Key decisions of the committee Identify Bahrain as a regional centre for the distribution of Turkish products

Enhance co-operation in the financial and banking sectors, par-ticularly with regard to Islamic banking, making use of Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance’s expertise

Utilize Turkish expertise in public debt management

Utilize Turkish expertise in housing, infrastructure projects, light trains and public–private partnerships

Enhance co-operation in areas relating to industry, pharmaceu-ticals and healthcare

Enhance co-operation between “Tamkeen” and the Turkish Small and Medium Sized Development Organisation

Enhance co-operation in youth and sports

Invite the Turkish private sector to specialised exhibitions in Bahrain

Exchange expertise in areas such as construction and contract services, agriculture, tourism, education, transportation, health, intellectual property, environment and urban development

www.newsofbahrain.com www.facebook.com/nobonline newsofbahrain 38444680 nob_bh

200 FilsFriday, March 3, 2017 Issue No. 7309 Today’s Weather

Max Min

24°C 14°C

x

Brazilian president faces new corruption charges

318 candidates for Nobel Peace Prize

@SenSanders

The Justice Department should appoint a special prosecutor to give Americans credible answers about Russia’s involvement in the election.

‘Uniteagainst

terrorism’

P P05P 04 06Productive

families honoured

IS pulling back from

Palmyra

Brasília

Brazil’s President Michel Temer faced new

allegations yesterday of receiving millions of dollars in illicit funding during his campaign as vice president in 2014. The claims emerged in what Brazilian media said was leaked testimony by jailed former construction company executive Marcelo Odebrecht.

Oslo

A near-record 318 people and organisations are in

the running for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. The crew believed to include Syria’s White Helmets and Pope Francis. The nominees are kept secret for 50 years, but those entitled to nominate candidates are free to reveal the names of the nominated.

DT News NetworkManama

The Sixth Bahrain-Turkish Joint Committee

meeting held here yesterday has decided to strengthen economic co-operation and bilateral trade by increasing joint investments in private sector.

The meeting was co-chaired by Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Minister of Finance, and Mehmet Şimşek, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, in charge of the Economic and Financial Sector.

Welcoming the Co-operation Agreement signed on March 1, 2016 between the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, both

the countries have decided to tap the trade potential and increase bilateral trade volume.

The committee expressed its satisfaction over the legal framework favouring investment, particularly the 2014 agreements on the promotion and protection of investment and the avoidance of double taxation.

The meeting also agreed to support direct investments and joint ventures by companies and individuals, and encourage visits to banking, insurance and other financial institutions, with a vision to exchange expertise in Islamic finance products.

The Bahrain delegation included Dr. Ebrahim Y. Al Abdulla, Bahrain Ambassador to Turkey,

Khaled Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive, Economic Development Board, Mahmood H. Al Kooheji, CEO, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company “Mumtalakat”, Ahmed A. bin Hindi, Executive Bureau Member, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yusuf A. Humood, Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance (MOF), Eman A. Al Dosary, Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Sami A. Buhazza, Assistant Undersecretary for Housing Projects, Ministry of Housing, and a number of MOF officials.

A Memorandum of Understanding on Civil Service was also signed on the sidelines of the session.

Bahrain, Turkey toexpand bilateral trade

Nissan introduces Desert CamelPower

8P 08

Shaikh Ahmed and Mehmet Şimşek exchanging documents

during the meeting

55 illegal workers heldDT News NetworkManama

Police have arrested 55 illegal workers in a joint

operation, the General Director of Southern Governorate Police announced yesterday. The arrests were made in the scrap yard area in cooperation with the Southern Governorate, Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, and the Southern Municipality. “Legal proceedings have been taken and the arrested were referred to the Public Prosecution,” said Southern police director-general in a press release.

2 Friday, March 3, 2017

to limit migrant

Merkel pushes

flowsCairo

German Chancellor Angela Merkel landed in Cairo

yesterday on a two-day trip to Egypt and Tunisia, in a push to limit migrant flows to Europe through North Africa, especially chaos-torn Libya.

Turmoil exploited by people smugglers since the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi has made Libya the main gateway for African migrants seeking to make dangerous Mediterranean crossings.

Merkel, who faces elections in September, has been under intense pressure to reduce the number of asylum seekers coming to Germany, which has taken in over one million migrants since 2015.

Her government has urged the North African states to step up border controls and speed up repatriations of migrants whose

asylum applications are rejected.Merkel is scheduled to meet

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, followed by meetings with Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II and Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, Egypt’s top Muslim cleric.

She will depart to Tunisia today to meet Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi.

She will “inform herself of the situation of Coptic Christians” and “speak to (Tayeb) about tolerance and the peaceful co-existence of religion,” her spokesman Steffan Seibert said in a video uploaded on his Twitter account.

Merkel is joined by a business delegation that could sweeten the diplomacy with investments badly needed by both countries, which are grappling with sluggish economies, jihadist attacks and high unemployment, especially

among youths. “The chancellor will speak with Sisi about, among other things, economic cooperation and opportunities for German companies,” Seibert said.

A major focus in Egypt and Tunisia will be on their troubled neighbour Libya, a largely lawless country that has porous desert borders with Algeria, Niger, Chad and Sudan.

Stabilise Libya“Without a political stabilisation of Libya, we won’t be able to stop the human traffickers operating out of Libya who are responsible for by far the most arrivals in Italy,” Merkel said in her latest weekly podcast.

The trip is part of a larger diplomatic push by Merkel, who last year visited Mali, Niger and Ethiopia. She had also planned a trip to Algeria last week, but it was

called off after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika fell ill. Germany, which this year holds the G20 presidency, has also announced investment partnerships in Africa with the long-term goals of reducing poverty and deterring people from leaving in the first place.

Last year, Berlin spearheaded an EU agreement with Ankara that helped sharply reduce the influx of migrants through Turkey and western Balkan countries.

But as with the Turkey deal, the negotiations with the North African countries have been clouded by human rights concerns.

In particular, an idea floated by Merkel’s interior minister -- for North African countries to build holding centres for returned migrants -- has been rejected by Merkel’s centre-left coalition partners and by rights groups.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel -- whose Social Democrats hope to topple Merkel this year -- dismissed the idea, saying: “I doubt that all this has been really thought through”. 

Merkel is under huge pressure at home to achieve results in an election year, as the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party hopes to enter the national parliament for the first time. Public fears in Germany have been heightened by several jihadist attacks last year -- especially the truck rampage by Tunisian immigrant Anis Amri at a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 people in December.

A year before, sexual assaults by large groups of mostly North African men on New Year’s Eve against women in Cologne provoked outrage in Germany. (AFP)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel landed in Cairo on a two-day visit to Egypt, Tunisia

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the presidential palace in Cairo

This file photo taken on November 4, 2016 shows migrants and refugees sitting on a rubber boat during a rescue operation of the Topaz Responder, a rescue ship run by Maltese NGO “Moas” and the Italian Red Cross with the help of the Libyan coastguards, off th Libyan coast

3Friday, March 3, 2017

Free fishermen languishing in Kish Island, Iran urged

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DT News NetworkManama

Indian Embassy in Tehran has called upon the Iranian

government to expedite the release of expatriate fishermen languishing in that country’s jails.

The embassy requested government officials to free the 15 fishermen on humanitarian grounds, who have been held up on boats on Kish Island since October 20, 2016 under charges of encroaching into Iranian waters.

The 30 fishermen, out of which 15 worked in Bahrain have not been provided any food, water, medicines or other basic amenities for the past months and have been

struggling to survive in difficult conditions.

Indian Embassy’s letter to the Iranian government included details of one of the detained fishermen, R. Ravi who lost his mother in India and has been unable to attend her last rites because of the circumstances.

They informed the government that the owner of the boats had already deposited the fines and penalties imposed by the Iranian courts and that their families were worried about the delays despite completing all legal formalities.

The request was made to Iran’s Director General of Protocol, Director General of Consular Affairs, Director

General of West Asia Division and to the nation’s Head of Social Affairs after Indian Embassy Bahrain and President of International Fishermen Development Trust (INFIDET) Justin Antony took up the cause for the fishermen and their families.

Expressing grave concerns about the issue, Antony said: “We understand that the Embassy has made considerable efforts. But the fishermen are

in a miserable state.“We request the honourable

external affairs ministers to travel to Iran and initiate the talk with the concerned

authorities in Iran, so that there is a scope for release of these fishermen at the earliest.”

Previously, families of these 30 fishermen had also appealed for their release and spoken about their terrible plight as these men were the only source of income for the household.

“My two children have stopped attending school, as we are now simply unable to pay their school fees. The fishermen have not committed any crime. They accidentally strayed into Iran’s waters. I plead with the Union Government to take necessary steps to repatriate them”, Kanyakumari-based Sahaya Subi, wife of Kiruba, one of the detained fishermen said.

The fishermen detained on boats in Kish Island in Iran

Thirty fishermen are kept on

boats in Kish Island since

October 20, 2016 under charge of

encroaching into Iranian waters

Friday, March 3, 20174

Productivefamilies honoured

DT News NetworkManama

The awards for Productive Families instituted by

Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), was distributed yesterday.

HRH Princess Sabeeka deputised Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, Wife of Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Executive Director of INJAZ Bahrain to attend the ceremony, organised by the Labour and Social Development Ministry at the Sharifa Al-Awadhi Children and Youth Club in Riffa.

Shaikha Hessa honoured the winners of HRH Princess Sabeeka’s Award for Productive Families.

The Arab edition of the Best Productive Family Award was granted to the family of Nawal bint Al-Fadhel, from Morocco, while the local edition was granted to the family of Said Al-Ghaib.

The Best Product Award was clinched by Ahmed Abdulaziz, from Qatar and Nawal Mohammed Abdulla, from Bahrain.

Sudan-based Omdurman National Bank, and the Royal Charity Organisation, from Bahrain, won the Best Sponsor of Productive Families Award, for the Arab and local editions, respectively.

Shaikha Hessa also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing productive families’ items. The expo aims to motivate low-income

families to enter into small enterprises, encourage talent, as well as hone and embrace skills, and provide an opportunity for families to find new sources of income to improve their economic conditions.

193 families from Bahrain, 12 from GCC and Arab countries, participated in this year’s HRH Princess Sabeeka’s Award for Productive Families.

In a speech during the ceremony, Labour and Social Development Minister, Jameel Humaidan, extended sincere

thanks and appreciation to HRH Princess Sabeeka for patronising the event, and personal interest in supporting the fruitful outcomes of one of her pioneering initiatives, as well as development and humanitarian projects aimed at serving the family and society.

He also extended deepest congratulations to Princess Sabeeka for being granted the Arab Women in recognition of her unrelenting efforts to empower Arab women and ensure sustainable development of Bahraini women as well as maximize their development contributions.

The minister praised HRH Princess Sabeeka’s unwavering support to the Productive Families project, which, he said, has yielded many achievements and positive results, adding that her royal patronage of award for ten year is a reassertion of her strong belief in the need to continue support such a vital project which reached the Arab world.

Executive-Legislature cooperation lauded

DT News NetworkManama

Information Affairs Minister Ali bin Mohammed

Al-Romaihi has lauded the cooperation between the Executive and Legislature and its role in strengthening the pillars of law, institutions and media during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s prosperous era.

The minister made the statement while receiving the Second Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives,

Abdulhalim Murad, and MPs Anas Ali Bu-Hindi, Ali Yaqoob Al-Moqla, Dr. Ali Isa Bu Farsan, Jamal Dawood Salman, Mohsen Ali Al-Bakri, Osama Abdulhameed Al-Khaja and Mohammed Yussef Al-Maarifi.

MP Abdulhalim Murad lauded the great role played by the Information Affairs Minister in developing the media, radio and television, hailing the remarkable changes in the media sector and the interest in developing national competencies.

The second deputy speaker affirmed parliamentary support to efforts to enable national competencies to play their role in the media, noting that the Council of Representatives has submitted many proposals that benefit the media and support Bahraini competencies.

The MPs highlighted the pivotal role played by the national media through its news coverage, awareness-raising role and radio and television programmes that serve the nation and the

citizens, preserve national unity and cohesion, civilisational and democratic accomplishments attained under HM King Hamad’s Reform Project.

Al-Romaihi expressed thanks to the second deputy speaker and the other MPs for their visit, hailing their keenness on strengthening cooperation with the Information Affairs Ministry as well as their constant support to national media in highlighting national achievements locally and at externally.

Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al-Romaihi with Second Deputy Speaker and members of the Representative Council

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of this newspaper.)

Donal Trump came to power as the president of the United States at a difficult time, for his predecessor Barak Obama

had left him with nothing more than a big bunch of troubles with Middle East in its epicentre among others.

During Obama’s time, cardinal changes took place in the Arab world, with regimes in the Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and Yemen getting wiped out, while Syria plunged into the abyss of a bloody civil war. Destabilisation in the Middle East - the most serious trouble for the USA is now carried forward on to the Trump’s administration.

Earlier, during his election campaign, Trump vowed to fight against religious extremism, firstly - Islamic, among others. Latest incidents prove that his vision didn’t changed after the inauguration. The entry ban for citizens from 7 states - Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Sudan and Somalia thus became one of his first orders. Thus, Mr. Trump demonstrated that the foreign policy will be swapped with more harsher methods. First of all, it concerns Iran, which managed to reinforce its position in the region. This makes Saudi Arabia and Qatar seriously anxious – who are the main US partners in the strategically important oil-bearing region. Therefore, it is highly likely that the new president will start pressing Tehran - with the purpose of weakening its position in the Middle East.

The essential loss of influence of the USA in the region was caused by the war in Yemen. Insurgents - Houthis received all kind of support from Iran. They also dealt serious damages to positions controlled by anti-Houthi coalition by Saudi Arabia, UAE and other states. And being a major ally of the USA, strikes against Saudi also dealt a blow to Washington as well. But, apparently, Trump’s administration has no specific proposals on resolving the situation in the Yemen yet.

In the Syrian conflict, USA in the final years of Obama’s term also incurred the most fatal blow to its reputation. First of all they’re related to the active participation of Russia in the Syrian conflict, with deep contradictions with relations with Turkey and uncertainty concerning the Kurdish issue. For a long time, USA fostered the idea of creating an independent Kurdish state and it now turns out that Trump sooner or later will be forced to make the devil’s choice: either refuse the idea of independent Kurdistan or be at loggerheads with Ankara or maybe even lose Turkey as the NATO-member. If USA doesn’t want this, then Trump should look for new strategies to deal with the leaders of the Syrian and Kurdish resistance.

Donald Trump is also well known for his sympathies for Israel. But the announced transfer of US Embassy to Jerusalem proved an unpleasant surprise to the Palestinian administration. Actually Washington displayed that relations with Israel are much more important to them. This had a heavy toll on the influence of USA in the Arab states, especially during the final year of Obama’s term.

Now, only time can show, what awaits for the US in the Middle East. But for now all major players in the Middle Eastern political field are staying still, waiting for the next step of the new charismatic president.

But, for sure, the reconstituted, rebuilt and strengthened-up Russia will play its own game in pursuit of its own goals. Maybe, Vladimir Putin will accept Trump’s ‘big deal’ as a whole or may be even partially. But he will not do that if this means giving up our allies or partners.

(The author is a Russian businessman and public figure, Doctor of Economic sciences, the founder of the international company “Life is Good Ltd”, International Business Academy, “IBA” and the chairman of the board of the housing cooperative “Best Way”).

Roman Vasilenko

By Invitation

How power transition in US can change Mideast policy

Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa and Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan with one of the winners of the award

Jakarta

Saudi Arabia’s King and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Salman

bin Abdulaziz Al Saud called yesterday for a united fight against terrorism in a speech to Indonesia’s parliament during a landmark state visit to the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country.

In a speech to hundreds of people at the legislature in the capital Jakarta, he

called for an intensified fight against terrorism. 

“The challenge we, especially Muslims, face now is terrorism,” he said. “We should close ranks in combating terrorism, radicalism and strive to bring world peace for the benefit of all of us.”

Saudi Arabia is part of a US-led coalition that has carried out air strikes against the Islamic State

(IS) group and other jihadists in Syria. 

