ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER

5 January 2013 23 Safar 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5570 Price: QR2 ON SATURDAY

3 Qatari audience for classical music grows

8 Nato begins deploying Patriot missiles in Turkey Coping with 12 Karzai heads to US for post-2014 troop numbers decision THE ISSUE 14 Opec output falls by will put on basic infrastructure — housing, The smaller companies seem hesitant Currently, housing hospitals, roads, food, electricity and water. to enter a market they feel is saturated by 1.1 million barrels per Some experts believe the population might excess housing supplies, and they also want supplies exceed the explode beyond the two-million mark by the a share in the government contracts (read day from 2012 peak end of 2013, against the projected estimate of subcontracts). demand, but real barely 1.78m, as a slew of mega development That, according to analysts, can make the projects lined up for launch this year may see situation worse as rising demand and lack of estate sources say a large influx of foreign workers. new stocks could lead to shortages. “This is Even if 90 percent of the newly-arriving just one — and remote — possibility consider- workers are semi-skilled and unskilled, who ing the rate at which the population has been 22 the equation may would need to be housed in labour camps, the increasing,” said a real estate sector source. remaining 10 percent would be skilled work- Others believe the present housing stocks reverse by the end ers and professionals who would be bring- are enough to cater to a population increase ing along their families and needing regular until the end of 2014. However, they add that of the year. housing. since most vacant stocks are either upper- And that might send house rents, if not middle or high-end, there could be heavy pres- food prices, spiralling in a repeat of 2006- sure on affordable housing, pushing up rents. lanning authorities in Qatar estimated 08, when housing shortages saw rents scale The General Secretariat of Development the country’s population would inch unprecedented heights. Planning has indicated that rentals have up to 1.76 million by the end of 2012 Currently, housing supplies exceed the begun rising again after plummeting from P(up from 1.73m in 2011), but it actually demand, but real estate sources say the equa- their 2006-08 peaks, and said 2013 could wit- rose to 1.83m, according to figures released by tion may reverse by the end of the year. The ness a further rise. the national statistics office. situation might be compounded by the fact As a solace, though, the planning authority The gap between the estimate and the that construction companies are focusing has said that the chances of the rental market Hosts South Africa PAGEactual population 6 — a huge 70,000 — has led their energies on bagging lucrative contracts witnessing a repeat of 2006-08 are remote. to fears that the country may not be ready to in the development projects, leaving the hous- THE PENINSULA crush New Zealand handle the pressure an increasing population ing segment to the smaller players. See also page 2 in first Test

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home Population rise will push up rents Qatar’s national office for statistics recently announced that the country’s population had soared to 1.83 million at the end of 2012, showing 7.5 percent growth over the previous year.

BY MOBIN PANDIT close to 2015-end,” said an analyst not wanting his name in print. Independent projections about he growth, as we Qatar’s population growth trajec- know, is driven by a tory suggest that the total might huge influx of for- be 2.8m by 2020, given a slew of eign workers who are high-profile and highly labour- needed for the mega intensive development projects Tdevelopment projects that are that are to be launched for the being launched for the 2022 FIFA FIFA event. World Cup. The Qatar National Vision 2030 The current year, market estimates, though, see the popula- sources believe, might prove to tion reaching 2.8m by its target be crucial in terms of population year (2030) — exactly a decade growth as work on a number of later, counting from 2020. infrastructure projects is likely The argument here, according to begin, necessitating an added to analysts, is, “Are we prepared influx of foreign workers. to handle a large and unplanned Anticipating that the pace of growth in the population consid- construction activity would be ering that the country’s infra- hectic this year, a real estate structure is limited, and a sudden developer and investment expert and extra pressure on housing, said he expected an incredible hospitals, roads, food, water and 600,000 workers to arrive this electricity might lead to problems year. like shortages and price rise”? If that happens — and there is A worrying reminder in this sobered down after the 2006-08 every chance it might — the coun- regard is the sudden surge in highs were showing signs of an try’s population could be pushed the population the country wit- upswing, surging 2.2 percent in beyond the two-million mark well nessed between 2004 and 2008, the latter half of 2012. before the target year. which sent prices shooting up, The GSDP estimates that in Khalifa Al Muslemani, the led mainly by skyrocketing house the second half of 2012 alone some expert, might prove to be right rents fuelled by rising demand 130,000 newly-recruited workers based on current statistics, and restricted supplies made arrived in the country. Although because the country’s planners worse by large-scale demolitions the secretariat was silent on the expected the population to reach for beautification. issue of the increasing burden only 1.76m by the end of 2012, but No wonder, then, that prices the rising population is putting the actual figure turned out to be have already begun going up, on infrastructure, it is common 1.83m, exceeding their forecasts. led by rentals, again, as the gap sense to presume that rentals and Qatar’s National Development between demand and supply commodity prices would show Strategy (2011-16) estimates the of housing is narrowing by the an upward trend due to soaring country’s population will reach month if not week. demand, argue analysts. 1.78m in 2013, 1.81m in 2014, 1.84m Significantly, a warning about There are others, though, who in 2015 and 1.86m in 2016 — the house rents surging this year due argue that those coming in are yearly growth rate being merely to soaring demand has come from semi-skilled and unskilled work- 2.1 percent. none other than the country’s ers who need to be housed in “If you look at the NDS planning officials. The General labour camps. But labour camps (National Development Strategy) Secretariat of Development are in short supply. This means projections and the current popu- Planning (GSDP) said late last that new ones with modern speci- lation (of 1.83m) we already are month that the rentals that had fications are to be built, for which, again, workers would be required. “In a nutshell, an increasing population is bound to put pres- sure on utilities, food and health- care facilities, if not on general housing, and this triggers price rise,” said an analyst. The reality, according to market sources, is that not all newly-recruited workers who are arriving are semi-skilled and unskilled. “Even if we say they constitute 90 percent of the new arrivals, the remaining 10 percent are skilled workers and profes- sionals who would be bringing along their families and needing regular housing,” said a source say the bigger players among square feet. “It has always been in from the construction industry. them are keen to bag lucrative square metres,” he said. “So the demand for housing contracts in the development “It signifies two things — land would go up. And don’t forget An idea of projects where the money is, is becoming a more valued com- that an increasing number of and are, therefore, leaving it to modity, and that it would be used foreign companies are setting the demand smaller companies to build more pragmatically,” said the insider. foot in Qatar and are bringing in housing stocks to cater to a rising “Do you any more see large liv- workers, too, and many of these for land population. ing or bed rooms or balconies in workers are technical hands and While that may or may not be apartment buildings or even vil- professionals,” said the source. at prime true, the fact is that the demand las, which was the case earlier? Right now, as far as housing for land has been going up and This shows that land is becoming is concerned, supply still exceeds land closer to development costlier and construction costs demand. “But the situation may locations projects, including proposed are also going up so developers reverse by the year-end,” warned metro rail stations, is attracting want to maximise profits as mar- a real estate sector source. “We can be had a premium. gins are low.” are getting a lot of enquiries and Not surprisingly, then, real Citing an example, the con- the demand has been growing.” from the fact estate transactions totalled an struction sector insider said that Asked to cite figures to sub- incredible QR42bn ($11.5bn) in land near the upcoming Doha stantiate his argument, the that their 2012, up 59.1 percent over the pre- International Airport was in high source said that some six months vious year, figures released by the demand and its rates were quoted ago, they used to get four to five rates are now real estate registration depart- in square feet. enquiries for housing a day, and ment of the Ministry of Justice All these are indicators that a that number had doubled. being quoted reflect. price rise fuelled largely by spi- He said many owners of apart- Experts believe that as mega ralling rentals is inevitable in ment or villa clusters were still projects are announced this year, the coming period. There is the holding on to their newly-built in square real estate transactions might fear of imported inflation as well, stocks, waiting for the rentals go up feverishly and even touch say analysts, arguing that being a to go fairly up and to lease the feet and or breach the magical mark of net importer of food Qatar would entire stock to a company. “It’s QR75bn ($20.54bn) by 2013-end. have to import more food to feed easier if you give away a building not square An idea of the demand for land the rising population. or a cluster of villas on long lease at prime locations can be had The GSDP has, however, allayed to a reputable company, prefer- metres. from the fact that their rates such fears and said that it actually ably a state-owned entity,” said are now being quoted in square does not see a repeat of 2006-08 the source. feet and not in square metres. when prices zoomed up weighing Presently, though, the demand announced so that they can go on Another building industry insider down on the common man. “The (for housing) is more from indi- a recruitment “spree”, said the said that he had been in Doha for risks of sharp rent increases of viduals, and companies are still real estate industry source. 35 years and never ever heard the 2006-08 are remote.” waiting for mega projects to be Construction industry insiders price of a plot of land quoted per THE PENINSULA Home JANUARY 5, 2013 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 ON SATURDAY Qatari audience for Emir receives Platini classical music grows QPO to perform three series of school concerts

BY ISABEL OVALLE at the school concerts held so far Gideon Seidenberg at the horn, for Arabic speaking schools, said and with the same programme. DOHA: The number of Qatari a QPO official. Half of each set of Past performances for children audience for classical music concerts are for Arabic-speaking include the Vienna Boys’ Choir has grown since the founda- schools and half for English. with Siwar Al Jazeera Children’s tion of the Qatar Philharmonic So far, the QPO has had stu- Choir, in which Qatari children Orchestra (QPO) in 2007. dents from the ages of six to 18 at sang Arabic and Western music However, local audience at con- their school concerts. About 300 with the Philharmonic and the certs of QPO only represents students attend each of the 10 to mentioned choir. approximately five percent of 12 individual school concerts held They also performed Prokofiev’s the total. per season. Peter and the Wolf, a children’s tale The QPO promotes and per- Among the upcoming school told by narrator and orchestra. forms Western and Arabic music concerts at Katara Cultural Instruments and themes char- in order to inspire the children Village Opera House is the acterise the protagonists of the and adults in Qatar and the Arab William Tell Overture, which will story. This QPO recording was world to create and enjoy music. be in Arabic on April 11 and in the first with Arabic narration. With this purpose, the QPO will English on April 13 and 14. Another school concert was perform three series of school These concerts will be con- Engelbert Humperdinck’s oper- concerts this season, aiming to ducted by Bob Ross, with Gideon etta, Hansel and Gretel staged and encourage children in Qatar to Seidenberg at the horn. The sung at an exhibition, with draw- enjoy classical music. programme comprises: Pizzicato ings specially created to accompany Many members of the Polka by Strauss; Greensleeves by the music by schoolchildren at in- Orchestra, such as first violin Vaughan Williams; Concerto No. school workshops. Dmitri Torchinsky and cellist 2 in E Flat Major for Horn and The QPO was founded in 2007 Christoph Schmitz, teach very Orchestra by Mozart; Radetzky under the umbrella of Qatar young kids and hope to “one day March, by Strauss; and Overture Foundation. It is composed of 101 have a Qatari colleague”. to William Tell by Rossini. professional musicians from 29 With these concerts for chil- On April 12 the village will host countries, but doesn’t have any dren the QPO hopes to awaken the Qatar Philharmonic Family Qatari members yet. the passion for music in Qatari Concert at 5pm in Arabic, also THE PENINSULA children, who were very receptive conducted by Bob Ross, with

The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani met at Al Wajbah Palace the President of the Union of European Football Associations Michel Platini and greeted him on his visit to Qatar. H H Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad Al Thani, the Personal Representative of the Emir, attended the audience. Condolence cables sent to Saudi Arabia

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Saud. The Heir Apparent H Minister H E Sheikh Hamad Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani has sent a cable of condolences Al Thani has sent a cable of has sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to the Custodian condolences to the Custodian to the Custodian of the Two of the Two Holy Mosques King of the Two Holy Mosques on Holy Mosques on the demise Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud the demise of Prince Nayef of Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia on the demise bin Abdulaziz bin Mohamed bin Mohamed bin Abdulaziz Al Siwar Al Jazeera Children’s Chorus and the famous Vienna Boys’ Choir accompanied by the Qatar Philharmonic of Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Saud. Orchestra perform for Arabic schoolchildren in the Katara Opera House. bin Mohamed bin Abdulaziz Al Prime Minister and Foreign QNA Asiano Band wins first Battle of the Bands competition

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA Buendia is the front man performing Bon Jovi’s You Give of Pupil and the defunct Love a Bad Name and they capped DOHA: Asiano Band, winners Eraserheads, one of the most suc- their 15-minute performance of the first ‘Battle of the Bands: cessful, influential and critically with Isang Bandila by Rivermaya Bring Your Own Band’ com- acclaimed Filipino bands who shot which they dedicated to Overseas petition, is thrilled to be given to stardom in the 90s. Filipino Workers in Qatar. the chance to do front-act at Doha-based Filipino band The band’s repertoire took rock ‘Valentine’s Sweet Rock 2013’ Asiano composed of JP de Leon music enthusiasts in a musical concert next month. (lead vocals), Jhomar Enriquez journey covering three decades The competition last night was (bass), Jonathan Keith Gutierrez of from the s70ss to the 80s and organised to search for the best (drums), Jayson Gatpandan the present. Filipino band in Qatar to perform (backup vocals) and guitar- Violeta D Illescas, Assistant during the concert on February 8 ists Robinson Curan and Jasper Labour Attaché at the Philippine at the Al Ahli Stadium. The con- Radin won unanimously last embassy, lauded the contest and cert is one of the most anticipated night performing three of the encouraged more such competi- Musicians performing during the ‘Battle of the Bands: Bring Your Own Band’ at Philippine International School musical extravaganzas this year most renowned songs by rock tions which “enhance the musical yesterday. (ABDUL BASIT) featuring two known bands in the icons in the Philippines and inclination of Filipinos in Qatar”. Philippines — Pupil and General internationally. “It is a great way to start the Qatar, the competition was and second was Come What May presentation, audience response Luna. The group exuded a lot of cha- year with a friendly competition organised by Doha Eventology band. and professionalism. “Ely Buendia is a legend and an risma winning the hearts of audi- like this which promotes camara- and Bin Darwish. Proceeds would The competition was open A bazaar was also held at icon of our generation so we are ence the moment they stepped on derie among Filipinos in Qatar,” benefit distressed household serv- to amateur and professional the competition venue offer- excited to perform during their stage singing the classic rock song said Illescas. ice workers at POLO/OWWA bands and was judged based on ing Filipino food, ready-to-wear concert,” said JP De Leon, lead Beep Beep by Juan dela Cruz Band. Held yesterday at the and Bantay Bata 163. The first musicianship, quality of per- clothes and accessories. vocalist of Asiano band. They had the people on their feet Philippine International School runner-up was Hello Moira band formance, originality, visual THE PENINSULA

eL Seed to paint Salwa tunnels with calligraffiti

DOHA: Famous French- and markers of Qatari life. art collided and fused together. Tunisian graffiti artist eL Seed “Arabic graffiti is getting its His “calligraffiti” murals express is in Doha for a four-month time in the spotlight now-a-days and reflect a search for iden- ‘calligraffiti’ murals project in and I believe that this kind of tity that resonates with many which he will embellish four street art deserves coverage and young people growing up with a tunnels on Salwa Road. attention. I’m honoured to be spectrum of cultural influences. Qatar Museums Authority’s working with Qatar Museums Taking inspiration from the Public Art Department and Authority and Ashghal and past to encourage hope for the the Public Works Authority delighted that my work will be future, his work has been dis- (Ashghal) have commissioned eL at the heart of such a vital infra- played on the streets, galleries Seed for the art venture as part of structure facility in Doha. This and museums around the world big Salwa Road project, which is project is going to be one of the and featured in many interna- a significant upgrade to the exist- most innovative projects I’ve tional publications. ing road that will have four lanes worked on,” said eL Seed. In 2010, he came to Doha for a in each direction with continuous Born to Tunisian parents, series of workshops with students service roads. eL Seed grew up in France and at the Museum of Islamic Art. Each of the four tunnels started spray painting in late For updates on the project visit will be painted with specific 90s. Moving to North America, http://www.elseedindoha.com/ or and unique themes inspired by his interest in Arabic calligra- QMA social media pages. eL Seed (right) inspecting the site of the project on Salwa Road. anecdotes from Qatari culture phy and contemporary street THE PENINSULA JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Middle East Iraq protesters demand release of prisoners Thousands rally across the country

BAGHDAD: Thousands of a repeal of current anti-terror Sunnis demonstrated across legislation. Iraq yesterday, in the latest of They have called for the nearly two weeks of rallies crit- release of prisoners they say were icising the country’s premier detained because of their Sunni and demanding the release of background, and an end to the prisoners they say are wrong- alleged misuse of anti-terror leg- fully held. islation by the Shiite-led authori- The protests, which come amid ties against their community. a political deadlock between “Baghdad, free, free! Iran, go Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s away!” they shouted, a refer- Shia-led government and a secu- ence to their belief that Maliki’s lar Sunni-backed party that is in government is beholden to Iraq’s his cabinet but publicly opposes Shiite neighbour Iran. him, have blocked off a key trade “How much longer will our route and forced heavy security children stay in prisons for no measures. other reason than being Sunni,” The demonstrations have been asked a man who gave his name given a cross-sectarian boost as Abu Abdullah. in recent days thanks to public Another protester who identi- displays of support by powerful fied herself as Umm Mohammed Shia cleric Moqtada Al Sadr who said: “My three children were joined in Friday prayers at a major arrested four years ago for no Sunni mosque in Baghdad, sym- reason and I ask Maliki — release bolically backing rallies against a them.” premier with whom he has often Meanwhile Sadr, whose move- Iraqi Sunni protesters pray on the main highway to Syria and Jordan near Ramadi, Anbar’s provincial capital west of Baghdad, yesterday, during a clashed. ment counts 40 lawmakers and demonstration against Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki. Demonstrators gathered at five ministers among its support- the Abu Hanifa mosque in the ers, attended Friday prayers at block off a highway linking Iraq imam of a mosque in Kirkuk city, the release of hundreds of female December 23, and were sparked mostly-Sunni neighbourhood of the Abdul Qader Gilani mosque, to Syria and Jordan for a 12th added: “We are protesting to sim- detainees in a bid to fulfil one of by the arrest of at least nine Adhamiyah, but were barred by a prominent Sunni mosque in successive day. ply say: no to injustice, and yes to the protesters’ demands. guards of Finance Minister Rafa security forces from leaving the Baghdad. “We are demonstrating to sup- the release of innocent prisoners.” The premier on Friday called Al Essawi, a Sunni Arab and a compound to rally on the street, Large-scale protests also took port the protesters in Fallujah, On Thursday, the justice min- for protesters and security forces leading member of the secular a correspondent said. place in several cities north of Mosul, Samarra and other Iraqi istry said 11 female prisoners to act with restraint, after earlier Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc, which The protesters held up ban- Baghdad in Salaheddin, Diyala, cities,” said Ismail Al Hudaidi, had been released and 13 others this week warning demonstrators is part of Maliki’s unity govern- ners calling for a mass prisoner Kirkuk, and Nineveh provinces, a protest organiser in Kirkuk’s had been transferred to jails in that the state could intervene to ment but frequently criticises him release, stronger human rights while demonstrators in western eponymous provincial capital. their home provinces, two days end rallies. in public. provisions in Iraq’s prisons, and Anbar province continued to Sheikh Ahmed Samarraie, after Maliki offered to push for The protests began on AFP

Armed Yemeni tribesmen rally against drone attacks

SANA’A/ADEN: Dozens of carrying rifles, as Yemeni tribes- against Al Qaeda than his prede- armed tribesmen took to the men usually do, and there was no cessor, Hadi was quoted as saying streets in southern Yemen yes- report of violence. that he personally approved every terday to protest against drone Separately, an army officer attack. Hadi has not commented strikes that they say have killed was kidnapped by suspected on the most recent strikes. innocent civilians and increased drug traffickers in Yemen’s east- Al Qaeda in the Arabian anger against the United States. ern region of Hadramout, a local Peninsula (AQAP) is considered A drone killed at least three security official said, declining to by Western governments to be the suspected Al Qaeda militants be identified. most active and dangerous wing including a local commander in The kidnapping, which hap- of the global network, and has the town of Redaa on Thursday, pened in the desert near the attempted a number of attacks the fifth strike by a pilotless plane Saudi border, was thought to be a against U S targets. in the area in 10 days. revenge act against an army oper- Redaa was the scene in One tribesman participating ation against drug trade in the September of the killing of at in a sit-in in front of the govern- area three days ago that forced least 10 civilians including a ment administration building in a group of traffickers to flee, the 10-year-old girl in an air strike Redaa said by telephone that at source said. that apparently missed its least seven innocent civilians were Yemeni officials will not com- intended target, a car carrying killed in the recent raids. ment on who exactly carries militants nearby, tribal officials “If the authorities don’t stop out drone attacks and on and residents said. the American attacks then we whose orders. Yemeni President In 2011, AQAP offshoot, Ansar will occupy the government insti- Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi Al Shariah (Partisan of Islamic tutions in the town,” he said. spoke openly in favour of the Law), seized a number of towns Another said: “The government strikes during a trip to the US in in the south that were retaken by has opened up the country to the September. the government in a US-backed A protester on a wheelchair arrives with his son at the site of the weekly rally held by pro-democracy protesters Americans so that they can kill Praised by the US ambassador offensive in June. on Siteen Road in Sana’a yesterday. Muslims.” The protesters were in Sanaa as being more effective REUTERS

Smog holiday in Tehran Turkey ex-army Egypt seizes anti-tank, chief released anti-aircraft rockets pending coup trial ANKARA: A former Turkish ISMAILIA, Egypt: Egyptian in 2011. Egypt closed some of the military chief has been released authorities have seized six anti- tunnels used to smuggle goods pending trial after authorities aircraft and anti-tank rock- into Gaza last year as part of a detained him for his alleged ets in the Sinai peninsula that crackdown on Islamist militants role in a 1997 coup that forced smugglers may have intended to blamed for the killing of 16 border an Islamic-leaning govern- send to the Hamas-ruled Gaza guards on August 5. ment from power, local media Strip, security sources said Egypt brokered a truce end- reported yesterday. yesterday. ing the latest round of fighting The decision came late on They said the rockets, taken between Israel and Gaza’s Islamist Thursday after the retired gen- from a cache in central Sinai late Palestinian Hamas movement in eral, Ismail Hakki Karadayi, tes- on Thursday, were “modern”, but November. Under the deal, Israel tified before an Ankara court as did not disclose their origin. No asked Cairo to crack down on part of a probe launched in 2011 smugglers were found in the area. Sinai weapons trafficking into the that has resulted in the arrests of Egyptian security forces are blockaded coastal enclave. dozens of military officers. trying to reassert control over the “Hamas has been deterred in The ex-general was released Sinai, which borders Israel and the Gaza Strip, and Egypt is com- but will be kept under judicial the Gaza Strip and which has suf- mitted to preventing the arms control, the private NTV televi- fered from lawlessness since the smuggling,” Israeli Vice-Prime sion reported. He was also banned revolt that overthrew President Minister Moshe Yaalon said in a from travelling overseas. Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. statement yesterday. Karadayi was the head of the The army announced recently Egyptian President Mohammed military chiefs of staff in 1997 -- it had seized smuggled rockets and Mursi has vowed to restore order the last time Turkey’s once all- other weapons in Egypt’s western in Sinai, but mistrust runs deep powerful military was involved in A man and his son wearing masks in Tehran yesterday. Air pollution in Iran’s capital has forced the govern- desert bordering Libya, which has between the indigenous Bedouin changing the government, when ment to once again declare a one-day public holiday, the Tehran governor’s office said. The Isna news agency been awash with arms since the population there and the central it forced premier Necmettin quoted the office as saying all public institutions, schools and universities in Tehran will be closed today. civil war which toppled long-time government in Cairo. Erbakan to step down. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi REUTERS AFP JANUARY 5, 2013 Home www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 ON SATURDAY

Salim Matramkot

HE Doha Trade Fair expects to Treceive over 350,000 people until its closure on January 10. It A trade fair for all features 15,000sqm of shopping space with more than 500 stands of over 400 companies from all over the world. For the occasion, the Doha Exhibition Center is divided into five sections: household; gadg- ets and electronics; perfume and cosmetics; clothes and apparel; and food. There is a wide selec- tion of bags, shoes, jewellery, cosmetics, perfumes, furniture, textiles, wedding dresses, herbal products, carpets and gift items. Products sold come from Afghanistan, Korea, India, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Pakistan, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Syria, Thailand, Egypt, Qatar, Malaysia, the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia. JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Views

Editorial

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED Palestinian unity E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD E-MAIL: [email protected] Recent thaw in Fatah-Hamas relations gives hope, EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. but does it herald a real unity between the two? E-MAIL: [email protected]

ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 OMPLETE unity between once warring but now less estranged claimed victory, in the process denting the popularity of Fatah; sec- Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah may not be an immi- ondly, the election of a Brotherhood government in Egypt, which gave CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] Cnent reality, given the enormity of challenges they have to sur- Hamas a friend after a prolonged period of diplomatic isolation, and SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY mount for that to happen. But recent developments certainly give hope third, Abbas’s abject failure to get anything from Israel in return for and if the current pace of bonhomie between the two sides is maintained eschewing violence. Also, the new government in Cairo has been per- TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 or gathers momentum, the unity can be said to be closer than ever. sistently trying for unity between Palestinians, which has started pro- E-MAIL: [email protected] The biggest sign of both sides getting closer came yesterday when ducing results. hundreds of thousands of people took out a rally in Gaza in support The permission for Fatah to take out the march in Gaza, which SUBSCRIPTION RATES of President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah faction. Its importance comes was held as part of the anniversary commemoration of Fatah’s 1959 ANNUAL QR 675 from the fact that it’s the first such demonstration happening in the founding, was an outcome of these developments. In a recorded speech, 6 MONTHS QR 340 territory since Hamas took the reins in 2007, and follows the rallies Abbas predicted the end of a five-year split between the two factions. which Hamas organised in the West Bank last month, where the “Soon we will regain our unity,” he said. Fatah is in charge. The divisions among Palestinians are as much responsible for the The thaw in Fatah-Hamas relations is the result of recent events stalemate in the peace process as Israel’s tenacity and highhanded- rather than a genuine desire of leaders of both sides to unite. Both are ness. Israel doesn’t have to bother about peace talks if it can eat the ideologically poles apart, with Hamas yet to officially recognise Israel cake and have it too, a scenario which Fatah and Hamas have made and completely cut off from the West, while Abbas and his faction possible with their enmity towards each other. continue to be the favourites of the West. But despite his proximity, It’s difficult to predict when the unity will become a reality, and even PUBLICATION Abbas got nothing in turn, while Israel exploited the deep divisions in if it happens, it’s not going to be glitch-free. But Palestinians must the Palestinian ranks to expand settlements and slaughter the peace realise that they have no moral authority to blame the international process. Three factors have brought Fatah and Hamas closer: Israel’s community for their slackness in responding to the crisis as long as assault on Gaza in November, in which Hamas, though battered, they remain hobbled by internecine fighting.

