampanga province of by the court,” the tribunal said. commission chairman Francisco the anti-graft body’s Quezon City, granted profi ting from the growing ap- demand as well as the costs re- malversation charges over the al- Arroyo and the other respond- Duque, and OWWA board mem- decision that the diver- the motion to sus- preciation in the west for coconut quired to process and preserve it, leged misuse of P530.82mn Over- ents were criminally charged bers Patricia Tomas, Manuel Im- sion of money was in pend the proceedings. water as an alternative to sugar- the water had never been profi t- seas Workers Welfare Adminis- for the alleged illegal transfer of son, Rosalinda Baldoz, Caroline line with Executive Or- Arroyo asked the laden carbonated drinks. able enough to sell overseas, Phil- tration (OWWA) fund. P530.82mn from the Overseas Rogge, Mina Figueroa, Victorino der 195, which ordered court to suspend pro- “People have become more ippine Coconut Authority chief In a two-page minute resolu- administration’s Medicare fund Balais, Gregorio Oca and Virginia compulsory coverage ceedings pending the health-conscious in general,” said Euclides Forbes said. tion dated January 17, 2013, the to the Philippine Health Insur- Pasalo. of Filipinos recruited resolution of her peti- Phoebe de la Cruz, sales manager “From mere waste it’s being court’s third division upheld the ance Corporporation (PhilHealth) The ombudsman ruled that abroad. tion for certiorari at the for Fruits of Life. turned into gold,” Forbes said. ombudsman’s dismissal of the and of $350,000 from the admin- when the Overseas agency’s funds Meanwhile, Court of Appeals. Manila, Berlin mend Automated election system ‘hack proof’ ties despite airport row Manila Times the 2010 election fell victim to Manila these so-called election opera- tors, Brillantes pointed out. DPA pino partners to enable them to visits from Berlin, a diplomatic The poll chief also assured Manila exploit opportunities in ener- source said on condition of he Philippine Com- lawmakers and the public that gy, manufacturing, (outsourc- anonymity. mission on Elections the precinct count optical ing), tourism and other infra- The last top German offi cial T(Comelec) has cautioned scan (PCOS) machines and the he Philippines and Ger- structure projects,” he said. to visit the Philippines was candidates not to believe in- entire system remains hack- many yesterday agreed to former foreign minister Jo- dividuals or groups claiming proof. Tput a multi-million-dol- “We see a lot of potential schka Fischer in 2000. Del Ro- to have the capability to hack Brillantes claimed that no lar row over an airport exten- between our countries sario yesterday hinted at some the automated election system one could tamper with the cur- sion behind them and improve and it is on us now to use progress in the talks. (AES) and manipulate the poll rent system. their economic, political, trade this opportunity” “While we have not come results in exchange for cash. However, senator Alan Peter and defence co-operation. up with a magical formula that Comelec chairman Sixto Cayetano, acting chairman of “This shouldn’t be an obsta- Tensions fl ared between the would quickly make the issue Brillantes told the joint con- the JCOC-AES, said it would be cle for our economic collabo- Philippines and its largest Eu- disappear, I have come to an gressional oversight committee better if the commission chal- ration,” said German Foreign ropean trading partner in 2002 understanding with minister (JCOC) on automated elections lenges experts to try to hack Minister Guido Westerwelle, when the government of then- Westerwelle that we are looking system that the AES was hack- into the automated system and the fi rst German cabinet minis- president Gloria Macapagal- forward to a positive resolution proof. He added that there are manipulate the result to prove ter to visit the Philippines since Arroyo nullifi ed the 1997 con- of the Fraport issue,” he said. “operators” in the country of- Brillantes’ claim that the sys- the dispute erupted in 2002. tract awarded to a German-led “We are optimistic about fering candidates their services tem cannot be hacked. “We see a lot of potential consortium to build and oper- this considering the openness and ensuring them victory if “We can use these peo- between our countries and it is ate a third terminal at Manila’s that both sides have expressed they are willing to pay a fee. ple who claim to know how on us now to use this opportu- international airport, citing ir- regarding possible options that According to Brillantes, to manipulate the machines nity,” he said in Manila. regularities. we could explore.” these syndicates are the same positively . . . like the practice Philippine Foreign Secre- The government in 2003 The Philippine government groups that have been operat- of other countries using the tary Albert del Rosario said its expropriated Terminal 3 of the has placed $175mn in escrow ing in the past when elections expertise of counterfeiters to economy, one of the fastest- Ninoy Aquino International for the developers as ordered were not automated. He added capture other counterfeiters,” growing in the region and has Airport from the consortium, by a local court amid interna- that the syndicates usually tar- Cayetano said. made the Philippines very at- whose leader, Germany’s Frap- tional arbitration. get local candidates in far-fl ung If hackers managed to break tractive for new investments ort AG, has been suing to re- The countries’ bilateral areas who are not that familiar into the system, the poll body since then. cover $425mn ever since. trade was worth $3.1bn in 2011, with the automated system but would still have enough time to “This single case should not The dispute strained dip- and Germany is the biggest Philippine President Benigno Aquino shakes hands with German Foreign are willing to pay millions of come up with necessary modi- prevent German companies lomatic relations, and was a source of tourists to the Philip- Minister Guido Westerwelle during a meeting at the presidential palace in pesos for their “victory.” fi cations to make it more se- from working with their Fili- factor in preventing high-level pines. Manila yesterday. Many candidates during cure, he said. Gulf Times 14 Friday, February 8, 2013 ASIA Russian jets China talks window breached must stay open: Abe airspace, Abe has attempted to soften his hawkish profile by says Tokyo keeping the option for talks open AFP violation of state borders,” it said. AFP Tokyo The alleged incident came Tokyo hours after hawkish Japanese premier Shinzo Abe—who swept wo Russian fi ghters vio- to power in December with apan’s prime minister said lated Japanese airspace pledges to get tough on diploma- yesterday the “window of di- Tyesterday, Tokyo’s defence cy—off ered apparently concilia- Jalogue” with China must re- ministry said, prompting Japan tory comments toward Moscow main open, even as he reiterated to scramble its own warplanes in over the Russian-administered his rebuke to Beijing over a naval what was reported to be the fi rst Southern Kurils, known as the confrontation on the high seas. such incident in fi ve years. Northern Territories in Japan. Shinzo Abe said an incident in The planes were detected off which a Chinese frigate locked the northern island of Hokkaido “Today, around 3pm (0600 its weapons-targeting radar on a for just over a minute, shortly GMT), military fi ghters Japanese warship was “extremely after Japan’s new prime minister belonging to Russian regrettable”, as tension grows said he wanted to fi nd a “mutu- Federation breached our over the sovereignty of islands in ally acceptable solution” to a nation’s airspace” the East China Sea. decades-old territorial row be- “But we will not close the win- tween the two. Abe’s tone was in marked dow of dialogue. This is most im- Japan’s foreign ministry contrast to his uncompromising portant,” Abe said. “I would like lodged a formal protest over stance on a dispute with Beijing China to return to a more open what it said was an incursion by over the sovereignty of a diff er- attitude towards our strategic a pair of Russian Su-27 fi ght- ent set of disputed islands. partnership.” Abe Wednesday ers. Four Japanese F-2 fi ghters “There is no change in my re- had described the Chinese action were sent up to visually confi rm solve to do everything I can to- as “dangerous” and “provoca- the Russian planes, according to wards sealing a peace treaty with tive”. Defence Minister Itsunori Kyodo news. Russia after resolving the issue of Onodera told parliament the “Today, around 3pm (0600 the Northern Territories,” Abe said. Chinese radar lock amounted to GMT), military fi ghters be- In December, Abe and Russian a “threat of force” but he called longing to Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin agreed for some mechanism to allow breached our nation’s airspace to restart talks on signing a peace defence authorities to communi- above territorial waters off treaty formally ending the hos- cate with each other. Hokkaido’s Rishiri island,” the tilities of World War II that has “We think this is a threat of foreign ministry said. been stymied by the dispute. force, as defi ned in the UN Char- Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a rally to call on Russia to return a group of islands, called Northern Territories by Tokyo. If confi rmed, it would be the “In the telephone talks, I told ter,” Onodera said. fi rst breach of Japanese airspace President Putin I would make “But what is most important sible armed confl ict. lomatic dispute and huge anti- that could ultimately get out of the New Komeito party which is by Russia since February 2008, eff orts to fi nd a mutually accept- is to prevent incidents like this The situation has been tense Japan demonstrations across hand”. Abe’s coalition ally, called for a according to Japanese media re- able solution so as to ultimately from recurring in the future,” he for months in the East China Sea, China. He added: “One country or the Japan-China summit by August ports. solve the issue of the Northern said. “I also think it is necessary where Asia’s two largest econo- In Washington US Defence Sec- other could react in a way that 12, the 35th anniversary of the However, Moscow denied any Territories,” Abe told a govern- for Japan and China to have a mies are at loggerheads over the retary Leon Panetta on Wednesday could create an even greater cri- signing of the Japan-China Peace incursion had taken place, in a ment-backed rally of around means of consultation on mari- sovereignty of an uninhabited is- urged China to avoid confronta- sis.” and Friendship Treaty. statement by the spokesman for 2,000 former islanders and their time safety issues.” land chain, called the Senkakus in tion and seek peaceful dialogue The US defence chief said Chi- “Avoiding contingencies and the military command’s eastern descendants in Tokyo. The radar incident, which Ja- Japan and the Diaoyus in China. with Japan and other countries na, the United States and other pushing for big-picture ties is the district, Roman Martov, given to Soviet forces seized the isles, pan said happened last month, Beijing has repeatedly sent over territorial disputes. countries should work together duty of the two countries’ po- Russian news agencies. which stretch out into rich fi sh- marked the fi rst time the two na- ships to the area since Japan na- Asked about the Japan-China to address “common challenges,” litical leaders,” said Yamaguchi, “Flights by the air force of the ing waters off the northern coast tions’ navies have locked horns tionalised some islands in the tensions, Panetta voiced concern including piracy, natural disas- who delivered a letter from Abe Pacifi c Fleet take place regularly of Hokkaido, in the dying days in a dispute that has some com- chain in September. The nation- that “it’s the kind of situation ters and territorial disputes. to China’s incoming president Xi in this region, in strict adherence of WWII and drove out Japanese mentators warning about a pos- alisation move triggered a dip- where there are territorial claims Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of Jinping last month. to the international rules, without residents. HK leader Snow games under fi re for suing newspaper

AFP were reportedly seen paying par- Hong Kong ticipants at a pro-government rally, according to the SCMP. It is the second time in two ournalists in Hong Kong ac- weeks that Leung, widely seen as cused the city’s leader of infl uenced by Beijing, has come Jcracking down on free speech under fi re over press freedoms. yesterday after he demanded an Last week local and foreign apology from a newspaper which journalists slammed a government suggested he had triad connec- plan to restrict access to informa- tions. tion about company directors, af- Following a legal letter from ter details were used in a series of Chief Executive Leung Chun- investigative reports exposing the ying, the daily Hong Kong Eco- wealth of Chinese offi cials. nomic Journal published a spe- The Hong Kong Journalists cial notice in yesterday’s edition, Association said in a statement: stating that its columnist had “It is inappropriate for Leung to written the article “in the public jump in with threats of legal ac- interest”. tion before even responding to the “If this piece has caused in- commentary so as to allow for a convenience to readers or caused rational discussion of the issues.” readers to arrive at an unfair con- Leung defended his actions, clusion about. Leung, then the insisting that he respected press US and South Korean marines take part in winter drills in Pyeongchang, some 200km east of Seoul, South Korea yesterday. The drill was originally designed to prepare newspaper apologises,” it said. freedoms. troops to face North Korean attacks. But HKEJ chief editor Chan “I have all along respected King-cheung later vented his freedom of speech and freedom fury at the government’s inter- of the press. Nevertheless, the ference and said the newspaper article contains serious allega- would not be retracting the story, tions which accused me of hav- the South China Morning Post ing relation with triad society. reported. The matter has to be taken seri- “Free speech is a value highly ously,” he said in a statement. treasured in Hong Kong and we The chief executive’s offi ce re- S Korea air force parodies movie feel it would be a bad thing for fused to comment when asked if Hong Kong if this incident has they planned to pursue legal ac- a silencing eff ect on the media,” tion against the paper. AFP The parody uses the same famous a minor resemblance to the source fi cers behind the project. Chan told the SCMP, saying he Leung was chosen to lead the Seoul score for the musical’s big numbers material and centres around one air- All the cast—with the exception of the was shocked and disappointed. southern Chinese city by a pro- Look Down, I Dreamed a Dream and man, Valjean, whose girlfriend, Co- woman playing Cosette—were conscripts The Hong Kong Journalists Beijing committee in March, Do You Hear the People Sing? but re- sette, has come to the base to visit. Two years of military service is man- Association joined in the criti- promising to improve govern- he South Korean air force has places the original lyrics with an al- In the original, Valjean was Co- datory for all able-bodied men in South cism, saying Leung’s move could ance and uphold the rule of law posted a Les Miserables vid- ternative Korean-language version. sette’s protector and guardian. Korea, which technically remains at war have a “chilling eff ect on press in the former British colony of Teo parody on YouTube, com- In the opening scene, young airmen The airman’s overbearing superior Ja- with its rival the North. freedom”. Chan said his news- 7mn people. plete with snow-shovelling airmen, doing their military service labour at vert insists he return in one hour, leaving Many serve in remote, mountainous paper had received the letter Hong Kong returned to China a lovelorn military service conscript clearing a runway after a heavy snow- the couple only a few snatched minutes areas and get little time off to visit family from Leung’s solicitor last week in 1997 as a semi-autonomous and a vindictive superior offi cer. fall. “Look Down” becomes Dig Down together. or friends. demanding an apology and the territory with its own political The 14-minute video, entitled Les Mili- as the conscripts chant: “Dig down, “We made the video to lift the spir- “We hope that the video can help retraction of the article. and legal system that guarantees taribles, has garnered more than 400,000 dig down, and clear the snow below... it of servicemen who had to work so shatter the image of the military as a The HKEJ column suggested civil liberties not seen on the views in just a few days and even received there is no end to this accursed snow.” hard to clear snow during the unusu- dull place and encourage more youth there were signs that Leung had mainland, including freedom of a Twitter nod from one of the stars of Apart from the names of the charac- ally heavy winter this year,” said Major to take the service with delight,” Cheon links to triad gangs after they speech and association. the Hollywood version, Russell Crowe. ters, the plot of the video bears only Cheon Myeong-Nyeong, one of the of- said. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 15 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/MALDIVES Bodies of 19 Salute to the fading day workers to reach Dhaka on Sunday

Mizan Rahman Hossain said eight bod- Bangladesh,” he said when Dhaka ies would arrive at Chittagong the new ambassador called on airport on Sunday and another him at the President’s Secre- eight bodies on Tuesday at tariat prior to his departure for xpatriates’ Welfare and Dhaka. Bodies of the remaining Oman. Overseas Employment three are scheduled to arrive at President Rahman also di- EMinister Engineer Khand- Sylhet on Wednesday. rected the Bangladesh Ambas- ker Mosharraf Hossain yesterday The family of every victim sador to work for the wellbeing said the bodies of 19 expatriate will be given 35,000 taka for of expatriate Bangladeshis in workers killed in a road accident burial, said the minister, adding Oman. in the UAE would be brought to the government will also give He also asked the Bangla- Bangladesh onSunday. another 2,00,000 taka to each desh ambassador to promote The minister was speaking at worker’s family. trade between Bangladesh and a press briefi ng in Dhaka. Sec- Hossain said the employing Oman. A boy practising karate on the beach in Colombo yesterday. retary of the ministry Dr Zafar fi rm would also provide 4mn “Oman can import pharma- Ahmed was also present at the taka to each family. ceuticals and readymade gar- briefi ng. President Zillur Rahman ments,” the president said. A total of 22 people died in a yesterday asked the newly The new envoy to Oman ap- road accident at Al-Ain in Abu appointed Bangladesh Am- prised told the president that Dhabi in the United Arab Emir- bassador to Oman Sheikh nearly 4,50,000 expatriate ates on February 4, of whom 20 Sekander Ali to open up more Bangladeshis are working in were Bangladeshis. job avenues for skilled and Oman. Of the Bangladeshi work- semi-skilled manpower in the Noting that Oman presently imports vegetables and fro- Maldives govt sets polls ers, 19 have been identifi ed and Gulf country. their bodies are scheduled to “Take diplomatic initiatives zen food from Bangladesh, Ali arrive in Dhaka on Sunday and so that Oman recruits more assured the president that he the remaining body would be teachers, physicians, engi- would do his best to increase brought to the country after neers, agriculturists and skilled trade between the two coun- tries. for Sept 7, risks protests identifi cation. and semi-skilled workers from

Reuters Colombo

he Maldives will hold Mob torches sect’s presidential elections on TSeptember. 7, offi cials said, spurning calls for an earlier vote and risking further protests by supporters of ex-president festival venue Mohamed Nasheed who says he was overthrown in a coup last year. AFP torched the canopy, tents and rity, only a few policemen were Nasheed’s followers have al- Dhaka stage,” Sanjit Kumar, a senior sent to protect the venue, situ- ready taken to the streets several police offi cial, said. ated 40km north of the capital. times since his departure amid “We fi red rubber bullets and “We got government approval political turmoil that has threat- n Islamic sect whose tear gas at the mob, but it was so for the three-day meet where ened the Indian Ocean nation’s members are seen as huge that we could not protect 10,000 of our members, includ- key tourism industry. Aheretics by mainstream the venue,” he said, adding that ing 200 foreign guests, were in- Nasheed, the islands’ fi rst Muslims yesterday shifted the one person was injured after he vited,” he said. democratically elected leader, site for its centenary celebra- was beaten up. The Ahmadiyya “When we saw mob was left offi ce in contested circum- tions in Bangladesh after thou- sect was founded in 1889. Pa- building up and threatening to stances in February last year - he sands of religious rivals torched kistan in 1974 adopted a law to attack the venue, we asked for says he was forced out at gun- the original venue. brand the community as non- more security.” point while his successor Presi- A mob, which witnesses said Muslims. He said the venue for the dent Mohamed Waheed Hussain numbered around 20,000, at- In Bangladesh, where 90% celebrations had been shifted Manik says he left voluntarily. Former president Mohamed Nasheed. tacked the venue at Kaliakoir, of the country’s 153mn people to the group’s headquarters in On the eve of the anniversary near Dhaka, late Wednesday are Muslims, there is no such Dhaka. of that power transition, presi- But he is facing a court case re- on busy shipping lanes and has longest-serving leader and ac- where members of Ahmadi- law. But Islamic parties and top Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat dential spokesman Imad Masood lating to the detention of a judge increasingly become a target for cused of running the country as yya Muslim Jamaat were due to clerics have long demanded the has been the victim of sev- said on Wednesday the elections during the last days of his rule Somali pirates. a dictator. mark 100 years since the move- government declare them non- eral attacks in recent years, in- commissioner had chosen Sep- and could be barred from stand- The Maldives, for almost nine President Waheed had ear- ment began operating in what is Muslims. cluding last November when a tember 7 as the date for the next ing if found guilty. centuries a sultanate before it be- lier said the election could not now Bangladesh. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat’s Muslim mob in a northern dis- vote. He has accused the authori- came a British protectorate, held be held any sooner than July 2013 “They attacked the venue Bangladesh spokesman Tabshir trict vandalised a mosque and Nasheed’s Maldivian Demo- ties of harassing his supporters its fi rst free elections in 2008. but did not mention a specifi c from all corners, shouting Alla- Chowdhury alleged that despite torched several houses belong- cratic Party has already approved and had called for new elections Nasheed defeated Maumoon Ab- date. hu Akbar (God is greater). They repeated request for more secu- ing to the sect members. his candidature in the next vote. in 2012 in the country that sits dul Gayoom, who was then Asia’s Activists protest in Dhaka Court rejects case against Khaleda

Mizan Rahman Dhaka

Dhaka court yesterday summarily dismissed a sedition case fi led against ABangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia for writing an ar- ticle in the Washington Times against the Bangladesh government, headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Advocate Abdul Malek alias Moshiur Malek, founder and president of Bangaband- hu Foundation, fi led the case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Dhaka at 10:30am yesterday. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate M Saifur Rahman dismissed the case fi ve hours after the case was fi led. He dismissed the case at around 3:15pm saying that the complainant was not a gov- ernment offi cial or empowered by the gov- ernment and did not seek any prior sanction from the home ministry for fi ling the case. According to the provision, if any person fi les a sedition case against another person, the complainant must be a government of- fi cial or empowered by the government or must seek prior sanction from the home ministry. Bangladeshi social activists and bloggers participate in a demonstration demanding the death sentence for war criminals during a nationwide The litigant saw the article on the Internet strike in Dhaka yesterday. Police fired rubber bullets on Wednesday at hundreds of activists from Bangladesh’s largest Islamic party during a and fi led the case. second day of rioting sparked by the conviction of a top opposition figure for war crimes. In his complaint, he also appealed to the court to arrest Khaleda Zia. Khaleda Zia Gulf Times 16 Friday, February 8, 2013 WORLD

WAY TO ELECTIONS WAGE WOES RESTIVE REGION SEEKING WEAPONS Zimbabwe parliament Over 1,000 laid off from Man shot dead in Kenya’s 19 charged with DR Congo approves draft charter South African farms troubled northeast coup plot in Pretoria court

Zimbabwe’s upper house of parliament South African farmers yesterday said more than Gunmen yesterday shot dead one person and A South African court yesterday formally yesterday approved a draft constitution, clearing a thousand labourers had received dismissal wounded several others in Kenya’s restive charged 19 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) the way for a national referendum as early as notices, days after the government announced the northeastern Garissa region, police said, the latest rebels with plotting to stage a coup in their April. The 160-page draft - approved by the minimum wage would rise by 52%. Employers in in a string of attacks. The attackers opened fire on a home country. The group is accused of seeking lower house on Wednesday night - took three one province alone dismissed at least 1,750 farm vehicle as it drove in Garissa town, which lies some weapons and military training to topple President years to write, with constant bickering between workers. In Limpopo, labour-intensive fruit farms 120km from the border with war-torn Somalia, and Joseph Kabila and was subject to a special police Zimbabwe’s three main parties, including let go 1,000, Louis Meintjies, head of the farmers where Kenyan troops are fighting Somali Islamist sting operation. “They intended on unseating President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF and Prime association TAU SA said. Agri SA farmers gave insurgents. “It looks like the attackers were after the President Kabila unconstitutionally,” government (From left) Zimbabwe Vice President Joice Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for notice to another 750, according to an association people in the vehicle, because they just opened fire prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told the Pretoria Mujuru, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Democratic Change (MDC). “I am sure soon off icial who said that farmers were sacking “500 at them and escaped,” regional police chief George Regional Court. Abrahams said they are members member of the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe the president will announce the dates” for the workers at a time” in the restive Western Cape. On Losku said. Attacks have increased in Kenya since of an obscure rebel group called the Union of for Kuwadzana Nelson Chamisa attends the referendum, Douglas Mwonzora, the chairman Monday, the government announced the minimum Nairobi sent soldiers into Somalia in late 2011 to Nationalists for the Renewal. The would-be presentation of the final draft of the constitution of the parliamentary committee that drafted the wage for farm workers would increase to 105 rand fight Al Qaeda-linked Shebaab insurgents, who have putschists were not asked to enter pleas and were for debate in Parliament on Wednesday night. constitution, told DPA. ($11.80) a day from March 1. vowed to take revenge on Kenya. ordered to return to court on February 14. Landmine kills 4 Mali troops

AFP two Malian army cars between Gao and Bamako Hombori,” on the road to Douentza, the group’s spokesman Abu Walid Sahraoui said in a text message sent to AFP. our Malian soldiers were killed He called on Malians to stay away when their vehicle drove over from main roads, which he said had Fa landmine in northern terri- been heavily mined. tory where French-led forces recently “We urge infi nite jihad and a strug- chased out Islamist rebels, Mali’s par- gle against infi del regimes and the amilitary police said yesterday. establishment of God’s sharia and for “On Wednesday, a Malian army ve- Muslims to be freed,” he added. hicle was blown up by a mine placed The French military has warned the by the Islamist criminals between Islamists likely left many mines and Douentza and Gao. There were four improvised explosive devices before deaths,” an offi cer said in Douentza, fl eeing its intervention, launched on 800km northeast of the Malian capital January 11 to stop the insurgents from Bamako. advancing on the capital. A spokesman for one of the armed The 400km road between Douentza Islamist groups that occupied north- and Gao is believed to be particularly ern Mali for 10 months before the dangerous. French intervention, the Movement A landmine had already killed two for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa Malian soldiers there on January 31. (Mujao), said the group had “created a French-led troops reclaimed new combat zone” in the confl ict and Douentza on January 21. Gao, the larg- claimed a series of recent attacks. est city in the north, was reclaimed on “Mujao is behind the explosion of January 26. Zambian deputy minister for Works and Supply, Colonel Panji Kaunda, and a Provincial Army representative inspects the accident scene in Chibombo yesterday. Second arrest in S Africa gang-rape murder case 53 killed in Zambia Reuters pear in court shortly on charges of rape Cape Town and murder. The charges carry a man- datory life sentence. The case has echoes of the gang rape outh African police have arrested and murder of a 23-year-old student a second suspect in the gang- on a New Delhi bus in December that Srape and murder of a teenager triggered huge protests against the an- that shocked a country hardened to ti-female violence endemic in India. bus-truck collision some of the world’s highest levels of Women’s groups are seizing on the sexual violence. Bredasdorp case as a rallying point for AFP died in the accident,” Harry Kalaba, an survivor Ackim Shawa said from his site while the blood-soaked road was The 17-year-old victim was sliced protests in South Africa, where the Lusaka offi cial in the vice president’s offi ce, hospital bed. Fifty-one people on the cleared of bodies. open from her stomach to her geni- high rate of sexual crimes means most said from the crash site 100km north bus died, while the truck driver and his President Michael Sata conveyed his tals and dumped on a building site in attacks fail to stir widespread anger. of the capital. assistant were also killed. government’s “deepest condolences the town of Bredasdorp, 130km east of The Women’s League of the ruling ifty-three people were killed in There was serious speeding by all Pictures from the scene show blood- to the beloved families on the death of Cape Town at the weekend. African National Congress has called a high-speed collision between the vehicles involved, Kalaba said. ied and lifeless bodies lying next to the their beloved ones” and wished the in- “Our investigations are continuing for a national inquiry into rape and Fa bus and a truck in Zambia yes- The Zambia Postal Service bus - mangled wreckage of the vehicles. Some jured a speedy recovery. and more arrests are imminent,” police gender-based violence. terday, the government said, one of the which also runs passenger transport 22 survivors were being treated in a Around 1,200 people are killed on spokesman Frederick van Wyk said. “The sad fact of the matter is this is country’s worst-ever traffi c accidents. services - had been taking passengers nearby missionary hospital, where they the country’s roads every year, accord- The victim identifi ed one of her not an isolated incident,” the Women’s The bus carrying 73 passengers hur- from the Copperbelt mining province lay crying, dazed or unconscious. Some ing to offi cial data. attackers, a 22-year-old man, be- League said in a statement. “It is encour- tled into an oncoming truck, leaving to Lusaka. had cuts and bruises, but survivors with In 2005, 44 schoolchildren were fore she died. He and the 21-year-old aging to see so many South Africans, men bloodied bodies and wreckage on a While closing in on its fi nal destina- serious injuries were taken to Lusaka. killed in a bus accident while travelling second suspect, who was arrested on and women, young and old, come out in main road north of Lusaka. tion the bus had been trying to swerve Bystanders gathered on the edge to school holidays from the northern Wednesday night, are expected to ap- anger and say ‘Enough is enough’.” “I can confi rm that 53 people have to avoid another oncoming vehicle, of maize fi elds surrounding the crash Luapula province to Lusaka.

Alleged witch is Skateboarder faces burned to death in dangerous driving Papua New Guinea Rescuers race to reach tsunami-hit villages in Solomons rap aft er Cape caper A 20-year-old woman was One of South Africa’s top skate- stripped naked, doused boarders is facing arrest over a in petrol and thrown onto AFP spokesman Sipulu Rove. He video posted on YouTube of him a pyre of burning tyres Sydney said local offi cials were trying careering down a Cape Town by a mob who claimed to check on the villages but the street at a professed 110kph she was a witch, Papua process could take days, as roads to set off a speed camera, city New Guinea newspapers isaster relief agencies had been blocked by landslides off icials said yesterday. reported yesterday. were struggling yesterday and telecommunications was The ‘Spoofing the Traff ic Kepari Leniata, who Dto reach remote tsunami- poor or non-existent. Camera’ video, which has had a husband and an hit villages in the Solomon Is- World Vision said the lat- notched up more than 200,000 8-month-old daughter, lands, and warned the death toll est reports from the aid group’s YouTube hits, shows skater was tortured with hot following a powerful 8.0 magni- staff on the ground suggested Decio Lourenco, hands folded pokers before being put to tude quake was likely to rise. the scale of the disaster was big- behind his back to decrease death in front of a crowd At least six people were con- ger than previously thought and wind resistance, hurtling down in Mount Hagen, the South fi rmed dead after Wednesday’s that up to 20 communities were the mountain road in fading Pacific nation’s third- quake generated a wave that believed to have been aff ected, light. Motorists on the opposite biggest city. swamped coastal communities rather than just fi ve. side have their headlines on. She had been accused on Ndende island in the eastern “All communities visited to- At the bottom of the run, he of using magic spells to kill Solomons and triggered warn- day have suff ered signifi cant throws his hands up in jubilation an 8-year-old boy. He died ings of a more widespread tsu- damage. This brings the esti- after a GPS system strapped to this week in Mount Hagen nami that was later lifted. mated number of people af- his foot showed he had clocked hospital after complaining Aid agency World Vision said fected to 6,000 people approxi- up 110kph in a 60kph zone. of stomach pains. the force of the surging water mately,” it said in a statement, JP Smith, the Cape Town of- Firemen who arrived shunted some houses 10m back adding that food and water were ficial in charge of safety and secu- at the scene were chased from the coast in the Ndende running low in some areas. rity, told Reuters: “The speed limit away by a mob that in- town of Venga and almost all The stricken island’s airstrip is irrelevant. He is seen careering cluded schoolchildren. the homes in Nela village were was also closed because of de- down the road in a reckless and The killing of women washed away. bris on the runway, preventing dangerous manner.” alleged to be witches is “I’m currently walking planes carrying relief supplies The road in question, Kloof common in Papua New through one community and from landing and thwarting Nek, is one of Cape Town’s steep- Guinea. I’m knee-deep in water,” World plans to send reconnaissance est and has been used to host Head of Mount Hagen’s Vision emergency co-ordinator fl ights over the disaster zone. extreme skateboarding events, Lutheran Church David Jeremiah Tabua said. “I can see Offi cials said about 460 houses A house that was damaged when a tsunami hit the Venga village on Solomon Islands. although only when closed to Piso condemned the a number of houses that have had been destroyed leaving some traff ic. The city does not allow killing. been swept away by the surge.” 3,000 people homeless, with ing in. Most of the reports are tarpaulins, fresh water, food and said Wednesday’s quake struck skateboarding on public roads. “Sorcery and sorcery- Unconfi rmed reports said many villagers fl eeing for higher confi ned to areas that are ac- clothing are to depart Honiara for in the middle of the day, beneath The threat of arrest for one of related killings are grow- nine were killed and the national ground. cessible by road but there are a Ndende but are not expected to the sea about 76km west of Lata, their most celebrated comrades ing and the government disaster management offi ce Red Cross disaster manager lot more communities that have reach the island until the weekend. Ndende’s main town. has the close-knit skateboard- needs to come up w4ith a said it had no clear picture of Cameron Vudi said the death toll been damaged.” Both Australia and New It was followed by dozens of ing community up in arms, with law to stop such practice,” the scale of destruction on the was likely to rise as reports fi l- Rove said the airstrip is ex- Zealand said they were ready strong aftershocks of up to 7.0 posts on the National Skate he told the National island, more than 600km from tered in from isolated communi- pected to reopen today and the to provide assistance to their magnitude. The Hawaii-based Collective Facebook page call- newspaper, which carried the capital Honiara. ties. “We’re expecting changes. Solomons government had asked northern neighbour, with Wel- Pacifi c Tsunami Warning Cen- ing for mass action. “The city is a gruesome photograph “Some of the remote com- There are signs that there might the Royal Australian Air Force to lington pledging an immediate tre put several island nations on trying to shut us down,” said the of Leniata’s death on its munities we haven’t heard back be increases in the number of send a plane to survey damage. NZ$200,000 (US$167,000) for alert for two-and-a-half hours page, which carries the popular front page. from yet, it’s very diffi cult to casualties,” he said. Boats carrying medical teams humanitarian supplies. before declaring the threat had skater tag-line ‘Skate or Die’. get information,” said offi ce “There are still reports com- and emergency supplies such as The US Geological Survey passed. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 17 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH How to teach our kids Tawheed