On Thursday Salman also visited Jakarta’s Istiqlal mosque, the biggest in Southeast Asia, accompanied by President Joko Widodo, and the

leaders prayed together.The king and his entourage will be

in Jakarta until Friday, after which they will head to the Hindu-majority resort island of Bali for a holiday.

Salman’s three-week Asian tour is

seeking investment opportunities as the world’s top oil exporter looks to diversify its economy. He began the trip in Malaysia earlier this week and is also set to visit Japan, China and the Maldives. (AFP)

5Friday, March 3, 2017

ASSETS Cash and balances with banks Placements with �nancial institutions Financing receivables Receivable from Ijarah investors Investment securities Assets acquired for leasing Investment in real estate Equity-accounted investees Other assets Total assets LIABILITIES Placements from �nancial institutions Financing liabilities Liabilities related to assets acquired for leasing Other liabilities Total liabilities OWNERS’ EQUITY Share capital Statutory reserve Accumulated losses Investments fair value reserve Property fair value reserve General reserve

Equity attributable to shareholders of Bank Non-controlling interests Total owners’ equity Total liabilities and owner’s equity

5,1517,902

6, 91515,185

158,56168,602

107,2644,742

13,603

387,925

6,50373,27352,18113,963

145,920

300,000676

(66,634)-

6104,618

239,270

2,735

242,005

387,925

13,2192,002

14,97315,662

207,105185,031

30,03412,500

9,029

489,555

4,16326,221

143,82811,763

185,975

300,000676

(17,249)(107)1,8264,618

289,764

13,816

303,580

489,555

300,000 ----

300,000

-----

-

676 ----

676

(17,249)(49,385)

- (49,385)

-

(66,634)

(107)-

107107

-

-

1,826 -

(1,216)(1,216)

-

610

4,618 ----

4,618

289,764(49,385)

(1,109)(50,494)

-

239,270

13,8161,654

-1,654

(12,735)

2,735

303,580(47,731)

(1,109)(48,840)(12,735)

242,005

300,000-------

300,000

16,385-----

(16,385)-

-

676---

---

676

(17,416)(16,218)

---

(16,218) 16,385

-

(17,249)

(494)---

387387

--

(107)

3,518-

(181)(1,439)

(72)(1,692)

--

1,826

4,618-------

4,618

307,287(16,218)

(181)(1,439)

315(17,523)

--

289,764

9,2481,883

---

1,883-

2,685

13,816

316,535(14,335)

(181)(1,439)

315(15,640)

-2,685

303,580

-5,8417,1781,274

4941,137

192--

3,223

19,339

6,4201,204

(2)150

4,679

12,451

6,888

(2,322)(52,297)

(47,731)

(49,385)1,654

(47,731)

1,9548,0975,609

--

8592,261

4112,3802,137

23,708

6,952797479177

5,852

14,257

9,451

(9,085)(14,701)

(14,335)

(16,218)1,883

(14,335)

(47,731)

1502,322

(1,909)(2,068)

-52,297

(192)99

2,968

541-

(5,299)3,444

1,654

(138,360)144,775(77,356)

-(7,289)32,072

(138)5,819

(40,477)

-(12,736)

2,34047,051

36,655

(2,168)15,221

13,053

5,1517,902

13,053

(14,335)

1779,085

(4,481)-

(2,380)14,701(2,261)

197703

10,375(3,174)(2,887)

1,068

6,085

(89,331)71,39713,581

834(25,048)

-(151)

-

(28,718)

(784)3,470

(8,037)17,213

11,862

(10,771)25,992

15,221

13,2192,002

15,221

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT for the year ended 31 December 2016

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION as at 31 December 2016

INCOMEIncome from investment banking services Income from investment securities Income from assets acquired for leasing, net Gain on sale of assets acquired for leasing Fee incomeFinance income Share of pro�t of equity-accounted investees Gain on sale of development properties Gain on sale of investment in real estate Other income Total income

EXPENSES Sta� cost Finance expense on placements and �nancing liabilities Foreign exchange (gains)/ losses Depreciation and amortization Other operating expenses

Total expenses

Pro�t before fair value changes and impairment allowances

Fair value loss on investement securities, netImpairment allowances

LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Attributable to: Shareholders of Bank Non-controlling interests

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWSfor the year ended 31 December 2016

OPERATING ACTIVITIES Loss for the period Adjustments for: Depreciation and amortization Fair value loss on investment securities Gain on sale of investment securities Other incomeGain on sale of investment in real estate Impairment allowanceShare of pro�t of equity accounted investeesNet amortisation of premium / (discount) on sukuk

Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Financing receivables Receivables from ijarah investors Other assets Other liabilities

Net cash generated from operating activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of investment securities Proceeds from sale of investment securities Purchase of invesetment in real estateProceeds from sale of development propertiesPayments for assets acquired-for-leasingProceeds from sale of assets acquired-for-leasingPayments for purchase of equipmentProceeds from equity accounted investees, net

Net cash used in investing activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES Distribution to non-controlling interestsNon-controlling interests related to assets acquired for leasingPlacement from �nancial institutions, netFinancing from �nancial institutions

Net cash generated from �nancing activities

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT 31 December

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS comprise: Cash and bank balances Placements with �nancial institutions (with original maturity of 90 days or less)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN OWNERS’ EQUITY for the year ended 31 December 2016 Equity attributable to shareholders of the Bank

Equity attributable to shareholders of the Bank

Balance at 1 January 2016 (Loss) / pro�t for the year Net changes in fair valueTotal recognised income and expense for the year Derecognition on disposal of assets acquired-for-leasing, net

Balance at 31 December 2016

31 December 2016

31 December 2015 (restated)

Sharecapital

31 December2016

(restated) (restated)

(restated)

US$ 000’s US$ 000’s

US$ 000’s

US$ 000’s

US$ 000’s

31 December2015

31 December2016

31 December2015

31 December2016

31 December2015

Sharepremium

Statutoryreserve

Accumulatedlosses

Investment fair value

reserve

Property fair value

reserve

General reserve

Total Non-controlling interests

Total owners’

equity

Sharecapital

Sharepremium

Statutoryreserve

Accumulatedlosses

Investment fair value

reserve

Property fair value

reserve

General reserve

Total Non-controlling interests

Total owners’

equity

Balance at 1 January 2015 (Loss) / pro�t for the year Share of reserve from equity-accounted investeesTransfer to income statement on disposalNet changes in fair valueTotal recognised income and expense for the yearAdjustment of losses Distribution to non-controlling interests Balance at 31 December 2015

�e above has been extracted from 31 December 2016 consolidated �nancial statements audited by KPMG, who issued an unquali�ed audit opinion on the �nancials. �e Financials have been approved by Board of Directors. �e consolidated �nancial statements are available on Ibdar website at www.Ibdarbank.com

‘Uniteagainstterrorism’

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (R) looks on as Indonesia’s Co-ordinating Minister Human Development and Culture Affairs, Puan Maharani (2L) and her mother, former president Megawati Sukarnoputri (L) and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz take a selfie photograph at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta

Jakarta

Saudi Arabia’s King and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Salman

bin Abdulaziz Al Saud called yesterday for a united fight against terrorism in a speech to Indonesia’s parliament during a landmark state visit to the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country.

In a speech to hundreds of people at the legislature in the capital Jakarta, he

called for an intensified fight against terrorism. 

“The challenge we, especially Muslims, face now is terrorism,” he said. “We should close ranks in combating terrorism, radicalism and strive to bring world peace for the benefit of all of us.”

Saudi Arabia is part of a US-led coalition that has carried out air strikes against the Islamic State

(IS) group and other jihadists in Syria. 

On Thursday Salman also visited Jakarta’s Istiqlal mosque, the biggest in Southeast Asia, accompanied by President Joko Widodo, and the

leaders prayed together.The king and his entourage will be

in Jakarta until Friday, after which they will head to the Hindu-majority resort island of Bali for a holiday.

Salman’s three-week Asian tour is

seeking investment opportunities as the world’s top oil exporter looks to diversify its economy. He began the trip in Malaysia earlier this week and is also set to visit Japan, China and the Maldives. (AFP)

5Friday, March 3, 2017

ASSETS Cash and balances with banks Placements with �nancial institutions Financing receivables Receivable from Ijarah investors Investment securities Assets acquired for leasing Investment in real estate Equity-accounted investees Other assets Total assets LIABILITIES Placements from �nancial institutions Financing liabilities Liabilities related to assets acquired for leasing Other liabilities Total liabilities OWNERS’ EQUITY Share capital Statutory reserve Accumulated losses Investments fair value reserve Property fair value reserve General reserve

Equity attributable to shareholders of Bank Non-controlling interests Total owners’ equity Total liabilities and owner’s equity

5,1517,9026, 915

15,185158,561

68,602107,264

4,74213,603

387,925

6,50373,27352,18113,963

145,920

300,000676

(66,634)-

6104,618

239,270

2,735

242,005

387,925

13,2192,002

14,97315,662

207,105185,031

30,03412,500

9,029

489,555

4,16326,221

143,82811,763

185,975

300,000676

(17,249)(107)1,8264,618

289,764

13,816

303,580

489,555

300,000 ----

300,000

-----

-

676 ----

676

(17,249)(49,385)

- (49,385)

-

(66,634)

(107)-

107107

-

-

1,826 -

(1,216)(1,216)

-

610

4,618 ----

4,618

289,764(49,385)

(1,109)(50,494)

-

239,270

13,8161,654

-1,654

(12,735)

2,735

303,580(47,731)

(1,109)(48,840)(12,735)

242,005

300,000-------

300,000

16,385-----

(16,385)-

-

676---

---

676

(17,416)(16,218)

---

(16,218) 16,385

-

(17,249)

(494)---

387387

--

(107)

3,518-

(181)(1,439)

(72)(1,692)

--

1,826

4,618-------

4,618

307,287(16,218)

(181)(1,439)

315(17,523)

--

289,764

9,2481,883

---

1,883-

2,685

13,816

316,535(14,335)

(181)(1,439)

315(15,640)

-2,685

303,580

-5,8417,1781,274

4941,137

192--

3,223

19,339

6,4201,204

(2)150

4,679

12,451

6,888

(2,322)(52,297)

(47,731)

(49,385)1,654

(47,731)

1,9548,0975,609

--

8592,261

4112,3802,137

23,708

6,952797479177

5,852

14,257

9,451

(9,085)(14,701)

(14,335)

(16,218)1,883

(14,335)

(47,731)

1502,322

(1,909)(2,068)

-52,297

(192)99

2,968

541-

(5,299)3,444

1,654

(138,360)144,775(77,356)

-(7,289)32,072

(138)5,819

(40,477)

-(12,736)

2,34047,051

36,655

(2,168)15,221

13,053

5,1517,902

13,053

(14,335)

1779,085

(4,481)-

(2,380)14,701(2,261)

197703

10,375(3,174)(2,887)

1,068

6,085

(89,331)71,39713,581

834(25,048)

-(151)

-

(28,718)

(784)3,470

(8,037)17,213

11,862

(10,771)25,992

15,221

13,2192,002

15,221

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT for the year ended 31 December 2016

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION as at 31 December 2016

INCOMEIncome from investment banking services Income from investment securities Income from assets acquired for leasing, net Gain on sale of assets acquired for leasing Fee incomeFinance income Share of pro�t of equity-accounted investees Gain on sale of development properties Gain on sale of investment in real estate Other income Total income

EXPENSES Sta� cost Finance expense on placements and �nancing liabilities Foreign exchange (gains)/ losses Depreciation and amortization Other operating expenses

Total expenses

Pro�t before fair value changes and impairment allowances

Fair value loss on investement securities, netImpairment allowances

LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Attributable to: Shareholders of Bank Non-controlling interests

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWSfor the year ended 31 December 2016

OPERATING ACTIVITIES Loss for the period Adjustments for: Depreciation and amortization Fair value loss on investment securities Gain on sale of investment securities Other incomeGain on sale of investment in real estate Impairment allowanceShare of pro�t of equity accounted investeesNet amortisation of premium / (discount) on sukuk

Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Financing receivables Receivables from ijarah investors Other assets Other liabilities

Net cash generated from operating activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of investment securities Proceeds from sale of investment securities Purchase of invesetment in real estateProceeds from sale of development propertiesPayments for assets acquired-for-leasingProceeds from sale of assets acquired-for-leasingPayments for purchase of equipmentProceeds from equity accounted investees, net

Net cash used in investing activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES Distribution to non-controlling interestsNon-controlling interests related to assets acquired for leasingPlacement from �nancial institutions, netFinancing from �nancial institutions

Net cash generated from �nancing activities

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT 31 December

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS comprise: Cash and bank balances Placements with �nancial institutions (with original maturity of 90 days or less)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN OWNERS’ EQUITY for the year ended 31 December 2016 Equity attributable to shareholders of the Bank

Equity attributable to shareholders of the Bank

Balance at 1 January 2016 (Loss) / pro�t for the year Net changes in fair valueTotal recognised income and expense for the year Derecognition on disposal of assets acquired-for-leasing, net

Balance at 31 December 2016

31 December 2016

31 December 2015 (restated)

Sharecapital

31 December2016

(restated) (restated)

(restated)

US$ 000’s US$ 000’s

US$ 000’s

US$ 000’s

US$ 000’s

31 December2015

31 December2016

31 December2015

31 December2016

31 December2015

Sharepremium

Statutoryreserve

Accumulatedlosses

Investment fair value

reserve

Property fair value

reserve

General reserve

Total Non-controlling interests

Total owners’

equity

Sharecapital

Sharepremium

Statutoryreserve

Accumulatedlosses

Investment fair value

reserve

Property fair value

reserve

General reserve

Total Non-controlling interests

Total owners’

equity

Balance at 1 January 2015 (Loss) / pro�t for the year Share of reserve from equity-accounted investeesTransfer to income statement on disposalNet changes in fair valueTotal recognised income and expense for the yearAdjustment of losses Distribution to non-controlling interests Balance at 31 December 2015

�e above has been extracted from 31 December 2016 consolidated �nancial statements audited by KPMG, who issued an unquali�ed audit opinion on the �nancials. �e Financials have been approved by Board of Directors. �e consolidated �nancial statements are available on Ibdar website at www.Ibdarbank.com

‘Uniteagainstterrorism’

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (R) looks on as Indonesia’s Co-ordinating Minister Human Development and Culture Affairs, Puan Maharani (2L) and her mother, former president Megawati Sukarnoputri (L) and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz take a selfie photograph at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta

6 Friday, March 3, 2017

Syrian army retakesancient Palmyra

Beirut

Syrian troops backed by Russian jets completed the

recapture of the historic city of Palmyra from the Islamic State group Thursday, the Kremlin and the army said, in another blow to the jihadists.

Bolstered by air strikes and ground troops from their ally Moscow, Syrian forces battled through the desert for weeks to reach Palmyra. The oasis city has traded hands several times during Syria’s six-year civil war and become a symbol of IS’s wanton destruction of priceless cultural heritage in areas under its control. Russian Defence

Minister Sergei Shoigu informed President Vladimir Putin of Palmyra’s recapture, a Kremlin spokesman told news agencies in Moscow.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group, said the jihadists had totally withdrawn from the desert city but not before mining several areas. 

“The Syrian army is still clearing neighbourhoods of mines and has not spread out into the whole city yet,” said its director, Rami Abdel Rahman. An army statement carried on state news agency SANA said its forces had “regained control

over Palmyra and surrounding territory after a series of successful military operations”.

IS has suffered a string of setbacks since taking over swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014, and its two main strongholds of Mosul and Raqa both face assaults by forces backed by a US-led coalition.

The jihadists first seized Palmyra in May 2015 and began to systematically destroy and loot the UNESCO world heritage site’s monuments and temples. They were driven out in March 2016 but recaptured the city in December when the government was focused on

seizing rebel-held east Aleppo.Before IS first entered

the city, Palmyra boasted temples, colonnaded alleys and elaborately decorated tombs that were among the best preserved classical monuments in the Middle East.

But many of the structures have been destroyed and much of the heritage looted for sale on the black market.

