Page 01 Jan 15.Indd

WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 • [email protected] • www.thepeninsulaqatar.com • 4455 7741

inside

CAMPUS

When women get to play actual human beings

•

The Gulf English

School launches Week Without Walls

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INTERIORS

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urphy beds are

making the bedroom superﬂuous

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Automakers want to turn back the clock to a time when performance and speed trumped concerns about energy and the environment. A look at some of the hot wheels at North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

FOOD

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Rethinking a fatty

dip to have a healthier side

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HEALTH

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Screen pregnant

women for gestational diabetes: US panel

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TECHNOLOGY

•

Google gains entry to

homes and prized team with $3.2bn Nest deal

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HOT WHEELS AT

Learn Arabic

• Learn commonly used Arabic words and their meanings

DETROIT

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PLUS | WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014

COVER STORY

Performance meets green at Detroit auto show

By Paul Lienert

o look over the roster of racy

Even the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro

Z28, which goes on sale this spring,

has beneﬁted from General Motors

Co’s “lightweighting” efforts. GM engi-

neers shaved mass from the $75,000

muscle car by using a smaller battery

and thinner rear glass, as well as elimi-

nating the trunk carpet and the tireinﬂator kit.

new and future vehicles at the 2014 North American International Auto Show

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here, the initial impression is that US, European and Asian automak-

ers want to turn back the clock to a

time when performance and speed

trumped concerns about energy and

the environment.

The Fun Factor

Chevy also aims to amp up the fun

So-called green cars — electric vehi-

cles, hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells

— are being heavily overshadowed at the Detroit show by sports cars, in a

broad spectrum of sizes, shapes and

price segments, from Ford Motor

Co’s redesigned 2015 Mustang to Kia Motors’ zippy GT4 Stinger concept.

quotient for Corvette owners. Later

this year, the 2015 Corvette will offer an optional Performance Data

Recorder — essentially a built-in high-

def videocam and microphone that will

enable drivers to record up to 13 hours

behind the wheel and play it all back

of yesteryear - or an economical 2.3- smaller to improve efﬁciency, but on the car’s in-dash touchscreen or

“Speed sells,” said Michael Tracy, liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine devices such as turbochargers provide upload it to Facebook and other social

principal at Michigan-based consul- that still cranks out an impressive 305 more power, so there is less tradeoff media sites.

tancy the Agile Group. “People don’t horsepower.

talk about wanting to buy a Camaro “We’re seeing a new era of perform-

because the base V6 gets great ance cars that are very safe, very fuel- sports car is Kia’s GT4 Stinger, a com- “excess went out of fashion,” said con-

between going faster and going farther.

Five years ago, during the depths

Perhaps the epitome of the modern of the US auto industry’s recession,

mileage.”

efﬁcient and more mainstream,” said pact, low-slung four-passenger model sultant Merrihew, as auto companies

industry consultant Lincoln Merrihew, ﬁtted with a 315-horsepower turbo- parked their performance models to

A Hint Of Green

In fact, there is more than a hint of

of Millward Brown Digital.

charged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine focus on greener technologies.

that hints at a future rear-wheel-drive Now that the economy has

green lurking in even the glamorous Evolving Deﬁnition

performance model from the Korean rebounded and automakers are redesports cars at this year’s Detroit auto

The deﬁnition of “performance” is manufacturer. ﬁning performance as a combination

show. Take the new Mustang, which evolving, from the old-school values of

Makers of traditional sports cars of speed, safety and efﬁciency, “that this fall will offer buyers the choice straight-line acceleration and corner- are reducing weight, which further stigma is starting to fade,” he said,

of a 420-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 - a ing capability. As with the Mustang enhances both sides of the power ver- “and performance cars are OK to buy

throwback to the classic street cars and the Golf, engines are getting sus economy equation.

again.”

Reuters

3

Here are some of the new cars and experimental concept vehicles unveiled at the show:

Porsche 911 Targa: Porsche is

dialing up the 911 with two new mod-

els, the Targa 4 and 4S. As with the

original 1965 Targa, the new models

feature a roof bar, movable front roof section and wraparound rear window.

The new roof can open and close at the

push of a button and stow behind the

rear seat. Porsche said they are aiming

for a “sporty and low-slung proﬁle.”