hen we want to teach our this was because the companions thus the parents should take advantage that medicine is but a means and that the sake of Allah and not because so is a nice man who brings gifts and nice children Tawheed (i.e. realised that the reason why Allah of this interest in them. One should not it is Allah Who made it a cause to cure. and so person deprived us form a job things, then the parents must explain Islamic monotheism) created us was for the sole purpose of simply relate the story without high- Clarify that Allah is The Only One or money that we wanted. Parents that this Santa is a symbol for non- Wshould we have to read worshipping Him. lighting certain matters and emphasis- who can benefi t or cause harm, and should be careful in front of their Muslims (namely the Christians) and classical texts and books in this regard? One may resort to other means of ing on the lessons one can extract from He is the only One to seek refuge in to children lest the children adopt a bad that he is nothing but a myth made up No, this is not needed in the early teaching them, such as: these stories. lift any harm. Parents should exploit habit, because it is the parents who by them, and that the only One Who stages of their lives because this re- Utilising Qur’anic study circles: Commenting on some events: all other situations to instill diff erent have the most eff ective infl uence on Has the power to benefi t or cause harm quires long hours of attentiveness In such a case the parent may stop at One can remind the children with principles of Tawheed. the children. is Allah Alone. and hard work, which is diffi cult for certain verses which address a specifi c the massacre that took place to the Setting a good example: Correcting wrong concepts or Likewise, if the child sees on TV that children. aspect of Tawheed and explain it. An Muslims in Bosnia and the atrocities A parent could be a means to instill words: a certain character controls the wind Later in life, one can do so when example for this is the verses ad- that are currently taking place to the certain values and basics of Tawheed During the child’s daily activi- or the rain, the parents must make it their level of comprehension allows dressing the story of Prophet ‘Eesaa Muslims in Palestine, Iraq and other through his or her conduct and ac- ties, they may utter or do something clear that this is association with Allah them to grasp what is being read and and that he was not crucifi ed as the places and make it clear for them that tions. For example, a parent may praise Islamically wrong or contradicting and that these are qualities that are said to them. Initially, one can convey Christians claim, but the parent must their suff ering is because of their faith a person in front of his children only to Tawheed and it is the role of the exclusive to Allah. what he wants in the form of relat- choose simple phrases that are within and because they are Muslims. This because he is a righteous one or a one parents to correct them. The child These were some suggestions of ing stories of the companions of the the level of the child’s understanding will make the child sympathise with who fi ghts Jihaad. Likewise, a parent may swear by other than Allah, and it simple and important means and Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and comprehension. his fellow Muslims. may dispraise another person because becomes mandatory upon the parents methods through which parents who gave precedence to their faith Relating stories of the Prophet and Exploiting certain situations: he is a disbeliever. to clarify that this is a form of disbelief can clarify aspects and principles of and to worshipping Allah over living his companions and other heroes in When the child is ill, the parent can This clarifi es to the children one and associating with Allah, and so Tawheed to their children. in their homelands and amongst their Islam: instill in him the principle that Allah of the principles of faith, and that forth. Article source: http://www.is- families and tribes, and highlight that Children like hearing stories, and Alone is the One Who can cure and is love and hatred are both done for A child may hear at school that Santa lamweb.net/emainpage/ How to welcome The upbringing of our children

ultivation in Islam is very should not always use harshness. new-born child in Islam important, for indeed all However, if the situation requires of the religion is based harshness, and even hitting, then hildren are a source of de- Abdullaah (a servant of Allah) or the Cupon upbringing. It starts he should do so, as and when the light and an adornment for servant of any of the names of Allah. fi rst of all with of our own selves, situation requires it, but he should the world granted by Allah to Then it is recommended to name a then of our families, and then of not make this his way (i.e. that he Ctheir parents. They give vig- child after a Prophet, due to the Ha- the community at large. But this is always hard and harsh towards our to the hearts, joy to the souls and dith: “Call yourselves by the names of cultivation is most important with his children). We should not be like pleasure to the eyes. They are the fruit the Prophets.” [Abu Daawood] respect to our children, so that they those people who are always hard from whom good is to be hoped for And the hadith: “A son was born to are brought up upon the correct upon their children as this may lead when they frequently supplicate “My me this night and I called him after my path of Islam. them towards further corruption Lord, have mercy upon them as they forefather Ibraheem.” [Muslim] Having children is a blessing from and going astray. brought me up [when I was] small.” Then it is recommended to name Allah, therefore, it is obligatory On the other hand, we should not They are the ones in every nation the child after any pious person in for the parents to take care of their be like those who leave their chil- upon whom hope for the future lies, the hope that it will become like children as the responsibility for dren without any discipline so that and they are the youth of tomorrow him/her. Then it is recommended to them is upon their shoulders. As the they follow whatever way they like upon whose shoulders the call to Islam name by any name which has good Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sall- and do whatever they want. is carried. Indeed Islam has elevated meaning. lam said: “All of you are shepherds the status of children and has laid It is forbidden to name a child with and are responsible for your fl ock…” Teaching good character: down manners for their treatment a name that denote servitude to other [Al-Bukhari] The parent should aim to raise through diff erent stages, which start than Allah, for example Abd An-Nabi, The Qur’an and the Sunnah of the his children upon good character with the manners of welcoming the Abd Ar-Rasool, etc., just as it is for- Prophet encourage us to bring up from a young age. He should teach new born child. bidden to name them with names that our children correctly; ordering us them the Qur’an, the history of the Our Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa are particular to the non-Muslims like with righteousness and good con- Prophet and that of the compan- sallam was a living example, educat- George, Michael, Susan, etc. duct ourselves as well as ordering us ions as well. One should not leave ing, cultivating the Muslims upon the The names of tyrants and evil to prevent our families from falling his children to continue making practices of Islam, teaching them how personalities should be avoided such into that which would result in their mistakes saying that he will correct to worship their Lord in the best of as Pharaoh, Qaroon, Abu Lahab, etc. own destruction. Allah says (which them when they get older, because ways. But a number of Muslims have Likewise it is disliked to name with the means): “O you who believe! Ward indeed it becomes increasingly more strayed from his pure teachings and names of the chapters of the Qur’an off from yourselves and your fami- diffi cult to correct a person when have substituted that which is gold for like ‘Taa Haa’ or ‘Yaa Seen’ as is re- lies a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men he has grown up adopting incorrect that which is worthless. ported from Imaam Maalik and others. and stones...” [Qur’an; 66:6] actions and bad characteristics. As a There is no authentic Hadith which What follows are some practical poet once said: “Whoever grows up Encouragement to have children: ascribes the above two as being names steps towards establishing the cor- upon something, he grows old upon Allah, Almighty, Says (what means): of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa rect cultivation of children. that same thing.” “…So now, have relations with them sallam. The Prophet used to train and and seek that which Allah has decreed Seeking righteous children: bring up the children from a young for you…” [Qur’an 2: 187] The ‘Aqeeqah: When an individual wants to age upon good manners and charac- The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa After the seventh day of the arrival get married, they should have the ter. As can be seen in the Hadith of sallam said: “Marry the loving and of the new-born, as a form of welcome intention to have righteous children Al-Hasan in which he narrates how fertile because through you, I will for it and to give thanks to the One who and supplicate Allah to this eff ect. he once took a date from the dates compete with the nations for superior- gave the blessings, it is prescribed to They should seek their children of charity, and the Prophet stopped ity in numbers.”[Abu Daawood, Ahmad slaughter a sheep. The Messenger sal- with the intention to increase the him and told him to take the date and Ibn Hibbaan] lallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “Every number of the Prophet’s nation, out of his mouth. The Prophet It is important that the parents bring child is in pledge for it’s ‘Aqeeqah and to get Allah’s reward in this explained to him that the dates were up their children upon righteousness, which is sacrifi ced for it on its seventh life and the Hereafter. The Prophet for charity, and that charity was so that the parents will benefi t from day, and it is named on it, and its head sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa salllam said: not allowed for the Prophet or his them during their lives and after their is shaved.” [Abu Daawood and At- “Marry those women who are lov- family. death. Tirmidhi] ing and fertile; for verily I want to The Prophet did not leave Al- What has preceded applies equally If the new-born is a boy then two be amongst those Prophets who Hasan without instructing him; to both boys and girls, and indeed sheep are to be sacrifi ced, and if it is a have the most followers on the Day rather, he stopped him from con- Islam has encouraged the bringing up girl then one sheep. This is the posi- of Judgment.” [Ahmad and Al- tinuing in what he was doing and of girls, and Allah condemns those that tion of the majority of the scholars Bayhaqi] explained to him the correct way, in are distressed at the birth of a girl. The and Companions. The Prophet said: If one has the correct intention kindness and wisdom. Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam “For the boy two equal sheep, and for at the beginning of the action, then said: “Whoever takes care of two girls the girl, a single sheep.” [Ahmad and he will have its correct fruits at the Being just with children: until they reach adulthood - he and I At-Tirmithi] end. The parent should neither op- will come together on the Day of Res- The sacrifi ce is done by the father press nor wrong any of his children. urrection (like this) - and he interlaced or a close relative, for our Prophet Setting a good example: He should not show one of his his two fi ngers.” [Muslim] sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam performed The parents should set the best children due favour more so than Giving the good news of the the ‘Aqeeqah for his two grandsons. It example for their children. They the others, by giving him more or birth: is also obligatory to mention the name should hasten to do that which is praising him more than any of the The near of kin who are anxiously of Allah over it while sacrifi cing, and good and, likewise, hasten to aban- others. Indeed this type of favorit- waiting should be informed so that if a close relative is performing the don all that is evil. Children follow ism can be a reason for the children they can stop worrying and congratu- ‘Aqeeqah then he adds, “this ‘Aqeeqah the example of their parents, and swaying from the correct path and late the parents and supplicate for the is the ‘Aqeeqah of so and so” mention- they love, respect and admire them. developing personal problems later baby. Allah mentions this good news ing the name of the person on whose The parents are, therefore, the fi rst on in life. being conveyed to a number of His behalf he is performing the ‘Aqeeqah, and most lasting of examples for Prophets, such as Zakariyyaa’ of his as is reported in a Hadith related by their children. Spending on one’s Children: son Yahyaa, may Allah exalt their men- Al-Bayhaqi. The parents should be generous tion. Allah Says (what means): “So the Putting emphasis on religion: and spend on their children. They angels called him while he was stand- to do good actions starting from the for them, and rub a chewed date upon Shaving the baby’s head: Parents should consider Islam should take the necessary steps ing in prayer in the chamber, ‘Indeed, right, so it would be more appropriate their palate.” [Muslim] On the seventh day after the birth, the most important aff air in their to earn lawful money and spend Allah gives you good tidings of John, to give the Athaan in the right ear. the head of the baby should be shaved. life. They should raise their child on their children in a manner that confi rming a word from Allah and [who Naming the child: So when Al-Hasan was born, the to know that the most important is correct. Indeed, anything that will be] honorable, abstaining [from The Tahneek: The baby may be named on the day Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam aspect of life is being upright in one spends on his family with the women], and a prophet from among This means to softening or chew- of its birth, third day, or later on the told his daughter, Faatima radhial- religion, clinging to it fi rmly. Al- correct intention will be rewarded. the righteous’.”[Qur’an 3: 39] ing a date and then rubbing the palate seventh day or past the seventh day, lah ‘anha: “Shave his head and give laah says (what means): “And this The Prophet said: “Two Deenaars of the new-born with it just after the as this is what is clear after study of all the weight of his hair in silver to the (submission to Allah, Islam) was (golden currency) which you spend Calling the Athaan in the ear of birth or soon after. This is done by the evidences from the Sunnah. poor.”[Ahmad, At-Tabaraani and Al- enjoined by Ibraaheem upon his by way of charity, or two Deenaars the newborn: putting a piece of the softened date on It is the father or the mother who Bayhaqi] sons and by Ya’qoob, (saying), ‘O which you give to the poor, or the The fi rst practice to do is to call the the fi nger and rubbing it from left to choose the name for the baby. If they It is not permissible to shave a part my sons! Allah has chosen for you two Deenaars which you give to Athaan in the ear of the baby, so that right in the mouth of the baby. diff er amongst themselves then it is of the head and leave a part, as this the (true) religion, then die not ex- your family-indeed the greatest the fi rst words that the baby hears is Ibn Hajr said: “If one is not able to the father who has the choice, he may was prohibited by the Messenger as cept in the faith of Islam.” [Qur’an; of these as regards reward is that the name of Allah, and the Kalimah fi nd a dry date, then a fresh date should name it himself or give his wife the reported by Al-Bukhari. 2:132] Deenaar which you spend upon (There is no god but Allah, Muhammad be used, and if that is not available right to choose. The fact that this is The shaving should be done after the Parents should supplicate Allah your family.” [Muslim] is the Messenger of Allah). then anything sweet.” the right of the father is shown by the sacrifi ce, and our pious predecessors to guide their children and keep In conclusion, everyone should It is to be called immediately after It is not essential to chew the date principle that the child is ascribed liked to rub some perfume over the them upright. Allah Says that the take care of his family, for if eve- the birth, or very soon afterwards as rather it may be softened in any way. and attributed to the father, as Allah baby’s head after the shaving. believers say (what means): “Our ryone in the society was to take the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sal- It is done by the father or the Says (what means): “Call them by [the Then it is prescribed to give the Lord! Bestow on us from our own care of the upbringing of their lam did with his grandson Al-Hasan, mother or anyone from the people names of] their fathers; it is more just value of the baby’s weight of hair in sil- wives and our off spring who will be families and take care of their as is related by Abu Raafi ’ who said: of knowledge whose supplication is in the sight of Allah…” [Qur’an 33: 5] ver in charity, and it is recommended the comfort of our eyes, and make fi nancial needs, then this would “I saw the Prophet call the Athaan hoped would be accepted. So he should It is also allowed for the parents to to give this charity on the seventh day us leaders for the Mmuttaqoon prove good and benefi cial for the in the ear of Al-Hasan Ibn ‘Ali when perform Tahneek and supplicate for allow others to name the child, since also, but it is not necessary to do so, (i.e. pious and righteous persons).” society as a whole. And if everyone his mother Faatimah gave birth to the child as was the practice of the our Prophet used to name some of the and may be delayed. [Qur’an; 25:74] were to leave the aff airs of their him.” [Ahmad, At-Tirmithi and Abu Companions. children of his Companions . Besides supplicating Allah, par- families and their children, then Daawood] Imaam An-Nawawi said: “Scholars The name should carry a good and Circumcision: ents should also take the necessary this would lead to the corruption of It should be given with its usual are agreed upon the recommendation praiseworthy meaning as the Mes- It is prescribed that the boy be cir- steps in bringing up their children the society, and poverty would be wording in a voice which is audible of performing Tahneek upon the baby senger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam cumcised, it is recommended that the upon this religion. widespread. to the baby, not so loudly that it risks after its birth.” [Sharh Saheeh Muslim] said: “On the Day of Resurrection, you circumcision take place on the seventh Article source: http://www. harm to the baby or alarms it. Aa’ishah radhiallah ‘anha re- will be called by your names and your day, but it is obligatory to circumcise Showing love and kindness islamweb.net/emainpage/ The Sunnah has not specifi ed as to ported: “New-born children used to fathers’ names, so make your names before the boy reaches puberty. towards children: which ear it should be given, however be brought to the Messenger of Allah good.” [Abu Daawood] Article source: http://www.is- The parent should treat his chil- the Messenger of Allah used to love and he would supplicate for blessings It is recommended to call oneself lamweb.net/emainpage/ dren with love and kindness, and Gulf Times 18 Friday, February 8, 2013 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Production Editor: Amjad Khan Complacency in a

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] leaderless world Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Davos remains a good place Fax 44350474 to get a sense of the global zeitgeist

By Joseph E Stiglitz GULF TIMES Davos he World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos has lost some of its pre- Tcrisis panache. After all, Arab Spring’s fi rst before the meltdown in 2008, the captains of fi nance and industry could trumpet the virtues of globalisation, technology, and fi nancial hope Tunisia rocked liberalisation, which supposedly heralded a new era of relentless growth. The benefi ts would be shared by assassination by all, if only they would do “the right thing.” Those days are gone. But Davos The assassination of opposition politician Chokri remains a good place to get a sense of Belaid has plunged Tunisia, poster child for the Arab the global zeitgeist. Spring, into its worst crisis since police opened fi re two It goes without saying that developing and emerging-market years ago on pro-democracy protesters. countries no longer look at the Two years ago the bullets were aimed at peaceful advanced countries as they once did. revolutionaries, demanding the ouster of a corrupt, But a remark by one mining company autocratic regime. executive from a developing country Despite being outgunned, the revolutionaries won caught the spirit of change. In response to one development expert’s the day, sending strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali heartfelt despair that unfair trade scarpering into exile and paving the way for democratic treaties and unfulfi lled promises of elections nine months later. aid have cost the developed countries women’s rights; renewed emphasis seemed to have worked, at least for a policies backing these aspirations. In Praised for a model revolution that emboldened their moral authority, he retorted: on the link between inequality and while. The temporary calm provided Europe, there was continued emphasis “The West never had any moral instability; and recognition that some support for those who claimed on austerity, with self-congratulations people across the region to make a strike for freedom, authority.” Colonialism, slavery, collective bargaining and minimum that what was required, above all, was on the progress made so far, and a the cradle of the Arab Spring is preparing to bury one of the splintering of Africa into small wages could play an important role in a restoration of confi dence. The hope reaffi rmation of resolve to continue the chief defenders of its new-found liberties. countries, and a long history of reducing inequality. If only the IMF was that Draghi’s promises would along a course that has now plunged “Gentle Tunisia revolted,” Mosaique radio wrote on its resource exploitation may be matters programmes in Greece and elsewhere be a costless way of providing that Europe as a whole into recession – and website, summing up the mood of shock at Wednesday’s of the distant past to the perpetrators, fully refl ected these sentiments! confi dence, because they would never the United Kingdom into a triple-dip but not so to those who suff ered as a The Associated Press organised have to be fulfi lled. downturn. cold-blooded execution of the popular Belaid. result. a sobering session on technology Critics repeatedly pointed out that Perhaps the most optimistic note The last time Tunisians were this revolted was when If there is a single topic that and unemployment: Can countries the fundamental contradictions had came from the emerging markets: a street trader called Mohamed Bouazizi fatally set concerned the assembled leaders the (particularly in the developed world) not been resolved, and that if the while the risk of globalisation was that himself alight in December 2010 to protest harassment most, it is economic inequality. The create new jobs – especially good jobs euro was to survive in the long run, it implied a new interdependence, shift in the debate from just a year ago – in the face of modern technology there would have to be a fi scal and so that fl awed economic policies in by Ben Ali’s regime. seems dramatic: no one even mentions that has replaced workers with robots banking union, which would require the US and Europe could torpedo After half a century of dictatorship, Bouazizi’s the notion of trickle-down economics and other machines in any task that more political unifi cation than most developing countries’ economies, the desperate act had the eff ect of a wake-up call. Tunisians anymore, and few are willing to argue can be routinised? Europeans are willing to accept. more successful emerging markets streamed into the streets, ordering the regime to that there is a close congruence Overall, the private sector in Europe But much of what was said in and have managed globalisation well “degage” (get lost). between social contributions and and America has been unable to create around the meetings refl ected a deep enough to sustain growth in the face of The two years since private rewards. many good jobs since the beginning of lack of solidarity. One very senior failures in the West. The atmosphere While the realisation that America the current century. Even in China and government offi cial of a northern With the US politically paralysed have been bumpy as is not the land of opportunity other parts of the world with growing European country did not even put by the Republicans’ infantile political had become religious and secular that it has long claimed to be is as manufacturing sectors, productivity down his fork when interrupted by tantrums, and Europe focused on Tunisians wrestle over disconcerting to others as it is to improvements – often related to an earnest dinner companion who ensuring the survival of the ill- increasingly the role of religion and Americans, inequality of opportunity job-killing automated processes – pointed out that many Spaniards now conceived euro project, the lack of at the global scale is even greater. One account for most of the growth in eat out of garbage cans. They should global leadership was a major complaint poisonous in the state in public life. cannot really claim that the world is output. Those suff ering the most are have reformed earlier, he replied, as he at Davos. In the last 25 years, we have There have been “fl at” when a typical African receives the young, whose life prospects will be continued to eat his steak. moved from a world dominated by two the past few few demonstrations, deadly investment in his or her human capital badly hurt by the extended periods of IMF growth forecasts released superpowers to one dominated by one, riots and attacks by of a few hundred dollars, while rich unemployment that they face today. during the Davos meeting highlight and now to a leaderless, multi-polar days Americans get a gift from their parents But most of those in Davos put aside the extent to which the world has world. While we may talk about the Islamist and pro- and society in excess of a half-million these problems to celebrate the euro’s become decoupled: GDP growth in G-7, or G-8, or G-20, the more apt government militia on dollars. survival. The dominant note was one the advanced industrial countries is description is G-0. We will have to cultural events and opposition meetings. A high point of the meeting was of complacency – or even optimism. expected to be 1.4% this year, while learn how to live, and thrive, in this new But never an assassination. the speech by Christine Lagarde, The “Draghi put” – the notion that developing countries continue to grow world. - Project Syndicate Political violence is still rare in Tunisia where the last the International Monetary Fund’s the European Central Bank, with its at a robust 5.5% annual rate. managing director, who stressed the deep pockets, would and could do While Western leaders talked zJoseph E Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate in assassination dates to 1961. marked change in her institution, at whatever necessary to save the euro about a new emphasis on growth and economics, is University Professor at Within minutes of Belaid’s death fi ngers were being least at the top: deep concern about and each of the crisis countries – employment, they off ered no concrete Columbia University. pointed at the ruling Islamist party Ennahda, of which he was fi ercely critical. In scenes reminiscent of the revolution, thousands of supporters took to the streets to demand that Ennahda “degage”. Slow, steady can win diet drug race Opposition members said the writing had been on the wall after a string of attacks by pro-government militia By Esha Dey and “sell” recommendation, according is new, but the medications are not,” Kessler of ZS Associates said drug recently on the meeting of opposition parties and trade to Thomson Reuters StarMine. Their he said. “The point is to learn a lot manufacturers could arrange for unions. Zeba Siddiqui New York mean price target for the stock is about it, and then try it on one or two patients and physicians to share their On the eve of his death, Belaid, who was the $20.30, more than 50% above its patients who are appropriate for it.” experiences with the new weight-loss charismatic leader of the secular Popular Front Wednesday close of $13.45 on the Qsymia, the fi rst pill to promise pills in public forums. opposition coalition, had spoken of receiving death ivus Inc, vying to create the Nasdaq. users 10% weight loss within a year, “There is pretty high patient world’s fi rst billion-dollar More than one-third of Americans contains two previously approved engagement in obesity,” he said. “It’s threats. weight-loss pill, is taking are obese, a condition that can lead medications that have encountered likely the drugs will get positive word- The atmosphere had become increasingly poisonous Va cautious approach to to problems such as heart disease and safety issues: the appetite suppressant of-mouth.” in the past few few days. marketing in an attempt to overcome diabetes. A September 2012 report phentermine and the anti-epilepsy Arena is awaiting regulatory The warning shot was already sounded four months the scepticism, safety concerns and by lobby group Trust for America’s drug topiramate. classifi cation for Belviq to determine lawsuits that have dogged the diet Health estimated the annual burden Phentermine was part of the the risk of abuse before it can launch ago when a member of the opposition Nida Tounes drug industry. on the US healthcare system from “fen-phen” drug combination, a diet its new pill, giving the company time party died after a scuffl e with those from the thuggish The company has lost nearly half obesity at between $147bn and medication pulled from the market to fi ne-tune its own sales strategy. pro-government League for the Protection of the of its market value since lackluster $210bn. in 1997 after causing severe heart “Arena might sell (Belviq) at a lower Revolution. In December the same league attacked a sales tarnished the September launch The epidemic has inspired problems. Its maker, Wyeth, now price or do something clever with the trade union rally. of the fi rst new weight-loss pill in initiatives such as a ban on large part of Pfi zer Inc , paid out billions of pricing that would be an advantage,” the US for 13 years. Two of its largest sugary drinks in New York, calorie dollars in damages to patients. said Robin Davidson, an analyst “Tunisia will come through this,” President Moncef shareholders have questioned the limits on school lunches and US First Topiramate, marketed as Topamax with Edison Investment Research. A Marzouki, a former human rights campaigner, told company’s strategy. Lady Michelle Obama’s childhood by Johnson & Johnson , has been month’s supply of Qsymia currently the European Parliament in what sounded as much an But Vivus, which sent out only 150 anti-obesity campaign, “Let’s Move”. shown to increase the risk of cleft lips costs about $160. attempt to convince himself as others. sales representatives to a target market Demand for weight-loss pills is also in infants when taken by their mothers Mindy Nichols, a Seattle-based of 25,000 doctors, is betting on slow, high, which is why some investors during pregnancy. dietician, said Belviq could also benefi t Belaid’s assassination was an attack on Tunisia’s steady marketing of the Qsymia drug were disappointed when Vivus earned Women aged between 18 and 45 from Qsymia’s relatively higher risk model, which was built on a consensus between to win over customers. Its model, say just $41,000 from the fi rst two weeks will be required to take a pregnancy profi le. moderate Islamists, as represented by Ennahda, and analysts, could become the blueprint of sales of Qsymia. Analysts had test before being prescribed Qsymia. “Even though Belviq’s eff ectiveness moderate secularists as represented by his Congress for diet drug makers. expected it to earn nearly eight times Neither is Belviq, a rival pill developed is maybe three-quarters that of for the Republic party and a third coalition partner “A slower launch that allows people as much. by Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc and due Qsymia, it could be prescribed more some time to try and use the drug, Vivus Chief Commercial Offi cer to hit market soon, advised during often,” she said, adding that clinical Ettakatol. and make sure the eff ects they are Michael Miller said the Qsymia launch pregnancy. trials have shown Belviq to have the “Some people don’t want the Tunisian model to seeing are good and any risks are was “focused and very educationally There are also reputational risks to additional benefi t of fi ghting smoking succeed. They want to see it fail,” he said. “I tell those more modest, makes more sense both based.” failure. addiction. people it will succceed.” in the medical and fi nancial sense,” Weight-loss pills, which typically John Singer, a marketing consultant Starmine data shows the consensus said Kurt Kessler of ZS Associates, work by suppressing appetite, are involved in the 1999 launch of Roche’s price target among analysts on Arena which consults on pharmaceutical based on brain chemistry that is still Xenical - the last diet pill to be is $9.17, or 5% above its Wednesday marketing. not fully understood by science. launched before Qsymia - said part close of $8.72. To Advertise Thomson Reuters Pharma estimates A slow rollout will allow time for of the challenge faced by the drug With health insurer Aetna Inc sales of Qsymia will reach $1.2bn by post-marketing studies requested by industry today was to manage public having announced it would provide [email protected] 2017, up from $128mn in 2013, making the US Food and Drug Administration perception. coverage both for Qsymia and Belviq, Display it the largest weight-loss pill on the (FDA) to test for increased risk of heart Many patients, he said, shunned the prospects for the adoption of both Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 market. A drug with annual sales of attack or stroke. Xenical because of one embarrassing pills are good. $1bn is known as a “blockbuster” in Dr Leonid Poretsky, a physician side-eff ect in particular: diarrhea. Referring to Qsymia, Vivus Classified the industry. with the Albert Einstein College of “Xenical became a butt of jokes President Peter Tam said: “Once Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 That potential goldmine has Medicine in New York City, sees about on late-night talk shows - Jay Leno, patients and physicians become analysts rating the stock of Mountain 100 patients a week who need to lose David Letterman, that kind of stuff . aware and gain the experience of Subscription View, California-based Vivus highly. weight. He says he is yet to meet “that Very quickly, the side-eff ects profi le of using the medication ... it will be [email protected] Six of 12 analysts recommend ideal Qsymia patient.” Xenical became front and centre of the a multibillion dollar drug pretty buying Vivus stock and none has a “The drug combination (in Qsymia) story of the drug,” Singer said. quickly.” - Reuters Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 19 COMMENT The fl ight of the European bumblebee

European Central Bank problems since its introduction in EU policymakers tended to view global President Mario Draghi 1999 has been that almost every fi nancial institutions as sources of national treasury fl outed the monetary emergency funds, not as monitors has promised that the ECB union’s fi scal rules. By contrast, the of EU economies. Over the last three would do “whatever it takes” ECB was a model of rectitude, and its years, Europe has increasingly relied discipline helped everyone. Infl ation on global, as opposed to regional, to preserve the euro dropped sharply, especially in the governance. Surely, European poorest countries. In 1995, infl ation leaders would rather keep both By Indermit Gill and rates in Portugal and Greece were governance mechanisms and stability Lúcio Vinhas de Souza about three times those of northern funds regional. But it may be more Washington Europe’s economies; by 2008, they practical to have global fi nancial and were the same. surveillance systems generate the Freed from the worry of vibrations that will make Europe n July 2012, while addressing destabilising exchange-rate dynamic, while drawing on EU sources bankers in London, European adjustments that had plagued postwar of funds during emergencies. Central Bank President Mario Europe, trade increased dramatically, This approach would also be more IDraghi likened the euro to the especially in the bigger economies. In consistent with the advice that Europe bumblebee. “This is a mystery of 1990, Germany’s exports accounted has dispensed to others. At a seminar nature, because it shouldn’t fl y but for 25% of GDP; by 2008, they had on the euro that we organised in instead it does. So the euro was a almost doubled to 48%. Monetary Tokyo, an Asian expert observed that bumblebee that fl ew very well for stability reduced the cost of credit. early in the crisis, Europeans did not several years.” But “something must Interest rates were almost 20% in practice what they preached during have changed.” So the “bumblebee Greece and Portugal in the 1990’s; by the Asian fi nancial crisis. Europeans would have to graduate to a real bee. 2008, they were 2.5%, implying parity (and Americans) had advised Asians And that’s what it’s doing.” between Greek and German rates. that they would never be able to Actually, for scientists, there has Anything that leads to lower enforce discipline on themselves, so never been any mystery about how infl ation, more trade, and interest the monetary, fi scal, and fi nancial- bumblebees can fl y: they beat their rates that are lower than growth rates governance mechanisms should wings about 200 times per second. is a good thing. So both the single be global, not regional. “I hope They cannot possibly do this by fl exing market and the common currency Europeans were wrong then,” was his their muscles, but only by vibrating have been good for Europe. But, by message, “because otherwise they them. Think of the forces generated treating all sovereign debt equally, the would be wrong now.” by a waving wand, and contrast them ECB sent markets the wrong signal. As Back in London, Draghi promised with those generated by a vibrating exchange rates in the eurozone were that the ECB would do “whatever it fork. The subtler force is much fi xed and uniform, interest rates on takes” to preserve the euro. Markets stronger. government debt should have signaled have rallied since, but the continent So, is the eurozone ready to vibrate, diff erences in economic strength. remains crisis-ridden. Europe cannot rather than fl ex? Three steady shifts The small vibrations caused by from unifi ed, has progressed toward halved, the competitiveness loss credit in times of stress. Financial miraculously morph into a “real have occurred in Europe over the last constantly changing interest-rate greater co-ordination. Today, Greece’s accumulated during the last decade fl ows could be stabilised through bee.” Nor does it need to. Instead, three years. Flexible fi scal rules and diff erentials between, say, Germany government cannot borrow at all, and has been reduced, and important a combination of conservative it should continue to take the small rigid monetary policies have given and Greece, would have made the Ireland must pay high interest rates, structural reforms – making labour national fi scal policies and region- steps needed to allow market forces way to the opposite. The same has euro bumblebee fl y. Instead, it was while France’s treasury might soon markets more fl exible and opening up wide regulation, so that they do not to discipline workers, corporations, happened in the case of tight labour the strong breeze generated by the have to pay more, and Germany may industries sheltered from competition suddenly stop when growth slows. banks, and governments. - Project laws and looser fi nancial regulations, global boom that kept it aloft. The be able to borrow even more cheaply. – have been implemented. Here, too, small vibrations, not the Syndicate while European surveillance and bumblebee is relearning to fl y under Market signals are working again, and But a lot of adjustment remains to fl exing of powerful political muscles, global emergency mechanisms have its own power. that is the way it should be. be completed. Europe needs better are needed. Reforms will take time, zIndermit Gill is Chief Economist undergone a similar change. Institutions have evolved. The ECB Moreover, eurozone governments regulation of fi nancial movements, but it should not stop us from for Europe and Central Asia at the These shifts are sensible, and is now capable of lender-of-last resort have restarted the structural reforms which fl ow in the right direction, but recognising what has been achieved World Bank. Lúcio Vinhas de Souza is they should be sustained. The fi rst operations, like its counterparts in the that many halted in the early 2000’s. are erratic, fl ooding Europe’s less during the crisis. Managing Director and Sovereign Chief shift is overdue, and the reasons are US and UK. The European Union’s Current-account defi cits in the advanced economies when fi nance A third shift is in the geography of Economist at Moody’s Investors Service. not subtle. One of the euro’s main fi scal framework, though still far eurozone “periphery” have been is plentiful, and starving them of surveillance. At the start of the crisis, The views expressed here are their own. Weather report India’s growing appetite for meat Three-day forecast TODAY High: 26 C AFP Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi turned to the broiler business back country’s environmental pressures. Ar Ruways The Gulf espoused a meat-free diet as part of in 1982 with 2,000 chickens. He now India is the world’s top buff alo meat Al Khuwayr Low: 16 C Mumbai Misty to foggy at places at first his non-violent philosophy. rears more than 800,000 a year as a exporter, despite the beef taboo, and Fuwayrit becomes hazy with some clouds But fewer of the younger generation contract farmer for Indian poultry the leading emitter of greenhouse gas Gulf of ith German sausages, appear to feel the same. giant Venky’s. methane from livestock, according to a Bahrain French duck breasts and Despite coming from a “hardcore “You have self-employment, you report from the New York-based think SATURDAY homegrown chicken, veg” Hindu community, bartender require a small space. In a small space tank Brighter Green last year. High: 25 C Francis Menezes is Ishita Manek is an enthusiastic you can do a lot of business,” he told Citing water scarcity and intense Al Khawr Low : 17 C W Clear cashing in on the growing appetite member of the Mumbai Meat AFP in Koregaon Mul village, 30km (18 strains on land, the group said it Al Jamayliyah for meat among Indians - even in one Marathon, a group that gets together miles) from western Pune city, where was crucial for India to promote of Mumbai’s most strictly vegetarian every weekend to try out protein- he said numerous other farmers had plant-based diets and prioritise less areas. heavy dishes. followed his foray into poultry. resource-intensive industries than Dukhan SUNDAY In the upmarket neighbourhood Venky’s general manager Vijay livestock. QATAR Doha High: 25 C of Malabar Hill, numerous shops, Tijare described a “chicken “With 500mn cows, buff alo, Ar Rayyan Low : 16 C “With rising M Sunny restaurants and even some apartment revolution” going on in India and one, goats, sheep, camels, and billions of Umm Bab blocks remain meat-free. disposable incomes, he believes, that can supply the need chickens, 600mn farmers and 1.2bn Al Wakrah But Menezes, co-manager of the for economical protein among the people, the competition is on in India Cafe Ridge food store, says he does a meat consumption is nation’s 1.2bn people. for natural resources,” said its report. Fishermen’s forecast Al Kiranah Umm Said brisk trade in “non-veg”, especially The company’s thriving fortunes Singhal too expressed concerns, OFFSHORE DOHA with those who have studied abroad. increasing” enabled it fund the takeover of especially the challenge thrown up in Wind:SE-SW’LY 03-12 KTS “Things like Thanksgiving, which the leading English football club diverting grains to animal feed, which Waves: 1-3 feet was never celebrated over here in “It’s just to do with the country Blackburn Rovers three years ago. critics say takes food away from the INSHORE DOHA Wind: SE-SW’LY 03-12 KTS Mumbai, is now being celebrated progressing. The mindset is changing With a median age of 26.5, India’s poorest members of society. Waves: 1-2 feet every year. The new generation are and no one really sticks to traditional calorie needs are set to grow faster He said one way to ease the cool with eating anything,” he said. values anymore,” she said, although than the population, but the domestic pressures was to think beyond India’s Around the region India’s booming middle-class is she admitted her mother dislikes her supply of vegetable proteins has not traditional desire for self-suffi ciency. Weather Weather driving the demand for meat in a love of beef, a taboo under Hinduism. kept up with demand and India is now He criticised a ban on poultry today Max/min tomorrow Max/min country with a traditionally low intake There are no recent fi gures on the biggest importer of pulses. imports from the US, despite the fact Abu Dhabi Clear 23/15 M Sunny 23/13 - a survey in 2006 showed that 40% overall meat consumption, but the UN Others see mass-produced meat as that chicken legs are popular in India Baghdad M Sunny 22/10 M Sunny 21/12 Dubai Clear of the population were vegetarian. Food and Agriculture Organisation only doing damage to middle-class but often go to waste in America. Clear 24/16 24/15 Kuwait City Clear 23/12 M Sunny 22/15 Fish and meat have long been part in 2007 put India’s per capita intake diets, especially when cooked at the The ban is purportedly to prevent Manama Clear 24/15 Clear 23/16 of other Indians’ diets but for many at 5.0 to 5.5kg - the country’s highest growing number of fast-food joints. bird fl u but has been challenged Muscat Clear 23/16 M Sunny 22/16 they used to be a rarity, said Arvind since records began, with further While malnutrition is wide-scale by Washington as disguised trade Riyadh M Sunny 22/07 Clear 21/09 Singhal, chairman of the consumer increases expected. among India’s poor, an estimated restrictions. Tehran Clear 14/01 Clear 13/04 consultancy group Technopak With chicken a favourite meat, the 63mn in the country had diabetes in India’s per capita meat Advisors. rapid rise of the domestic poultry 2012. consumption for now remains well “With rising disposable incomes, market is a good indication of “Industrial meat is adding to the below the Asian average, but with its Tehran meat consumption is increasing,” he changing diets. crisis in health,” said food security population due to become the world’s told AFP. “Before meat would have Currently worth an estimated analyst Sangita Sharma. largest in coming years, analysts are been seen as for a special occasion.” $9.0bn, it is growing at an annual “Consumers are oblivious as to calling for greater attention to how its SYRIA Members of the Jain faith and some rate of 20%, driven by broiler meat, what is going on their plates.” food is produced. Baghdad groups within India’s majority Hindu according to Technopak. Changing consumption patterns “India needs to realise it is not a Damascus IRAN religion hold vegetarianism as an ideal. Farm manager Vijay Sakhrani also threaten to exacerbate the vegetarian country,” Singhal said. IRAQ