Moscow’s support has been key in the Syrian army’s Palmyra push, and its warplanes continued to bombard IS positions inside and near the city on Thursday, the Observatory reported. A decades-old ally of

Damascus, Moscow launched an air campaign in September 2015 in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.

After losing ground in the early years of the war, Assad’s regime has regained significant territory -- including by pushing rebel forces out of second city Aleppo last year -- thanks in large part to Russian support. On another battle front against IS, fighters of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced they would cede several villages to the government as part of a deal brokered by Russia to avoid conflict with Turkey. (AFP)

This file photo taken on March 31, 2016 shows the remains of the destroyed Arc du Triomphe lie at the end of the the Great Colonnade in the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.

Moscow accuses Syrian oppositionMoscow

Russia yesterday accused Syria’s main opposition

group of “sabotaging” stumbling UN-led Syrian peace talks in Geneva.

“The results of the first days of the intra-Syrian dialogues, as before, raise questions over the ability of the Syrian opposition representatives to reach a deal,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. 

Zakharova said the refusal of the main opposition High Negotiating Committee (HNC) to cooperate on an equal footing with two Russian-backed groups meant that it was “de facto sabotaging the full dialogue with both the Syrian government delegation and with other opposition groups”.

Syrian regime and opposition negotiators have been in Geneva since last Thursday, but there have been no face-to-face talks, as UN mediator Staffan de Mistura shuttles between the delegations.

The talks are expected to wrap up either Friday or this weekend, with little concrete progress to announce.

Moscow is one of the main backer of the Syrian regime and is flying a bombing campaign to back up the forces of Bashar al-Assad.

Tunisian minister resigns from govtTunis

A Tunisian businessman resigned from the

government Thursday after his appointment as public services and governance minister last week prompted an outcry from the powerful UGTT trade union.

Khalil Ghariani was named on Saturday, replacing UGTT official Abid Briki, in what the union condemned as a “provocation”. 

Ghariani is on the board of the employers’ federation UTICA, which shared a 2015 Nobel Prize  with the UGTT for their work during Tunisia’s transition towards democracy after its 2011 revolution. 

Despite their shared award, the two groups have long been at odds over private sector salary increases and government policy.

Ghariani told private radio

station Mosaique FM that he was stepping down because of “the political and social tensions we have experienced in the country over the past 48 hours”.

“We must preserve the political and social balance in the country... and even the balance between UTICA and the UGTT,” he added. “This is not the time for this kind of crisis.”

His replacement has not yet been named.

Syria victims file case in GermanyBerlin

Seven Syrian torture survivors, two lawyers and

a human rights group have filed a criminal complaint in Germany against secret service officials of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the initiative said yesterday.

The complaint names and seeks international arrest warrants against six high-level officials of the Syrian Military Intelligence Service, in whose Damascus prisons the claimants say they were tortured or witnessed torture.

According to witness testimony, prisoners were beaten with pipes, sticks and meat hooks on chains, given electric shocks, burnt with cleaning chemicals and stabbed with pencils, the broken-off tips left inside their flesh.

“We cannot just look on at the horror of Syria,” said Wolfgang Kaleck, head of the Berlin-based non-profit legal organisation that launched the

case, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR). 

“Germany can and must react to grave human rights violations such as torture, massacres and sexual violence in Syria.”

The case accuses the Assad regime of having carried out “systematic and widespread

torture targeting opponents and activists... for several decades”.

Germany’s federal prosecution service welcomed the complaint, with a spokeswoman saying it may provide further evidence to support its own ongoing investigation into Syrian war crimes launched in 2011.

The new complaint alleges crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in three Damascus prisons between October 2011 and July 2015, based on the testimonies of 12 witnesses, seven of whom are complainants.

The Syrian ex-detainees, men and women aged 26 to 57, are joined by Syrian lawyers Anwar al-Bunni and Mazen Darwish, who have both themselves been victims of torture and abuse in Syrian regime cells.

“In Syria there is total impunity, which produces further violence. Without justice there will be no political solution to the conflict,” said Darwish. 

The complaint was launched under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows the German judiciary to become active in cases where neither the victims nor the perpetrators are German citizens, said the ECCHR. (AFP)

A member of the Syrian Civil Defence volunteers, also known as the White Helmets, carries a wounded girl amid the rubble following reported government airstrike

Khalil Gharian

7Friday, March 3, 2017

Cairo

Egypt’s top appeals court yesterday acquitted Hosni Mubarak of

involvement in the killing of protesters during a 2011 revolt, ending the final trial for the strongman who ruled for 30 years.

Mubarak had been sentenced to life in 2012 but an appeals court ordered a retrial, which dismissed the charges two years later. Thursday’s ruling by the Court of Cassation is final.

The trial was Mubarak’s last, after prosecutors levelled various charges against him following his February 2011 resignation. He was accused of inciting the deaths of protesters during the 18-day revolt, in which about 850 people were killed as police clashed with demonstrators. Mubarak, 88, has spent most of his time in a military hospital since his arrest in 2011.

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Missing Pets

NOMNOM - Female, 2 yrs, just gave birth 3 weeks ago (tummy still big), not wearing collar or ID, recently relocated from Qudaibiya and not familiar w new area, Manama (Ras Al Roman area), 23/2/17. 39421099 or 39817066

ARIA - Female long hair, 5mos, white and gray,escaped from cage and ran away when garage door was opened, does not know way back, not wearing collar or ID tag, Hamad Town (roundabout22), 23/12/16. 37391228

PICKY - Male local mixed breed, 18 mos, neutered,wearing chrome choker w red cloth, jumped fromcar in Qudaibiya (next to Dasman) after car accident, 17/10/16, substantial EWARD for safe return. 33011231

ANGIE - Female Labrador Retriever, 2 yrs, spayed, micro-chipped - but not updated, wearing red collar w name and phone (but phone was incorrect), Saar (Saar Vista Compound), REWARD for return, 29/12/16. 33187273 or 35532852

WOERVOERD - Male Yorkshire Terrier, 4 yrs,neutered, micro-chipped (Dr Nonie), compoundnext to Saar Mall, 21/12/16, REWARD 100BD, Whatsapp 33192525 or phone 36544500 or 36433632

BALTHAZAR - Male ersian, 4 mos, dark grey w yellow eyes, not wearing collar or ID, Jurdab/ Isatown, 19/12/16. 39714188

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of this newspaper.)

Joel Indrupati

Wide Angle

On March 1, the Rio Theatre in London pranked the viewers of the movie ‘Moonlight’.

The theatre began playing ‘La La Land’ instead. And after a little while, they acted like they fumbled-up, as if they made a mistake, and then began to correctly play ‘Moonlight’.

Laughter ensued!So, with very serious criticism, some silly pranks

too, are now the unforeseen outcomes of this year’s mistaken announcement of ‘Best Picture’ at the Oscar Awards Ceremony.

Presenting the award-presenters with a wrong envelope has costed the two auditors their jobs.

Now, the poor auditors cannot dream of a la la land anymore. The moonlight has simply gone out of their lives.

Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan, the two accountants from PwC, who were the only two people who knew all the winners, and who were responsible for the presenter’s envelopes, are now barred from next years’ academy awards.

But, interestingly, PwC was the auditing firm that counted Oscars’ votes successfully for 83

years.The angry Cheryl Boone Isaacs,

President of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is saying that the academy’s relationship with PwC, now, remains under review.

However, I think the academy need not be quick and harsh with its judgement. It can investigate the matter, and decide on a right course of action in a slow and sensible manner.

After all, what is done is done. And heads rolling quickly in the reel world of Hollywood is not going to alter the story-board much. It cannot simply rewind thefaux pas moment, and fast forward it to an alternate ending, or scroll for us any better credits.

I agree, of course, that the climax of any Oscar Awards Ceremony is always the ‘Best Picture’ award.

And, being the last and the most important award to be announced, it ends a long speculation on ‘which film’ will finally be recorded as the winner of 2017.

So, when thousands in Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, and millions around the world, were watching it live, this mistaken announcement is perhaps not entirely ‘pardonable’.

I was among those millions. And I watched it live on OSN Movies Festival HD channel, as I was getting ready to go to work on Monday morning in Bahrain.

In fact, I had set my satellite receiver to record

the show, from midnight onwards, from the red carpet telecast; and I woke up early to catch it ‘Live’ as it ended.

I watched the presenter Warren Beatty look at his co-presenter Faye Dunaway, and the envelope, for a long long time, before he finally announced the wrong movie.

Of course, the mistake was quickly rectified.  Even though, for over 45 seconds of history, ‘La La Land’ held the award!

Warren Beatty later told and showed the audience he had got a wrong envelope. But, now that we know he was given the envelope with the ‘Best Actress’ card in it, I think - if I were him - I would have paused and consulted with back stage people.

But then, it is easier said than done. When you are in the limelight, in front of all the glitter, glitz and glamour, how calm can u be?  

Anyway, lets leave that. I had watched ‘La La Land’, and even though I personally love musicals, I did not find the movie Oscar-worthy.

The Academy has been long criticized for awarding itself, and many critics were lambasting Hollywood for having an affair with itself.

In the recent past, ‘The Artist’ (2012) and ‘The Birdman’ (2015) won “best picture’ awards. And both were in, and on, Hollywood like ‘La La Land’. 

So, if it had really won the best picture award, it would have angered the critics even more.

Oscars’ Envelopegate

Mubarak gets another reprieve

BUSINESS8 Friday, March 3, 2017

Desert CamelPower

Scientific measure of desert PerformanceDubai

Nissan Middle East yesterday announced a new concept,

which according to the company will eventually revolutionise the way vehicles are evaluated for desert performance

Developed by Nissan engineers, “Desert Camel Power” uses a scientifically proven formula to determine, in an accurately measurable and reproducible way, how a given vehicle will perform in typical desert off-road conditions.

Horsepower alone is not enough to perform well in desert conditions, but just as horsepower can be calculated scientifically, so can Desert Camel Power, thereby raising the prospect of an at-a-glance indication of a vehicle’s desert fitness, the company said in a statement.

“Over the past two years we have been researching what elements make a vehicle such as the Nissan Patrol so well-suited

to desert driving,” said Engineer Joseph Rachid El Hachem, Desert Camel Power Unit Engineer. “Basically, we found that it comes down to the interplay between the vehicle’s weight, its velocity and its trajectory. Other factors including manoeuvrability, engine torque and of course the skill of the driver do come into play and cannot be discounted. However, if we standardise a vehicle’s approach speed and trajectory in a given environment we can time how quickly it travels a set distance and subsequently factor in its weight to work out its Desert Camel Power.”

It’s a simple concept and one that can be applied with relative ease to test vehicles in the conditions typically found in the Arabian peninsula.

Samir Cherfan, Managing Director Nissan Middle East said: “In some ways, it is perhaps surprising that such a formula has

not been developed before now, given the amount of time and energy the off-road community puts into making claims and counter-claims about what constitutes a good desert vehicle!

That formula can be rendered as: CP = velocity x weight x sin (trajectory).

The scientific paper resulting from this collaboration and the formula itself have been presented to ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology) which has been highly receptive to the idea of this entirely new unit of measurement. ESMA is fully on board to undertake the requisite testing which will help to standardize the new unit, first on a regional and eventually on a global basis.

Desert Camel Power will in future be used in all Nissan Middle East showrooms and marketing literature to define the desert capabilities Nissan’s SUV line-up.

Americans buy more trucks, SUVs in FebChicago

Americans’ strong appetite for light  trucks and sport

utility vehicles  helped drive sales higher in February  at some automakers, while others struggled with continued weakening demand for sedans and compact cars.

The seasonally adjusted annual sales rate for the month dipped to 17.58 million units,  down slightly from the same period last year, according to Autodata. 

Sales volume, the total number of vehicles actually sold,  dropped onepc from the year ago period to 1.33 million -- a 17pc decline from January.   

GM -- the biggest US automaker by sales volume -- grew fourpc in February.

Nissan sales grew by 3.7 per cent, with crossovers, trucks and SUVs experiencing 22pc increase year-over-year.  Its  Rogue compact crossover was the most popular

model for the month, and saw sales surge an eye-popping 54pc.  

Mazda posted a sales gain of 5.9pc, led by its crossover SUVs, while Honda grew 2.3pc on the strength of its  popular CR-V SUV. 

Ford, Toyota and FCA US struggled, with robust SUV and light truck sales unable to compensate for an industry-wide decline in cars and compacts.    FCA US posted a 10pc decline, with fewer sales in every model except Ram trucks, which rose fourpc. 

Ford sales fell fourpc, despite selling 65,956 F-Series pickup trucks -- twice as many as some competitors’   most popular models.  However, Ford’s sedan and compact-car sales slid 25.7pc.

Toyota declined 7.2pc compared to last February.Volkswagen posted a 12.7pc increase this February compared to last. (AFP)

Nissan Introduces Desert Camel Power - the scientific measure of desert Performance

© GRAPHIC NEWSSources: U.S. Navy, Navy League Hampton Roads, U.S. Government Accountability Office *Inflation adjusted

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the most expensive warship everbuilt, is set to begin long-delayed sea trials ahead of itsexpected commissioning in April. The $13 billion vesselis the first in a new generation of aircraft carriers, featuringa host of changes over the current Nimitz-class fleet

F-35C Lightning II carrier variant

Displacement (fully loaded)Commissioning date

AircraftCrew (including air wing)Cost (2016)

Nimitz-classSpecifications USS Gerald R. Ford

100,000 tonnes2017 (planned)

75+4,539

$12.9 billion

88,000 tonnes1975 (USS Nimitz)

60+5,200

$8.9 billion*

Island: Aft locationgives more room foraircraft. Structure keptsmaller by replacingmultiple antennaswith single radarhoused in flat panels

Propulsion: Two nuclear reactorsgenerate 600MW of electricity –triple that of Nimitz-class carrier

Technology: Greater automationenables less crew and lower costs.Maintenance reduced by 30 percent

Flight deck: Three aircraft elevatorsinstead of four. Improved space utilisationand movement of fuel and weapons boostsaircraft mission rate by up to 25 percent

Catapults: Electromagneticlaunch replaces steam power

Armament: Integrated system controlsship sensors, anti-air weapons (missilesand guns) and countermeasures

F-35C and F/A-18 fightersAircraft: Up to 90, including:

AWACS surveillance planesEA-18 electronic attack jetsSH-60 helicoptersUnmanned aircraft (future)

Length: 333m

Nimitz Flight deck: 18,200 sq m

Gerald R. Ford 18,943 sq m

Developed by Nissan engineers, “Desert Camel Power” uses a sci-entifically proven formula

BUSINESSFriday, March 3, 2017 9

Washington

A US appellate court overturned a $533 million patent verdict against Apple, saying the award was based on “routine

computer activities” which cannot be patented. The decision comes two years after a court in Texas ordered Apple to pay the award to Smartflash LLC, which sued claiming Apple infringed on patents for flash memory technology used in the iTunes music store.

Jerusalem

An Israeli company has started exporting gas from an offshore field to Jordan, marking the country’s first ever exports

of natural gas. The exports to Jordan began in January, Delek Drilling said. Jordanian firms Arab Potash and Jordan Bromine signed a deal in 2014 to import 2 billion cubic metres of gas from Israel’s Tamar field over 15 years.

