· 4/8/2017 · a question is posted weekly and a bd50 award is allocated for the winner. the...

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200 FilsFriday, August 4, 2017 Issue No. 7463 Today’s Weather

Max Min

41 °C 31°C

@realDonaldTrump

Business is looking bet-ter than ever with business enthusiasm at record levels. Stock Market at an all-time high. That doesn’t just hap-pen!

Sanabis defeatAl Dair

8P 02

Russia ties at alltime low: Trump

P P19P 09 21Gold demand

hits 8-year lowNeymar freeto completerecord PSG

move

Washington

NATO Secretary-General Jens

Stoltenberg has said that ties between the alliance and Moscow were at their most difficult phase since Cold War, blaming Russia for its role in the Ukraine conflict. He said Russia’s “destabilization” of Ukraine had helped scupper hopes of diplomatic reset.

Russia ties most diificult since Cold War: NATO

DT News [email protected] Manama

Bahrain Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh

Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa has slammed his Qatari Counterpart Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for his remarks on the “three principles”, a reference to the agreement signed by GCC leaders in 2013 and 2014.

During a press conference that followed his meeting with the Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano in Doha on Wednesday, the Qatari minister had said that the solution to the current GCC diplomatic crisis is by following the “three principles” that essentially revolve around mutual respect of sovereignty. Shaikh Mohammed said that Qatar is ready to resolve the crisis based on “three principles”,

namely, the “non-violation of the sovereignty of any state”, the agreement over “mutual obligations rather than orders”, in addition to reaching a “solution in accordance with international law”.

Shaikh Khalid criticised the Qatari minister’s statements on his official page on Twitter. The Bahraini minister tweeted, “The three principles demanded by the Qatari Foreign Minister

during a press conference held in Doha are the same principles mentioned in the Riyadh Agreement, which Qatar did not commit to.”

Shaikh Khalid’s tweet referred to the agreements signed by the leaders of GCC countries in Riyadh in 2013 and 2014. The agreements stipulated barring the support for opposition and hostile groups in GCC countries, as well as in Egypt and Yemen.

However, it was proven

that the Qatari government had breached the agreements by meddling in the internal affairs of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Yemen through various channels that included the media, social media, financial support to hostile militias and intelligence. This has resulted in the ongoing diplomatic crisis, which has been described as “the worst to ever occur in the GCC”.

Shaikh Khalid slams Qatari counterpart

DT News NetworkJeddah

Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al

Romaihi attended a meeting of information ministers in Jeddah yesterday.

The information ministers underlined the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia throughout history in serving pilgrims and providing care for them as well as facilitating performance of Hajj and Umrah rituals for all Muslims. They affirmed categorical rejection of attempts to politicise Hajj and use the religious rite for tendentious political goals.

The meeting brought under the spotlight proposals to boost joint cooperation to combat extremism and terrorism and fight the discourse of hatred backed by the Qatari government.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of continuous media coordination to confront all forms of extremism and terrorism.

Al Romaihi attendsinformation ministers’ meet

2 Friday, August 4, 2017

DT News NetworkManama

Sanabis Youth Centre defeated near neighbours Al Dair Youth Centre

4-0 in the second round of preliminary matches of Group 6 in the latest

matches of the Fifth Khalid bin H a m a d Futsal League for

Youth Centres, People with Disabilities and

Girls (Khalid 5) at the Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.

After the match, Mohammed Abdul Karim of

Sanabis was nominated as the man of the match with his team topping the group after two wins.

In another Group 6 match, North Sehla edged out Maqaba 2-1 with the man of the match being Majeed Mohammed of North Sehla.

Group 7 saw a flurry of goals with Zallaq winning 8-0 against Al Jasrah with Rashid

Al Dossary the man of the match for the winning team and Saar triumphed 11-3 against Arad with Hussain Abdulredha player

of the match to lead the group.The tournament is being played under the

patronage of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and Honorary President of Bahrain Sports Federation for

Disabilities and organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs and the Media Office of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, under the slogan #Generations_Meeting.

The league which started on July 24 and continues until September 14, features 59 teams, divided into 36 youth centres teams, 9 unregistered clubs, 8 teams of people with disabilities institutions and 6 girls teams.

Meanwhile, a weekly contest has been organised for spectators on the official Instagram page of the league(@hhskleague). A question is posted weekly and a BD50 award is allocated for the winner.

The draw for the first winner will be announced next Sunday (August 7) and the winner will receive the award at the venue of the league, Khalifa Sports City Hall in Isa Town

Today schedule: Group 1 (5pm): Safra vs Abu Saiba. Group 2 (6pm): Al Qurayya vs East Riffa, Group 2 (7pm): Al Naeem vs Hoora and Gudaibiya. Group 2 (7pm): Dumistan vs Karbabad.

Sanabis defeat Al Dair

Zallaq and Al Jasrah Match

Sanabis players celebrating their big victory

Rashid Al Dossary, the best play-er in the match

Mohammed Abdulkareem, the best player in the match

Zallaq players celebrating

3Friday, August 4, 2017

DT News [email protected]

Manama

Police have busted a suspected prostitution and

illegal manpower recruitment racket run by two Bangladeshi men following a series of raids in flats in the capital region.

“The members of the racket lured several housemaids and labourers promising better pay. They ‘sold’ them to other ‘owners’ for BD200 to BD300, depending on their capabilities and their willingness to work,” Capital Governorate Police Directorate Research and Investigation Division Head Major Mohammed Khalid Al Buainain said.

“A significant part of their earnings was taken by the Bangladeshi men while the rest was allowed to be retained by the worker,” he said.

“We found these flats were occupied by women of several

different nationalities, many of them from Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India. They claimed they were housemaids who had run away from their sponsors for better pay. They also claimed they were contracted by their ‘owners’ - two Bangladeshi men - who ran an illegal cleaning business,” Al Buainain said.

A report appeared in Al

Amn, an Interior Ministry publication, stated that the woman may have been used for prostitution.

“Many of these women have Facebook and other social media accounts through which they communicate with prospective clients. They negotiate salaries, other terms and conditions and working and living facilities through these social media platforms,”

Major Al Buainain said. “Rogue agents on the prowl

entice women with lucrative offers like a month’s salary in a week. Many then leave their places of work and become what we call runaways,” Major Al Buainain said.

While women are mainly the victims of this racket, men were also found to have been victimised. The men were asked to work as labourers, house help and do sundry jobs.

“These men are hired out to companies, individuals and households on a daily, weekly or monthly basis,” Major Al Buainain said. He added that further investigations are going on.

Police bust suspected sex, recruitment racket


Manama

A Bahraini man was arrested yesterday for stealing

money from a car in Hamala. The man broke the windows of the parked car, stole BD7,000 and fled the scene. Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science General Director Colonel Abddulaziz Al Rumaihi said in a statement yesterday that the case was reported earlier to the main operations room in Interior Ministry and that investigations led to the suspect.

“The suspect was arrested after the issuance of the necessary permit from the Public Prosecution. The stolen amount and the tool used in breaking the windows were confiscated during the arrest,” Col. Al Rumaihi said, adding that legal proceedings have been undertaken to refer the case to the Public Prosecution.

Man held for stealing cash from car

While women are mainly the victims of this racket, men were also found to have been victimised. Men were asked to work as labourers, house

help and do sundry jobs


Manama

The Second Higher Criminal Court (Appeals)

has adjourned until Tuesday the appeal of a defendant who was sentenced to one year of imprisonment for stealing a vehicle and selling it at the scrap yard.

The man was found guilty of stealing a Bahraini citizen’s vehicle from Hamad Town and selling it to the scrap yard in Askar for BD90. However, he was acquitted of the charges of damaging the

vehicle.Court files showed that

victim had taken her vehicle to an auto garage near Souq Waqef area in Hamad Town to get it fixed. Two days later, the man in charge of the garage informed her that the car was stolen from the spot where it was parked in the vicinity of the garage. She immediately reported the case to the nearest police station, which launched a probe.

The prosecutors told that surveillance camera footage showed the suspect, along with another man, towing the vehicle onto a wrecker and

taking it away from the spot where it was parked (near the garage) by 2am on the night of the incident.

The victim’s husband, who was on a random visit to the scrap yard in Askar, recognised his wife’s stolen car. When the husband approached the owner of the yard, the latter informed that a man sold it to him for BD90 and that he has a copy of his identity card. The husband gave the information to the police who arrested the suspect, interrogated him and referred to the Public Prosecution.

Court adjourns appeal in vehicle theft case

Major Al Buainain


Minister visits Sitra, Nabih SalehManama

Youth and Sports Affairs Minister, Hisham

Al-Jowdar, yesterday visited the villages of Sitra and Nabih Saleh as per the directives of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to identify and fulfil the needs of various governorates in the Kingdom.

During the visit, Al Jowder was accompanied by MP Dr Majeed Al-Asfoor, Capital Trustees’ Board Chairman, Mohammed Al-Khuzae, Capital Trustees’ Board member, Dr Maha Al-Shehab, and a number of the Youth and Sports Affairs Ministry’s officials.

During his discussion with the Sitra Club chairman, members and citizens, Al-Jowdar proposed holding summer sports, cultural and entertainment activities to attract youth and also directed the club’s woman committee to hold a meeting for women in Sitra.