Amman KUWAIT JORDAN ARABIAN GULF Manama BAHRAIN Doha Abu Dhabi Live issues QATAR Muscat Riyadh UAE

EGYPT SAUDI ARABIA Air pollution linked to low birth weight RED SEA OMAN

Around the world AFP the data was collected from the mid- “These microscopic particles, agencies are weighing whether to Weather Weather Washington 1990s to the late 2000s, with some which are smaller than the width of a lower that level. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min obtained earlier. human hair, are in the air that we all In Beijing, the concentration of Athens C Rain 18/13 M Sunny 16/15 Low birth weight - below 5.5lb, breathe.” these particles was recently measured Beirut P Sunny 23/15 C Rain 19/13 P Sunny 35/25 or pregnant women, breathing or 2.5kg - is linked to serious health But she noted that nations with at more than 700 micrograms per Bangkok M Sunny 34/25 Berlin C Snow 05/-1 M Sunny 05/00 in air pollution from vehicles, problems, including a higher risk of tighter air pollution restrictions have cubic metre. Cairo P Sunny 26/12 M Sunny 17/11 heating and coal power plants complications or death in the weeks lower levels of the pollutants. Thick smog choked the Chinese Cape Town Clear 30/18 Clear 28/20 increases the risk of having a right after birth, as well as chronic “In the US, we have shown over capital and vast swathes of northern Colombo C Storms 33/24 C Storms 31/24 F Dhaka Clear 29/16 Clear 31/18 low birth weight baby, an international health problems later in life, said the last several decades that the China last month, blamed on Hong Kong M Sunny 25/20 P Sunny 24/20 study said Wednesday. lead author Payam Dadvand of the benefi ts to health and well-being from emissions from coal-burning power Istanbul M Sunny 11/05 M Sunny 11/10 The research, the most extensive Center for Research in Environmental reducing air pollution are far greater stations and exhaust fumes from Jakarta T Storms 33/25 C Storms 32/25 of its kind on the link between air Epidemiology (CREAL) in Barcelona. than the costs,” Woodruff added. vehicles on choked streets. Karachi Clear 24/10 M Sunny 26/12 pollution and fetal development, Co-lead investigator Tracey “This is a lesson that all nations can “From the perspective of world London C Rain 07/05 C Rain 07/01 Manila M Sunny 31/22 M Sunny 32/23 found that the higher the pollution, Woodruff said the pollution is learn from.” health, levels like this are obviously Moscow C Snow -1/-6 C Snow 03/-2 the greater the rate of children born ubiquitous. Under the Clean Air Act, the US completely unsustainable,” said study New Delhi C Storms 19/12 C Storms 21/09 with a low weight. It was published in “What’s signifi cant is that these are limits primary particle pollution co-author Mark Nieuwenhuijsen of New York C Snow 02/-2 M Sunny 04/-5 the US journal Environmental Health air pollution levels to which practically to an average of 12 micrograms per CREAL. Paris Rain 08/05 C Rain 06/02 25/18 Perspectives. everyone in the world is commonly cubic metre of air a year for particles An epidemiological study of some Sao Paulo C Rain 24/17 C Storms Seoul Cloudy 06/-7 M Sunny 01/-12 Scientists analysed data from exposed,” said Woodruff , a professor measuring less than 2.5 microns. of the children included in the data is Singapore C Storms 31/25 C Storms 33/24 more than 3mn births in nine nations of obstetrics and gynecology and The limit stands at 25 microgra- investigating whether these pregnancy Sydney C Rain 25/17 M Sunny 24/18 in North America, South America, reproductive sciences at UC San ms per cubic metre in the European exposures can have an impact in their Tokyo Clear 1 2 / 0 6 Cloudy 04/01 Europe, Asia and Australia. Most of Francisco Union, and environmental protection later years. Gulf Times 20 Friday, February 8, 2013 QATAR Opening salvo Chinese embassy hosts reception enthrals crowds at Souq Waqif’s Spring Festival By Joey Aguilar be a nice picture for my FB (Face- Staff Reporter book) profi le,” a tourist was heard telling his friend, who was also busy clicking photographs. t was almost non-stop enter- Even as one show ended for tainment and fun at Qatar’s a while, another one burst into Iheritage district yesterday life. A small and friendly monkey during the opening of the Souq became a celebrity of sorts as it Waqif Spring Festival. The open- posed with the young as well as Sheikh Khalid bin Salman al-Thani, Chinese ambassador Gao Youzhen and Ibrahim Fakroo of ing salvo: a parade of stilt walkers the old. the Protocol Department cutting a cake at the Spring Festival Reception hosted by the Chinese accompanied by an Italian band, There was another animal embassy at the Sheraton Doha yesterday. all wearing colorful gowns and show going on, albeit with a dif- hats. They danced and wowed ference. Instead of a cute mon- the spectators as they marched key, it involved a white python on along the main street of the Souq. an aster’s neck. On the other side, Young and old Qataris, as well some youngsters played with the as expatriates and tourists, wit- “bubble man”, who amused them nessed a lively performance from by producing long and big “bal- the group with the latter’s amaz- loon-like” bubbles. ing acrobatic demonstrations. Such an event would never be As fi rst-timers, Pedro and Ces complete without the traditional from Spain said they were enjoying songs and dances performed by their stay in Doha and “the festival locals as a way of preserving Qa- was really a blast”. “We love to see tar’s rich culture. such shows. Qatar has marvelous A host of other indoor and structures, too. We are planning outdoor shows have been lined to visit this place next year for 10 up for the event, which runs un- days or probably more,” said one til February 21. These include an of them. The duo visited Dubai be- African circus, slinky and turf fore reaching Doha. shows, bungee jumping, air-div- Almost every spectator had ing, Smurfs kids village, human brought along an iPad or a cannonball, drawing, a dolphin smartphone to capture the mo- and seal show, a “magnifi cent ments and make them a part of mirror man” and a special show Two acrobats engaged in a stunt. the 15-day celebration. “This will show for children.

Artistes performing at a cultural show during the reception. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Performers take part in a parade at the opening of the Souq Waqif Spring Festival yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma I’m not done, I’m not WWE Wrestling superstars set champion yet, says R-Truth to take Doha by storm By Salman Siddiqui the second time to participate in ternational sport and entertainment By Salman Siddiqui But he added, smiling: “In- four days a week, sometimes less Staff Reporter the event, came dancing onto the events like this are important for Staff Reporter juries are part of our job. That’s than that. I think the family has podium in his trademark style to Qatar, which is why QTA is spon- expected. We try to prevent it as just got used to it or they love me the tune of his signature music soring WWE,” he explained. much as possible. So, I think a so much that they put up with it.” WE superstars such as in the background. “We are here The WWE shows are broad- restling superstar guy can go on as long as he allows There was a time when Killings R-Truth, John Cena, to promote WWE in Qatar…I cast in over 145 countries and R-Truth, whose real his body to go.” was known as “K Malik Shah- WKane, Daniel Bryan can assure you that you will not reach out to more than 500 mil- Wname is Ronnie Aaron How much more does R-Truth baaz”, just like he is known as and Zack Ryder are coming to be disappointed with the event,” lion homes worldwide. Killings, is not just a professional want his body to take? “As long R-Truth today. The pseudonym Doha as part of the Raw World Truth said. OWMNYA Holding’s Muneer wrestler who has been a one- as I am able to. I’m not done yet. given to him is a name commonly Tour. The event will be held at the The wrestling superstar said he Sheikh said the event “will be time United States Champion I’m not the WWE champion yet. found in the subcontinent, espe- Khalifa International Tennis and had fully recovered from his injury bigger and better than ever”. and WWE Tag Team Champion. That’s my main goal,” he said. cially in Pakistan’s Punjab prov- Squash Complex on February and was given the clearance by his This will be the second time that The multi-talented entertainer Stressing that the job of a ince. 21-22, Qatar Tourism Authority doctors a week ago. “I’m always an WWE event will be held in Qa- is also a rapper who is widely professional wrestler was very When asked how he man- (QTA) announced yesterday. prepared, I’m ready to fi ght right tar and the third time in the Middle known for his over-the-top demanding, he said one needed aged to get such a pseudonym, This will be the second outing on,” he said when asked whether East. It has been held once in Egypt. dancing styles. adequate rest to survive. “You R-Truth said laughing that the of the hugely popular WWE - or he was ready for the event. Creative Design, a Qatar-head- In an exclusive interview with have to be physically, mentally names are given by the compa- World Wrestling Entertainment Earlier, QTA’s head of events, Ha- quartered group of companies, the Gulf Times, R-Truth revealed and emotionally prepared for nies they work with. “Back then, - in Qatar, QTA offi cials told me- mad al-Khaja, said he was pleased to along with its event management his story - one of struggle with R-Truth this. There’s a lot of traveling in- the company I was working for diapersons at a briefi ng. bring a global entertainment event division OWMNYA Holding is the injuries in his 17-year-long ca- volved. At times, we are on the saw me, liked me and were like R-Truth, who is in Qatar for of this scale to Qatar. “Popular in- other sponsor of the event. reer and his determination to that wrestling, too, was part of road for 280 days a year. There ‘ahh, you look like this great never give up. his true calling. “Mike Tyson, is no off -season like in other Muslim guy. How does R-Truth defi ne him- George Foreman... there are a sports.” “They said we have a great self? “That’s a hard question. lot of great people from my own R-Truth revealed that he name for you: K Malik Shahbaaz. Music just lives in me. It’s food time who inspired me, whom I’ve worked out every day, no matter And I was like, ah…OK! I’m K for the soul. Wrestling is will learnt from, just by watching and which part of the world he was Malik Shahbaaz then.” (power) man, part of me just got studying them,” he said. in. “No less than two hours at the He said he didn’t even ask what bit by that bug when I fi rst saw R-Truth is now 41 years old, 17 gym is my routine,” he added. it meant and just went with it. it. First, I had a desire to train; to of which have been spent fi ghting The WWE superstar doesn’t R-Truth said every time he want to do it. Once I learnt (it), in the ring. When he recounts his have any special diet, just “a lot comes to Qatar, he is over- that was it. So it’s just a combi- list of injuries suff ered over the of commitment in the gym”. He whelmed by the love and joy with nation of both,” he said. year, it sounds like someone has also ensures that he takes the which people receive him. “Doha R-Truth, said his father, a mu- survived a massive train crash. proper vitamins. has one of the greatest fans that sician, was a big inspiration early “I’ve had quite a bit of inju- A father of two sons and as one can think of.” on. “My father had absolutely no ries. I’ve had a knee surgery. I’ve many daughters, R-Truth feels For all the people who looked idea, no inclination at all that I had broken ribs, three at a time. settling down as a professional up to him as a role model, R-Truth would become a wrestler (one I have had both shoulders dislo- wrestler and starting a family at gave three advices: “One: listen day). He thought I would become cated. I’ve had a cracked sternum the same time are not too hard to your parents, two: education, a musician. He loved my guitar and a dislocated hip. I broke my to do if one knows how to main- three: set your goals, set your and singing.” foot, just below my knee, about tain a balance between the two. dreams and try your best to achieve Later, R-Truth would fi nd six-eight weeks ago,” he recalled. “Sometimes I’m home three or them coz they do come true.” R-Truth, Hamad al-Khaja and others pose for a picture after the press briefing yesterday. OIL CAPS | Page 23 Q4 MISS | Page 25 China buys Credit Suisse natural gas sees overhaul at record bearing fruit

MONTE PASCHI CRISIS: Page 22 GULF TIMES Friday, February 8, 2013 Rabia-I 27, 1434 AH ECB to monitor the economic impact of a strengthening BUSINESS euro; holds rates QEWC profi t rises 11% to QR1.44bn

atar Electricity and Water Phoenix Power Company as well as Company (QEWC) has report- Phoenix Operation and Maintenance Qed an 11% rise in net profi t to Company (15% stake each) and Cay- QR1.44bn in 2012, mainly helped by man Islands-registered AES Oasis robust interest and dividend earnings (38.89% stake). and by settlement of dispute with EPC Phoenix Power Company will de- contractors for its RAFB2 project. sign, construct, own, operate and The company has recommended a maintain a high effi ciency gas-fi red 73% cash dividend subject to the ap- power generation facility with a mini- proval of shareholders at an annual mum capacity of 2,000MW to be lo- general assembly meeting scheduled cated at Sur, Oman, while Phoenix Op- on February 25. eration and Maintenance is to provide Sales rose 3% to QR4.52bn but cost operation and maintenance service to of sales grew faster at 6% to QR2.36bn, the project company pursuant to the A view of the Jetty Boil Off Gas project under development in Ras Laff an. The project is one of the cornerstones of Qatargas’ overall flare management strategy. resulting in a fl at path for gross profi t operation and maintenance contract. at QR2.17bn, according to its fi nancial AES Oasis is 60% owner of AES Jor- statement. dan Holding, a company incorporated Interest income gained 35% to in Cayman Islands, which is a joint QR37.79mn, dividend income rose 35% venture with Mitsui and Company to QR16.98mn and miscellaneous in- of Japan. AES owns and operates a come by 44% to QR158.63mn, even as 370MW combined cycle gas fi red pow- share of interest income of joint ven- er in Almanakher, Jordan. ture companies fell 48% to QR6.88mn. General and administrative costs Qatargas $1bn gas Of the QR158.63mn miscellaneous were down 6% to QR188.88mn income, settlement with engineer- and fi nance costs by about 1% to ing, procurement and construction QR726.40mn. contractors amounted to QR127.45mn. Total assets were valued at During the year, the company settled a QR22.26bn, comprising current assets dispute with its EPC contractors that of QR5.33bn and non-current assets of were responsible for the construction QR16.93bn. recovery project of RAFB2. Total equity stood at QR4.06bn on However, QEWC recorded gain of a capital base of QR1bn and earnings- QR5.46mn as share of profi t of asso- per-share was QR14.36 at the end of eyes ’14 completion ciates. Its associates are Oman-based December 31, 2012. When fully operational, the sent to the LNG producers and con- ery amounts to 1.6mn tonnes of CO2 phase” of construction. The design project will recover the equivalent sumed as fuel or converted back into per annum. engineering has been completed and of 0.6mn tonnes per year of LNG. With an estimated reduction of most of the purchased equipment and LNG based on an expected 90% The JBOG Project is one of the cor- more than 1mn tonnes of CO2 per material are on site. recovery eff iciency nerstones of Qatargas’ overall fl are annum, the JBOG Project defi nitely Thousands of workers from Qa- management strategy and will be in- ranks highly in terms of emissions targas, Fluor, Qcon, Qatar Kentz and By Pratap John strumental in the company’s drive reduction as well as overall environ- Medgulf and a host of other contrac- Chief Business Reporter to reduce and maintain total fl aring mental and air quality impact mitiga- tors are building the JBOG project at at regulatory target levels in the long tion potential. Ras Laff an. The construction site is term to protect the environment. Qatargas, QP and RasGas are fo- spread far and wide. The hub of activity pioneering $1bn Qatargas The project, when fully operational, cused on reducing emissions and ener- is a small piece of land adjacent to the project aimed at recovering gas will recover the equivalent of some gy usage to the lowest levels possible to huge RasGas LNG tanks in Ras Laff an. Athat would otherwise be fl ared 0.6mn tonnes per year of LNG based meet or beat international standards. This area is termed the Central during LNG ship loading at Ras Laff an on an expected 90% recovery effi - The project will, without question, Compressor Area (CCA) and houses is expected to be completed in 2014. ciency during normal operations. contribute to reducing emissions. six large compressors, which will The Jetty Boil Off Gas (JBOG) Re- In fl aring units, this works out to Qatargas chief executive offi cer, compress the boiled-off gas. covery Project is part of the Common approximately 29bn standard cubic Khalid bin Khalifa al-Thani said, “We Buildings and concrete structures Facilities Projects at Ras Laff an In- feet per year that would otherwise are very pleased that Qatargas is able have come up in the CCA in more than dustrial City. This will enable boiled- have been fl ared during LNG ship to lead this project on behalf of all the one year and compressors and other off gas to be collected from LNG ships loading. This is enough to power more LNG producers at Ras Laff an Indus- equipment have been put in place. and compressed at a central facility, than 300,000 homes. trial City.” Huge steel housings are being built to Qatargas said in its latest newsletter. In terms of greenhouse gas emis- According to Qatargas, the project cover the compressors, while piping QEWC has recommended a 73% cash dividend for 2012 subject to the approval of The compressed gas will then be sion reductions, the above fl are recov- is “in the middle of its most critical installation has started recently. shareholders.

US jobless claims point to Toyota angles to catch US pickup truck surge with ’14 Tundra healing in labour market

Reuters added jobs at a lacklustre pace and the Washington US Federal Reserve is seen continuing its bond buying programme into next year in order to lower borrowing costs he number of Americans fi ling and boost employment. new claims for jobless benefi ts In a sign of the diffi culty many peo- Tfell last week and a trend read- ple have in fi nding a job, the claims re- ing hit a near fi ve-year low, a sign the port showed the number of people still grinding recovery in the labour market receiving benefi ts under regular state remains on track. programmes after an initial week of aid Other data yesterday showed a sharp increased 8,000 to 3.22mn in the week drop in productivity in the fourth ended January 26. quarter due to weak economic output. A separate report showed US non- Initial claims for state unemploy- farm productivity fell in the fourth ment benefi ts dropped by 5,000 to a quarter by the most in nearly two years seasonally adjusted 366,000, the La- as output increased only marginally bor Department said. despite steady gains in employment. That was a higher level than analysts Productivity declined at a 2% annual had expected, although a downward rate, the sharpest drop since the fi rst trend in layoff s suggests the economy quarter of 2011 and a larger fall than the is strong enough that employers will 1.3% forecast in a Reuters poll. need to add to their staff s. Productivity is expected to rebound “The labour market is improving, in the current period because analysts but certainly not at a robust rate by any believe weak output during the fourth means,” said Russell Price, an econo- quarter was partially due to temporary mist at Ameriprise Financial in Troy, factors like an unusually sharp decline Michigan. in government spending on the mili- Toyota Group vice president Bill Fay speaks during the debut of the 2014 Toyota Tundra at the Chicago Autoshow yesterday. Toyota unveiled a redesigned The four-week moving average for tary. Tundra pickup truck yesterday with a back-up camera, easier-to-use controls and other features designed to take advantage of the expected growth in the new claims, a gauge of the trend in lay- Data last week showed output in the lucrative US truck market. Toyota last overhauled the Tundra in 2007 in an eff ort to crack a market for full-work trucks dominated by General Motors Co, Ford off s, dropped 2,250 to 350,500. That economy contracted 0.1% in the fourth Motor Co and Chrysler Group. At the time, Toyota executives referred to the Tundra as their most important product launch ever. But the 2007 Tundra launch was the lowest level since March 2008. quarter, and analysts expect gross do- coincided with a slowdown in US home construction that hurt truck sales that year and forced Toyota to pile on incentives to win over buyers. This time, However, while employers have mestic product to return to growth however, truck sales are on pace to outstrip the gains seen by the overall US auto industry. pulled back on layoff s, they have only early this year. Gulf Times 22 Friday, February 8, 2013 BUSINESS

TELEPHONE HOTLINE STAGNANT ECONOMY NPA WOES WEAK QUARTER FRAUD PROBE Japan, Saudi to sign deal Brazil inflation spike Peugeot to report Manufacturing boosts No more derivatives on emergency oil supply fans bets of rate hike huge writedown German industry output losses: Monte Paschi

Japan and Saudi Arabia will sign an agreement Brazil’s inflation accelerated to the fastest rate French car maker PSA Peugeot Citroen is set Stronger manufacturing helped German Italy’s Monte dei Paschi said there were no this weekend that will allow Tokyo to make in nearly eight years in January, raising bets to announce a multibillion euro writedown on industrial output to improve slightly in more derivatives losses beyond the €730mn emergency requests for additional supplies of of an interest rate hike this year that could its non-performing assets, two people familiar December, boding well for expectations that ($988mn) it has disclosed, which have rattled crude oil, Japan’s Nikkei newspaper reported. complicate the government’s drive to reignite a with the situation said. Peugeot has net tangible Europe’s largest economy may be rebounding financial markets and become a campaign issue The agreement would set up a telephone hotline near-stagnant economy. The Brazilian currency, assets worth €14bn ($18.75bn), according to from a weak quarter. Data from the Economy ahead of parliamentary elections. The derivative between the two governments to allow Japan to the real, also jumped on the news, hitting a Thomson Reuters data, and is expected to Ministry showed yesterday that output climbed trades are at the heart of a fraud probe into quickly seek additional oil supplies in the event 9-month high against the dollar after central write down a significant part of it yesterday, by 0.3% on the month, just above the mid-range former management of the world’s oldest of extraordinary circumstances such as terrorist bank president Alexandre Tombini said he was the people said. Peugeot declined to comment. in a Reuters poll of 40 economists for a 0.2% bank, raising doubts about the eff ectiveness of attacks, unrest in the Middle East or a spike in worried about inflation. A central bank source Traders said the company had called a surprise rise. Forecasts ranged from -1.3 to +1.0%. “A 1.2% banking supervisors, including European Central the price of oil. Japanese Economy, Trade and told Reuters that 12-month inflation will remain conference call for analysts last night. Any such increase in manufacturing is a decent number.... Bank chief Mario Draghi, who was Bank of Italy Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will travel to slightly above 6% through the first half of writedowns would come on top of operational But the fourth quarter will nonetheless be governor from 2006 to 2011, and the role of Saudi Arabia tomorrow to sign the pact, Nikkei 2013, dangerously near the 6.5% ceiling of the headaches at Peugeot, which has been slammed very, very weak,” said Andreas Scheuerle at politicians, who agreed a state bailout for the said. government target. by overcapacity and falling sales. Dekabank. lender.

Bank of England reinvests bonds, will buy more if needed The Bank of England voted yes- terday to reinvest government bond holdings that mature in ECB to monitor impact of March and promised to provide more stimulus if needed for an economy that was recovering only very slowly. After a two-day meeting, the bank as expected kept its main interest rate at 0.5% and its euro strength, says Draghi target for gilt purchases at the previously agreed £375bn Euro strength will be monitored, Draghi merely said the ECB “took ($587bn). Draghi said; merely takes note of note of the Irish operation” but Irish But to achieve that, the central Irish bank debt proposal; on Monte premier Enda Kenny stood up in parlia- bank will have to buy another Paschi, says BoI did all it should ment and declared the deal done that £6.6bn worth of gilts to off set have; ECB holds main interest rate could go a long way to allowing Ireland the redemption in March of the at 0.75% as expected to quit its bailout programme this year. bonds it has bought as part of Draghi gave a similar view on the its nearly four-year-old quantita- Reuters state of the eurozone economy to the tive easing (QE) programme. Frankfurt one he gave in January. Economic While the BoE said it stood ready weakness was “expected to prevail in to buy more gilts if needed, next the early part of 2013” but later in the BoE governor Mark Carney gave he European Central Bank will year, activity should gradually recover. no clear signal on whether he monitor the economic impact of He said the recent move by banks to would push for more bond- Ta strengthening euro, ECB presi- pay back early about €140bn of cheap buying by the central bank when dent Mario Draghi said yesterday, feed- three-year money the ECB gave them he takes over in July. ing expectations the climbing currency last year was a positive sign. Speaking before lawmakers in could open the door to an interest rate “This refl ects the improvement in London, Carney said the BoE’s cut. fi nancial market confi dence,” Draghi existing policy stance might be After the ECB left its main interest said, adding that the ECB would watch enough to allow the economy rate at 0.75% yesterday, Draghi said the to see if the money market tightened to achieve sustainable growth, exchange rate was near to its long-term conditions by stealth. “We will closely but he was ready to explore average but went further than many monitor conditions in the money mar- new policy options if needed. analysts had expected. ket and their potential impact on the Unusually for a month with no “The appreciation is, in a sense, a stance of monetary policy, which will change in policy, the BoE also sign of return of confi dence in the euro,” remain accommodative,” he said. issued a statement. Draghi told a news conference. “The A Reuters poll of economists last “The committee agreed that exchange rate is not a policy target, but week suggested offi cial rates would not it stood ready to provide ad- it is important for growth and price change until at least July 2014. ditional monetary stimulus if stability and we certainly want to see Draghi was pressed about what he warranted by the outlook for whether the appreciation is sustained knew of the derivatives scandal at Si- growth and inflation,” it said. and will alter our risk assessment as far ena’s Monte dei Paschi bank, and what “The UK economy is set for a as price stability is concerned.” he did about it when he headed Italy’s slow but sustained recovery in The euro hit a 15-month peak of central bank from 2006 to 2011. both demand and eff ective sup- $1.3711 on February 1. It traded below Italy’s third largest and oldest bank ply... But the risks are weighted that level yesterday and fell to a one- has been at the centre of a financial to the downside, not least be- week low against the dollar and sank and political storm, facing losses of cause of the challenges facing against the yen after Draghi’s com- about €1bn from a series of deriva- the euro area,” it added. ments. tives and structured finance trades The pound, which would suff er French President Francois Hollande and after a €9bn acquisition of small- were the bank to flood the said on Tuesday the eurozone must de- er rival Antonveneta which left it banking sector with yet more velop an exchange rate policy to protect badly weakened. sterling by buying assets, the currency from “irrational move- Draghi said there was no implica- slipped after the comments. ments”. Germany has been cooler to tions for the ECB’s future role as a Eu- “Overall, this comes across to any thoughts of exchange rate action. ropean bank regulator. us as a fairly dovish statement,” By linking the euro’s exchange rate “The IMF has publicly stated that said Howard Archer, economist to growth and price stability, Draghi their preliminary view is that the Bank at IHS Global Insight. achieved a deft piece of verbal inter- of Italy took timely and appropriate ac- “It reinforces our suspicion that vention, analysts said. tion within the limits of legal frame- the Bank of England will eventu- “This hints that euro strength—if ECB president Mario Draghi (centre) arrives for the regular press conference at the ECB after the council meeting in Frankfurt work to address problems at (Monte ally decide to give the economy sustained—could eventually trigger Main yesterday. “The appreciation is, in a sense, a sign of return of confidence in the euro,” Draghi told the news conference. dei Paschi),” he said. “Oversight was a further helping hand with a rate cut,” said Nick Kounis at ABN close and supervisory action escalated another £50bn of QE sometime Amro. preciated further. The ECB’s room for ECB’s balance sheet is tightening, part- pute over the cost of servicing money appropriately as (the bank’s) problems during the first half of 2013.” Carsten Brezeski at ING added: manoeuvre is limited, however. Even if ly due to banks paying back early cheap borrowed for a failed bank. became acute.” The bank’s statement also “Draghi successfully tried to talk down it wanted to, the bank’s statutes mean it money the central bank doled out last Dublin rushed through emergency A senior Italian central bank source tweaked its recent language on the euro exchange rate and opened the is ill-equipped to join a currency “race year. legislation early yesterday to liquidate told Reuters this week that Draghi was inflation, saying it might remain door for possible policy action.” to the bottom”. A by-product of that could be to failed Anglo Irish Bank as part of a informed of doubts raised by Bank of above its 2% target for the next Last month, Draghi unwound earlier Furthermore, the world’s other top drive the euro yet higher. compromise to avoid paying €3.1bn a Italy inspectors but had little control two years but that it was appropri- expectations of a rate cut by citing a central banks are expanding their bal- Although it took no monetary policy year until 2023 on money it took for the over what has been widely criticised ate to look past what the BoE said batch of improving economic indica- ance sheets by printing money, or at action, the ECB and Ireland reached a stricken lender during a meltdown of as ineff ective oversight of the stricken was a temporary phenomenon. tors. But since then the euro has ap- least not reversing course, while the compromise on a long-standing dis- the main Irish banks in 2008. lender. Ukraine plans for Michael Dell coughs up $750mn cash to buy out Dell LNG imports face Turkey resistance

Reuters received a legal opinion from US law fi rm Baker Kiev Botts that LNG tankers must be granted free right of passage in the Turkish straits. “We must protect our national interests,” he kraine’s plans to replace imports of natu- said. “The bottom line is: there are no legal issues, ral gas from Russia with cheaper liquefi ed and the situation needs to be resolved politically Unatural gas (LNG) supplies via the Black on the bilateral level.” Sea face resistance from Turkey, which wants to Ankara has suggested that the former Soviet become a regional LNG hub itself. republic buy LNG from one of Turkey’s existing “We understand the Turkish side’s concerns or planned terminals, shipping it via a route that ... (Increased) traffi c through the Bosphorus has bypasses the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. both pros and cons,” Vladislav Kaskiv, the head But Ukraine views such projects as comple- of Ukraine’s state investment agency, said in an mentary and not as an alternative to building its interview. own LNG terminal, Kaskiv said “On the one hand this means increased eco- Both Ukraine and Turkey are major gas import- nomic activity; on the other hand there are envi- ers and see potentially cheaper LNG as a way to ronmental problems.” diversify supplies. Turkey controls the Bosphorus and Darda- Ukraine, however, has yet to build its fi rst re-gas- nelles straits, which connect the Black and the ifi cation terminal - a facility needed to receive LNG Mediterranean seas, and has warned Kiev it may shipments - while Turkey already operates two. deny right of passage to LNG tankers bound for Ukraine plans to start operating an LNG termi- Ukraine due to congestion. nal in 2015 using a fl oating re-gasifi cation facility Dell founder and CEO Michael Dell delivers a keynote at the Moscone Center in San Francisco during the Oracle OpenWorld 2011 in this Turkey’s energy minister, Taner Yildiz, said off shore and complete the construction of an on- file photo in California. Michael Dell and his investment firm are ponying up $750mn in cash toward the $24.4bn purchase of Dell Inc last May that Turkey was against Ukraine’s pro- shore facility by 2018, allowing it to import about to help bankroll the largest private equity-backed buyout since the financial crisis. The CEO this week struck a deal to take private the posed construction of an LNG terminal on the 10bn cubic metres of gas a year. company he created out of a college dorm room in 1984, partnering with private equity house Silver Lake and Microsoft Corp. Michael Black Sea coast. He cited increased tanker traffi c The LNG project became a source of embar- Dell will contribute $500mn of his own cash, and MSDC Management - an aff iliate of his investment vehicle, MSD Capital - will contribute through the Bosphorus as well as heightened en- rassment for the Kiev government last November another $250mn, according to a company filing on Wednesday. Dell Inc also said it is targeting the repatriation of $7.4bn of cash now vironmental and safety risks. when Kaskiv signed what he thought was a $1.1bn parked abroad to help finance the deal. That may dismay some shareholders, as a hefty tax is usually levied on cash brought back from Kaskiv said Kiev was determined to press ahead deal making Spain’s Gas Natural Fenosa its main overseas. with its project to build an LNG terminal and had investor. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 23 BUSINESS