Howard Schultz,

US court overturns $533m Apple verdict Israel begins gas exports to Jordan

Starbucks CEO

In this ever-changing society, the most powerful and enduring brands are built from the heart. They are real and sustainable. Their foundations are stronger because they are built with the strength of the human spirit, not an ad campaign. The companies that are lasting are those that are authentic”

© GRAPHIC NEWSSources: AP, Politico, Washington Post Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images

Jan 20, 2017

Jan 27 Executive order imposing 90-day ban oncitizens of seven Muslim-majority countries fromentering U.S. and indefinite ban on refugeestriggers multiple legal challenges.Federal court issues temporary stay – decisionupheld by federal appeals court on February 9Feb 4 Vincent Viola (right) declines Trump’s offerto be Secretary of the Army in new administrationFeb 10 Robin Townley forced out of NationalSecurity Council (NSC) after CIA rejects his requestfor high-level security clearanceFeb 11 While dining with Japanese Prime Minister ShinzoAbe at Trump’s private Florida retreat, news breaks of launch of North Koreanballistic missile. Club becomes impromptu situation room. Guest postsimage to social media showing officer carrying president’s nuclear football*

Feb 16 Trump’s NSA replacement, ex-navy SealVice Admiral Robert Harward (right), turns down offerciting family and financial considerationsFeb 17 Craig Deare, head of NSC’s WesternHemisphere division, fired after making critical remarksabout Trump’s Mexico policyFeb 26 Nominee for Navy secretary, Philip Bilden,withdraws citing complicated business interestsMar 1 U.S. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosicalls on Attorney General Jeff Sessions (right)to resign after revelations that he failed to disclosetwo meetings in 2016 with Russia’s Kislyak beforeTrump was inaugurated.In January, Sessions tells his confirmation hearingunder oath “…I did not have communications withthe Russians”

Feb 13 Trump’s National Security Adviser (NSA)Michael Flynn (left) resigns following revelations that hediscussed U.S. sanctions with Russia’s Ambassador,Sergey Kislyak, prior to Trump taking office. Kislyak isconsidered to be Kremlin’s top spy in AmericaFeb 15 Trump’s nominee to run Department of Labor,Andrew F. Puzder, withdraws after admitting he employedillegal immigrant as house cleaner

Donald Trump is inaugurated as 45thPresident of the United States

*Briefcase holding codes to enable nuclear strike at moment’s notice

Controversies in Trump’s West Wing

Washington

Donald Trump’s muted prime-time address

to Congress got positive reviews, but numerous questions remained about the details and costs of his ambitious agenda.

Americans reacted warmly to Trump’s lengthy speech, in which he ditched the most bellicose of his rhetoric in favour of a call for national unity and a more presidential timber.

A CBS News/YouGov poll showed that 76 per cent of those who watched the speech approved of what they saw. 

Wall Street also voiced its appreciation, with the Dow topping 21,000 for the first time.

It was a substantial and much needed boost for the 70-year-old Republican president, whose approval rating is at a historic low for presidents after a month in office, and his embattled White House.

Trump -- ever-aware of his image and popularity -- fired a triumphant “THANK

YOU!” message to his 25 million Twitter followers Wednesday morning.

To keep the momentum, the White House postponed the unveiling of a controversial new ban on travellers from mostly Muslim countries, which would have dominated news coverage.

It also pared back Trump’s public remarks and held its daily press briefing off-camera.

An estimated 48  million people tuned in to watch Trump’s speech, according to the Nielsen ratings firm, lower than the some 53 million who watched former president Barack Obama’s first joint address in 2009.

Trump’s speech was welcomed by the hundreds of mostly Republican lawmakers who witnessed it firsthand in Congress.

“I think we were all really pleased last night to hear the president’s unifying message. It was refreshing for everyone after such a difficult election season,”

Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor.

Americans, he said, are “ready for a new start.”

Trump brought Republicans and Democrats together by strongly criticizing recent threats against Jewish community centres and condemning the seemingly racially motivated killing of an Indian immigrant.

He also reached out to opposition Democrats, reprising his call for a $1 trillion infrastructure bill and expressing support for paid family leave and affordable child care.

Attention will now turn to how Trump can meet those pledges -- along with goals to “restart” the US economy, boost defense spending and reduce violent crime.

While he promised to replace his predecessor’s landmark health care reforms with a plan that would broaden choice, lower costs and improve access, he offered little in terms of how that would be achieved. (AFP)

Trump praised for measuredspeech

US President Donald J. Trump reacts after deliv-ering his first address

Drones, RobotsDrones and robots were everywhere at this year’s trade show. At Korea Telecom’s stand, two robotic arms played the drums, varying the songs throughout the day. Japanese firm Softbank drew crowds with its human-like robot

Pepper which can be employed in shops to greet customers and demonstrate products, while Barcelona-based Pal Robotics displayed two humanoid robot models.

Virtual AssistantsFollowing on the heels of the success of Amazon.com’s Echo, a hands-free speaker with AI-powered virtual assistant Alexa, several firms showcased their own version of the technology.Sony unveiled a new version of its Xperia Ear earphones which includes a virtual assistant called the Sony Agent. Both LG and Motorola presented

new flagship smartphones that integrated a virtual assistant while Samsung announced that its new high-end phone which will be presented in New York at the end of the month will also have one.Research firm Garner predicts that by 2019, 20 percent of all our interactions with a smartphone will be carried out via such assistants.

Virtual RealityVirtual reality (VR) headsets were front and centre, in a sign of the importance placed on the technology by the sector. Samsung unveiled several new innovations includ-ing a 360-degree virtual travel app designed to allow people to reminisce about past experiences.

Lithuanian mobile app developers TeleSoftas showcased an app which allows business meetings to be held in virtual reality with avatars representing people in different parts of the globe.

BUSINESS Friday, March 3, 201710

COUNTRY/CURRENCIES SELLBUY

Rates are for indication purpose only. For firm rates or for currencies not listed above please call Bahrain Financing Company. Telephone: 17228888, Website: www.bfc.com.bh

COUNTRY 1 US DLR 1 UK STG 1 SFR 100 YEN

BAHRAIN 0.3770 0.4699 0.3732 0.3316

KUWAIT 0.2855 32.4614 0.2826 0.2511

OMAN 0.3849 0.3888 0.3810 0.3385

QATAR 3.6420 3.6791 3.6052 3.2032

UAE 3.6730 3.7105 3.6359 3.2304

SAUDI 3.7500 3.7883 3.7121 3.2982

AUSTRALIA 0.2971 0.2947BANGLADESH 0.00506 0.00475CANADA 0.2945 0.2914DENMARK 0.0569 EGYPT 0.0361 0.0219EURO 0.4059 0.4038HONGKONG 0.04983 0.04943INDIA 0.00582 0.00577INDONESIA 0.00002997 0.00002894IRAN TUMAN 0.00010959 IRAQI DINAR 0.000294 JAPAN 0.003520 0.003450JORDAN 0.5346 0.5351KOREA 0.00038401 KUWAIT 1.2580 1.242MALAYSIA 0.087500 0.0873NEW ZEALAND 0.2767 0.2744NORWAY 0.0473 NEPAL 0.00387 0.00353OMAN 0.97962 0.98262PAKISTAN 0.00365 0.00360PHILIPPINES 0.00777 0.00753QATAR 0.10381 0.10376SAUDI ARABIA 0.10061 0.26810SINGAPORE 0.2730 0.2710SOUTH AFRICA 0.03120 0.03110SRI LANKA 0.00277 0.00249SWEDISH 0.0451 .SWITZERLAND 0.3826 0.3801SYRIA 0.001740 0.0123TAIWAN 0.012800 THAILAND 0.010990 0.010990TURKEY 0.1105 UNITED KINGDOM 0.4796 0.4766UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 0.102800 0.102810UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 0.37800 0.37805YUAN 0.058500 0.0585

Tax plan boosts Egypt

Dubai

Egypt’s stock market rose sharply yesterday after

the finance minister said he would propose only a gradual introduction of a stamp duty on transactions, while stocks going ex-dividend dragged down Dubai.

The Egyptian index climbed 2.6 per cent as blue chip Global Telecom jumped 7.6pc. Amr al-Garhy said on Wednesday that he would propose a duty starting at 1.25 Egyptian pounds ($0.08) per 1,000 to the government next week, rising to 1.5 pounds in the second year of implementation and 1.75 pounds in the third.

Dubai’s index sank 1.0pc. Dubai Islamic Bank plunged

9.3pc and GFH Financial slid 11.0pc; both stocks went ex-dividend on Thursday. The

scope of the falls was larger than normal for ex-dividend stocks and suggested a lack of

institutional buying support.However, rising stocks in

Dubai outnumbered falling ones by 18 to 13.

Abu Dhabi’s index climbed 0.6pc on the back of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, which added 4.1pc.

The Saudi Arabian index gained 0.7pc as real estate investment trusts, the focus of massive activity by day traders in the past week, jumped again.

Qatar’s index fell 0.3pc. Aamal dropped 2.6pc after index compiler FTSE Russell released details of the second half of Qatar’s transition to

Secondary Emerging Market status, which will occur on March 19. (Reuters)

Closing BellSAUDI rose 0.7pc to 7,107 points

DUBAI fell 1.0pc to 3,584 points

ABU DHABI rose 0.6pc to 4,596 points

QATAR fell 0.3pc to 10,721 points

KUWAIT gained 0.4pc to 6,767 points

EGYPT jumped 2.6pc to 12,310 points

OMAN rose 0.4pc to 5,815 points

BAHRAIN slipped 0.2pc to 1,342 points

Trends at Mobile World CongressBarcelonaThe phone industry’s largest annual trade fair, the Mobile World Congress which wrapped up in Barcelona on Thursday, was dominated by fast-charging phone batteries, virtual reality and connected objects, from toothbrushes to cars.

Longer BatteriesSeveral phonemak-ers unveiled new smartphones with batteries that can last longer and be charger faster.

Huawei said its new flagship device, the P10, fea-tures a 40 percent boost in battery life.

The battery also features “super charge” technology that promises a full day charge in just 20 minutes.

Blackberry’s new devices, which bring back the brand’s iconic phys-ical keyboard, have the brand’s big-gest-ever batteries. They also feature a “boost mode” that allow you to get a a 50 percent charge in roughly 36 min-utes. 

Amr al-Garhy, Finance Minister, Egypt

Drones, RobotsDrones and robots were everywhere at this year’s trade show. At Korea Telecom’s stand, two robotic arms played the drums, varying the songs throughout the day. Japanese firm Softbank drew crowds with its human-like robot

Pepper which can be employed in shops to greet customers and demonstrate products, while Barcelona-based Pal Robotics displayed two humanoid robot models.

Virtual AssistantsFollowing on the heels of the success of Amazon.com’s Echo, a hands-free speaker with AI-powered virtual assistant Alexa, several firms showcased their own version of the technology.Sony unveiled a new version of its Xperia Ear earphones which includes a virtual assistant called the Sony Agent. Both LG and Motorola presented

new flagship smartphones that integrated a virtual assistant while Samsung announced that its new high-end phone which will be presented in New York at the end of the month will also have one.Research firm Garner predicts that by 2019, 20 percent of all our interactions with a smartphone will be carried out via such assistants.

Virtual RealityVirtual reality (VR) headsets were front and centre, in a sign of the importance placed on the technology by the sector. Samsung unveiled several new innovations includ-ing a 360-degree virtual travel app designed to allow people to reminisce about past experiences.

Lithuanian mobile app developers TeleSoftas showcased an app which allows business meetings to be held in virtual reality with avatars representing people in different parts of the globe.

BUSINESS Friday, March 3, 201710

COUNTRY/CURRENCIES SELLBUY

Rates are for indication purpose only. For firm rates or for currencies not listed above please call Bahrain Financing Company. Telephone: 17228888, Website: www.bfc.com.bh

COUNTRY 1 US DLR 1 UK STG 1 SFR 100 YEN

BAHRAIN 0.3770 0.4699 0.3732 0.3316

KUWAIT 0.2855 32.4614 0.2826 0.2511

OMAN 0.3849 0.3888 0.3810 0.3385

QATAR 3.6420 3.6791 3.6052 3.2032

UAE 3.6730 3.7105 3.6359 3.2304

SAUDI 3.7500 3.7883 3.7121 3.2982

AUSTRALIA 0.2971 0.2947BANGLADESH 0.00506 0.00475CANADA 0.2945 0.2914DENMARK 0.0569 EGYPT 0.0361 0.0219EURO 0.4059 0.4038HONGKONG 0.04983 0.04943INDIA 0.00582 0.00577INDONESIA 0.00002997 0.00002894IRAN TUMAN 0.00010959 IRAQI DINAR 0.000294 JAPAN 0.003520 0.003450JORDAN 0.5346 0.5351KOREA 0.00038401 KUWAIT 1.2580 1.242MALAYSIA 0.087500 0.0873NEW ZEALAND 0.2767 0.2744NORWAY 0.0473 NEPAL 0.00387 0.00353OMAN 0.97962 0.98262PAKISTAN 0.00365 0.00360PHILIPPINES 0.00777 0.00753QATAR 0.10381 0.10376SAUDI ARABIA 0.10061 0.26810SINGAPORE 0.2730 0.2710SOUTH AFRICA 0.03120 0.03110SRI LANKA 0.00277 0.00249SWEDISH 0.0451 .SWITZERLAND 0.3826 0.3801SYRIA 0.001740 0.0123TAIWAN 0.012800 THAILAND 0.010990 0.010990TURKEY 0.1105 UNITED KINGDOM 0.4796 0.4766UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 0.102800 0.102810UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 0.37800 0.37805YUAN 0.058500 0.0585

Tax plan boosts Egypt

Dubai

Egypt’s stock market rose sharply yesterday after

the finance minister said he would propose only a gradual introduction of a stamp duty on transactions, while stocks going ex-dividend dragged down Dubai.

The Egyptian index climbed 2.6 per cent as blue chip Global Telecom jumped 7.6pc. Amr al-Garhy said on Wednesday that he would propose a duty starting at 1.25 Egyptian pounds ($0.08) per 1,000 to the government next week, rising to 1.5 pounds in the second year of implementation and 1.75 pounds in the third.

Dubai’s index sank 1.0pc. Dubai Islamic Bank plunged

9.3pc and GFH Financial slid 11.0pc; both stocks went ex-dividend on Thursday. The

scope of the falls was larger than normal for ex-dividend stocks and suggested a lack of

institutional buying support.However, rising stocks in

Dubai outnumbered falling ones by 18 to 13.

Abu Dhabi’s index climbed 0.6pc on the back of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, which added 4.1pc.

The Saudi Arabian index gained 0.7pc as real estate investment trusts, the focus of massive activity by day traders in the past week, jumped again.

Qatar’s index fell 0.3pc. Aamal dropped 2.6pc after index compiler FTSE Russell released details of the second half of Qatar’s transition to

Secondary Emerging Market status, which will occur on March 19. (Reuters)

Closing BellSAUDI rose 0.7pc to 7,107 points

DUBAI fell 1.0pc to 3,584 points

ABU DHABI rose 0.6pc to 4,596 points

QATAR fell 0.3pc to 10,721 points

KUWAIT gained 0.4pc to 6,767 points

EGYPT jumped 2.6pc to 12,310 points

OMAN rose 0.4pc to 5,815 points

BAHRAIN slipped 0.2pc to 1,342 points

Trends at Mobile World CongressBarcelonaThe phone industry’s largest annual trade fair, the Mobile World Congress which wrapped up in Barcelona on Thursday, was dominated by fast-charging phone batteries, virtual reality and connected objects, from toothbrushes to cars.

Longer BatteriesSeveral phonemak-ers unveiled new smartphones with batteries that can last longer and be charger faster.

Huawei said its new flagship device, the P10, fea-tures a 40 percent boost in battery life.

The battery also features “super charge” technology that promises a full day charge in just 20 minutes.

Blackberry’s new devices, which bring back the brand’s iconic phys-ical keyboard, have the brand’s big-gest-ever batteries. They also feature a “boost mode” that allow you to get a a 50 percent charge in roughly 36 min-utes. 

Amr al-Garhy, Finance Minister, Egypt

11

campus@dt.bhThe real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.

– Thomas Paine Friday, March 3, 2017

The Ibn Khuldoon National School in Isa Town celebrated Sports Day for the Middle Section on Thursday.PICS BY MUHAMED THASLEEM

Manama

Al Mabarrah Al Khalifia Foundation announced today the opening of registration for its ‘Rayaat Scholarship Program’ for the

academic year of 2017/2018. The “Rayaat Scholarship’ program was launched in line with the

foundation’s vision to provide students with scholarship opportunities at accredited universities in the Kingdom in order to create an ambitious generation that can play an integral part in developing the community.

The registration phase, held for a period of one month from the 1st and until the 31st of March 2017, aims to offer students 40 scholarships for Bachelor Degrees from the University of Bahrain (UoB), Polytechnic Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) along with two scholarships for Masters from UoB and AGU.