The Targa 4 accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, the 4S slightly quicker with an optional package. The Targa 4 has a sticker price of $101,600

BMW 2 Series Coupe, M3 Sedan,

and the 4S is at $116,200. Deliveries are M4 Coupe: The two-door, four-seat,

scheduled to start this summer. rear-wheel drive 2 Series Coupe — the

Corvette Z06: General Motors replacement for the 1 Series Coupe —

rolled out a hot new version of the will come in a 228i version, which fea-

Corvette Stingray, called the Z06, with tures a 240 horsepower, 2.0-litre V4

a staggering 625 horsepower super- engine, and the M235i version, which

charged V8 engine. The company says features a 322 horsepower, 3.0-litre the performance of the 2015 Z06 will V6 engine. The 228i promises offers rival the best supercars in the world. 22-23 mph in the city and 34-35 mpg

The car gets a new 6.2-litre engine and on the highway, depending on the

a new eight-speed automatic trans- transmission. The M235i gets 19-22

mission. A seven-speed manual also is mpg in city driving and 28-32 mpg on available. The standard corvette has a the highway. Scheduled to go on sale

six-speed automatic. The Z06 — and starting in March, BMW plans to sell

the Corvette Racing CR7 — gets an the 228i for $33,025 and the M235i for

aluminum frame. The car also has a $44,025. BMW also is showing its new

removable top. No performance times 2015 model M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe. or prices were released. The standard Plans call for the cars to go on sale in Corvette starts around $52,000.

Mercedes-Benz S600: The top announced in the coming months.

model from Mercedes-Benz is get- Volkswagen Golf R: The compact

early summer, with pricing and options

ting an upgrade. The S600 sedan Volkswagen Golf is getting a power-

features a 12-cylinder, 6.0-litre twin- ful boost. Its latest incarnation packs a

turbocharged engine that packs 523 290 horsepower, 2.0-litre turbocharged “normal” and “race.” Volkswagen esti- the car was devised ﬁrst in the Sony

horsepower. With the look and feel engine that improves on past fuel efﬁ- mates highway fuel economy around 31 PlayStation Gran Turismo game envi-

expected from the highest tier of the ciency. The all-wheel-drive Golf R mpg with the six-speed manual trans- ronment. The automaker says FT-1 will

luxury brand, it seats four or ﬁve and promises zero to 60 mph acceleration in mission, up from 27 mpg. The Golf R be available as a downloadable vehicle

features touchpad controls that allow 4.9 seconds with the automatic trans- is scheduled to go on sale in the US for PlayStation 3 Gran Turismo 6. The

letters, numbers and special charac- mission version. Sporty touches include as a four-door model only in the ﬁrst physical car is designed to stir emotions

ters to be entered in handwriting in a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering three months of 2015. Pricing will be and push limits with Toyota design,

nine languages. It’s scheduled to go on wheel, as well as a two-branch exhaust announced later. sale in the spring. Pricing is yet to be with four chrome tips. And it features a Toyota FT-1: This vehicle’s devel- of Toyota’s Calty Design Research

announced. series of performance modes, including opment started two years ago, and facility in Newport Beach, Calif. AP

according to Kevin Hunter, president

4

CAMPUS

nternational Week is an annual celebration for

the many cultures hosted within the American

School of Doha’s (ASD) campus. The ASD com-

munity takes pride in the fact that it comprises

ASD celebrates its diversity

I

over 2,100 students from 75 countries.

The opening ceremony saw speeches from student

council presidents of the high school, middle school and elementary school. As Aisha Javaid, high school

student council president, said: “It isn’t every day

that when you walk into a classroom you see children

from every corner of the world working together.

This diversity and richness of cultures is the gift of ASD to all of us in preparation for the increasingly globalised world.”

ASD’s middle school president Omar Mardini

shared his experience with the full student body for

“Week Without Walls” and stated: “Last week, I had

a chance to go to Sri Lanka for Week Without Walls.

I learned more about the Sri Lankan culture. We

stayed in the centre of the green country, Sigiriya. As

a service project, we ﬁxed up the school, played with the kids that were almost the same age as me… 14.