‘Australia’s LNG growth to continue on Asia demand’ Asia’s developing economies will use more liquefied natural gas than they produce by 2020, encouraging Australia to bring China buys gas at record new production projects on stream, according to Bernstein Research. Asian countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development will have a gas deficit of 30bn cu ft a day by 2020, according to amid crude imports caps Bernstein. That’s equivalent to about 10 LNG cargoes a day. The country’s plan to increase gas “While Australian LNG growth use and limit crude imports will be may be slower in the future, a boost to suppliers including Qatar it is certainly not the end of and Turkmenistan growth,” Neil Beveridge, a Hong Kong-based analyst at Bloomberg the company, said in a report Beijing e-mailed yesterday. “Australia will continue to play a key role in meeting this demand.” ecord natural gas costs are doing As demand grows in China, nothing to dissuade China from India, Southeast Asia, Japan and Rboosting imports of the clean- Korea, exports from Indonesia er-burning fuel as the world’s biggest and Malaysia will decline to the emitter of greenhouse gases approach- point the countries become net es its government-set limit for oil pur- importers of the fuel, the report chases. said. That will support demand Gas imports by sea and pipeline will for Australia’s new LNG projects rise 24% in 2013, according to China under construction including National Petroleum Corp, the nation’s Chevron Corp’s Gorgon and biggest energy explorer. Crude pur- Wheatstone developments. chases will climb 7.3% and account Australia’s LNG developments for 58% of total consumption, CNPC have been hampered by labour estimated January 30 in its annual re- shortages and escalating search report. That is near a 61% cap infrastructure expenditure. announced on January 24 by the State Delays and spending over-runs Council in Beijing. The country spent are “endemic,” according to $560 a metric tonne last year on the liq- Bernstein, which estimates that uefi ed natural gas transported in ships, projects in the country run from an all-time high. 15% to 50% over their original Asian LNG prices will rise this year as cost estimates. Australia’s three the region’s demand growth outpaces operational LNG liquefaction supply, according to Goldman Sachs plants are Woodside Petrole- Group Inc. While China’s plan to in- um’s North West Shelf and Pluto crease gas use and limit crude imports LNG, and the Darwin project will be a boost to suppliers including operated by ConocoPhillips. Qatar and Turkmenistan, the country The cost of Chevron’s Gorgon faces record costs as it competes with natural gas development, the Japan, which is relying on fossil fuels largest resources project in for power amid a debate over whether Australia’s history, jumped 21% to resume its nuclear reactors. to A$52bn ($53.7bn) on local “The existing terminals in Shang- currency gains and higher hai, Guangdong and Fujian are sup- labour expenses, the company plied with relatively cheap LNG but the said on December 6. Gorgon, terminals under construction now are A pedestrian walks past traff ic near a China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec) gas station in Beijing. China is encouraging gas use amid signs of worsening pollution. whose workforce has grown contracted with higher prices,” Adam The concentration in Beijing of PM2.5, the fine air particulates that pose the greatest human health risk, exceeded the World Health Organisation’s “healthy” limit every to about 6,000 people, also Wang, an analyst at IHS Cambridge day in January, according to daily peak readings from the US Embassy. The levels were similar to an airport smoking lounge, comparisons with data from the US Centers has faced weather delays and Energy Research Associates in Beijing, for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta show. “logistics challenges” that have said in an e-mail. “When those LNG contributed to the increased terminals come on line, the weighted Spot LNG for delivery to Northeast The company is building a Third West- national Energy Agency forecast in its plant. The nation’s imports of LNG, bill, the company said. average price of imports will increase.” Asia climbed to $19.40 per million Btu East link alongside the second one. Monthly Oil Market Report on Janu- used as a fuel in thermal power plants, BG Group, operator of one of China is encouraging gas use amid as of February 4, the highest price since CNPC also plans to start importing gas ary 18. A 61% ratio to gas would limit rose 11% to a record 87.3mn tonnes in three facilities under construc- signs of worsening pollution. The con- early 2008, according to World Gas In- from Myanmar by pipeline this year, it imports to 6.1mn bpd, compared with 2012, according to the Ministry of Fi- tion in the state of Queensland, centration in Beijing of PM2.5, the fi ne telligence, a New York-based energy said. 5.4mn a day in 2012. nance last month. said in May that the cost of air particulates that pose the greatest research company. That is more than China won’t be able to limit crude The nation is unlikely to treat the The Platts Japan Korea Marker, the the Curtis Island development human health risk, exceeded the World fi ve times the cost in the US and almost imports unless it eases controls on do- limit as a fi xed quota, according to benchmark price for LNG in Northeast rose 36% to $20.4bn because Health Organisation’s “healthy” limit twice as much as in Europe. mestic gas prices, according to Gordon China International Capital Corp, a Asia, may average $16.90 per million of increases in the local cur- every day in January, according to daily China will import 53bn cu m of gas Kwan, the head of energy research at Beijing-based broker. The ratio was Btu this year, up $1.80 from 2012, be- rency, rising labour and material peak readings from the US Embassy. The in 2013, Beijing-based CNPC predicted Mirae Asset Securities Ltd in Hong 56.4% last year, government data show. fore declining toward $14.20 in 2014, costs and higher regulatory levels were similar to an airport smoking in its report. LNG shipments will in- Kong. The government should increase China’s biggest oil suppliers were Saudi Goldman Sachs predicted in a January expenses. lounge, comparisons with data from the crease 15% to 16.5mn tonnes and pipe- local prices by 20% and cut taxes on oil Arabia, Angola, Russia and Iran, which 28 report. The cost of Exxon’s LNG US Centers for Disease Control and Pre- line deliveries will gain 32% to 30bn cu and gas production to stimulate explo- provided a combined 52% of its cargoes. All but two of Japan’s 50 reactors are development in Papua New vention in Atlanta show. m, it said. Net crude imports, or over- ration and development of marginal “I don’t think the 61% target is a still idled. The Nuclear Regulation Au- Guinea surged 21% to $19bn, The nation’s average cost for LNG, seas purchases minus exports, will be fi elds and unconventional sources such strict and mandatory policy that the thority on January 31 approved safety partly because of a stronger which makes up about half of its gas 289mn tonnes. as shale rock, he said by e-mail. government would cap imports or standards for atomic power plants that Australian dollar, the company consumption, was equivalent to $10.77 The nation buys the bulk of its LNG “China is serious about reducing de- take other measures if dependency may require years of reinforcement said in November. Royal Dutch per million British thermal units last under multiyear contracts. Shipments pendency on foreign oil but, the gov- rises above that level,” Zhang Shuo, an work for some facilities before they can Shell, the world’s biggest LNG year, up 19% from 2011, data from the from Qatar, its biggest supplier, cost an ernment has not yet implemented the analyst with CICC, said by phone. “It resume. supplying firm, may delay until Beijing-based General Administration average $970 a tonnes last year, equiva- right policies to allow this to happen,” serves more as a guidance to control China accounted for 4% of global gas 2014 a decision on its Arrow of Customs show. lent to $18.70 per million Btu, customs Kwan said. “Unless domestic natural petroleum consumption.” demand in 2011, compared with 3.3% LNG venture that is forecast Prices in 2013 will be similar to 2012, data show. Australian supplies cost gas pricing reform happens soon, we Gas demand in Asia has been boosted for Japan, according to BP’s Statistical to cost $20bn amid rising CNPC said in its report, without elabo- $179 a tonne compared with $218 for expect China will rely increasingly on by Japan, the world’s biggest LNG buy- Review of World Energy. expenses for energy projects in rating. Deliveries by pipeline cost $542 Indonesia and $422 for Malaysia. foreign oil and gas supplies or risk fac- er, which shut all its nuclear reactors for Seven Chinese LNG terminals with a Australia, chief executive off icer a tonne, up 21%, while imported oil The country also brings in gas from ing sporadic shortages.” safety checks after the 2011 earthquake total initial capacity of 21.2mn tonnes Peter Voser said in Beijing in advanced 5% to $814 a tonne, or $111 a Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan through China will consume 9.98mn bpd of and tsunami that caused a meltdown at a year are scheduled to start by 2015, November. barrel, the customs data show. CNPC’s Second West-East pipeline. crude this year, the Paris-based Inter- Tokyo Electric Power Co’s Fukushima CNPC said in its report. India reckons economic slowdown worse than expected

Reuters According to the GDP estimate, New Delhi growth in government expenditure is on track to moderate to about 4% in 2012-13 from 8.6% a year ago. ndia’s slowest growth in a decade Economic growth likely eased fur- could be worse than anticipated, as ther to around 4.8% in the quarter Ipreliminary data released yesterday ending in December, mainly as a result showed the economy set to have grown of deep cuts in government spending, 5.0% in fi scal year ending next month, a senior offi cial at the statistics min- underscoring the urgent need for re- istry told Reuters yesterday. The GDP forms to boost growth. data for the December quarter is due The central bank’s forecast for 2012- on February 28. 13 had been 5.5% growth, while Fi- Critics warn that at a time of low nance Minister P Chidambaram had growth, lower spending risks deepen- projected growth of 5.7%, down from ing the slowdown without helping the 6.2% in 2011/12, but both appear to defi cit-to-GDP ratio. But others argue have been over-optimistic. the government has little option but to The preliminary data dimmed hopes tighten its belts. A drop-off in invest- for a mild recovery in economic activ- ment, hurting growth, is blamed in part ity in the second half of the fi nancial on high public spending that is funded year, which ends in March, with the through a heavy market borrowing and government now projecting economic crowding out the private sector. growth of 4.6% between October 2012 Indian business leaders and foreign and March 2013, compared with 5.4% investors are pushing Singh to create in the fi rst half of the fi scal year. better conditions for economic growth “It is disappointing,” C Rangarajan, by fast-tracking stalled tax reforms chairman of the Prime Minister’s Eco- and making it easier for fi rms to ac- nomic Advisory Council, said of the quire land for new projects. fi gures. “My own estimate is when the Structural bottlenecks have re- full-year data becomes available, it can stricted India’s growth potential to be revised upward.” around 7%, according to the central He did not give reasons for his opti- bank, ruining the aspirations India has mism. for the near double-digit expansion The government’s estimate for the needed to provide jobs for a burgeon- fi scal year 2012-13 pegged farm out- ing population. put growth at 1.8%, while the manu- A labourer carries a sack of cement past other labourers against a backdrop of the central Mumbai financial district yesterday. Preliminary data released yesterday Road, power and mining projects facturing sector was expected to show showed the economy set to have grown 5.0% in fiscal year ending next month, underscoring the urgent need for reforms to boost growth. worth billions of dollars have been growth of 1.9%. The services sector, held up for years because of delays in which makes up more than half of In- high frequency information is most Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s But faced with an arduous task of to prop up growth ahead of a national getting multiple regulatory clearances. dia’s GDP, is forecast to slow down to lacking, which is the biggest surprise,” Congress-led government to unveil a trimming a swollen fi scal defi cit that election due by May 2014. Capital investment is expected to 6.6% from 8.2% a year ago. Credit Suisse analyst Robert Prior- growth-oriented budget on February has put India’s investment-grade Chidambaram has already ordered slow down to an annual 2.48% in 2012- “These all look a little low to us, but Wandesforde said. 28 for the next fi scal year, beginning in credit rating in peril, Singh can ill- spending cuts in welfare, defence and 13 from 4.4% in the previous year, the it is the service sector estimate, where The fi gures will pile pressure on April. aff ord to boost government spending road projects for this fi nancial year. data yesterday showed. Gulf Times 24 Friday, February 8, 2013 BUSINESS Gulf’s mixed takaful rules hurting margins: ratings agency

Reuters ordinating among themselves, but there markets in the Gulf and southeast Asia, set up in one and write business in another tion is applicable to both takaful and Bahrain or Saudi Arabia, and in Kuwait Sydney is growing recognition of the importance is a bellwether of consumer appetite for branch. An arbitrage opportunity is still conventional insurers, but rules don’t the situation is unclear, the report said. of takaful. We are seeing regulators think- Islamic finance products. But slowing there and will remain there as long as you require segregation of takaful funds from The regulatory environment is compli- ing about it,” he told Reuters. growth in core markets is raising pres- have diff erences between regulators.” shareholder funds; some Islamic scholars cated by the relative youth of the takaful Inconsistent regulation across the Gulf’s In some cases companies are having sure on the sector to boost profits. Jurisdictions with specific takaful view such segregation as necessary to industry, as there are few if any recent takaful (Islamic insurance) industry is to establish complex and expensive Global takaful contributions were rules include the United Arab Emirates, ensure that operators invest in sharia- examples of takaful firms being wound hurting profit margins and credit ratings, safeguards, such as ring-fencing assets, expected to reach $12.4bn in 2012 but Bahrain, the Dubai International Financial compliant ways. up. Other regulatory safeguards, such as while leaving the door open to regulatory to make up for weaknesses in regula- profitability remained below that of con- Centre and the Qatar Financial Centre. The Saudi regulator has discouraged ring-fencing assets, have yet to be tested. arbitrage, according to global insurance tory regimes, increasing their funding ventional insurers, according to a report Some others, such as Kuwait, do not have takaful operators from using special- When firms manage multiple takaful rating agency A M Best. costs by as much as 1 percentage point, by consultants Ernst & Young last April. specific regulations. ist terms in their accounts to ensure funds, an issue can arise over whether a New rules in Oman and updated ones in Katsipis said. Variation in rules has prompted some A report by A M Best said Kuwait comparability with conventional insurers, surplus in one fund can be used to subsi- Bahrain are expected this year, but lack of Loose regulation can also aff ect companies to take advantage of the lagged the Gulf in developing regulation leaving Islamic contracts “hidden” in the dise a deficit in another. Such subsidisa- co-ordination among regulators is making ratings. “In lax regimes, unless they put diff erences — booking business in one for takaful because its insurance rules accounts, the report said. tion can be seen as inconsistent with the life diff icult for takaful operators, said Vasi- safeguards, the rating will be deep in the country while selling policies elsewhere, dated back to 1961, but a planned new Rules on the winding-up of takaful risk-sharing principles of takaful, but with lis Katsipis, Dubai-based general manager unsecured level. Five to six notches could Katsipis said. insurance law was expected to have a companies vary. UAE and DIFC rules give the exception of the QFC, this issue is not for market development at the firm. be the extreme.” “If you are a company that writes busi- separate code for Islamic insurance. priority to takaful beneficiaries, but there addressed directly in the Gulf’s takaful “Regulators have little interest in co- The takaful sector, which has its core ness in more than one location, it’s easy to In Saudi Arabia, insurance legisla- are no equivalent provisions in the QFC, rules, the report said.

UDC planning to sell 99% stake in Turkey-based EDC

United Development Company to authorise the CEO or any of (UDC) is planning to sell its his appointees to sell all the Egypt pound drop slows as 99% stake in Turkey-based shares of UDC in Enterprise Enterprise Development Development Company to Company, a real estate entity. whom he wants and on the If it is not able to sell its stake terms he deems appropriate, before May 5; the UDC is also and authorise him to sign all contemplating liquidation of required instruments and central bank boosts supply the company, a UDC spokesman agreements to validate the sale. said in a communiqué to the The board also decided to Bloomberg show. The central bank sold parallel exchange rates and lower Egypt has been struggling have slumped since January 25, Qatar Exchange. authorise the CEO or any of his Cairo $172mn at this week’s sales, a the panic on the street with re- to conserve dollars after net sending the yield up 112 basis The UDC’s move comes after appointees to take all necessary three-week high, according to spect to the currency,” Mohamed foreign reserves plunged more points through yesterday. The “reviewing the company’s legal measures to liquidate the data. Kotb, regional asset manage- than 60% in the past two years yield fell five basis points today activities and auditing its Enterprise Development he Egyptian pound As he took office this week, ment director at Cairo-based to $13.6bn in January, the low- to 6.63%. financial position and checking Company and authorise him to weakened the least in Central Bank Governor Hisham Naeem Financial, said by phone. est in more than 15 years. An Egypt’s borrowing costs also its expected development, finalise the liquidation including Talmost six weeks at an Ramez set new exchange-rate The Egyptian pound was lit- escalation of unrest since the rose yesterday at a sale of 6.5bn particularly the lack of any to execute all contracts and auction yesterday after the movement limits for the inter- tle changed at 6.7143 a dollar second anniversary of the Janu- pounds ($969mn) of treasury investment since its inception”, papers and to strike off the central bank introduced new bank market to curb the worst as of 2:18 pm in Cairo, bringing ary 25 revolt that ousted former bills. The six-month and one- the communiqué said. company from the commercial curbs to slow the depreciation currency slump since the 2003 the depreciation since the auc- President Hosni Mubarak has year yields each gained two ba- However, it was silent on what register and any other registers and offered more US currency. devaluation. The pound weak- tions started to 7.8%. placed further strain on the sis points, or 0.02 percentage price it proposes to sell the and agencies and take whatever The benchmark dollar bonds ened less than 0.1% at yester- Banks were also asked to give country’s finances, prompting point, to 13.56% and 14.05%, stake. decision and procedures he rose. day’s auction, the least since priority to supplying the US Fitch Ratings to downgrade the respectively, according to cen- The UDC board has decided deems necessary. The regulator auctioned the regulator started the sales currency to importers of basic nation’s debt last week. tral bank data on Bloomberg. $49.2mn at a weighted average on December 30 to limit foreign commodities, state-run Ah- “Fundamentally, nothing has The Finance Ministry re- price of 6.7043, compared with exchange available to banks in ram Online reported yesterday. changed as far as Egypt’s mac- duced its fundraising target 6.702 a dollar Wednesday, ac- order to slow the pace of deple- Lenders are not obliged to take roeconomic situation, which from longer-term debt by 44% CORPORATE RESULTS cording to its data on Bloomb- tion in foreign reserves. any collateral from such im- remains dire,” Kotb said. for the first quarter, according erg. Banks received 43% on av- “The central bank’s measures porters through June, compared The government’s bench- to data on its website today, erage of what they sought, up this week have helped reduce with a requirement of 50% un- mark 5.75% dollar-denomi- opting instead to boost by 71% Dlala Brokerage and Investment from 24% Wednesday, the data the gap between the offi cial and der prior rules, Ahram said. nated bonds due in April 2020 sales of three-month T-bills. Holdings profit up 16%

A more than quadrupled real fourth-quarter net profit of 333mn Polish-Emirates Business Forum estate earnings and better cost dirhams ($90.7mn) in the final Yemen cuts management helped Dlala Broker- three months of 2012 compared age and Investment Holdings to with Dh338.6mn a year earlier, it rates to report a 16% rise in net profit to said in a statement. QR26.12mn in 2012. This was ahead of the three 3-year low The company, which has conven- analysts’ average forecast for net tional and Islamic brokerage arms, profit of Dh224.3mn in a Reuters has suggested 11% stock dividend, poll last month. Reuters which will have to be approved by The bank was helped by an 10.8% Sanaa shareholders at an annual general fall in impairments, which dropped assembly, whose date has not to Dh161.1mn from Dh180.5mn in been finalised yet. the same three-month period of emen’s central bank Of the QR26.12mn net profit, realty 2011. slashed its main in- segment contributed QR25.01mn For the full year, ADIB had net Yterest rate by 3 per- and stock broking QR6.31mn; profit of Dh1.49bn, up 5% over centage points to a three- while IT and international sector 2011, aided by strong asset year low yesterday following registered loss of QR4.33mn. growth. a sharp decline in infl ation Net brokerage and commission Total assets stood at Dh85.7bn at as it seeks to consolidate income, otherwise, fell 34% to the end of 2012, up 15.2% on the economic recovery in the QR24.32mn, according to its same point of the previous year. volatile Arab state. financial statement filed with However, the bank believed this Yemen has overcome high the Qatar Exchange. Investment wouldn’t be repeated in 2013. infl ation which fell from a income shrank 65% to QR5.28mn “We expect 2013 to be yet another peak of 25% in October 2011 and interest income by 47% to year of moderate asset growth to 5.5% last November, the QR1.89mn. coupled with stiff competition latest available data. However, its net operating between banks, which will place Yesterday’s rate cut was income registered a 2% gain pressure on credit margins,” Tirad the fi rst since October, when to QR64.27mn on more than Mahmoud, chief executive of the central bank began an quadrupled real estate income to ADIB, said in the statement. easing cycle, and should QR32.77mn. Net customer financing totalled support the economy, General and administrative costs Dh51.2bn in 2012, up 4.8% versus which stabilised last year were brought down by 12% to Dh48.8bn in 2011 while customer after shrinking 10.5% in 2011 QR30.65mn. The company’s deposits grew 11.2% to Dh61.3bn when political unrest caused Islamic finance costs stood at from Dh55.2bn in the previous fuel and electricity shortages QR2.39mn and there was also a year. and there were frequent at- loss of QR0.70mn from a joint The bank’s board recommended tacks on oil pipelines. venture. a cash dividend of Dh0.2540 per The International Mon- Total assets were valued at share, equivalent to 50% of 2012 etary Fund, which sees the QR600.85mn comprising current net profit. economy growing 4% this assets of QR549.16mn and non- At a group level, net profit in the year, said last month that current assets of QR51.69mn. fourth quarter was Dh242.8mn Yemen had room to gradu- Total equity stood at QR222.14mn versus Dh216.2mn a year ago, ally reduce interest rates to on a capital base of QR200mn and while full-year profit was up 4% support economic growth. earnings-per-share was QR1.31 at over 2011 at Dh1.2bn. It warned however that the the end of December 31, 2012. Total group provisions for the political transition and secu- year was Dh802.3mn, down 4% rity concerns, particularly at- ADIB compared to the previous year. tacks on key oil and electricity ADIB, which raised $1bn from facilities, posed risks to the UAE’s Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed al-Mansouri speaks at the Polish-Emirates Business Forum in Warsaw, Poland, yesterday. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank reported a a hybrid sukuk sale in Novem- economic outlook. drop in quarterly profit yesterday ber, launched a branch in the but still beat forecasts as the bank Sudanese capital Khartoum in made fewer provisions for bad December as part of its regional loans. expansion plan, the first UAE Abu Dhabi’s biggest sharia-com- lender to get a banking license in pliant bank by market value had the African country. US sanctions Iranian broadcasters, locks up oil revenues

Reuters ing repatriated and used on the of political detainees in front of formed in 2009 that has hacked ucts. “By bottling up this revenue Washington nuclear programme the West state media outlets. into e-mail accounts related to in each one of these countries, it Sudan’s inflation eases believes is developing weapons. Iran is using social media to political action, deleted anti- will I think enhance the attrac- Iran says the programme is for hunt down political activists and government blogs and arrested tiveness of the goods they sell to slightly in January he US said it had sanc- purely civilian purposes. is engaged in a campaign to fi lter bloggers, the Treasury said. Iran,” he said. tioned Iran’s main agency “This will signifi cantly restrict out unwanted television content, The Iran Electronics Industries, The extra revenues from sales Sudan’s annual inflation eased marginally to 43.6% in January from Tin charge of broadcast- Iran’s ability to make use of the the senior US offi cial said. After which the Treasury said had of their goods could make it eas- 44.4% in December, off icial data showed yesterday but food prices ing for helping the government oil revenue that it’s earning,” a Iran’s 2009 presidential elec- helped the government crush ac- ier for India, Turkey and South stayed very high, adding to the hardship of ordinary people. censor Western reports, part of senior US offi cial told reporters tion, the government increased tivism by monitoring text mes- Korea and other Iran oil custom- Sudan has avoided “Arab spring” turmoil that has unseated rulers in a broader eff ort by Washington about the sanctions. its jamming of foreign channels, sages, was also targeted by the ers to continue to seek alterna- Egypt, Libya and Tunisia, but spiralling food price inflation has sparked to pressure Tehran’s nuclear pro- In its crackdown on Iran’s including the BBC and Voice of sanctions. tives to Iranian oil even if petro- small protests against President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, in power since gramme. state-sponsored media, the America, the Treasury said. Iran’s currency, the rial, has leum prices go higher. 1989. Prices have soared in the African country since South Sudan The US Treasury Department Treasury named the Islamic Re- The US will target people and lost about half its value against Washington is expected to seceded in July 2011, taking with it three-quarters of the country’s also said sanctions that shackle public of Iran Broadcasting, its organisations in Iran “responsible the dollar in the past year as US keep pressuring Iran’s customers oil output. Annual inflation was 15% in June 2011, the last data before Iran’s oil earnings took eff ect, as director, Ezzatollah Zarghami, for human right abuses, especially and EU sanctions halved the to make deeper cuts, as dictated southern independence. scheduled, on Wednesday. Iran’s and others as subject to sanc- those who deny the Iranian people country’s oil exports. by the US sanctions law. Oil exports had been the main source for public expenditure and foreign earnings now have to be credited tions that eff ectively block their their basic freedoms of expression, The new sanctions on oil rev- The US has granted all 20 of currency, which Sudan needs to support the Sudanese pound and pay to accounts in countries that buy access to the US fi nancial sys- assembly and speech,” said David enues do not specifi cally try to Iran’s major oil buyers 180-day for food and other imports. Iranian crude. tem. Cohen, the undersecretary for ter- deepen cuts in Iran’s oil exports. exemptions to the sanctions in Month-on-month inflation was 2.9% in January versus 1.6% in December, Under the conditions, Tehran Human rights groups have said rorism and fi nancial intelligence at But the measures could reward return for their reduced pur- as the cost of food, the biggest component in the index, rose by 2.1%, the can only use the funds to buy Iran is using state media reports the Treasury. Iran’s oil customers for working chases of the petroleum. The ex- central statistical bureau said in its monthly bulletin. The cost of clothing goods from its oil customers, to trample dissent, and have The new sanctions also target with the US on the sanctions by ceptions to China, India and oth- rose by 4.3% in January. preventing the money from be- pointed to forced confessions the Iranian Cyber Police, a unit forcing Tehran to buy their prod- ers were granted in December. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 25 BUSINESS