Interested applicants can apply through Al Mabarrah Al Khalifia Foundation’s website. Students will be selected after a thorough selection process based on academic achievement, interview, and volunteering and community services experience.

“Al Mabarrah Al Khalifia Foundation aims to increase the opportunity available for Bahraini students to enroll and obtain a university degree. Students enrolled in our program are also exposed to numerous training programs and other team building activities,” said the Board of Trustees’ chairperson Shaikha Zain bint Khalid Al Khalifa.

The “Rayaat Scholarship” program was launched in 2011 as a comprehensive approach to promote educational achievement and personal development through providing students with scholarship opportunities at accredited universities in the Kingdom.

The “Rayaat Scholarship” program aims to cover the tuition fees of students in addition to monthly financial incentives for outstanding students. Other benefits include the Rayaat Student Card which offers exclusive discounts at a number of retail outlets. Moreover, enrichment workshops, job-placement, and community service opportunities are offered within a supportive environment that encourages students to take an active role in the community.

Al Mabarrah Al Khalifia Foundation Announces Registration for Rayaat Scholarship Program

This school year marked the first year that

Bahrain School has been a part of the Oasis Activities Conference, a sports and fine arts league that includes nine schools from all over the Middle East. Oasis held their tournaments this past weekend for Varsity and Junior Varsity football in Dubai and Bahrain respectively. At their first official appearance in the Oasis league, Bahrain School’s teams swept the tournaments on all levels.

The JV girls took home second after a series of games in Riffa. Despite being the youngest team in the tournament, the JV Lady Falcons earned their berth for the championship game against DHS who scored in the last two minutes of play for the win.

In the JV boys’ football tournament, several Bahrain School Middle School students played on the RVIS team. Standout player Tinto Howes was chosen for the All-

Star team by the coaches. The Varsity teams took it abroad with

an intense three-day tournament in Dubai. After playing eight close games, the Varsity boys won third place. In an exciting match, the Falcons dominated in overtime to win

3-1. The Bahrain School Lady Falcons went undefeated in the tournaments with a remarkable record of 5-0-1. All teams did an excellent job of representing both their country and school in this prestigious, international league.

Bahrain School JV Basketball Team performed exceptionally well in their first year in the Oasis League Basketball

Tournament that took place February 16-18, 2017. The girls team captured 1st place against Dhahran High School and the boys team place 2nd against Dhahran High School.

Other schools in the Oasis League that participated were Riffa Views International School (RVIS), American International School Jeddah (AISJ), Al Bayan Bilingual School Kuwait(BBS), American Community School Beirut (ACS-B), and American International School Egypt (AISE). Bahrain School hosted this event with AISJ under the direction of Janine Culibrk of Bahrain School and Indira Kaljo of AISJ.

Top left: Coaches Joanne Oliver, Chenel Medina, players Kaiya Medina, Tiana Sledge, Grace Dozeman, Kayden Black, Brandi Baldus, Jayla Dewalt, Coach Kerey Jenkins. Front row: Demari Andrade, Mariah Williams, Chloe Santos.

Bahrain School Football Teams compete in Oasis League in Dubai

Boys & Girls Team to Dubai

Bahrain School Hosts the Oasis League Basketball from the Region

Friday, March 3, 201712

BDF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa yesterday paid inspection visits to a number of BDF units. On the occasion, the commander-in-chief was briefed on the units’ train-ing programmes, as well as combat and administrative development plans

Assistant Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabr Al Dossari held a meeting, on the sidelines of the 34th Session of the UNHRC in Ge-neva, with the Permanent Representative of Georgia to the UN Office in Geneva, Shalva Tsiskarashvili, and Permanent Representa-tive of Ghana, Ambassador Sammie Eddico. Al Dossari pointed out Bahrain’s gov-ernment action plan (2015-2018) which aims to attain justice, security and pros-perity, touching on national human rights achievements

Assistant Undersecre-tary of Foreign Trade Eman Al Doseri met Deputy Undersecretary of Ministry of Culture and Tourism Baki Al-kaçar, in the presence of Shaikh Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, economist at the Min-istry of Finance. This came on the sideline of the sixth Joint Bahraini-Turkish Committee, held in the Republic of Turkey. They discussed a number of topics of common interest and on enhancing coopera-tion and joint action

Parliament Chair-man Ahmed Al Mulla held talks with Thai National Legislative As-sembly President Pornpetch Wichi-tcholchai. The Par-liament Chairman warned against the danger of ter-rorism which is threatening soci-eties and coun-tries, urging coop-eration between friendly countries to combat ter-ror groups and foreign-backed organisations

Minister of Foreign Af-fairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa yes-terday received in his of-fice at the General Court of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a delegation of European Businessmen from the Swiss Federa-tion, the Republic of Aus-tria, Republic of Slovenia and Republic of Croatia. The minister reviewed with them trade relations and affirmed the need to expand bilateral coopera-tion in trade, economic and investment fields

Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh yesterday received Director-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s Health Council, Suleiman Al-Dakheel and discussed cooperation in the development of the GCC health sector. They also reviewed the Council’s 2016 report

Friday, March 3, 201712

BDF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa yesterday paid inspection visits to a number of BDF units. On the occasion, the commander-in-chief was briefed on the units’ train-ing programmes, as well as combat and administrative development plans

Assistant Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabr Al Dossari held a meeting, on the sidelines of the 34th Session of the UNHRC in Ge-neva, with the Permanent Representative of Georgia to the UN Office in Geneva, Shalva Tsiskarashvili, and Permanent Representa-tive of Ghana, Ambassador Sammie Eddico. Al Dossari pointed out Bahrain’s gov-ernment action plan (2015-2018) which aims to attain justice, security and pros-perity, touching on national human rights achievements

Assistant Undersecre-tary of Foreign Trade Eman Al Doseri met Deputy Undersecretary of Ministry of Culture and Tourism Baki Al-kaçar, in the presence of Shaikh Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, economist at the Min-istry of Finance. This came on the sideline of the sixth Joint Bahraini-Turkish Committee, held in the Republic of Turkey. They discussed a number of topics of common interest and on enhancing coopera-tion and joint action

Parliament Chair-man Ahmed Al Mulla held talks with Thai National Legislative As-sembly President Pornpetch Wichi-tcholchai. The Par-liament Chairman warned against the danger of ter-rorism which is threatening soci-eties and coun-tries, urging coop-eration between friendly countries to combat ter-ror groups and foreign-backed organisations

Minister of Foreign Af-fairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa yes-terday received in his of-fice at the General Court of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a delegation of European Businessmen from the Swiss Federa-tion, the Republic of Aus-tria, Republic of Slovenia and Republic of Croatia. The minister reviewed with them trade relations and affirmed the need to expand bilateral coopera-tion in trade, economic and investment fields

Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh yesterday received Director-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s Health Council, Suleiman Al-Dakheel and discussed cooperation in the development of the GCC health sector. They also reviewed the Council’s 2016 report

Friday, March 3, 2017 13

C r e d i M a x hosted its an-nual fun-filled camping trip in the Sakhir Desert exclu-sively for its e m p l o y e e s and their fam-ilies. The event included out-door activities and games for children and a traditional Bahraini food and bever-ages buffet

Undersecretary, Health Minis-try Dr. Aysha Buanq patron-ised the Health Promotion Di-rectorate’s public awareness cam-paign on vitamin ‘D” deficiency, launched at the Yousef Engineer Health Centre. In inaugural speech, Dr. Bu Enq expounded on the impor-tance of preven-tion of vitamin D deficiency

Parliament Chair-man Ahmed Al Mulla held talks with Thai National Legislative As-sembly President Pornpetch Wichi-tcholchai. The Par-liament Chairman warned against the danger of ter-rorism which is threatening soci-eties and coun-tries, urging coop-eration between friendly countries to combat ter-ror groups and foreign-backed organisations

Minister of Interior Lt General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa received a number of Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee members of the Council of Representa-tives, headed by Deputy Head of the penal, MP Khalifa Abdullah Al-Ghanim yesterday. The meeting discussed topics of common interest that could reinforce coordination and cooperation between the Interior Ministry and the Council of Representatives. The Chief of Public Security, Major-General Tariq Al Hassan was also present

Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh yesterday received Director-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s Health Council, Suleiman Al-Dakheel and discussed cooperation in the development of the GCC health sector. They also reviewed the Council’s 2016 report

The Bahraini side of the Bahraini-Turkish Joint Business Council of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) headed by executive bureau member Ahmed bin Hindi is taking part in the sixth meeting of the Joint Bahraini-Turkish Committee headed by the Bahraini Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and from the Turkish side by Mehmet Simseak Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of the country’s financial and economic sectors

Make Your Momma Proud known popularly as M.Y.M.P, One of the biggest and well-known music bands in the Philippines was received at the Bahrain International Airport by  Room 32’s Event Director Ajay Vallabhan, Sales Director Vinod Kumar and Modern Exchange representa-tives. The band is here to perform at the Indian School Ground in Isa Town today

Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza received Swiss Cosnul in Bahrain Humbert Vincent Buemi and discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties. The minister highlighted the co-operation in various areas and reviewed projects in the electricity and water sector and infrastructure development

Los Angeles

Si n g e r C h r i s

B r o w n has been o r d e r e d

a n o t h e r r e s t r a i n i n g

order amid his fight with his former

g i r l f r i e n d K a r r u e c h e Tran.

A week after he was ordered to keep a distance of at least 100 yards from Tran and her family, Brown has now received an order to

stay away from the model’s best

friend Joseph Ryan LaCour and other

friends too, reports tmz.com.

LaCour has filed legal papers in which

he claims that Brown has threatened to kill him

and gone as far as to send gangsters after him. LaCour

says he has been receiving death treats from Brown

because he stands up for Tran when she fights to keep the singer

away from her. (IANS)

14 Friday, March 3, 2017

Lindsay Lohan @lindsaylohan

“If you judge people, you have no time to love

them. Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one…”

Peruvian born Australian actress who was intro-duced to international audiences in Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift and later appeared in Body of Proof.

March 3, 1985

Los Angeles

Actor Hugh Jackman says he has never

lifted any weights before filming “X-Men”.

The 48-year-old has had to bulk-up to portray the role of superhero Wolverine in the film franchise. But Jackman says he used to find the idea of spending hours a day in the gym ridiculous, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“Before ‘X-Men’ I’d never lifted a weight in my life. I used to work at a gym and I’d make fun of all the guys in the weight room,” Jackman told. (IANS)

Los Angeles

Singer Katy Perry has teased her fans with a project -- possibly new track -- including lyrics borrowed from

the language used in protests against US President Donald Trump.

Perry took to Instagram to share a 11-second clip of her singing the track, reports aceshowbiz.com. The short clip features Perry’s voice with no music.

In the clip, Perry sings: “I won’t, no, I won’t apologise. I will not, will not subscribe. Don’t ask me, ask me to normalise.”

Since then, Perry’s fans have assumed that her upcoming single might be an anti-Trump track since she borrowed lines that were used to criticise Trump during last year’s presidential campaign.

Perry supported Trump’s opponent Hillary Clinton in the election.

Perry criticised Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May’s close political relationship while performing at the 2017 BRIT Awards. (IANS)

Los Angeles

From its elaborate dance and music sequences to its larger than life

terrain, there are multiple reasons why Luke Evans is in love with Bollywood. The Hollywood actor says he would love to break into Hindi cinema not just as an actor but as a singer too.

He is often seen slaying dragons or playing the role of a psychopath on the big screen.

And up next, he will be seen as brawny male chauvinist Gaston in Disney’s live-

action adaptation “Beauty and the Beast”, a musical.

Evans said he wants to explore the world of Hindi cinema and is waiting for an opportunity

to come knocking at his door.“I would love to work in Bollywood one day. I would

love to be able to sing in one of the Bollywood shows. I would love to do that,” Evans told over phone from Shanghai. (IANS)

Los Angeles

Singer-actress Selena Gomez is reportedly getting serious about her relationship with The Weeknd,

whose real name is Abel Tesfaye.She might even be ready to

introduce her beau to her family members in Texas.

“Selena knows her family would love Abel,” a source told hollywoodlife.com.

“He’s so warm and funny, he will get along great with her family members. She’s planning on bringing him to Texas to get to know them better as soon as his tour is finished,” the source added.

The source said Gomez’s mother Mandy

Teefey and her family are worrying a lot about the relationship.

“They have total faith in her, but of course they worry about her,” the source said. (IANS)

Friday, March 3 2017

2. I Don’t Wanna Live ForeverZayn / Taylor Swift

1. Shape Of YouEd Sheeran

6. Bad ThingsMachine Gun Kelly x Camila Cabello

10. Bounce BackBig Sean

5. CloserThe Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey

9. I Feel It ComingThe Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk

4. Chained To The RhythmKaty Perry Featuring Skip Marley

8.Love On The BrainRihanna

3. Bad And BoujeeMigos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert

7.That’s What I LikeBruno Mars

15

(billboard)

Brad Pitt donated $5 million to rebuild homes in New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina.

Los Angeles

Si n g e r C h r i s

B r o w n has been o r d e r e d

a n o t h e r r e s t r a i n i n g

order amid his fight with his former

g i r l f r i e n d K a r r u e c h e Tran.

A week after he was ordered to keep a distance of at least 100 yards from Tran and her family, Brown has now received an order to

stay away from the model’s best

friend Joseph Ryan LaCour and other

friends too, reports tmz.com.

LaCour has filed legal papers in which

he claims that Brown has threatened to kill him

and gone as far as to send gangsters after him. LaCour

says he has been receiving death treats from Brown

because he stands up for Tran when she fights to keep the singer

away from her. (IANS)

14 Friday, March 3, 2017

Lindsay Lohan @lindsaylohan

“If you judge people, you have no time to love

them. Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one…”

Peruvian born Australian actress who was intro-duced to international audiences in Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift and later appeared in Body of Proof.

March 3, 1985

Los Angeles

Actor Hugh Jackman says he has never

lifted any weights before filming “X-Men”.

The 48-year-old has had to bulk-up to portray the role of superhero Wolverine in the film franchise. But Jackman says he used to find the idea of spending hours a day in the gym ridiculous, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“Before ‘X-Men’ I’d never lifted a weight in my life. I used to work at a gym and I’d make fun of all the guys in the weight room,” Jackman told. (IANS)

Los Angeles

Singer Katy Perry has teased her fans with a project -- possibly new track -- including lyrics borrowed from

the language used in protests against US President Donald Trump.

Perry took to Instagram to share a 11-second clip of her singing the track, reports aceshowbiz.com. The short clip features Perry’s voice with no music.

In the clip, Perry sings: “I won’t, no, I won’t apologise. I will not, will not subscribe. Don’t ask me, ask me to normalise.”

Since then, Perry’s fans have assumed that her upcoming single might be an anti-Trump track since she borrowed lines that were used to criticise Trump during last year’s presidential campaign.

Perry supported Trump’s opponent Hillary Clinton in the election.

Perry criticised Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May’s close political relationship while performing at the 2017 BRIT Awards. (IANS)

Los Angeles

From its elaborate dance and music sequences to its larger than life

terrain, there are multiple reasons why Luke Evans is in love with Bollywood. The Hollywood actor says he would love to break into Hindi cinema not just as an actor but as a singer too.

He is often seen slaying dragons or playing the role of a psychopath on the big screen.

And up next, he will be seen as brawny male chauvinist Gaston in Disney’s live-

action adaptation “Beauty and the Beast”, a musical.

Evans said he wants to explore the world of Hindi cinema and is waiting for an opportunity

to come knocking at his door.“I would love to work in Bollywood one day. I would

love to be able to sing in one of the Bollywood shows. I would love to do that,” Evans told over phone from Shanghai. (IANS)

Los Angeles

Singer-actress Selena Gomez is reportedly getting serious about her relationship with The Weeknd,

whose real name is Abel Tesfaye.She might even be ready to

introduce her beau to her family members in Texas.

“Selena knows her family would love Abel,” a source told hollywoodlife.com.

“He’s so warm and funny, he will get along great with her family members. She’s planning on bringing him to Texas to get to know them better as soon as his tour is finished,” the source added.

The source said Gomez’s mother Mandy

Teefey and her family are worrying a lot about the relationship.