Affirming the leadership’s strong belief that “youth are the driving engine of development and investment in the Kingdom”, the minister further required the Club to hold a family festival during the National Day.

The meeting also focused on ways to increase the club’s revenues through

supporting its investment projects.

During his visit to Nabih Saleh Club, Al Jowder urged the youngsters there to participate effectively in the sports programmes developed by the Ministry.

Nabih Saleh Club houses two volleyball sports halls, a three-storey administrative building with various service facilities and offices at a total cost of BD 413,000.

MP Majeed Al-Asfoor called on the Sitra and Nabih Saleh clubs to double their efforts and hold more activities and programmes to take full advantage of the sporting facilities. Youth and Sports Affairs Minister, Hisham Al-Jowdar during his visit to Sitra, Nabil Saleh

Manama

The Information & eGovernment Authority

(iGA) announced it has completed studying the first phase of the project for the ‘Development of Government Services’.

The study comprised of re-engineering of procedures of 14 government services, of which 25 are included within the project. Work is currently underway to complete the remaining services during the month of September up until December 2017 – in collaboration with various government entities.

The move follows the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa - Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

In this regard, iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali AlQaed praised the support the project has received from the Government Executive Committee chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad AlKhalifa.

Furthermore, he clarified that the authority - in the first phase - studied the re-engineering of procedures for seven services provided by EWA, four services by MoH, two by GDT along with one by iGA.

It is worth noting that two eServices from this project have already been launched. The first of which is the ‘Vehicle Registration Renewal’. The second is the launch of the online booking service concerning driving test

appointments. Additionally, the printing

of the vehicle’s stickers, accompanied manual procedures as well as costs of printing posters have been cancelled.

The study has been implemented in line with the Government Executive Committee’s decision to improve the quality of eServices, increase their competitiveness, and ensure transparency as well as efficiency in delivering services. The project is conducted in collaboration with eight entities namely: Nationality, Passports & Residence Affairs (NPRA); General Directorate of Traffic (GDT); Ministry of Health (MoH); Survey & Land Registration Bureau (SLRB); Electricity & Water Authority (EWA); Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning; along with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).

EWA services The Electricity and Water

Authority (EWA) announced it has revamped its online customer services in association with the Informatics and E-Government Authority.

The enhanced e-services, part of the e-Government’s Development Project (Phase I), allows: change of subscriber’s name, change of tenant, service reconnection and disconnection, technical service requests for electricity and water, new supply requests for electricity and water and direct credit card deduction service.

Development of Govt Services: iGAcompletes first phase project study

Manama

The Sanitary Engineering Planning and Projects

Director of the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Nazha Abu Hindi, announced yesterday that the Ministry has achieved 65 per cent progress in Muqaba Sewerage Network Project, Block 517.

The project aims to connect 60 houses and real estates to the network. Work comprises of extending 670m long main

connections, 860m long sub-connections, and constructing 106 inspection chambers. The project is expected to complete by the end of this year.

The BD184,909 project is part of the sanitary projects planned for the Northern Governorate, which includes projects for sewerage works related to West Budaiya Housing Projects (Phase 2) and Sadad Sewerage Network Project (Phase 2).

Muqaba sewerage works 65pc done

Manama

Tamkeen yesterday launched a two-day

exhibition to exhibit the business prototypes of the finalists of the ‘Fourth edition of the Mashroo3i Youth Business Awards’. The exhibition, held at the West Wing of Seef Mall – Seef District, concludes today.

The 30 teams showcase their business prototypes and interact with the public, giving them the opportunity to learn and experience the different business projects created by the participants.

During the two-day event, Mashroo3i judges will rate the individual teams. The public was also encouraged to visit the stalls and vote for their

favourite teams.The final exhibition will lead

to an award ceremony, which will take place on Saturday. During the ceremony, the winners of the first three positions will be announced.

The judging panel includes Shaikh Hesham Mohamed Al-Khalifa, Sabah Khalil

Al Moayyed, Managing Partner of Intellect Resources Management, and Yousef Al Bassam, Head of the Deals Committee in the Saudi Angel Investor Oqal Group.

The three winning teams will receive support from Tamkeen, and incubation opportunities provided with

private sector support as well as local and international internship opportunities in their related fields. Also, nine teams will be honoured across the various award categories.

For more information about the “Mashroo3i Youth Business Awards”, visit www.mashroo3i.bh .

Tamkeen hosts Mashroo3i youthbiz awards expo

Officials during the inauguration


Minister visits Sitra, Nabih SalehManama

Youth and Sports Affairs Minister, Hisham

Al-Jowdar, yesterday visited the villages of Sitra and Nabih Saleh as per the directives of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to identify and fulfil the needs of various governorates in the Kingdom.

During the visit, Al Jowder was accompanied by MP Dr Majeed Al-Asfoor, Capital Trustees’ Board Chairman, Mohammed Al-Khuzae, Capital Trustees’ Board member, Dr Maha Al-Shehab, and a number of the Youth and Sports Affairs Ministry’s officials.

During his discussion with the Sitra Club chairman, members and citizens, Al-Jowdar proposed holding summer sports, cultural and entertainment activities to attract youth and also directed the club’s woman committee to hold a meeting for women in Sitra.

Affirming the leadership’s strong belief that “youth are the driving engine of development and investment in the Kingdom”, the minister further required the Club to hold a family festival during the National Day.

The meeting also focused on ways to increase the club’s revenues through

supporting its investment projects.

During his visit to Nabih Saleh Club, Al Jowder urged the youngsters there to participate effectively in the sports programmes developed by the Ministry.

Nabih Saleh Club houses two volleyball sports halls, a three-storey administrative building with various service facilities and offices at a total cost of BD 413,000.

MP Majeed Al-Asfoor called on the Sitra and Nabih Saleh clubs to double their efforts and hold more activities and programmes to take full advantage of the sporting facilities. Youth and Sports Affairs Minister, Hisham Al-Jowdar during his visit to Sitra, Nabil Saleh

Manama

The Information & eGovernment Authority

(iGA) announced it has completed studying the first phase of the project for the ‘Development of Government Services’.

The study comprised of re-engineering of procedures of 14 government services, of which 25 are included within the project. Work is currently underway to complete the remaining services during the month of September up until December 2017 – in collaboration with various government entities.

The move follows the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa - Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

In this regard, iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali AlQaed praised the support the project has received from the Government Executive Committee chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad AlKhalifa.

Furthermore, he clarified that the authority - in the first phase - studied the re-engineering of procedures for seven services provided by EWA, four services by MoH, two by GDT along with one by iGA.

It is worth noting that two eServices from this project have already been launched. The first of which is the ‘Vehicle Registration Renewal’. The second is the launch of the online booking service concerning driving test

appointments. Additionally, the printing

of the vehicle’s stickers, accompanied manual procedures as well as costs of printing posters have been cancelled.

The study has been implemented in line with the Government Executive Committee’s decision to improve the quality of eServices, increase their competitiveness, and ensure transparency as well as efficiency in delivering services. The project is conducted in collaboration with eight entities namely: Nationality, Passports & Residence Affairs (NPRA); General Directorate of Traffic (GDT); Ministry of Health (MoH); Survey & Land Registration Bureau (SLRB); Electricity & Water Authority (EWA); Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning; along with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).

EWA services The Electricity and Water

Authority (EWA) announced it has revamped its online customer services in association with the Informatics and E-Government Authority.

The enhanced e-services, part of the e-Government’s Development Project (Phase I), allows: change of subscriber’s name, change of tenant, service reconnection and disconnection, technical service requests for electricity and water, new supply requests for electricity and water and direct credit card deduction service.

Development of Govt Services: iGAcompletes first phase project study

Manama

The Sanitary Engineering Planning and Projects

Director of the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Nazha Abu Hindi, announced yesterday that the Ministry has achieved 65 per cent progress in Muqaba Sewerage Network Project, Block 517.

The project aims to connect 60 houses and real estates to the network. Work comprises of extending 670m long main

connections, 860m long sub-connections, and constructing 106 inspection chambers. The project is expected to complete by the end of this year.

The BD184,909 project is part of the sanitary projects planned for the Northern Governorate, which includes projects for sewerage works related to West Budaiya Housing Projects (Phase 2) and Sadad Sewerage Network Project (Phase 2).

Muqaba sewerage works 65pc done

Manama

Tamkeen yesterday launched a two-day

exhibition to exhibit the business prototypes of the finalists of the ‘Fourth edition of the Mashroo3i Youth Business Awards’. The exhibition, held at the West Wing of Seef Mall – Seef District, concludes today.

The 30 teams showcase their business prototypes and interact with the public, giving them the opportunity to learn and experience the different business projects created by the participants.

During the two-day event, Mashroo3i judges will rate the individual teams. The public was also encouraged to visit the stalls and vote for their

favourite teams.The final exhibition will lead

to an award ceremony, which will take place on Saturday. During the ceremony, the winners of the first three positions will be announced.