CORPORATE RESULTS Credit Suisse sees overhaul bearing fruit this year

Operating revenue in the fourth quarter rose 5% to other airlines including Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific loans in January but its overall corporate portfolio C$2.84bn. to fix prices for air cargo. was down 81bn roubles as some large borrowers Operating expenses in the quarter fell C$2mn, SIA — widely regarded as a bellwether for full- repaid their debts. Its retail loan portfolio was up mainly due to lower aircraft maintenance costs and service airlines — has implemented a series of 11bn roubles last month. a drop in ownership costs. cost-cutting measures amid a global industry Natalia Berezina, an analyst with Uralsib, said the WestJet reported a stronger-than-expected jump slowdown. slowdown in lending and increase in provisions in fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, but gave In the latest measure, the airline asked 76 foreign were expected by the market. a disappointing revenue outlook for the current pilots to leave by June 30 before the expiry of their Russia’s central bank expects total lending to quarter. employment contracts. slow this year, with corporate lending expected to increase by about 15% and retail loans by 25-30% Monster Worldwide this year because of a decline in banks’ capital adequacy and lacklustre economic growth. Online recruitment company Monster Worldwide Last year corporate loans across Russia’s 1,000 reported a quarterly loss and said it had exited or so lenders added 13%, with retail lending rising its businesses in Brazil, Mexico and Turkey, as it 39%, prompting the central bank to consider continues to pursue a sale of the full company. tightening loan provision requirements to cool the Monster reported a net loss of $73mn, or 66 cents retail lending market. per share, in the fourth quarter, compared with a profit of $10.9mn, or 9 cents per share, a year Swisscom earlier. The company recorded pre-tax charges of $23mn Telecoms provider Swisscom yesterday reported a during the three months ended December and said Suzuki drop in core profits for 2012 as customers switched it expects additional charges of $27mn to $37mn in to its lower margin services, while weak pricing hit Credit Suisse said it expects steps taken to the 20% mark, continuing the downward trend the first half of 2013. Suzuki Motor Corp said yesterday its net profit in its traditional fixed-line business. overhaul its business will bear fruit this year, after from past quarters. Excluding items, the company earned 8¢ per share. the October-to-December quarter fell 24.2% year- Core profit fell 4.4% from a year earlier to 4.381bn fourth-quarter profit missed forecasts because of Adding to this, economic uncertainty in the US in Revenue dropped 10% to $211.2mn. on-year to ¥6.5bn ($69.8mn) due in part to a sales Swiss francs ($4.81bn), although the decline was weak results at its investment bank. the fourth quarter due to the presidential elections, Monster said it expects first-quarter earnings from slump in Europe amid the eurozone debt crisis. a smaller 0.6% on a like-for-like basis at constant Like peers, Credit Suisse is cutting back riskier the approaching “fiscal cliff ” and superstorm continuing operations to be in the range of 6¢ to Suzuki logged a net profit of ¥8.6bn in the same exchange rates. assets and reducing costs to meet tougher regula- Sandy postponed technology spending. 10¢ per share. period a year earlier. Swisscom, like other European telecoms com- tions aimed at preventing a repeat of the 2008 The company forecast full-year profit below ana- Year-on-year, quarterly operating profit rose 16.4% panies, is facing increasing competition in its financial crisis. But it is not withdrawing from fixed lysts’ estimates. But analysts said there was little DNB to ¥26.7bn for the October-to-December quarter traditional market from smartphones and tablet income. need for concern. while sales were up 4.2% to ¥595.9bn. computers which allow people to communicate via Pretax profit at the investment bank dropped 38%, The conservative forecast, which many analysts Norwegian bank DNB, which is building up In the quarter, sales in Europe plunged 20.1% to the Internet. with low levels of business activity in both its fixed- had expected, comes after the company was reserves to meet new capital rules, delivered the 43,000 units while domestic sales edged down income and equity arms. However, that was still forced to cut its 2012 outlook in May for the first dividend it had promised yesterday and ruled out 2.1% to 137,000 units, the carmaker said. better than the fourth-quarter losses reported by time in nearly four years. an issue of new shares, sending its shares up 7%. Suzuki raised its operating profit outlook to ¥130bn UBS and Deutsche Bank at their investment banks. Net income rose 16% to $278.8mn, or 92 cents per DNB is off ering a dividend of 2.1 crowns per share for the current financial year through March from Overall, Credit Suisse made fourth-quarter net share, in the fourth quarter, from $240.1mn, or 78 for 2012, slightly up on the 2.0 crowns per share ¥120bn it had predicted three months ago. The car- profit of 397mn Swiss francs ($436mn), missing cents per share, a year earlier. off ered in 2011 and a median analyst forecast of 2.0 maker maintained its net profit forecast at ¥70bn. analysts average forecast of 645mn in a Reuters Total revenue rose 17% to $1.95bn. Revenue from crowns in a Reuters poll. poll. It took 304mn francs in charges related to its Europe, which accounts for nearly a fifth of the Fourth-quarter net profit was 3.81bn crowns Sony own debt. company’s total revenue, rose 19% to $326.2mn. ($694.09mn), down from 4.09bn a year ago but Chief Executive Brady Dougan said yesterday steps It forecast first-quarter earnings of 92 cents per above a consensus forecast of 3.32bn. Japanese electronics giant Sony said yesterday taken to boost capital and cut risks and costs were share on revenue of at least $2bn. that its net loss from April to December shrank starting to pay off . The company, which has said it expects healthcare 75% on-year and added that it remains on track to “Going into 2013, revenues have so far been con- to grow slower than the company average in 2013, achieve its forecast of a full-year profit. sistent with the good starts we have seen to prior forecast at least $3.95 per share in profit for 2013 The results, which follow reports that Sony will this Alcatel years, with profitability further benefiting from the and revenue of at least $8.6bn. month announce the late 2013 launch of its latest strategic measures we took in 2012.” Starwood Hotels PlayStation games console, also showed the firm Telecom equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent said The Zurich-based bank said it would cut costs by returned to profitability on the operating side from its chief executive was leaving after it swung to a 4.4bn francs by the end of 2015, up from a previous Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, whose a year earlier. net loss of €1.37bn ($1.85bn) for 2012, hit by lower 4bn target, by folding its asset management unit chains include Sheraton and Westin, reported a Sales rose 3.6% to ¥5.07tn ($54.17bn) thanks to sales in Europe and China and a write-down of its into its private bank and by moving some jobs better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit and said strong demand in the mobile products and movies wireless and optics businesses. off shore. demand is growing in all its important geogra- division, off setting weaker television and videog- CEO Ben Verwaayen said the company needed a All told, Credit Suisse cut 2,300 staff in 2012. phies, including Europe. Hyundai Heavy ame sales, it said. new leader to complete its turnaround when his Credit Suisse said net new assets from wealth For the fourth-quarter, Starwood earned 70¢ Sony also pointed to the yen’s steep declined in mandate ends in May. management clients tumbled 28% to 2.9bn francs per share from continuing operations excluding South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries yesterday recent months as a boost for its balance sheet. “If you look at the task at hand, it is focused on in the fourth quarter. Like UBS, it suff ered big out- one-time items, 5 cents above what analysts were said net profit tumbled 62% in 2012 following a The currency has been a huge headache for Japa- execution,” said the Dutch-born executive. flows of money from clients in Europe, where Swiss expecting on average. sharp fall in orders for high-end ships, while its nese manufacturers as it soared to a record high The group’s annual adjusted operating profit was banks are under fire for helping tax cheats. Net income from continuing operations fell to fourth quarter net loss saw a severe widening. around 75 on the dollar in late 2011, making their €117mn, giving it a margin of 2.9%, far below the Dougan forecast 5 to 10% of assets from western $65mn, or 33¢ per share, from $158mn, or 80¢ per The world’s largest shipbuilder said consolidated products less competitive overseas and shrinking 5-9% margins Verwaayen had once promised. Europe, where clients withdrew 6.9bn francs last share, a year earlier. net profit stood at 1.038tn won ($954mn), while the value of overseas income. It burned through €679mn in cash for the year. year, will leave the bank through 2015. Clients Selling, general, administrative and other expenses sales rose 2.4% year-on-year to 54.97tn won. But it has fallen steeply in recent months, with the In the fourth quarter, usually the strongest for at Clariden Leu, a boutique bank integrated into rose more than 5% to $101mn. Operating profit plunged 56% to 1.99tn won, it said. dollar buying ¥93.77 in forex trading yesterday. telecom gear groups, sales fell 1.3% from a year Credit Suisse last year, pulled out 7.5bn francs. Shares of the company, which have gained about In the fourth quarter to the end of December its Sony’s results saw it book a loss off ¥50.87bn in earlier to €4.1bn, as strong US growth was swal- Credit Suisse has already made provisions of 18% in value in the last three months, closed at net loss expanded to 348bn won from 25.4bn won the nine months to December, well down from a lowed by weakness in Europe and Asia. $325mn to settle a US investigation into allegations $62.60 on Wednesday on the New York Stock a year earlier. ¥201.45bn loss in the same period a year earlier. Sales were largely in line with analysts’ estimates it helped wealthy Americans evade taxes, but said Exchange. Fourth-quarter sales fell 2.7% year-on-year to 14.1tn The company kept a ¥20bn net profit estimate for for €4.12bn in the fourth quarter and 14.51bn for yesterday it could not give any information on tim- won, while operating profit plunged 94% to 54.3bn the fiscal year to March on sales of ¥6.6tn, largely the year, according to Thomson Reuters. ing of a settlement. BCE won. crediting the unchanged forecast “to the favour- The company’s net loss stemmed largely from a The bank said it does not expect to have any mate- It blamed the weak fourth-quarter figures on able impact of the depreciation of the yen”. write-down of €1.4bn “related to the depreciation rial hit from a global investigation into rigging of BCE Inc, Canada’s biggest telecom provider, report- deliveries of cheaper ships for orders contracted at But its rosy outlook was “partially off set by down- of goodwill and fixed assets, and the correspond- benchmark interest rates, adding it will vigorously ed higher quarterly profit and raised its dividend the start of the global economic crisis. Shipbuilders ward revisions in annual unit sales forecasts of ing impact on deferred tax”. defend itself against civil lawsuits relating to Libor. yesterday, as the wireless and media divisions and take years to make deliveries and their financial key products resulting from the stagnation of the Chief Financial Officer Paul Tufano said the Credit Suisse said it cut risk-weighted assets investment gains boosted the bottom line. accounts during a period of delivery are based on electronics products market”, Sony added. charge was linked to the lower value of its wire- (RWAs) by 99bn francs in the quarter to 924bn But the Bell Canada parent said it expected rev- the prices at which they obtained the orders. Also yesterday, the company said it had swung to a less and optics businesses. francs, close to a target for less than 900bn francs enue to stagnate or grow by at most 2% this year, However, as the outlook for the global economy nine-month operating profit of ¥82.96bn, reversing by the end of 2013. compared with 3% growth in 2012. picks up the company said it had set a target a year earlier shortfall. Amgen Credit Suisse said it would pay a dividend of 0.75 For the final quarter of the year, profit was in line $29.7bn in total orders for 2013, up from $19.57bn Sony has been undergoing a huge restructuring, francs per share, with 0.10 francs in cash and the with expectations as strong performances in last year. announcing last month it was selling its US head- Amgen, the world’s largest biotechnology com- rest in shares. It expects to lift key capital ratios by wireless and media more than off set Bell’s weaker quarters in Manhattan for about $1.1bn. pany, yesterday raised its 2013 earnings forecast mid-year, allowing a return to an all-cash payout, wireline business. Danske Bank to account for a Puerto Rico excise tax credit due finance chief David Mathers said. Net postpaid wireless subscribers rose 9%, with the Fujitsu to federal settlements for prior years. addition of nearly 144,000 Bell Canada customers. Denmark’s biggest lender Danske Bank said it Amgen, which has a manufacturing facility in Postpaid subscriber figures are watched closely had reached a turning point after posting a nearly Japan’s Fujitsu said yesterday it lost almost $1.0bn Puerto Rico, said that it now expects adjusted because those customers, who often sign multi- four-fold rise in quarterly pretax profits and off ered in the nine months to December and was looking 2013 earnings of $7.05 per share to $7.35 per year contracts, typically pay more each month its first full-year outlook since the financial crisis into slashing 5,000 jobs worldwide as it struggles share, and that it would record the credit in the than prepaid subscribers. began. to compete with cheaper overseas competition. first quarter. The company last month had fore- Fourth-quarter net earnings rose to C$708mn Danske Bank’s fourth quarter pretax profits rose to The sprawling company also cut its full-year earn- cast earnings per share of $6.85 to $7.15. ($710mn), or 91 Canadian cents a share, from 2.26bn Danish crowns, beating an average 1.86bn ings forecast as it overhauls a troubled semicon- The 2013 revenue forecast remains unchanged at C$486mn, or 62 Canadian cents, a year earlier. forecast in a poll of analysts. ductor division, merging some of its chip business $17.8bn to $18.2bn. The bottom line benefited from a C$248mn non- Loan losses fell to 2.62bn crowns from 4.79bn in with that of rival Panasonic. cash gain related to a joint venture with Rogers to the same quarter a year ago, better than an aver- Fujitsu said it was in talks with labour unions to Compass bring wireless broadband to remote communities age forecast of 2.89bn crowns. chop about 5,000 jobs from a 170,000-strong and rural areas. Its loan losses in Ireland, where the bank owns global staff , while moving another 4,500 jobs off Compass Group, the world’s biggest catering Statoil Excluding that gain and other items, adjusted earn- National Irish Bank in the Republic of Ireland and its payroll to a separate, independent company as firm, posted a 6% rise in first-quarter organic ings rose to 65 Canadian cents a share, from 62 Northern Bank in Northern Ireland, would see part of its chip business overhaul. revenue, as contract wins in North America and Norway’s Statoil posted a fourth-quarter adjusted Canadian cents a year earlier. Analysts, on average, a decline in 2013, chief financial off icer Henrik For the nine months to December, the company emerging markets helped temper tougher condi- operating profit of 48.3bn crowns ($8.8bn), ahead had expected earnings of 66 Canadian cents a Ramlau-Hansen said at the press briefing. booked a ¥90.12bn ($962mn) net loss, reversing a tions in Europe. of expectations and allowing the firm to lift its share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. year-earlier net profit. The firm, which operates in over 50 countries dividend payment to 6.75 crowns per share from For 2013, BCE expects adjusted earnings per share For the year to March, it said it now forecasts a and serves 4bn meals a year, said its large Ascen- 6.50 crowns a year earlier. from C$2.97 to C$3.03 for 2013. Restated to reflect ¥95.0bn loss, representing the company’s first sion Health multi-service contract in its core Its gas business, a cause for uncertainty last year a new pension accounting standard, adjusted earn- fiscal net loss in four years and reversing earlier North American market had contributed over 1% because it had to renegotiate long-term sales con- ings in 2012 were C$2.96 a share. estimates of a 25bn yen profit. of global sales in the period, while levels of new tracts, also performed ahead of expectations, tak- BCE’s operating revenue dipped to C$5.16bn from However, the bulk of its shortfall was a ¥87bn business wins in the region was also healthy. ing market share from rivals like Russia’s Gazprom. with C$5.17bn a year earlier, slightly less than with special loss tied to reforming its chip unit and Like for like revenue was positive in North Although the company hopes to raise the propor- expectations. slumping demand in debt-wracked Europe, which America — a business worth almost half of group tion of oil in its output to 60% by 2020, from The company raised its quarterly dividend 2.6% to is grappling with a recession. revenue — as well as in emerging markets, where around 55% currently, it said it will also venture C$0.5825 a share, over and above a 4.6% increase Revenue in the period was ¥3.12tn, down 1.6%. Australia, Turkey and Latin America were strong. further into liquefied natural gas, particularly in announced in August. Fujitsu has agreed with Panasonic, which is also In Europe, where it has reduced its southern op- Tanzania, where it confirmed another major gas struggling to repair its finances, to merge some of erations and is cutting costs, underlying revenue discovery yesterday. Air Canada their chip businesses into a design and develop- was negative. The find in the Lavani prospect adds up to 9tn cu- ment firm. Compass, which provides catering to everyone bic feet to the resource, making it “very likely” the Air Canada reported a fourth-quarter operating SIA from schools and hospitals to offshore rigs and company would develop it and opt for an LNG facil- profit, helped by tighter cost controls, and said Sberbank the tennis at Wimbledon, also announced yester- ity to take advantage of Asia’s hunger for energy. it would launch premium economy services on Singapore Airlines (SIA) said yesterday its third- day that its chairman Roy Gardner is to retire and It will also spend heavily at home, not least on the international flights as it tries to attract more busi- quarter net profit rose 6% year-on-year as the sale Russian lender Sberbank reported net profit up 9% that it would now search for a replacement. giant new Johan Sverdrup field which is estimated ness travelers. of aircraft and spare engines as well as interest year on year in January at 31.8bn roubles ($1.1bn), The group reaffirmed its expectations for the to hold up to 3.3bn barrels of recoverable oil, as it Canada’s biggest airline, whose main domestic income off set the impact of a business slowdown. according to Russian Accounting Standards (RAS), full-year. seeks to replace maturing North Sea fields. competitor is WestJet Airlines, also said it would Net profit for the last three months of 2012 totalled on the back of higher interest income. Last month French rival Sodexo posted a 7.4% add five new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to its fleet. S$143mn ($115.6mn), SIA said, attributing the rise Sberbank, the RAS results of which are viewed as rise in first-quarter revenue to €4.95bn ($6.7bn), Cognizant Air Canada’s operating income in the quarter to gains from the “sale of aircraft, spares and spare an indicator of its quarterly performance under driven by emerging markets growth. was C$46mn ($46mn), compared with a loss of engines, and higher net interest income”. international reporting standards, said yesterday The company, majority owned by the Swiss IT services company Cognizant Technology C$98mn a year earlier. Revenue however eased 0.40% to S$3.86bn, and that net interest income rose 19%. state, posted a 153% rise in net income for 2012, Solutions Corp’s quarterly profit modestly beat Net income was C$8mn, or 3 Canadian cents per the carrier warned of tough times ahead for the The bank, which accounts for about a third of over- the jump from 2012 mainly attributable to the estimates, boosted by a jump in demand from share, compared with a loss of C$60mn, or 22 passenger and cargo markets. all lending in Russia, said that it set aside 11.5bn previous year’s €1.3bn ($1.76bn) write-down on its Europe after quarters of tepid growth in business Canadian cents per share, a year earlier. Fuel expenses totalled Sg$1.5bn during the quarter, roubles in provisions for possible bad loans, up Italian unit Fastweb. from the region. On an adjusted basis, the net loss was 2 Canadian accounting for more than 38% of revenues. from 5.5bn roubles a year ago. Its non-performing Revenues for the year were 11.384bn Swiss francs, Cognizant said revenue from its European busi- cents per share. Analysts had expected the com- SIA said its non-operating gains were dented by loan ratio was slightly up at 2.74% last month, from 0.7% below the year-earlier figure, as declines in ness rose 19% in the fourth quarter, after three pany to report a loss of 21 Canadian cents a share, Sg$20mn in fines for its subsidiary SIA Cargo in 2.69% in December. fixed line revenues outweighed growth in mobile consecutive quarters of slow growth. according to Thomson Reuters. relation to civil penalty proceedings “in respect Despite the improvement to the bottom line, telephony and a sharp jump in mobile traffic. The company has been facing slowing revenue For full year 2012, Air Canada reported net income of competition law matters in Australia and New lending was largely flat in January, both in the In November, the group cut its full year profit growth from North America, which accounts for of C$131mn compared to a net loss of $249mn in Zealand”. corporate and retail sectors, because of a general outlook when it reported third quarter numbers the bulk of its revenue. 2011, it said, the first time the carrier made a profit The cargo arm of SIA was slapped with the fines trend of weak lending at the start of the year. as strong mobile services demand failed to offset Revenue growth in North America slipped below in five years. last year after it admitted to colluding with various Sberbank said it issued 280bn roubles in corporate falling prices in its core Swiss market. Gulf Times 26 Friday, February 8, 2013 BUSINESS Asia markets Bullish spell gives way mostly down to profi t-booking on QE ahead of By Santhosh V Perumal Foreign investors steady Egypt’s index; Gulf markets mixed 5% to 6.99mn shares, value by 17% Business Reporter to QR201.71mn and deals by 11% to Foreign buyers helped Egypt’s index recover In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai’s bourse 3,458. some of the previous session’s losses that had declined for the first day in last four as investors The telecom sector’s trad- China data he two days of bullish mo- been sparked by the country’s foreign reserves opted to book gains following an early-year equity ing volume plummeted 48% to mentum yesterday gave slumping to critical levels, while Gulf markets were rally. 0.26mn shares, value by 72% to Tway for profi t booking, mixed in uneventful trading ahead of the weekend. Emaar Properties, the Dubai Financial Market’s QR10.94mn and transactions by AFP in January,” he told Dow Jones especially in the realty, transport An unstable political situation in Egypt and a largest listed company, declined 0.4%, Dubai 55% to 183. Tokyo Newswires. and banking stocks. deteriorating economy is weighing on local Islamic Bank and telecom operator du each lost The insurance sector’s trading Eyes were also on a European Foreign retail investors were investor confidence, but foreign investors — net 1.4%. volume plunged 36% to 0.09mn Central Bank meeting later yes- mainly seen instrumental in buyers of Egyptian equities during the ongoing The index slipped 0.6% to finish at 1,860 points. It shares, value by 41% to QR5.64mn sian markets were mostly terday that is expected to keep dragging the 20-stock QE Index turmoil — appear optimistic the situation will has fallen 1.5% this week, its first weekly decline of and deals by 39% to 57. down yesterday with monetary policy on hold. (based on price data) by 0.13% to improve. 2013. The transport sector’s trad- Atraders booking profi ts Analysts said ECB board 8,757.59 points. Cairo’s benchmark gained 0.2%, extending 2013 The benchmark is still up 14.6% in 2013, but is now ing volume tanked 32% to after another strong rally in the members would not undertake However, local retail investors gains to 4.4%. It fell 1.8% a day earlier, bringing stuck in a sideways trend, according to technical 0.58mn shares, value by 49% to previous session, while they are any more loosening despite wor- extended buying support in the back bargain hunters. analysis. QR10.02mn and transactions by also awaiting the release of Chi- ries about slow growth and the market, which is up 4.77% year- National Societe Generale Bank (NSGB) rose 3.4%. “We are waiting for a retracement lower towards 34% to 260. nese economic indicators. strengthening euro. to-date (YTD). International Bank climbed 0.7% and EFG-Hermes the 1,810 support level, or alternatively the break The banks and financial Tokyo’s Nikkei suff ered a deep In foreign exchange markets Losers outnumbered gainers added 2%. of the 1,890 resistance level, in order to reinstate services sector’s trading vol- correction after storming almost the yen edged up in Asia follow- with major shakers being QNB, French bank Societe Generale agreed late last ‘long’ positions,” Mena Corp said in a note. ume declined 30% to 1.16mn four% to its highest level since ing its recent sharp decline but Doha Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, year to sell its 77% stake in NSGB to Qatar National Abu Dhabi banks, buoyed by strong fourth-quarter shares, value by 29% to September 2008 as the yen re- fell back in early European trade. National Leasing, United De- Bank’s (QNB). The Qatari bank said it will off er to earnings and expectations of healthy dividends, QR47.06mn and deals by 34% claimed some of its losses in re- The dollar fetched ¥93.78 in velopment Company (UDC), buy the remaining stocks for the same price as the help boost the UAE capital’s index to a new to 743. However, the consum- cent days. London, compared with ¥93.57 Barwa and Nakilat; even as deal under Egyptian market rules. 34-month high. It added 0.4%. er goods and services sector’s Tokyo fell 0.93%, or 106.68 New York late on Wednesday. Industries Qatar, Gulf Inter- “It was more of a psychological rebound after the Heavyweights National Bank of Abu Dhabi and trading volume surged 58% to points, to 11,357.07 and Seoul The euro bought ¥127.15 from national Services (GIS), Ma- recent selling,” said Mohamed Radwan, director of First Gulf Bank climbed 1.4 and 0.4% respectively. 0.57mn shares, value by 94% to slipped 0.23%, or 4.42 points, to ¥126.46 and $1.3560 from $1.3519. zaya Qatar and Qatar Telecom international sales at Pharos Securities. “There was Commercial Bank International, which rarely QR32.30mn and transactions 1,931.77. Regional markets were given a bucked the trend. talk on the street that QNB’s tender off er for NSGB trades, jumped 8.3%. by 66% to 530. Sydney rose 0.3%, or 14.7 soft lead from Wall Street mixed The 20-stock Total Return In- might happen over the weekend, which helped the Elsewhere, the Kuwait index eased 0.05% to 6,289 The industrials sector’s trad- points, to 4,935.7, Hong Kong trading day. dex also fell 0.13% to 11,928.93 stock gain.” points, Oman index advanced 0.2% to 5,853 points ing volume soared 38% to 0.80mn fell 0.34%, or 79.93 points to The Dow ended 0.05% higher, points, All Share Index (compris- Doha-listed QNB shares slipped 0.3%. and the Bahrain index slipped 0.1% to 1,088 points. shares, value by 32% to QR47.37mn 23,177.00, and Shanghai closed the S&P 500 climbed 0.05% and ing wider constituents) by 0.23% and deals by 36% to 744. down 0.66% or 15.95 to 2,418.53. the Nasdaq rose 0.1%. to 2,110.01 points and Al Rayan Is- The realty sector’s trading Traders opted out of big risks On oil markets New York’s lamic Index by 0.03% to 2,565.76 down 0.24% or more than QR1bn compared to 14.08%. Qatari indi- pared to 25.01% on Wednesday volume gained 7% to 3.51mn ahead of the latest numbers from main contract, light sweet crude points. All the three indices fac- to QR475.71bn. vidual investors, however, turned whereas a lower 8.83% offl oad- shares, while value fell 11% to China due to be released today for delivery in March gained 16¢ tored in dividend income as well. Of the 42 stocks, only 15 ad- net buyers to the tune of 4.09% ed against 16.42%. QR48.38mn and transactions by before the country shuts up shop to $96.78 a barrel in the after- Under the All Share Index vanced; while 21 declined, four or QR8.25mn. A higher 48.47% Domestic institutions’ net 5% to 941. for the Lunar New Year holiday. noon and Brent North Sea crude category, the insurance index were unchanged and two were of them purchased equities com- profi t booking rose to 8.03% or Actively traded stocks (in Beijing will unveil data on for March delivery increased 12¢ lost 0.98%, real estate (0.94%), not traded. pared to 41.03% on Wednesday QR16.20mn. A lower 17.62% of terms of volume) were Mazaya trade and infl ation that will pro- to $116.85. transport (0.57%) and banks and Non-Qatari retail investors and a marginally higher 44.38% them were into buying against Qatar (2.86mn shares); Nakilat vide a clearer idea of the state of Gold was at $1,676.08 at 1030 fi nancial services (0.5%); while were net sellers to the extent of sold against 44.01%. 19.07% the previous day while (555,832); UDC (431,785); GIS the world’s number-two econ- GMT compared with $1,670.27 the indices of telecom, consumer 5.31% or QR10.71mn. A margin- Foreign institutions’ net a marginally higher 25.65% of (419,969) and Qatar Oman In- omy after a string up upbeat late Wednesday. goods and industrials rose 0.82%, ally higher 15.83% of them were buying rose to 9.25% or them into selling compared to vestment (283,818). fi gures indicated it has emerged In other markets, Singapore 0.62% and 0.07% respectively. into buying against 14.89% the QR18.66mn. A lower 18.08% 25.5%. In the debt market, there was from a severe slowdown. slipped 0.45%, or 14.76 points, Market capitalisation was previous day and a higher 21.14% of them bought equities com- Total trading volume was down no trading of treasury bills. “After gyrating quite aggres- to 3,261.77; Jakarta was fl at, edg- sively over the past couple of ing up 4.17 points to 4,503.15; weeks, markets are taking pause Manila closed 0.45% higher, or Morocco sees GDP ahead of the Chinese (infl ation) 28.64 points to 6,459.9; Wel- growth rebounding data,” said Matthew Sherwood, lington fell 0.4%, or 16.71 points, to 4.8% this year head of investment market re- to 4,195.24; Kuala Lumpur Indian shares drop for sixth day search at Perpetual Investments added 0.34%, or 5.43 points, to Morocco expects its real in Sydney. 1,619.57; Bangkok was barely gross domestic product “In essence, we are probably changed, dipping 0.54 points to growth to rebound to 4.8% stuck in a bit of a trading zone 1,499.81; and Taipei was closed as GDP forecast misses estimate this year from 2.7% in 2012 after we had such a strong rally for a public holiday. as the farm sector recovers from drought, the planning Bloomberg in the 12 months through March 2013, and 40% in the previous two quarters, data com- agency said. Mumbai 6% the following fiscal year, the IMF said. piled by Bloomberg show. Cereal production tumbled Inflation will ease to 7.2% by March 2014 “There are no real signs of an earnings re- because of the drought, to from 7.8% in March this year and the budget covery based on the third quarter numbers,” 5.1mn tonnes last year from Europe stocks fall ndian stocks fell for a sixth day, the long- deficit is likely to be 5.6% of GDP this fis- Sanjeev Prasad, senior executive director of 8.4mn in 2011. As a result, est losing streak since November, after cal year, above the government’s 5.3% goal, Kotak Institutional Equities, told Bloomberg GDP growth slowed sharply Igovernment data forecast the weakest it added. TV India. “There’s no recovery in the un- from the 2011 rate of 5.0%. after rate calls economic growth in a decade. NTPC fell 2.5% to Rs148.05, the lowest derlying trend as far as volume, margins and This year’s GDP forecast The BSE India Sensitive Index, or Sensex, close since June 5. The government will raise non-performing loans are concerned.” assumes cereal production slid 0.3% to 19,580.32, the lowest close since more than $2.2bn from the share sale, Disin- Bharti Airtel, the country’s largest mo- of 7.0mn tonnes, economic AFP European parliament hostile to December 31. Cipla, the country’s third-big- vestment Secretary Ravi Mathur said, as de- bile services company, lost 2% to 320.1 ru- growth in the eurozone of London any major spending cuts. gest drugmaker, dropped to a two-week low mand exceeded the number of shares off ered. pees. Sterlite Industries India declined 3% to around 2.0%, and a fall in In November, EU leaders failed after its profi t missed analysts’ estimates for Last week, the government raised 31.4bn Rs104.6. the average global price to narrow sharp diff erences and the fi rst time in four quarters. Utility NTPC ($590mn) rupees selling a 10% stake in state- The S&P CNX Nifty Index on the National of oil from $105 a barrel in uropean stocks fell and the while most expect a compro- declined to an eight-month low as the gov- owned Oil India, helping meet one-third of Stock Exchange of India fell 0.3% to 5,938.80. 2012 to $99.70 this year, the euro plunged against the mise to emerge this time, there is ernment sold $2.2bn of shares of the power its target to raise Rs300bn from state assets in India VIX, which measures the cost of protec- agency said in a report late Edollar yesterday after the no certainty other than that the utility in the nation’s largest off ering since the year ending March 31. tion against losses in the Nifty, rose 4.4% to on Wednesday. ECB held its key rate steady de- budget talks will be long. March. Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambar- 14.89. “We expect GDP growth to spite calls by France and others In the meantime, gold prices Gross domestic product may grow 5% in am has vowed to pare the budget shortfall to Meanwhile, India’s rupee declined for a exceed 5% if the weather for looser monetary policy. edged up to $1,668 an ounce the 12 months through March 31, below last damp infl ation, part of a wider policy over- second day as the government predicted eco- remains favourable, which The European single currency from $1,674.25 on the London year’s 6.2% and the least since 4% in 2002- haul since September to revive economic nomic growth will slow to a decade-low this could push the local harvest plunged moments after ECB Bullion Market on Wednesday. 2003, government data showed yesterday. growth. The steps have prompted foreign fi scal year. to 8mn tonnes,” High President Mario Draghi said As widely predicted by ana- The Reserve Bank of India last month forecast funds to buy a net $5.94bn of local shares this The below-consensus growth forecast is Commissioner for Plan- that a strong rise in the euro lysts and ECB watchers, the the economy will grow at 5.5% this fi scal and year, a record for the period, data compiled “negative for the rupee and overall sentiment ning Ahmed Lahlimi told in recent weeks was a sign of central bank’s policy-setting the Finance Ministry in December said GDP by Bloomberg show. They bought $24.5bn in in India,” Dariusz Kowalczyk, a senior strate- Reuters. market confi dence. It ended the governing council voted to leave may increase as little as 5.7%. 2012, the highest among 10 Asian markets gist at Credit Agricole CIB in Hong Kong, said However, he added: “The session at $1.3386, down from the main refi nancing rate at a “The latest estimate is the worst of all pro- tracked by Bloomberg, excluding China. in an e-mail yesterday. problem of financing the $1.3519 late on Wednesday in historic low of 0.75%, where it jections issued by the government and the “Policy reforms and measures to correct The rupee declined 0.1% to 53.2200 per economy persists.” New York. has been since July. RBI,” Amar Ambani, head of research at a the fi scal and current account defi cits are dollar in Mumbai, according to data compiled Morocco will face an In London, where the Bank With ECB interest rates low Mumbai-based brokerage India Infoline, said underway,” Manish Sonthalia, who manages by Bloomberg. It touched 52.8900 Wednes- external financing need of of England also maintained its and its latest anti-crisis bazooka by e-mail. “GDP growth will be lower due to $255mn in equities at Mumbai-based Motilal day, the strongest level since October 17. One- about 9% of GDP this year, key rates, equities on the FTSE — the so-called OMT — ready poor performance of manufacturing, agricul- Oswal Asset Management, told Bloomberg month implied volatility, a gauge of expected up from 8.4% in 2012 and 100 index of top companies fell and primed for action, Draghi ture and services sectors.” TV India. “It is a market meant to be bought moves in the exchange rate used to price op- 8.1% in 2011, the agency 1.06% to 6,228.42 points. believes the bank has done what India’s economy is in a weaker position on dips rather than sell at current prices.” tions, fell 13 basis points, or 0.13 percentage calculated. In Paris, the CAC 40 fell 1.15% it needs to and it is now up to than before the global fi nancial crisis and Cipla slid 2.7% to Rs394.1 after the com- point, to 9.39%. Assuming a 3% increase in to 3,601.05 points, while in governments to resolve the long- the Reserve Bank must refrain from cut- pany reported profi t grew 26% to Rs3.39bn Three-month onshore rupee forwards foreign direct investment Frankfurt the DAX 30 edged up running crisis, economists said. ting borrowing costs further until infl ation in the December quarter, missing the me- traded at 54.27 per dollar, compared with and that Morocco limited its 0.13% to 7,590.85 points, kept in In company activity, shares is contained, the International Monetary dian estimate of Rs3.5bn in a Bloomberg sur- 54.20 Wednesday, according to data compiled public debt to 60% of GDP, positive territory by another raft in Burberry tumbled 6.5% to Fund said Wednesday. The RBI lowered rates vey. Earnings were announced after markets by Bloomberg. Off shore non-deliverable con- the country would have to of rosy economic data. 1,337 pence after the British last month, the fi rst cut since April, and said closed Wednesday. tracts were at 54.13 versus 54.05. Forwards are meet the rest of the financ- Also yesterday, EU lead- luxury clothing and accessories there’s limited space for further easing be- Six out of 18, or 30%, of Sensex companies agreements to buy or sell assets at a set price ing need by running down ers began diffi cult talks on the group announced the departure cause of price pressures. that have reported December-quarter earn- and date. Non-deliverable contracts are set- its foreign reserves. bloc’s 2014-20 budget under the of chief fi nancial offi cer Stacey Gross domestic product will climb 5.4% ings have missed forecasts, compared with tled in dollars. watchful eye of a newly assertive Cartwright. European fi rms face fresh wave of profi t downgrades

Reuters in October to about 9%, according to “We saw a brutal earnings downgrade The FTSEurofi rst 300 index surged while in Spain, where profi ts halved last recovery. It is unlikely we will start to see London Thomson Reuters Datastream. cycle last year, but the pace is starting to 10% between mid-November and early year, a 60% rebound is predicted. the revision ratio in Europe rise until the The number is set to fall further to slow. Once investors start getting more January, but the rally has since run out of However, Spain risks a steep cut in es- second quarter,” James Butterfi ll, global about 5-6% after the announcement of comfortable with the earnings outlook, steam around 23-month highs as inves- timates as the highly-indebted country equity strategist at Coutts, said. fresh wave of cuts to European the latest results and outlooks from more they will have more confi dence in valu- tors wait for fresh catalysts, which could faces structural challenges and the still Although earnings forecasts are still company profi t forecasts is on its companies, refl ecting the slow or nega- ations, which are still undemanding de- come from earnings. poor economic outlook for the country being downgraded, estimates are fall- Away but will leave fi rms well placed tive growth expected in most European spite recent increases,” HSBC Securities “We are optimistic that we will see could hurt companies. ing just about 0.05% month-on-month, to outperform later in the year — poten- economies, analysts said. analyst Robert Parkes said. earnings growth of 5 to 6% in 2013,” said On a sectoral basis, telecoms and utili- against a drop rate of 0.7% around June. tially boosting stock market returns. But the pace of downgrades is slowing After the latest cuts, expectations Ronny Claeys, senior strategist at KBC ties, which are highly regulated and can- The end of the steep downgrades could By tempering analyst expectations, and signs of an (albeit slow) economic re- could be back to attainable levels, ena- Asset Management, which manages not easily control pricing and margins, help rebuild the traditionally strong posi- companies, many of which look attrac- covery, backed by central bank stimulus, bling fi rms to beat forecasts and leaving €62bn ($85bn). are seen as more vulnerable to earnings tive correlation between earnings and tive against long-term valuations, will be means steep cuts seen last year are un- earnings as a potential driver for equity “Probably we will leave negative downgrades. equity performance, which had broken better placed to beat them in the coming likely to be repeated, analysts said. gains later this year. growth territory in Europe in the second Analysts said earnings estimates based in the past quarters as major macroeco- quarters. In turn, this could fuel stock According to industry data, the earn- Analysts said earnings would lend fun- half. We are now in an environment in on company fundamentals would con- nomic factors such as fear of a euro zone market performance after several quar- ings revision ratio for 2013, which meas- damental support to a stocks rally that which you can more easily expand mar- tinue to be downgraded until mid-2013, break-up and dwindling US growth ters in which macroeconomic uncertain- ures the percentage of upgrades against has so far been largely driven by positive gins,” he said. although more slowly, before the revision dominated the market.“For several quar- ty has been the main driver. downgrades, bottomed in October at reaction to central bank actions, such as Estimates show variations on the ratio improves further in the second half ters, we have seen earnings moving up Consensus earnings growth forecasts 30% upgrades to 70% downgrades, be- the US Federal Reserve’s liquidity meas- country level. Earnings for German fi rms with an economic recovery in Europe. and stocks going down,” Didier Duret, for European companies in 2013 have fore rising to 36/64 as the pace of down- ures and the European Central Bank’s are forecast to be broadly fl at this year “Revision ratios tend to start recover- global chief investment offi cer at ABN already been cut from more than 12% grades slowed. pledge to save the euro. after a likely rise of around 14% in 2012, ing when we begin to see green shoots of a AMRO Private Banking, said. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 27 BUSINESS