The other side Soon we will regain our unity (with Hamas). Quote of Saved from fiscal cliff the day Mahmoud Abbas he jury is still out. Despite the US’ success in averting the Palestinian President fiscal cliff at the turn of the year, the expedient bipar- Ttisan agreement is set to cause new problems that will bring about continued uncertainties for the global economy and markets. The agreement to patch up the potential $600 billion hole is far from a real fix. In two months’ time, US policymakers will have to face the more thorny challenge of raising the debt ceiling, which is expected to provoke more alarm in the US and global financial markets. For many, it was no surprise that the United States averted the fiscal cliff, as it was crucial for the US economy that it be resolved. Disillusioned citizens in the US are all-too familiar with such drama: First, a deadline for a calamity is set; then a fierce debate rages between the two parties, with the dispute seemingly hard to untangle; then the formidable prospects of failure frighten all into action and the immediate problem is solved, in the process sowing the seeds of new problems. However, behind all the drama is the inescapable fact that the world’s largest economy has run out of steam. After the busting of the IT bubble, the US has failed to find a real booster for its growth. And the debt pile-up, thanks to its profligate spending sprees, including costly military maneuvers overseas, has increasingly constituted a drag on its already poor growth. With the economy continuing to be weak, policymakers have few choices but play the game of robbing Peter to pay Paul until they gradually iron out the debt gap in the coming years. During that process, there will be frequent incidents to put stress on the markets. A bigger bipartisan showdown, for example, will be staged in the coming two months and if their differences increase so will the danger of the US economy falling into recession, with the rating agencies likely to kick in to complicate the situation. An issue in the US can be a global problem. So it is reasonable for the financial markets to be prepared for fallout from chang- ing US policies. The ups and downs in the post-crisis years well testify to the necessity of preparedness for world investors. CHINA DAILY Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate It’s time for the demise of capital punishment in the US

BY JILL FILIPOVIC the top five executioners in the As Michelle Alexander details in Even putting aside the fact citizens through incarceration is bears the burden of proving guilt, world. Not to be outdone, we her book The New Jim Crow, our that our prison industry is essen- not a power that should be taken where there are rules and pro- 012 was a bad year for the imprison more people than any mass incarceration system func- tially a systematic method of lightly. It is a power that must tections against the introduction death penalty in America, other nation ever has – more tions as a means of social control racial oppression, we should ask sometimes be leveled to achieve of evidence illegally obtained or 2but a better one for than China, more than the Soviet in much the same way that Jim ourselves: what purpose does the a fully functional society, but it unfairly prejudicial, and where all humanity. Union at the height of the gulags. Crow laws and even slavery did. death penalty serve? must be treated with exceptional accused are entitled to be heard Executions have decreased We have 5 percent of the world’s Of black American men who don’t It doesn’t deter crime. It pun- reverence – the power to deprive by a jury of their peers is, in the- 75 percent since their peak in population, but 25 percent of the graduate from high school, more ishes a perpetrator, but does so a citizen of their liberty is, after ory, a marvelous one. But killing 1996, and Connecticut joined 17 world’s prisoners. And we lock up than half end up in jail. African with a sentence that can’t be all, the power to deprive them of the people we convict taints what other states and the District of more of our children than anyone Americans are 13 percent of the undone. We can never know how the entire normalcy and much could be exceptional. Meting out Columbia in abolishing capital else: more than 70,000 kids were US population but comprise 40 many executed men were actu- of the joy of daily life, to curtail exceptionally long prison sen- punishment. All in all, the United in jail in 2010, and Texas alone percent of its prisoners. ally innocent. We do know that most of what we understand as tences, and punishing offenders States justice system killed 43 has sentenced more than 400 The death penalty is similarly more than 100 death row inmates “living”. To deprive them of life with state-sponsored physical people last year. minors to life behind bars. racialized. Race and location play have been exonerated. We also entirely is an egregious abuse. and psychologically torture like That our government punished Six million people are under crucial roles in whether a pros- know that our justice system is State-sponsored, judicially- solitary confinement, and tan- “only” 43 people by lethal injec- “correctional supervision” in the ecutor will seek the death penalty imperfect by construction, and approved killings do not pro- gential but ignored physical and tion in 2012 is a macabre achieve- United States. More than half of and whether a jury will award that there is no way to ensure mote esteem or admiration for psychological torture like prison ment, but represents a significant those are in for drug crimes. And it. More than three quarters of that no innocent person is ever our justice system; they promote rape and assault, turn the poten- departure from the death pen- of the people who are in prison death penalty convictions are for convicted of a crime. In a flawed distrust, and at best, fear. Figures tially noble into the actively alty-happy 1980s and 90s, when for drugs, 80 percent are there crimes involving white victims, system, imposing death upon the who establish their authority with sadistic. hundreds of inmates were killed for possession. Billions of dol- even though half of all murder convicted simply sets the stakes extreme physical violence are not It does seem as though the US every year. Those of us who think lars in prison spending, much of victims in the US are black. too high. respected, whether those figures is headed in the right direction. it’s about time our country joined it directed at private enterprise, And a black defendant accused But even if we were able to be are parents, police officers or the It’s too late for the 43 people who the ranks of civilized nations can means that a handful of business- of murdering a white victim is completely certain that all death courts. Modeling abusive behav- were executed last year. But for only hope this trend continues. men are getting very wealthy on three times more likely to get row inmates were guilty, we iour does not often lead to less the 6 million who are currently The United States is in the the mass incarceration racket. the death penalty than a white should still oppose the death pen- abuse. A justice system where behind bars, change can’t come good company of China, Iran, Prison in the US is not an person accused of killing a white alty. The state’s ability to infringe the criminal defendant is pre- soon enough. Iraq and Saudi Arabia as one of equal opportunity placement. victim. upon the basic freedoms of its sumed innocent, where the state THE GUARDIAN JANUARY 5, 2013 Views www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 ON SATURDAY Arms sales to Asia will boom on Pacific ‘pivot’

or nearly 78 percent of all such world- Fears resulting from wide pacts, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. The 2011 China’s growing total was swollen by a record $33.4bn deal with Saudi Arabia. India ranked second with $6.9bn in such agreements. military spending Rupert Hammond-Chambers, who consults for US arms makers through should lead to BowerGroupAsia, an advisory with 10 offices in the region, predicted Southeast Asian defence budgets would expand enough US sales in steadily as a hedge against Chinese assertiveness in disputes in the South South and East Asia. China and East China seas.

BY JIM WOLF DECEMBER ELECTION December’s election of conservative, S sales of warplanes, anti- pro-American leaders in Japan and South missile systems and other Korea could further fuel sales, demon- costly weapons to China’s strating US solidarity with allies and and North Korea’s neigh- partners. bours appear set for sig- The Obama administration says arms Unificant growth amid regional security sales are an increasingly critical and cost- jitters. efficient arrow in its quiver to defend US Strengthening treaty allies and other worldwide interests. security partners is central to the White Such transfers reinforce diplomatic House’s “pivot” towards a Pacific region ties and promote long-term partner- jolted by maritime territorial disputes ships. They also are prized by Washington in China’s case, and missile and nuclear because they make it easier to fight side programmes, in North Korea’s. by side in places like Afghanistan and The pivot “will result in growing help allies do more for their own defence. opportunities for our industry to help “This potentially reduces the burden equip our friends,” said Fred Downey, that falls on our shoulders,” Andrew vice-president for national security at the Shapiro, the State Department’s top offi- Aerospace Industries Association, a trade cial for partner strengthening, said in a group that includes top US arms makers. December 5 speech. Demand for big-ticket US weapons The Pentagon is aiming to boost intel- is expected to stay strong for at least ligence, surveillance and reconnaissance the next few years, the trade group said capabilities in the Asia-Pacific along Visitors look at a Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet at the Singapore Airshow in 2010. The cost of the plane keeps on rising and is now in a 2012 year-end review and forecast with the introduction of more unmanned $130m each, depending on the model. released in December. systems. Fears resulting from China’s growing Such dispersed capabilities would help military spending should lead to enough avert accidents and misunderstand- Seoul had shown interest in the Global — a possible prelude to purchase of of its 145 existing F-16A/B fighters with US sales in South and East Asia to more ings while fostering cooperation, Navy Hawk system for more than four years. Lockheed’s Terminal High Altitude Area cutting-edge radar capabilities, advanced than offset a slowdown in European Admiral Samuel Locklear, the Hawaii- The White House delayed proposing it Defence system, designed to intercept electronic warfare suites and other arms-buying, according to the forecast. based commander of US forces in the until now, partly for fear of stirring a enemy missiles inside the atmosphere upgrades. Lockheed Martin received a The trade group, whose members Pacific, told a forum in Washington. regional arms-race dynamic. and in space. $1.85bn contract to start the work. include Pentagon suppliers Lockheed Contractors such as Lockheed, Boeing, A Global Hawk purchase by Seoul The White House is also mulling Martin Corp, Boeing Co and Northrop Northrop and Raytheon Co expect would mark its first sale in the Asia- F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER options to help plug a growing short- Grumman Corp, did not put numbers to regional demand for their products and Pacific. Australia, Japan and Singapore The highest-profile US offering now is fall in Taiwan’s fighter aircraft versus its 2013 forecast. services to help them offset Pentagon each have shown interest as well, accord- Lockheed Martin’s radar-evading F-35 Beijing’s forces, including a possible sale Nor did the Pentagon’s Defence belt-tightening forced by US deficit- ing to Northrop Grumman. Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, whose three of advanced F-16C/D models long sought Security Cooperation Agency, which trimming measures. The notice of the possible South Korean variants make up the Pentagon’s costliest by Taipei.Army Major General Sampson has overseen a boom in worldwide deals These four companies are best- purchase came less than two weeks after arms programme. Lee, who heads the military mission under President Barack Obama. placed to benefit because of their work North Korea, on December 12, advanced Japan already has selected the F-35 to of the Taipei Economic and Cultural The security agency, in response to with satellites, radar, tracking stations its missile programme with a long-range replace aging F-4s as its next mainstay Representative Office in Washington, a Reuters request, said sales agree- and missile interceptors, said Richard rocket launch that put a satellite in space, fighter, a deal valued at more than $5bn. said Taiwan would seek to go on buying ments with countries in the US Pacific Whittington, an aerospace and defence in defiance of UN resolutions. The North The F-35 is being considered by defensive systems to meet “persistent Command’s area of activity rose to research analyst at Drexel Hamilton, a is banned from testing missile or nuclear Singapore and South Korea, which is also military threats.” $13.7bn in fiscal 2012, up 5.4 percent broker-dealer. technology under sanctions imposed after weighing rival bids from the Eurofighter China deems self-ruled Taiwan a from a year before. Such pacts represent its 2006 and 2009 nuclear weapons tests. Typhoon and Boeing’s F-15 Silent Eagle. breakaway province subject to a return orders for future delivery. GLOBAL HAWK Japan has emerged as the most impor- The Korean competition is for a 60-plane to the fold, by force if necessary. The US In 2012 there were about 65 notifica- In a move that could fuel a new mar- tant US partner in crafting a layered order valued at more than $7bn. is committed under a 1979 law to supply tions to Congress of proposed govern- ket of its own, the administration in shield against ballistic missiles of all US arms sales to India, now at a cumu- Taiwan the arms it needs to maintain a ment-brokered foreign military sales December formally proposed a $1.2bn ranges and in all phases of flight. lative $8bn from near zero in 2008, are “sufficient self-defence capability.” with a combined potential value of sale of Northrop Grumman’s high-flying The administration told Congress two expected to keep on booming. India plans Locklear, of the US Pacific Command, more than $63bn. In addition, the State RQ-4 “Global Hawk” spy drones and days before Pyongyang’s rocket launch to spend about $100bn over the next dec- said central to his part of the “rebal- Department office that regulates direct related gear to South Korea. that Tokyo was seeking a potential ade to upgrade its arsenal, partly as a ance” to the Pacific will be to modern- commercial sales was on track to receive The Global Hawk carries cloud-pierc- $421m “Aegis” system upgrade for a pair counter to China. India and China fought ise and strengthen US treaty alliances more than 85,000 license requests in 2012, ing Raytheon sensors to scan large areas of guided-missile destroyers to better a brief, high-altitude border war in 1962. with Australia, Japan, South Korea, the a new record. for enemy forces by day or night. It would defend against ballistic missile attacks. Philippines and Thailand — work that he Overall, the US reached arms trans- boost Seoul’s ability to monitor North Japan also has agreed to host a sec- RETROFITTING TAIWAN said has already begun in earnest. fer agreements in 2011 totalling $66.3bn, Korea. ond land-based X-Band radar station Taiwan, meanwhile, is retrofitting all REUTERS Republicans start new Congress bruised and divided

BY RICHARD COWAN just that, voting to raise income especially in the House, have been taxes on household income of buffeted for two years by the Tea n the wake of bruising fights more than $450,000 a year. Party, which helped them win in their own ranks over the Some of the Republican Party’s control of the House in 2010. “fiscal cliff” and aid for vic- biggest stars were among the 85 Boehner had to navigate Tea Itims of superstorm Sandy — including Boehner and Paul Party demands throughout the — Republicans in the US House Ryan, the 2012 Republican vice- 2011 fight over raising US borrow- of Representatives open a new presidential candidate, who is ing authority or risking a historic Congress on Thursday more seen as a conservative anchor. But government default. divided than ever. 151 House Republicans stood in In rapid succession, Tea Party- While their leader, Speaker defiance, leaving Boehner in the fuelled battles were waged over John Boehner, seems in no danger unenviable position of having to infrastructure investments, farm of losing his position because of rely on opposition Democrats to subsidies, payroll tax cuts and the the divisions, his ability to speak pass major legislation. fiscal cliff. for his membership in the House Earlier in the fiscal cliff fight, At the core of the disputes was appears greatly diminished. Boehner suffered a humiliating whether the government should That could not come at a worse defeat when his “Plan B” solu- be made smaller, forcing Boehner time for Republicans as they tion — which would have limited to balance that demand with the prepare for their next attempt the tax hikes to income of $1m a need to govern and keep the fed- to get more spending cuts out of year or more, got so little support eral government operating in an President Barack Obama. They he had to cancel the vote. orderly way. For all the heart- will try to use the debt ceiling — No sooner had the fiscal cliff ache over the past several weeks and Obama’s request to raise it battle ended than Boehner found as Republicans fought with one — as leverage, as they did in 2011. himself in trouble with other another over whether to let taxes But if the final days of this Republicans over aid for vic- on the rich go up, many see better Congress were indicative of things tims of Sandy, the second cost- days ahead. to come, Republicans will have a liest storm in US history, which US President President Obama with House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, at the White House. “By and large, people are prob- rough time effectively using their smashed New York and New ably happy to have it behind them. majority in the House against Jersey coastal communities in New York. “It pains me to say of the American people.” specialist on Congress, said the This was obviously the worst part Obama, who even Republicans late October. this, but the fact is that the dis- Ironically, Grimm first won his vote on the fiscal cliff bill could of the fiscal debate,” said one acknowledge is at the top of his Legislation providing disaster missive attitude that was shown seat in Congress in 2010 with the mark the start of a “major rea- House Republican staffer, refer- game following the Democrat’s relief to New York, New Jersey ... towards New York, New Jersey help of conservative Tea Party lignment” in the run-up to the ring to the tax hikes. re-election in November. and other East Coast states was and Connecticut typifies, I believe, activists who sometimes show 2014 congressional elections and The staffer added, “Republicans The fiscal cliff battle to avert delayed. A House Republican a strain in the Republican Party.” displeasure with disaster aid the 2016 presidential race. get to point out that we still steep tax hikes and spending aide said that given Republicans’ Earlier, King had condemned spending. Republicans who voted for the have a $1 trillion deficit and ask cuts that were due to kick in at frustration with the fiscal cliff bill House inaction on Sandy as a By noon on Wednesday, legislation “are going to have to Democrats what kind of spend- the start of this year proved gut- and its lack of significant spend- “knife in the back.” Boehner had changed course, find a home. They’re not going to ing cuts, entitlement reforms they wrenching for Republicans. ing cuts, “it was not a good time Republican Representative promising a House vote by week’s find it with the Tea Party,” Light are willing to do to fix it.” Obama’s demand for a tax hike to immediately vote on $60bn in Michael Grimm, also of New end on a $9bn down payment in said. He said that Republicans who Republicans feel that will be on the rich challenged a core prin- new spending.” York, said of Boehner’s refusal to storm assistance, with a second were uncomfortable with the Tea an easier lift for them — one that ciple that has guided Republicans “I don’t enjoy saying this. I con- bring the disaster bill to a vote: bill providing $51bn to be voted Party could begin aligning them- they can sell to the American for decades: No new taxes. Ever. sider myself a personal friend of “There was a betrayal. There on January 15. selves more closely with a dwin- public as they move on to the fight Yet, late on New Year’s night, John Boehner’s,” said Republican was an arrogant judgment that Paul Light, a New York dling band of centrist Democrats. over the debt ceiling. 85 Republicans in the House did Representative Peter King of is going to cost I think the trust University professor and a Congressional Republicans, REUTERS JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Middle East Nato begins deploying Patriot missiles in Turkey Syrian jets, troops wage offensive on rebels near capital

DAMASCUS: Nato began British-based group added. destroyed their last positions”. deploying Patriot missiles in The offensive was being waged As with many of the claimed Turkey yesterday to defend a day after a car bomb in the victories put out by the regime or against threats from neigh- north Damascus neighbourhood of the rebels, there was no of verify- bouring Syria, the US military’s Massaken Barzeh, mostly inhab- ing the situation. European Command (EUCOM) ited by members of President Many of the supposed triumphs said. US military personnel and Bashar Al Assad’s Alawite minor- have later turned out to be empty equipment arrived at Incirlik ity, killed at least 11 people, the boasts. Air Base in southeastern Turkey Observatory said. Assad’s regime routinely to support Nato’s Patriot bat- Two children were among the describes the insurgents as “ter- tery deployment at Ankara’s dead in the attack, it said. rorists”, claiming many are for- request, EUCOM, based in the The official Sana news agency eign and backed by money and southwestern German city of said the bomb struck a petrol sta- arms from Gulf Arab states and Stuttgart, said in a statement. tion near a hospital and that it the West. The United States will trans- also wounded many civilians. The rebels acknowledge a port some 400 troops to Turkey The Syrian Revolution minority of foreign fighters in in the next several days to operate General Commission (SRGC) their ranks, but say their struggle two Patriot batteries supporting activist network close to the is one of Syrians for a Syria free Nato’s mission there. rebels also reported the attack, of Assad. They reject any negotia- Supporters of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party attending a mass rally in Gaza, yesterday. Additional equipment will adding that large numbers of tions as long as Assad remains in arrive by sea later this month. troops deployed in the neigh- power. “The deployment of six Patriot bourhood afterwards. The observatory said that, of batteries, including two each from On Wednesday, the United the 51 rebels killed on Thursday, Mass Fatah rally in Gaza Germany and The Netherlands, is Nations said the overall death at least five were foreigners — one in response to Turkey’s request to toll from the 21-month conflict Palestinian, one Turk, one Saudi Nato,” EUCOM said. had topped 60,000. The fatality and two Libyans. GAZA CITY: Hundreds of week of Gaza festivities celebrat- considered it a “celebration of “The forces will augment rate has multiplied in recent A ministry spokesman said thousands of supporters of ing the 48th anniversary of Fatah national unity and a success for Turkey’s air defence capabili- months, as air strikes have the Australian government was Palestinian President Mahmoud taking up arms against Israel. Hamas as well as Fatah”. ties and contribute to the de- stepped up. aware of reports that more than Abbas’ Fatah party yesterday- Demonstrators, many of them “This positive atmosphere is a escalation of the crisis along the Nationwide on Thursday at 100 Australians had engaged in day held a mass rally in Gaza, women and children waved step on road to restoring national Alliance’s border.” least 191 people died, including 99 the conflict since 2011 but he had their first since Hamas seized Palestinian and Fatah flags and unity,” it said. Syrian regime warplanes and civilians, according to the observ- “no evidence” of any citizens cur- control of the territory in 2007. carried pictures of Abbas, a cor- Khan Younis resident Ayman troops yesterday blasted away atory, which gathers information rently involved. “Victory is near and we will respondent reported. Balloons in Barbakh, 24, said he hoped the at rebels close to Damascus, the from a network of medics and Lebanon, meanwhile, said meet you in Gaza in the near the colours of the Palestinian flag rally marked “the beginning of day after a car bomb in a mainly activists. Fighting in Damascus it would keep its border open future,” Abbas said in a short with portraits of Abbas hovered true unity and reconciliation, Alawite northern district of the and its outskirts accounted for 87 to receive more refugees from speech from his West Bank head- above. because our Palestinian people capital killed at least 11 people, a of the deaths, it said. Syria, but called on other Arab quarters in Ramallah, beamed to “This crowd is a vote in favour have suffered enough”. watchdog said. Daraya has become one of the states and the international the Gaza crowd at the Saraya of (Abbas’s) Palestinian Authority “It’s been six years since we Fighter-bombers were hitting bloodiest battlefields in Syria’s community to make good on complex on giant screens. and shows that Fatah is still out in Fatah have been waiting for Duma, northeast of Damascus, civil war. financial pledges to help it cope “Gaza was the first Palestinian in front,” local Fatah leader Selim this moment,” said participant and army artillery was shelling In August, the district was the with the influx. territory rid of (Israeli) occupa- Al Zaraei said. Sabrine Srour. “I feel the joy I can the southwestern Daraya neigh- scene of the worst massacre of the Lebanon, now a haven for tion and settlement and we want Fatah Gaza spokesman Fayez see on people’s faces.” bourhood which the rebels have conflict when more than 500 peo- 170,000 Syrians fleeing civil war, a lifting of the blockade so that it Abou Eita said that “hundreds A young man attempting to led against regime assaults for ple were reportedly killed. has asked foreign donors for can be free and linked to the rest of thousands of people are cur- fasten a Fatah banner to an elec- weeks, the Syrian Observatory Al Watan, a pro-regime news- $180m to help care for them and of the nation.” rently taking part in the public tricity pylon was killed and seven for Human Rights said. paper, claimed yesterday that the said it will register and recognise Hamas, in a sign of reconcili- festivities.” others were injured by electrocu- Troop reinforcements were army had “won the battle against refugees after a year-long hiatus. ation with Fatah, permitted the Hamas congratulated Fatah tion, medical sources said. being sent to Daraya, the the terrorists in Daraya and AGENCIES rally to go ahead as the climax of a on the anniversary, saying it AFP

Majority of Netanyahu wavering and weak, ex-security chief says Israelis support JERUSALEM: The former citing any official assessment of Yedioth, which has often edi- condition of anonymity, confirmed Iran, Netanyahu is still strongly Palestinian state head of Israel’s internal secu- the prime minister. “At play inside torialised against Netanyahu, that he had sought the Mossad favoured to win a third term. rity service yesterday said Netanyahu, in my opinion, is a published a response by the post, but argued that the former Maariv daily yesterday pre- JERUSALEM: A slender Prime Minister Benjamin mix of ideology, a deep sense that prime minister’s office dismiss- Shin Bet chief saw in it the dicted his party list would take majority of Israelis support Netanyahu was wavering and he is a prince of a ‘royal family’ ing Diskin’s remarks as “fatuous”. opportunity “to ensure the right 36 of parliament’s 120 seats in this the creation of a separate weak in an unusually personal from the Jerusalem elite, along- The statement accused Diskin of decisions are made on national month’s ballot, positioning him to Palestinian state, but did not condemnation of the right- side insecurity and a deep fear of being motivated by politics and security”. Topping these concerns build another conservative coali- have high hopes for a peace winger, who enjoys a strong lead taking responsibility,” Diskin said resentment at not having been is the Iranian nuclear programme, tion government. deal, a survey said yesterday. in polls ahead of the January 22 in a front-page interview pub- chosen to head the Mossad spy in which Israel sees a mortal threat Addressing the United Nations The survey by daily Israel election. lished by Israel’s biggest-selling service when he left the Shin Bet. and against which Netanyahu has in September, Netanyahu set out a Hayom asked more than 800 Yuval Diskin, who retired as daily Yedioth Ahronoth. An Israeli official, who declined threatened military strikes. mid-2013 “red line” for Iran’s ura- Israelis “do you support or Shin Bet chief in 2011, last year Ridiculing what he deemed to be named, played down the Israel’s threat has complicated nium enrichment, signalling that oppose the idea of two states warned that Netanyahu sought a Netanyahu’s “zig-zag” style in impact of Diskin’s remarks. diplomatic efforts to find a solu- Israel was postponing any military for two peoples, i.e. the crea- “messianic” war with Iran. decision-making, Diskin added The Shin Bet does not con- tion with Tehran which denies it action. Many experts question tion of a Palestinian state inde- His new criticism was poten- that the prime minister “has duct psychological “profiling” of is seeking to make nuclear weap- whether Israel, even though it is pendent from Israel?” tially more potent given that Shin no strong core, no tough kernel prime ministers, the official said, ons and has pledged wide-ranging widely reputed to have the region’s Almost 54 percent said they Bet duties include vetting civil about which you can say, ‘Know predicting that the public would reprisals if attacked. sole atomic arsenal, is capable of favoured the idea, and 38 per- servants’ psychological fitness what? In an extreme situation, in perceive Diskin as having voiced Opinion polls show that while taking Iran on alone. Some see cent rejected it, with the rest for security posts, though there a crisis situation, I can follow him. his own opinion only. only around a fifth of Israelis Netanyahu’s years of sabre-rattling refusing to answer. was no indication Diskin was I can trust him.’” A Diskin confidant, speaking on would support a unilateral war on as a bluff. REUTERS The survey’s margin of error was 3.4 percentage points. More than 54 percent of those surveyed, however, thought a peace deal with the Apology over Palestinians was impossible, the study said, and 55 percent Sudan, South leaders labelling Israel did not consider Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud ‘Occupied Palestine’ Abbas a “partner for peace.” meet amid tensions A question on Jewish set- AMMAN: A publisher has tlement building in the occu- ADDIS ABABA: The rival The summit of the leaders, apologised for its “serious edito- pied West Bank almost split leaders of Sudan and South whose nations are both struggling rial error” after labelling Israel respondents down the middle, Sudan arrived in the Ethiopia with economic austerity cuts fol- as “Occupied Palestine” in a with 43.4 percent supporting yesterday to push for progress lowing Juba’s halting of oil exports textbook. it, and 43.5 percent in favour of on stalled economic, oil and through Sudan’s pipelines, is The map was included in Skills a freeze on construction. security deals between the the latest of repeated rounds of in English Writing: Level 1 as part Three Israeli rightwing former civil war foes, officials AU-mediated talks. of an exercise for a “Jordanian parties, including two that said. AU chief Nkosazana Dlamini- student at Greenhill College”. are expected to be part of The summit between Sudanese Zuma said she hoped the summit The book was printed in 2003, the next government after a President Omar Hassan Al Bashir would “enable the two presidents but is still in use in some institu- January 22 general election, and his Southern counterpart to agree on the best means and tions, and the error has only just are talking seriously about Salva Kiir comes despite accu- ways of overcoming the chal- been spotted by a teacher. annexing all or part of the sations from Juba on Thursday lenges” of implementing deals “I teach English as a foreign West Bank. that Khartoum had launched air inked in September. language in a further education Seized by Israel in the 1967 and ground attacks inside South Juba has accused Khartoum college in Nottingham, England,” Six Day War, the West Bank Sudan. of a series of attacks — regularly Liz Wiseman told Israel Today. is now home to hundreds of “Both leaders have arrived,” dismissed by Sudan — ever since Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn (second right), arrives with “I came across the attached thousands of Israeli settlers, Ethiopian foreign affairs spokes- the two nations came close to all- the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, in Addis Ababa, yesterday. map and couldn’t believe my as well as about 1.7 million man Dina Mufti said, adding that out war in March and April last eyes!” Wiseman said that Palestinians. they were expected to meet face- year, when their armies fought ahead of the talks calling for a of South Sudanese oil exports although she was not required Polls show Prime Minister to-face later. bitter battles over their disputed settlement, urging for the armies through Sudan. They also said to use the textbook, published by Benjamin Netanyahu’s right- However, Bashir and Kiir first frontier. of both nations to “immediately border points would be reopened Garnet Education, it is “one of the wing Likud-Yisrael Beitenu met separately with Ethiopian But the fresh claims of clashes withdraw” from their frontier. for general trade. more popular and mainstream coalition is poised to win the Prime Minister Hailemariam will add to tensions between the The resumption of oil produc- The meeting is also hoped English Language Teaching election, but a gradual ero- Desalegn and African Union presidents, who will meet for the tion would be “particularly valua- to “find solutions to the pend- (ELT) textbooks”. sion of support for the list mediator Thabo Mbeki, the first summit since they signed ble for both economies and should ing issues of the Abyei area”, a “This is far from an isolated might leave him less room to former South African president, security and oil agreements three not be held up by negotiation on flashpoint Lebanon-sized region incident, which is motivation manoeuvre when it comes to according to diplomats and a months ago that are still not other issues”, they added. claimed by both Khartoum and for drawing attention to this forming his next government. reporter. It was not immediately implemented. Along with a demilitarised bor- Juba, Dlamini-Zuma added in a particular case,” wrote Israel AFP clear when the presidents would The United States, Britain and der buffer zone, the September statement. Today. hold talks directly. Norway issued a joint statement pacts allowed for a resumption AFP GUARDIAN NEWS JANUARY 5, 2013 International www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 ON SATURDAY