We learned more about the different cultures and the

diversity of Sri Lanka… it opened my eyes to see the

different situation these kids live in… and how lucky

we are to be going to a school like this. Different

cultures? Different lives? That is what International

Week is all about… Diversity.”

The opening ceremony also hosted a parade of

ﬂags; the youngest and eldest student from each

country walked together holding their country’s ﬂag

while being introduced by different students with key

facts about their country. Over 70 ﬂags were paraded.

An international buffet, sponsored by the Parent up a large traditional Qatari tent that consisted of a the middle school. ASD percussionists played an

Teacher Association, consisted of dishes cooked by majlis, Arabic delicacies, henna, paintings, handicraft Australian song while pre-k students sang in seven

volunteer parents for over 2,500 people. The gym was artists and a live falcon, a symbol of hunting in some languages.

ﬁlled with people and food from all over the globe.

The Arab Mothers Association (AMA), a group of traditional dance (dabkeh).

volunteers aiming to bridge Arabic culture with other

Arab countries. Professional dancers performed the

The middle school announced the winners from

each grade’s video for the “One Tribe Campaign”; a

Closing ceremonies were held individually for community building project focused on encouraging

cultures at ASD, also contributed to making this each division. Students performed traditional dances positive behavioural changes through kindness and

year’s International Week a success with interactive from Peru, Qatar, Arabic Dabkeh, Zumba and the compassion.

activities showcasing Arab traditions. The AMA put Philippines. The Sri Lanken School performed for

The Peninsula

The Gulf English School launches Week Without Walls

pupils include international excursions student group on the trip. He said: “It

such a trips to Ras Al Khaimah in the was the trip of a lifetime. It taught us

UAE, an Umrah trip, a cultural visit about what other people don’t have, how

to London, participation in a Model we can contribute and what we can prac-

United Nations event and a trekking tically do to help them. We learned a lot

adventure in Malaysia. Melvin Jones, Head of Secondary at

– it was truly a privilege to take part.”

He added: “We didn’t stay in ﬁve-

GES, said: “We have always had strong star hotels – we were in hostels, basic

participation in our Community Action accommodation. We saw how simply

Service (CAS) initiatives throughout other people live. Coming back home,

the school but this is the ﬁrst time we I felt like a king.”

have united the whole school in a Week

Without Walls.”

Dareen Al Awfey, also from Year

12, was the student group leader. She
The launch of Week Without Walls said: “This is an experience we will so

coincides with the recent return of 20 rarely have in our lives. I was outside

Year 12 students from an 11-day trip to my comfort zone, and outside of my

Malaysia, where the students planned parents’ protection with people I didn’t

and executed every aspect of their trip know. The Malaysia trip was an experi-

GES students with Malaysian

kids during their trip.

he Gulf English School (GES)

From April 27 for one week, pri- – being responsible for their budget, ence which has helped me to become

has launched its Week Without mary pupils at GES will take part logistics, transport, accommodation and more independent and to understand

Walls programme 2014, which for in a range of activities in the school communications. The group, led by teach- myself better. It was a once-in-a-life-

the ﬁrst time will include the involve- and across Doha — from needlework ers Graeme Webster and Sarah Williams, time experience.”

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ment of every student in the school, from to healthy-living workshops, kayak- trekked and white water rafted in the

Teacher Sarah Williams, Community

infants up to 18-year-olds. During the ing, sailing, cookery lessons, environ- Cameron Highlands before volunteering Action Service coordinator at GES,

week, pupils get involved in a host of mental trips such as beach clean-ups, at an orphanage for disabled and under- who accompanied the students on

activities outside their classroom, which an overnight camp on a farm outside privileged children, repainting the centre the trip, said: “Students gain a better

encourages teamwork, leadership skills, Doha where students will learn about and its play area and ﬁnding out more understanding of the world they live technical skills and crafts, taking risks, Qatar’s culture and history, and an about the lives of the children there.

community involvement and personal and adventure holiday to Manchester in

group challenges, in Doha and abroad. the UK. Options for secondary school was transportation coordinator for the

in. It really broadens their minds aca-

Year 12 student Khalid Al Musleh demically but also socially.”