SAUDI ARABIA KUWAIT OMAN

Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume

Saudi British Bank 31.60 0.96 144,993 Kuwait Projects Co Holdings 405.00 0.00 71,768 Financial Corp/The 0.12 0.00 662 Sabb Takaful 36.60 -1.61 666,139 Kuwait Real Estate Co 53.00 0.00 1,181,000 Dhofar Tourism 1.00 0.00 - Saudi Basic Industries Corp 92.00 -0.54 4,340,212 Kuwait Slaughter House Co 0.00 0.00 - Dhofar Poultry 1.92 0.00 - Saudi Cement 98.00 0.00 58,496 Kuwaiti Syrian Holding Co 28.50 0.00 415,510 Aloula Co 0.00 0.00 - Sasco 17.95 -0.83 270,923 Kuwait Invest Co Holding 0.00 0.00 - Dhofar Intl Development 0.41 0.25 283,915 Saudi Dairy & Foodstuff Co 65.50 -0.38 59,321 Kuwait Reinsurance Co Ksc 0.00 0.00 - Dhofar Insurance 0.24 0.00 39,330 Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Co 151.25 -2.10 159,690 Kgl Logistics Company Kscc 285.00 0.00 31,528 Dhofar University 1.12 0.00 - Al Sagr Co-Operative Insuran 31.20 -1.58 304,934 Mabanee Co Sakc 1,180.00 -1.67 52,015 Dhofar Power Co 0.00 0.00 - Saudi Advanced Industries 14.85 -1.33 577,035 Al-Madar Finance & Invt Co 43.50 -1.14 1,514,000 Dhofar Power Co-Pfd 0.00 0.00 - Saudi Arabian Coop Ins Co 66.50 0.38 373,213 Manafae Investment Co 64.00 0.00 1,994,943 Dhofar Fisheries & Food Indu 1.28 0.00 - QATAR Salama Cooperative Insurance 48.90 -1.21 365,272 Manazel Holding 37.00 -1.33 18,118,976 Dhofar Cattlefeed 0.25 -0.81 368,400 Samba Financial Group 44.70 0.00 195,576 Real Estate Trade Centers Co 40.00 0.00 24,975 Al Batinah Dev & Inv-50% 0.05 6.12 237,971 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Sanad Cooperative Insurance 27.20 0.00 1,527,423 Markaz Real Estate Fund 0.00 0.00 - Dhofar Beverages Co 0.26 0.00 - Saudi Public Transport Co 16.05 -1.53 1,081,357 Marine Services Co 184.00 -4.17 10 Computer Stationery Inds 0.33 0.00 - Industries Qatar 171.00 0.35 145,465 Saudi Arabian Refinery Co 63.00 -1.95 477,626 Kuwait Financial Centre 140.00 0.00 11,565 Construction Materials Ind 0.06 3.77 485,712 Qatar National Bank 129.60 -0.31 50,951 Hsbc Amanah Saudi 20 Etf 23.80 0.00 4,900 Al Masaken Intl Real Estate 71.00 -4.05 115,000 Cement & Gypsum Pro 1.00 0.00 - Ezdan Holding Group 17.35 -1.25 67,024 Saudi Re For Cooperative Rei 11.55 1.32 2,244,225 Mashaer Holdings 270.00 0.00 741,225 Marine Bander Al-Rowdha 0.00 0.00 - Qatar Telecom (Qtel) Q.S.C 117.10 0.95 80,133 Savola 38.80 0.52 81,104 Al-Massaleh Real Estate Co 89.00 0.00 15,000 Bank Sohar 0.18 0.57 370,998 Masraf Al Rayan 25.60 -0.78 129,731 Saudi Cable Co 13.60 0.00 493,768 National Ranges Company 19.50 2.63 163,498,750 Bankmuscat Saog 0.61 -0.49 951,892 Commercial Bank Of Qatar Qsc 77.20 0.00 34,314 Saudi Chemical Company 42.00 0.00 63,344 Al-Mazaya Holding Co 84.00 2.44 522,160 Bank Dhofar Saog 0.38 0.00 - Qatar Islamic Bank 73.30 0.41 37,564 Saudi Ceramic 78.75 0.32 66,574 Mena Real Estate Co 43.50 6.10 894,195 Al Batinah Hotels 1.30 0.00 - Qatar Fuel Co 283.50 0.35 7,856 Saudi Electricity Co 13.65 -0.36 1,853,886 Mena Holding Group 0.00 0.00 - Majan College 0.31 0.00 - Qatar Electricity & Water Co 141.40 -0.63 27,811 Saudi Fisheries 31.50 -1.56 928,555 Al Mowasat Health Care Co 150.00 0.00 15,000 Areej Vegetable Oils 2.50 0.00 - Doha Bank Qsc 56.20 -0.53 234,536 Al-Hassan G.I. Shaker Co 65.00 -0.38 76,011 Al Maidan Dental Clinic Co K 1,220.00 0.00 147,000 Al Jazeera Steel Products Co 0.30 1.00 40,000 Barwa Real Estate Co 27.55 -0.72 150,907 Saudi Hotels & Resort 26.50 -1.49 47,911 Metal & Recycling Co 120.00 0.00 19,606 Al Sallan Food Industry 0.00 0.00 - Qatar Gas Transport(Nakilat) 16.00 -1.05 555,832 Arabian Shield Cooperative 34.20 -3.12 550,464 Mushrif Trading & Contractin 84.00 1.20 2,729,751 Acwa Power Barka Saog 0.41 0.00 500 Qatar International Islamic 55.20 0.00 40,805 Saudi Investment Bank 19.70 -0.51 151,593 Mubarrad Transport Co 52.00 0.00 785,524 Al-Omaniya Financial Service 0.33 0.61 25,000 Aamal Co 15.00 -0.66 96,725 Saudi Industrial Development 17.30 -0.57 865,070 Munshaat Real Estate Project 73.00 -1.35 8,557,299 Taghleef Industries Saog 0.00 0.00 - Qatar Navigation 64.80 -0.15 4,836 Saudi Industrial Export Co 103.00 6.19 1,447,607 Kuwait Resorts Co Kscc 50.00 0.00 80,015 Gulf Plastic Industries Co 0.39 0.00 - Al Ahli Bank 54.00 -5.26 1,000 Nafais Holding 90.00 0.00 4,000 Al Jazeira Services 0.39 0.00 35,525 Vodafone Qatar 8.60 0.00 182,866 National Petroleum Services 395.00 -3.66 10,010 Al Jazerah Services -Pfd 0.55 0.00 - Al Khaliji Bank 17.30 -0.46 43,800 National Bank Of Kuwait 980.00 -1.01 274,850 Al-Fajar Al-Alamia Co 0.71 0.00 - Qatar Insurance Co 68.80 -0.15 69,405 KUWAIT National Consumer Holding Co 0.00 0.00 - Ahli Bank 0.18 1.70 1,566,521 United Development Co 17.80 -1.66 431,785 National Industries Co 335.00 0.00 50,000 Abrasives Manufacturing Co S 0.05 0.00 - Qatar National Cement Co 103.00 0.29 500 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume National International Co 49.50 -4.81 12,700 Al-Batinah Intl Saog 0.00 0.00 - Gulf International Services 33.35 0.45 419,969 National Industries Grp Hold 220.00 -0.90 5,563,633 Mannai Corporation Qsc 80.30 0.12 1,900 Aayan Leasing & Investment 63.00 1.61 4,538,769 National Investments Co 152.00 -1.30 1,044,045 Al Meera Consumer Goods Co 135.50 0.82 115,270 A’ayan Real Estate Co 86.00 0.00 365,597 National Mobile Telecommuni 2,380.00 0.00 2,924 Qatari Investors Group 21.90 -0.27 88,256 Burgan Co For Well Drilling 190.00 0.00 147,382 Noor Financial Investment K. 59.00 -4.84 1,190,361 UAE Qatar General Insurance & Re 44.00 -3.19 5,500 Al Ahli Bank Of Kuwait 600.00 1.69 20,500 National Real Estate Co 124.00 0.00 562,181 Qatar Industrial Manufactur 53.20 -0.75 19,188 Abyaar Real Eastate Developm 44.50 2.30 69,261,588 National Slaughter House 0.00 0.00 - Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume National Leasing 39.30 -1.13 264,643 Acico Industries Co Kscc 228.00 0.88 30,904 Osoul Investment Kscc 89.00 -1.11 36,739 Gulf Warehousing Company 43.25 0.23 19,000 Al-Dar National Real Estate 28.00 -1.75 16,321,157 Oula Fuel Marketing Co 242.00 3.42 21,635 National Takaful Company 0.90 0.00 50,000 Salam International Investme 13.21 1.23 204,476 Afaq Educational Services 0.00 0.00 - Palms Agro Production Co 126.00 0.00 10 Waha Capital Pjsc 0.71 0.00 5,645,250 Mazaya Qatar Real Estate Dev 12.01 0.59 2,864,788 Al Arabi Group Holding Co 118.00 -3.28 73,938 Shuaiba Industrial Co 206.00 0.00 221,600 Union Insurance Co 1.10 0.00 144,000 Qatar Meat & Livestock Co 60.30 2.03 169,668 Agility 560.00 1.82 187,672 Kuwait Portland Cement Co 1,180.00 0.00 67,300 Union National Bank/Abu Dhab 3.40 1.49 838,789 Medicare Group 35.85 1.85 20,903 Al-Ahleia Insurance Co 500.00 0.00 10,000 Pearl Of Kuwait Real Estate 34.00 4.62 1,790 United Insurance Company 0.00 0.00 - Qatar Islamic Insurance 58.70 1.56 1,415 Al-Ahlia Holding Co 0.00 0.00 - Kuwait Pipes Indus & Oil Ser 112.00 0.00 196,000 Union Cement Co 0.85 0.00 10,667 Zad Holding Co 61.90 0.00 - Ajwan Gulf Real Estate Co 66.00 -7.04 2,082,387 Kuwait United Poultry Co 130.00 0.00 5,000 United Arab Bank 3.31 -0.90 50,842 Dlala Holding 33.00 -2.80 36,398 Aviation Lease And Finance C 340.00 -1.45 1,122,100 Umm Al Qaiwain Cement Indust 65.00 0.00 1,159,000 Abu Dhabi National Takaful C 0.00 0.00 - Al Khaleej Takaful Group 44.80 -1.10 3,841 Al Aman Investment Company 60.00 0.00 5,357,092 Qurain Holding Co 30.00 0.00 2,872,958 Abu Dhabi National Energy Co 1.42 2.90 3,045,657 Doha Insurance Co 27.50 -3.85 13,000 Kuwait Real Estate Holding C 55.00 0.00 42,674 Real Estate Asset Management 0.00 0.00 - Sudan Telecommunications Co$ 1.10 0.00 64,478 Qatar & Oman Investment Co 13.00 0.62 283,818 Al-Deera Holding Co 34.00 1.49 1,767,700 Refrigeration Industries Co 250.00 0.81 52,700 Sorouh Real Estate Company 1.67 -1.18 5,813,527 Qatar Cinema & Film Distrib 61.00 0.00 - Al-Eid Food Co 0.00 0.00 - Kuwait Remal Real Estate Co 285.00 0.00 725,104 Sharjah Insurance Company 0.00 0.00 - Qatar German Co For Medical 13.20 -3.58 56,496 Alimtiaz Investment Co Kscc 0.00 0.00 - Ras Al Khaimah Co 104.00 4.00 43,100 Sharjah Cement & Indus Devel 0.77 0.00 7,169 Islamic Holding Group 34.10 0.00 6,609 Alkout Industrial Projects C 580.00 9.43 10,000 Al Safat Real Estate Co 37.50 0.00 6,700,175 Ras Al Khaima Poultry 1.12 0.00 10,433 Al Madina For Finance And In 52.00 0.00 2,881,513 Al-Safat Tec Holding Co 64.00 -1.54 11 Ras Al Khaimah Co 1.31 0.00 12,900 Al Mal Investment Company 39.00 0.00 2,061,468 Safwan Trading & Contracting 0.00 0.00 - Rak Properties 0.51 2.00 17,784,220 Al Mudon Intl Real Estate Co 134.00 0.00 650,000 Salbookh Trading Co K.S.C.C 104.00 0.00 2,070,647 Ras Al-Khaimah National Insu 0.00 0.00 - Ahli United Bank (Almutahed) 830.00 0.00 17,500 Ras Al Khaimah Ceramics 1.10 0.00 105,319 SAUDI ARABIA Al-Nawadi Holding Co K.S.C 120.00 0.00 510 Ras Al Khaimah Cement Co 0.78 2.63 3,522,041 First Investment Co Kscc 116.00 -1.69 774,749 National Bank Of Ras Al-Khai 5.22 0.00 106,054 Qatar Telecom (Qtel) Q.S.C 0.00 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Al-Qurain Petrochemicals Co 192.00 0.00 180,480 OMAN 113.90 300 Alrai Media Group Co 110.00 -1.79 581,401 Umm Al Qaiwain Cement Indust 0.84 0.00 450,000 Oman & Emirates Inv(Emir)50% 0.70 0.00 11,421 Saudi Hollandi Bank 28.30 0.35 24,760 Al Safat Investment Co 0.00 0.00 - Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Al-Ahsa Development Co. 14.20 -2.74 3,121,283 Al Safwa Group Co 0.00 0.00 - National Marine Dredging Co 10.25 0.00 1,000 Al-Baha Development & Invest 16.20 -1.82 884,760 Al Salam Group Holding Co 250.00 0.00 1,044,560 Voltamp Energy Saog 0.36 -0.82 61,570 National Corp Tourism & Hote 6.40 0.00 1,076 Ace Arabia Cooperative Insur 67.25 -1.47 425,812 Alshamel International Hold 0.00 0.00 - United Finance Co 0.17 -1.16 192,000 Sharjah Islamic Bank 1.01 0.00 339,000 Allied Cooperative Insurance 57.75 -0.43 2,143,314 Commercial Real Estate Co 76.00 1.33 432,031 United Power Co 1.40 0.00 5,042 National Bank Of Umm Al Qaiw 1.90 0.00 437,472 Arriyadh Development Company 21.80 1.16 1,508,574 Amar Finance & Leasing Co 47.00 -4.08 1,000 United Power/Energy Co- Pref 1.00 0.00 - National Bank Of Fujairah 3.82 0.00 52,215 Fitaihi Holding Group 15.45 -2.52 1,442,410 Amwal International Investme 45.50 0.00 100 Transgulf Investment Hldg Co 0.10 2.04 3,432,513 National Bank Of Abu Dhabi 11.25 1.35 136,500 Arabia Insurance Cooperative 29.50 -0.34 490,186 Aqar Real Estate Investments 90.00 0.00 1 Taageer Finance 0.17 0.00 164,329 Methaq Takaful Insurance 1.05 0.96 770,092 Al Abdullatif Industrial Inv 32.20 -1.23 89,490 Arab Real Estate Co 37.00 -1.33 4,055,490 Salalah Port Services 0.49 0.00 - #N/A Invalid Security 0.00 0.00 - Al-Ahlia Cooperative Insuran 57.50 -0.86 459,767 Ajial Real Estate Entmt 166.00 1.22 21,262 A’saff a Foods Saog 0.65 0.00 - Gulf Pharmaceutical Ind-Julp 3.05 -1.61 1,577 Al Alamiya Cooperative Insur 63.50 -3.05 592,311 Aref Energy Holding Co Kscc 88.00 1.15 30,710 Sohar Poultry 0.21 0.00 - Investbank 1.90 0.00 943,298 Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Dev 8.70 -0.57 12,263,436 Alargan International Real 172.00 0.00 170,000 Shell Oman Marketing 2.33 0.00 87,500 Insurance House 0.94 0.00 48,878 Al Babtain Power & Telecommu 23.50 -0.21 169,133 Arkan Al Kuwait Real Estate 85.00 -4.49 114,000 Shell Oman Marketing - Pref 1.05 0.00 - Gulf Medical Projects 1.99 10.56 140 Bank Albilad 33.20 3.75 3,321,975 Automated Systems Co 475.00 1.06 4,250 Smn Power Holding Saog 4.45 -1.07 1,000 Gulf Livestock Co 0.00 0.00 - Alujain Corporation (Alco) 14.85 -1.33 420,177 Advanced Technology Co 0.00 0.00 - Al Shurooq Inv Ser 1.15 0.00 - Green Crescent Insurance Co 0.49 0.00 260 Aldrees Petroleum And Transp 35.30 -4.34 1,237,766 Ahli United Bank B.S.C 176.00 -2.22 631,220 Al Sharqiya Invest Holding 0.11 2.83 618,000 Gulf Cement Co 1.24 0.00 1,111 Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair & C 117.50 0.00 39,556 Al Bareeq Holding Co Kscc 0.00 0.00 - Sohar Power Co 1.64 0.00 - Foodco Holding 1.26 0.00 13,076 Alinma Bank 13.50 0.00 16,989,531 Bayan Investment Co Kscc 37.00 -1.33 272,940 Salalah Beach Resort Saog 1.35 0.00 - Finance House 3.90 0.00 1,000 Alinma Tokio Marine 83.00 -1.19 188,059 Boubyan Intl Industries Hold 59.00 1.72 3,459,477 Salalah Mills Co 1.03 0.49 10,000 First Gulf Bank 12.90 0.39 829,291 Al Khaleej Training And Educ 38.30 0.00 44,418 Bahrain Kuwait Insurance 0.00 0.00 - Sahara Hospitality 2.45 0.00 - Fujairah Cement Industries 0.94 0.00 55,300 Abdullah A.M. Al-Khodari Son 25.00 0.40 488,728 Boubyan Bank K.S.C 670.00 -1.47 574,481 Renaissance Services Saog 0.50 0.00 103,174 Fujairah Building Industries 0.00 0.00 - Allianz Saudi Fransi Coopera 56.25 0.00 980,561 Boubyan Petrochemicals Co 570.00 -1.72 5,516 Raysut Cement Co 1.42 -0.42 59,750 Emirates Telecom Corporation 9.69 0.41 1,210,360 Almarai Co Ltd 66.25 -0.38 163,579 Burgan Bank 550.00 -1.79 718,639 Port Service Corporation 0.55 0.55 111,657 Eshraq Properties Co Pjsc 0.58 5.45 162,581,744 Saudi Integrated Telecom Co 24.30 0.00 11,938,706 Gulf Cable & Electrical Ind 1,160.00 -1.69 135,200 Packaging Co Ltd 0.37 0.00 - Emirates Insurance Co. (Psc) 6.10 0.00 7,292 Alsorayai Group 26.00 0.00 525,369 Kuwait Cable Vision Sak 46.50 5.68 80,484 Oman United Insurance Co 0.21 0.00 - Emirates Driving Company 3.00 0.00 13,697 Al Tayyar 84.50 1.50 190,620 Livestock Transport & Tradng 168.00 0.00 19 Oman Textile Holding Co Saog 0.30 1.03 6,200 Al Dhafra Insurance Co. P.S. 0.00 0.00 - Amana Cooperative Insurance 48.70 0.83 4,499,252 Commercial Bank Of Kuwait 690.00 0.00 118,125 Oman Telecommunications Co 1.43 0.00 247,711 Dana Gas 0.50 2.04 5,064,331 Anaam International Holding 39.50 1.54 4,269,139 Combined Group Contracting 1,400.00 2.94 50 Sweets Of Oman 0.91 0.00 - Commercial Bank Internationa 1.30 8.33 20,000 Abdullah Al Othaim Markets 81.25 -0.61 57,778 City Group 480.00 5.49 10 Oman Orix Leasing Co. 0.15 0.00 - Bank Of Sharjah 1.50 0.00 100,603 Arabian Pipes Co 28.70 -3.04 1,343,417 National Cleaning Company 148.00 0.00 4,445,289 Oman Refreshment Co 2.41 0.00 - Abu Dhabi Natl Co For Buildi 0.49 0.00 175,000 Advanced Petrochemicals Co 27.20 -0.37 350,167 Coast Investment Development 44.00 -2.22 3,204,879 Oman Packaging 0.32 0.00 - Al Wathba National Insurance 2.25 0.00 25,000 Al Rajhi Co For Co-Operative 54.25 -0.91 118,192 Dulaqan Real Estate Co 0.00 0.00 - Oman Oil Marketing Company 2.14 0.00 - Intl Fish Farming Co-Asmak 15.00 0.00 100 Arabian Cement 47.20 -0.84 189,717 Danah Alsafat Foodstuff Co 69.00 -1.43 532,701 0Man Oil Marketing Co-Pref 0.25 0.00 - Arkan Building Materials Co 0.72 -2.70 201,500 Arab National Bank 27.50 1.10 22,403 Educational Holding Group 98.00 0.00 50 Oman National Investment Co 0.31 1.29 436,540 Aldar Properties Pjsc 1.35 -0.74 17,258,820 Ash-Sharqiyah Development Co 60.50 -2.81 613,529 Egyptian Kuwaiti Holding Co 355.00 0.00 10 Oman National Engineering An 0.40 0.00 - Al Ain Ahlia Ins. Co. 32.00 0.00 17,634 United Wire Factories Compan 38.30 0.52 245,030 Ekttitab Holding Co S.A.K.C 79.00 -3.66 2,619,837 Oman National Dairy Products 0.00 0.00 - Al Khazna Insurance Co 0.90 4.65 40,000 Astra Industrial Group 37.00 -1.07 183,052 Equipment Holding Co K.S.C.C 190.00 -1.04 627,795 Ominvest 0.39 1.81 936,872 Agthia Group Pjsc 2.25 -2.17 8,000 Alahli Takaful Co 60.50 -2.02 158,704 Al-Enma’a Real Estate Co 82.00 1.23 76,100 Oman Medical Projects 0.10 0.00 - Al Fujairah National Insuran 0.00 0.00 - Aseer 17.20 0.00 519,940 Kuwait Bahrain International 0.00 0.00 - Oman Ceramic Com 0.52 0.00 - Abu Dhabi Ship Building Co 1.32 12.82 200 Axa Cooperative Insurance 40.50 -0.25 337,559 Eyas For High & Technical Ed 0.00 0.00 - Oman Intl Marketing 0.52 0.00 - Abu Dhabi National Insurance 5.65 0.00 50,000 Basic Chemical Industries 28.90 -2.36 334,533 Commercial Facilities Co 345.00 1.47 25,010 Oman Investment & Finance 0.23 1.76 1,842,688 Abu Dhabi National Hotels 1.80 0.00 248,254 Bishah Agriculture 0.00 0.00 - Fujairah Cement Industries 96.00 0.00 490,410 Hsbc Bank Oman 0.00 0.00 - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank 3.49 0.00 309,376 Bank Al-Jazira 26.00 -1.52 2,114,130 First Dubai Real Estate Deve 40.00 2.56 505,902 Oman Hotels & Tourism Co 2.21 0.00 - Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank 3.62 -1.63 911,573 Banque Saudi Fransi 30.60 0.33 259,280 Flex Resorts & Real Estate 0.00 0.00 - Oman Holding International 0.30 0.00 - Abu Dhabi Aviation 2.92 2.46 1,111 United International Transpo 56.75 0.44 62,779 Kuwait Foods (Americana) 1,840.00 2.22 10,500 Oman Fiber Optics 2.76 0.00 - Bupa Arabia For Cooperative 30.00 1.35 1,246,528 First Takaful Insurance Co 0.00 0.00 - Oman Flour Mills 0.51 0.00 10,531 Buruj Cooperative Insurance 55.25 -1.78 141,659 Future Communications Co 134.00 3.08 732,926 Oman Filters Industry 0.02 0.00 - BAHRAIN Saudi Airlines Catering Co 84.00 0.90 102,791 Future Kid Entertainment And 140.00 0.00 14,583 Oman Fisheries Co 0.10 -0.95 218,410 Methanol Chemicals Co 13.25 0.00 750,871 Gulf Bank 415.00 1.22 274,146 Oman Education & Training In 0.35 0.00 - City Cement Co 17.70 0.28 3,171,880 Gulf Cement Co 85.00 -1.16 2,495,100 Oman & Emirates Inv(Om)50% 0.11 0.00 31,600 Company Name Lt Price % Chg Volume Eastern Cement 0.42 Gulf Franchising Kscc -1.15 59.25 65,759 86.00 83,167 Oman & Emirates Inv(Emir)50% 0.11 0.00 - United Paper Industries Bsc 0.00 0.00 - Etihad Atheeb Telecommunicat -1.95 Gulf Finance House Ec 1.49 12.60 2,733,378 34.00 55,662,753 Oman Europe Foods Industries 1.00 0.00 - United Gulf Investment Corp 0.00 0.00 - Etihad Etisalat Co 1.02 Gulf Glass Manuf Co -Kscc -1.11 74.50 813,525 890.00 2,000 Oman Cement Co 0.64 0.00 71,400 United Gulf Bank 0.21 0.00 40,000 Emaar Economic City 0.53 Gulf Investment House 2.33 9.55 8,142,727 44.00 16,458,776 Oman Chlorine 0.58 3.41 10,970 United Finance Co 0.00 0.00 - Saudi Enaya Cooperative Insu -2.41 Gulf Insurance Co 0.00 44.60 1,151,574 540.00 1,000 Oman Chromite 3.65 0.00 - General Trading & Food 0.23 0.00 16,500 United Electronics Co -3.18 Global Investment House Kscc 0.00 106.50 36,373 0.00 - Oman Cables Industry 1.33 -0.15 42,295 Takaful International Co 0.00 0.00 - Falcom Saudi Equity Etf -1.04 Gulf North Africa Holding Co -1.12 23.75 71,875 44.00 848,990 Oman Agricultural Dev 1.45 0.00 - Taib Bank -$Us 0.00 0.00 - Filing & Packing Materials M -1.04 Gulf Petroleum Investment -7.04 47.70 881,252 132.00 27,688,431 Omani Qatari Telecommunicati 0.49 0.00 286,602 Securities & Investment Co 0.00 0.00 - Food Products Company -0.33 Kuwait Gypsum Manufacturing 0.00 30.00 1,188,785 0.00 - National Securities 0.07 0.00 - Seef Properties 0.13 0.00 79,050 Falcom Petrochemical Etf 0.00 Hayat Communications -1.22 25.00 40,000 81.00 619,705 Oman Foods International Soa 0.15 0.00 39 Sudan Telecommunications Co$ 0.00 0.00 - Gulf General Cooperative Ins -3.13 Hilal Cement Co 5.26 54.25 312,377 160.00 50 National Pharmaceutical-Rts 0.00 0.00 - Al-Salam Bank 0.09 1.19 1,577,725 Jazan Development Co -1.97 Hits Telecom Holding 0.00 14.90 1,555,866 60.00 1,819,250 National Pharmaceutical 0.10 0.00 - Delmon Poultry Co 0.26 0.00 8,000 Gulf Union Cooperative Insur 4.90 Human Soft Holding Co 0.00 30.00 4,461,038 0.00 - National Packaging Fac 0.00 0.00 - National Hotels Co 0.00 0.00 - Halwani Bros Co -0.23 Intl Financial Advisors 2.00 42.90 41,801 51.00 7,296,637 National Mineral Water 0.04 0.00 - National Bank Of Bahrain 0.61 0.00 276 Hail Cement -1.04 Ifa Hotels & Resorts Co. K.S 1.20 18.95 2,492,718 420.00 2,380 National Hospitality Institu 2.05 0.00 - Nass Corp Bsc 0.15 0.00 40,000 Herfy Food Services Co 0.50 International Finance Co 1.47 101.50 28,878 69.00 1,070,269 National Gas Co 0.54 0.00 - Khaleeji Commercial Bank 0.04 0.00 220,000 Al Jouf Agriculture Developm -0.91 Industrial & Financial Inves 0.00 43.50 77,855 0.00 - National Finance Co 0.13 0.00 - Ithmaar Bank Bsc 0.18 0.00 248,000 Jarir Marketing Co 1.97 Ikarus Petroleum Industries 0.00 155.00 18,094 146.00 20,050 National Detergents/The 0.90 0.00 - Investcorp Bank -$Us 0.00 0.00 - Jabal Omar Development Co -0.46 Injazzat Real State Company 1.27 21.45 2,155,799 80.00 269,600 National Carpet Factory 0.00 0.00 - Inovest Co Bsc 0.23 0.00 40,000 Al Jouf Cement 0.30 Inovest Co Bsc -7.46 16.50 872,616 62.00 9,351,712 National Bank Of Oman Saog 0.29 0.00 681,302 Intl Investment Group-Kuwait 0.00 0.00 - Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co 0.00 Investors Holding Group Co.K -8.16 11.70 1,977,116 22.50 318,032,991 National Biscuit Industries 3.75 0.00 - Gulf Monetary Group 0.00 0.00 - Knowledge Economic City -1.12 Independent Petroleum Group 0.00 13.20 3,706,074 400.00 100,150 National Real Estate Develop 0.00 0.00 - Global Investment House Kscc 0.00 0.00 - Kingdom Holding Co 2.50 International Resorts Co -2.53 20.50 1,228,133 38.50 582,001 Natl Aluminium Products 0.21 1.96 3,728,575 Gulf Finance House Ec 0.12 0.00 130,000 Saudi Arabian Mining Co -2.86 Housing F 0.00 34.00 1,056,557 inance Co S.A.K.C 36.50 27 Muscat Thread Mills Co 0.20 0.00 - Bahrain Family Leisure Co 0.00 0.00 - Malath Insurance -0.67 -1.05 22.20 605,003 Ithmaar Bank Bsc 47.00 7,545,700 Muscat Insurance Company 0.00 0.00 - Esterad Investment Co B.S.C. 0.19 0.00 100,000 Makkah Construction & Devepl 0.00 -1.33 40.50 23,320 Jazeera Airways 370.00 6,442,721 Modern Poultry Farms 0.00 0.00 - Bahrain Duty Free Complex 0.85 0.00 11,000 Mediterranean & Gulf Insuran -0.74 0.00 26.90 181,760 Jeeran Holdings 0.00 - Muscat National Holding 1.72 0.00 - Bahrain Car Park Co ` 0.00 - Middle East Specialized Cabl -1.11 0.00 17.80 357,851 Kipco Asset Management Co 134.00 10 Musandam Marketing & Invest 0.00 0.00 - Bahrain Cinema Co 1.10 0.00 15,000 Mohammad Al Mojil Group Co 0.00 0.00 0.00 - Kuwait Building Materials 202.00 13,000 Al Maha Petroleum Products M 19.30 0.00 2,700 Bahrain Tourism Co 0.32 0.00 6,000 Al Mouwasat Medical Services 2.39 0.00 53.50 207,615 Kuwait Business Town Real Es 29.50 30,394,646 Muscat Gases Company Saog 0.86 0.00 1,080 Bahraini Saudi Bank/The 0.00 0.00 - National Agriculture Develop -0.77 0.00 25.70 370,679 Kuwait Cement Co 430.00 100,000 Majan Glass Company 0.50 0.00 - Bahrain National Holding 0.00 0.00 - Najran Cement Co -3.63 -1.47 19.90 4,630,737 Kuwait China Investment Co 67.00 357,777 Muscat Finance 0.17 0.00 - Bankmuscat Saog 0.00 0.00 - Nama Chemicals Co 0.00 -5.88 13.30 2,853,051 Kuwait National Cinema Co 800.00 41,366 Al Kamil Power Co 1.98 0.00 - Bmmi Bsc 0.64 0.00 10,000 National Gypsum -0.72 0.00 27.50 87,008 Kuwait Medical Services Co 98.00 1,092,212 Interior Hotels 0.13 0.00 - Bmb Investment Bank 0.06 0.00 40,000 National Gas & Industrializa -1.27 1.75 19.40 139,532 Kuwait Co For Process Plant 290.00 127,418 Hotels Management Co Interna 1.25 0.00 - Bahrain Kuwait Insurance 0.59 0.00 432 National Industrialization C 0.35 1.52 28.50 879,965 Kuwait Finance & Investment 67.00 1,000 Al-Hassan Engineering Co 0.16 0.00 114,700 Bahrain Islamic Bank 0.08 0.00 50,000 Maadaniyah -1.69 0.00 29.10 631,706 Kuwait Finance House 830.00 429,853 Gulf Stone 0.08 0.00 - Gulf Hotel Group B.S.C 0.66 0.00 3,580 National Shipping Co Of/The 1.00 0.00 20.15 1,071,752 Kuwait Foundry Co 310.00 61,522 Gulf Mushroom Company 0.51 0.00 - Bahrain Flour Mills Co 0.34 0.00 206 National Petrochemical Co -0.50 -1.96 19.85 160,549 Kuwait & Gulf Link Transport 100.00 3,027,877 Gulf Invest. Serv. Pref-Shar 0.09 0.00 - Bahrain Commercial Facilitie 0.54 0.00 5,000 Rabigh Refining And Petroche 0.29 0.00 17.45 303,933 Kuwait Hotels Co 200.00 1,000 Gulf Investments Services 0.11 0.00 3,561,017 Bbk Bsc 0.40 1.00 9,100 Al Qassim Agricultural Co -0.71 0.00 14.05 2,109,722 Kuwait International Bank 300.00 589,075 Gulf International Chemicals 0.17 0.58 5,200 Bahrain Telecom Co 0.42 0.00 10,240 Qassim Cement/The -1.26 0.00 78.50 86,671 Kuwait Insurance Co 290.00 3,990 Gulf Hotels (Oman) Co Ltd 11.00 0.00 - Bahrain Ship Repair & Engin 0.00 0.00 - Red Sea Housing Services Co 0.00 0.00 34.80 141,733 Kuwait Investment Co 102.00 17,357 Global Fin Investment 0.11 -1.82 1,105,397 Albaraka Banking Group 0.74 -3.92 36,000 Saudi Research And Marketing -1.35 0.00 21.85 229,407 Kuwait & Middle East Fin Inv 46.50 10 Galfar Engineering&Contract 0.35 -0.85 774,940 Banader Hotels Co 0.00 0.00 - Riyad Bank 1.51 0.00 23.60 435,180 Kout Food Group 570.00 22,350 Galfar Engineering -Prefer 0.45 0.00 - Ahli United Bank B.S.C 0.62 0.82 478,492 Al Rajhi Bank 67.25 -0.37 1,742,732 Kuwait Packing Materials Mfg 250.00 0.00 331,150 Financial Services Co. 0.07 3.13 439,482 Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co 15.00 0.00 1,764,179 Privatization Holding Compan 84.00 -1.18 244,820 Flexible Ind Packages 0.13 0.00 - LATEST MARKET CLOSING FIGURES Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 29 SPORT