The judging panel includes Shaikh Hesham Mohamed Al-Khalifa, Sabah Khalil

Al Moayyed, Managing Partner of Intellect Resources Management, and Yousef Al Bassam, Head of the Deals Committee in the Saudi Angel Investor Oqal Group.

The three winning teams will receive support from Tamkeen, and incubation opportunities provided with

private sector support as well as local and international internship opportunities in their related fields. Also, nine teams will be honoured across the various award categories.

For more information about the “Mashroo3i Youth Business Awards”, visit www.mashroo3i.bh .

Tamkeen hosts Mashroo3i youthbiz awards expo

Officials during the inauguration


DT News Network Manama

At least four vehicles were gutted in two

separate incidents that took place in different parts of the Northern Governorate yesterday.

The first incident was reported in Salmabad

Housing Projects, located in the southern parts of the governorate, where miscreants set fire to two vehicles in the early hours yesterday.

Interior Ministry confirmed the incident, stating that Civil Defence firefighters successfully doused the fire,

after the vehicles were gutted.The ministry also said

that initial details indicated foul play behind the incident and that the concerned departments in the ministry have initiated legal procedures.

Sources confirmed that the incident occurred before

sunrise and that the walls of a nearby house were also damaged.

Two more vehicles were gutted in Hamad Town.

The vehicles were parked inside the garage of a Bahraini family. However, no official comments were available on the second incident.

Four cars gutted in two separate incidents

Bahraini arrestedfor planting Marijuana at home


A Bahraini man was recently arrested for planting

marijuana at his house in Barbar, officials said yesterday.

According to a statement issued by Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science General Director Colonel Abddulaziz Al Rumaihi, the 31-year-old suspect possessed several marijuana plants and seedlings, firearm and ammunition, tools used in planting marijuana and manufacturing narcotics, and a

large amount of money.Col. Al Rumaihi said

in the statement that the investigations of anti-narcotics police lead to the arrest of the suspect, who he said “had prepared the place and the environment to make it suitable for the cultivation and manufacturing of drugs using the certain equipment and tools”.

“All evidences were confiscated and the case has been referred to the Public Prosecution,” Al Rumaihi added.

One of the cars that caught fire in Salmabad

The burnt cars in Hamad Town

A picture released by the police of the suspect and the confiscated marijuana plants


Manama

There is a little doubt that technological

advancements globally are having a positive impact on the healthcare sector. Added to this fact is the rapid improvement in consumer awareness and acceptance of adopting and applying the usage of technology to enhance their health and appearance. One such system is the VelaSmooth which has found immense popularity in Bahrain and is available at the Royal Bahrain Hospital Medical Centre (RBHMC).

The VelaSmooth system is one of first clinically proven, non-invasive device to receive clearance for circumferential and cellulite reduction that sucks away stubborn fat. Basically, the metabolism of fatty tissue is increased through heat from infrared and RF (radio frequency) energies which ultimately shrinks the size of fat cells.

Increase blood circulation is achieved through rollers and vacuum to provide the end result i.e. toned, tighter, smoother skin without ugly bulges.

To avail the benefit of VelaSmooth treatment, RBHMC is offering a 65 per cent on its VelaSmooth Cellulite Reduction Package that provides eight sessions for BD140/- including a free consultation with Dr. Reeti Malhotra, Consultant Dermatologist. The sessions can be availed during upcoming month of August period.

So what exactly are the advantages of VelaSmooth? According to Dr. Reeti, “Patients avai l ing VelaSmooth do not require any surgery or preparation as it is suitable for all skin types. It is also a complimentary procedure after liposuction for skin to tighten and smoothen...even for men.”

Tone yourself up with great offers on VelaSmooth

Stop saying won’t pay for wall: Trump to Pena Nieto

Missing Pets

LEXIE - Female terrier/poodle mix, 4 yrs, missing from inside villa compound wall - gate closed but dog missing, perhaps stolen, wearing collar w wife’s friends name/number, Galali (near Mumtaza supermarket), 30/4/17. 38302789

SUSHI - Male Himalayan, 2-3 yrs, microchipped (but owner does not have data from previous owner), black nylon collar w tag bearing mobile number, eats only dry food, Tubli/Jidd Ali-Isa Town area, 1/7/17. 66950622

LOUIE - Male Siamese, 5 yrs, right canine tooth slightly chipped, neutered, not wearing collar or ID, garden cat - went over the high fences, may have been STOLEN, Barbar (near Jawad Dome), BD500 REWARD, 9/2/17. 36326666

JUNIOR - Male Husky/Malamute mix, black/white, one blue/one brown eye, 1 yr, gate left open, not wearingcollar or ID, Janabiya (next to El-Mercado Mall & Al-Ayam newspaper), 17/1/17, REWARD 300BD, 66656566/ 39696716/ 39666004/ 33446564

POPPY - Female Miniature Poodle, 2 yrs, micro-chipped, wearing black collar w pink paw print ID tag, has health issue, possibly STOLEN, Budaiya (Beach Villas/by new road works/back of farmers market), 10/3/17, REWARD 200BD, 36636955 or 36366128

FENDI - Male Russian Blue, 4 yrs, spayed, microchipped, escaped over garden wall, wearing collar w/o name, Tubli (near Al Anwar shop), 5/11/16, BD400 REWARD. 39625885/ 33956008/ 36673636

Washington

US President Donald Trump pressed Mexican

President Enrique Pena Nieto to stop saying publicly that Mexico would not pay for his promised border wall, according to a transcript of their January conversation obtained by The Washington Post.

“You cannot say that to the press,” Trump told Pena Nieto according to the transcript of the January 27 call published by the Post yesterday.

“I have to have Mexico pay for the wall -- I have to,” Trump said. “I have been talking about it for a two-year period.”

The US president acknowledged the domestic political difficulties of the issue for Pena Nieto and said a “formula” could be worked out for funding the wall along the southern US border with Mexico.

“We should both say, ‘We will work it out.’ It will work out in the formula somehow,” Trump said. “As opposed to you saying, ‘We will not pay,’ and me saying, ‘We will not pay.’” “(But) if you are going to say that Mexico is not going

to pay for the wall, then I do not want to meet with you guys anymore because I cannot live with that,” Trump said.

Pena Nieto pushed back saying the issue was “related to the dignity of Mexico and goes to the national pride.

“My position has been and will continue to be very firm, saying that Mexico cannot pay for the wall,” he said.

But the Mexican president agreed to “stop talking about the wall” and “look for a creative way to solve this issue.”

Turnbull to Trump: ‘A deal is a deal’The Post also published the full transcript of an acrimonious call Trump held the next day with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

In the call, Trump, who campaigned for the White House by taking a hardline on immigration, expressed his displeasure over a deal made by the Obama administration to accept refugees held in Australian detention centers.

“This is going to kill me,”

Trump said. “I am the world’s greatest person that does not want to let people into the country and now I am agreeing to take 2,000 people.”

Turnbull repeatedly pressed Trump to stand by the agreement and noted they were economic refugees who would only be accepted after strict US vetting.

“There is nothing more important in business or politics than a deal is a deal,” Turnbull said. “You can certainly say that it was not a deal that you would have done, but you are going to stick with it.” “I have had it,” Trump said finally said after more back and forth on the issue. “I have been making these calls all day and this is the most unpleasant call all day.”

“Putin was a pleasant call,” Trump said, referring to his conversation with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin. “This is ridiculous.”

The extraordinary leak of the contents of presidential conversations comes just a day before Attorney General Jeff Sessions is reportedly to hold a press conference about cracking down on leaks. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto holding a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany.

Qatar creates new residency status for foreignersDoha

Qatar yesterday created a new permanent residents

status for certain groups of foreigners, including those who have worked for the benefit of the emirate.

In a first for the Gulf, Qatar’s cabinet ministers approved the measures, the official QNA press agency reported, in a move that will likely affect tens of thousands of resident foreigners.

Under the new rules, children with a Qatari mother and a foreign father can benefit from the new status along with foreign residents who have “given service to Qatar” or have “skills that can benefit the country,” the agency said.

A specially created interior ministry commission will decide individual cases, according to the Qatar News Agency.

Those deemed eligible for the new status will be afforded the same access as Qataris to free public services, such as health and education.

They will also receive preferable treatment for jobs in the administration and armed services as well as being able to own their own properties and exercise some commercial activities without the need for a Qatari partner.

While stopping short of offering Qatari nationality the new measures constitute a first for the Gulf. (AFP)

Dr. Reeti


Manama

There is a little doubt that technological

advancements globally are having a positive impact on the healthcare sector. Added to this fact is the rapid improvement in consumer awareness and acceptance of adopting and applying the usage of technology to enhance their health and appearance. One such system is the VelaSmooth which has found immense popularity in Bahrain and is available at the Royal Bahrain Hospital Medical Centre (RBHMC).

The VelaSmooth system is one of first clinically proven, non-invasive device to receive clearance for circumferential and cellulite reduction that sucks away stubborn fat. Basically, the metabolism of fatty tissue is increased through heat from infrared and RF (radio frequency) energies which ultimately shrinks the size of fat cells.

Increase blood circulation is achieved through rollers and vacuum to provide the end result i.e. toned, tighter, smoother skin without ugly bulges.