The Peninsula

MARKETPLACE

5

OSN launches Sundance Channel HD in MENA

SN has signed a deal with

Sundance Channel Global,

O

the international division of AMC Networks, to launch its

ﬂagship Sundance Channel HD in

the Middle East and North Africa

region. The new channel, which celebrates independent feature ﬁlms, world cinema, documenta-

ries, short ﬁlms, series and original

programmes, will be available exclu-

sively on OSN from today.

This latest channel takes the

total number of HD channels now

available on OSN to 37. David

Butorac, Chief Executive Ofﬁcer of

OSN, said: “Our partnership with

AMC/Sundance Channel Global

highlights our commitment to con-

tinuously enhance the TV choices

we provide through original and

differentiating content.”

Bruce Tuchman, President of AMC/Sundance Channel Global, said: “This exciting launch will signiﬁcantly extend the reach of

Sundance Channel into new territories throughout the Middle East

and North Africa for the ﬁrst time.

We’re looking forward to working closely with OSN, the premier pay

TV platform in the region, to deliver

original dramatic series alongside

the best independent cinema.”

Sundance Channel will be available

both in the content’s original lan-

guage and with Arabic subtitling.

The new channel will be available

to OSN subscribers on the Platinum

HD and Premier HD packages and

movie buffs can access Sundance

Channel HD’s award-winning con-

tent anytime, anywhere via OSN

Play, the region’s ﬁrst online TV

A section of the audience at the technical seminal organised by Electrosteel, manufacturers and exporter of ductile iron pipes and fittings in India, held at Radisson Blu Hotel Doha. INSET: Indian ambassador Sanjiv Arora speaking in the presence of Electrosteel Vice Chairman Piush Lohia (third right) Director M K Jalan (fifth right) and other company officials.

ADabisc Next becomes a Google Partner

ext, ADabisc’s digital and it will help ADabisc serve its clients get the most out of their marketing interactive unit, is now a more effectively. “ADabisc has grown budget.”

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certiﬁed Google Partner. This considerably since its inception in

Echoing these thoughts, Director

achievement for ADabisc, a Qatari 2003 in terms of the services we pro- of ADabisc Next, Mohamed Mansour company, has earned it a place among vide as well as the size of our team. added “This is a huge achievement not over 5,000 other Google Partner com- Getting certiﬁed by Google is a step just for our team at Next but for the

panies around the world. Next has in the direction of success, as the entire company. With this certiﬁca-

received a badge that will indicate resources that we will have access to tion, our clients or prospective clients that it is a trusted Google Partner, from Google will help us immensely can be assured that they will receive

being the only one in Qatar so far. in many avenues. The purpose of our only the best services and support

Partner companies are required to be existence as a company is to honour from us. We always strive to serve

in the know about the latest Google our commitments to our clients and our clients with the most innovative

tools and products by passing a certi- to maximise their ROI. This certiﬁca- ideas and now we can take bigger

ﬁcation exam every 18 months.

tion will help us do just that as we can steps in that direction with support

Managing Partner of ADabisc, use Google best practices to manage from Google.”

Luay Darwish, commented on how campaigns to focus on helping them

The Peninsula

viewing platform.

The Peninsula

PepsiCo and Americana renew partnership deal

his week saw representatives from PepsiCo

and Americana Group come together to renew

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their partnership agreement and to celebrate

40 years of working together in the region.

At a celebratory dinner meeting at the Burj Al

Arab, Dubai, hosted by Omar Farid, President, Middle East and Africa region for PepsiCo, and

Moataz Al Alﬁ, CEO of Americana, the two com-

panies celebrated their long-term partnership and also discussed growth opportunities throughout the GCC and the wider region.

PepsiCo and Americana ofﬁcials at the function.

Speaking at the dinner, Farid commented that

the continuing growth of the Middle East offers

enormous opportunities for PepsiCo and Americana

to strengthen their relationship and drive regional expansion.

work together so efﬁciently for such a long period one of the largest and most successful corporations in
Farid said: “The renewal of our agreement with of time, and this is due to the strong commitment the region, Americana’s market dominance will gen-

Americana reﬂects a historical alliance of 40 years. from both companies, which have helped us foster a erate an unrivalled level of brand exposure for Pepsi It is not a standard partnership but a very special positive relationship. We look forward to that rela- Cola, cementing its position as the region’s number