FORMULA ONE TESTING NATIONAL SPORT DAY SPONSORSHIP Massa is fastest

Reuters back of the garage. “I thought the lap was impres- Jerez, Spain “It’s good to get back in the car sive and I’m sure many people as soon as possible, to get into are thinking the same about me the groove again, get used to the now. ormula One world tyres,” added the 25-year-old. “For sure we improved the car. champion Sebastian “It was important to do a lot There were some areas where I Vettel shook off the win- of laps today and get back into found improvement in the grip ter rust with his fi rst the rhythm and get rid of the and driving. I think it was a testF of the year yesterday while rust that was on my shoulders good lap but we have to wait and Felipe Massa raised the hopes of over the winter,” he said after see exactly what we are going Ferrari fans with the fastest lap completing 102 laps in the Span- to have at the beginning of the of the week. ish sunshine. Massa’s teammate championship. Mercedes also put the teeth- Fernando Alonso has skipped “I have absolutely 100 percent ing problems of the fi rst two this fi rst test, preferring to wait my feet on the ground.” days behind them with 2008 until the second in Barcelona on Rosberg was the second fast- champion Lewis Hamilton’s Feb 19 for his fi rst drive in the est on the third day with 2007 German teammate Nico Rosberg new F138 and leaving it to the champion Kimi Raikkonen mak- completing a mammoth 148 laps Brazilian to put on the mileage. ing his fi rst track appearance of - a total of 655km in one day. Massa did that, complet- the year in the Lotus with the Vettel, pounding out the laps ing more than 1,000km over fourth best time. in the Red Bull for the fi rst time the three days with a best lap of “The E21 feels quite good so since he won his third consecu- one minute 17.879 seconds on far, even if the balance isn’t quite tive title in Brazil last November, soft Pirelli tyres. The Brazilian to my liking yet,” said the Finn, was only the third fastest but the had said on Tuesday that Jenson whose car had a clutch problem times were of secondary impor- Button’s fastest lap of 1:18.861 in late in the afternoon. tance. the McLaren had been ‘incred- “That didn’t stop us go- “It felt good to be out there ible’ given the conditions and ing through the programme we and back in the car. The car is hard tyres and he was clearly wanted to do which had a lot of HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), presents a memento to Bert Cahir, working very well... I’m really happy with his own. aero runs in it. We know the car President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar at the QOC headquarters yesterday. ExxonMobil will be one of the major sponsors of happy with the car so far,” the “I didn’t have the car to do can go faster, we were just run- the National Sport Day on February 12. German told reporters crowded this lap time on the fi rst day ning through what we needed to around the Red Bull trucks at the and we didn’t even try,” he said. achieve.” Gulf Times 30 Friday, February 8, 2013 SPORT

NBA NHL Garnett leads Celtics Perfect Fasth helps Ducks to fi ft h straight win steer clear of ‘It’s not always pretty, we are not perfect and we are human but we play hard’ Avalanche Reuters RESULTS Reuters Los Angeles New York Edmonton ...... 2 Dallas ...... 3 (OT) Colorado ...... 0 Anaheim ...... 3 wedish goalie Viktor Montreal ...... 1 Boston ...... 2 evin Garnett recorded a Fasth extended the season-high 27 points perfect start to his as the Boston Celtics NHL career with a 31- Koivu each scored in the continued to prosper saveS shutout to help the surg- first period while Francois Kin the absence of Rajon Rondo by ing Anaheim Ducks ease to a Beauchemin added a goal in holding off the Toronto Raptors 3-0 victory over the Colorado the second to give the Ducks 99-95 to secure a fi fth succes- Avalanche on Wednesday. a fourth straight win. sive win on Wednesday. Fasth’s first shutout took Koivu and Souray also The Celtics, who were expect- him to four wins from as notched assists with Anahe- ed to fade from the post-season many starts as the 30-year- im (7-1-1) continuing to build picture when Rondo went down old continues to make a on their best start since win- with a season-ending knee inju- seamless transition from the ning the Stanley Cup in the ry, have instead gone on a storm- Swedish Elite League to the 2006-07 season by moving ing run, with all fi ve of their vic- NHL since he was signed as a into a tie with San Jose for the tories coming since the All-Star free agent in the close season. Pacific Division lead. guard was hurt. “I’m really enjoying play- The Avalanche (4-6-0), by Garnett has been the subject ing behind these guys,” Fasth contrast, have now lost three of persistent trade rumours as told reporters. “They’re in- in a row. “We have to figure the Feb 21 deadline approaches credible in front of me. (The out a way to score, that’s the but it appears increasingly un- shutout) is a little bonus. The bottom line,” said Colorado likely that he will be leaving Bos- most important thing is we center Matt Duchene. “Give ton as the Celtics (25-23) tighten got the win and started off them credit. Their goalie their grip on a playoff berth. this trip really good.” played outstanding and made Led by Garnett, all fi ve start- Sheldon Souray and Saku some good saves.” ers reached double fi gures as Courtney Lee chipped in with 15 points, Leanadro Barbosa added 14 off the bench and Paul Pierce contributed 12 points along with 11 rebounds. “We are fi ghters, we are a team that is going to fi ght for 48 min- utes,” Garnett told reporters. “It’s not always pretty, we are not perfect and we are human but we play hard. “With Rajon going out, Paul (Pierce) and I really have to fa- cilitate the responsibility of be- ing leaders out there.” The night began with the Celtics holding the eighth and fi nal playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and the Raptors 7 ½ games back in 11th and desperate to cut into Boston’s advantage. The addition of Rudy Gay Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett (R) goes to the basket against Toronto Raptors Amir Johnson (L) during the second half of their NBA game in and the return of Andrea Barg- Toronto on Wednesday. (Reuters) nani should eventually aid in that eff ort but they were unable Italian still made a solid contri- ics responded with a 10-0 run An MRI showed on Wednes- to make a winning impact on bution, collecting 13 points in of their own to erase the defi cit day that Gasol suff ered a tear RESULTS Wednesday. nearly 24 minutes of work. as Barbosa and Garnett led the of the plantar fascia—the tissue Minnesota ...... 94 San Antonio ...104 “For eight weeks I was un- fourth quarter charge with 12 under the arch of the foot—in a Dallas ...... 105 Portland ...... 99 Bargnani returns able to shoot so I defi nitely need and 11 points respectively. 92-83 Lakers win in New York. Detroit...... 90 Brooklyn Nets...93 Gay has been an instant suc- to get back in the rhythm, get “They’re champions and The Lakers’ next game is Atlanta ...... 103 Memphis ...... 92 there’s a reason,” Raptors coach against the Celtics but instead cess since being acquired in a back in shape,” said Bargnani, Miami ...... 114 Houston ...... 108 trade with the Memphis Griz- the number one overall pick in Dwane Casey said. of going with the team to Boston, Utah ...... 100 Milwaukee ...... 86 zlies, leading the Raptors (17-32) the 2006 NBA draft. “I have to Gasol was to fl y to Los Angeles in all three games he has played, keep working. Being out so many Gasol out with torn plantar where he will be examined fur- New Orleans...93 Phoenix ...... 84 including a 25 point-12 rebound weeks I’ve got to play harder on fascia ther by team doctors and a foot Oklahoma ...... 119 Golden State .....98 eff ort against the Celtics. the defensive end.” Los Angeles Lakers forward specialist. Cleveland ...... 122 Charlotte ...... 95 Bargnani, who had sat out 26 The Raptors had brought the Pau Gasol will not travel with the Gasol hurt his right foot with Toronto ...... 95 Boston ...... 99 games recovering from torn el- Air Canada Centre crowd to life team to play the Boston Celtics 4:21 to play against the Nets. Philadelphia .....69 Indiana ...... 88 Boston Bruins’ David Krejci (C) scores the winning goal on bow ligaments and a strained when they went on 10-2 run to after injuring his right foot in a He was defending Brook Lopez Washington ..106 NY Knicks ...... 96 Montreal Canadiens’ goalie Carey Price as Montreal Canadiens’ wrist, showed a little rust in close out the third quarter with game at Brooklyn on Tuesday, when he came down on the Nets’ Orlando ...... 76 LA Clippers ...... 86 Tomas Plekanec (R) tries to defend during the third period of his return to action but the big a 77-69 lead. However, the Celt- the NBA club announced. player’s foot. their NHL action in Montreal on Wednesday. (Reuters)

RUGBY ALPINE SKIING Las Vegas sevens to help Tina Maze eyes US push sport forward combined gold

Reuters Wales in the Shield semi-final. wouldn’t be here. “A lot of crossover ath- Wellington Despite the poor final result, they showed letes we have had are fast, but not that type glimpses of how strong they could be. They of fast. They’re big bodied, have good feet drew with eventual winners England 12-12 and are strong but are not dominant in with Vonn out he stakes are high for the United and pushed world series leaders New Zea- terms of the circuit, whereas Carlin’s speed States as they head into their home land before losing 17-10 in pool play. is dominant.” AFP ditionally cleared by Vonn’s two decent runs,” said Hoefl - round of the rugby sevens world “We felt that we were competitive in Schladming crash on Tuesday, which sees Riesch. series under pressure to perform, every game,” Magleby added. “It would be Rugby growth the US ski star and media dar- The sole World Cup super- men’sT team coach Alex Magleby has said. one thing if the guys weren’t in it. Magleby, who coached at Dartmouth ling out for the season and combined race so far this win- The Las Vegas tournament from Febru- “If you’re playing yourself into a position College for 11 years before taking a sabbati- fter a controversial missing the rest of the world ter saw Maze fi nish fi rst, ahead ary 8-10 is the fifth leg of the nine-stop se- to do that, then that’s the next step. That’s cal to take on the Eagles job, said 85 percent super-G that saw fa- championships with a knee of Austrians Hosp and Kathrin ries, and rankings points at its conclusion the important thing now. If you have a two of his collegiate players had come from vourite Lindsey Vonn injury. Zettel in the Swiss resort of St. will determining seedings for the sevens on one then you take advantage of it. other sports, a reason why US rugby had crash amid dodgy The 28-year-old Vonn was Moritz. World Cup in Moscow in June. The Ameri- “We’re now at that stage.” struggled, lacking players with the skills weather,A the women go today the only skier who stood be- Reigning world super-com- cans are tied for 14th in the standings with learned from a young age. The US has twice into the super-combined event tween Maze and the top of the bined champion and Austrian 18 points and a better placing in the Nevada Crossover athletes made the semi-finals of world series tour- with Tina Maze a fi rm favourite combined podium in the last pin-up Anna Fenninger will be tournament will help improve their posi- The US enters Las Vegas with arguably naments, but rugby sevens remains a niche to win a second gold. two World Cup seasons. less of a threat, having admitted tion ahead of the tour’s first promotion/ the most exciting player in recent years in sport. The Slovenian fi rebolt is the Having just won the super-G to little slalom training this year. relegation playoffs in May. former track sprinter Carlin Isles, who only However, its adoption by small colleg- defending super-combined win on Tuesday, the Slovenian But this was already the case On top of that, the US team has just re- began playing rugby last year in an attempt es, greater commercial opportunities, the silver medallist from the last already had her sights on more in 2011 when she won gold. ceived support from the United States Ol- to make the Olympics. broadcast of the Las Vegas tournament on world championships in Gar- medals. And after going out of the ympic Committee for the sport’s debut at Isles has a fastest 100 metres time of NBC and sevens’ inclusion into the Olym- misch in 2011 and currently “I hope (to win) not just one. super-G following a mistake the 2016 Rio Games, and given the expec- 10.13 seconds and he lit up social media pics were providing impetus for growth, leads the World Cup rank- I know I’m skiing well,” said that seemed prompted by a tations from the world’s most successful with his performances at the Gold Coast Magleby said. “Small schools are recognis- ings in the discipline which the leader in the overall, super- moment of distraction after Olympic nation, the pressure is on Magle- tournament last October when he scored ing that rugby is not expensive. and that it is decided on the aggregate G and giant slalom World Cup a long day including a three- by’s side. against the All Blacks Sevens within a can be played by men and women,” Magle- times from one slalom and one rankings. and-a-half-hour start delay, “I think the first thing is, we have to win,” minute of coming on the field. by said. downhill run. Maze’s closest competitors the 23-year-old will be rar- Magleby told Reuters after the Wellington Magleby said Isles, who also played “These are not the ‘brands’ (big-name Almost unstoppable on could be Olympic champion ing to capture a fi rst medal for leg of the series. “We have guys who can American football, needed to keep learn- universities) but they’re cropping up with every level this season, the Maria Hoefl -Riesch of Germa- ski-obsessed Austria at these compete, so we are tasked with winning. ing the game, something other crossover varsity-level rugby programmes and kids 29-year-old Maze will go into ny and Austria’s Nicole Hosp, world championships on home “And if we win then more commercial athletes had had difficulty with in the past. are getting scholarships so it’s changing the race buoyed by her super-G who have both done well in snow. opportunities will come and that’s the start “There are plenty of American foot- things. gold on Tuesday, which com- the few World Cup combined The super-combined begins of greater things.” ball players who haven’t made it,” Magle- “Parents are investing in rugby so their plemented her 2011 giant sla- events in recent seasons. with the downhill race on the The Eagles only accrued one point from by said. “Carlin has made it because of kids can get scholarships and you’re get- lom world title. “This is a discipline that was 2,757m-long Streicher course the Wellington tournament, losing 17-15 to his speed. If he didn’t have that then he ting a lot more talent coming through. The path to gold was ad- made for me. But fi rst you need at 10:00am (0900GMT). Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 31 SPORT

SAILING Final preparations on for Sailing Arabia – The Tour

By Sports Reporter race EFG Bank Sailing Arabia in our performance. Manama – The Tour, which will take the The girls are all ready to go, but crews on a two week journey and we need to practice the drills in the 760 nautical miles. particularly for the starts and on t Amwaj Marina, one In the last few days, the expert the spinnaker — if the weather of Bahrain’s premier teams have come together and picks up we will need to be twice locations for yachting, familiarised themselves with as effi cient as the heavier crews.” the local community Farr 30 yacht that all teams will The wind for the opening leg andA sailing enthusiasts will this compete in as they pit them- is forecast to be between 11- morning notice a fl utter of ac- selves against the off shore con- 14KmH, which may give Dee, her tivity as the nine teams compet- ditions of the Gulf as well as female crew and her light boat a ing in EFG Bank Sailing Arabia challenging inshore courses at 4 competitive advantage against – The Tour prepare for the start of the ports. the other 8 teams. of what will be a grueling 15 day Amongst the leading teams The battle will take place race ending in Muscat, Oman. arrived and in the fi nal phase of across four countries and along A host of world-class crews their preparation is Al Thuraya an 8 port route, competing in off and regional sailing elite are in Bank Muscat, the all-female shore and in port racing over the fi nal preparation, pulling ropes crew led by world famous single course of 15 days. and tuning rigging or doing in- handed round the world sailor The all Emirati Team Abu tense cardio workouts along the Dee Caff ari. Dhabi, skippered by Abu Dhabi waterfront as they fi ne tune their Dee outlines how the team Ocean Racing sailor Adil Kha- boats and themselves ahead of has come together: “We have lid, are competing in the race the physical and mental chal- all been training hard in the last for the fi rst time and are looking lenge. It is only three days until months, but now is the time that forward to testing their skills in the start of the Gulf region’s only the team needs to really come home waters. The Emirati skip- long distance off shore sailing together and iron out any creases per can’t wait to get started. A host of world-class crews taking part in the Sailing Arabia.

RUGBY POWERBOATING French make two Steve David hopes to changes

AFP Cardiff retain world title rance yesterday an- nounced two changes as ‘I am delighted and privileged to be representing Qatar at the Oryx Cup’ they prepare to take on Grand Slam champions WalesF in tomorrow’s Six Nations You are looking at 2G rising to Agency showdown in Cardiff . Doha around 5G in a turn. In Detroit, Both countries lost their open- I posted a maximum speed of ing encounters - France go- 196mph (315.42 Km/h) and an ing down to Italy in Rome while he fastest powerboats average lap speed of 158mph Wales succumbed on home turf to on the planet will take (254.27km/h). It’s a matter of Ireland. France manager Philippe to the waters of Doha maintaining maximum focus Saint-Andre has brought in Tou- Bay this morning as and total concentration. Things lon centre Mathieu Bastareaud theT 2013 Air National Guard can get out of hand pretty in place of Florian Fritz, while Hydroplane Championship quickly!” Bastareaud’s club teammate and roars into life with testing and Brown admits that keeping second rower Jocelino Suta steps qualifying for this week’s fifth the boat balanced and stable on in for injured captain Pascal. Oryx Cup UIM World Champi- the high-speed straights and Toulouse fl anker Thierry Du- onship. into the turns is crucial for a fast sautoir skippers the side. Racing is being organised by and safe lap. “Several times the Suta, 30, has just three caps to the Qatar Marine Sports Fed- boat has lifted and I have man- date, having made his debut in eration (QMSF) in conjunction aged to trim it down and save last November’s win over Aus- with H1 Unlimited. The QMSF the day. You get to learn the feel tralia at Stade de France. runs under the presidency of for everything.” Despite the Rome loss, Saint- His Excellency Sheikh Hassan Also featuring on the pro- Andre retains his half-back bin Jabor al-Thani. visional starting list for this pairing of Frederic Michalak Florida’s Steve David will weekend’s racing are Ryan Mal- and Maxime Machenaud as the start the defence of his National low in U-100 Miss Fox Plumb- French look to infl ict a ninth High Points’ championship title ing, Brian Perkins in U-21 Sno- straight loss on Wales—who have in U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto and ri- qualmie Casino, Mark Evans enjoyed just three away wins val Jimmy Shane (U-5 Graham in U-57 Formulaboats.com against France since 1975. Trucking) will be hoping to re- and former Oryx Cup winner J Bastareaud, coming back from tain the 2012 Oryx Cup UIM Michael Kelly in U-37 Miss Bea- two years away from the inter- World Championship he se- con Plumbing. Tom Thompson national scene, came on from the cured in Doha in January. (U-11 Peters & May) and Jon bench for Fritz midway through The series will then return Zimmerman (U-9 Jones Rac- the second half. Meanwhile, Italy to the United States for further ing) complete the nine-boat coach Jacques Brunel made only rounds in Sacramento (May line-up. one change from the side that 31-June 2), Madison (July 5-7), GEARING UP: Defending National High Points champion Steve David (right) with two of his team crew in Doha Bay. PICTURE: Bill Osborne Race offi cials will run test- started in the 23-18 triumph over Detroit (July 12-14), Kennewick ing, qualifying and the fi rst of France last week for the Azzurri’s (July 26-28), Seattle (August six heat wins with Miss Red Dot for the thrill of racing in the the heats today, with Heat 1A second Six Nations challenge 2-4), Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (Au- in 2011. TIMETABLE world’s fastest power boating scheduled to get underway at Saturday against Scotland. gust 31-Sept 2) and San Diego “I am delighted and privi- Friday, February 8 discipline. “If I had to explain 15.30hrs. Gonzalo Canale, who plays (Sept 13-15). leged to be representing Qa- 09.30–12.00hrs Unlimited testing racing one of these it would be Spectators are welcome to at- club rugby for La Rochelle in Kip Brown has stepped into tar at the Oryx Cup,” enthused 13.00–14.30hrs Unlimited qualifying ‘pure adrenaline from start-to- tend at any time during the day France, replaces Alberto Sgarbi the breach to represent the Brown, who has been involved 14.45hrs Podium for top three qualifiers and pairings’ fi nish’. You hit terminal velocity and there is a grandstand over- at inside centre after the latter Spirit of Qatar Team for the in inboard boat racing since his draw for heats down a straight and then almost looking Doha Corniche with su- picked up an injury knock. fi rst time in the re-liveried U-17 childhood. 15.30hrs Unlimited Heat 1A hold on through the corners. perb views of the course. Food Remarkably, it is the only Miss Red Dot, which will run as “It is humbling for me to be 16.00hrs Unlimited Heat 1B The rush of adrenaline is inde- and trade stands and children’s change from the team that bat- U-95 Spirit of Qatar in Doha. in this position and I will do my 16.15hrs Podium for heat 1 winners and heat 2 draw scribable. entertainment will also be on tled through a bruising and en- A three-time E Racing Runa- best to give the team as good “Acceleration is phenomenal. site throughout race weekend. tertaining encounter against bout champion and a fi ve-time a result as possible. With the We won’t necessarily see our The pit area will be open to the France at the Olympic Stadium to 5-Liter Hydro champion, Brown support of Sheikh Hassan and for the weekend.” ings and has useful experience maximum speed on the Doha general public between 4.30pm record a famous victory in Rome was the 2008 H1 Unlimited the Elam (Ellstrom Racing) team Brown has been to each of the of the Doha Bay course, but Bay course, but the G forces and 6.30pm tomorrow after- last Sunday. Rookie of the Year and earned mechanics, we are well-placed previous Oryx Cup race meet- nothing can prepare a driver in the turns are incredible. noon.

SPOTLIGHT Sealine set for Qatar Enduro Doha: The fourth and last round of the Qatar Interna- tional Enduro 2012 will be Qatar Airways sponsors held today at Sealine. The Championship is organ- ised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federa- tion (QMMF). Community Soccer The proceedings start at 8am with free practices Doha: Local footballers extremely competitive, with in all categories E1, E2, are battling it out at the Al local teams of diff erent back- E3 and Quads. Race 1 will Markhiya Sports Club, as grounds and cultures taking to start at 10am and Race 2 at the 2013 Community Foot- the fi eld in highly charged games. 1.30pm. ball Tournament gets into full “We certainly look forward to There is plenty at stake for swing in Doha. enjoying all the football action the riders as the winners Qatar Airways is proudly and a very exciting build-up in diff erent categories are supporting the event, which to the grand fi nal match which yet to be decided. In the is organised jointly by the Qa- will be held on Tuesday Febru- E1 category, Kuwaiti rider tar Stars League and the Qatar ary 19 at Al Saad Stadium dur- Abdulla al-Shatti is in the Cancer Society. ing a key Qatar Stars League lead with 174 points while Eighteen teams compris- Kenyan team pose before their match. match,” added al-Baker. He Moaz al-Ansari has 156 ing different nationalities congratulated Chairman of Qa- points. French rider Yannic are competing in the knock- tournament get off to a great in Doha, it’s fantastic to see our tar Cancer Society Dr Khalid Le Gourvenec is leading the E2 category with 168 points while Mohamed al-Balooshi is second place out event, which runs until start. local sporting talent coming to- Bin Jaber al-Thani and Chief with 120. UAE rider al-Balooshi is aiming to win both races as he did in the previous rounds. February 19. Qatar Airways “As we approach National gether to compete and celebrate Qatar Stars League Commercial In the E3 category, Khalid Kamis is in first place with 120 points, while Saif al-Kumiti is second with Chief Executive Officer Ak- Sport Day next week and look the great sport of football,” he Offi cer Abdulrahman al-Dosari 100. Obaid al-Kitbe with 147 points is leading the Quads category and Mohamed al-Shamsi is in sec- bar al-Baker said the air- forward to a year of top-class said. for organising the tournament ond place with 127 points. Both riders are from UAE. line was delighted to see the international sporting events “So far the matches have been and ensuring its success. Gulf Times 32 Friday, February 8, 2013 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Singapore calls for ‘concrete evidence’ in fi xing probe

AFP elations that Singapore-linked complex global problem that can Italian arrest warrant and re- the local and Malaysian league force currently has 28 members other football-popular countries, Singapore networks rigged or tried to rig only be eff ectively eradicated if all ports say he has been accused in before venturing into Europe in working in Singapore, which is despite the obvious fact that Sin- 680 games worldwide. countries work together to com- German court documents, and the 1990s. According to reports also the site of a new Asian base gapore is allegedly home to the “The authorities in Singapore bat the scourge,” the Singapore named in investigations in sev- and investigators, they provide for the global police body. ringleaders of the world’s biggest ingapore police yesterday are assisting the Italian authori- police said. “This requires law en- eral countries. He is suspected of money to local operators to fi x With so much activity going match-fi xing syndicate.” said they needed hard ties through Interpol in their forcement agencies to proactively being one of about fi ve Singapo- games, and then place clandes- on for so long, some observers are Humphreys is the author of evidence to crack down investigations into an interna- share information and intelligence rean ringleaders. Singapore has tine bets on Internet gambling wondering how key suspects re- “Match Fixer”, a fi ctional work on match-fi xing cartels, tional match-fi xing syndicate so that concrete evidence can be come under pressure to explain sites, mainly based in Asia, with main at large in Singapore. about a former striker for an Eng- afterS coming under pressure to that purportedly involves a Sin- gathered to support enforcement why key suspects such as Dan potential winnings running to “A question that really must be lish football team who tries to sal- arrest suspected ringleaders of gaporean, Dan Tan Seet Eng,” actions on the ground.” Tan remain at large, with Inter- millions of dollars. asked is why so little is being done vage his career in Singapore, only networks which targeted hun- police told AFP in an e-mail. In Europol said some 380 of the pol secretary Ronald Noble tell- Singapore’s Wilson Raj Pe- to question Singaporean indi- to plunge into a world of vice. The dreds of football games in Eu- a separate statement, police said games were in Europe, and in- ing the Straits Times newspaper rumal, who claims to be an ex- viduals allegedly involved in such latest match-fi xing revelations rope and beyond. they were seeking more informa- cluded Champions League ties, that the small, wealthy country’s associate of Dan Tan, is believed a global match-fi xing operation,” come at a troubling time for sport, Police said authorities had tion from Europol, which detailed World Cup and European Cham- “reputation would continue to to have been a key informant Neil Humphreys, a Singapore- after Lance Armstrong confessed supplied information about Dan its fi ndings this week after a major pions qualifi ers, and top-fl ight suff er” until arrests are made. for the European probe and the based football commentator, told to drug-cheating his way to his Tan Seet Eng, a key suspect who investigation, and that they were fi xtures from around the conti- Singapore has long been con- cracking of Italy’s “calcioscom- AFP. seven Tour de France titles. yes- is wanted by investigators in working with authorities in sev- nent, linking the conspiracy to sidered at the heart of interna- messe” scandal following his ar- “More pertinently, the issue has terday, Australia revealed doping Rome, and that they were work- eral countries. ringleaders in Singapore. tional football match-rigging rest in Finland in 2011. Interpol not received quite the same front- was widespread among its ath- ing with Europol following rev- “Syndicated match-fi xing is a Dan Tan is the subject of an after fi xers learned their trade in told AFP its match-fi xing task page media attention that it has in letes.

AFRICAN NATIONS CUP LIGUE 1 In-form PSG out to Burkina win fi nal place maintain momentum

AFP but key player red-carded Paris aris Saint-Germain ‘When we came into this tournament the only one who believed in us was the coach’ have no intention of let- ting the international break derail their Ligue 1P title quest when Bastia travel Reuters Nelspruit, South Africa north to the French capital today Wednesday’s full slate of in- ternational friendlies hardly urkina Faso won a fi rst Afri- came at an ideal time for in-form can Nations Cup fi nal place on PSG, leaving them with just 48 Wednesday after a sensational hours to prepare for the visit of penalty shootout win over the Corsicans, but Brazilian de- GhanaB but will take the fi eld on Sunday fender Maxwell elected to por- without key player Jonathan Pitroipa tray things in a positive light. who was shown a controversial red “It’s a bit of a strange situa- card. tion because the changing room Burkina, who will meet Nigeria at is a bit empty. But these are the Soccer City, edged their neighbours weeks that allow us to work on 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the the physical side of things to be end of extra time in the semi-fi nal at at an optimum level on Friday,” the Mbombela Stadium to continue he said. PSG have collected 22 the dream run by a team who started as points from a possible 24, a se- rank outsiders. quence that has also seen them They won their group, eliminating record eight successive clean defending champions Zambia, and won sheets to open up a three-point both their knockout stage matches af- lead over challengers Lyon at ter extra time. the summit. But their joy was tempered by the “We feel very at ease on the news that Pitroipa will not play on pitch and more confident be- Sunday after he was sent off near the cause we have established a end of extra time after receiving a sec- more solid style, a true iden- ond caution for simulation. tity, and we work every day to Burkina Faso said they would be improve it,” Maxwell said of the launching an immediate protest to team’s upturn in fortunes. overturn the card handed by Tunisia The Parisians demolished referee Slim Jdidi. “It was a scandalous Bastia 4-0 in the reverse fix- decision,” said Burkina Faso coach Paul ture in September, but the Bra- Put after the fi nal whistle. “The per- zilian stressed the importance formance of the referee was nowhere of not allowing complacency to near the level of the game.” settle in at Parc des Princes. Burkina Faso rallied after conceding “From experience I know an early penalty, the start of a series of very well that there’s no such controversial decisions, one of which thing as an easy match. We resulted in Ghana taking a 13th-minute must be fully concretrated on lead through Mubarak Wakaso. Friday because Bastia will come It was his third successful penalty of here with the hope of getting a the tournament but was awarded after result. “It won’t be easy, it will an innocuous looking challenge from be a test of our motivation, fullback Mady Panandetiguiri on Gha- Goalkeeper Daouda Diakite of Burkina Faso (C) leaps into the arms of teammates as they celebrate winning the penalty shootout against Ghana at the Mbombela stadium in concentration. But we must, na’s Christian Atsu in the penalty area. Nelspruit on Wednesday. above all, take the points. It’s However, the Burkinabe, despite the essential.” exertions of two hours of football in Minutes before a powerful head- ued to create chances, increasingly so after being set up by captain Charles Clottey missed, Bance scored with a Second-placed Lyon suf- Sunday’s quarter-fi nal win over Togo, er from the German-based striker in extra time despite visibly tiring legs. Kabore with eight minutes left but his cheeky chip and a save from Daouda fered a crippling 3-1 loss at came back strongly to equalise on the had just been kept from going in by a Harrison Aff ul had a shot tipped shot hit Aff ul on the knees and some- Diakite sealed Burkina’s fi nal place. Ajaccio last time out but will hour mark. A key tackle in midfi eld goal-line save by Dauda while Ghana’s over the crossbar in the 95th minute how looped over the crossbar “When we came into this tourna- seek solace at Stade Gerland, from Florent Rouamba turned over captain Asamoah Gyan, almost im- while Bance, with his striking dyed In the penalty shootout Ghana ment the only one who believed in us where Remi Garde’s side own possession and allowed tall striker mediately at the other end, had hit the blond hairstyle, squandered three good missed fi rst to hand the advantage to was the coach,” said Kabore. “We just the league’s best home record Aristides Bance to place the ball wide woodwork as he broke free from the chances as the drama reached a cre- Burkina Faso but it was back at 2-2 af- hope now the red card will be over- this term, on Sunday when of goalkeeper Fatau Dauda. Burkinabe defence. Both sides contin- scendo. Bance had one more chance ter three kicks each. Then Emmanuel ruled.” they host Lille.