To avail the benefit of VelaSmooth treatment, RBHMC is offering a 65 per cent on its VelaSmooth Cellulite Reduction Package that provides eight sessions for BD140/- including a free consultation with Dr. Reeti Malhotra, Consultant Dermatologist. The sessions can be availed during upcoming month of August period.

So what exactly are the advantages of VelaSmooth? According to Dr. Reeti, “Patients avai l ing VelaSmooth do not require any surgery or preparation as it is suitable for all skin types. It is also a complimentary procedure after liposuction for skin to tighten and smoothen...even for men.”

Tone yourself up with great offers on VelaSmooth

Stop saying won’t pay for wall: Trump to Pena Nieto

Missing Pets

LEXIE - Female terrier/poodle mix, 4 yrs, missing from inside villa compound wall - gate closed but dog missing, perhaps stolen, wearing collar w wife’s friends name/number, Galali (near Mumtaza supermarket), 30/4/17. 38302789

SUSHI - Male Himalayan, 2-3 yrs, microchipped (but owner does not have data from previous owner), black nylon collar w tag bearing mobile number, eats only dry food, Tubli/Jidd Ali-Isa Town area, 1/7/17. 66950622

LOUIE - Male Siamese, 5 yrs, right canine tooth slightly chipped, neutered, not wearing collar or ID, garden cat - went over the high fences, may have been STOLEN, Barbar (near Jawad Dome), BD500 REWARD, 9/2/17. 36326666

JUNIOR - Male Husky/Malamute mix, black/white, one blue/one brown eye, 1 yr, gate left open, not wearingcollar or ID, Janabiya (next to El-Mercado Mall & Al-Ayam newspaper), 17/1/17, REWARD 300BD, 66656566/ 39696716/ 39666004/ 33446564

POPPY - Female Miniature Poodle, 2 yrs, micro-chipped, wearing black collar w pink paw print ID tag, has health issue, possibly STOLEN, Budaiya (Beach Villas/by new road works/back of farmers market), 10/3/17, REWARD 200BD, 36636955 or 36366128

FENDI - Male Russian Blue, 4 yrs, spayed, microchipped, escaped over garden wall, wearing collar w/o name, Tubli (near Al Anwar shop), 5/11/16, BD400 REWARD. 39625885/ 33956008/ 36673636

Washington

US President Donald Trump pressed Mexican

President Enrique Pena Nieto to stop saying publicly that Mexico would not pay for his promised border wall, according to a transcript of their January conversation obtained by The Washington Post.

“You cannot say that to the press,” Trump told Pena Nieto according to the transcript of the January 27 call published by the Post yesterday.

“I have to have Mexico pay for the wall -- I have to,” Trump said. “I have been talking about it for a two-year period.”

The US president acknowledged the domestic political difficulties of the issue for Pena Nieto and said a “formula” could be worked out for funding the wall along the southern US border with Mexico.

“We should both say, ‘We will work it out.’ It will work out in the formula somehow,” Trump said. “As opposed to you saying, ‘We will not pay,’ and me saying, ‘We will not pay.’” “(But) if you are going to say that Mexico is not going

to pay for the wall, then I do not want to meet with you guys anymore because I cannot live with that,” Trump said.

Pena Nieto pushed back saying the issue was “related to the dignity of Mexico and goes to the national pride.

“My position has been and will continue to be very firm, saying that Mexico cannot pay for the wall,” he said.

But the Mexican president agreed to “stop talking about the wall” and “look for a creative way to solve this issue.”

Turnbull to Trump: ‘A deal is a deal’The Post also published the full transcript of an acrimonious call Trump held the next day with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

In the call, Trump, who campaigned for the White House by taking a hardline on immigration, expressed his displeasure over a deal made by the Obama administration to accept refugees held in Australian detention centers.

“This is going to kill me,”

Trump said. “I am the world’s greatest person that does not want to let people into the country and now I am agreeing to take 2,000 people.”

Turnbull repeatedly pressed Trump to stand by the agreement and noted they were economic refugees who would only be accepted after strict US vetting.

“There is nothing more important in business or politics than a deal is a deal,” Turnbull said. “You can certainly say that it was not a deal that you would have done, but you are going to stick with it.” “I have had it,” Trump said finally said after more back and forth on the issue. “I have been making these calls all day and this is the most unpleasant call all day.”

“Putin was a pleasant call,” Trump said, referring to his conversation with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin. “This is ridiculous.”

The extraordinary leak of the contents of presidential conversations comes just a day before Attorney General Jeff Sessions is reportedly to hold a press conference about cracking down on leaks. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto holding a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany.

Qatar creates new residency status for foreignersDoha

Qatar yesterday created a new permanent residents

status for certain groups of foreigners, including those who have worked for the benefit of the emirate.

In a first for the Gulf, Qatar’s cabinet ministers approved the measures, the official QNA press agency reported, in a move that will likely affect tens of thousands of resident foreigners.

Under the new rules, children with a Qatari mother and a foreign father can benefit from the new status along with foreign residents who have “given service to Qatar” or have “skills that can benefit the country,” the agency said.

A specially created interior ministry commission will decide individual cases, according to the Qatar News Agency.

Those deemed eligible for the new status will be afforded the same access as Qataris to free public services, such as health and education.

They will also receive preferable treatment for jobs in the administration and armed services as well as being able to own their own properties and exercise some commercial activities without the need for a Qatari partner.

While stopping short of offering Qatari nationality the new measures constitute a first for the Gulf. (AFP)

Dr. Reeti


Chicago

Federal authorities joined the investigation yesterday

into a natural gas explosion at a US school that killed two adults and sent students fleeing as a building partially collapsed.

Rescuers pulled the body of the final missing person from the rubble late Wednesday at a Minnesota private Christian school. Two people were killed, a school janitor and a receptionist.

All students at Minnehaha Academy were accounted for, some fleeing the building at the school for grades kindergarten to 12 just moments before the explosion.

Nine people were injured. Three remained in the hospital Thursday, one in critical condition, according to the Hennepin County Medical Center.

“This morning our prayers are with Minnehaha’s facilities team member Bryan Duffey and his family. We pray for his healing and for the wisdom of the doctors and nurses caring for him at this time,” the school said in a statement.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), known for investigating plane and train crashes, sent an investigative team to the school.

“The NTSB investigates pipeline incidents and accidents,” agency spokesman Christopher O’Neil said.

The natural gas explosion occurred Wednesday morning in the center part of one of the school campus buildings in the city of Minneapolis, where a construction crew was working.

The blast pushed part of the building’s wall outwards,

causing the roof to collapse and pancaking two floors into rubble, according to fire chief John Fruetel.

School receptionist Ruth Berg and janitor John Carlson were killed. Rescuers recovered their bodies from the rubble hours after the explosion.

Witnesses told the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper that someone warned of a gas leak moments before the explosion.

The few students in the building -- school is currently not in session -- managed to escape the blast, according to the newspaper.

“All the windows just kind of burst out, and there was a huge explosion that was so loud it kind of shook your insides,” student Kylee Kassebaum told the Star Tribune.

Two dead in natural gas explosion at US school

The blast pushed part of the building’s wall outwards, causing the roof to collapse

Pretoria

A South African man snatched from his

hotel and held hostage by Al-Qaeda in Mali since 2011 has been freed unscathed, his country’s foreign ministry said yesterday.

Stephen McGown, 42, was grabbed in the historic trading city of Timbuktu in Mali’s north along with Swede Johan Gustafsson and Dutchman Sjaak Rijke, both of whom were subsequently released.

McGown has returned to South Africa and been reunited with his family, foreign ministry official Clayson Monyela said.

“It was a big surprise when he walked through the door -- when I gave him a hug, he was as sound and as strong as before, so he was obviously well treated up there,” Stephen’s father Malcolm told reporters in Pretoria, though Stephen himself did not attend the press briefing.

State Security Minister David Mahlobo insisted that no ransom was paid to secure McGown’s release which was completed on July 29.

“We were able to actually

release him without any conditions,” Mahlobo told the joint press conference.

“Through our shrewd engagement supported by the African Union... Stephen is back at home.

“The relationship between the two presidents of the countries has been very important.”

As for the other former hostages, Gustafsson was released in June while Rijke was freed in April 2015 by French special forces.

Rijke’s wife escaped during the jihadist assault on the popular tourist hotel, but a German who tried to resist the abduction was killed.

Al-Qaeda’s North African affiliate Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) had claimed responsibility for the kidnappings of the three men.

“We give him a warm welcome back home particularly that he lands home with a mother who has passed on during his incarceration,” said Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

“He was just a tourist in Timbuktu. We are happy that he is a free man.”

‘Your hair has grown’McGown’s mother

Beverly died in May after battling a long illness.

“It’s just unfortunate that Stephen’s mum isn’t here,” said McGown’s wife Catherine at the press conference.

“It didn’t quite work out the way we wanted, but we say to Stephen... ‘you are strong and you’ve got to do what you need too’. He’ll pick himself up in a little while and return to normal life,” added Malcolm McGown.

Catherine said that on being reunited, Stephen “looked at me and said ‘Your hair has grown’, and I said, ‘Well actually your hair is longer than mine’.” He is now undergoing medical checks.