“They have total faith in her, but of course they worry about her,” the source said. (IANS)

Friday, March 3 2017

2. I Don’t Wanna Live ForeverZayn / Taylor Swift

1. Shape Of YouEd Sheeran

6. Bad ThingsMachine Gun Kelly x Camila Cabello

10. Bounce BackBig Sean

5. CloserThe Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey

9. I Feel It ComingThe Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk

4. Chained To The RhythmKaty Perry Featuring Skip Marley

8.Love On The BrainRihanna

3. Bad And BoujeeMigos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert

7.That’s What I LikeBruno Mars

15

(billboard)

Brad Pitt donated $5 million to rebuild homes in New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina.

ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS & CRICKET TOURNAMENT

Date: TodayVenue: Bahrain Rugby Club

Rotary Club of Adliya has initiated a Road Safety Awareness Campaign

in Bahrain, as its contribution towards making roads of Bahrain safer. This campaign will mainly consist of road safety educational activities provided to children in a formal education setting. Its main objective would be to develop the behaviours and attitudes for safe road use relevant to the development of children and young people as passengers, pedestrians and road users.To kick off the campaign, Rotary Club of Adliya is dedicating its annual Bahrain Charity Cricket World Cup 2017 at Bahrain Rugby Club, Saar, on 3 March 2017. The event is a one-day cricket tournament for aficionados of the game; children’s activities such as bouncy castle, henna painting, etc. will also be part of the full day program to make it a memorable family day outing.

SPARTAN 6-WEEK PREP PROGRAMDate : Today 08:00 - 09:30 Venue : Tribal Fitness- Maqaba

Join our resident Spartan Coach, Ari as he prepares you for the Bahrain Spartan Race on 14th April 2016 in Riffa, Bahrain.This 6-week program will enable you to cut weight (fat), improve your relative strength and be ready for Spartan-specific obstacles. The program starts on Friday 3rd March 2017 and includes 6 x 90-minute sessions each Friday, a 6-week Spartan Lifestyle Challenge and a Tribal Fitness T-shirt to represent on the big day! The program is limited to 20 people (Members and none-members are welcome).

CHOCOHOLIC FRIDAY BRUNCHDate: Today, 1pm to 4pmVenue: Sheraton Bahrain Hotel

Live cooking station, seafood items, cold cuts, international main course plus extravagant selection of desserts and crepe station with loads of chocolates every Friday.

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE CHOCOHOLIC FRIDAY BRUNCHDate : Today 13:00 - 16:00 Venue : Sheraton Bahrain Hotel- Manama

Live cooking station, seafood items, cold cuts, International main course plus extravagant selection of desserts and crepe station with loads of chocolates every Friday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

LES MILLS Q1 QUARTERLY WORKSHOP Date: 4 March 7:45 am - 4:45 pm Venue: REPS Fitness Studios- Manama

Les Mills Quarterly Workshops are touch points that allow Les Mills instructors to experience the new programme releases prior to launching, whilst also being able keep up-to-date with the latest programme-specific technique and coaching trends.

PAPER PUPPETS WORKSHOP Date: March 4 Venue: Salman Culture Center

As part of the Spring of Culture Education Program, Salman Culture Center will host a ‘Paper Puppets’ workshop on Saturday 4th March in collaboration with specialists from the Jordanian-Czech Dafa Puppet Theatre. The workshop will be open for children between the ages of seven and twelve, and will explore ways in which participants can express their thoughts through creative puppetry. The session will be led by Husam Abed and Reka Deak, who will deliver the “Paper Puppets” workshop from the Jordanian-Czech Dafa Puppet Theatre group. Both Husam and Reka work as professional puppeteers and have studied theatre in both Prague, and Romania respectively. They share a plethora of experience in conducting workshops, and have worked with children and adults in Arabian countries, Europe and beyond. The event is organized by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) as part of its support for the annual Spring of Culture Festival, which contributes significantly to Bahrain’s tourism sector each year. Full details of the Spring of Culture and its various

activities are available on the website www.springofculture.org.

JAPAN FILM FESTIVAL 2017Date: Sunday and WednesdayVenue:National Museum Auditorium

As part of the 12th edition of Spring of Culture Festival and in cooperation with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, the Embassy of Japan will host the Japan Film Festival 2017 at 7:00 pm every Sunday and Wednesday on 1st, 5th, 8th, 12th and 15rd March at National Museum. The National Museum will offer a variety of 5 films from the Japanese Cinema Library. ‘The Floating Castle’, the first film which is screened on Wednesday, is a film set near the end of the civil war era in Japan, while the second film titled ‘ The Red and White Investigation’ will be screened on Sunday evening .This film is about interesting events revolving around characters working in a special police unit who are being encountered by various issues. The third film’The Round Table’ will be screened on March 8.The film is about a girl who belongs to a big family and she is exposed to an incident in which her life begins to change. ‘ Time Scoop Hunter’ will be screened on March 12 ; it is about a different perspective of journalistic work where journalists go back in time to monitor events from the past. The last film ‘ Neko Samurai’ will be screened on March 15. ‘ Neko Samurai’ is about a former samurai warrior who is driven by the circumstances to go through

unfamiliar adventures.All films are open to the public, and everyone can enjoy watching them with English subtitle.

KIDS BOOKCLUB (FOR 10-13 YEAR OLDS)Date: Saturday 12 pm – 1 pm Venue: Words BookstoreCafé- Jannusan

‘Walk on Earth a Stranger’ is the first book in a new trilogy from acclaimed New York Times–bestselling author Rae Carson. A young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold must flee her home, taking her on a sweeping and dangerous journey across Gold Rush–era America. Walk on Earth a Stranger begins an epic saga from one of the finest writers of young adult literature.

TWIN HEARTS TALK & MEDITATIONDate : 06 Mar 10am-11am Venue: Words BookstoreCafé- Jannusan

Feeling tired and stressed? Would you like to experience calmness and stillness? Join Muneera Obaidli and Maria Liasides of the Pranic Healing & Arhatic Yoga Center, Bahrain, for a free talk on the benefits of meditation and breathing. They will introduce a simple yet effective system of energy healing called pranic healing, using prana or life force to balance, harmonize and transform the body’s energy processes. The talk will be followed by a short meditation on twin hearts for peace and illumination.

16 Friday, March 3, 2017

HOW TO REACH US “Out & About’, a

ready reckoner for the events taking place on the

island, is published from Friday to Tuesday. To be included,

please use one of the following: outandabout@dt.bh, or

call 38444680.

HIGHLIGHT

HIGHLIGHT

2017 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIXDate: April 14-16Venue: Bahrain International Circuit (BIC)

The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled to take place April 14 to 16 in Sakhir. It will be the third of 20 races in the 2017 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Aside from Formula 1, the weekend’s events will also include racing from other major international and regional championships, plus loads of family entertainment. All tickets are for all three days of the Formula 1 weekend. The prices offered by BIC are amongst the most competitive in the world for any event on the Formula 1 calendar. Tickets can be purchased at the BIC stand located at Bahrain City Centre, online at www.bahraingp.com or by calling the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000.

BAHRAIN FOOD FESTIVAL Date: Ongoing Venue: Bahrain Bay

Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has launched the second edition of ‘Bahrain Food Festival’ . The 10-day festival is considered as one of BTEA’s significant events for the year 2017 and will run for a period of ten days until the 6th of March with the aim to attract food enthusiasts from the Kingdom and the neighboring GCC countries. More than 50 prominent outlets are taking part this year including businesses and concepts related to the food industry such as restaurants, cafes, hotels, nutrition, kitchen appliances and many more. The Bahrain Food Festival will offer visitors varied cuisines including Middle Eastern, Western, Asian, Indian, Organic, and Healthy options. The second edition of the Bahrain Food Festival will take place in three main locations- at Bahrain Bay during weekdays from 5:00pm to 10:00pm; at Block 338 in Adliya during the weekends from 5:00pm until midnight; and at Capital Club who is hosting Latin America’s 37th Chef, Gerrado Lugo, who we will be showcasing authentic Mexican cuisine from the north and south of Mexico.

MAKE YOUR MOMMA PROUD(M.Y.M.P) LIVE Date: Today, 6.30pmVenue: The Indian School Ground, Isa Town

One of the biggest and well-known music bands in the Philippines is coming to Bahrain exclusively for Modern Exchange customers. Make Your Momma Proud known popularly as M.Y.M.P will be performing live today at the Indian School Ground in Isa Town. M.Y.M.P , an acoustic band from the Philippines consists of five members. It is a tribute to lead singer Chin Alcantara’s mom. She saw him start with the guitar but never got to see him play professionally. They have rose to stardom through the release of their soulful albums many of which has been certified as Platinum. It is M.Y.M.P’s first performance in the Kingdom and promises to be a mesmerizing experience for the Filipino community. The process of getting a pass for this exciting program is quite simple. Do a transaction of any amount to the Philippines from Modern Exchange before March 3 and get a free pass for the event. For more details: 336205111.

NOCTURNE FOR PIT ORCHESTRADate: March 9Venue: Bahrain National Quarry

A sound live performance involving the laborers of the Bahrain National Quarry. A project by Ilaria Lupo in collaboration with Rabih Beaini, and the participation of Hasan Hujairi.

: Bahrain best classifieds www.newsofbahrain.com

17Friday, March 3, 2017

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Assistant Teacher

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Cook

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Female Stewardess

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Female Cleaners

Well experienced in Housekeeping Minimum of 2 yearsWork Visa Provided

Drivers

Well experienced in DrivingShould have valid GCC licensedWork Visa Provided

Certified Babysitter/Nannies

Well experienced in taking care of babiesPreferably Fluent in EnglishWork Visa Provided

INDIA TAX SERVICESAssure Consulting WLL provides Indian tax services for corporates/NRIs:Income-tax returns, PAN/TAN application, Tax advisory, Tax planning, TDS matters, Assessment/scrutiny/penalty proceedings, Tax refunds, Appeal documentation, NRI specific services-residential status/bank accounts/investment advisory/property transactions, other tax compliances.-------------------------------------804, Falcon Tower, Diplomatic AreaTel: 1753 1883, Fax: 1753 2199Contact: Laxmi-3592 8860, Rekha-3414 1589, Email - tax@assureconsult.net

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18 Friday, March 3, 2017COOL ZONE

S OU UKD

CROSSWORDYESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Your star today

Across Down

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

How to play: Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

(Mar 21st - Apr 20th)

(Apr 21st - May 21st)

(May 22nd - Jun 21st)

(June 22nd - July 23rd)

(July 24th - Aug 23rd)

(Aug 24th - Sep 23rd)

(Sep 24th - Oct 23rd)

(Oct 24th - Nov 22nd)

(Nov 23rd - Dec 21st)

(Dec 22nd- Jan 20th)

(Jan 21st - Feb 19th)

(Feb 20th - Mar 20th)

When it comes to managing money today, you should go with your gut, whether it involves personal finances, job-related concerns, or the funds of a group you’re affiliated with. Be less concerned about logic and more with how you feel about sources of income, specific investments, or ways of planning expenses.

A new fascination with history or an exotic culture could drive you to learn more about it. It could become an obsession, for today at least. You might spend a lot of time online or in the library or talking to people who specialize in this field. By day’s end, your mind could be spinning like a top. Take a walk and clear your head or you might not be able to sleep.

You may find that your instincts are right, particularly where other people are concerned. You and a friend could come up with the same words at the same time, which might be a little disconcerting for both of you. Still, this increased intuition is likely to help your understanding of those close to you more than you ever expected.Social events and group activities could bring new interests your way that provide a rich field of knowledge for you to delve into. Someone could recommend books on the subject. This could be very exciting, especially since a lot of new people who share this interest could come into your life. Be sure to keep track of names and phone numbers.A number of people involved in the healing professions could cross your path today. You might hear news about recent discoveries in those fields that sparks your interest. What you learn could affect your life in a profoundly positive way, so you need to write down not only the contact information for the people you meet but also the resources they use.A potential new love partner could show up, perhaps someone from a distant state or foreign country or in a field like law or education. You could have a lot of interests in common with this person. Some intriguing discussions could result. Whether you choose to pursue this attraction depends on your situation, but you can enjoy this person’s company today anyway.Family members could spring some surprising news on you today. This news may concern people you know or perhaps a family member has some interesting plans of his or her own that you weren’t aware of. Although positive, this news could throw you for a loop. It should definitely cause you to alter your thinking in some way. Don’t let emotion overwhelm logic right now.

Invitations to some exciting social events in your neighbourhood could come today. You might hear from some friends who are planning to attend, so you could be enthusiastically looking forward to these events. You will enjoy getting together with your friends. Bear in mind that you could also meet new people who prove to be valuable business contacts. Make sure you look your best!

Some great news about a friend’s good fortune could be exciting, and you might spend a lot of time on the phone not only congratulating that friend but also discussing it with other people. This is good for you, as you’re apt to find it inspiring and use it as motivation to continue pushing ahead yourself.

Good news involving a small, extra sum of money could come today. You might receive a check in the mail. Take a friend out to lunch. You will both have fun. Afterward, you may want to blow the rest of the money on something frivolous, but don’t go that far. Think about one or more items you want and concentrate on those.

Bonding is today’s keyword. Relations with close friends should be enhanced by increased communication, perhaps some fascinating conversations about new ideas and exciting world events. This new intellectual rapport could bring you closer than you were before. Romantic relationships, in particular, intensify through newly discovered mutual interests, perhaps involving foreign cultures.

A lot of unfinished tasks may need doing around the home today. You might decide to ignore some of the work that desperately needs to be handled in favour of a project that you think you will enjoy more. Don’t stick family members with the boring stuff! If you pull together to get the worst out of the way, then you can all have fun with the more interesting tasks.

1- “Garfield” drooler;; 5- Historical times;; 9- Small amounts;; 13- Author Uris;; 14- Not as many;; 16- Zeno of ___;; 17- “Consarnit!”;; 18- Physicist Enrico;; 19- Grumble;; 20- Inspire anew;; 22- Soul;; 24- Sucker-armed swimmer;; 27- Old Pontiacs;; 28- Former county in SE England;; 29- Woman’s loose dressing gown;; 33- Head lock;; 34- TV horse;; 35- Business letter abbr.;; 36- Back muscle, briefly;; 37- Quit;; 38- Ltd., in Paris;; 39- Scots Gaelic;; 41- Complexion woe;; 42- Depressed spirits;; 44- African antelope;; 46- Willows;; 47- Bear in the air;; 48- Later!;; 49- Male domestic feline;; 52- Chat room chuckle;; 53- Robin’s digs;; 57- Village People hit;; 58- Ridiculous;; 60- K-12, in the ed biz;; 61- ___ moss;; 62- Lid;; 63- Strip of wood;; 64- Feminine ending;; 65- States;; 66- Utah lily;;

1- No longer young;; 2- Narc’s org.;; 3- Charged particle;; 4- Absorb;; 5- Expiration;; 6- Staggers;; 7- Out of kilter;; 8- Religious sch.;; 9- Lord’s estate;; 10- Baseball’s Felipe;; 11- Ray of light;; 12- Yemen’s capital;; 15- Dangerous current;; 21- Gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans;; 23- Eggy drink;; 24- Stableman;; 25- Arrow poison;; 26- African fly;; 27- Gaggle members;; 29- Trick;; 30- When prompted;; 31- More frigid;; 32- Like non-oyster months;; 34- Birthplace of Muhammad;; 37- Sarcastic;; 40- Send to school;; 42- Youth org.;; 43- Pride woman;; 45- Bikini top;; 46- Edmonton team;; 48- Brooklyn’s ___ Island;; 49- Sort;; 50- Black cat, maybe;; 51- Thom of footwear;; 52- Molten rock;; 54- Vogue competitor;; 55- Layered hairdo;; 56- Bandleader Puente;; 59- Refusals;;

BEETLE BAILEY R

z #PollToday

Yes No Can’t Say

Will the proposal to reward good drivers help reduce traffic accidents?

Rest in sight

For more, catch us online at: www.newsofbahrain.com

/nobonline/newsofbahrain

Orlando shooter’s widow to be released on bail

Philippines takes big steptowards death penalty

Sweden to bring backconscription: report

A US federal judge in California agreed to release on bail the widow of the gunman who killed dozens of people at an Orlando nightclub last year.