BOTTOMLINE Neymar losing out from stay-at-home decision

Reuters pitch as well as off it. disappears when Neymar comes opponents such as Bragantino London Neymar, who Brazilians are up against the closer marking of and Ituano, the 21-year-old lad hoping will lead them to a sixth European defences and he often will never know what it is like to world title in 2014, revels in the looks decidedly lightweight. face European players. ith 11 lucrative space which Brazilian club teams “His performances for Bra- sponsorship con- off er opposing forwards and the He has a huge variety of zil have left much to be desired, tracts to his name, tendency of referees to give free tricks in his repertoire and along with his eff ort for Santos a legion of adoring kicks for even the slightest hint appears to take satisfaction against Barcelona. That is hold- Wfans and the beach on his door- of contact. ing him back.” in making opponents step, it is not hard to blame Ney- He has a huge variety of tricks looked leaden footed Neymar’s performance in yes- mar for his decision to stay at in his repertoire and appears to terday’s 2-1 defeat to England home in Brazil. take satisfaction in making op- His previous appearance at again belied his reputation as His performance against Eng- ponents looked leaden footed. Wembley stadium also ended in the latest in the line of Brazilian land, however, again suggested One recent victim, Botafogo- disappointment as Brazil were greats. that his career is suff ering from Ribeirao Preto forward Nunes, beaten by Mexico in the Olympic There was the odd dribble and his lack of experience of playing was furious after Neymar casu- Games fi nal, with Neymar again burst of speed but, too often, he against European defences. ally fl icked the ball over his head ineff ective. He produced an even was easily brushed off the ball by Initially, Brazilians praised in a recent Paulista champion- more forgettable performance England defenders and fl uff ed Neymar for his loyalty and ship match. “One thing I will when Santos were outclassed by two excellent fi rst-half chances proudly pointed to his presence not admit is lack of respect and Barcelona in the fi nal of the Club from point-blank range. as a sign of the improving fi nan- Neymar is not showing respect,” World Cup in 2011. “It was not the performance cial situation in their domestic said Nunes. “Neymar needs to take his I hoped for and wanted. It will football as he shunned off ers Neymar has little time for such place on the world football stage. have to wait until the time,” he from big European clubs. complaints, saying that provok- We all know he is the best in Bra- told Brazilian media. “It’s com- But now it is increasingly seen ing opponents is a legitimate zil,” wrote Robson Morelli, a col- plicated at the start of the sea- as a soft option for a player who way to help his side win games. umnist in the Estado de Sao Pau- son, but I hope to do better in the Gary Cahill (L) of England vies for ball with Neymar (R) of Brazil during their international soccer friendly tends to get his own way on the That cheeky, carefree attitude lo. “Playing for Santos against next game. match at Wembley Stadium in London on Wednesday night. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 33 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Carragher to hang his boots at season’s end

AFP ternational—a one-club man—joined ing the very best for Liverpool Foot- Carragher’s friend and former Liv- standing for me since I joined the club. London home-town side Liverpool as a youth ball Club, as I’ve done my entire career erpool teammate Michael Owen pre- He has been a model professional on player and has since made over 700 since joining aged just nine years old,” dicted that the centre-back still had a and off the pitch and has shown an un- senior appearances following his debut he said. future in the game. swerving commitment to our work,” iverpool defender Jamie Car- in 1997. “It has been a privilege and an hon- “What a servant Carra has been for Rodgers said. ragher will retire from football Carragher, second behind only Ian our to represent this great club for Liverpool,” Owen wrote on Twitter. “I know his commitment and dedi- at the end of this season, the Callaghan in Liverpool’s all-time ap- as long as I have and I am immensely “A rare breed and it’s been a privilege cation on the pitch will remain as it has English Premier League club pearances list, has won several major proud to have done so and thankful for to play alongside, room with and be big done his entire career at Liverpool.” Lsaid in a statement yesterday. honours in his career, including the all the support I have had. mates with one of football’s real men. Born in Bootle, Merseyside, Car- “This will be my last season at Liver- Champions League, the UEFA Cup and “There are many memories I want I doubt we have heard the last of him. ragher signed his fi rst professional pool and my last as a professional foot- two FA Cups. to share and people to thank but now is He has too much to off er the game to be contract with Liverpool in 1996. baller,” said Carragher. He confi rmed yesterday his inten- not the time for that. I won’t be making away for long!” He represented England at un- “I’m making this announcement tion to continue playing for the re- any further comment on this decision Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers der-20, under-21 and senior level, now because I don’t want the manager mainder of the campaign, but added until the end of the season. paid tribute to the defender but said earning 38 full caps. (Brendan Rodgers) or the club to be an- that he would be making no further “All our focus and concentration he still had a signifi cant role to play Having retired from international swering questions on my future when statement about his future between should be on achieving the best possible as the club looks to climb the Premier football in 2007, he returned to play I’ve already decided what I am going to now and the end of the season. fi nish in the league this season and trying League table and continue in the Eu- under Fabio Capello at the 2010 World do.” “I will be fully committed between to win the last remaining trophy (the Eu- ropa League. Cup in South Africa, before retiring The 35-year-old former England in- now and the end of the season to do- ropa League) we are competing in.” “Jamie has been absolutely out- defi nitively after the tournament.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY FOCUS England spoil Impossible to stop cheats, Ronaldinho’s return says Blatter Rooney and Lampard score in 2-1 win over Scolari’s Brazil Reuters and we also know that it is Nouakchott, Mauritania very, very diffi cult to get the Reuters organisations (behind them) London and especially the cheats,” he head of world soc- Blatter said in French. cer governing body “This is a serious danger. onaldinho’s Brazil re- FIFA said yesterday If games are rigged, there is turn after a one-year that cheats would al- no more interest in watching absence ended igno- Tways exist in the sport and it football,” he said. miniously when he would be impossible to stop However, Blatter added that missedR a penalty and was sub- them, after revelations of a most of the matches cited in stituted at halftime following a global match-fi xing scandal the European investigation dismal performance in the 2-1 this week. had already been uncovered friendly defeat by England on European police revealed on and some of the cases were Wednesday. Monday that about 680 suspi- in court. The allegation is the Even taking into account that cious matches, including qual- latest in a series of corruption the Brazilian season has only just ifi ers for the World Cup and scandals that have wracked the started and he is not fully match European championship and world soccer body. fi t, the 32-year-old’s perform- the Champions League, had FIFA said on Wednesday it ance was so ponderous that it been identifi ed in a match- had launched a web page to raised questions about the wis- fi xing inquiry. enable individuals to make dom of coach Luiz Felipe Sco- “We are in a game and anonymous reports of corrup- lari’s decision to recall him. in a game there are always tion by offi cials and attempts Scolari had warned that Ro- cheats. The cheats will never at match-fi xing. naldinho would have to justify be stopped,” Sepp Blatter, the But Blatter said even FIFA’s the decision to give yet another FIFA president, told a news “early warning system” was chance to a player who, despite conference in Nouakchott, far from eff ective in curbing immense natural talent, has Mauritania. the problem and there was no played in only fi ts and starts for Blatter is on a four-nation legislation to punish the peo- his country, blamed largely on tour of Africa before Sunday’s ple behind the scams that are his party lifestyle. African Nations Cup fi nal in threatening the global game. The twice former World Play- South Africa. “There is virtually no leg- er of the Year, a World Cup win- He said the allegations of islation that allows countries ner under Scolari in 2002, also match-fi xing and manipula- to condemn these people, failed to provide the leadership tion of soccer results were not because some of this is done which Scolari had asked of him new. “We know that there are electronically using comput- as the most experienced mem- games that are manipulated ers,” he said. ber of a team including only four other players with World Cup experience. On the contrary, his presence seemed to unnerve his team mates with Brazil resorting to England’s Wayne Rooney (left) and Frank Lampard (second from right) celebrate latter’s goal during the international friendly match against Brazil at long kicks forward to miss out Wembley in London on Wednesday. (AFP) the midfi eld altogether in the fi rst half. Neymar was the designated Another low point came when when big-name players were went on to win a fi fth world title. He wasted a chance to put taker. Ronaldinho misplaced a routine concerned. However, Scolari said that Ro- Brazil ahead midway through the “It was established that Ney- two-metre pass, kicking the ball Romario played so poorly in naldinho would be given another fi rst half when his weak penalty mar would take the penalties but straight out of play. Scolari’s fi rst game in charge, a chance. was saved by England goalkeep- he was changing his shin pad, or It was all a far cry from his per- World Cup qualifi er away to Uru- “He has played 90 minutes for er Joe Hart, who also smothered something like that,” Scolari told formance against England in the guay, that he was never picked the fi rst time this year last week, Ronaldinho’s attempt to score reporters. 2002 World Cup quarter-fi nal again, despite being one of the so it’s to be expected that he is from the rebound. “Ronaldinho took the ball and when he set up one goal and scored country’s most prolifi c strikers. not fully in the conditions that Scolari, starting his second nobody is going to ask a player the second in Brazil’s 2-1 win. Scolari managed to resist an he wants,” said Scolari. stint as Brazil coach, later re- of that experience and with that Scolari showed in his previous incessant media campaign for “But if he continues working vealed that Ronaldinho should calibre to back down and let stint as Brazil coach that he was Romario’s recall but his apparent normally, he will comfortably not have taken the penalty as somebody else take it.” not afraid to wield the axe even stubbornness paid off as Brazil make the next squad.”

TROUBLED TIMES BOTTOMLINE Fresh bidder for stricken Portsmouth Ibra, Messi off target in friendly

AFP approach work from Angel di Reuters gether with Pascal Najadi, dep- Stockholm Maria and skipper Messi. London uty chairman of the investment West Brom defender Olsson bank AIAK Group, and Alan pulled the Swedes level after 18 Hitchins, a professional inves- rgentina defeated Swe- minutes with a header from a cor- renowned soccer tor,” he added in a statement. den 3-2 in an inter- ner, but that respite lasted barely deal-maker is leading Birch, who works for ac- national friendly on a minute when Aguero, the Man- a new bid to rescue countancy fi rm PKF, said he Wednesday on a night chester City star, was set up by di third tier Portsmouth believed the off er could be whenA superstar strikers Zlatan Maria to restore Argentina’s lead. whoA have been in administra- completed without court ap- Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi In the 29th minute, Higuain tion for a year and are again proval, giving it a potential ad- were both off target. made it 3-1 after a Messi free- facing another relegation. vantage over the PST bid. Argentina were 3-1 up by the kick was only parried by the Fans from the Pompey Sup- Harris, chairman of London break courtesy of two strikes from keeper. Ibrahimovic was substi- porters’ Trust (PST) had been stockbroker Seymour Pierce, is Gonzalo Higuain and one from tuted at the interval before Messi hoping to take over the former prepared to meet the support- Sergio Aguero while Jonas Olsson had a goal ruled out when a Premier League club but their ers to discuss a role for them in was on target for the Swedes. sweet lob was judged not to have plan has been delayed by legal running the club. However, the Argentina had been held 0-0 crossed the line. complications over ownership Trust said it wanted to pursue by Saudi Arabia in their last The contest petered out with of the Fratton Park stadium. its plan to make Portsmouth friendly international while a host of replacements upsetting They now face a rival bid. the biggest fan-owned club Sweden recorded a 4-2 win over the pattern of the game before “We can confi rm that we in English football. “PST can England with Zlatan Ibrahimovic Rasmus Elm hit a consolation for have received another off er for assure its supporters that its famously grabbing all four goals. A fan runs towards Argentina’s Lionel Messi during the friendly against Sweden on Wednesday. (AFP) the hosts in the fi fth minute of Portsmouth Football Club,” bid to buy Portsmouth Foot- Ibrahimovic and Messi went injury time. Both sides will now said Trevor Birch, the joint ad- ball Club is fully funded, ready into the game leading the goal- Saint-Germain in France. Argentina’s early exit. Kristoff er Nordfeldt, Joel Ek- set their sights on World Cup ministrator of the club. to go and off ers the best op- scoring charts in their respec- The south Americans domi- Javier Mascherano and Pablo strand and Jimmy Durmaz. qualifi cation with Sweden facing “This off er has been made by tion for the creditors and for tive leagues—Messi has 34 in La nated against a team who held Zabaleta were the sole survivors Argentina were ahead after just Ireland on March 22 and Argen- Keith Harris, a former chair- the long-term security of the Liga with Barcelona while Ib- them to a 1-1 draw at the 2002 from that game while Sweden three minutes when Real Madrid tina tackling Venezuela on the man of the Football League, to- club,” it said in a statement. rahimovic has hit 20 with Paris World Cup, a result that caused gave squad debuts to goalkeeper striker Higuain scored after neat same day. Gulf Times 34 Friday, February 8, 2013 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Fed Cup holders Puerto trial Czechs face Aussie challenge

AFP Dellacqua and 16-year-old Ostrava Barty, the world numbers 21 should release and 46 for doubles, are likely to take on 3rd and 4th-ranked olders Czech Repub- Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie lic will take on Aus- Hradecka should the Fed Cup tralia in the Fed Cup’s tie need a decisive doubles fi rst round in the rubber. easternH Czech city of Ostrava The fourth member of the at the weekend, with eyes on a Australian team, Gajdosova, names, says Nadal treble and concerns about the the world number 168 with form of their top singles play- a career-high ranking of 25, ers. was born in Slovakia, which Tennis star says reputation of Spanish sport has been tarnished by trial For world number eight formed a single country with Petra Kvitova and 18th-ranked the Czech Republic until 1993. Lucie Safarova, two left-hand- Kvitova, the 2011 Wimble- ers who led the Czechs to their don champion, said she was two straight Fed Cup victories pinning comeback hopes on in 2011 and 2012, the star mo- the team event played on hard ment this year was reaching surface in Ostrava, about 320 the Paris quarter-fi nals last kilometres (200 miles) east of week. Prague. “If ever there is a good time “My results are not exactly (to face the Czechs), now it is,” what I want them to be, but Australia’s world number nine I still believe it will be OK. I Samantha Stosur said on her know I can play tennis, and I website www.samstosur.com like Fed Cup, the week is al- ahead of the tie against the ways great when the fans Czechs, who have by won six come and support us,” said the Fed Cup ties in a row. 22-year-old. “But the Czech girls love Besides the two recent playing Fed Cup and playing at wins for the Czech Republic, home I’m sure they are going the former Czechoslovakia to be very motivated to bring lifted the Fed Cup five times their best tennis,” added the between 1975 and 1988, while 28-year-old. Australia won the trophy sev- The Australians got a boost at en times between 1964 and the Australian Open last month, 1974. with Casey Dellacqua and Ash- This makes both teams the leigh Barty reaching the doubles runners-up in the historic Fed fi nals and Jarmila Gajdosova Cup rankings behind the US winning the mixed doubles. with 17 trophies.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Argentina’s Federico Delbonis during their ATP Vina del Mar tournament singles match on Wednesday. (AFP)

AFP from the high-profi le trial in Madrid but But he said he did not expect to be back gles match since a shock defeat to little- Madrid Nadal said that naming names would have to his best until later in the season. known Czech Lukas Rosol in the second been the correct thing to do. The former world number one returned round of Wimbledon last June. “What is happening in Spain, I don’t after more than seven months out with a “At the moment it’s all about patience. I afael Nadal believes that the understand it,” he was quoted as saying. knee injury to beat qualifi er Federico Del- need to take things one step at a time and names of those implicated in “I don’t understand why doctor Fuentes is bonis 6-3, 6-2 in the second round. accept that I won’t be at my maximum the ongoing “Operation Puerto” not giving names. And I don’t understand level straight away. I’m not scared because trial into blood doping must be why the judge has not asked him to do so. “I don’t understand why we never I know my knee is in good shape.” providedR if the image of sportsmen and “I don’t understand why we never get The Mallorcan will now face either get to the bottom of these things. women in general is to be cleared up. to the bottom of these things. We need to We need to clean everything up. I compatriot Albert Montanes or another In an interview with the French sports clean everything up. I believe this doctor believe this doctor has worked with Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver in the daily L’Equipe published yesterday, the has worked with foreign athletes but be- foreign athletes but because he is next round in Vina del Mar. Spanish tennis star said he felt his reputa- cause he is Spanish it is Spanish sport that Spanish it is Spanish sport that is The tournament is all part of his prepa- tion, and that of Spanish sport as a whole, is being prejudiced. being prejudiced,” Nadal said rations for the European clay-court sea- had been tarnished by the trial. “As an athlete that hurts me. Because of son, and his bid for an eighth French Open A judge has refused to demand that people like (US cyclist Lance) Armstrong, He said before his return that his trou- crown. doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, the suspected we all have a dubious image.” blesome knee was still a source of nagging “I want to be at 100 percent for Monte mastermind of one of the sporting world’s Nadal, who made his comeback to com- pain but he added that there was never Carlo and the European clay season,” he biggest blood doping rackets, provide the petitive tennis this week at the Vina del any fear of a relapse. said. “Here in Chile, all that matters is names of athletes implicated in the scan- Mar clay-court tournament in Chile, also “Fear? No. Stress, yes, that’s to be ex- how I feel and how my knee reacts. To lose dal. admitted his relief at being back on the pected. Relief and joy, certainly,” he told here is not a problem. After so long out The ruling could avert a huge fall-out court after a lengthy injury absence. L’Equipe of his feelings after his fi rst sin- losing would be the logical thing.” Samantha Stosur will lead the Australian challenge.

CRICKET/ WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT India end Women’s World Cup by beating Watson’s presence, and not his Pakistan by six wkts role, is elementary for Australia IANS Cuttack Reuters he can slowly get back into his Sydney bowling as well,” Clarke said at the Allan Border Medal ceremo- ndia fi nished their ICC ny on Monday. Women’s World Cup on a hatever role he ul- Clarke went on to say that high as captain Mithali Raj timately plays in Watson’s chances of a place in led the hosts to a six-wick- the Australia team the team would be improved by Iet win over arch rivals Pakistan this year, the sight having the all-rounder tag at- at the Barabati Stadium here Wof Shane Watson driving and tached to his name. yesterday. pulling his way to a blockbuster Despite having had a poor of a century at Manuka Oval Ashes Threat performance with the bat in India’s Mithali Raj scored an on Wednesday was a joy for his “The pool of batsmen is a much the group stages, Pakistan put unbeaten 103. compatriots to behold. bigger pool than the pool of all- on their best batting display of The injury-prone 31-year-old rounders in Australian cricket at the tournament so far scoring Punam Raut (4) early on, when missed much of the domestic the moment. But Shane knows 192 for seven. Raj’s hard-fought she was declared leg-before to season with a calf problem but if he’s at his best, he’s as good as century (103 not out) secured the bowling of Qanita Jalil. It looked back to his aggressive any player in the world let alone India victory as they went on to was then up to Mithali Raj and best as he blasted 122 runs off the Australian team,” Clarke said score 195 for four in 46 overs. Thirush Kamini (26) to steady 111 balls to help Australia clinch of the Australian Cricketer of the Pakistan, after winning the the India run-chase. the one-day series against West Year. “Our goal as a team is to help toss, elected to bat. Raj held the innings together Indies. Watto get back to his best. Nain Abidi and Nida Dar even as she lost Kamini with the Whether it be as special- Hopefully that’s batting and were the pick of the batters score at 51. Thereafter Raj and ist opener, top order batsman Australian all-rounder Shane Watson plays a drive against the West Indies during their ODI match in Canberra bowling in time...” scoring 58 and 68, respective- Harmanpreet Kaur (16) added or all-rounder, a fi t and fi ring on Wednesday. (Reuters) Watson has given up all hopes ly. The pair added 80 runs for 49 runs for the fourth wicket. Watson will be a major asset for of contributing with the ball in the third-wicket partnership Despite losing Sulakshana Naik Australia’s Test team as they while, you think you’ve lost it, so hopes will be a temporary end to context of the match. India but is hoping he will be before Nain departed off the (3) soon, Raj guided her side embark on a tough trip to India it’s nice to feel you’ve still got it.” his bowling and on Wednesday, Captain Michael Clarke able to supplement the bowling bowling of Jhulan Goswami. home in the company of Reema followed by back-to-back Ashes With 8,000 runs in all three he was restricted to a role as a knows that very well and he is attack by the time Australia get Niranjana Nagarajan proved Malhotra (25). series this year. forms of the game at international batsman. extremely keen to be once again to England for the fi rst Ashes to be the pick of the Indian “I was starting to worry that level, Watson has clearly “got it”. The bare statistics tell that his in a position where he can toss series. “I know that’s look- bowlers, snaffl ing three for 35, Brief Scores: Pakistan: 192 for I didn’t have enough form so it What remains to be seen is what right arm medium pace bowling the burly blond the ball when a ing a long way forward, but just including the key wickets of 7in 50 overs (Nain 58, Nida 68 was nice to spend some time in use Australia make of him. has taken 62 wickets in 38 Tests breakthrough is required. even physically to give myself a Bismah Maroof, Asmavis Iqbal not out; Goswami 2-17, Niranjana the middle,” Watson said after The injury problems that have at an average of 30.06 but what “I think everybody including chance to be able to get to that is and captain Sana Mir. 3-35) vs India 195 for four in 46 the 39-run victory in Canberra. bedevilled him throughout his they do not show is how impor- Shane is hoping that if he comes a dream for me at the moment,” In response, India lost overs (Raj 103 n.o., Kamini 26) “When you don’t play for a career have brought what he tant those wickets were in the back and gets into his batting... he said recently. Gulf Times Friday, February 8, 2013 35 SPORT

TOUR OF QATAR Cavendish tightens grip on Qatar title

By ND Prashant Doha Stage 5 Results 1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Omega Pharma-QuickStep 3h 11’ 11” ark Cavendish of Omega 2. Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) AG2R La Mondiale ST Pharma-QuickStep took a 3. Aidis Kruopis (Ltu) Orica-GreenEdge ST strangle hold on the Tour 4. Adam Blythe (GBr) BMC Racing Team ST of Qatar title by winning Mthe 154km penultimate stage between 5. Luke Rowe (GBr) Team Sky ST Al Zubara Fort and Madinat Al Shamal 6. John Degenkolb (Ger) Argos-Shimano ST here yesterday. 7. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Katusha Team ST The Briton, with this third succes- sive stage victory, now has a 15-sec- 8. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ ST ond cushion over second-placed Brent 9. Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling ST Bookwalter and 20 seconds over third- 10. Roger Kluge (Ger) Team NetApp-Endura ST placed Taylor Phinney going in the fi - nal stage today. General Classifi cation Belarus champion Yauheni Hutar- ovich of AG2R La Mondiale also put 1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 13h 30’ 59” up a spirited performance but the 2. Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team +15secs power of Cavendish was too much. He 3. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team + 20secs was beaten to the tape by half a wheel 4. Adam Blythe (GBr) BMC Racing Team + 22secs and had to be content with the second place. Lithuanian Aidis Kruopis of Or- 5. Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Team Sky + 24secs ica-GreenEdge came third. 6. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team + 25secs “We just rode incredibly,” said Cav- 7. Michael Schär (Swi) BMC Racing Team ST endish. “It was mouth wind and as we know from last year that mouth wind 8. Mathew Hayman (Aus) Team Sky + 27s causes some problems. We knew it was 9. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team Sky + 29secs going to be stressful today. I always 10. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky + 30secs had fi ve to six guys around me and they were looking after me spot on. Mark Cavendish (right) sprints towards the finish line in the penultimate stage of Tour of Qatar yesterday. “In the fi nal, we kept together and other teams also kept up as they got tucked under his belt, will just have to stage wins to his name here in Qatar. with them. Cavendish and his remain- tres remaining QuickStep riders took at Sealine Beach Resort at 1.15pm and some confi dence from riding together make sure to get through to the line Phinney of BMC Racing and Bern- ing Omega Pharma-QuickStep team control of the proceeding to make sure will end at Doha Corniche by approxi- since the last few days. I think then I without taking much risk. hard Eisel of Team Sky made a breaka- closed it down with around 15km to go. that their best sprinter Cavendish was mately 3.45pm. The fi rst intermediate had six packs and the muscles to get me “We knew if we got through today, it way attempt with 25km to go and even BMC riders led the fi ght for advan- in line for the fi nal onslaught. Cavend- sprint will be held at Al Wakrah after over, that’s it,” an overjoyed Cavendish would be easy. Today was a big day and I managed a 30-second lead. However, tage in the last 5km. Orica-GreenEdge, ish then lived up to his sprinting prow- 38.5km and the second after 74.5 km said with a laugh after the race. think a win has put us in a good position,” Cavendish’s teammate and Nether- FDJ and Liquigas also kept up with ess to pip Hutarovich at the tape. at Doha Corniche after 4th crossing of Cavendish, now with the title fi rmly added Cavendish, who now has seven lands champion Niki Terpstra kept up them but with just a couple of kilome- Today’s 116.5km fi nal stage will start the fi nish line.

AL KASS UNDER-18 INTERNATIONAL CUP Fluminense stun defending champs PSG to win Al Kass In a fascinating clash of styles, flair of Brazilians prevailed over powerful Europeans in penalty shootout

(Clockwise from top) Fluminense players lift the Al Kass Under-18 International Cup trophy after beating Paris Saint-Germain in the final at Aspire Academy yesterday; Fluminense is awarded the winner’s cheque; Paris Saint-Germain players in the final moments of the penalty shootout, which the Brazilian club won 4-2. The scores were 0-0 until normal time in the final.

By Sports Reporter teams drew 0-0 until normal time in the lottery of penalty kicks as a factor second half in the face of an increasing slowly but as the tournament pro- Argentinian side’s hero as he pulled off Doha the fi nal. in this loss for the defending champi- PSG threat and in the end the Brazilian gressed they improved their game and several fi ne shootout saves to secure a The strong PSG team crashed out on ons but the cause of defeat runs deep side revelled in the penalty shoot-out grabbed the trophy,” he said. 3-2 win after the game had fi nished 2-2 penalties as their skipper Franck Bam- as they missed goal-scoring opportu- and thoroughly deserved the silver- The elated Brazilian side coach Mar- after 90 minutes. razilian club Fluminense bock struck the post with the penulti- nities in both the half. ware. cos Valadares said, “It was a keenly- Jose Malleo, Boca’s head coach, said, stunned the defending cham- mate kick of the shoot-out and Brazil- For all the PSG’s neat possession PSG coach Laurent Bonadei said, “I fought game. I am happy that my boys “We are pleased to end our experience pion Paris Saint Germain ian side’s Roberto Santos easily beat they rarely got through the Fluminense am proud of my players. They really won it. It was a victory of their consist- with third place. Our win against In- (PSG) 4-2 in a dramatic pen- the PSG goalkeeper in the fi nal kick. defence on the fl oor. played very well through out the tour- ent eff orts.” ter Milan was of high quality and the altyB showdown to win the Al Kass The two sides also played in the It was only in extra time that PSG’s nament. I am little bit sad for them as The winners received $75,000 as team performed well. I have been very Under-18 International Cup football opening group stage of the tourna- superiority showed but with their for- they lost the fi nal. We had a good ball the prize money. Colman Leonardo of impressed by the teams in the tourna- tournament at Aspire Academy yes- ment, with PSG running out 2-1 win- ward wasting a great chance due to a possession but in the end you have to Boca Juniors was declared player of the ment and the tournament itself has terday. ners. But the much-improved Flumin- refusal to shoot with his right foot, and score the goals. Fluminense also played tournament. been of a very high standard.” In a fascinating clash of styles the ense won the close-run fi nal between another hitting the bar from 25 yards, a good game but in the end as we all Boca Juniors clamied the third Aspire International snatched fi fth fl air of Fluminense prevailed over the diff erent styles of the European and they were unable to make it count. know penalty shoot-out is a lottery. place in this year’s after a penalties place following an intense penalty powerful European side PSG as they South American teams. Valadares’ team held their nerve, “I think Fluminense also played shoot-out triumph against Inter Mi- shootout which saw them beat Italian won the penalty shoot out after both Though the PSG coach Bonadei cited discipline and shape throughout the good game tonight. They started out lan. Goalkeeper Matias Budiño was the giants Real Madrid 4 - 2. NBA | Page 30 TENNIS | Page 34 CYCLING | Page 25 Garnett leads Nadal: Puerto Cavendish Celtics to fi ft h trial should tightens grip straight win release names on title

FOOTBALL Impossible GULF TIMES Friday, February 8, 2013 Rabia-I 27, 1434 AH to stop cheats, says Blatter SPORT Page 33

RACING SPOTLIGHT Probe exposes Al Mujahaz takes rampant doping in Heir Apparent Sword Australia

AFP ‘It feels great to win a classic here. It was a very tough race as there were lots of good horses in there’ Sydney

By Chris Hoover rug use is widespread Doha in Australian sport with growing links to organ- ised crime, according to eorge Mikhalides trained aD damning offi cial probe yesterday Al Mujahaz won a battle of that points to “clear parallels” with equals by putting to shade the Lance Armstrong case. Fouladh to win the HH The The Australian Crime Commis- GHeir Apparent Sword, a Group I race sion inquiry identifi ed common use for local bred Pure Arabians, which of prohibited substances including was the highlight of the day’s races at peptides—a type of stimulant— the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club hormones and illicit drugs, across yesterday. multiple sporting codes. On sheer performance, Fouladh The fi ndings from the year-long and Al Mujahaz stood out but as it investigation shatter Australia’s turned out, there was not much dif- reputation as a predominantly ference in terms of merit among the drugs-free sporting nation, al- 12 contestants. though specifi c players, teams and Al Muntakhab was sacrifi ced as codes were not revealed for legal a pace maker for Al Mujahaz who reasons. shared the favourite’s tag with Fou- “It’s a very black day for sport,” ladh. As the fi eld settled down, Al World Anti-Doping Agency presi- Muntakhab was followed by Al Mos- dent John Fahey, an Australian, told tarsil, La Hoor, Ajab and Al Muja- Sky News. haz with Fouladh ridden in check. Al “The enormity of what we’re hearing, that surprises me.” Fouladh ran out of reserves in The report indicated that sports the dying moments of the race scientists, coaches and support as jockey Sylvain Ruis induced staff as well as doctors and pharma- that bit extra from Al Mujahaz cists were involved in the provision to record a maiden success for of drugs, which were often sup- himself and trainer Mikhalides plied by organised criminal gangs. in this race In some cases, players were being administered with substances that Mujahaz dropped back to the middle have not yet been approved for hu- group after a good start but made man use. steady progress along the rails and “The fi ndings are shocking and was angled out at the turn to be in will disgust Australian sports fans,” striking reach of the frontrunners. Home Aff airs Minister Jason Clare The Mikhalides trainee measured said of a nation where sport is the frontrunners inside the fi nal fur- hugely popular and the country’s long and surged ahead. But Al Muja- Jockey Sylvain Ruis rides Al Mujahaz to victory in HH The Heir Apparent Sword race at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURE: Juhaim teams routinely punch above their haz was unable to break clear of Fou- weight on the global stage. ladh who was shadowing him. The on him. Now we will have to choose He gave me a good ride and ran like RESULTS CHECK “Multiple athletes from a tussle between the two lasted till the between the Emir’s Sword and the a champion.” number of clubs in major Austral- fi nal stages of the race. Fouladh ran International race for Al Mujahaz’s Earlier Umm Qarn were in the lime- 1st race: Fauvism (Andrew Elliot) 1, La Pampita ½. Time: 1:37.96. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. ian sporting codes are suspected out of reserves in the dying moments next run. We will decide after seeing light with a hat-trick that included 2, Villa Reigns 3, Arabic 4. Won by: Nk, 1 ¾, ¾. Owned by: Umm Qarn of currently using or having pre- of the race as jockey Sylvain Ruis in- how Al Mujahaz returns after this the HH the Heir Apparent Trophy for Time: 1:31.53. Trained by: Mubarak al-Khayarin. 5th race: Tabarak (Pier Convertino) 1, Aziz viously used peptides, potentially duced that bit extra from Al Mujahaz race. Al Mujahaz is a horse that does Thoroughbreds and HH the Heir Ap- Owned by: Mubarak Mohammed al-Khayarin 2, Rathowan 3, Mkeefa 4. Won by: ¾, Shd, Nk. constituting anti-doping rule vio- to record a maiden success for him- just that much and that was enough parent Trophy for Pure Arabians. 2nd race: Compass Way (Darren Williams) Time: 2:12.19. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. lations. Offi cials from clubs have self and trainer Mikhalides in this for us today,” trainer Mikhalides Alban de Mieulle saddled Very Nice 1, Regina Ejina 2, Marcus Augustus 3, Roman Owned by: Umm Qarn also been identifi ed as administer- race. La Hoor ran on to fi nish third told the Gulf Times. Jockey Ruis Name recorded a back to back success Myst 4. Won by: ¾, ½, Nk. Time: Trained by: 6th race: Very Nice Name (Pier Convertino) ing, via injections and intravenous ahead of Dahash followed by Iftekhar was elated with his first classic suc- in graded races with a narrow win in the Mohammed al-Sulaiti. Owned by: Dr Ahmed 1, Dubawi King 2, Arrigo 3, Beethoven 4. Won drips, a variety of substances. and Nasir Al Naif. cess in Qatar. “It feels great to win a Group I HH Heir the Apparent Trophy Mohammed al-Sulaiti by: ½, 3 ½, 4. Time: 2:13.20. Trained by: Alban “It’s cheating but it’s worse than “That was a good rematch. Both classic here. It was a very tough race for Thoroughbreds. The son of Whip- 3rd race: Assy (B. Doyle) 1, Thumal Al Naif de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn that, it’s cheating with the help of are champions but I am glad that as there were lots of good horses in per came through a rough passage at 2, Mekhbatt 3, Al Majd 4. Won by: 9, 1 ½, 1 ½. 7th race: Al Mujahaz (Sylvain Ruis) 1, Fouladh criminals,” he added. we could win today. I think Al Mu- there. We had a good leader who set the home turn to get past Dubawi King Time: 1:37.31. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned 2, La Hoor 3, Dahash 4. Won by: ¾, ½, 2. Time: The report said there were “clear jahaz stayed better than Fouladh a good pace and I was riding a horse who was shaping like a winner. by: Al Shahania Stud 2:27.07. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned parallels between what has been and jockey Ruis also did a good job that was capable of tackling this set. Very Nice Name had no detrac- 4th race: Baaria (David Bouland) 1, Al Man- by: Sheikh Hamad bin Mishal bin Hamad discovered in Australia and the US- soor 2, Qadir 3, Manayer 4. Won by: 1 ¾, 1 ½, 2 al-Thani ADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) in- vestigation into Lance Armstrong”, referring to the disgraced Tour de tors as he went into the race as the Talking about Very Nice Name, France cyclist. overwhelming favourite. He relaxed Mieulle said: “He is a brilliant horse This “underlines the transna- in the rear group as is his wont and who has proved his caliber once again. tional threat posed by doping to came pouncing on Dubawi King in- Though Very Nice Name did not have professional sport, both from a ‘fair side the fi nal 50 metres. Despite being a clean passage, jockey Convertino play’ perspective and as a broader inconvenienced at the home turn, he did well to win the race. We have the integrity issue”. showed determination and speed to option of running him in the Interna- “It is also clear from the fi nd- get out of the situation and quicken tional of the Emir’s Trophy race. HH ings of this project, the USADA for home. And once he was in full Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani investigation, and previous high- fl ight, there was no stopping him. will decide where to run him but I feel profi le doping cases in Europe and Jockey Pier Convertino rode a peach the trip in the Emir’s Trophy would the United States, that it is not only of a race on the winner and deserves suit Very Nice Name.” athletes who are involved in doping, as much credit for his power packed Mieulle hailed Tabarak as the best but athletic support staff , organised fi nish that enabled Very Nice Name to Pure Arabian in Qatar. “Tabarak has criminal groups and complicit doc- overhaul Dubawi King in the shadow proved today that he is the best Pure tors.” of the winning post. Arabian here. He has justifi ed the The report said criminal net- Convertino was once again at his faith we had on him. He ran a brilliant works were increasingly involved aggressive best when steering Tabar- race and jockey Convertino was also in the distribution of illegal sub- ak to a hard fought win in the HH impressive on the saddle.” stances, and the links may have The Heir Apparent Trophy, a Group Sporting the Umm Qarn colours, led to match-fi xing and fraudulent I race for Pure Arabians. Tabarak got Baaria (David Bouland up) continued manipulation of betting markets. the momentum in the nick of time to her winnings ways with yet another Crime Commission boss John edge out Aziz who had the gained the smashing performance while annex- Lawler said the threat of match- initiative, but succumbed to the on- ing the local Thoroughbred Stakes fi xing was “extraordinarily serious” slaught of the Umm Qarn champion. in splendid fashion. The four-year- with organised crime involved. “It has been a great day for Umm old bay fi lly has won 10 and fi nished “Organised crime has many fac- Qarn. We were unlucky in the Sword second twice in her 12 starts. The ets. It will go to where there is lu- race but the better horse won there. form that she is in, Baaria could well crative profi ts to be made, low risk, We will now look forward to the continue to top dominate. Trainer regulatory weakness, and they will Trainer Alban de Mieulle (R) leads in Tabarak (Pier Convertino up) after a victorious outing in HH The Heir Apparent Trophy forthcoming classics,” trainer Mieulle Mieulle has done a good job of keep- exploit those vulnerabilities,” he for Pure Arabians at the QREC yesterday. said. ing her in fi ne trim. said.