UK tabloid slams BRIEFLY Argentina over the Falklands Blow to controversial Hungary election law

Kirchner reopens row over islands BUDAPEST: Hungary’s top court struck down yesterday BUENOS AIRES/LONDON: to 1765, before the Republic of a new election law that critics Britain’s biggest-selling news- Argentina even existed,” the say is a thinly veiled attempt paper had a simple message for Sun said in its open letter to by Prime Minister Viktor Argentina in an editorial pub- Fernandez, published in both Orban to tilt the system in lished yesterday in the South Spanish and English in the Buenos his favour ahead of elections American country: “HANDS Aires Herald. due in early 2014. The con- OFF” the Falkland Islands. “In the name of our millions of stitutional court ruled that a The seven-paragraph epis- readers,” the Sun said, “HANDS compulsory voter pre-regis- tle, penned by the populist The OFF!” tration procedure and other Sun tabloid and published in The Sun, part of media mogul rules contained in the new Argentina’s main English lan- Rupert Murdoch’s empire, has law were “unconstitutional”, guage newspaper, came in a long history of publishing fer- state news agency MTI response to fresh demands from vently patriotic articles. One reported. The law, passed in President Cristina Fernandez of its front pages during the November with the govern- Kirchner to open talks over the 1982 war it marked the news ment’s crushing two-thirds sovereignty of the South Atlantic that British forces had sunk The Sun majority in parliament, would archipelago. the Argentine warship General The advert taken out by British tabloid newspaper , defending Britain’s right to govern the Falkland Islands, require voters to register no Buenos Aires Herald The two countries fought a Belgrano with the banner head- is published on page 5 of the English-language in Argentina, yesterday. later than 15 days in advance 10-week war in 1982 over the line “GOTCHA.” of polling day in order to par- remote islands, which are part As the extent of Argentine of the Falklands in 2010 by accused Britain of breaching labelling her country a “banana ticipate in elections. of Britain’s self-governing over- losses began to emerge, the Sun Rockhopper Exploration, draw- United Nations resolutions call- republic.” seas territories and are known in changed its headline in later edi- ing interest from hedge funds and ing for a negotiated solution. “Stirring up trouble over the Argentina as Las Malvinas. tions. A total of 323 Argentines other investors despite threats Cameron rejects negotiations, Falklands creates a convenient Mali Islamists end Britain won the war but lost their lives in the attack on from Argentina to disrupt the saying the approximately 3,000 sideshow for Argentina’s tin-pot Argentina started pressing its the Belgrano. While the rhetoric activity. people of the Falkland Islands leaders as they battle problems at ceasefire with govt sovereignty claim anew last year has yet to reach such levels, ten- In an open letter from have chosen to be British. home,” the Sun said in its edito- DAKAR: Islamist rebel after oil exploration began in sions have flared between London Fernandez to Prime Minister In its yesterday’s edition, the rial, referring to economic woes group Ansar Dine said it waters near the islands. and Buenos Aires against the new David Cameron published in Sun used less moderate language in Argentina punctuated by slow has suspended a ceasefire it “British sovereignty over the backdrop of oil prospects. British newspapers on Thursday, for its own British readers than growth and high inflation. agreed with Mali’s govern- Falkland Islands dates back Crude was found to the north the fiery two-term Peronist leader in its open letter to Fernandez, REUTERS ment last month, accusing Bamako of making a mock- ery of peace talks by gear- ing up for war. Ansar Dine is one of the main armed groups controlling north- ern Mali’s vast desert since a US House okays $9.7bn aid for Sandy victims rebellion in April that Western and regional powers fear could provide a haven for Islamist WASHINGTON: US law- short of what was originally Republican leadership for what states. President Barack Obama, wasted little time announcing the radicals to plot international makers finally approved emer- promised and bitter debate is congressman Rob Andrews of instrumental in cobbling together two-part vote. attacks. gency disaster aid for victims of likely top continue. New Jersey called the “inexcus- the $60bn package, joined New “This is not a handout, this Hurricane Sandy yesterday, but The Senate had approved a able and unjust” delay in getting Jersey’s outspoken Republican is not something we’re looking only after a delay that sparked comprehensive $60.4bn Sandy a bill to the House floor. Governor Chris Christie in lead- for as a favour,” King told the Seven dead in East Coast Republican out- aid package last week, but House And, while Boehner has pledged ing the charge against Boehner’s House. “What we’re asking for is rage against their own party Speaker John Boehner, stung by to bring the remaining $51bn in delay. Christie offered a blister- to be treated the same as victims Nigeria fighting leadership. fractious negotiations over the aid to a vote on January 15 as a ing critique of his own party’s (from) other natural disaster vic- MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA: Lawmakers voted 354-67 to deal to avert the fiscal cliff crisis, two-part package, Andrews said it congressional leadership, call- tims have been treated.” Seven people were killed provide the Federal Emergency refused to bring it to the floor. would be “meaningless” unless the ing Boehner’s delay “absolutely Some Republicans, includ- during an insurgent attack Management Agency with $9.7bn “It’s been 70 days and many Senate turned around and quickly disgraceful.” ing Senator Marco Rubio from on government soldiers in to pay the flood insurance claims have been living in misery and approved the aid. Fuming Republican congress- Florida, a hurricane-prone state northeast Nigeria, where of thousands of victims of the heartache,” Republican con- Boehner had scrambled to tamp man Peter King of New York also which has received billions in fed- security forces are fighting killer October storm that devas- gressman Rodney Frelinghuysen down fury over the delay on aid to tore into his own leadership, say- eral disaster aid, voted against the Islamist militants, the army tated coastal communities. of New Jersey told the House, victims of the storm, which killed ing the delay was “a knife in the Sandy bill in the Senate, claim- said yesterday. At least 44 The bill now goes to the Senate, describing the vote as “the first 120 people and destroyed tens of back of New Yorkers and New ing it was stuffed with funding for people have been killed in where it could pass as early as step of what we need to do to thousands of homes and busi- Jerseyans.” projects or elements unrelated to this restive region of Africa’s today before the two chambers rebuild lives.” nesses in New York, New Jersey The outrage quickly gained the Sandy relief. top oil producer over the last go into recess, but the sum falls Democrats again attacked the and neighbouring northeastern national spotlight, and Boehner AFP two weeks in clashes between fighters suspected of belong- ing to Islamist sect Boko Haram and security forces. New Year reception “Gunmen attacked 21 brigade troops location at Marte. Worst drought in decades In the process, one soldier, one policeman and five gun- men lost their lives dur- ing an exchange of fire” on hits Brazil’s Northeast Wednesday, military spokes- man Sagir Musa said. SAO PAULO: Brazil’s a history of energy shortages Northeast is suffering its worst that crimped economic growth drought in decades, threatening as recently as a decade ago. France seeks to hydro-power supplies in an area President Dilma Rousseff dis- prone to blackouts and poten- missed talk of an energy crisis grill Swiss shooter tially slowing economic growth on December 27, calling the idea GENEVA: French police in one of the country’s emerging of Brazil potentially needing to investigating the murder of agricultural frontiers. ration energy “ridiculous.” a British-Iraqi family in the Lack of rain has hurt corn and However, there have been some Alps have asked to question cotton crops, left cattle and goats signs of strain already. In October, a Swiss gunman who killed to starve to death in dry pas- the Northeast experienced its three women in his home vil- tures and wiped some 30 percent worst blackout in more than a lage, Swiss police said yester- off sugar cane production in the decade, knocking Bahia state’s day. Police in the neighbouring region responsible for 10 percent important petrochemical indus- French region of Haute-Savoie of Brazil’s cane output. try offline. made the request to their col- Thousands of subsistence farm- A spokesperson at Brazil’s agri- leagues in the Swiss canton of ers have seen their livelihoods culture ministry said the federal Valais, where on Wednesday wither away in recent months as government has not calculated the gunman went on a shooting Chancellor Angela Merkel is welcomed by a nun at the New Year’s reception of the CDU in Wilhelmshaven, animal carcasses lie abandoned in the financial cost or the loss to spree, a police spokesman said. some areas that have seen almost crops expected from the drought. “French police in Haute-Savoie, Germany, yesterday. no rain in two years. However, the ministry is trying to who are wondering about a pos- “We are experiencing the worst mitigate the economic impact by sible link between this killing drought in 50 years, with conse- making additional lines of credit and unsolved homicides in the quences that could be compared available to small farmers, the region in recent years, made No return to nuclear energy: Germany to a violent earthquake,” Eduardo official said. this request,” he said. Salles, agriculture secretary in Crop supply agency Conab is the northeastern state of Bahia, also sending corn to the region BERLIN: German phase out its nuclear power plants in 40 years.” He said there were said in a statement. in hopes of saving livestock. Canada PM to talk Environment Minister Peter by the end of 2022 and bolster still 140 nuclear power stations in Dams in the Northeast ended Bahia state officials, how- Altmaier said yesterday his renewable sources of energy such Europe and that nuclear fusion December at just 32 percent of ever, said the measures were with hunger striker country would never again as solar and wind power. technology was progressing rap- capacity, according to the national not enough and on December 30 OTTAWA: Canada’s prime return to nuclear energy, hitting However, concerns have idly. “Maybe this technology will electrical grid operator. asked for more federal resources minister agreed yesterday to back at a top EU official who mounted that this would entail one day be accepted in Germany,” That puts them below the 34 to help some 20 million people talks with aboriginal lead- doubted Berlin’s commitment to a sharp rise in electricity prices said Oettinger, himself German. percent the operator, known as living in the semi-arid tropical ers as a hunger strike by phase out nuclear power. amid difficulties in building a Altmaier also vowed to find a ONS, considers sufficient to guar- region stretching north from one native chief, demanding “I cannot see any plausible network able to transmit energy permanent national storage site antee electricity supplies. Minas Gerais state. improvements to squalid liv- political line-up that would ena- from the North Sea coast to for nuclear waste by 2030. “We As reservoir levels fell, state- “The last comparable drought ing conditions on reserves, ble a revival of nuclear power in the energy-hungry south of the are together looking country- controlled Petrobras imported in the region was in the early entered its fourth week. In Germany,” Altmaier told yes- country. wide,” he said, adding that the nearly four times more lique- 1980s... even if rains come in a statement, Prime Minister terday’s edition of the Leipziger The European Union’s Energy search would be accelerated in fied natural gas in the first nine the next few days it’s not going Stephen Harper said he Volkszeitung regional daily. Commissioner, Guenther the coming years. months of 2012, a back-up for to make a difference for some would take part in a “working After the 2011 Fukushima Oettinger, told Monday’s edition of The search would be “co- hydro-power generation that has areas,” Celso Oliveira, a mete- meeting” with a delegation of disaster in Japan, Germany the Rheinische Post regional daily financed and jointly carried out” hurt the firm’s profits. orologist with Sao Paulo-based aboriginal leaders on Friday. embarked on an ambitious that there would “still be nuclear by Germany’s nuclear energy The low water levels have set Somar said. AGENCIES “energy revolution”, deciding to power on the German network companies, he said. AFP off alarm bells in a country with REUTERS JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Philippines Drug-fuelled gunman kills 7 in Cavite Ordeal raises concerns about Manila’s lax gun controls after the shooting of two children on New Year’s Eve

KAWIT: A gunman with a the man, a former low-level local Bae then walked towards a Bae then started shooting ran- semi-automatic pistol killed politician named Ronaldo Bae, nearby market, shooting more domly, according to Borromeo, seven people and wounded 11 roamed through narrow streets people before returning home although he said it was still others during a drug-fuelled and a market firing what police where police demanded he sur- unclear why the gunman had been rampage in a slum near the said was a .45cal semi-automatic render, according to Lopez, the hunting the driver. Philippine capital yesterday, pistol. local police officer. Yesterday’s shooting came authorities said. “As we were hiding out in the “He opened fire on the police. after the New Year’s Eve deaths The ordeal, which ended when muddy yard, I was thinking about So a gunbattle ensued which of a seven-year-old girl and a police shot the assailant dead, my nephews and niece (in their resulted in the death of the sus- four-year-old boy by celebratory again raised concerns about the house),” resident Edwin Lacorte pect,” Lopez said. gunfire triggered outrage and country’s lax gun controls after said. Bae had once served on a local condemnation of the Philippines’ the week began with two children “I wanted to go back. The chil- council but was also a known drug poorly enforced gun laws. dying from bullets fired by revel- dren were crying for help, but dealer and had been taking meth- There were 1.2m registered lers to celebrate New Year’s Eve. what can you do, the man has a amphetamines since New Year’s firearms in the Philippines last Two girls, aged three and seven, gun.” Eve, said Juanito Victor Remulla, year, with another 600,000 unli- as well as a pregnant woman, Bae lived in a nearby house the governor of Cavite province in censed weapons in circulation, were among the seven confirmed and most of the victims were his which Kawit town is located. according to data from the police fatalities in yesterday’s rampage, neighbours. Kawit police chief firearms and explosives office. according to police in Kawit town One of the others killed was Superintendent Dionisio President Benigno Aquino’s on the outskirts of Manila where 56-year-old Alberto Fernandez, Borromeo also told reporters that spokeswoman said yesterday’s the killings occurred. who was shot as he stood on his “paraphernalia” used for meth- killings emphasised the need to “It was random. He would porch, according to the victim’s amphetamines, known locally as get unlicensed firearms off the fire at anybody who crossed his brother-in-law, Lito Ronquillo. shabu, had been found at Bae’s streets. path,” Kawit police investigating Ronquillo was interviewed in home. Borromeo said Bae had “This incident will certainly officer Arnulfo Lopez said, adding the narrow street where the ini- originally been looking for an fuel the efforts of the Philippine the shooting spree lasted about tial shootings took place. A bullet auto rickshaw driver who lived in National Police in its drive against half-an-hour. hole could be seen in a window a shanty home behind the gun- loose firearms,” spokeswoman Police prepare to enter the house of a suspect in the shooting incident in Residents of the rundown town above the porch where Fernandez man’s house, but was not there Abigal Valte said. Cavite province, south of Manila, yesterday. hid in their homes and gardens as died. at the time. AFP

Senate files bill to remove UN allocates Vietnam puts up supermarket $10m fund for on occupied Pugad Island imprisonment from libel Bopha victims MANILA: A bill seeking to of expression, or of the press, or MANILA: A $10m (P408.6m) MANILA: Vietnam has report- adding that the best way to con- shop for our basic needs instead of decriminalise libel has been the right of the people peace- allocation from the United edly put up and is now operating firm the report is through diplo- sourcing our supplies from main- filed in the Senate. ably to assemble and petition Nations Central Emergency a supermarket in Pugad Island matic channels. land Palawan, which is quite far,” In Senate Bill 3374, Senator the government for redress of Response Fund (CERF) will be in the hotly contested Spratly Only 2.5km away from Parola Bitoonon said, remaining optimis- Teofisto Guingona III said free- grievances,” he said, quoting the given as lifesaving assistance to archipelago to cater to the needs Island, one of the country’s regime tic that all residents in the region dom of expression is one of the Bill of Rights. thousands of families affected of the growing number of local of islands in the Spratlys, Pugad – Filipinos, Chinese, Vietnamese, most fundamental and cherished Guingona said Article 19 of the by Typhoon Bopha. and foreign tourists visiting its Island has been monitored to be Malaysians and Taiwanese – will freedoms in a democratic society. International Covenant on Civil It will target seven key sec- occupied area. bustling with development over continue to coexist peacefully “This bill proposes to remove and Political Rights supports the tors that the government has The local government of the years, the latest of which was despite tensions in the area. imprisonment as a penalty for Bill of Rights. identified as immediate priori- Kalayaan, an island town based the completed construction of an With a land area of 12 hectares, libel because the threat of jail Under the Covenant, every- ties, including emergency shel- in PagAsa Island, has received encircled jetty port with sailboats, Pugad Island is the sixth largest time sends a sufficient chilling one shall have the right to hold ter, debris clearing, water and reports from Filipino fishermen apparently part of Vietnam’s in the disputed region aside from effect on the freedom of expres- opinions without interference; sanitation, nutrition, protection who just returned from Pugad, tourism programme in the island. being the highest point at four sion,” he said. everyone shall have the right to and health. where they sought shelter dur- Bitoonon, however, is not meters above sea level. The bill aims to repeal Article freedom of expression, and this David Carden, head of the ing a storm, that a supermarket alarmed over this development. In 1968, Filipino troops estab- 335 of the Revised Penal Code right shall include freedom to Office for the Coordination of is now fully operational in the He even said that once the lished a military garrison in criminalising libel. seek, receive and impart informa- Humanitarian Affairs in the Vietnamese-held island. report is confirmed, this would Pugad but Vietnamese forces Guingona said a democratic tion and ideas of all kinds, regard- Philippines, said: “The CERF’s “Our local fishermen said that make living for all Spratly archi- took possession in 1975, when the and free country must promote less of frontiers, either orally, in timely and significant support will there’s now a supermarket in pelago residents easier and more Filipinos left to attend a birthday and protect the right of the people writing or in print, in the form of play a critical role to take early Pugad. We are still trying to ver- comfortable. “Through proper party of their commanding officer to express themselves. art, or through any other media action and response to reduce the ify and validate this,” Kalayaan coordination via diplomatic chan- based at nearby Parola. “No law shall be passed of his choice. loss of life.” Mayor Eugenio Bitoonon Jr said, nels, perhaps we can go there and THE PHILIPPINE STAR abridging the freedom of speech, THE PHILIPPINE STAR The international community is seeking $65m to respond to the immediate humanitarian needs in Dole out Davao and Caraga regions. To date, donors have given or pledged $38m to support the Over 200 rescued as boat humanitarian efforts in eastern Mindanao. United Nations agencies, the runs aground off port city International Organisation for Migration and their humanitar- DUMAGUETE CITY: More The Coast Guardsmen brought ian partners will step up relief than 200 passengers of a ferry all passengers from the ship to efforts and life-saving activities that ran aground in the port of safety, he added. in Davao and Caraga regions most Dumaguete City were rescued Isorena said rough and choppy affected by the disaster. on Thursday. waters gave rescuers a hard time Bopha crossed Mindanao on In a statement, the Coast securing the passengers. December 4 and 5. It affected Guard said the ferry had 242 peo- “No casualty was reported and 6m people, partially or totally ple on board. all the passengers, more or less destroyed more than 200,000 “Rescue operations are still on- 228 of them, have been safely res- houses and displaced over 970,000 going and no casualty reported,” cued,” he said. people. More than a thousand read the statement. As of 4:15pm, all the passengers people have died and hundreds Coast Guard Commandant have been accounted for and the remain missing. Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena ship stabilised, Isorena said. Luiza Carvalho, UN Resident said the MV Zamboanga was The ferry, owned by George and Humanitarian Coordinator, attempting to dock when strong & Peter Lines that plies the said when she visited the affected waves spawned by a tropical Mindanao and Visayas route, had areas a few days after the disaster depression washed it to shallow come from Zamboanga City. she was shocked at the scale of waters after its engine stopped. THE PHILIPPINE STAR the destruction. Members of a religious group distribute free food to bystanders in front of a Catholic church in Manila yesterday. Houses torched in Maguindanao COTABATO CITY: Gunmen burned down three houses as Cases rise against Aquino’s rice sufficiency dream they harassed a farming village near the town proper Montawal in Maguindanao province on MANILA: President Benigno Sufficiency Programme is “too target is a nice sound-bite in good is hampered by the over- “The fixation on rice self-suffi- Thursday night. Aquino III declared 2013 the ambitious” to be realised. the Philippines … especially with emphasis on the rice sector, ciency results in relatively higher Local officials are certain the National Year of Rice to inten- “The rice self-sufficiency target mid-term elections coming up in which has led to lower incomes of price of rice in the domestic mar- attackers are members of a family sify the campaign to achieve is unlikely to be achieved, whether May of next year,” Pastor said in non-rice farmers — (this is) one ket compared to the world mar- locked in a standing “rido” or clan rice self-sufficiency this year, in 2013 or even over the course a December 2012 article. of the structural causes of food ket price,” says the World Bank war with Andi Montawal, an older despite warnings by interna- of the decade to 2020,” Briones Economists from the University insecurity of the rural poor,” the September 2011 report jointly brother of Montawal’s incumbent tional organisations and agri- said in PIDS study published late of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) research concludes. written by National Economic municipal mayor. culture economists that the in 2012. Centre for Food and Agribusiness, However, agriculture economist Development Authority chief Forces of both families have goal is unattainable and even The Philippines, one of the meanwhile, partly blamed gov- Rolando Dy, the lead researcher of Artemio Balisacan and five other clashed for at least five times, imprudent. world’s largest importers of ernment’s popular campaign to the UA&P study, refused to com- researchers. using assault rifles and shoulder- The president even promised rice, is set to end such imports become an autonomous rice pro- ment on whether the rice drive Department of Agriculture’s fire grenades from October to in his year-end speech on the altogether by producing 13.03m ducer for “persistent” poverty in is advantageous to the country. banner policy to mainly fund rice December 2012. last day of 2012 that Filipinos can tons of milled rice in 2013 — a rural areas. “The issue is a very sensitive programmes also makes farm The hostilities between the two expect enough locally produced goal, which for Briones, is simply Calling the high allocation on one for Pnoy,” he said in an email lands costlier, the study notes. groups erupted when Montawal rice to feed the population soon. “unrealistic.” rice development “misguided,” the response. Saying that local rice produc- and his followers killed in a shoot- Philippine Institute for Veteran business journalist study by the think tank found that The World Bank, moreover, tion is costlier, Briones similarly out a member of the other clan Development Studies (PIDS) Rene Pastor of New Jersey-based the poorest of the poor belong to released a study on the country’s found that Filipinos will even- in an earlier incident in a nearby senior fellow Roehlano Briones, Philippine Commodities Digest the fishing and coconut farming agribusiness in 2011 saying that tually find rice more expensive town in North Cotabato. however, assessed the country’s shared Briones’ insight, even sectors that are barely reached by the Aquino administration’s com- once government protects the The two groups have since been capability to halt rice imports suggesting that the move is more government support despite their mitment to self-sufficiency makes country’s own outputs by barring fighting each other in encounters, and concluded that the adminis- political than it seems. productivity. the staple food more expensive for cheaper imports. displacing innocent villagers. tration’s expensive Food Staples “The (rice sufficiency) “The pursuit of the common consumers. THE PHILIPPINE STAR THE PHILIPPINE STAR JANUARY 5, 2013 Asia www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 ON SATURDAY

North Korea trip Tokyo must to be ‘private’ mission: Former heal wartime US diplomat WASHINGTON: Former US diplomat Bill Richardson said yesterday he and Google execu- wounds: Seoul tive Eric Schmidt will make a “private humanitarian visit” to North Korea, partly aimed at securing the release of an Abe’s envoy visits South Korea American detainee there. “The objective of the trip is SEOUL: South Korea’s presi- way for the future generation.” a private humanitarian visit. dent-elect said yesterday that China’s Foreign Ministry said We’re not representing the US Japan needed to come to terms the Murayama statement was a government,” Richardson, a with its colonial history as ten- “solemn declaration of attitudes former US ambassador to the sion between two Asian allies and promises” made to countries United Nations, said on CBS’ This of the United States simmered in Asia victimised by Japanese Morning show. over Japan’s rule of Korea and invasion and colonisation. His remarks come a day after an island dispute. “We hope Japan can adopt a US State Department spokesman Japanese Prime Minister spirit of reflecting on history and Victoria Nuland said the timing Shinzo Abe said in a December facing the future, and properly of the trip was “not particularly 31 interview he wanted to issue a handle relevant issues,” ministry helpful,” citing North Korea’s statement that would supersede a spokeswoman Hua Chunying told launch of a long-range rocket in landmark 1995 apology for Japan’s reporters in Beijing. December. military aggression, a move bound A handful of protesters assem- Richardson said he invited to raise hackles in South Korea, bled at Gimpo Airport outside Google Inc Executive Chairman ruled by Japan from 1910-1945, Seoul ahead of Nukaga’s arrival Schmidt, who he said was travel- and in China, where bitter war- and one stabbed himself in the ling as a private citizen. “This is time memories run deep. stomach with a small knife and not a Google trip. He’s interested Japan’s top government spokes- was taken to hospital. in foreign policy, he’s a friend of man, Yoshihide Suga, confirmed Tensions over territorial claims mine, and I felt it was important yesterday that Abe wanted to and reparations and an apology that there be a broader perspec- issue his own “forward-looking” for Korean sex slaves, known tive of our visit, with Eric going and statement but also told reporters as comfort women, who were South Korea’s President-elect Park Geun-Hye (right) receives a document from Fukushiro Nukaga, special envoy some other members of our staff.” the 1995 statement by then-pre- forced to work at Japanese mili- of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at her office in Seoul, yesterday. Richardson, who has made a mier Tomiichi Murayama would tary brothels, have spilled into number of trips to North Korea stand. the diplomatic arena as well as western Japan that the ruling was its colonial rule, although Abe’s gov- Abe has promised not to yield in and negotiated with it on various “The two sides must have a cor- economics. “extremely regrettable”. Nukaga ernment has raised doubts about a territorial row with China over issues, said, “There’s an American rect view of history and pursue a South Korea cancelled plans for echoed that stance but said he whether it stands by a 1993 state- tiny islands in the East China Sea detainee in North Korea, Kenneth future of reconciliation and coop- an intelligence deal last year while had conveyed a message from ment on comfort women as well — known as the Senkaku in Japan Bae. I heard from his son who eration,” South Korean President- a $57bn currency swap to shore Abe seeking to improve ties and as the 1995 apology by Murayama. and the Diaoyu in China — and wants to get him released.” elect Park Geun-hye told Abe’s up Asia’s second- and fourth- invited Park to visit Japan soon, Seoul says there has not been boost defence spending to counter Bae, a Korean-American tour- aide, Fukushiro Nukaga, in Seoul, largest economies was allowed to Kyodo news agency reported. sufficient apology for the hun- China’s growing influence. ist, was detained and accused of according to her spokeswoman, lapse after South Korea’s current Park is the daughter of mili- dreds of thousands of South Park and Abe are keen to bol- unspecified crimes against the Cho Yoon-sun. president visited the disputed tary strongman Park Chung- Koreans used as sex slaves by the ster ties with the US, a bulwark state. Richardson has helped A “correct view of history” island. hee who established diplomatic Japanese army and that repara- against China and the key mili- negotiate the release of detained is shorthand for South Korea’s On Thursday, a Seoul court ties between the two countries tions are not complete. tary backer of the South against Americans in the past. desire for Japan to acknowledge ruled that a Chinese citizen who in 1965 after more than a dec- Abe hails from a wealthy politi- North Korea. “We’re not representing the its wartime and colonial excesses, carried out an arson attack on the ade of tortured talks brokered cal family that includes a grand- North Korea raised tensions in US government, we are going to something Tokyo says it has Yasukuni Shrine for war dead in by Washington, winning aid that father, Nobusuke Kishi, who was the region by launching a long- raise the issue of the detainee,” already done. Tokyo could not be extradited helped his industrial drive that a wartime cabinet minister who range rocket in December that it Richardson said, adding they “The older generation must to Japan as he had committed a propelled South Korea from pov- was imprisoned but never tried as said was aimed at putting a sci- were also concerned about “the make the commitment to try to “political crime” and might not erty to rich nation status. a war criminal after the war. He entific satellite in orbit, drawing nuclear proliferation of the North heal the wound, and must not get a fair trial. Japan says it has settled all its went on to become prime minister international condemnation. Koreans”. become an obstacle to opening the Abe told reporters in obligations and has apologised for from 1957 to 1960. REUTERS REUTERS