AQIM was one of several jihadist groups that took control of Mali’s north in 2012 before being ousted by a French-led military operation launched in January 2013.

The group had released several videos of McGown and Gustafsson over the years, but little was known about the kidnappers’ demands. (AFP)

Al Qaeda frees SAhostage after 6 years

Wife of freed South African hostage Stephen McGown, Catherine McGown (L) is hugged by South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane

A screengrab from a video showing Stephen McGown in captivity in Mali.

BUSINESS8 Friday, August 4, 2017

Apple, Huawei, Amazon gain in tablet marketWashington

Apple, Huawei and Amazon boosted tablet sales over

the past quarter, despite the ongoing slump in the overall market for the devices, surveys showed Thursday.

Overall tablet sales dropped 3.4 percent from the same period last year to 37.9 million,

according to a survey by research firm IDC.

Apple’s nearly 15 per cent boost in iPad sales from a year ago gave it a 30pc share of the global market, IDC said.

IDC said Apple’s gains came from consolidating its lineup and introducing new tablets, including a 10.5 inch iPad

Pro, which encouraged some consumers to upgrade.

Samsung remained the number two vendor with a 15.8pc market shares as sales dipped one percent, the report said.

China-based Huawei meanwhile bucked the overall trend with a strong 47pc gain

in sales, vaulting to the number three position with an eight percent market share, the research firm reported.

IDC estimated that Amazon -- whose sales figures are not reported -- boosted its Fire tablet sales by 51pc from last year to capture the fourth spot at 6.4pc. China’s Lenovo was

fifth with a 5.7pc market shares as sales dropped 14.6pc from last year, the report said.

A separate survey by Strategy Analytics estimated a seven percent decline in global tablet sales to 43.8 million units in the April-June period.

Every day millions of commuters make the tortuous slog to work in slow moving cars and on motorbikes in the oppressively hot, smog-choked Indonesian capital. But hopes are high that the completion of an underground rail network could provide a solution to the worsening traffic problem in

one of Asia’s largest cities.

Mass Rapid TransitConstruction of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) sys-tem is approaching its final phase, with building set to finish next year and com-muters expected to be able to use the ser-vice from March 2019.

173,000 passengers per day

Replaces 50,000 cars

The first phase of the project, which commenced in 2013, will connect a 16-kilometre route between Lebak Bulus in southern Jakarta to the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in the city’s centre. Once operational, it is expected to transport around 173,000 passengers per day.

The system if have 100,000 commuters everyday, assuming there are two people in each car, will be able to prevent 50,000 cars from entering the busi-ness area.

The targetThe railway will eventually stretch more than 110 kilometres (70 miles) and include 13 stations, with seven elevated and six underground. The metro system will be integrated with the city’s existing commuter train line and busway, providing a much needed alternative to the fleet of smog-belching and ageing buses currently in place.

DelaysProblems with land acquisition have delayed the project, but it will be close to completion by year’s end. Jakarta’s massive traffic problems, combined with decrep-it roads and inefficient public transport are often cited as obsta-cles to growth and investment.

Australia’s biggest bank in the dock over terror financingSydney

Australia’s biggest bank was yesterday taken to court

by the country’s financial intelligence agency, accused of “serious and systemic non-compliance” of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.

AUSTRAC said it was taking civil action against the Commonwealth Bank in the Federal Court for allegedly breaching the laws 53,700 times, particularly in relation to its cash deposit machines.

The financial giant could

face a massive fine if found guilty. Gambling giant Tabcorp in March was slapped with a Aus$45 million (US$35.7 million) penalty -- the largest civil fine in Australian corporate history -- by the Federal Court for 108 breaches of the same laws.

“By failing to have sound AML/CTF (Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing) systems and controls in place, businesses are at risk of being misused for criminal purposes,” AUSTRAC acting chief Peter Clark said in

a statement. “AUSTRAC’s goal is to have a financial sector that is vigilant and capable of responding, including through innovation, to threats of criminal exploitation.”

The bank is accused of failing to deliver to AUSTRAC on time 53,506 reports for cash transactions of Aus$10,000 or more at the machines between November 2012 and September 2015, with a total value of Aus$624.7 million.

The bank also failed to report suspicious transactions on time, or at all, that totalled Aus$77 million, and did not monitor customers or manage the risk even after becoming aware of suspected money laundering, the agency claimed. (AFP)

UK execs see income cut but still 132 times averageLondon

The average annual pay packet of Britain’s top

executives fell by 17 per cent in 2016, but was still 132 times the average full-time wage, according to a report published Thursday.

The study, by worker pressure groups High Pay Centre and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), found that the average chief executive of a FTSE 100 company was £4.5 million ($5.9m, 5m euros) in the 2016 financial year, down from £5.4m in 2015.

“Our review of FTSE 100 CEO pay packages shows a sharp turnaround,” said the report.

“FTSE 100 CEOs have seen an overall drop in pay packages, especially at the top end, though the gulf between the highest paid executives and the rest of the workforce still remains,” it added.

It would still take the average full-time British worker 132 years to earn this amount, with 60 of the FTSE 100 CEOs earning more than 100 times the average salary, according to official figures.

The report said that part of the “squeeze” was down to top earner Martin Sorrell, with the advertising chief’s compensation dropping from £70.4m to £48.1m in 2016.

“If we were to exclude him from the analysis, the fall

would decrease from 17pc to 15pc.”

a tunnel at the construction site

Representative picture

Safe Online

ShoppingGold demand hits 8-year low

BUSINESSFriday, August 4, 2017 9

Frankfurt am Main

German carmaker BMW reported Thursday a leap in profits in the second quarter, but stuck to its cautious

forecast for the full year as it spends on new models and research and development. Net profit at the group reached 2.2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) between April and June, a 13.6-percent increase compared with the same period last year.

Dhaka

Bangladesh’s new anti-graft hotline has been overwhelmed with tens of thousands of calls about acts of corruption

in its first week. Hotline number 106 was launched last Thursday by state authorities in an effort to crack down on graft in Bangladesh, which has been listed by a global watchdog as one of the world’s most corrupt nations.

Espen Barth Eide,

BMW sticks to cautious forecast B’desh graft hotline gets 75,000 calls If people want change, they need to stand up for change. We are here to help and always available but we are not planning any initiatives. The international community needs to be convinced that there is a real intent to try again.”

outgoing UN envoy on Cyprus reunification

London

Gold demand slumped 14 per cent in the first half

of 2017 to hit the lowest level in eight years as US traders exited the haven investment, the World Gold Council said yesterday.

Global demand dropped to 2,004 tonnes in the first six months of the year compared with the first half of 2016, the WGC said in its latest quarterly report.

“The last time H1 demand was lower... was in 2009” when it totalled 1,853 tonnes, a spokeswoman confirmed.

Most of the drop in demand came in the second quarter, with it sliding 10pc to 953.4 tonnes compared with the April-June period in 2016, the WGC added.

John Mulligan, a Council director, noted US investors had exited exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for gold at a

greater extent than their European peers, as the Federal Reserve embarks on a course of raising interest rates.

“The European ETF investor is a lot less volatile, a lot more stable and a lot less likely to to-and-fro in terms of liquidation than their US counterparts,” he said.

ETFs allow investment without trading on the

futures market.“Demand for the first

half of 2017 was down 14pc compared to last year, but in some respects the market was in better shape,” added Alistair Hewitt, the WGC’s head of market intelligence.

Last year’s growth was solely down to record ETF inflows, while consumer demand slumped.

Representative picture

Russian miner to auction off huge 51-carat diamondMoscow

Russian mining giant Alrosa is set to auction off a huge

51-carat “Dynasty” diamond and four other high-purity diamonds with a starting price of $10 million, the company says.

The five-diamond collection was cut from a 179-carat rough diamond discovered in 2015 in one of the state-owned company’s mines in the Sakha region of eastern Siberia.

Alrosa, Russia’s top diamond producer, calls the 51.38-carat gem that is the centrepiece of the collection “the largest and purest diamond cut in the history of Russian jewellery making”.

“All five diamonds were

manufactured from one rough diamond, which is an exceptional case. It took a year and a half to create the collection,” Alrosa’s president Sergei Ivanov said in a statement.

The largest diamond in

the collection was named in honour of Russia’s last imperial family the Romanovs, whose rule ended a century ago in 1917 with the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. The other gems are named after Russian aristocrat families.

Let’s face it, there’s every reason in the world to shop online. The bargains are there. The selection is mind-boggling. The shopping is secure. Shipping is fast. Even returns are pretty easy, with the right e-tailers. Shopping has never been easier or more conveni-ent for consumers. But what about the bad guys who lay in wait? You simply need some common sense and practical advice. Here are some tips for staying safe online.