A US drone yesterday killed two men riding a motorbike in Pakistan’s northwest tribal region, officials said, the first such attack in the country under the administration of new American President Donald Trump.

Sweden announced that it will reintroduce compulsory military service starting this summer to respond to global security challenges.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign to bring back the death penalty for drug-related crimes has cleared a major hurdle, with supporters backing it.

Friday, March 3, 2017 19Elephants sleep just two hours a night!

Miami

Elephants hardly ever sleep in the wild,

getting around two hours of shut-eye per night and only in the wee hours of the morning, researchers said Wednesday.

The findings in the journal PLOS ONE are based on two female wild African elephants -- living in Botswana’s Chobe National Park -- who appear to sleep the least of any known mammals to date.

Researchers fitted the elephants’ trunks with movement trackers, similar to personal fitness monitors,

and  their necks with GPS collars complete with gyroscopes, and followed their activities for 35 days.

Researcher Paul Manger, from the School of Anatomical Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand  in South Africa found that the elephants slept only two hours per day on average, usually sometime between 2:00 am and 6:00 am.

Researchers said factors such as temperature and humidity were more likely than sunrise and sunset to influence when elephants went to sleep.

Manila

Photos showing hundreds of prisoners in a

Philippine jail sitting naked while being searched for contraband have triggered accusations of further rights abuses in President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs.

The inmates of the Cebu provincial jail were woken before dawn on Tuesday, herded into the jail’s quadrangle and forced to strip while anti-drug agents, police and military searched their cells, prison officer Rafael Espina said.

Photos released by  the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and provincial police showed the inmates sitting naked and cross legged in neat rows on the concrete quadrangle, illuminated by spotlights, as armed police guarded them.

A statement released said the raid had netted “several packets” of methamphetamines and marijuana leaves, as well as knives and mobile phones.

With the photos gaining traction on social media, human rights groups voiced concern.

Rabat

A passenger with “mental troubles” tried to

enter the cockpit of a commercial flight from Paris to Casablanca in Morocco, Moroccan police said.

A police statement, carried by the official news agency MAP, said the 26-year-old man, who was not named, went to the plane’s toilets before “trying to make his way into the cockpit” but was prevented by the crew.

It gave no further details

on the incident or the name of the airline involved.

The man was said to be an illegal immigrant in France, where he had suffered “a mental illness” which forced an uncle to accompany him back on the flight to Morocco.

After landing in Casablanca, he was taken “to the airport’s clinic which confirmed he had mental troubles that required his admittance to a psychiatric hospital,” police said.

Naked prisoners in Philippine cause uproar

‘Troubled’ man tries to enter cockpit

The challenge we, especially Muslims, face now is terrorism. We should close ranks in combating terrorism, radicalism and strive to bring world peace for the benefit of all of us.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al SaudKing of Saudi Arabia

Washington

Russian warplanes bombed US-backed fighters

in several small villages in northern Syria after they mistakenly thought Islamic State group forces were in the area, a US general said Wednesday. 

Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend said Russian and Syrian regime aircraft attacked the villages to the south and east of Al-Bab in Aleppo province on Tuesday, resulting in an unspecified number of casualties.

The Russians apparently had observed Islamic State fighters moving from the area and wrongly assumed that other forces remaining were jihadists.

“We had some Russian aircraft and regime aircraft bomb some villages that I believe they thought were held by ISIS, yet... actually on

the ground were some of our Syrian Arab Coalition forces,” Townsend told reporters in a video call from Baghdad, using another acronym for the jihadists.

The SAC forms part of a broader alliance called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) comprising Kurdish and other groups that the United States has been training and advising to lead the anti-IS fight.

US troops operating less than five kilometers (three miles) from the villages observed the bombing and communicated the error, which was then passed to the Russians through a “deconfliction” hotline the two powers have established to avoid mishaps.

“It became apparent that the strikes were falling on some of the Syrian coalition positions,” Townsend said. 

“Some quick calls were

made to our deconfliction channels and the Russians acknowledged and stopped bombing there.” The Russian defense ministry denied conducting air strikes but confirmed communication through the hotline.

“During these talks, the US Air Force representative expressed concern that Syrian and Russian airplanes could inflict an unintentioned strike on US-controlled armed groups  while carrying out combat missions against (IS) south of Manbij,” the Russian ministry said in a statement. 

“This information was taken into account by the Russian command. Not one strike was carried out by Syrian or Russian aviation on the districts pointed out by the American side.”

About 500 US troops are in Syria, almost all of them special operations commandos. (AFP)

Nantes

Police yesterday found a car belonging to a youth at the

centre of a mystery gripping France over his family’s disappearance two weeks ago, the prosecutor in the case said.

The Peugeot 308 belonging to 21-year-old Sebastien Troadec was discovered in the northwestern port of Saint Nazaire, according to Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennes.

The new breakthrough in the case came the day after a

jogger found items belonging to his sister Charlotte, 18, in a forested area three hours by car from where she was last seen.

Police have said that Sebastien is suspected of planning to kill his family and possibly himself.

A judicial probe into murder, abduction and illegal confinement was opened on Monday.

In searches at the parents’ home in a suburb of Nantes after the four family members went missing on February 16,

police discovered Sebastien’s cellphone and his mother Brigitte’s watch covered with blood.

Traces of blood from Sebastien and the parents, but not Charlotte, were found throughout the house, as well as signs of efforts to clean them up.

Police said in a bulletin dated February 24 that Sebastien was suspected of “putting in place a macabre plan aimed at snuffing out the members of his family and maybe himself.”

New twist as police find car belonging to missing family

US drone kills two on motorbike in Pakistan

Russia bombs US-backed forces

A young Syrian man carries a wounded child following reported government air-strike on the rebel-held town of Douma

Representative picture

Friday, March 3, 201720

Minya

In Egypt’s conservative southern province of Minya,

young girls in black leotards and white tights wobble on their tip toes to classical music in a room painted with colourful motifs.

“Look forward, stretch your arms,” a male instructor calls out to the girls aged four and above.

They try to mimic their teacher, a professional ballet dancer from the capital, as he gracefully raises his arms over his head.

It’s a surprising scene in the traditional province, which more often makes headlines for family feuds or sectarian violence against its large Coptic Christian minority.

But the founders of the Alwanat Centre in Minya city are determined to make it the first ballet school in the wider Upper Egyptian province of the same name.

“Society is a bit insular in Minya. They say there’s some extremism here,” says Marco Adel, one of the centre’s founders.

“We want children to be more open to life, to like art,” says the 33-year-old law graduate, who is an avid drawer.

In the almost two years since ballet lessons started at the centre, they have become a great success, with parents driving up to one hour from nearby towns to bring their children to lessons.

Male instructorChristine Essam, whose daughter Eleina is learning ballet steps at the centre, says she and her husband thought carefully about signing their four-year-old up for classes.

“Most people around us -- whether family or friends -- were against it. They’d say: ‘Couldn’t you find anything other than ballet?’” 

“Girls in Upper Egypt are expected to wear modest clothes,” the 26-year-old pharmacist says, adding it is a “bit hard” to make dance socially acceptable.

Around 160 students aged four to 26 -- including boys -- now flock to lessons at the centre, Adel says, up from 15 after classes were launched in May 2015.

Most Muslim girls and women who come to learn ballet wear a headscarf, he says, and they can

choose to learn with one of the centre’s three female instructors, including two who also don the Islamic hijab.

But for more than a month, the centre has also had a male instructor. 

Mamdouh Hassan, a professional dancer with the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, travels the 240 kilometres (150 miles) from Cairo every weekend  to teach the next generation.

Adel says a few parents have complained about a man teaching their daughters, but eventually the instructor was accepted.

“At first, we were a little surprised. But we were told he was very experienced and we trust the centre,” Essam says.

‘Thrilled’ fatherVivianne Sobhi, the mother of seven-year-old Farah, says social barriers have started to break down in Minya.

“These days girls go swimming in swimsuits,” the 27-year-old teacher says.

Running a ballet school hundreds of kilometres from the capital is not without its challenges. 

Male instructor Hassan was once two hours late because the motorway from Cairo was closed due to fog, and the centre had to order ballet shoes from the capital as none were available in the southern city.

Adel says the Alwanat Centre -- which also offers zumba and music classes, as well as theatre and cinema workshops -- was born of “personal efforts”.

“But the culture ministry or sponsors are welcome to help,” Adel says, pointing to the centre’s small rooms.

But parents seem happy. As he helps his five-year-old

daughter  Heaven arch her back for a gymnastics move called a bridge, Adel Gerges says he is thrilled with her experience at the centre.

“We were deprived of all of this during our childhood,” says the 35-year-old pharmacist.

“We won’t make the same mistake with our

daughter.” (AFP)

Girls learn ballet steps in Upper Egypt

Egyptian girls line up during a ballet class at Alwanat Cutlural Centre in the Upper Egyptian city of Minya

An Egyptian girl performs a ballet dance during her training

Dubai

Sluggish Roger Federer rued a

“crazy” failure to bury three match points in

falling to a shock three-set defeat to Russian qualifier

Evgeny Donskoy in Dubai on Wednesday.Former world number one

Federer, 35, who lifted his 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian

Open in January, had match points in the second-set tiebreak and also led 5-1 in the third-set breaker.

But world-ranked 116 Donskoy battled back to stun the third seed and

set up a quarter-final clash against Lucas Pouille of France with a thrilling 3-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/5) victory.

“I surprised everyone today. I think whoever wins against Roger surprises himself,” said Donskoy 26.

“I can say it’s a dream come true, but I don’t like this because you always want to win, even if it’s Roger.” It was just the third time since 2007 that Federer has been beaten by a qualifier.

“I just never really got going tonight and sort of felt heavy. But look, those matches happen frequently, where you just got to somehow find a way to come through,” said the Swiss legend, who was chasing a record eighth title at the Dubai Championships.

“Tonight I was convinced that if I came through I was

going to feel better t o m o r r o w .

I came (to Dubai) early. I was perfectly prepared, it’s just a tough loss tonight. So many chances... It was crazy.”

Federer, who saw his eight-match win streak in 2017 ended by Donskoy, did not want to make excuses and said it had nothing to do with a leg injury picked up at the Australian Open, where he beat old foe Rafael Nadal in the final in his last appearance before Dubai.

“I just think it’s still the beginning of the comeback and I’ve got to take the positives out of playing again a tournament where I feel I’m quite healthy and I’m happy I got over the injury I sustained at the Australian Open,” he said.

Top seed Andy Murray had no such trouble and said he was getting closer to his brilliant best as he hammered Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-0 to surge into the quarters.

The world number one’s rapid victory lined up a Thursday meeting with Philipp Kohlschreiber after the German beat Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4.

“It was very tough at the start, we both had chances in those early

games,” Murray, who has never won the Dubai showpiece, said.

“I moved well and played offensive. I was focused throughout. I didn’t give

any cheap p o i n t s

a w a y . ” (AFP)

DonskoyDonskoystunned byFederer

in Dubai“I came (to Dubai) early. I was perfectly prepared,

it’s just a tough loss tonight. So many chanc-

es... It was crazy”

Friday, March 3, 2017 21SPORTSBahrain Endurance: Gomez, Bozzone back in actionManama

This weekend Bahrain Endurance will take on

distances across the triathlon spectrum as Javier Gomez returns to ITU action and Terenzo Bozzone battles for the Ironman New Zealand crown. It has been eight months since Gomez raced the World Triathlon Series event in Leeds, England where he took fourth place. A month later, he broke his elbow in a freak bike accident and had to bow out of the Olympics. Since then, the Spaniard has bounced back with strong wins in two half distance triathlons: the Rotorua Half Ironman in December and Ironman 70.3 Dubai in January.

While he has been doing more middle-distance racing, going for another Olympics isn’t off the table just yet.

“Tokyo 2020 is a decision I will make at the end of 2017, but I still think I can be there racing for medals,” says Gomez. To help him decide, the five-time world champion has a full slate this year.

“I will be focusing on ITU races, but I might try to do the Ironman 70.3 World Championship depending on the situation before the Grand Final.” In his return to the fray of racing draft-legal short-course triathlons, Gomez will face off against current world champion Mario Mola as well as Rio Olympics bronze medalist Henri Schoeman.

This weekend marks Bozzone’s ninth attempt to take the win at his home race, Ironman New Zealand, which has been won a record number of times by compatriot Cameron Brown.

French Open: No wild card for Sharapova

Fan offers $3,000 to be Ibrahimovic mascot

Paris

French Open chiefs said yesterday they are reluctant

to grant Maria Sharapova a wild card into this year’s Grand Slam event despite the two-time champion returning from a doping ban.

The Russian superstar will return to the tour on April 26 in Stuttgart, the day that her 15-month ban for testing positive for the banned substance meldonium ends.

But French Tennis Federation (FFT) president Bernard Giudicelli said organisers would face a moral dilemma if they handed Sharapova a wild card which she would need as her world

ranking has disappeared during her absence. “It’s complicated. We prefer that she returns completely rehabilitated,” said Giudicelli, who was only elected to the FFT hotseat on February 18.

Rostov-on-Don

A mystery fan offered Russian side Rostov a bribe

of nearly $3,000 to allow his son to lead Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic onto the pitch as a mascot in next week’s Europa League clash.

“Yesterday a man called the club and offered 170,000 rubles for his son to lead out Ibrahimovic,” Rostov spokesman Ivan Bodylevsky wrote on Twitter. 

“What are (some) people ready to do.”

Bodylevsky said the club had never accepted money in

exchange for a child to serve as a mascot. 

Last season’s Russian league runners-up, Rostov stunned German giants Bayern Munich during the Champions League group stage to finish a surprise third and continue their European adventure in the Europa League.

Rostov thrashed Czech outfit Sparta Prague 5-1 on aggregate in the last 32 to set up an enticing showdown with Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

The first leg takes place in Rostov next Thursday with the return leg to be played in Manchester on March 16.

Evgeny Donskoy of Russia cele-brates

R o g e r Federer of Switzerland serves a shot

Dubai

Sluggish Roger Federer rued a

“crazy” failure to bury three match points in

falling to a shock three-set defeat to Russian qualifier

Evgeny Donskoy in Dubai on Wednesday.Former world number one

Federer, 35, who lifted his 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian

Open in January, had match points in the second-set tiebreak and also led 5-1 in the third-set breaker.

But world-ranked 116 Donskoy battled back to stun the third seed and

set up a quarter-final clash against Lucas Pouille of France with a thrilling 3-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/5) victory.

“I surprised everyone today. I think whoever wins against Roger surprises himself,” said Donskoy 26.

“I can say it’s a dream come true, but I don’t like this because you always want to win, even if it’s Roger.” It was just the third time since 2007 that Federer has been beaten by a qualifier.

“I just never really got going tonight and sort of felt heavy. But look, those matches happen frequently, where you just got to somehow find a way to come through,” said the Swiss legend, who was chasing a record eighth title at the Dubai Championships.

“Tonight I was convinced that if I came through I was

going to feel better t o m o r r o w .

I came (to Dubai) early. I was perfectly prepared, it’s just a tough loss tonight. So many chances... It was crazy.”

Federer, who saw his eight-match win streak in 2017 ended by Donskoy, did not want to make excuses and said it had nothing to do with a leg injury picked up at the Australian Open, where he beat old foe Rafael Nadal in the final in his last appearance before Dubai.

“I just think it’s still the beginning of the comeback and I’ve got to take the positives out of playing again a tournament where I feel I’m quite healthy and I’m happy I got over the injury I sustained at the Australian Open,” he said.

Top seed Andy Murray had no such trouble and said he was getting closer to his brilliant best as he hammered Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-0 to surge into the quarters.

The world number one’s rapid victory lined up a Thursday meeting with Philipp Kohlschreiber after the German beat Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4.

“It was very tough at the start, we both had chances in those early

games,” Murray, who has never won the Dubai showpiece, said.