Nepal furious over British arrest of China shuts down liberal website after call for reform BEIJING: A liberal Chinese lays out a road map for political Attempts to access the website stating that the website had been at the newspaper. army colonel journal’s website was shut down reform. yesterday led to a page with a car- “cancelled”. The ministry did not “The Southern Weekly incident yesterday, it said, in the lat- Closure of the website follows toon policeman holding up a badge respond to faxed questions and is very important, very unprece- KATHMANDU: Nepal’s est and most prominent exam- censorship by the authorities and the message: “The website phone calls yesterday. dented... this kind of direct inter- foreign minister yesterday ple of a crackdown by Chinese of similar calls made by a key you are visiting has been closed The website closure came a day vention by propaganda officials expressed “strong objections” to authorities against online free- liberal newspaper, while several because it has not been filed on after censors blocked an article is something we haven’t seen,” the arrest of a Nepalese army dom of expression. influential Chinese journalists record. from popular liberal newspaper David Bandurski, a Chinese media colonel by British police over The website of the Beijing- have had their social network- “At around 9am today, the web- Southern Weekly which called researcher at the University of allegations of torture com- based Annals of the Yellow ing accounts deleted in recent site was closed,” said a post on for the realisation of a “dream Hong Kong, said. mitted during the Himalayan Emperor was closed days after weeks. the Annals’ official web page on of constitutionalism in China” Several journalists known nation’s civil war. it published an article urging The crackdown comes despite Sina Weibo, a website similar to so that citizens’ rights could be for criticism of the government Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji leaders to guarantee constitu- pledges of change from China’s Twitter, and later confirmed by protected. found that their accounts on Sina Shrestha named the arrested man tional rights including freedom new Communist leadership, the magazine’s editors. A propaganda official in Weibo were deleted last month, as 46-year-old Colonel Kumar of speech and assembly. headed by president-in-waiting Editor-in-chief Wu Si said Guangdong province, where the shortly before China — which has Lama, who was taken into custody The publication, which has links Xi Jinping, which has promised he had received a message from newspaper is based, removed the world’s biggest population by British police on Thursday, and with senior retired Communist a more open style of governance the Ministry of Industry and the article and replaced it with of Internet users — announced called on the British government officials, had argued in the arti- since the ruling party’s congress Information Technology, the a weaker message, said several tightened online controls. to release him. cle that the country’s constitution in November. Internet regulator, last month current and former journalists AFP “The arrest of Lama, who has been serving in the United Nations mission in Sudan, with- out informing the concerned Hong Kong ivory haul government and without any evidence, is against the general UN says 13,000 fled principle of international law and jurisdiction of a sovereign coun- try,” said Shrestha. “We have expressed strong Myanmar, Bangladesh objections to this act. Nepal Army personnel would be punished YANGON: About 13,000 boat to be one of the most persecuted according to their own internal people, including many state- minority groups on the planet. committee. And we are commit- less Rohingya Muslims, fled “It’s already more than the ted to punish anyone who has Myanmar and neighbouring previous boat season, which itself violated human rights,” Shrestha Bangladesh in 2012 with hun- was the most we’d seen,” with told reporters. dreds dying during the peril- more than 8,000 people making “This act has hurt our attempt ous sea voyage, the UN said the journey, according to Arakan to ensure a long-lasting peace. yesterday. Project director Chris Lewa. We are going through a transi- A wave of deadly sectarian vio- She said the estimate does not tional phase and are committed lence in Myanmar’s western state include boats that left the Rakhine to completing the peace process. of Rakhine has triggered an exo- state capital Sittwe, where tens of We have urged the British gov- dus of refugees, mostly heading thousands of Rohingya are living ernment to release him immedi- for Malaysia. in camps, as her NGO is not able ately,” Shrestha said. “We know of at least 485 people to monitor those departures. According to a foreign ministry who’ve drowned or are lost at sea,” October is the end of the mon- press statement, the acting sec- said Vivian Tan, spokeswoman for soon season and traditionally retary of the ministry yesterday the UN refugee agency, adding marks the start of an annual wave called on the British ambassador the real death toll was probably of migration by people trying to and submitted a “protest note” far higher. “These numbers are reach Malaysia from the Bay of requesting the release of Lama. very worrying,” Tan said. Bengal — often on rickety wooden Nepalese newspaper The “The fact that even women and boats. Kathmandu Post reported that children are increasingly risking The latest exodus shows “the Lama was accused of torturing a this journey shows the grow- urgent need for countries in the detainee while he headed a bar- ing sense of desperation among region to respond to this human- racks in the south in 2005. the Rohingya in Myanmar and itarian crisis by keeping their Lama, believed to be in Britain Bangladesh,” she added. doors open to people in need of to meet his wife who works as a More than 10,000 people have international protection from nurse, was arrested under British attempted the sea voyage since Myanmar”, Tan said. law which allows prosecutors to October 2012 — a sharp increase Myanmar views the roughly Seized ivory tusks are displayed during a Hong Kong Customs press conference yesterday. Hong Kong said it act against people suspected of on last season’s departures, 800,000 Rohingya in Rakhine as torture no matter where it took had seized over a tonne of ivory worth about $1.4m in a shipment from Kenya that passed through Malaysia, according to the Arakan Project, illegal Bangladeshi immigrants place in the world. the city’s third big seizure in less than three months. which lobbies for the rights of the and denies them citizenship. AFP Rohingya, considered by the UN AFP JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Pakistan / Afghanistan Karzai heads to US for post-2014 troop decision Number of American soldiers left behind is seen as vital for Kabul to thwart Al Qaeda and Taliban-led civil war

KABUL: A key decision on sheltered by the 1996-2001 told reporters this week. government is ready to agree to Washington faded long ago. how many US troops will stay Taliban government, from regain- Karzai has expressed sup- demands for legal protection of “It is not just about the number on in Afghanistan after 2014 ing a foothold in the war-shat- port for keeping US troops in US troops after 2014. of US troops that remain, but could be made next week at tered nation. Afghanistan but sensitive details Washington scrapped plans what their role is. Will they go talks between President Barack “We hope to arrive at an agree- — including immunity for US sol- for a “residual force” to remain after hideouts of militant groups Obama and Afghan leader ment we can announce during the diers and the transfer of detainees in Iraq after Baghdad refused to such as the Haqqani network?” Hamid Karzai in Washington, visit,” a US official who spoke on into Afghan custody — are still grant US soldiers immunity from Obama last visited Kabul in officials say. condition of anonymity said, add- under negotiation. prosecution. May — one year after US com- With Nato’s combat mission ing that Obama would reassure His relationship with Analysts say Karzai will seek mandos killed Al Qaeda chief due to end next year, the number Afghans that the US would stand Washington has been troubled in increased support to boost the Osama bin Laden — when he of US troops left behind is seen as behind its ally. recent years and there are grow- Afghan security forces, which signed a pact on future relations crucial to the chances of thwart- The number of foreign troops ing fears within Afghanistan that many believe will be unable to and declared that the “time of ing Al Qaeda militants and head- battling the Taliban-led insur- the country, heavily dependent on contain the country’s warring war” was ending in Afghanistan. ing off the threat of civil war gency has fallen to 100,000 from international aid, could be aban- factions without US assistance. The conflict has become waged by a resurgent Taliban. about 150,000. There are cur- doned after 2014. “Afghans remember being increasingly unpopular in the General John Allen, the US rently 66,000 US troops, down Karzai’s deputy spokesman globally isolated (in the 1990s) US, but some US lawmakers have commander in Afghanistan, has from a maximum of about 100,000. Siamak Herawi said that fur- and nobody wants to be left accused Obama of pushing for a submitted three options of leav- President Hamid Karzai Pentagon spokesman George ther progress on a final security alone again, so that is the pri- hasty exit. ing either 6,000, 10,000 or 20,000 Little confirmed that the post- agreement was expected during ority for Karzai,” said Kabul- Preliminary talks between troops in the country, The New for national security more than 2014 force would top the agenda Monday’s talks. based analyst Omar Sharifi the US and the Taliban in Qatar York Times has reported, citing a decade after a US-led alliance in talks with Karzai. “There still persist a few dif- of the American Institute of failed last year over the proposed defence officials. ousted the Taliban regime in 2001. “General Allen has passed his ferences of opinion that we hope Afghanistan Studies. release of five Guantanamo Bay Those troops would launch US Defence Secretary Leon recommendations to the secretary will be resolved but there is high “He is in a transition phase detainees in return for US soldier strikes against militants and con- Panetta has said the slimmed- (Panetta) and we expect within a optimism,” Herawi said, declining himself with his term in office Bowe Bergdahl, who has been tinue training the Afghan army down force would focus on pre- relatively short period of time to to give further details. ending next year and the per- held hostage since 2009. and police, who will be responsible venting Al Qaeda, which was arrive at a final conclusion,” Little Karzai has suggested his sonal charm he used to rely on in AFP

Successor replaces Pakistan’s Malala leaves hospital ahead of surgery slain warlord in LONDON: The British hospi- the town of Mingora in Pakistan’s from being at home with her par- Pakistan: Officials tal treating Malala Yousufzai, northwestern Swat Valley. ents and two brothers,” said the the Pakistani schoolgirl shot by The bullet grazed her brain, hospital’s medical director Dave PESHAWAR: A senior the Taliban for campaigning for coming within centimetres of kill- Rosser. Pakistani militant commander girls’ education, said yesterday ing her, and she was airlifted to He added that medics would be has been appointed to suc- that she has been temporarily the specialist hospital days after visiting Malala at home ahead of ceed warlord Mullah Nazir, discharged ahead of surgery. the attack. her return to hospital for surgery. who orchestrated attacks in Queen Elizabeth Hospital “She is still due to be re- “Malala is a strong young Afghanistan until his death in in Birmingham, west-central admitted in late January or early woman and has worked hard with a US drone strike, officials said England, said Malala would stay February to undergo cranial the people caring for her to make yesterday. at her family’s temporary home reconstructive surgery as part excellent progress in her recov- Nazir, killed late on Wednesday nearby before undergoing major of her long-term recovery and in ery,” said Rosser. and buried on Thursday, was the surgery on her skull in a few the meantime she will visit the Malala’s father Ziauddin main militant commander in the weeks. hospital regularly to attend clini- Yousufzai has accepted a three- tribal district of South Waziristan, “Malala Yousufzai was dis- cal appointments,” the hospital year role as Pakistan’s educa- where he plotted attacks on US charged from Queen Elizabeth said. tion attache at its consulate in and Nato troops and reportedly Hospital Birmingham as an Video released by the hos- Birmingham, making it more sheltered Al Qaeda operatives. inpatient yesterday to continue pital showed Malala wearing a likely that the family will remain Two of his deputies were killed her rehabilitation at her family’s grey dress and cream patterned in Britain long-term. with him, but a close associate temporary home in the West headscarf as she walked out of her His daughter first rose to and militant commander who Midlands,” the hospital said in a ward, waving to staff as a nurse prominence aged just 11 with a goes by the name Salahuddin statement. led her by the hand. blog for the BBC’s Urdu service Ayubi has been anointed his suc- “The 15-year-old, who was shot Photographs showed her hug- charting her life in Swat under cessor, Pakistani intelligence offi- by the Taliban for campaigning for ging a nurse at the doors. the Taliban, whose two-year reign Malala Yousufzai (centre) sharing a moment with nurses as she leaves the cials said. girls’ education, is well enough to The hospital said Malala had of terror supposedly came to an “Ayubi, whose real name is hospital after being discharged in Birmingham, Britain, yesterday. be treated by the hospital as an been regularly leaving the hospital end there with an army operation Bahawal Khan, was appointed outpatient for the next few weeks.” over the past couple of weeks to in 2009. as top commander of the group In an attack that shocked visit her family at home. Her attempted murder has global “Malala Day” in November treatment at the hospital, which after Nazir’s funeral,” one of the the world, Malala was shot by a “Following discussions with sparked calls for her to be awarded in support of her campaign for specialises in treating British sol- officials said. Taliban hitman in October as her Malala and her medical team, we the Nobel Peace Prize, while the girls’ education. diers wounded in Afghanistan. He said that Ayubi, who school bus made its way through decided that she would benefit United Nations announced a Pakistan is paying for her AFP belonged to Nazir’s Kaka Khel sub-division of the main Wazir tribe, had been very close to Nazir for more than 16 years. Released Taliban Another official described Ayubi as being in his mid-30s, well Islamabad resumes polio built and well-respected among his tribesmen and the group. Taj Wazir, from the Tuji Khel vaccines under security tribe, was appointed deputy after Rafey Khan was also killed in Wednesday’s drone strike. PESHAWAR: Pakistan is pro- “The inoculation teams can Ain Ullah, a local commander viding paramilitary and police now go into selected areas with in the group, confirmed the support to polio vaccinations adequate security at any suitable appointments. being resumed discreetly in time instead of a province-wide Nazir sent insurgents into the northwest after a series of campaign,” he added. Afghanistan to wage war on attacks on medical workers, Polio cases in Pakistan have Nato-led troops and operated officials said yesterday. risen sharply in recent years, out of South Waziristan, on the UN agencies suspended work hitting 198 in 2011 — the highest Afghan border. on a nationwide campaign to inoc- figure for more than a decade and The Pentagon could not con- ulate children against the highly the most of any country in the firm Nazir’s death but said it infectious disease after nine world last year, according to the would be a “significant blow” health workers were murdered in World Health Organisation. and helpful to the US and its a string of attacks in the north- Rumours about the vaccine Pakistani partners. west and Karachi in December. being a plot to sterilise Muslims But some intelligence offi- Pakistan is one of only three have long dogged efforts to tackle cials in the northwest fear that countries in the world where the disease in Pakistan. Nazir’s death could help Tehreek- polio is endemic, but efforts to Suspicion of vaccination pro- e-Taliban Pakistan and Uzbek stamp out the disease have been grammes intensified after the militants sneak back into South hampered by resistance from the jailing of a doctor who helped the Waziristan. Taliban, who have banned vac- CIA find Osama bin Laden in 2011 Nazir had a peace deal with cination teams from some areas, using a hepatitis campaign. Islamabad, which congratulated and distrust. Last year the Taliban and him for expelling Uzbeks from On Tuesday, six women and Pakistani warlord Mullah Nazir, South Waziristan, but had testy a man working for a charity who was killed in a US drone relations with local Taliban. involved in polio vaccinations strike on Wednesday, banned AFP Released Taliban prisoners sit on chairs as they listen during a ceremony in the Pul-e-Charkhi Jail on the out- were shot dead in the northwest- polio vaccinations in the tribal skirts of Kabul, yesterday. ern district of Swabi. region of Waziristan, condemn- A senior government official ing the campaign as a cover for said that instead of pressing espionage. another nationwide campaign, In some parts of the northwest, authorities had decided to inocu- women health workers now refuse Pakistani YouTube star gets visa to perform in France late children in phases, in a low to take part in polio vaccinations key manner with adequate secu- out of fear, officials said. rity arrangements. “Female health workers are not ISLAMABAD: Pakistan former fish-seller from east convicted terror radicals such as The singer will leave for France Dr. Janbaz Afridi, head of participating in this campaign national Muhammad Shahid London’s Queen’s Market. Jordanian Abu Qatada and oth- on Monday and will stay there polio eradication in northwest- but we have enlisted govern- Nazir has been given French Nazir left the UK in the end ers continued to enjoy Britain’s for a week. Upon his return to ern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa prov- ment employees, school teachers visa within a day after apply- of December amid speculations hospitality. Pakistan, the singer will apply ince, said that to ensure security, and volunteers from civil soci- ing for it to appear in one of that he was being booted out of Nazir said: “I am going to for British visa and hopes that campaigns would be carried out ety,” said administration official the most popular shows of the the country by the UK immigra- appear in France’s biggest show. Britain will issue him visa quickly. in phases and separately in dif- Javed Khan Marwat in the city European country. tion authorities for overstaying in It’s anyone’s dream to appear in Since his return to Pakistan ferent districts. of Peshawar. Speaking to local media, the the country. this show but I believe it’s Allah’s in the end of December, Britain’s “We had to launch a campaign He said motorcycles would singer who rose to worldwide Several columns have been writ- special blessing that I have been main television channels BBC, from January 14, but were not be banned in an effort to avert fame with his catchy ditty One ten on this aspect, including many given visa without any hesitation. Channel 4 News and Sky News given security clearance, so we drive-by shootings in areas Pound Fish on YouTube said he leading commentators questioning France has shown respect to my have run packages on the singer, reviewed the schedule and modi- where the campaign will try to will be appearing in the Le Grand why the government was quick in country and I am thankful to the focusing on the hero’s reception fied our policy to do it in phases vaccinate 777,000 children from Journal show. It is believed that booting out a singer, who brought French authorities for being kind he received from his fans and starting from high-risk districts,” Saturday. Pakistani renegade singer’s music smiles and joy to millions of peo- towards me and allowing me a friends in Pakistan. Afridi said. AFP label Warner Music supported ple near Christmas 2012, while chance to meet my French fans.” INTERNEWS JANUARY 5, 2013 India www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 ON SATURDAY US offers help to combat violence against women Self-defence takes centre stage in ‘rape capital’

WASHINGTON/NEW combat violence against women number of programmes, includ- DELHI: In the wake of the and will continue to make it a ing programmes in India in shocking assault and gang rape strong tenet of its foreign policy public education, in support for of a young woman in New Delhi wherever there is a problem, she NGOs, that help women who that got India a lot of negative said when asked about the gang are victims of violence, including play in the media, the US has rape in Delhi and subsequent domestic violence,” she said. “And offered to help India strengthen death of the victim Delhi that we will continue to make this a public and private organisations sparked huge protests in India. strong tenet of our foreign policy working to combat violence US Ambassador Nancy Powell wherever there is a problem, and against women. had put out a statement on unfortunately, there are problems “Our goal is, whether it’s in December 29 “after the victim in countries around the world, India or anywhere else, to help died from this assault, offering including our own.” strengthen all of the public our heartfelt condolences and After nearly three weeks of and private organisations that our absolute abhorrence of these lurid reporting on a horrifying are working to combat vio- events”, Nuland noted. gang rape in New Delhi, women in lence against women,” State “Obviously, we have as a gov- the capital say they are more anx- Pepper spray products on display in a shop in New Delhi. After nearly three weeks of lurid reporting on a horrifying Department spokesperson ernment worked very hard ious than ever, leading to a surge gang rape in the capital, women say they are more anxious than ever, leading to a surge in interest in self-defence. Victoria Nuland told reporters around the world with regard in interest in self-defence classes. yesterday. The US has worked to combating violence against New Delhi has long been known very hard around the world to women,” she added. “We have a as the “rape capital of India”, with more than twice as many cases in 2011 as the commercial hub RSS chief stirs row, blames Mumbai, and special care is taken 50 protesters shave off their by most women when travelling at night or on public transport. Self-defence trainer Anuj ‘westernisation’ for rape heads at Jantar Mantar Sharma says he has fielded a NEW DELHI: flurry of calls from concerned About 50 men women interested in taking NEW DELHI: RSS chief between India and Bharat. Karat said the cases are had their heads classes with his Invictus Survival Mohan Bhagwat yesterday “There is no basis for making reported by the media, and the tonsured in Sciences training institute in stirred a controversy with his distinction between India and RSS chief’s comment is a “reflec- public at Jantar south Delhi. remark that westernisation in Bharat,” Singh said when asked to tion of his mentality” of “turn- Mantar in “There has been a certain surge Indian cities was the reason comment on Bhagwat’s remark. ing his face away from reality”. central Delhi in the level of demand for serv- behind increasing rape cases as Singh was speaking on the Congress leader Digvijaya Singh yesterday, pro- ices like self-defence and personal the country is witnessing wide- sidelines of a function ‘Crime and said the comment of Bhagwat testing that the protective training,” Sharma said spread protests over the brutal Criminal Tracking Network and “was a reflection of their mental- government had at a class in a school hall, echo- gang rape of a 23-year-old Delhi System’ here. ity. Rapes can happen anywhere. failed to keep ing comments from other martial woman last month. The RSS chief’s controversial Rapes should be stopped and the women safe in arts experts in the city. Bhagwat, addressing a gather- remark comes days after the strictest punishment should be the country. Meanwhile, the 25-year-old, ing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak December 29 death of the young meted out to the perpetrators”. “I shaved off my who jumped from a moving train Sangh (RSS) workers in Assam’s Delhi woman due to grievous Digvijaya Singh was also of the head to show my in Bihar after she was allegedly Silchar, said: “Such crimes (rapes) injuries during her torture by the opinion that the right to appeal of anger and frus- A demonstrator has his head shaved during a molested by two men, was in a hardly take place in ‘Bharat’, but rapists on board a moving bus on rape convicts should be restricted. tration against critical condition in a hospital. they occur frequently in ‘India’.” December 16. The incident has led “They should get only one right to protest in New Delhi, yesterday. the rising crime An Assam Rifles trooper has been “You go to villages and forests to loud protests in Delhi and else- appeal,” he said. against women in arrested for the rape bid. of the country and there will be where and demand for justice for He also said the age limit for the country,” Ankit Sharma, a 30-year-old protesting against the “Her condition continues to no such incidents of gang rape or the woman, stringent anti-rape juvenile delinquency should be rising incidence of rapes in the country, said. be critical. A team of doctors sex crimes. They are prevalent laws and more security. lowered. “Nowadays children are Demanding capital punishment for rapists, justice for the 23-year- are monitoring and treating her. in some urban belts. Besides new Criticising Bhagwat’s com- more aware, they have access old Delhi gang rape victim and stricter laws for crimes against She has suffered injuries in her legislations, Indian ethos and atti- ment, Communist Party of India- to TV, internet,.. so much that women, some 50 protesters, mostly middle-aged, got their heads head and legs,” a police official tude towards women should be Marxist leader Brinda Karat children of 12-14 understand tonsured at the 18th century masonry observatory that has become said about the woman who was revisited in the context of ancient said: “He does not know India or all facts.” The Bharatiya Janata the site of protests since the brutal gang rape of the Delhi woman shifted from Ara Sadar hospital Indian values,” Bhagwat said. Bharat and the largest number of Party (BJP) said Bhagwat’s com- on December 16. “Those who want to highlight their protest can to the Patna Medical College and Following the RSS chief’s rapes occur in rural areas.” ments “should be put in perspec- get their heads shaved for a good cause,” said Varun Bakshi, an IT Hospital after she jumped from remark, Union Home Secretary “The Dalits and Adivasis are tive... He was referring to India’s employee who too had his head tonsured. IANS the train on Thursday evening. R K Singh yesterday said there the ones who mostly get raped,” sanskar and tradition and respect IANS/AFP is no basis for making distinction she told newspersons. for women”. IANS