BUSINESS Friday, August 4, 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 0.5738 0.3891 0.3419

KUWAIT 0.2855 31.4849 0.2947 0.2589

OMAN 0.3849 0.3729 0.3973 0.3490

QATAR 3.6420 3.5287 3.7589 3.3025

UAE 3.6730 3.5588 3.7909 3.3306

SAUDI 3.7500 3.6334 3.8704 3.4004

AUSTRALIA 0.3071 0.3035BANGLADESH 0.00493 0.00467CANADA 0.3068 0.3024DENMARK 0.0632 EGYPT 0.0234 0.0217EURO 0.4552 0.4510HONGKONG 0.04970 0.04930INDIA 0.00604 0.00597INDONESIA 0.00003074 0.00002896IRAN TUMAN 0.000323 IRAQI DINAR 0.000304 JAPAN 0.00356 0.003490JORDAN 0.5350 0.0035KOREA 0.00038538 KUWAIT 1.249 1.249MALAYSIA 0.0910 0.0904NEW ZEALAND 0.2851 0.2837NORWAY 0.0498 NEPAL 0.00389 0.00358OMAN 0.97962 0.98314PAKISTAN 0.00367 0.00358PHILIPPINES 0.00772 0.00751QATAR 0.10381 0.10376SAUDI ARABIA 0.10058 0.10066SINGAPORE 0.2818 0.2798SOUTH AFRICA 0.02990 0.02980SRI LANKA 0.00270 0.00246SWEDISH 0.0496 SWITZERLAND 0.3987 0.3938SYRIA 0.001740 0.0018TAIWAN 0.013000 THAILAND 0.011540 0.011153TURKEY 0.1133 UNITED KINGDOM 0.5064 0.5017UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 0.102810 0.102810UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 0.37780 0.37800YUAN 0.056800 0.056800

Dubai

Saudi Arabia’s supermarket and Abu Dhabi’s largest

listed developer outperformed otherwise flat regional shares yesterday because of their strong second-quarter earnings.

Shares of Al Othaim Markets jumped 4.3 per cent after its second-quarter net income of 71.21 million riyals exceeded expectations. NCB Capital had forecast a net income of 66 million and EFG Hermes expected Othaim to make 57.74 million riyals.

The company attributed the 43.1pc increase in net profit from the year before to growth in sales at existing and new branches, improvement in gross margin and increase in rent revenues from new leasable spaces.

Shares of medical equipment and hospital operator Al Hammadi fell 0.7pc after the $1.2 billion company said it was discussing

studying the “possibility of merger” with its the smaller National Medical Care. Its shares surged 6.1pc.

The index closed almost flat for the day and down 1.3pc for the week.

In Abu Dhabi, shares of the largest listed developer, Aldar Properties, climbed 1.3pc to 2.37 dirhams after it reported a 5.6pc drop in second-quarter profit to 620 million dirhams ($169 million), broadly in line with expectations.

Although revenue fell by a fifth from the year before, off-plan residential sales in the second quarter showed resilience in demand for mid-income housing, said a note by Arqaam. Government grants supported earnings growth in the second quarter, according to Arqaam, which has a positive outlook on project delivery.

The index fell 0.3pc, as some shares that rose on the

previous day fell on profit taking.

Dubai’s index added 0.4pc, its fifth straight session of gains as three of the five most valuable companies rose; Dubai Islamic Bank rose 1.5pc.

Qatar’s index rose 0.4pc in very thin trade, half of the six listed banks rose, with

Commercial Bank adding 1.5pc.

In Egypt, shares of Global Telecom fell 0.5pc after the company reported a second-quarter net profit of $35 million, growing by about a third from the year before.

The Cairo index closed near flat and down 1.4pc of the week. (Reuters)

Strong Q2 support Al Othaim, Aldar

Closing BellSAUDI ARABIA added 0.07pc to 7,086 points.

DUBAI added 0.4pc to 3,675 points.

ABU DHABI edged down 0.3pc to 4,596 points.

QATAR rose 0.4pc to 9,398 points.

EGYPT added 0.06pc to 13,413 points.

KUWAIT edged up 0.03pc to 6,826 points.

BAHRAIN fell 0.3pc to 1,323 points.

OMAN lost 0.3pc 5,066 points.

London

The Bank of England cut yesterday its forecasts for

British growth due to Brexit, as it left interest rates at a record-low 0.25 per cent.

The news, which followed a regular monetary policy meeting, sent the pound slumping as policymakers appeared to shift away from raising rates any time soon.

Sterling had already collapsed in value since Britons voted in June 2016 to exit the European Union in a shock referendum.

“Households looked through Brexit-related uncertainties initially, but more recently

-- as the consequences of sterling’s fall have shown up in the shops and squeezed their

real incomes -- they have cut back on spending, slowing the economy,” BoE Governor

Mark Carney told a press conference Thursday.

“Businesses have been somewhere in between but since the referendum they have invested much less aggressively than usual.”

The BoE cut its estimate for 2017 gross domestic product growth to 1.7 percent from a forecast of 1.9 percent given three months ago, it said in a report accompanying the latest monetary policy update.

And it expects GDP growth to fall back to 1.6 percent next year, down slightly on the previous expectation of 1.7-percent expansion.

Bank of England cuts growth forecasts

Paris

The prospect of crude remaining near the

current $50 level is no longer a doomsday scenario for the world’s oil majors whose latest earnings announcements show that cost-cutting lets them turn a profit even at these price levels.

BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and Total have all published results in recent days, showing they pocketed $23 billion in net profit in the first half fo the year.

Either they increased their earnings or at least returned to profit compared with the same period last year.

With the exception of ExxonMobil they all benefitted from an increase in output from the same period last year, but more importantly they all profited from a rebound in crude prices as OPEC members and Russia agreed to limit production.

The price of the international benchmark Brent crude averaged $51.7 per barrel in the first half of this year, up considerably from $39.8 during the same period last year.

While the profits are still less than half of what the firms turned in during the same period three years ago when Brent was trading at over $100 per barrel, they show that the major firms can survive profitably if crude prices stay at current levels, a scenario many now foresee.

After crude prices began their descent in 2014 the oil majors reacted quickly: cutting costs, selling off assets judged non-strategic and focusing on the projects they considered the most profitable.

By one measure, free cash flow -- or the amount of funds a firm has left over after investments needed to maintain or expand their assets -- they may even be better off.

Lower, forever“Recent results are good news and average production costs have fallen by 40 percent since 2014,” said David Elmes, and energy specialist and professor at Warwick Business School.

“The important part of recent results is how firms are back to generating enough cash to cover such costs” like

investment and high dividend payments that have kept many long-term investors on board, he said.

While cheap oil was initially viewed as a phase that would soon pass relatively quickly as global demand continued to climb upwards, a shift has occurred and many now see lower prices as here to stay for a while.

Shell’s chief Ben van Beurden said that Shell still believes there is a better than 50-50 chance that crude prices will trend higher in the coming years, but wasn’t going to base its business decisions on that.

For the moment, the oil majors have shelved costly projects like extracting crude from Canadian tar sands or tapping certain Arctic fields.

“The amount of affordable oil and gas big oil can access is limited,” said Elmes. “Much is in the control of national oil companies keen and able to develop it themselves.”

And when it comes to exploiting shale reserves in the United States, Elmes said that the smaller companies have shown themselves to be able to better control costs.


The 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, is commemorated. Diana was killed in a high-speed car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, at the age of 36. Her friend Dodi Fayed, and their driver, Henri Paul, also died when the car struck a pillar in a tunnel as the princess was being pursued by paparazzi.

Oil majors gushing

*CRISPR, Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats© GRAPHIC NEWSSource: Nature

Scientists have used gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to fix a DNAmutation responsible for a common inherited disease – successfully

replacing a gene in defective embryos that can cause heart failure

Injection: Sperm from man with mutated genesequence and CRISPR-Cas9* injected simultaneouslyinto egg cell

Cas9

gRNAMale DNA

1

Small gRNA molecule guidesCas-9 scissors to damagedsequence of DNA to make cut

3

Mutated gene sequence – cut from male DNA –is replaced with healthy gene from female DNA4

72% success: Gene editing resulted in42 of 58 embryos with two mutation-freecopies of gene in every cell

5

Molecularscissors: Enzymecalled Cas9 cutsthrough maleDNA in newlyfertilised embryo

2CRISPR-Cas9Sperm

Eggcell

FemaleDNA

CRISPR fixes disease gene in human embryosScientists have used

gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to fix a DNA mutation responsible for a common inherited disease -- successfully replacing a gene in defective embryos that can cause heart failure.

The researchers targeted a mutation in a gene called MYBPC3. Such mutations cause the heart muscle to thicken -- a condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that is the leading cause of sudden death in young athletes. The mutation is dominant, meaning if one parent has a mutated copy, there is a 50 percent chance of passing the disease to children.

CRISPR gene editing could apply to any of more than 10,000 conditions caused by inherited mutations -- including breast and ovarian cancer linked to BRCA mutations, as well as diseases like Huntington’s, Tay-Sachs, beta thalassemia, and even sickle cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis or some cases of early-onset Alzheimer’s.

in cash despite cheap crude

Friday, August 4, 201712

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani met Chairman of Association of Bahrain Travel & Tours Agents Jihad Amin and a number of its members, in presence of CEO of Bahrain Authority for Tourism & Exhibition Shaikh Khalid Bin Humood Al-Khalifa, on the occasion of forming the new Board of Directors of the Association. During the meeting, they reviewed and discussed the developments of the tourism sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

As per the directives of Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Jameel Humaidan, visited Sitra on Wednesday. The minister inaugurated the new Employment, Training and Unemployed Insurance Centre in Sitra.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani yesterday received Mondelez Regional VP for Integrated Supply Chain for AMEA Thomas Gaengler, MEA Manufacturing Director Ali Idrees and Plant Director Mondelez Bahrain Mohamed Shalaby. They briefed the minister on the company’s latest projects in Bahrain and future plans for raising production and marketing

Minister of Information Affairs Ali bin Mohammed Al Rumaihi attended in Jeddah yesterday a meeting of the Information Ministers of the countries calling to combat terrorism. The meeting shed light on the importance of continuous media coordination to confront all forms of extremism and terrorism through various mass media. It also cast light on the need to face media campaigns promoting discourse of hatred under the support of the Qatari government.