“I moved well and played offensive. I was focused throughout. I didn’t give

any cheap p o i n t s

a w a y . ” (AFP)

DonskoyDonskoystunned byFederer

in Dubai“I came (to Dubai) early. I was perfectly prepared,

it’s just a tough loss tonight. So many chanc-

es... It was crazy”

Friday, March 3, 2017 21SPORTSBahrain Endurance: Gomez, Bozzone back in actionManama

This weekend Bahrain Endurance will take on

distances across the triathlon spectrum as Javier Gomez returns to ITU action and Terenzo Bozzone battles for the Ironman New Zealand crown. It has been eight months since Gomez raced the World Triathlon Series event in Leeds, England where he took fourth place. A month later, he broke his elbow in a freak bike accident and had to bow out of the Olympics. Since then, the Spaniard has bounced back with strong wins in two half distance triathlons: the Rotorua Half Ironman in December and Ironman 70.3 Dubai in January.

While he has been doing more middle-distance racing, going for another Olympics isn’t off the table just yet.

“Tokyo 2020 is a decision I will make at the end of 2017, but I still think I can be there racing for medals,” says Gomez. To help him decide, the five-time world champion has a full slate this year.

“I will be focusing on ITU races, but I might try to do the Ironman 70.3 World Championship depending on the situation before the Grand Final.” In his return to the fray of racing draft-legal short-course triathlons, Gomez will face off against current world champion Mario Mola as well as Rio Olympics bronze medalist Henri Schoeman.

This weekend marks Bozzone’s ninth attempt to take the win at his home race, Ironman New Zealand, which has been won a record number of times by compatriot Cameron Brown.

French Open: No wild card for Sharapova

Fan offers $3,000 to be Ibrahimovic mascot

Paris

French Open chiefs said yesterday they are reluctant

to grant Maria Sharapova a wild card into this year’s Grand Slam event despite the two-time champion returning from a doping ban.

The Russian superstar will return to the tour on April 26 in Stuttgart, the day that her 15-month ban for testing positive for the banned substance meldonium ends.

But French Tennis Federation (FFT) president Bernard Giudicelli said organisers would face a moral dilemma if they handed Sharapova a wild card which she would need as her world

ranking has disappeared during her absence. “It’s complicated. We prefer that she returns completely rehabilitated,” said Giudicelli, who was only elected to the FFT hotseat on February 18.

Rostov-on-Don

A mystery fan offered Russian side Rostov a bribe

of nearly $3,000 to allow his son to lead Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic onto the pitch as a mascot in next week’s Europa League clash.

“Yesterday a man called the club and offered 170,000 rubles for his son to lead out Ibrahimovic,” Rostov spokesman Ivan Bodylevsky wrote on Twitter. 

“What are (some) people ready to do.”

Bodylevsky said the club had never accepted money in

exchange for a child to serve as a mascot. 

Last season’s Russian league runners-up, Rostov stunned German giants Bayern Munich during the Champions League group stage to finish a surprise third and continue their European adventure in the Europa League.

Rostov thrashed Czech outfit Sparta Prague 5-1 on aggregate in the last 32 to set up an enticing showdown with Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

The first leg takes place in Rostov next Thursday with the return leg to be played in Manchester on March 16.

Evgeny Donskoy of Russia cele-brates

R o g e r Federer of Switzerland serves a shot

BOC in medical deal

Barcelona

Kimi Raikkonen posted the fastest

time on a track artificially soaked to test wet conditions as an electrical fault brought Lewis Hamilton’s first week of testing to a premature end yesterday.

Raikkonen’s best time of 1min 20.872 in his Ferrari

came late in the day in Barcelona as the track dried out after trucks dumped water on the surface overnight and again during the lunch break.

Three-time world champion Hamilton didn’t even get out of the Mercedes

garage as an electrical fault prevented him from running as scheduled during the

morning session. “Electrical fault kept us in the garage this morning, so I’ve decided with the team not to drive today as I wouldn’t have learned much,” Hamilton posted on his Twitter account.

“Shame not to drive but it’s been a great few days. The guys have done an awesome job. Can’t wait to be back in the car next week!”

Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas did manage to run in the afternoon, but was way down the timesheets in eighth fastest for his 68 laps.

However, Bottas’ time of 1min 19.705sec on Wednesday remained the fastest of the week.

In a recurring theme over the first few days of pre-season testing, Red Bull were the best of the rest behind Ferrari and Mercedes as Dutch wonder kid Max Verstappen was second fastest.

British driver Jolyon Palmer was third quickest for Renault.

The beleaguered McLaren-Honda team had a more positive day in terms of mileage as Belgian rookie Stoffel Vandoorne completed 67 laps, but F1’s fallen giants remain well off the pace of those at the front of the grid.

Williams also called an early end to their first test after damage suffered to the FW40 in rookie Lance Stroll’s crash on Wednesday.

“A second chassis will be prepared at track this afternoon, as originally planned, with the team aiming to be back on track for the second test next week,” Williams said in a statement.

The second and final four-day test before the season opening Grand Prix in Australia also takes place in Barcelona from March 7-10. (AFP)

SPORTSFriday, March 3, 201722

Raikkonen makes splash

Hami sits tight

Manama

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), hosts another action-packed edition

of Burnout tomorrow, which is one of the most popular events held regularly at BIC throughout the year.

It is open to thrill seekers of all skill

levels, and offers a unique kind of spectacle with the sight of rapidly rising white smoke and the smell of burning rubber.

Action is from from 3pm to 8pm, along car parks three to six, with registration for participants can be done at the venue from 2pm.

Entrants’ cars must meet specific eligibility criteria to take part and an entry fee of BD7 per driver must be paid. Those wishing to get a taste of the action as a passenger may do so for a fee of BD4.

Spectators can watch for BD2 and there is also VIP access to the event for BD10.

Burnout thrills

Golf Championship

Seven races today

Manama

The 29th Bahrain Ladies Open Golf

Championship is set to tee-off today from 9am at Awali Golf Club with 29 ladies in the fray from both the hosts and the Royal Golf Club, with second day action tomorrow teeing off at 10am.

Cash prizes are up for grabs for the winners and trophies for best gross and nett scores in the top three and outside the leading

positions on the first and second days.

Last year’s defending champion Sarah Hobday is back to defend her title, along with the other top five golfers from last year - Susan Scott, Nicky Bailey, Ariette Paul and Nicky Park.

Event sponsors are Bapco, Banz, Airmech, Al Haddad, Coca Cola and African and Eastern, with a Hole-in-one prize of a Mercedes car on Hole 8.

Manama

Seven Cup races are scheduled today with

BD14,500 in prize money up for grabs starting from 2.15pm in the 17th race meeting of the season at the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir.

There will be two races for

the Banagas Cup at 2.40pm and the richest being the sixth at 4.20pm, while four races will be run for the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait Cup at 3.05pm, 3.30pm, 3.55pm and 4.45pm, while the meeting opens with the Royal Golf Club Cup at 2.15pm.

Manama

Manama Club under coach Khalifa Taj won

the 40th King’s Football Final for the first time after defeating Muharraq Club 2-1 coached by Robert Jaspert last night at the National Stadium in Riffa.

Ali Haraam opened the scoring on 65 minutes for Manama and Everton doubled the lead five minutes later with a penalty, with

Ismael Abdullatif scoring a penalty in the 79 minute for Muharraq. Manama advanced to the final with a 2-1 win against Bahrain Club in the Round of 16, then a quarter final 5-0 win against Al Hidd and a 1-0 win over Al Shabab, while Muharraq were 3-1 Round of 16 winners against Galali, 1-0 victors over Al Itihhad in the quarter finals and 1-0 against Riffa in the semi-finals.

Manama

Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) has

signed an agreement with specialised orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Klemen Strazar in an attempt to provide top-of-the-line medical treatment for the public.

Dr Strazar has now joined a highly-qualified team of surgeons to conduct regular visits at the National Sports Medicine Centre which includes Finnish surgeon Jussie Rantanen, who has performed a number of medical check-ups and surgeries for athletic and

non-athletic patients alike.Supreme Council for

Youth and Sports deputy general secretary and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) general secretary Abdulrahman Askar signed the deal with Jani Lotric, president and founder of Diplomatic Protocol, which provides diplomatic, medical and VVIP services.

The agreement-signing ceremony took place at the committee premises in Seef, in the presence of National Sports Medicine Centre director Dr Khalid Al Shaikh.

Abdulrahman Askar, centre, and Jani Lotric, right, sign the deal, as Dr Khalid Al Shaikh looks on

Manama club win

Ferrari’s Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen

Raikkonen drives at the Circuit de Catalunya

Friday, March 3, 2017 23SPORTS

Madrid sends Barca top

Acapulco

World number two Novak

Djokovic battled into the quarter-finals of the

ATP Acapulco event on Wednesday, rallying for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 triumph over

Juan Martin del Potro.The Serbian star led a parade

of the top four seeds into the last eight, with second-seeded

Rafael Nadal, number three Marin Cilic and fourth-seeded

defending champion Dominic Thiem all advancing.

Top-seeded Djokovic, back in action this week for the first time since his shock second-round exit at the Australian Open in January, had to dig deep against former US Open champion del Potro after falling a break down in the third set.

He broke back immediately to level the set at 4-4 then held at love to pile the pressure on del Potro -- who fended off one match point with a service winner but couldn’t

hold off Djokovic on the next.“Every match that I’ve played against

delPo in the past couple of years has been very close, really enjoyable to play and great for the crowd to watch,” said Djokovic. “I am very happy and proud to win this match, even though I was close to losing when he was serving at 4-3 up in the third set.

“I just tried to get as many returns back in play as possible.”

The Serbian advanced to a quarter-final clash with Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, a 6-2, 6-4 winner over American Donald Young.

Djokovic’s travails in a match lasting two hours and 38 minutes were a far cry from Nadal’s comprehensive 6-1, 6-1 victory over Paolo Lorenzi.

”I played a complete match today and I’m feeling great after a month without playing,” said Nadal, a two-time winner in Acapulco who is playing his first tournament since falling to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final.

“I think I played a very solid match ... some great shots, some good winners,” added the Spaniard, who dropped

just seven points on his serve and never faced a break point against the 38th-ranked Italian.

Nadal broke Lorenzi for the fifth time in the final game of the match, delivering a stinging forehand winner to wrap up the win in just 66 minutes.

Nadal next faces Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka, a 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 winner over Australian lucky loser Jordan Thompson.

Cilic booked his quarter-final berth with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 victory over fellow Croatian Borna Coric.

Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, remained unbeaten against his 20-year-old compatriot.

He fired a dozen aces, and broke Coric three times in the match -- including twice in the final set to set up a clash with American Steve Johnson, a 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 winner over American wildcard Ernesto Escobedo.

Austria’s Thiem advanced with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Adrian Mannarino.

Thiem, winner at Rio de Janeiro last week, booked a meeting with American Sam Querrey, who toppled fifth-seeded Belgian David Goffin 6-2, 6-3. (AFP)

Djokovic battles into quarters

Enrique confirms exitMadrid

Barcelona moved top of La Liga on

the night Luis Enrique confirmed he will not continue as coach next season as Gareth Bale was sent-off in Real Madrid’s thrilling 3-3

draw at home to Las Palmas.Enrique announced his

decision to step down after Barca’s 6-1 rout of Sporting Gijon earlier on Wednesday which leaves Barcelona a point clear at the top, but having played a game more.

Bale’s first ever red card in a Madrid shirt look set to cost the European champions dear as Las Palmas led the 10

men 3-1 with just three minutes remaining. However, Cristiano

Ronaldo struck twice in an incredible finale to salvage a point.

Madrid’s slip up, though, means a third title in as many seasons

for Enrique is back in Barcelona’s hands with the two sides still to meet

in April. “I will not be the coach of Barcelona next season,” Enrique

said, citing the need for a break from the pressures at the Camp Nou as the reason for his decision.

After Barca had swept aside Sporting with all of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar on the scoresheet, Madrid also looked in for an easy night at the Bernabeu when Isco slotted home the opener after just eight minutes. However, Real were in front for just two minutes before Tana spun Sergio Ramos on the edge of the box before firing high past Keylor Navas.

The game turned just three minutes into the second-half when Bale uncharacteristically lost his temper after a late challenge from Jonathan Viera.

The Welshman pushed Viera to the ground and was punished with a red card.

“He has apologised. He is not happy with the sending-off,” said Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

Things got much worse for the hosts in the next 10 minutes as, firstly, Viera converted from the penalty spot after a clear handball by Ramos inside the area.

And then a huge mistake from Navas allowed Kevin-Prince Boateng to knock the ball past the Costa Rican as he flew from his goal before rolling the ball into an empty net.

Ro to the rescueHowever, despite their numerical d i s a d v a n t a g e , Madrid laid seige to the Las Palmas goal and were rewarded in the final minutes.

Ronaldo fired a penalty into the top corner after Dani Castellano was penalised for handball.

Barca enjoyed a far more comfortable night against a Sporting side still mired in the relegation zone.

Messi netted his 36th goal in as many games this season in unusual fashion on his 500th start before Juan Rodriguez’s own goal made it 2-0.

The visitors were handed a brief lifeline when Carlos Castro pulled a goal back.

However, there was no time for any Barca doubts to seep in as Suarez’s spectacular volley restored their two-goal lead.

Paco Alcacer was given a rare chance for the second half as he replaced Suarez and took just four minutes to make it 4-1 when he slotted home from Messi’s pass.

Messi also hit the bar from a trademark free-kick before the five-time World Player of the Year was rested for the final half hour as he was replaced by Andre Gomes. Neymar took advantage of the Argentine’s absence to take over free-kick duty and he produced a stunning strike of his own into the top corner for his first La Liga goal at the Camp Nou this season.

Ivan Rakitic completed the scoring when he lashed into the roof of the net three minutes from time. (AFP)

Barcelona’s coach Luis Enrique

Real Madrid’s French coach Zinedine Zidane

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates

SPORTS

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2424 Friday, March 3, 2017

P23

Murray survives

Dubai

Andy Murray saved seven match points to reach the semi-finals

of the Dubai Championships with a marathon 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (20/18), 6-1 win over Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber yesterday.

The top seed managed to avoid joining second seed Stan Wawrinka and seven-time winner Roger Federer on the sidelines after the Swiss pair crashed out in earlier rounds.

But world number one Murray needed to scrap for almost three hours against 33-year-old Kohlschreiber, with the pair duelling in a 30-minute second-set tiebreaker

which determined the final direction of the epic quarter-final.

The Scot held off Kohlschreiber’s match points, but still needed eight set points to get into the decider. 

Murray will next meet either French seventh seed Lucas Pouille or Russian qualifier Evgeny Donskoy, who sensationally eliminated Federer in the second round.

The British star has never won the Dubai title, but came close in 2012 when he was runner-up to Federer.

In the bottom half of the draw, fourth seed Gael Monfils fired 10 aces but still crashed out 6-3, 7-5 to Fernando Verdasco.

The French showman was unable to make a major impression in a match which was paused for almost half an hour in the closing stages due to light rain. 

Spain’s Verdasco will play his second semi-final of the season on Friday, facing Dutchman Robin Haase, a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 winner over Bosnian Damir Dzumhur.

Monfils lost for the first time in four meetings against Verdasco, with the unseeded Spaniard taking charge from the start.

Verdasco spent 35 minutes in winning the opening set and set about consolidating in the second.

The 33-year-old, ranked 35th, broke for 3-2 with Monfils saving three break points in the seventh game to stay in touch.

But Verdasco then produced a love game for 5-3 just before rain stopped play. The Spaniard finally prevailed

after 81 minutes.“I played almost a

perfect match,” Verdasco said. “I’m very happy, it was a really complete match in all the ways that you can imagine.

“After the rain delay I tried to be focused, just looking for the next point and trying to keep doing the same as before the rain.

“I’m very happy I’m in the semi-finals now. I’ll try to recover and get ready for tomorrow.” (AFP)

Quarter-finalsAndy Murray (GBR x1) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (20/18), 6-1

Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Gael Monfils (FRA x4) 6-3, 7-5

Robin Haase (NED) bt Damir Džumhur (BIH) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4

Dubai thriller

Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts during his ATP quarter-final tennis match

Madrid sends Barca top