Alagiri challenges move to appoint Iran seeks closer ties; discusses Afghanistan

Stalin as DMK NEW DELHI: Under fire from nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, issues like organised crime, drug a strategic project which can and other regional players should the West over its suspect atomic also secretary of the Supreme trafficking and terrorism. promote mutual relations and work together to bring peace and supremo programme, Iran yesterday National Security Council of Iran, “There are common threats in multilateral ties”. He added the stability in Afghanistan. made a strong pitch for deepen- told reporters here. the region like organised crime, Chabahar port would allow India “Countries like India and CHENNAI: M K Alagiri, ing relations with India in secu- “Cooperation in security field, terrorism and new elements like to export Indian goods to various Pakistan should evolve a joint the elder son of DMK chief M rity and economic ares saying political field and economic field piracy. These are issues that call parts of the world. strategy for the stabilisation of Karunanidhi, yesterday said the two countries face “common gives us opportunity to expand for cooperation and provide for Jalili stressed that democracy Afghanistan,” he told the media the party was not a Hindu her- threats and interests”. relations in cultural field also,” opportunities.” was the answer to the woes of after holding talks with Finance mitage to name a successor to The two countries also explored he said. He underlined that the The talks also focused on closer Afghanistan and stressed that Minister P Chidambaram. his father. the prospects of cooperation in future of the Iran-India relation- cooperation and consultations on Iran was in favour of an Afghan “It is a matter of concern that “DMK is not a ‘matam’,” Afghanistan in the the run-up to ship is “very good” and ties will issues related to Afghanistan. people-driven policy after the American and Western nations Alagiri told the media in Tamil on the withdrawal of foreign troops grow. The two sides discussed the withdrawal of foreign troops. have failed to eradicate terror- his arrival at the Chennai airport. from the country in 2014 and Alluding to his talks with progress in the construction of India and Iran share an unease ism in Afghanistan in the past 10 Karunanidhi, who on Thursday beyond. National Security Adviser the Chabahar port in Iran. about the West’s push for a politi- years,” he said. When the Taliban gave a clear hint that his younger “We have common interests Shivshanakar Menon, Jalili said: Jalili also underlined the cal settlement with the so-called ruled Afghanistan, India and Iran son M K Stalin would be his polit- and threats. This calls for more “We had good cooperation and importance of the North-South “good Taliban” that could endan- along with Russia backed the ical successor, has in the past interactions, more talks and good discussion on our common corridor, saying it “is one of ger their security interests. opposition Northern Alliance. stated that the DMK was not more consultations,” Iran’s chief threat. There are certain regional the most important projects, Jalili said earlier that India IANS a “Shankara matam” where the senior Shankaracharya selects a successor during his lifetime. Alagiri was commenting on State visit Karunanidhi’s statement that Nationalism not a monopoly Stalin would carry forward the DMK’s fight for the cause of Dalits. of state, says apex court The statement was widely seen as a hint that Karunanidhi NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court should establish their credentials as wanted Stalin, who was his dep- yesterday said that nationalism was nationalists, the court said, “These are uty when Karunanidhi was the not the monopoly of the state and it the allegations that drive people to anti- Tamil Nadu chief minister, to could not point fingers at those who national activities.” take charge of the DMK. question the conduct of its counter- Justice Desai told Kumar, “You talk Although from the same fam- insurgency operations in Manipur. about insurgency but don’t point fingers ily, Alagiri and Stalin do not see “Nationalism is not a monopoly of the at them.” Making it clear that the court eye to eye on some major issues state. Simply because you represent the was aggrieved about the loss of life be it concerning the DMK. state, you don’t have the authority to that of security man or police person- Alagiri pointed out that impute motives on others questioning nel or a common man on street, Justice Karunanidhi himself had ear- your actions,” said an apex court bench of Alam noted that though India had lost lier said that he would not like Justice Aftab Alam and Justice Ranjana a prime minister (Indira Gandhi) and a to select anyone as his successor. Prakash Desai. The court’s observation former prime minister (Rajiv Gandhi) Alagiri has in the past made came when senior counsel Ranjit Kumar, in terror attacks, the attackers were not it clear that he would not accept appearing for the Manipur government, lynched. anyone apart from Karunanidhi asked the petitioner association whether Even as the court took exception to as the DMK leader and that he it opposed the demand for the cessation senior counsel questioning the creden- was ready to contest if there was of Manipur from India. tials of the association, Justice Alam a battle for the party leadership. The court was hearing a petition by indicated that court may set up an Karunanidhi, who has led the Manipur-based Extra Judicial Execution inquiry committee comprising former DMK since 1969, is now 88 years Victim Families Association seeking a apex court judge, Justice Santosh Hegde, old and in poor health. The issue probe by a special investigation team into former chief election commissioner J M of who will lead the party — one of Mauritius President Rajkeswar Purryag (second right), his Indian counterpart Pranab extra-judicial killings of youths in the state Lyngdoh and a senior ranking police India’s oldest — after Karunanidhi Mukherjee (right), Purryag’s wife Aneetah Purryag and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by the army and other security forces. officer to inquire into five cases of alleged has been raised repeatedly. during a reception at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, yesterday. Asking if the petitioner families extra-judicial killings. IANS IANS JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Business Opec output falls in December Production down by 1.13 million barrels per day from 2012 peak

LONDON: Opec oil output fell depending on demand. “Saudi Opec crude output in millions of barrels making Iran more reliant on in December to its lowest in Arabia still holds the key for per day in December and November last year its own tanker fleet to supply more than a year as Iranian changes in Opec output,” said customers. exports dipped again because Carsten Fritsch, analyst at December November Sales may come under fur- of sanctions, top exporter Saudi Commerzbank in Frankfurt. output output ther pressure next year as buy- Arabia cut output and supplies “Most of the others produce Algeria 1.17 1.17 ers seek to avoid further US from Iraq eased, according to a close to maximum.” Angola 1.78 1.70 sanctions effective in February. Reuters survey. December’s Opec total is Ecuador 0.50 0.50 India and South Korea are Crude supply from the the lowest since November Iran 2.65 2.71 among those planning to cut Organisation of the Petroleum 2011 when the group also pro- Iraq 3.05 3.20 purchases in 2013, sources have Exporting Countries averaged duced 30.62m bpd, according to Kuwait 2.81 2.80 said. 30.62 million barrels per day Reuters surveys. Libya 1.43 1.45 Saudi Arabia’s output was (bpd), down from a revised 30.71m The biggest decline in sup- Nigeria 2.05 1.95 revised lower in November to bpd in November, the survey of ply came from Iraq, the world’s Qatar 0.74 0.75 9.55m bpd after the kingdom sources at oil companies, in Opec fastest-growing exporter, due to Saudi Arabia 9.50 9.55 (R) told Opec it curbed supply. and consultancies found. technical and political setbacks. UAE 2.60 2.60 According to the survey, out- Opec output is now down Supply declined to 3.05m bpd Venezuela 2.34 2.33 put slipped again in December. by 1.13m bpd from its April from 3.20m bpd in November, Opec total 30.62 30.71 (R) A drop in output from Libya, 2012 peak of 31.75m before the the survey found. R = Revised. where protests shut down an European Union implemented Bad weather contributed to oil port in eastern Libya for an oil embargo on Iran and as lower shipments from the coun- four days in December, was the Saudi Arabia lifted output to try’s south and exports of Kirkuk for production of 2.65m bpd, the other notable decline in Opec’s bring prices down from a year- crude in the north were curbed survey found. output last month. high $128 a barrel. by a renewed dispute between That would be its lowest since The main increases in The survey indicates Saudi the central government and the 1988, according to figures from December came from Opec’s West Arabia trimmed output in the last Kurdistan region over payments. the US Energy Information African members, Nigeria and two months of 2012 in response to “Delays kicked in over the lat- Administration. Angola, the survey found. lower demand, helping to bring ter part of the month,” said a Output from Iran dropped Output in Nigeria rose by Opec supply the closest it has yet source with a company that buys sharply last year 2012 due to the 100,000 bpd, recovering from dis- been to its 30m bpd output target Iraqi crude, referring to Kirkuk sanctions, allowing Iraq to dis- ruptions caused by oil spills, flood- since it was set a year ago. exports. place Tehran as Opec’s second- ing and theft. Exports of only one With oil prices above Riyadh’s “It must be the issue over the largest producer after Saudi and crude oil grade, Eni’s Brass River, preferred $100 a barrel but with Kurdish volume not being deliv- costing Iran billions of dollars in remain under force majeure. expectations of slower demand ered into the stream.” lost revenue. Angola boosted shipments in early 2013, Opec left the tar- Iranian supply fell further The embargo on Iran bars EU by 80,000 bpd. Up to four more get unchanged at a meeting because of US and European insurance firms from covering crude oil cargoes were exported in last month, leaving the door sanctions, with exports declining its exports, hindering imports December than November. open to informal supply tweaks by 60,000 bpd to 1.05 milion bpd by some non-EU buyers and REUTERS

Asian LNG spot prices A pedestrian walks past a Virgin megastore music chain retail outlet in Paris, France, yesterday. hold gains on cold snap Retailer Virgin France falls victim to digital sales PERTH: Asian liquefied natu- ral gas (LNG) spot prices rose PARIS: Entertainment retailer several outlets and shed 200 slightly above $17 per million Virgin France has become the employees in recent years. A new British thermal units (mmBtu) latest victim of consumers shift- management team took over in this week as a cold snap in ing to buying digital music and mid-2012 in a bid to rework the North Asia boosted purchases. video, with a spokesman saying company’s strategy. “We’re seeing a lot of prompt yesterday that the company is “This is absolutely terri- (buying) activity... prices have to declare itself insolvent. ble news,” the head of France’s picked up,” one Singapore-based The seller of CDs and DVDs MEDEF employers group, market source said. employs 1,000 workers and oper- Laurence Parisot, said on BFM LNG prices for February car- ates 26 stores in France, including Television. goes were pegged around the its flagship Virgin Megastore on “The crisis we are going $17.20 per mmBtu level. the Avenue des Champs Elysees through is not only an economic PetroChina, China’s largest oil in Paris. crisis,” she said. “A new (business) and gas producer, said this week The company is to hold a works model is being born and many it would buy an additional 400m council meeting with employees sectors are being affected.” cubic metres of LNG from the on Monday to announce the insol- Unions representing Virgin spot market for the first quar- An employee of German car maker Mercedes-Benz checks an S-class car at the end of the production line at the vency, the spokesman said. France employees said the move ter to meet increasing winter Mercedes-Benz production site in Sindelfingen, southwestern Germany. “The company has seen losses was not unexpected and criti- demand. for several years,” the spokes- cised the company’s owners for Last week, China, the world’s man said, noting that sales were not investing more and manage- fourth-largest gas consumer, at ¤286m ($372m) in 2011. ment for failing to come up with asked its energy firms to boost Virgin France has already a reorganisation plan. natural gas supplies as some parts Record sales for Mercedes in 2012 taken steps to terminate its lease The head of France’s CFDT of the country reported shortages. on its landmark location on the union, Laurent Berger, said Virgin Japan’s LNG demand is also Champs Elysees, which accounts France had failed to adapt to the expect to rise, with weather in BERLIN: Luxury German car- sold in China, a gain of 1.5 per- its full-year forecasts in October for 20 percent of its sales. changing retail environment. the world’s largest LNG import- maker Mercedes-Benz said yes- cent, the firm added. after a disappointing third quar- French media reports have sug- “Every sector is at some point ing country colder than normal terday it had achieved record “We are very pleased with our ter. Daimler said it was hoping to gested tech firm Apple or British confronted with economic diffi- from January through March. sales in 2012, driven by acceler- sales for the full year 2012,” said cut some ¤2bn ($2.6bn) in costs retailer Marks & Spencer could culties,” he said on France Inter Japanese power demand rose ating growth in China and the Dieter Zetsche, chief executive of by 2014. be looking to take over the prime radio. “Virgin did not at any point 0.8 percent in December from US. automaker Daimler, which owns Official data published on location on the famed Parisian make the necessary changes in a year earlier, marking the sec- About 1.3 million Mercedes- Mercedes-Benz. Thursday showed that new car shopping strip. terms of economic strategy.” ond straight year-on-year gain, Benz cars were purchased in 2012, “Despite the difficult market registrations in Germany fell by French investment firm Butler Another major French media as colder-than-normal weather the firm said in its annual sales environment in the southern nearly three percent last year. Capital Partners owns 74 percent retailer, FNAC, is also suffer- pushed up heating demand, a release, a gain of 4.7 percent on European countries and numer- About 3.10m new cars were of Virgin France after buying a ing and last year announced an Reuters calculation based on the previous year. ous model change-overs, we man- registered in 2012, down from controlling stake from media con- 80-million-euro savings plan and industry data showed. With 274,134 cars sold in the aged to exceed the previous year’s 3.17m in 2011, the auto industry glomorate Lagardere in 2007. the cutting of 500 jobs. The rise came despite wide- US (a gain of 11.8 percent), this sale record,” added Zetsche. federation VDA said in its annual Lagardere purchased the com- Large music, video and books spread power conservation after overtook Germany (261,084 cars However, the wider Daimler report. It said the sector had suf- pany from British businessman retailers have struggled around the March 2011 quake and tsu- sold) as Mercedes-Benz’s main company has suffered from a dif- fered a particularly sharp decline Richard Branson’s Virgin Group the world to survive the onset of nami triggered a radiation cri- sales market. ficult environment for the auto in December, of 16 percent. AFP in 2001. digital distribution of media. sis at Tokyo Electric Power’s Nearly 200,000 Mercedes were industry and was forced to cut Virgin France has closed AFP Fukushima Daiichi plant, badly hitting public confidence in nuclear energy. LNG freight rates, which typi- cally rise in tandem with spot prices, have also moved up, with rates at around $120,000 per day Turkish gold exports rise 800pc on demand from Iran for spot tankers, according to Arctic Securities in Oslo. ISTANBUL: Turkey’s gold while $4.2bn went to the UAE. wants to buy from us,” Caglayan from Istanbul to Dubai, where the November that the lira Iran On the supply side, LNG pro- exports rose nearly 800 percent Turkey exported just $54m worth told the news conference. “I will gold is shipped to Iran, industry received from Turkey for its gas ducer Egypt announced plans last year on the back of soar- of gold to Iran in 2011. remain loyal to all the interna- sources with knowledge of the was being converted into gold to issue a tender to import gas ing sales to Iran and the trade The shipments to Iran are not tional agreements I have signed. business said last year. because sanctions meant that it to meet summer demand. In will continue, despite tighten- in breach of existing Western But I will not be bound by other The US Senate in November could not transfer cash into Iran. October, the country said it had ing US sanctions on Tehran, sanctions imposed over its dis- countries’ sanctions.” approved expanded sanctions on But Caglayan said the gold agreed to import gas from Algeria Turkey’s economy minister said puted nuclear programme, but Turkey is Iran’s biggest natu- global trade with Iran’s energy trade was carried out entirely by and was in talks with Qatar for a yesterday. they have helped Tehran to man- ral gas customer but Western and shipping sectors and US offi- the private sector and was not similar deal. Turkish gold exports rose to age its finances despite being sanctions prevent it from paying cials fear the “gold-for-gas” trade subject to US sanctions. Egypt has two LNG plants and $12.7bn in the first eleven months largely frozen out of the global Tehran in dollars or euros. Iran is providing a financial lifeline to “It is not trade between the two a gas export pipeline, but industry of 2012 compared to the $1.47bn banking system. is instead paid in Turkish lira — Iran. states, it is being carried out by sources say the government has exported in the whole of the pre- Washington says Tehran is of limited value on international New sanctions are due to take private companies and any state- diverted some gas contracted for vious year, Economy Minister enriching uranium to levels that markets but ideal for buying gold effect in February and could ment that we are carrying out export to the domestic market, Zafer Caglayan told a briefing in could be used in nuclear weapons. in Turkey. include measures to try to curb these exports in return for oil and which faced fuel shortages and Istanbul. Iran says its nuclear programme Couriers carrying millions of the trade. natural gas is wrong,” Caglayan power cuts in the summer. Around half of the exports — is for peaceful purposes. dollars worth of gold bullion in Turkey’s Deputy Prime added. REUTERS $6.5bn worth — went to Iran, “We will sell to any country that their luggage have been flying Minister Ali Babacan said in REUTERS JANUARY 5, 2013 Business www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 ON SATURDAY

Sluggish demand for cars Hopes rise for Eurozone; US activity picks up US employers add 155,000 new jobs

NEW YORK/LONDON: Business composite PMI, which measure the activity in the United States activity of thousands of companies, perked up in the final month of rose to 47.2 last month, its highest 2012, surveys showed yesterday, since March. while hopes grew that Europe The decline eased among firms may be through the worst of its such as banks and restaurants, economic slump. which comprise the bulk of the Britain’s vast services sector, Eurozone economy, though things however, contracted for the first looked worse for manufacturers. time in two years, suggesting the “The surveys at least bring some broader economy probably shrank substance to the belief that the as well in the final three months worst is over and that a return to of 2012. The Institute for Supply growth is in sight for the region in Management said its index of US 2013,” said Chris Williamson, chief service firms grew at its fastest clip economist at Markit. in 10 months in December, boosted The UK services PMI, however, Chinese cars wait to be exported at a port in Dalian, Liaoning province. Automakers are bracing for another year of tepid single-digit growth by a rise in new orders. The pace slipped to 48.9 from 50.2, sagging in 2013, weighed down by sluggish demand for Japanese cars amid a diplomatic row between the two regional neighbours and government of hiring in the sector hit a five- below the 50 mark that divides measures to restrict traffic in bigger cities. month high. expansion and contraction for the Throughout the US economy, first time in two years. employers added 155,000 new work- “The broader picture is that for ers last month. Gains were distrib- some time the economy has been uted broadly, from manufacturing bouncing around the bottom ... and and construction to health care, I think this is likely to stay with Gold falls to 4½-month low after US data which economists say suggests the us for the next couple of quarters,” economy would probably grow by said Rob Wood, chief UK economist LONDON: Gold fell 2 percent longest such run since June 1999. had combined with historically show the economy added 150,000 about 2.0 percent in 2013. at Berenberg Bank. to a 4-1/2 month low yester- US gold futures for February fell low interest rates to stoke fears jobs last month, after adding “The overall tone was one con- Survey compiler Markit said the day after minutes from the US 2.65 percent or $44.30 an ounce of inflation, fuelling the rally in 146,000 in November. Tuxen said sistent with modest economic figures suggest Britain’s economy Federal Reserve highlighted to $1,630.30. gold. that if the payrolls data reveals growth,” said Joshua Shapiro, chief shrank 0.2 percent in the final increasing concerns over its “We’ve had a big reaction from Christin Tuxen, an analyst that the economy added at least US economist at MFR, a global quarter of 2012, a slightly bigger highly stimulative monetary gold to the Fed minutes, and with Danske Bank, said the gold 200,000 jobs, gold prices could consulting firm based in New York. drop than most other private-sec- policy, knocking stock markets the dollar has strengthened,” market had been focused on the extend losses. The 17-country Eurozone, on the tor forecasts. lower and boosting the dollar. Standard Chartered analyst size of the QE programme rather Holdings of the largest gold- other hand, probably closed out the Yesterday’s European data fol- Fears that central banks’ Daniel Smith said. than on when it would be phased backed, exchange-traded fund year in recession, though evidence lowed news that China’s services money-printing to buy assets “People are concerned that the out. “The timing will be earlier (ETF), New York’s SPDR Gold that the pace of contraction in the sector saw its slowest rate of expan- would stoke inflation were a key quantitative easing programme than the market had been ini- Trust GLD, dropped 0.71 percent service sector had slowed suggested sion in nearly a year and a half in driver in boosting gold, which ral- (QE) may be withdrawn sooner tially expecting, which is nega- on Thursday from Friday, while things may be turning around. December, although the HSBC lied to an 11-month high in early rather than later,” Smith added. tive for gold,” Tuxen said. those of the largest silver-backed “I think (the Eurozone PMIs) are services PMI still pointed to a mod- October after the Fed announced Minutes from the Fed’s Recent positive US economic ETF, New York’s iShares Silver showing a decisive bottoming-out est revival in economic growth. a third round of aggressive eco- December policy meeting showed data has bolstered the view that Trust SLV, fell 0.04 percent yes- of activity,” said James Nixon, chief Fears that China’s economy nomic stimulus. some voting members of the further steps to stimulate the terday from Monday. European economist at Societe would hit the skids kept investors Spot gold was down 1.97 per- Federal Open Market Committee economy may be unnecessary. Technical analysts, who study Generale. “Now, the actual levels of on their heels in early 2012, but cent at $1,630.25 per ounce at were increasingly worried about Investors were keenly awaiting past chart patterns to determine the surveys are still consistent with data in the second half of the year 1201 GMT, after earlier falling the potential risks of the Fed’s US non-farm payrolls data due future moves in prices, said the GDP declining, but at least things suggested the world’s second big- to its lowest since late August asset purchases on financial at 1330 GMT on Friday for a clue failure of key support at $1,635 aren’t getting worse any faster.” gest economy would avoid a hard at $1,625.79. It was heading for markets. to the pace of recovery. could lead to a further retrace- According to financial informa- landing and continue to grow mod- its sixth week of losses — the Ultra-loose monetary policy The figures are expected to ment. REUTERS tion firm Markit, the Eurozone’s estly. REUTERS

QATARI MARKET First trading day Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Qatar Govt 5.15% 09/04/2014 USD 105.38 0.86 % Aa2 AA After banking Qatar Govt 3.125% 20/01/2017 USD 105.75 1.65 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 6.55% 09/04/2019 USD 125.88 2.12 % Aa2 AA crisis, Iceland Qatar Govt 5.25% 20/01/2020 USD 119.63 2.22 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 4.5% 20/01/2022 USD 115.00 2.63 % Aa2 AA launches search Qatar Govt 9.75% 15/06/2030 USD 181.50 3.48 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 6.4% 20/01/2040 USD 140.25 3.96 % Aa2 AA for black gold Qatar Govt 5.75% 20/01/2042 USD 130.50 3.97 % Aa2 AA REYKJAVIK: Iceland yes- Qatari Diar 3.5% 21/07/2015 USD 105.13 1.44 % Aa2 AA terday awarded two explora- Qatari Diar 5% 21/07/2020 USD 117.00 2.51 % Aa2 AA tion and production licences to Comqat 5% 18/11/2014 USD 106.00 1.73 % A1 A- foreign energy firms hoping to Comqat 3.375% 11/04/2017 USD 104.50 2.26 % A1 A- find oil and gas in the north- QIB 3.856% 07/10/2015 USD 104.75 2.07 % NR NR eastern waters off the North QNB 3.125% 16/11/2015 USD 103.38 1.91 % Aa3 A+ Atlantic island’s coast. QNB 3.375% 22/02/2017 USD 104.88 2.13 % Aa3 A+ Icelandic energy authority Doha Bank 3.5% 14/03/2017 USD 104.13 2.46 % A2 A- Orkustofnun said in a state- Qtel 3.375% 14/10/2016 USD 105.25 1.93 % A2 A ment that it had “signed and Qtel 7.875% 10/06/2019 USD 130.88 2.63 % A2 A issued licensing documents for Qtel 4.75% 16/02/2021 USD 113.13 2.92 % A2 A exploration and production of Qtel 5% 19/10/2025 USD 113.25 3.69 % A2 A hydrocarbons in the Dreki area”. Rasgas 5.5% 30/09/2014 USD 107.50 1.13 % Aa3 A The island nation will get a help- ing hand from neighbouring Rasgas 5.832% 30/09/2016 USD 109.63 3.08 % Aa3 A Norway, Europe’s second largest Rasgas 5.298% 30/09/2020 USD 112.63 3.43 % Aa3 A oil producer, after Oslo took a SOVEREIGNS 25 percent stake in both licences Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P awarded on Friday through Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 08/04/2014 USD 106.13 0.61 % Aa2 AA state-owned oil company Petoro. Women, dressed in ceremonial kimonos, pose with the new logo of the Japan Exchange Group in front of Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 08/04/2019 USD 129.25 1.79 % Aa2 AA “This is of course an impor- an electronic board showing the country’s stock price index after the New Year opening ceremony at the Dubai Govt 6.7% 05/10/2015 USD 111.13 2.49 % NR NR tant step, these are the first real Tokyo Stock Exchange, yesterday. Japan’s Nikkei share average rose to a 22-month high on its first trading Dubai Govt 4.9% 02/05/2017 USD 107.88 2.95 % NR NR licences that we believe will be day of the New Year as a deal in Washington to avert the ‘fiscal cliff’ buoyed investors’ risk appetites and a used and they call for extensive Dubai Govt 7.75% 05/10/2020 USD 127.25 3.68 % NR NR weaker yen lifted exporters. research in the area,” said the Dubai Govt 6.45% 02/05/2022 USD 117.50 4.17 % NR NR Icelandic Minister of Industries Qatar Govt 4% 20/01/2015 USD 105.50 1.27 % Aa2 AA and Innovation, Steingrimur Bahrain Govt 6.273% 22/11/2018 USD 115.00 3.43 % NR BBB Sigfusson, referring to a derailed Bahrain Govt 5.5% 31/03/2020 USD 108.38 4.15 % NR BBB licensing round in 2009. India’s Infosys denies reports of 5,000 layoffs Egypt Govt 5.75% 29/04/2020 USD 100.50 5.66 % B2 B “The Norwegian participa- Morocco Govt 4.5% 05/10/2020 EUR 104.38 3.84 % NR BBB- tion is also important, we think MUMBAI: Indian software while moving towards a more Infosys in October announced a that it strengthens the matter outsourcing giant Infosys yes- aggressive sales strategy. six percent pay rise for Indian *Periodic Distribution Amount IMPORTANT NOTE: in every way, not least to have terday said it was weeding out “The people who are being let employees and a two to three per- Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which the support of Norway and its under-performing staff and go are part of a performance- cent increase for overseas staff. is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services massive knowledge in this field,” would be asking some to leave, basis evaluation. It has nothing The firm has projected an esti- Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary data he added. Norway and Iceland but denied a media report say- to do with layoffs. It happens each mate of $7.34bn for its full-year and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of signed an agreement in 1981 ing 5,000 workers were to be year,” Infosys spokeswoman Sarah revenues for the fiscal year ending the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into that gives Norway the rights to a sacked. Vanita Gideon said. She said such March 2013. account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds can and share of all exploration and pro- The Economic Times reported staff exits would be “significantly It will report its third quarter does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not a reliable duction on the Jan Mayen Ridge, yesterday that the firm was set lower” than 5,000. earnings next week, but analysts indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and consult your which separates the Norwegian to ask about three to four percent The firm, which is also listed on say the near-term outlook for the financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. Sea from the Greenland Sea. “It’s of its 151,000-strong workforce to the Nasdaq in New York, has been firm remains challenging. Infosys, the first time that the Norwegian leave immediately, citing people struggling to expand its business which is in the midst of a top government takes assets directly familiar with the development. and has missed sales targets, lost management shuffle, has decided in licences outside the Norwegian The business daily said the market share and seen its stocks to focus on higher value software border,” said the Norwegian Bengaluru-based firm, which slide in the past year as revenues and consulting services for clients Minister of Petroleum and lags in growth to rivals TCS and from the US ease. instead of labour-intensive out- Energy, Ola Borten Moe. AFP Wipro, wants to reduce costs Amid intense competition, sourcing services. AFP JANUARY 5, 2013 Classifieds www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 ON SATURDAY

SERVICES

ACCOUNTING SOFTWARES MOBILE PHONES & COMPUTER TRAINING CENTRE FLORIST ENHANCEMENTS ARTECH FAMILY COMPUTER CENTRE QATAR INTERNATIONAL NURSERY Sage Accounting, Peachtree, QuickBooks, Dynacom, Al Rayyan Complex, Rayyan Road. Garden Services, Irrigation Systems, Soft & Hard Landscaping, Indoor & Outdoor DacEasy, Tally, POS, Bar Code, Fixed Assets Software’s. Tel: 44435361/44370779 Fax: 44449130 Tel: +974 44375654 E-mail: [email protected] Plants, Water Fountains, Fresh Cut Flowers & Garden Maintenance. Tel: 44212630 Fax: 44213619 www.qinagriqatar.com E-mail: [email protected] ADVERTISING OVERSEAS COMPUTERS & NETWORKING NEWSPAPER GLASS COATING GEM ADVERTISING & PUBLICATIONS (Overseas Newspaper Advertisements) APOLLO ENTERPRISES Tel: 44442001 GSM: 55783303 Crystal Bond Glass Coating Against The Sun’s Harmful Rays, Heat Resistance. Salwa Road. Tel: 44426664 GSM: 55830870/33599574 E-mail: [email protected] ADVENTURE IN QATAR

QATAR INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURES GIFTS Tel: 44553954, 44677406 GSM: 55527225 E-mail: [email protected] - Website: www.qia-qatar.com ARTIFACTS OF ARABIA Arabian Style Gifts and Souvenirs See. Also Corporate ATTESTATION Contracts and Tenders. www.artifactsofarabia.com GSM: 55614573 - David