Undersecretaries for International Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, met yesterday Tamkeen Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Janahi, and agreed to build a strategic partner-ship between the two sides to prepare for a workshop on active partnership at the United Nations General Assembly. The workshop targets capacity building for Bahrainis at this significant international gathering in cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Acting Governor of the Capital, Hassan Abdullah Al Madani, received a delegation from Al-Eker Village, to discuss the area’s needs regarding communal services. The meeting also discussed ways and means of boosting the services in the village as well as following up the services requirements and issues with the relevant authorities to find the appropriate solutions to them.

The CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, received Mem-ber of Parliament, Ghazi Faisal Al Rahma on Tuesday. During the meeting, they reviewed the potential areas of tourism development, focusing on marketing and promoting the Kingdom of Bahrain and improving the quality of services through training staff in the tourism and hospitality sectors, in addition to improving the beaches and identifying facili-ties that Bahrain has to offer to attract more regional and global investments.

BFC`s second Draw of BFC 100 Year Bonanza was conducted on Tuesday at their Head office in the presence of Ministry of Industry and Commerce officials. The winners list have been uploaded on BFC Website and social media platforms. From left Arun Viswanadhan, BFC Marketing Manager, Pancily Varkery, BFC General Man-ager and Shafi Albalushi, MOIC official during the draw

Friday, August 4, 2017 13


Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan met the Sudanese Ambassador, Abdulrahman Khalil Ahmed Effendi. The minister praised the efforts of the ambassador throughout his stint in Bahrain in boosting the bilateral ties and cooperation in all fields, wishing the outgoing Sudanese ambassador success in his next assignment.


Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza received MP Abdulrahman Buali, member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Finance and Economic Committee and praised his efforts in discussing issues affecting the interests of citizens. The minister briefed the MP on the plans and programmes of the Electricity and Water Authority in the coming phase and plans to im-prove the quality of services it provides.

The CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Shai-kh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa paid a visit to the “Bahrain Entertain-ment City 2017” organised by Future Exhibitions and Conferences held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Center (BIECC).



Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan met the Sudanese Ambassador, Abdulrahman Khalil Ahmed Effendi. The minister praised the efforts of the ambassador throughout his stint in Bahrain in boosting the bilateral ties and cooperation in all fields, wishing the outgoing Sudanese ambassador success in his next assignment.


Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza received MP Abdulrahman Buali, member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Finance and Economic Committee and praised his efforts in discussing issues affecting the interests of citizens. The minister briefed the MP on the plans and programmes of the Electricity and Water Authority in the coming phase and plans to im-prove the quality of services it provides.

The CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Shai-kh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa paid a visit to the “Bahrain Entertain-ment City 2017” organised by Future Exhibitions and Conferences held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Center (BIECC).

Los Angeles

Actor Jim Parsons finds the making of "Big Bang Theory" spin-off to be "very moving".

The 44-year-old actor, who stars as the socially awkward Sheldon Cooper on the popular sitcom, serves as the executive producer and narrator on "Young Sheldon" and says that making the prequel series about his character has been an emotional experience for him, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Speaking at the 2017 TCA Summer Press Tour, Parsons said: "It was very moving to me to see this machine take off that's related to all that. I never felt, in the 10 years that we worked on the show, that we... I can't talk! You don't think you're putting together

these kinds of things that will add up to something like the prequel."Executive producer Chuck Lorre,

who created "The Big Bang Theory" alongside Bill Prady, is also enthusiastic about the concept. (IANS)

New York

Alicia Vikander says she hopes to become a mother someday as she always wanted a family of

her own.The 28-year-old Oscar-winning

actress says whenever she would embrace motherhood, it would be the best experience of her life, reports Elle magazine.

“I don’t even have children, and its the wonder of my world. I’ve always wanted kids. I’ve never been pregnant, but I hope to have a family one day.

“Its both the expectation and knowing

that it should be the greatest experience of my life - and suddenly from one day to another, its a reality; its a new chapter of your life,” says Vikander. (PTI)

Model and actress who was introduced to televi-sion audiences as Rachel Zane on USA’s Suits in 2011 after holding case #24 on the game show Deal or No Deal.

August 4, 1981


@TheRock

Really appreciate my Mandarin language

teacher’s patience for our @Apple spot. She said

I’m a natural. I think that’s good.?

Meghan Markle

Los Angeles

Actress Hayley Atwell has reportedly joined the cast of Disney’s Winnie The Pooh live- action movie, “Christopher Robin”.

The 35-year-old actress will star in the project alongside Ewan McGregor and play Christopher Robin’s wife, reported Variety.

The movie, which is being directed by Marc Forster, is centred on Christopher Robin as a grown-up, who has lost his imagination and is too focused on work to have fun with his family until Pooh Bear surprisingly re-enters his life.

Christopher Robin’s character was created by late English author A.A. Milne and featured in his two books “Winnie-the- Pooh” from 1926 and “The House at Pooh Corner” from 1928 – inspired by his own son and his beloved teddy bear – with both tomes focusing on the boy’s adventures with talking bear Pooh and the other animals of the Hundred Acre Wood. (PTI)

Hayley Atwell joins Christopher Robin

Los Angeles

Actor Jim Parsons finds the making of "Big Bang Theory" spin-off to be "very moving".

The 44-year-old actor, who stars as the socially awkward Sheldon Cooper on the popular sitcom, serves as the executive producer and narrator on "Young Sheldon" and says that making the prequel series about his character has been an emotional experience for him, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Speaking at the 2017 TCA Summer Press Tour, Parsons said: "It was very moving to me to see this machine take off that's related to all that. I never felt, in the 10 years that we worked on the show, that we... I can't talk! You don't think you're putting together

these kinds of things that will add up to something like the prequel."Executive producer Chuck Lorre,

who created "The Big Bang Theory" alongside Bill Prady, is also enthusiastic about the concept. (IANS)

New York

Alicia Vikander says she hopes to become a mother someday as she always wanted a family of

her own.The 28-year-old Oscar-winning

actress says whenever she would embrace motherhood, it would be the best experience of her life, reports Elle magazine.

“I don’t even have children, and its the wonder of my world. I’ve always wanted kids. I’ve never been pregnant, but I hope to have a family one day.

“Its both the expectation and knowing

that it should be the greatest experience of my life - and suddenly from one day to another, its a reality; its a new chapter of your life,” says Vikander. (PTI)

Model and actress who was introduced to televi-sion audiences as Rachel Zane on USA’s Suits in 2011 after holding case #24 on the game show Deal or No Deal.

August 4, 1981


@TheRock

Really appreciate my Mandarin language

teacher’s patience for our @Apple spot. She said

I’m a natural. I think that’s good.?

Meghan Markle

Los Angeles

Actress Hayley Atwell has reportedly joined the cast of Disney’s Winnie The Pooh live- action movie, “Christopher Robin”.

The 35-year-old actress will star in the project alongside Ewan McGregor and play Christopher Robin’s wife, reported Variety.

The movie, which is being directed by Marc Forster, is centred on Christopher Robin as a grown-up, who has lost his imagination and is too focused on work to have fun with his family until Pooh Bear surprisingly re-enters his life.

Christopher Robin’s character was created by late English author A.A. Milne and featured in his two books “Winnie-the- Pooh” from 1926 and “The House at Pooh Corner” from 1928 – inspired by his own son and his beloved teddy bear – with both tomes focusing on the boy’s adventures with talking bear Pooh and the other animals of the Hundred Acre Wood. (PTI)

Hayley Atwell joins Christopher Robin

Los Angeles

Actor Halle Berry said instead of giving the part of fictional spy James Bond to a woman, a new role should be written

for the female version on the same lines.The 50-year-old star said the film franchise

is “steeped in history” that creating a brand new personality of Agent 007 is the only way forward for a woman Bond, reported Entertainment Tonight.

“I want (women) to be tough but I don’t know if Bond should be a woman. I mean, that series is steeped in history, you know Ian Flemings stories. I don’t think you can change Bond to a woman. “We can create a new Bond character that’s a

woman, and give her a new name, based on that theory, but I don’t know if Bond should be a woman,” Berry said.