NATIONAL COMPUTER CENTER HOME CONTROL SYSTEM Desktops, Laptops, Printers, Scanners, UPS, Softwares, ERP, Accessories, Networking & Cabling Tel: 44351200 Fax: 44315058 - [email protected] MONEY EXCHANGE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE QATAR-UAE EXCHANGE Service is our Currency. Al Sadd Street. Tel: 44445558 AL MUTWASSIT CLEANING & PEST CONTROL City Center. Tel: 44115959 Kharaba Street, Behind White Mosque, Clock Roundabout (Near Gold Souq). Tel: 44368222 Tel: 44367555 Fax: 44367999 GSM: 55875920/55860432

CAPITAL CLEANING COMPANY W.L.L. MASSAGE HELPLINE GROUP OF COMPANIES Complete General Cleaning Services for Old and New Villas Certificate attestation from India, UK, USA, Australia, Gulf Countries and Tel: 44582257/44582546 Fax: 44582529 Mobile: 33189899/ THAI LADY MASSAGE & BEAUTY SALON Canada. We have 15 years experience & approved Agency. 55565328 E-mail: [email protected] For Ladies. Thai Massage, Oil Massage, Steam Bath GSM: 77711129 Tel: 44351974/44919213 - www.helplinegroups.com Home Visit. Villa No.4, Al Kinana St., Al Sadd Road. PRESTIGE GENERAL SERVICES Tel: 44350143 General Cleaning for Villas, Flats, Sofa, Carpets, Floor Tiles, Marble Polish. Daily, INVEST IN QATAR AMETEK CERTIFICATE ATTESTATION 66752291 44323040 44131012 Weekly, Monthly & Yearly Contracts. GSM: Tel: Fax: KOTTAKKAL AYURVEDIC MASSAGE CENTRE Affordable Rate. Certicate Attestation in 7 Indian Working Days. E-mail: [email protected] - www.prestigegeneralservices.com Attestation from India/UK/USA/Australia & GCC. Tracking Facility. LEADER MIDDLE EAST W.L.L. Oil Massage, Hotel & Home Visit. Free Pick-Up & Delivery. GSM: 30092444/33589739 For fast & reliable BUSINESS SET-UP, LOCAL SPONSORS, Trade Opposite Hamad Hospital. Al Rayyan Street. FIDELITY SERVICES COMPANY Licences, Joint Ventures, Public Relations, Visas & Real Estate Services. Tel.: 44360061 GSM: 33453697 Tel: +974 55745147/55201189 E-mail: [email protected] Part-Time Maid Service. Reliable maids for cleaning and A/C MAINTENANCE & generalhousekeeping duties. Flexible packages at low rates SERVICES INTERNATIONAL MASSAGE CENTER (AYURVEDIC) For booking : 66144629, 44186738 HELPLINE GROUP OF COMPANIES Rejuvanation, Back & Joints Pain, Paralysis, Rheumatic CITYSCAPES AIRCONDITIONING We provide A to Z support for the Company Formation, Commercial Diseases. Home Services. Opposite: Al Jazeera TV, Bin Registration, PRO Services & Real Estate Services. Call Now: Installation, Maintenance and Servicing of all kinds of Split, AL SADEQ TRAD. & MAINTENANCE CO. Omran. Tel.: 44218166 GSM: 77702421 77711129/44351974/44919213 - www.helplinegroups.com Window and Package of Type A/C. GSM: 33709599/ General Cleaning for Villa, Flat, Building, Carpet Shampooing, Sofa Sets, Marble Polish, Manpower Supply & 55175012/ 33414781 E-mail: [email protected] Pest Control - Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Yearly Contracts (24 Hours Service). GSM: 33020107/33020108 iRest Massage Chair Tel: 4436068 Fax: 44353336 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Buy Online www.qbuy.qa BURHA TRADING IT SOLUTION 2nd Floor, Quality Hyper Market All kinds of A/C Maintenance & Services GSM: 55684777 A/C Tech. from Philippines. Waranty after maintenance CURTAIN & UPHOLSTERY Something different at moderate prices. Tel: 33202138 / 77619899 Software Lab Qatar MEDIHERB P.O. Box : 31400, Doha, Qatar CASA BLU COMPANY Separate Section for Gents & Ladies. Back, Neck & Joint Care, Indian

Software Tel: +974 44622703, 44622705 GSM: 66836037 FIDELITY SERVICES COMPANY Tel: 44694020/90 Fax: 44694010 Labs Ayurvedic Massage, Holistic Rejuvenating Massage. Fareej Al Nasar, Near A/C. Maintenance, Cleaning, Relocation, Repair for all types of [email protected] - www.casabluinteriors.com E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.softlabqatar.com Midmac R/A.Tel.: 44690363 GSM: 66167700 www.mediherbqatar.com AC’s 7/7 - Office: 44186738, GSM: 66144629 HR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY FOR QATAR) DENTAL • Document Management System • Inventory Management System • Plant Management System MUSIC

BLINDS Expertise and capability to develop any kind of Software to suit your specific business needs!!! MUSIC HOUSE AL SHARK EXHIBITION AL MASA DENTAL COMPLEX Courses Offered: Guitar, Drums, Keyboard, Violin, Voice, Piano, Piano Vertical-Venitian Blinds. DR. Saeed Mohammed Abdelkhalek, MS, Prosthodontics. INTN’L TRDG. & TECHNICAL SVCS. CO. (INTER-TECH) Tuning + Rentals, Band Rehearsal Studio. Call: 44550203/ Bin Mehmoud. Tel./Fax: 44422906 Opposite Villagio. Tel: 44513289 Fax: 44693086 Hardware, Software, Networking, ERP, Cabling, Servers, UPS, 77469047/66022769 - E-mail: [email protected] Network Operation, Maintenance, etc. AL MASA DENTAL COMPLEX Tel: 44416556 Fax: 44416410 - [email protected] AL JAWHAR CURTAINS & FURNITURE DR. Sami Khalil Elmorsi Elsharoud, MS, Restorative Dentisty & METAL REPAIRS Endodontics. Opposite Villagio. Tel: 44513289 Fax: 44693086 Vertical-Venitian Blinds. Salwa Road, Qatar Decoration R/A. IMMIGRATION SERVICES APOLLO ENTERPRISES Tel: 44689897 AL MASA DENTAL COMPLEX Belzona Polymerics - Tel: 44426664 DR. Mohammed Naveed Yawar GSM: 55871914/55524897 E-mail: [email protected] GB, General Scope Dentist (Rajiv Gandhi University of Health ‘WE GET THE JOB DONE’ [email protected] BLASTING AND PAINTING Sciences). Opposite Villagio. Tel: 44513289 Fax: 44693086 Specialised in Governmental work, Work Visa, Family Visa, Resident Permits and many more. Email: [email protected] 44675502 4467-5503 Website: deltaqatar.com M. PALLONJI QATAR Tel: , Fax: MANPOWER SUPPLY P.O. BOX: 23933. E-mail: [email protected] ENTERPRISE TELEPHONY AND SECURITY SOLUTIONS Tel: 44606822 Fax: 44606977 GSM:55879234 LIVE, WORK & STUDY IN CANADA/AUSTRALIA Work Permit Visas for: Hotel Staff, Administrators, Sales Associates, Male & Female Cooks, Light & Heavy Drivers + Mechanics and more.. BICYCLES & WATER SPORTS E-mail: [email protected] - www.dubaimcs.com

SKATE SHACK Al Ain # 3, Salwa Road, MISSION SERVICES For Direction call: Tel: 446-92532 We are government services agent specialised in government services process: Establishing new GSM: 552-47885/779-36152 - www.skate-shack.com companies, Immigration Services, Traffic Department, Labor Department and other authorities. Our mission is to get your job done. Tel: 44131358 Fax: 44131359 E-mail: [email protected]

CURTAINS IMPORT SERVICES AL SHARK EXHIBITION INTN’L TRDG. & TECHNICAL SVCS. CO. (INTER-TECH) Bin Mehmoud - Planning, Design, Engineering, Supply, Installation, Testing, Commissioning, Multi System IMPORT FROM CHINA/INDIA Tel./Fax: 44422906 Integration, Maintenance in Telecommunication, Electronics, Power, Security & Cabling. Building Materials/Industrial Items/Steel/Aluminium Sections/ Tel: 44416556 Fax: 44416410 - [email protected] Panels, etc. 18 year old Indian Company having China Office. NURSERY AL JAWHAR CURTAINS & FURNITURE GSM: 33391248, [email protected] Salwa Road, Qatar Decoration Roundabout. THE LITTLE HANDS NURSERY Tel: 44689897 ERP SOFTWARE Age group 2 months to 4 years. Separate classes for babies, toddlers & students JEWELLERY with spacious play area. British Management & Camera Protection. Location: New AL HAWAL GROUP Salata, 137 Al Maahed Street, (at the back of Birla Public School) GSM: 55312803 CARPET Job Card, Job Order, Job Bill, Project Costing, Sales, Inventory, CANARA JEWELLERY Al Mansoura, Bin Dirham Street. Purchase, Sales, Payroll & Accounts, Only QR.2,500. HELLO BABY NURSERY (ABU HAMOUR & KHARTIYAT) KASHMIR HANDICRAFT EMPORIUM Tel: 44311705 GSM: 55231633 Tel: 44422071, 44357283 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] - www.4422071.com We start registration for September 2012. Handmade Cartpets, Handicrafts & Furniture. Al Mirgab We follow English Curriculum. Street, Al Naser. Tel: 44432761 GSM: 55553407 Abu Hamour: 77759789 Al Khartiyat: 33000819 FURNITURE MOVERS CCTV SECURITY SOLUTIONS OFFICE INTERIORS/FIT-OUT APOLLO FURNITURE PARAGON SHIPPING & LOGISTIC W.L.L. CONTRACTOR ANAN SECURITY SYSTEMS Salwa Road. For International/Local Relocation. CCTV - Remote Monitoring Security Solutions for Industrial, Tel: 44689522 (3 Lines) Doha - Qatar. OFFICE EXPERTS Commercial & Residential Security. Contact: 33216343 www.apollofurnitureonline.com Mobile: 55803404 Tel: 44299555 A cost effective office service provider: Office Interior, Office Email: [email protected] Stationery & Supplies, Office Space, Office Services - An initiative of Sama Group W.L.L. T: 44447705 - F: 44447709 - For advertisements, call: ARTIFACTS OF ARABIA E2E GLOBAL PACKERS & MOVERS W.L.L. E: fi[email protected] W: www.samagroup.me Solid Wood Furniture, Antiques, Art & Decor. Professional’s in Int’l & Domestic Relocations & Removals Call David: 55614573 Office Shifting & Industrial Packing. E: [email protected] 44557857 www.artifactsofarabia.com Tel: 4451 6688, Mobile: 5599 0644, Fax: 4468 8631 JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Classifieds

SERVICES FOR RENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPTICS RENT A CAR APOLLO REAL ESTATE Doha’s leading Real Estate Agency can offer you a wide selection of available BUYING MODERN GULF OPTICS properties. Apartment to compounds and office space. Give us your requirements and let us find We buy all kinds of used household Please visit for all types of Eye Glasses, Sun Glasses, Contact you a place that fits. With over 30 years experience in Doha, we know the market. Lenses, Eye Test for Driving License and Industrial Safety items. Office Furniture, Electric and Glasses. Near Crazy Signal. Tel: 44310768 Qatar’s first Real Estate Company under British Management electronics items.. Fridge, A/Cs, Call: Office: 44689522, Maureen 55864352 Freezer, TV & Computers. PORTABLE/CHEMICAL TOILETS Abubakar 55850815, Peter 55506803, Dexter 55872145 www.apollopropertiesonline.com Call: 55505773 BEAM CONSTRUCTION Near Al Saliya Sports Stadium. Tel: 44901760 Fax: 44901566 GSM: 33138018 E-mail: [email protected] SERVICES PARTY ITEMS & BALLOON DECORATION PARTY KINGDOM WEBSITE Near Jaidah Flyover, Nasrallah Centre. AL DAR CAR RENTAL Tel: 44353501/ 44366431 24 Hours. Bin Omran, Ahmed Bin Ali St., PO Box 24816 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 44877789 GSM: 55599972/55732070, Fax: 44866637 [email protected] PEST CONTROL & CLEANING PRODUCTS COUNTRY RENT A CAR - BARWA AL WAKRA TRADE CHEM LTD. A car has a choice of vehicles to suit your needs. Special cost provide nice service to our customer. What’s more? Comprehensive, Maintenances & Replacement Vehicle. Come to you at affordable P O Box: 21748 - Tel: +974 44278006 Fax: +974 44278007 rates, etc. Tel.: 44154467 GSM: 55440424 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

PEST CONTROL & CLEANING SAFETY TRAINING

DOHA PEST CONTROL & CLEANING CO. W.L.L. For Pest Control & Cleaning Services - Fax: 44360838. Email: [email protected] GSM: 55513862/55814832/ 55514709 Tel:44360901/902 Web: www.dohapest.com AL HAWAL GROUP Website Designing, Statics & Dynamic, Web Portal, Online QATAR PEST CONTROL COMPANY W.L.L. Store Online Booking, Online Appointment, Starting only Email: [email protected] QR.1,000. Tel: 44311705 GSM: 55231633 web: www.qatarpest.com GSM: 55517254/66590617 Tel: 44222888 Fax: 44368727 WATER TANK CLEANING REAL ESTATE AL MUTWASSIT CLEANING & PEST CONTROL Kharaba st, Behind white Mosque. AL MUFTAH SERVICES & RENT A CAR WLL Fax: 443679 99 GSM. 55875920/55860432 C Ring Road Main Office Tel: 44328100/44442003, 44414339 44326840/ 44426649, Fax: - Musherib Branch Office: Tel: CAPITAL CLEANING COMPANY Fax: 44312899 E Mail: [email protected] Website: www.racqatar.com Cleaning Water Tanks & Pest Control. Fax: 44582529 GSM: 55565328/33189899 Tel: 44582257/44582546 ADAM REAL ESTATE COMPANY E-mail: [email protected]/[email protected] Al Kuwari Blgd., 8th Floor, Al Sadd, Near Sebstain Rest. Tel: 44366932 Fax: 44366931 GSM: 55500789 / 55803731 YOGA SERVICES APOLLO REAL ESTATE Salwa Road. GSM: 55864352/55506803/ 55872145 Tel: 44689522 www.apollopropertiesonline.com YOGASHA E-mail: [email protected] First time in Qatar. Counselling and Yoga Services. Almajaz Builiding Office 3, Al Kharatiat. Tel: 44422052 GSM: 55264002 - www.yogasha.com RENT A CAR

AVIS RENT A CAR Main Office at Daihatsu Showroom Complex on ‘C’ Ring Road. Tel: 44667744 / 44622180 Fax: 44657626

BUDGET RENT A CAR The Best Car Rental Service in Qatar. Head Office - 44310411 Airport Arrival - 44153048 Airport Departure - 44622678/55808638 (24 Hrs)

AL MUFTAH RENT A CAR WLL HO, D’ Ring Road -Tel: 44328100, 44634444 - Branches: Airport 44634433, C’ Ring Road -Tel: 44442003, Grand Hamad 44326840, 44748840 Avenue - Ras Lafffan: Tel.: STATIONERY & OFFICE E Mail: [email protected] Website: www.rentacardoha.com SUPPLIES AL SULAIMAN RENT A CAR OFFICE EXPERTS Main Office D’ Ring Road. Tel: 44911711/44911710 Fax: 44911699. A cost effective office service provider: Office Stationery & E-mail: [email protected] Musherib: 44355477/44440702/44315616 Supplies, Office Interior, Office Space, Office Services - An Fax: 44355466. Al Wakra: 44646775/44649153 Fax: 44646773 initiative of Sama Group W.L.L. T: 44447705 - F: 44447709 - Al Khor: 44796677/44725378 Fax: 44796633 E: [email protected] W: www.samagroup.me

EUROPCAR TRIOS - OFFICE & PROJECT SUPPLIES You rent A lot more than a car. Opp. Al Sharq Bldg., D-Ring Stationary, Computer Supplies, Gift Items, Cad Plotting & Road. Tel: 44660677 Fax: 44662677 Airport: 44621188 Digital Printing. Tel: 44919114-15 Fax: 44919116 E-mail: [email protected] - www.triosqatar.com BASE RENT A CAR Cars that fits your Needs & Budget. We Deliver & Pickup. Call for a quote 24 Hours @ 55206569 SCAFFOLDING OASiS RENT A CAR AND TRANSPORTATION YOU RENT MORE THAN A CAR WITH OASiS. Fax: 44130033 APOLLO ENTERPRISES SCAFFOLDING DIVISION Tel: 44130011/44130022 GSM: 55157587 (Rental)/ 55129615 Contract/Hire/Sale - Salwa Road. Tel: 44693334 (Transportation) [email protected] - OasisCars.com Fax: 44416274 GSM: 55521089/55560246/55536285 www.apollo-qatar.net - E-mail: [email protected] NICE RENT A CAR Solution for Transport & Leasing all types of vehicle & Heavy Equiment. COSMOS TOOLS & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES CO. W.L.L Tel: 44413392 GSM: 55514223 Fax: 44317896 Website: niceqatar.com Scaffolding & Ladders. Tel: 44151824 (3 Lines), 44315500 Fax: 44151825/ E-mail: [email protected]/ [email protected] 44214809 GSM: 55898593 E-mail: [email protected] Main Showroom: Beside Doha Stadium, near to Clock R/A. Branch: Barwa Village, Bldg. No.2, Shop 8 & 10 THE OWNERS RENT A CAR + LIMOUSINE SERVICE 24 Hrs Service! Tel: 44515515 GSM: 55149555 Fax: 44515155 TRANSLATION SERVICES Contact Mr. Anjum Malik E-mail: [email protected]

JABRCO RENT A CAR We have many vehicles like 2009, 2010 & 2011 models for rent with a comfortable price on daily/weekly and monthly. Main office: 44663933 GSM: 33131241 - Branch Barwa Village: 44152020 GSM: 33640652 E-mail: [email protected]

E2E FLEETS 15/26/30/55/60/65 Seated Buses with or without Driver Excellent Service & Competitive rates - Tel: 4460 5291 Email: fl[email protected] - Mobile: 3307 4056

GO RENT A CAR Competitive Rates for Car Rental & Leasing. Tel: 44325500 Fax: 44375753 GSM: 33697075/66983107 E-mail: [email protected] TOURS IN QATAR REGENCY FLEETS (A Regency Group Co.) Special Corporate leasing and Rental rates. Price includes Comprehensive Insurance, Maintenance, Replacement Vehicle etc. Driven by Values. E-mail: info@regencyfleets. QATAR INTERNATIONAL TOURS com Tel: 44433822/44554046 Fax: 44554047 Branches: Airport - Tel.: 44153086 Tel: 44551141/44552242 GSM: 55010137/55864568 Beverly Hills - Tel.: 44122131 Movenpick Tower & Suites: Tel.: 44966107/30122300 Fax: 44653461 E-mail: [email protected] - Website: www.qittour.com JANUARY 5, 2013 Sports www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 ON SATURDAY

Hopman Cup: Davydenko stuns Ferrer, faces Djokovic fires Serbia into Gasquet in final of Qatar Open final in Perth PERTH, Australia: World number one Novak Djokovic Former world No.3 from Russia scripts an easy win over the top-seed bounced back to his imposing best as Serbia advanced to the DOHA: Top-seeded David Hopman Cup final yesterday. Ferrer was sensationally denied The Serbian pairing of Djokovic a place in the final of the Qatar and Ana Ivanovic beat Germany Open yesterday by forgotten 3-0 to finish their round robin man Nikolay Davydenko. ties unbeaten and earn the right The 31-year-old Russian, with- to face the Spanish pairing of out a win over a top 10 player in 15 Fernando Verdasco and Anabel attempts, and without an appear- Medina Garrigues in today’s ance in a final for 21 months, mixed teams final. clinched a stunning 6-2, 6-3 win It is the third time the Serbian over one of the tour’s most tena- duo have played together at the cious players. Hopman Cup and the second time The former world No.3 beat they have reached the final. the Spaniard with a bullying bril- They also qualified for the liance which reminded people a title decider in 2011, but didn’t little of the successive victories he take their place in the final after produced over Roger Federer and Ivanovic suffered an abdominal Rafael Nadal when he captured strain. the title in Doha three years ago. Serbia have only played in the Since then Davydenko has final once before, when Djokovic been hit by injuries, loss of form, and Jelena Jankovic were beaten and even loss of direction, sink- by the American pairing of Serena ing to an eight-year low of world Williams and Mardy Fish in 2008. number 50 last year. He is still Djokovic, surprisingly beaten by outside the top 40. local youngster Bernard Tomic on Now he showed how keen he is Wednesday, gave the Serbians the make good his ambition for one lead in the tie with a dominant last bid to regain a top 20 place, performance against German vet- smacking the ball hard and flat, eran Tommy Haas in their singles striking it early, and taking clev- clash, before Ivanovic secured the erly judged risks in coming to the tie by demolishing Tatjana Malek. net. The durable Haas is ranked Ferrer is almost certain to 21st in the world, but he had overtake Nadal as world number Nikolay Davydenko of Russia returns the ball to David Ferrer of Spain during their semi final match of the Qatar ExxonMobil ATP Open Tennis tourna- no answer to the shotmaking of four after the Australian Open, ment at Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, yesterday. Davydenko won 6-2, 6-3. Djokovic, who took just over an the year’s first Grand Slam, which hour to win 6-2, 6-0. AFP begins in little more than a week’s time in Melbourne. He is also coming from the Brisbane best year of his career, in which he won more titles, seven, and International Results more matches, 76, than any other Results of matches at the player. But now he was knocked Brisbane International tour- from side to side by a player nament yesterday (x denotes reborn. seeding): “I didn’t have a chance against Men: Quarter-finals: Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) that,” said Ferrer. “He was just bt Jurgen Melzer (AUT x7) 6-3, 6-2; Marcos better than me in every way. He Baghdatis (CYP) bt Gilles Simon (FRA x3) served better, he hit the ball bet- 6-3, 6-4; Kei Nishikori (JPN x5) bt Alexandr ter, and he played really well. Dolgopolov (UKR x4) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3); Andy “Although it was the first tour- Murray (GBR x1) bt Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-4, nament of the season, that was 7-6 (7/3). no excuse. Every tournament on the ATP World Tour is important, Women: Semi-finals: Serena Williams (USA and I have to improve.” x3) bt Victoria Azarenka (BRS x1) w/o; Anastasia He will try to do that by fly- Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) bt Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) ing straight to Auckland to play 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. another Aussie Open warm-up event. Hopman Cup Results Davydenko, who will face Results from the mixed teams Richard Gasquet in today’s final Hopman Cup at Perth Arena and who has neither dropped a yesterday. set nor lost a service game all Group A week, showed early signs that he Serbia bt Germany 3-0 was going to deliver a very special performance. Men’s singles: Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Tommy Ferrer hung on to his open- Haas (GER) 6-2, 6-0. ing service game, but then was Women’s singles: Ana Ivanovic (SRB) bt allowed only one of the next 16 Tatjana Malek (GER) 6-0, 6-1. points, without ever really play- Mixed doubles: Ivanovic/Djokovic (SRB) bt ing badly. Malek/Haas (GER) 6-0, 6-0 (walkover). He managed to fight his way Group B back from 0-40 to rescue his serv- South Africa bt France 2-1 ice game for 2-3, but it did lit- Women’s singles: Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) tle to stem the flood. Davydenko bt Mathilde Johansson (FRA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. broke again for 5-2, closed out the Richard Gasquet of France celebrates after winning against Daniel Brands of Germany. Gasquet won 7-5, 7-5. RIGHT: Spain’s David Ferrer returns the set quickly, and continued to look ball to Davydenko. Men’s singles: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) bt dangerous in the second set. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3). Sure enough from 3-3 onwards “This a very good result for me, giant-killer, 7-5, 7-5. Though a Allied to solid serving and a high Mixed doubles: Scheepers/Anderson (RSA) bt the Ukraine-born Muscovite hit but I must go step by step. qualifier ranked outside the top ratio of winners to losers (32-13), Qatar ExxonMobil Johansson/Tsonga 6-3, 1-2 (retired). another hot streak with his bat- “I still have to get fitter, that is 150, Brands had won six matches, he had many reasons to celebrate tering ground strokes and bold the key. If I do, then I don’t lose despatched two seeds, and indi- victory with a leap and a yell. Open Results Chennai Open Results forward moves. concentration, and if I can do that cated, with his unusual inside-out “I practised a lot because I DOHA: Results from the fifth Results from the ATP Chennai He took 14 of the next 16 points, I can control everything and the forehand and net-attacking game knew I was coming to Doha and day of the Qatar Open yester- Open yesterday (x denotes eyes bulging, feet flying and racket tennis seems easy. that he is making a career-chang- I wanted to do well here. It’s a big day (x denotes seeding): seeding): flashing, leaving the impression “I can play faster and then I ing surge into the ATP World win for me,” said Gasquet. “Saving Semi-finals: Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) bt David Singles: Quarter-finals: Benoit Paire (FRA that he had made himself the feel I can beat anyone. And that Tour on a regular basis for the the break points (early on) was Ferrer (ESP x1) 6-2, 6-3; Richard Gasquet (FRA x5) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x3) 6-4, 1-6, 7-5; Aljaz unofficial favourite for the title. will be the key in the final.” first time. important. I was mentally tough. x2) bt Daniel Brands (GER) 7-5, 7-5 Bedene (SLO) bt Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x4) “I have waited a long time for That will be against the sec- But Gasquet blunted the “I am feeling confident about Today’s Schedule 6-2, 7-6 (8/6); Janko Tipsarevic (SRB x2) bt Go when I would reach a final again,” ond-seeded Gasquet, the world Brands weapons, sometimes play- my game and feel I can do well Soeda (JPN x8) 6-2, 6-4; Roberto Bautista Agut said Davydenko, clearly greatly number 10 from France who over- ing a little further up the court, again. Now I want to win the Final: Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs Richard (ESP) bt Tomas Berdych (CZE x1) 7-5, 2-6, 6-3. relishing his tremendous form. came Daniel Brands, the German denying time and reducing angles. tournament.” AFP Gasquet (FRA x2) at 6.00pm Davis Cup row deepens in India Murray takes chances CHENNAI, India: India’s support staff, a full-time physi- feel are “legitimate suggestions”. on our pursuit for changes in the to reach Brisbane semis Davis Cup campaign was otherapist and the players’ “We wish to emphatically state system.” thrown into turmoil yesterday involvement in the choice of ven- that all of us are united in our AITA chief executive Hironmoy BRISBANE, Australia: The Scot broke Istomin once after a stand-off between play- ues for ties. stand against certain practices Chatterjee said his federation had Defending champion Andy in the first set -- his only break ers and administrators wors- The All India Tennis observed in the management of already spoken with the players, Murray moved into the point of the match -- then came ened ahead of next month’s tie Association (AITA) said it the Davis Cup squad,” the play- but insisted indiscipline would semi-finals of the Brisbane from 1-3 down in the tie-break to against South Korea. could not accommodate all the ers’ statement said. not be tolerated. International yesterday when win the next six points and take Eight players, headed by demands, and insisted those play- “We are not looking to chal- “They have put forward their he downed a tenacious Denis the match. Somdev Devvarman, threatened ers who did not accept a proposed lenge the authority of the AITA, suggestions and we will consider Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-4, 7-6 By contrast, Istomin had to boycott the Asia-Oceania first- disciplinary code will not be con- but are making a genuine attempt them,” Chatterjee said. “But I (7/3). two break points on Murray’s round tie in New Delhi from sidered for selection. to change things for the improve- don’t think we can accept all Murray, back on court after serve but was unable to convert February 1-3 if a slew of demands The players issued a state- ment of Indian tennis.” their demands. Also we can’t playing the late match on either. made by them were not accepted. ment on Friday saying they are Devvarman added: “If, in our force anyone to play.” The AITA Thursday night, took his chances Murray, who had a tough The demands include better “regrettably, unavailable for opinion, the AITA’s response is selection committee is due to against Istomin on a few key three-setter against Australia’s distribution of Davis Cup prize selection” unless the AITA is unfair, I will stand united with the meet on January 11 to pick the points, edging out the world John Millman in the previous money, a change in the squad’s willing to consider what they rest of the players and continue squad for the Korean tie. AFP number 43 in two tight sets in just round, was happy with his form over an hour and a half. this early in the season. AFP JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Sport

Miami Heat’s James named Novak shines as Knicks US basketball Athlete of the snap Spurs’ win streak Year 2012 MIAMI: Miami Heat’s LeBron James has been named the US Anthony top-scores with 23 points at Madison Square Garden Basketball Athlete of the Year 2012 after a successful year with NEW YORK: Bench player 22-19 lead and they padded that one Olympic gold medal and the Steve Novak led a sizzling NBA Results to 37-29 midway through the sec- 2012 NBA championship. three-point shooting display as NY Knicks 100 San Antonio 83 ond quarter when Novak made his The US basketball governing the New York Knicks mixed Minnesota 101 Denver 97 second three-pointer. body announced the award at spectacular offense with a much However the Spurs steadily Colorado Springs, Colorado, yes- improved defence to stun the and showed us how we were play- clawed their way back and suc- terday, reports Xinhua. red-hot San Antonio Spurs with ing now and how we played then. cessive free throws by Duncan cut James is one of just two play- a 100-83 win at Madison Square Today (yesterday) we came back the deficit to 42-40 at halftime. ers in the history of the game to Garden yesterday. to that level.” New York, who outshot San win MVP (Most Valuable Player), With Novak making five-of- All-Stars Tim Duncan and Antonio by 47.6 percent to 36.4 the NBA championship and the seven attempts from beyond the Tony Parker each scored 11 points from the field throughout the Olympics in the same year, along arc to total 15 points and Carmelo for the Southwest leading Spurs, game, built a 67-60 advantage with Michael Jordan. Anthony adding a game-high 23, who had been averaging 111.7 by the end of the third quarter “It’s an honour that I have been the Knicks snapped the Spurs’ points per game this season until before breaking the game wide named the 2012 USA Basketball seven-game winning streak in their offense was stifled by the open in the final period. Male Athlete of the Year,” James rampant style. Knicks. “We started out the game stick- was quoted as saying by a release There were further stellar con- “We played great tonight,” ing to our script, being the more of the association. tributions from the New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson told aggressive team,” Anthony said. “It’s always an honour to repre- bench with JR Smith weighing reporters. “We beat a damned “They were double-teaming, sent my country,” he added. in with 20 points and Amare good ball club. It took a total team triple-teaming me. It was just a “I never do it to be recognized Stoudemire 10 as the home team effort.” matter of us making shots when or to receive an award. I do it outshot San Antonio by 44.4 New York had conceded more I swung it out. because I love my country and the percent to 26.5 from behind the than 100 points a game for each of “Novak made shots, J.R. made game of basketball,” he pointed three-point line. their last 10 games, but restricted shots. Pablo came in and led out. The Atlantic pacesetting the high-powered Spurs with an our team from the point guard James is now one of three US Knicks broke the game wide open intensive defensive effort. position. players to participate in three in the fourth quarter, starting out “When you play defense at a “Everyone contributed in their Olympics. with a 15-2 run, to improve their high level like we did tonight, you own way, made some great passes. He has two Olympic gold med- record to 22-10. put yourself in position to win It was just a matter of getting it als in 2008 and recently at the “After a great start this sea- games,” Woodson added. to the open man.” London 2012 Olympics. son defensively, the last 10 games “They are going to have to con- Spurs forward Stephen Jackson He was also part of the team we went down,” Knicks reserve tinue to play that way. The ball exited the game with a sprained that won bronze medal in the point guard Pablo Prigioni, an moved ... Novak got some great right ankle after playing just Olympic Games in Athens in NBA rookie at the age of 35, said looks, JR had great looks ... the three minutes off the bench, suf- JR Smith (8) of the New York Knicks high-fives team-mate Steve Novak (16) 2004. courtside after finishing with six ball was moving.” fering the injury when he crashed after his fourth quarter basket against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Last season, the American points and nine assists. The Knicks ended a closely into a waitress working in front Square Garden in New York City, yesterday. international, led Miami Heat to “The coach showed clips to us contested first quarter with a of courtside seats. REUTERS the NBA Championship. IANS

Clarke and Bayern Munich PSG’s advertising deal Cabrera to tee sign Kirchhoff off in T20-style for next season with Qatar justified,

Indian league DOHA: Bayern Munich have signed Jan Kirchhoff from says club president NEW DELHI: Darren Mainz, with the German Clarke and Angel Cabrera will defender to join up with the PARIS: A controversial adver- Qatar, has been important,” Al be among four major winners Bundesliga giants at the end tising deal designed to help Khelaifi said in his first public to tee off in a city-based golf of the season, sporting direc- Qatari-backed Paris St Germain comments on the issue. league in India next month tor Matthias Sammer said meet UEFA’s financial fair-play “We have been building an in a format modelled on the yesterday. criteria is justified by the club’s international brand. This deal country’s Twenty20 cricket The 22-year-old Kirchhoff, growing influence in the Arabic is a strong symbol. Qatar have Bubba Watson is interviewed by Golf Channel Analyst Mark Rolfing (left) league. whose deal with Mainz comes to world, the French club’s presi- benefited a lot from their invest- on the 18th hole during the Pro-Am round of the Hyundai Tournament Masterminded by Indian an end this summer, has signed a dent Nasser Al Khelaifi said. ments in PSG.” golfer Shiv Kapur, the contract until 2016, said Sammer, The deal, under which the PSG have spent more than 250 of Champions at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii, yesterday. league would also feature in Qatar on a club training camp. Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) million euros in transfers since former US Open champion “It’s the player we wanted,” will pour up to 200m euros the Qatari fund QSI bought the Michael Campbell, 2002 PGA he said. “He’s a very interest- ($262m) a year into the club until club in June 2011, far more that Championships winner Rich ing player, a raw diamond with 2016, will be made official in the they can afford to if they only Players in paradise Beem, multiple European extremely big capabilities.” next few weeks, Khelaifi told the spend what they earn. Tour winner David Howell and The 22-year-old had also sports daily L’Equipe. The advertising contract will Asian Tour stalwart Thaworn caught the attention of Borussia The deal is worth twice the help them continue their expan- Wiratchant, organisers said Dortmund and Schalke, but he club’s revenues for the 2010-11 sion and will be retroactive, for PGA Tour opener yesterday. has opted to continue his career season and has been questioned meaning it will finance their off- “When I saw the Indian at the Allianz Arena instead. with some pundits suggesting it season high-profile signings, such HAWAII: If winning breeds seeing the scenery. Playing the Premier League (Twenty20 Kirchhoff came through the ranks was out of proportion. as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago winning, then the picturesque golf course is a challenge,” Watson tournament), I thought it made of the Eintracht Frankfurtyouth PSG will have to comply with Silva or new recruit Lucas Moura. Hawaiian island of Maui is a said of the par-73, 7,411-yard cricket look cool. I wanted to do academy, before joining Mainz in the new fair play regulations “We will keep on investing,” paradise in more ways than Plantation layout, “but it’s a fun the same in golf, without taking 2007. which require clubs not to spend Khelaifi said. one for the select group of play- time to start off the year here in away the seriousness of course,” Today, Bayern Munich will play more than they earn. They are “It’s necessary to become one ers competing at this week’s Maui.” Kapur, whose lone Asian Tour a behind-closed-doors friendly expected to submit the contract of the great European clubs. $5.7m Hyundai Tournament of Many of the players competing win came in 2005, told a news against Qatar Stars League (QSL) to the European governing body Other clubs have invested for 20 Champions. at Kapalua make the most of what conference. champions Lekhwiya at Khalifa UEFA in the coming months. years. We have been there for a The only way to qualify for time they have away from the golf “It would be a great oppor- Stadium at 6:30pm, as part of “The contract with QTA is year and a half and now we must the elite field of 30 in the PGA course by surfing, swimming and tunity for the local players to their training camp in Doha. justified because PSG’s influence stop pouring money? It would be Tour’s season-opening event was taking the ever popular whale- team up with some of the big AGENCIES in the whole region, not only in unfair.” REUTERS through victory on the US cir- watching cruises but Mahan said names. It would be an experi- cuit last year and, with no cut he was unlikely to follow suit. ence they would cherish for the and a guaranteed cheque after “I don’t particularly like the rest of their life,” the 30-year- German club Schalke 04 train in Doha Monday’s final round, the pick- water that much,” Mahan said. “I old golfer said. ings are certainly favourable. get seasick pretty easily, so I won’t Scheduled to take place on “It’s always great to be here,” be out in the water too much. February 8 to 10 at a course American Hunter Mahan, a twice “There’s a hundred different near Mumbai, the inaugural champion on the 2012 PGA Tour, things you can do here. At the league will feature two day- told reporters at the Kapalua same time, this is great weather night rounds of strokeplay, Resort while preparing for today’s and I’m trying to work on my followed by the third and final opening round. game a little bit and make sure I round of best-ball format. “Obviously you won on the PGA get enough time for that.” Each round will be played Tour the year before so it’s a great While the Maui attractions are over 14 holes, by the teams start and every player enjoys com- certainly plentiful for the com- comprising four golfers, both ing here and wants to start here. petitors and their families, seven local and international. “It’s exciting but it’s also crazy leading players who had qualified “We decided three-hour ... I feel like the year never really for the PGA Tour’s season-opener round would be ideal from ended last year, it just kind of have opted not to travel to Hawaii, TV viewership point of view,” keeps on going. But it’s certainly mainly for tournament scheduling explained Kapur. fun to be here.” reasons. Sri Lanka cricket captain Masters champion Bubba Those notable absentees are Mahela Jayawardene is pro- Watson agreed. world number one Rory McIlroy, moter of the $400,000 league’s “Who would not want to come second-ranked Luke Donald and Colombo-based franchise. to Maui and play golf?” the Justin Rose (fourth), along with “We are starting with one American left-hander smiled. former Kapalua winners Tiger team from Sri Lanka and the “Ride in a golf cart in the pro- Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els idea is to add more interna- ams and practice rounds wearing and Sergio Garcia. tional franchises going for- shorts and then the tournament American veteran Steve ward,” Kapur said. starts and you have to walk. But Stricker, who clinched his 12th The organisers were yet to Schalke 04 players take part in a training session at Doha’s Aspire Academy, yesterday. The German club other than that it’s great. PGA Tour victory by three shots finalise the remaining three arrived in Qatar late on Thursday and will train for one week before the Bundesliga League resumes later this “A great time for the family, at Kapalua last year, is back to franchises. REUTERS month. Last season’s UEFA Champions League runners-up Bayern Munich are also training in Doha. hanging out with friends and defend his title. REUTERS JANUARY 5, 2013 Sport www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 ON SATURDAY

Football Fixtures All times in GMT Cancer-battling Vilanova English FA Cup Today Brighton vs Newcastle United (1230) Aston Villa vs Ipswich Town(II) (1500) Blackburn Rovers(II) vs Bristol City(II) (1500) set for Barcelona return Bolton Wanderers(II) vs Sunderland (1500) Crawley Town(III) vs Reading (1500) Crystal Palace(II) vs Stoke City (1500) La Liga: The Catalan club face Espanyol; Real to meet Real Sociedad Fulham vs Blackpool(II) (1500) Manchester City vs Watford(II) (1500) MADRID: Barcelona expect home or away but for those of us Peterborough United(II) v to have coach Tito Vilanova who are from here we are used to sNorwich City (1500) back at the helm following can- facing Espanyol. On a professional Queens Park Rangers vs West Bromwich cer surgery as they return to level it is a big match and we will Albion (1500) league action after the winter give them full respect. break with a local derby against “There is still a long way to Southampton vs Chelsea (1500) Espanyol. go in the title race as we haven’t Tottenham Hotspur vs Although news that Vilanova even finished the first half of the Coventry City(III) (1500) had a recurrence of a tumour on season although we do have a Wigan Athletic vs a saliva gland sent shockwaves good lead. It is a very competi- AFC Bournemouth(III) (1500) around the Catalan club, the tive league and there are a lot of impact has been limited by the points at stake.” West Ham United vs stoppage over Christmas. Real Madrid have fallen 16 Manchester United (1715) After a successful operation he points behind Barcelona and will Tomorrow has missed just one game, an away now have to field a makeshift victory against Valladolid where defence against Real Sociedad Swansea City vs Arsenal (1330) his assistant Jordi Roura took with Pepe, Marcelo, Raul Albiol Mansfield Town(V) vs Liverpool (1600) charge and Barcelona extended and Fabio Coentrao are all injured Monday their record start to the cam- and Sergio Ramos suspended. paign to 16 wins from 17 games The decision to drop keeper Cheltenham Town(IV) vs Everton (1945) in La Liga. Iker Casillas in the final game of Vilanova returned to the train- 2012 against Malaga reinforced French Cup ing ground this week where full- rumours that Jose Mourinho had (Selected Fixtures) back Eric Abidal, who has had his lost the support of key figures in own battle with cancer, is also on the dressing room. Today the comeback trail. Pepe further antagonised the Bordeaux vs Carquefou(III) (1700) “Tito and Abidal are both situation by telling the press in his Boulogne-sur-Mer(III) vs Toulouse (1700) examples of fighting spirit. They home country that the Portuguese FROM LEFT: Barcelona players Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes, French defender Eric Abidal, Spanish defender are examples to follow for all that players in Spain were victimised. Jordi Alba and Argentinian midfielder Javier Mascherano, during a training session held at Miniestadi in Barcelona, Chauray(V) vs FC Lorient (1700) Spain, yesterday. Barcelona will face Espanyol in a La Liga match tomorrow. they have been through and yet at Sergio Ramos has since tried Dreux vs AS Nancy (1700) the same time they have always to ease the atmosphere at the been there to help the club and Bernabeu. FC Montceau Bourgogne(IV) sv ES Troyes their team-mates,” said keeper “When things are not going everyone’s attitude has been good are away to bottom side Deportivo first in four games. Valencia and AC (1700) Victor Valdes. well it is necessary to be more and there is no reason to com- La Coruna. Sevilla, who face Granada and FC Rouen(III) vs Ajaccio (1700) “They give us a big boost and united. I’ve know Iker for years plain. Our job now is to keep fight- Real Betis have been one of the Osasuna respectively, are both Thaon(V) vs Sochaux (1700) the energy to keep going season and we are good friends. I don’t ing for the title.” major surprises so far and will used to being higher up the table after season and to continue the think it is strange what happened Atletico Madrid lead the pur- look to continue their strong start and will be hoping for an upturn Plabennec(IV) vs Stade de Reims (1800) success. We all hope that they are (that he was dropped) as it is the suit of Barca, lying nine points away to Zaragoza while Levante in fortunes this year. Lille vs Nimes Olympique(II) (1945) well and happy. job of the captain of a ship to take behind, and they are now away to aim to bounce back against Elsewhere Celta Vigo take on “We now have a derby game decisions,” he said. Mallorca while Malaga, in fourth, Athletic Bilbao with their defeat Valladolid and Rayo Vallecano Tomorrow and they are always important at “We are on the right track, just two points off Real Madrid, away to Rayo Vallecano their play Getafe. AFP Bourg-Peronnas(III) vs Montpellier HSC (1100) Ba completes Caen(II) vs St Etienne (1315) West Ham await Manchester Metz(III) vs Nice (1315) Chelsea move LB Chateauroux(II) vs Girondins Bordeaux (1315) LONDON: Chelsea yesterday United as FA Cup begins Olympique Marseille vs En Avant announced that they had signed Guingamp(II) (1315) Demba Ba from Newcastle LONDON: Having established a seven-point lead in the Premier League on Wednesday and interim Racing Lens(II) vs Stade Rennes (1315) United, ending an 18-month in the Premier League over the festive period, coach Rafael Benitez has admitted that his players SA Epinal(III) vs Olympique Lyon (1315) spell at the Magpies during Manchester United turn their thoughts to the FA are feeling the effects of the gruelling Christmas which he helped them to fifth Cup today when they visit West Ham United in season. Stade Lucon(IV) vs Stade Brest (1500) spot in the English Premier the third round. “I thought they were doing well and I thought Arras FA(V) vs Paris St Germain (1945) League last season. Brazil striker Cup-winners a record 11 times, United have not that would be fine, but maybe in odd areas we were The west London club said that lifted English football’s oldest trophy since 2004 tired,” he said. Monday the 27-year-old had joined on a and have seen Chelsea dominate the competi- “You could see we didn’t have the intensity and the Istres(II) vs Valenciennes (1945) three-and-a-half year contract Pato to join tion in recent years, winning four of the last six pace on the pass and the movement that we were for an undisclosed fee and would tournaments. expecting,” he added after the shock loss to their La Liga be eligible to play in the Blues’ FA West Ham eliminated United from the FA Cup west-London rivals. Corinthians Today Cup third-round match against with a stunning fourth-round win at Old Trafford in Southampton, meanwhile, have shown signs of Southampton today. 2001, and the Hammers could have a survivor from improvement in recent weeks after a difficult start Levante vs Athletic Bilbao (1500) “It feels good to be here, I’m SAO PAULO: AC Milan’s Brazil that game on the pitch if Joe Cole’s proposed move to the season and avoided defeat for the third suc- Granada CF vs Valencia (1700) very happy and very proud,’ the international striker Alexandre from Liverpool is completed in time. cessive game by holding Arsenal to a 1-1 draw on Senegal international was quoted Pato (pictured) agreed a four- United also went out in the fourth round last sea- New Year’s Day. Deportivo Coruna vs Malaga (1900) as saying on chelseafc.com. year deal with world club cham- son, losing 2-1 at Liverpool. Manchester City, United’s nearest rivals in the Sevilla vs Osasuna (2100) “It was important for me, and pions Corinthians yesterday, Manager Alex Ferguson has promised to rotate league, host second-tier Watford, with the FA Cup Tomorrow for Newcastle, to get my future the Brazilian side confirmed on his squad as he seeks to keep his players fresh for one of only two trophies they can now win after sorted and now we can move on. their website. the challenges ahead. elimination from the League Cup and the Champions Celta Vigo vs Real Valladolid (1100) Now they have the whole month “In the coming days, Pato, who “We’ll make a few changes for the cup tie,” he said League. Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad (1600) to buy someone and for me as will wear the number seven shirt, after Tuesday’s 4-0 win at Wigan Athletic. Mario Balotelli was in line to replace the injured well, the sooner the better. Now will undergo a medical and then “We’ve got fresh players, though. Young Shinji Sergio Aguero at the tip of City’s attack, but he Barcelona vs Espanyol (1800) I am here I just need to get set- sign a four-year contract,” said Kagawa came on against Wigan and Tom Cleverley may have jeopardised his chances of playing after Real Mallorca vs Atletico Madrid (2000) tled in. a club statement with the deal is fresh as he’s not had a lot of football,” he said after being pictured in a furious training-ground row with Monday “When the club who won the believed to be worth 15m euros. the easy win. manager Roberto Mancini. Champions League wants you, the Pato joined Milan from Brazil’s United’s match at West Ham is one of four all- With many of the competition’s big names drawn Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe (1900) decision is very easy. This club Internacional in 2007 and played Premier League ties, alongside West Bromwich against fellow top-flight sides, the chances of a major is massive and that’s something 117 times for the Italian giants. Albion’s trip to Queens Park Rangers, Arsenal’s upset have been reduced. Serie A that helped the decision a lot. His time in Serie A has been game at Swansea City, and holders Chelsea’s match However, seventh-tier Hastings United will Today It was not a hard one,” he said. hampered by a series of fitness at Southampton. hope to pull off a shock at Championship side REUTERS problems. AFP Chelsea were stunned 1-0 by bottom club QPR Middlesbrough. AFP Catania vs Torino (1700) Lazio vs Cagliari (1945) Gulf Cup 2013: Qatar to face UAE today Tomorrow Udinese vs Inter Milan (1130) AC Milan vs Siena (1400) Chievo Verona vs Atalanta Bergamo (1400) Fiorentina vs Pescara (1400) Genoa vs Bologna (1400) Juventus vs Sampdoria (1400) Parma vs Palermo (1400) Napoli vs AS Roma (1945) Portuguese Championship Today Gil Vicente vs Vitoria Guimaraes (1600) Rio Ave vs SC Olhanense (1600) Academica vs Vitoria Setubal (1800) Sporting vs FC Pacos de Ferreira (1800) Porto vs Nacional Madeira (2030) Tomorrow Maritimo vs Beira Mar (1600) Qatar national squad train in Bahrain yesterday ahead of their Gulf Cup match against UAE today. RIGHT: Qatar football coach Paulo Autuori, attends a news conference yesterday after- noon. Qatar face UAE in their first match of the 2013 Gulf Cup at 9:15pm today. Autouri’s side will also face Oman on Tuesday and the hosts Bahrain next Friday. Eight teams will be in Braga vs Moreirense (1800) action during the competition that concludes on January 18. Estoril vs Benfica (2015) JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Sport Hosts South Africa crush New Zealand in first Test The Proteas win by an innings and 27 runs in three days

CAPE TOWN: Dean Brownlie Morne Morkel took the key hit a maiden Test century for wicket of Brownlie. There was New Zealand but could not pre- more resistance from wicket- vent a South African victory on keeper BJ Watling and James the third day of the first Test at Franklin before Man-of-the- A dejected Mike Hussey and captain Michael Clarke (squatting) of Newlands yesterday. Match Vernon Philander struck Australia after Hussey was run out for 25 on day two of the third Test South Africa won by an innings twice in successive overs. against Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney, Australia, and 27 runs as New Zealand were Dale Steyn took two more yesterday. bowled out for 275 in their second wickets and Chris Martin was innings. But the tourists made the run out without facing a ball as South South Africans toil almost until New Zealand’s resistance finally Africa’s tea as they recovered some pride crumbled. Morne after a disastrous first innings of Brownlie reached his cen- Morkel Australia lead Sri 45 all out . tury with two sixes in successive (right) Brownlie made 109 before overs off left-arm spinner Robin celebrates falling to the second new ball Peterson. next to BJ four minutes before lunch. New The Australian-born batsman Watling Lanka on day two Zealand lost their last six wickets earned a congratulatory tweet after taking for 46 runs. from former captain Ross Taylor, the wicket SYDNEY: Australia made wicketkeeper Wade to number six who was unavailable for the tour of New hard work of grabbing a narrow ahead of an elongated tail. Scoreboard after a controversy over his Zealand’s lead over tenacious Sri Lanka Warner and Hughes both captaincy. “Great fight and well Dean on a second day tarnished by missed out on centuries and deserved mate,” tweeted Taylor. reckless run outs and rash shot- Clarke, aghast at his part in New Zealand (I innings) ...... 45 Brownlie South Africa took the second making in the third Test at the the run out of the retiring Mike South Africa (Iinnings): ...... 347-8 decl during the new ball immediately it was due Sydney Cricket Ground. Hussey, was out attempting to New Zealand (II innings): third day of M Guptill c Amla b Steyn ...... 0 and Morkel made the break- The home side, with the series slog sweep left-arm spinner through with his fifth delivery their first already clinched after wins in Rangana Herath for 50. B McCullum lbw Peterson ...... 51 cricket Test K Williamson c Petersen b Kallis...... 15 when Brownlie cut a short ball to Hobart and Melbourne, edged Free-scoring Warner perished Peterson at deep backward point. match in yesterday to a 48-run lead over when he took on part-time spin- D Brownlie c Peterson b Morkel ...... 109 Cape Town, D Flynn c De Villiers b Kallis ...... 14 Watling provided doughty sup- the tourists. ner Tillakaratne Dilshan only yesterday. B Watling c Smith b Philander ...... 42 port as he and Brownlie defied the But it proved tough going and to be well caught by Dhammika J Franklin b Steyn...... 22 South African bowling attack for the Australians failed to get away Prasad, back-pedalling at long-on, D Bracewell c Petersen b Philander ...... 0 more than two and a half hours to a bigger lead after a run-a- for 85 off 84 balls. J Patel b Steyn ...... 8 in a partnership of 74. minute start. Hughes followed Warner back T Boult (not out) ...... 2 Brownlie and Watling showed At the close, Australia were 342 to the pavilion seven overs later, C Martin (run out-Steyn) ...... 0 superb discipline as they blunted for six with Matthew Wade on 47 caught behind attempting to cut Extras (B-1, LB-8, W-3) ...... 12 some tight, hostile bowling. and Peter Siddle not out 16. Herath for 87. Total (all out) ...... 275 Only 63 runs were added in Australia self-destructed with Sri Lankan players gave Hussey Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-29, 3-118, 4-155, 30 overs before lunch but it gave two run outs while David Warner, a guard of honour to the crease. 5-229, 6-252, 7-252, 8-265, 9-274. New Zealand hope of avoiding an Phil Hughes and Michael Clarke The 37-year-old veteran lasted Bowling: Steyn 30-6-67-3, Philander 24-8- innings defeat - which seemed a threw away their wickets with 51 balls before he was needlessly 76-2 (1w), Morkel 21-6-50-1 (1w), Kallis distant prospect after the first only 44 balls, during which time wicket and hit the spinner for a false strokes. run out in possibly his final Test 11.1-3-31-2 (1w), Peterson 16-6-42-1 morning. he was twice dropped at gully. straight six to raise his hundred. The top order carelessness was innings for 25 when he could not Result: South Africa won by an innings and Brownlie, whose previous high- His second half-century was far He was dismissed after bat- accentuated by Australia’s deci- make his ground as Clarke took 27 runs. est Test score was 77 not out more measured. With his score ting for 272 minutes. He faced sion to go into the third Test with off for a quick single. Man-of-the-Match: Vernon Philander (RSA) against Australia in Brisbane on 92, Brownlie took advantage 186 balls and did not add to his four pace bowlers and promote Karunaratne scored a direct Series: South Africa lead the two-match se- in 2011/12, played a contrasting of a short ball from Peterson to boundary tally. hit with his throw at the striker’s ries 1-0. innings. pull it for six over midwicket. In Watling made 42 before he was end and a diving Hussey failed to His first fifty was scored off the next over he went down the edged from Philander. AFP Scoreboard make his ground. Sri Lanka (I innings): ...... 294 Clarke looked back in horror Australia (I innings): from the bowler’s end as he sac- South Africa aim to stay ruthless, says Smith D Warner c Prasad b Dilshan ...... 85 rificed the wicket of his batting E Cowan (run out-Pradeep)...... 4 partner amid the emotion of his P Hughes c Chandimal b Herath ...... 87 farewell Test. CAPE TOWN: South African captain can take the game forward it’s very nice,” he the areas we hit and the intensity with which M Clarke c Karunaratne b Herath ...... 50 Opener Ed Cowan ran himself Graeme Smith said yesterday that his team added. we started.” M Hussey (run out-Karunaratne) ...... 25 out for four inside the opening would not rest on their laurels after securing South Africa were made to work harder Smith said he wanted the level of his team’s M Wade (batting) ...... 47 half hour when he hesitated going an innings victory over New Zealand inside than in the first innings, when they shot New play against largely inexperienced opponents M Johnson c Chandimal b Pradeep ...... 13 for a second run and was beaten three days in the first Test at Newlands. Zealand out for 45 before lunch on the first to continue in the second Test. “It’s one bad P Siddle (batting) ...... 16 to the bowler’s end by Nuwan He said South Africa wanted to build on an day. performance away from being very close,” he Extras (LB-5, W-7, NB-3) ...... 15 Pradeep’s throw. unbeaten run in Test matches in 2012 which With Dean Brownlie scoring 109, his said. Total (for 6 wkts) ...... 342 Hughes also looked on course took them to the number one ranking in the maiden Test century, New Zealand defied “I’m very realistic. I saw Queens Park To bat: M Starc, N Lyon, J Bird. for his fourth century in his 20th world. South Africa’s powerful attack for most of Rangers beating Chelsea the other day. That’s Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-166, 3-195, 4-251, Test before he went for the cut Asked if the manner of their innings and the morning before succumbing to the second sport. You’ve got to keep yourself on your toes. 5-271, 6-307. shot once too often. 27 runs win was an indication of a ruthless new ball. They were eventually bowled out for “They’ve got good players. They are obvi- Bowling: Lakmal 20-4-63-0, Pradeep 14-0- Clarke looked in fine touch, approach, Smith agreed. 275 shortly before tea. ously struggling now to find who fits where 83-1 (3nb, 5w), Prasad 11-0-53-0 (2w), lofting Herath for six and next He said: “It’s about winning. It’s what you Smith had high praise for his bowlers. and who can slot in to certain roles. They are Mathews 2-0-11-0, Dilshan 19-2-58-1, Her- ball went aerial again for four are defined on in modern sport. If you play “We bowled superbly with the new ball in a growing team but it’s our job to keep them ath 22-3-69-2. before his false stroke at the SGC games like this and you are dominant and both innings. I thought we were excellent with under pressure.” AFP yesrerday. AFP

Radwanska to face Wickmayer Al Rayyan win; Al Wakra stun Al Sadd in Auckland final DOHA: Powerhouse Al Rayyan 18-point advantage at the buzzer. produced an awesome display in Mousa led all scorers with 30 big AUCKLAND: Agnieszka their 77-59 victory against Al points. Radwanska and Yanina Ahli in round two of the Qatar Saeed chipped in with 15 while Wickmayer used contrast- Basketball League, yesterday. Watson had 10. ing styles to overcome blustery Al Rayyan, the defending Ibou Sarr and Michael Cook conditions and battle their way champions hardly flexed their paced Ahli with 19 and 16 points, into the final of the ASB Classic muscles in what was an easy win. respectively. women’s tournament yesterday. Brian Rowsom spared stalwart Meanwhile, Al Sadd suffered Radwanska, the top seed, relied Targuy Ngombo from the game a shock loss to Al Wakra losing on precision placement to sur- as veteran Yaseen Mousa and 68-67 in the second match of the vive two tie breaks before beat- his team-mates ran rings around evening. ing Jamie Hampton 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 their rivals’ defence throughout Al Sadd, who entered the (7/3), while third seed Wickmayer the match. match as strong favourites were utilised power play to down Mona The comprehensive win means unable to notch their ninth win Barthel 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/3). that Al Rayyan have now recorded of the season. Wickmayer, the winner in eight victories, with just one loss Al Wakra were beaten by Al Auckland in 2010, will be contest- this season. Arabi in their first match of ing her third final there in four The positive result puts Al round two, after a one month years after outlasting Barthel in Rayyan on top of the points table. break, losing 98-70. a match that lasted one hour 48 Al Ahli put a fight momentarily In tomorrow’s matches, Eljaish, minutes. and inched closer at 23-22 half- who crushed Al Shamal 74-49, will At one-set all, Wickmayer way in the second period. be aiming to make it two wins grabbed the decisive set, to However, American import out of two when they face Qatar advance to today’s final in New Boney Watson combined with Sports Club in the first match at Zealand. AFP Mousa to roll out in flurry to push 5:15pm. Al Rayyan to a 32-26 lead going Eljaish will be aiming to regis- into the mid-game break. ter their eighth win of the season. ASB Classic The defending champions In the later match that takes upped the tempo at the onset of place tomorrow, Al Gharafa will Tennis Results the third period with Erfan Saeed be looking to pick up maximum AUCKLAND: Results from leading his team to a double-digit points when they face Al Arabi day five of the ASB Classic cushion at 55-43 after 30 minutes at the same venue. women’s tennis tournament of play of the match at Al Gharafa Al Gharafa began round two by Stadium. beating Qatar Sports Club 88-67 Semi-finals: Yanina Wickmayer (BEL x3) bt Mona The white shirts surged further earlier this week, with new rein- Barthel (GER x8) 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/3); Agnieszka Al Ahli player Youla Beka (in green) and Al Rayyan player Saleem Ambadi during the Qatar Basketball League away unscathed to 65-50 halfway forcement FIBA-veteran Rasheim Radwanska (POL x1) bt Jamie Hampton (USA) match at Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. RIGHT: Al Ahli player Ahmed Omar (in green) is challenged by Al in the final quarter. Wright playing a starring role in 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3). Rayyan player Hassan Mohammad. PICTURES BY: KAMMUTTY VP They settled down with an the win. THE PENINSULA JANUARY 5, 2013 Break Time www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 ON SATURDAY CINEMA LISTINGS TV LISTINGS

Bavuttiyude Namathil SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER 1 (Malayalam) TEL: 444933989 444517001 GULF – 2.30, 5.30, 8.30 & 11.30pm 10:10 Weird Creatures 07:00 Mythbusters CINEMA Table No 21 (2D/Hindi) 2 – 2.30, 5.30, 8.30 & 11.30pm With Nick Baker 08:15 Time Warp The Really Wild Survivorman Karma Yodha (Malayalam) 12:25 10:30 1 – 2.30, 5.00, 8.00 & 11.00pm Show 11:25 Animal Cops 12:55 Wildest Africa South Africa Abdo Mota (Arabic/2D) – 2.30pm 13:50 Great Ocean 13:15 Dynamo: Adventures Magician Parental Guidance (2D/Comedy) – 4.30 & 11.30pm 14:45 Crocodile Hunter Impossible 2 The Animals’ Real Les Miserables (2D/Drama) 20:15 16:00 – 6.30pm Guide To Superhumans Survival Fast N’ Loud MALL Geddo Habibi (2D/Comedy) 17:50 CINEMA – 9.30pm 21:10 Sharkman 18:45 World’s Toughest Wildest Africa Drive Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away 22:05 (3D/Fantasy) – 2.30pm 23:00 Bad Dog 20:35 Sons Of Guns Karina: Wild On Auction Hunters Les Miserables (2D/Drama) 23:55 21:30 – 4.15pm Safari 23:20 Property Wars 3 Geddo Habibi (2D/Comedy) – 7.15pm Life Of Pi (Comedy/3D) – 9.15 & 11.30pm 06:00 The Wind In The 11:30 American Geddo Habibi (2D/Comedy) Meet the designers, talk with the experts and hear the – 2.30 & 7.30pm Willows-PG Pickers 10:00 Scooby-Doo! 12:00 American Les Miserables (2D/Drama) music driving the fashion industry. Laura brings you all – 4.30pm the latest news from the biggest fashion shows around Legend Of The Pickers 1 Phantosaur-PG 12:30 American Parental Guidance (2D/Comedy) the world with practical advice on how to wear the looks – 9.30pm 11:30 Marco Macaco- Pickers and keep in style. Every Saturday at 6.00 PM. 13:00 Spooky Buddies- 13:00 Soviet Storm: Life Of Pi (Comedy/3D) – 11.30pm 16:00 Diary Of A WWII In The East Wimpy Kid: 15:00 Pawn Stars Mr & Mrs Eweys (Arabic) Rodrick Rules- 15:30 Pawn Stars ROYAL – 2.30pm 18:00 Scooby-Doo! 17:00 Ancient Aliens PLAZA 2 Anna Karenina (Drama) – 4.15pm Legend Of The 20:00 Storage Wars Phantosaur-PG 21:00 Pawn Stars Jack Reacher (Action) 7:30 Talk To Al Jazeera 0400 Best Of Plus 3 20:00 Emilie Jolie-PG 21:30 Pawn Stars – 6.30, 9.00 & 11.15pm 8:00 News Carling Cup The 22:00 Spooky Buddies- 22:00 American Rise Of The Guardians 9:00 Witness Final Cardiff City V 23:30 Winner & The Pickers (Animation) – 2.30pm 10:30 Inside Story Liverpool Golden Child: 23:00 Storage Wars The Hobbit: An Expected 11:00 News 0630 The Symphony Euro 3 Journey (3D/Adventure) 11:30 Listening Post 2012 Review – 4.30 & 7.30pm Killing Them Softly (Crime) 12:00 News 0800 Football Asia – 10.30pm 12:30 Counting the Cost 0830 The Global Game Parental Guidance (2D/Comedy) 13:00 NEWSHOUR 0930 Omni Sport – 2.30 & 4.30pm 14:00 News 1000 Npower League 00:00 Pieces Of April- 11:00 Thundercats Jack Reacher (2D/Action) 14:30 Inside Story Walsall V 02:00 Loser-PG15 11:25 Mucha Lucha 1 – 6.30pm 15:00 Indian Hospital Portsmouth 04:00 Easy A-PG15 11:50 Regular Show Geddo Habibi (2D/Comedy) 16:00 NEWSHOUR 1145 Stars Ronaldo 10:00 Open Season 12:00 Adventure Time – 9.00 & 11.30pm 17:00 News 1200 Stars Clemence 12:00 Easy A-PG15 18:05 Young Justice The Reef 2 (3D/Animation) 17:30 South2North 1300 The Global Game 14:00 Little Shop Of 19:20 Ben 10: Ultimate – 2.30pm 18:00 NEWSHOUR 1400 Omni Sport Horrors-PG15 Challenge LANDMARK Geddo Habibi (2D/Comedy) 19:00 News 1430 English Fa 16:00 Open Season 20:10 Adventure Time 2 – 4.15 & 6.30pm 19:30 People & Power Cup Brighton 18:00 The American 20:35 Regular Show Life Of Pi (3D/Action) 20:00 News V Newcastle President-PG15 21:00 Mucha Lucha – 8.45 & 11.15pm 20:30 Inside Syria Southampton V 20:00 The Life Aquatic 21:25 Total Drama Code Name: Geronimo 21:00 NEWSHOUR Chelsea West Ham With Steve Island (2D/Fantasy) – 3.00 & 5.00pm 22:00 News V Manchester Zissou-PG15 21:50 Total Drama 3 Les Miserables (2D/Drama) 22:30 Listening Post United 22:00 Failure To Island – 7.30 & 10.30pm 23:00 Al Jazeera World 2230 Stars Ronaldo Launch 22:15 Grim Adventures

HYPER C RSO S W O RD

12345 6789 101112131415161718 113 Script 47 Appliance appellation 114 Three-piece parts 48 “Head Secretary”? [William 19 20 21 22 115 Hot Golding] 23 24 25 116 Former Swedish P.M. Palme 49 You might step out to get 26 27 28 29 117 ___-Dale (1902 Kentucky some 50 Lean, as meat 30 31 32 33 34 35 Derby winner) DOWN 51 How much you might kick 36 37 38 39 40 1 ___ party it up? 41 42 43 44 45 2 Tone deafness 52 Like spoiled wine, say 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 3 Division 55 Chemistry class charge 56 Camping supply 53 54 55 56 4 Grandchild of Japanese immigrants 58 Carefree syllables 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 5 Coastal flier 59 Oversell 64 65 66 67 68 6 Candidate with the slogan 60 Sagacity 69 70 71 72 73 “Come home, America” 62 Verdi aria 7 Film director Pier ___ Pasolini 63 Pass again, in a race 74 75 76 77 8 Some soldiers 71 Muffs 78 79 80 81 82 83 9 Backrub response 72 “Who’s ___?” Yesterday’s answer 84 85 86 10 Snares 75 Holier-than-thou types How to play Hyper Sudoku: 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 11 Just beat 77 ESPN’s Hershiser 12 Christmas ball, e.g. 78 Start to freeze? A Hyper Sudoku Puzzle is solved by filling the numbers from 1 to 9 into the blank cells. A Hyper 97 98 99 100 101 13 Sch. where Ross teaches on 79 12-20 filler? Sudoku has unlike Sudoku 13 regions (four regions overlap with the nine standard regions). In all 102 103 104 105 regions the numbers from 1 to 9 can appear only once. Otherwise, a Hyper Sudoku is solved like “Friends” 80 Laments the loss of 106 107 108 109 110 a normal Sudoku. 14 Two-piece part 82 Low pitch indicator 111 112 113 15 Not worth ___ 83 Bring out 16 “Renaissance College Girl”? 114 115 116 117 85 Not 85-Across How to play Kakuro: [Dan Brown] 86 Corp. logos, e.g. The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any 17 Yangtze tributary 89 Start of many a rap moniker size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells ACROSS 61 German quaff 18 Somme summer 90 Brought up like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, 1 Out of fashion 64 Some receivers 21 Cockpit features 91 Ending with Rock some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some 6 Trailer org.? 65 Scandinavian rug 24 Batgirl player Craig 93 “Bam!” blurter cells will contain two numbers. 10 C.I.A. director Panetta 66 Deli order 29 Puss 94 “Hey Jude” sounds However, in a crossword the numbers reference 14 Immerse 67 Get to 32 Spreadsheet feature: Abbr. 95 Dealers in metal goods clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! 19 Leave ___ (be permanently damaging) 68 Port in the eastern Mediterranean 33 ___-10 (acne medication) 96 Minor-league category They denote the total of the digits in the row or 20 “Ale” for the underaged 69 Caustic soda, to a chemist 34 Key 98 To wit column referenced by the number. 22 Apple messaging software 70 “Secretive Student Monitor”? [John le 35 The Big Easy, briefly 99 Astrologer Dixon Within each 23 “Carson’s Successful Safari”? [Dalton Carré] 37 Rapper Fiasco 100 Fictional hero in search of collection of cells Trumbo] 73 Swelter 38 Company whose logo stolen treasure - called a run - any 25 New Hampshire’s ___ State College 74 Big lie contains its name crossing 104 Osso buco, basically itself of the numbers 1 26 Spanish liqueur 76 Like racehorses, periodically 106 Record exec Gotti 42 Charm to 9 may be used 27 Knoxville team, to fans 77 Soul singer Adams 107 Nearly failing 43 Since but, like sudoku, 28 Ralph Vaughan Williams’s “___ 78 Verdi opera 108 ___ tuna 45 Venal each number may Symphony” 80 Corp. V.I.P. 109 GATT successor 46 Tom ___, Vito’s adopted son only be used once. 29 Care 81 Came down 110 Ending with Rock and consigliere in “The 30 ___ en place (putting in place: Fr.) 84 “Toward Freedom” autobiographer Godfather” Yesterday’s 31 Lacto-___ 85 Not 85-Down METALS ERENOW LALAW 32 “Big Pile of Dirt”? [Charles Frazier] 86 Hot ___ answer RB I MAN ROMAN I A MOB I LE 36 Writer who wrote “A bear, however hard 87 Kicker’s aid SBEANCOBA I N AGAMAS he tries, / 88 Zip SELES GYMS CENT Grows tubby without exercise” 90 Main rat in “Ratatouille” MEST I ZOS HEP ACQU 38 Rad 92 Letter of indictment? INCITES CALAMITOUS 39 Vet STALEST ATARUN T I ESTO Baby Blues By Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman 97 “Endless Streams”? [David Foster 40 Brandy letters SAR I RELAND PSHAW Wallace] MINI STS SCOWL ELI 41 Beyond belief 100 Deg. in biology or physics ELECTRUM DOH HEWABLE 43 Whichever 101 Letters EEOC I TALY I SAT 44 Govt. instrument 102 Superstar MALTASE NHL ARSLONGA AVE ERASE SAN BOUT 46 British coin discontinued in 1984 103 Election goal 50 Have no input? LOEBS REBU I LT K I T 104 End of a boast INKIND FRANCE SISTINE 52 Pupil cover 105 Central Sicily city GOONS TR I KE ENCODES 53 2006 million-selling Andrea Bocelli 106 Sits PY CS DSO SNARLSAT album 108 “Football Team Leaves L.A.”? [Ernest EAST KAPP DENT I OHMAGE D I G EARBOOKS 54 Presidential middle name Hemingway] 56 Talk about it NOEX I T FERENG I AER I AL 111 Brother of Malcolm on “Malcolm in SON I A DORSET PRESTO 57 French rail station the Middle” 58 “Battle Backstabber”? [Sun Tzu] 112 White House nickname ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE JANUARY 5, 2013 ON SATURDAY 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Morning Break

PRAYER TIME Countdown to museum opening

Fajr (Dawn) 4:59 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:20 Zuhr (Noon) 11:39 Asr (Afternoon) 2:38 Maghrib (Sunset) 4:59 Isha (Night) 6:29

WEATHER

Today Sunday Monday Weather Conditions: Clear Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Hazy with some clouds. High: 22° High: 22° High: 26° Low: 17° Low: 17° Low: 20°

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:21 16:58 09:30 02:45 & 17:15 03/12 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 27/17 Mostly sunny 28/17 Mostly sunny MAKKAH 32/20 Mostly sunny 34/20 Mostly sunny Hendrikje Crebolder (left), member of a club supporting the Rijksmuseum, and museum CEO Wim Pijbes press the countdown button in front of KUWAIT 17/14 Clear 19/15 Clear the museum in Amsterdam yesterday. The button activated the Countdown Clock designed by Maarten Baas on the front of the Rijksmuseum. The BAHRAIN 20/17 Mostly sunny 23/18 Mostly sunny renewed museum will be opened after 99 nights, on April 13. SANAA 23/04 Chance of rain 23/05 Mostly sunny RIYADH 25/11 Clear 27/11 Mostly sunny DUBAI 24/17 Mostly sunny 24/17 Mostly sunny BAGHDAD 17/07 Clear 17/08 Mostly sunny Film icon Bardot seeks Russian nationality over elephants THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW PARIS: Former French screen southern France, as a precaution- will ask for Russian nationality as a screen siren in the 1956 Roger HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER goddess Brigitte Bardot yester- ary measure. to get out of this country which Vadim film And God Created day threatened to follow Gerard Bardot’s threat comes a day has become nothing more than Woman, has become an increas- ATHENS 13/06 Mostly sunny 10/04 Chance of rain Depardieu in asking for a after fellow actor Depardieu an animal cemetery,” Bardot said ingly controversial figure with WASHINGTON 05/01 Mostly sunny 08/02 Mostly sunny Russian passport, in protest not caused a storm in France by in a statement. Owners Cirque her outbursts on animal rights, SYDNEY 24/19 Clear 25/19 Clear at tax hikes, but at the treat- becoming a Russian citizen in pro- Pinder also said yesterday they but also on immigrants and the LONDON 12/07 Chance of rain 12/09 Cloudy ment of two circus elephants. test at high tax rates proposed by would appeal to save the ele- unemployed. PARIS 09/04 Cloudy 07/02 Cloudy The animals, named Baby and the Socialist government, which phants, which first tested positive Since retiring from the screen ISTANBUL 09/05 Chance of rain 08/03 Chance of rain Nepal and owned by a touring cir- he accuses of penalising success. for tuberculosis in 2010 but have in the 1970s she has become a MANILA 31/24 Chance of rain 32/24 Mostly sunny cus, are thought to be carrying “If those in power are cowardly since been kept in a zoo in Lyon semi-recluse, devoting herself to DHAKA 24/12 Clear 24/12 Clear tuberculosis and were ordered to and impudent enough to kill the away from the general public. her Brigitte Bardot Foundation DELHI 11/03 Clear 11/03 Clear be put down by a court in Lyon, elephants... then I have decided I Bardot, who first rose to fame for animal rights. REUTERS ISLAMABAD 11/03 Clear 11/03 Clear

Italian cat brings gifts to his late Parents should be watching master’s tomb what their children watch ROME: The story of a cat who visits his master’s tomb and WASHINGTON: Before she Media, a San Francisco-based are missing out on time-tested brings him little presents on an became a parent, Claire Harvey think tank focused on children activities that contribute to their almost daily basis a year after was firm on the subject of screen and media use, found that half emotional, cognitive and physical the man’s death has moved the time. of children younger than 8 had growth. But we also know that a inhabitants of a village in cen- “I wasn’t allowed to watch a access to a mobile device and that digital world is one in which they tral Italy. lot of TV when I was younger, TV still accounts for the largest will need to be adept. “He brings little twigs, leaves, and I wanted my kids to have the share of their screen time. Half “Media are so ubiquitous that toothpicks, plastic cups. A bit of same sort of innocent childhood,” of children younger than 2 watch we need to start thinking about everything really,” Renzo Iozzelli’s Harvey says. “I am the mother TV or DVDs on a typical day, and them not as something good or widow Ada said yesterday from who said to herself, ‘My kids will among all children younger than evil, but part of the environment Montagnana, a mountain village never watch TV!’” 2, the average is 53 minutes a day. in which we raise our kids,” Rich near Florence. “Sometimes he Today, however, as she and her About 12 percent of children 2 to says. “We need to think about comes with me and sometimes husband juggle the demands of 4 use computers daily, and 24 per- it like the air we breathe or the he goes on his own. The whole family and jobs, Harvey acknowl- cent at least once a week. water we drink.” And then he town knows about him now!” edges turning to the television, or “All screen time is not equal,” delivers a more pointed criticism: Toldo the cat — a grey-and-white her iPhone, to entertain her two says Michael Rich, director of “We need to get involved and stop three-year-old tomcat — followed young children. Against her pae- the Center on Media and Child using it as a babysitter.” Iozzelli’s funeral procession last diatrician’s advice, Harvey, 32, of Health at Boston Children’s Get involved? For many par- year and has continued going to Bethesda, allows her two-year-old, Hospital. “What a kid does on ents, screen time means the oppo- the cemetery ever since, a habit Jace, to watch “This Old House.” an iPad is totally different from site — it’s a chance to step back usually ascribed to dogs. “He could watch five episodes in what they are doing when they from the demands of our chil- “He loved my husband. It was a row, if I let him,” Harvey says. are watching TV. It’s different dren. But Rich says understand- something else! Now it’s just me, Occasionally, she also lets him use psychologically, neurologically, ing your child’s media choices can my daughter and my son-in-law an educational app on her iPhone. educationally — so we can’t just turn technology into a learning and he’s very affectionate with us Harvey doesn’t think the screen lump all screens together.” opportunity. too,” she said. Ada said the jour- time is harmful. Still, she says she Further complicating efforts That’s what happened when ney to and from the cemetery feels guilty every time she turns to draft new guidelines for Collette Loll Marvin, who teaches each day had tired Toldo out in on a device — particularly when screen time is the breakneck at Duke Ellington School of the the cold winter weather. “He’s not her one-year-old, Haisley, is in the pace of technology. Almost as Arts, and is a mother of two, going out so much these days. He’s room. soon as scientists begin to study stopped imposing limits on screen caught a bit of bronchitis so he’s “It’s one of my constant eve- a new device, the gadget-of-the- time for her son, Quinn, 14. sleeping next to me.” AFP ryday struggles and worries,” moment becomes a thing of the “Quinn has always been drawn A van of the forensic police is parked in front of the Appollolaan Hilton in Harvey says. “I wish there were past. Research into the develop- to screens and technology — ever Amsterdam yesterday. more guidelines out there.” ing brain and the impact of new since he was three,” she says. HBO facing court for Based on research linking technology is still in its infancy. Marvin and her husband, a too much television to language And much of what we are learn- technology executive, spent years ‘abusing’ horses delays and disrupted sleep pat- ing is contradictory. A Common questioning their parenting when terns, the American Academy of Sense media survey of teachers it came to Quinn’s television or Armed raid at John and Yoko’s LOS ANGELES: An animal Paediatrics strongly discourages about the role at-home media use computer time. It was not until rights advocate has filed a law- television viewing for any child plays in the classroom found that they loosened the reins on at- suit against US cable television younger than 2, and recommends most teachers believe technology home media, she says, that they ‘bed-in for peace’ hotel network HBO, alleging that that older children watch no more harms academic performance. Yet saw its potential. horses used in the filming of its than an hour or two per day. But the teachers also said media use “I saw that for him it was an THE HAGUE: Masked gun- they stole an as-yet unknown series Luck often were drugged, for parents seeking advice on is helping students develop quick, interest like sports or music, and men yesterday raided the amount,” she said. “They fled in sick and underweight. managing their kids’ screen time efficient research skills. that he was using technology Amsterdam hotel where John a black Volkswagen Golf.” Plaintiff Barbara Casey also beyond television, the recom- But as parents teetering anx- as a tool for creativity,” Marvin Lennon and Yoko Ono held The hotel declined to comment sued her former employer, the mendations go no further than iously on the digital divide, how explains. their 1969 bed-in for peace, when contacted. Beatle Lennon American Humane Association the obvious: Limit it, and moni- do we know if the decisions we Now a freshman at the Lab making off with cash but caus- and his artist wife Ono made the (AHA), for allegedly covering up tor content. make are hurting our children? School, a school for kids with ing no injuries, police said. hotel world-famous when in 1969 the animals’ mistreatment. In part, that’s because the defi- The fact is, it’s too soon to say learning difficulties, Quinn is “Two balaclava-wearing they used media interest in their “AHA bowed to political and nition of screen time has grown what the neurological impact is thriving. Marvin says increased criminals entered the hotel just marriage to promote world peace financial pressure and refused far beyond television to include on a toddler given an iPhone to screen time has helped him aca- before midday,” Amsterdam by spending their honeymoon at to report the production defend- laptops, smartphones and tablets. ward off a tantrum or on a pre- demically and socially. He has police spokeswoman Marjolein the hotel. At the height of the ants’ conduct to the authorities,” It has become harder to measure schooler watching a few hours of turned technology into a seri- Koek said of the raid on the Vietnam War, the couple invited the suit filed earlier this week how long our kids are exposed to movies on a long car ride. ous pursuit, building his own Apollolaan Hilton, to the south the world’s press to visit them claimed, according to reports. various screens. We do know that when our kids computer. of Amsterdam’s city centre. during their week in bed in the AFP A 2011 study by Common Sense are engaging in screen time, they WP-BLOOMBERG “Using the threat of weapons hotel’s presidential suite. AFP