The Oscar-winning actor played NSA agent Giacinta Jinx Johnson, alongside then James Bond, Pierce Brosnan in 2002s “Die Another Day.” (PTI)

2. Wild ThoughtsDJ Khaled Featuring Rihanna & Bryson Tiller

1. DespacitoLuis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Ft. Justin Bieber

6. UnforgettableFrench Montana Featuring Swae Lee

7. Shape Of YouEd Sheeran

3. That’s What I LikeBruno Mars

5. BelieverImagine Dragons

8. There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me BackShawn Mendes

10. Body Like A Back RoadSam Hunt

4. I’m The OneDJ Khaled Featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne

9. AttentionCharlie Puth

15

(billboard)

Tom Hiddleston originally auditioned for the role of Thor but movie bosses were so impressed that they gave him the role of Thor’s baddie brother Loki instead.

Friday, August 4, 2017

Actor Channing Tatum said his four-year-old daughter Everly despised

his romantic dance drama, Step Up.The 37-year-old actor said he

was excited to show the 2006 film, which also features his wife, actor-dancer Jenna Dewan Tatum, to his little one but she insisted she wanted to see a “real movie”, reported Elle magazine.

“We were like, ‘This is going to be really cool. It’s got dancing; she’s going to love it.’ Within 10 seconds, she was like, ‘Can I watch a real movie? I don’t know, like a good one?’

“And we were like, ‘What do you mean? This is a real movie. It was such a real movie, they made like seven more of these. Like, you will watch it. Right. Sit down!’

“And then like 10 more seconds went by and she was like, ‘Please can I watch a real movie?’ And we were like, ‘Fine, just put on Moana. I don’t care’,” Tatum told Jimmy Kimmel on his show. (PTI)

16 Friday, August 4, 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)

You may feel especially emotional today, reacting strongly to just about every image you see, whether it’s a war photo or a kitten on a doorstep. Spiritually, you’re highly motivated and longing to know more about the world. You might find yourself thinking of making a pilgrimage.

Dreams and visions might come and go today, as unconscious images surface. Some of these impressions could represent old traumas and phobias that have outlived their usefulness and need to be released. You could draw creative inspiration from these perceptions and use them as a basis for artistic projects. By day’s end you may feel emotionally lighter.Social events or group activities could put you in touch with many people, both close friends and casual acquaintances. A new person may come into your life who makes a difference. Issues may come up that you feel strongly about. You aren’t likely to refrain from expressing your opinions. This is fine if you’re tactful. Others will appreciate your honesty.

Physically, you should feel strong and ready to take on just about anything that comes your way today. This is good, as some powerful challenges may come up that bring new purpose to your life. Enthusiasm permeates your being right now. You’re likely to face with determination anything that comes your way, undeterred by the enormity of the task.Romantic desire tempers spiritual passion today, and you may want to pursue both. Perhaps your romantic partner is as spiritually inclined as you, and you aspire toward the same ends. Much of the passion you feel wells from deep within. So if you’re creatively inclined in any way, you may want to memorialize these feelings through writing, painting, or music.

If you’re currently romantically involved, your relationship could move to the next level of commitment. You and your partner could agree to be monogamous, get engaged, or set a wedding date. If you’re already married, you might decide to have a child. If you aren’t currently involved, expect to attract someone soon.

An invitation to an important social event could come today. This may be a chance to meet important people who could advance your career in some way or who might be involved in a field that interests you. Your own energy and enthusiasm won’t be lost on them. You will obviously be speaking from the heart when you discuss what’s on your mind.

A previously untapped talent may emerge today. You could decide to train this talent and create a new skill that can help you with just about any type of work you’d be doing. This is the day to do this. You should be full of energy and enthusiasm, capable of assuming any formidable task. You should be feeling physically strong and well.

A possible change in direction might arise today. You could meet someone new or run into someone you haven’t seen in a while who offers you a chance to change careers. Or it could become clear that you need to pursue your art or hobby full time. Whichever it is, this is a great day to pursue it. Your past accomplishments afford you an advantage.

Romantic passion might motivate you to improve your physical appearance. You might decide to exercise, change your diet, and experiment with new clothes or haircut. You’re likely to produce the results you want. With the vast amounts of energy and enthusiasm churning within you today, you might surprise yourself - with this task or anything else you decide to do.You might take on the world. Excitement, enthusiasm, and purpose could fill your soul, yet you may wonder where it comes from, as nothing has really changed since yesterday. Don’t waste time wondering - just harness it! Tackle a class or exercise program. Start a project. This energy comes from deep in the unconscious.

Information gleaned from friends could find you focusing on a new goal. You may have a lot of ideas about projects you want to take care of, and today you may realize which one has top priority. Start moving! Whatever you do, find out what you need before you start. There’s a chance you might waste time looking for necessary materials.

1- Prayer ender; 5- Patriot Allen; 10- Flying stinger; 14- Strike out; 15- Currency unit in Nigeria; 16- Space; 17- Dedicated to the ___ Love; 18- Go off-script; 19- Horse of mixed color; 20- Republic in N Central America; 22- Tiny particles; 23- Get a move on; 24- Certain Ivy Leaguer; 25-Regal; 29- Creatures; 33- Previn or Watts; 34- Othellovillain; 36- Fencing sword; 37- Draw; 38- Gumbo pods; 39- Adam’s madam; 40- ___ time (never); 42- Cried; 43- Dog- ___ (like some used books); 45- Dwells; 47- Goes by; 49- ___ Cruces; 50- Discount rack abbr.; 51- Adult; 54- Selfcontrol; 60- Without full use of a leg; 61- Polynesian porch; 62- Mexican money; 63- And others, briefly; 64- Anticipate; 65- Swear words; 66- ____ Grey, tea type; 67- Bring forth from the egg; 68- ___-Ball (arcade game);

1- Work like ___; 2- Course list; 3- Zeno of ___; 4- Nor’s partner; 5- Tooth covering; 6- I did it!; 7- Small mountain; 8- Oratorio highlight; 9- Arrest; 10- Period of war; 11- Suffix with buck; 12- Tailor’s line; 13- Gives a bad review; 21- ___ kleine Nachtmusik; 22- Boxer Laila; 24- Slaughter of baseball; 25- Persian Gulf country; 26- Join; 27- Utopias; 28- Omigosh!; 29- Playing marble; 30- Copycats; 31- Embankment; 32- Sows; 35- Dada co-founder Jean; 38- Is in the red; 41- Drilling result; 43- Lawman Wyatt; 44- Opportunely; 46- Rockers Steely ___; 48- Female demon in Semitic myth; 51- Exultation; 52- Pro ___ (proportionally); 53- General Bradley; 54- Toddler’s glassful; 55- ___ the finish; 56- Not of the cloth; 57- Not strong; 58- Ferrara family; 59- Architect Mies van der ___; 61- Well, ___-di-dah!;

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Yangon

Paralysed on one side by a stroke and barely able to

speak, Tin Hlaing was left to die at the side of a road -- by her own children.

The 75-year-old only survived because a stranger took pity on her as she lay in the street and brought her to the “Twilight Villa” nursing home on the edge of Yangon.

Her story has become increasingly familiar as impoverished Myanmar struggles to cope with a rapidly ageing population that is piling pressure on its already anaemic health system.

Twilight Villa’s vice chairwoman Khin Ma Ma said many of the residents, like Tin Hlaing, arrive bewildered and sick after being abandoned by their families.

“She was in a terrible state -- disorientated, dehydrated and above all very angry,” Khin Ma Ma said. “It was impossible to communicate with her.”

Set up in 2010, the retirement home already cares for 120 people over the age of 70 and has more than 100 people on its waiting list.

The wards are crowded with beds, all just a few centimetres apart, filled with elderly people who sit quietly staring into space or lie huddled under blankets.

On one, a frail old lady whispered into the ear of a smiling plastic doll, her only companion since she moved to the facility from the shed she used to occupy in her family’s back yard.

Khin Ma Ma remembers another woman who was thrown out of a car next to a rubbish dump, where she was found covered in cuts and bite marks from rats. She made it to the nursing home but survived for only a few months.

“Sometimes we find only a small note in their pockets with their name and age. That’s all. When we ask them questions, they can’t even respond,” she said.

“Old people should not be treated like that in a civilised society and those who abandon them should be prosecuted.”

‘Here to die’Decades of misrule by a brutal junta, stringent sanctions and ethnic conflict have reduced Myanmar to one of the poorest countries in the

world. Now it is facing a

demographic crisis that is already squeezing the life out of Asia’s former tiger economies.

The UN estimates some nine percent of the population is currently over 65 but that will surge to a quarter by 2050, outstripping the number of under-15s.

“Economic realities oblige many people to continue heavy manual labour into old age to survive,” said Janet Jackson, the UNFPA’s Myanmar representative.

“This underlines the need for adequate social services and policies that serve the aged.”

Already in tatters after 50 years of under inves tment by the former junta, Myanmar’s health system is struggling to cope.

Since taking office last year, the new civilian government has set up only one new care facility, exclusively for the over 90s, which receives just 10,000 kyat a month in funding -- around $7.

Traditionally most seniors are cared for by their families, but the pressures of poverty, d o u b l e -

digit inflation and rapid urbanisation mean more and more people are abandoning their relatives.

“We have nowhere to go. We have come here to wait to die,” said Hla Hla Shwe, who has lived in another facility in Yangon run by monks for the past three years.

“Here we feel less alone and people feed us, thanks to the

donations,” the 85-year-old added.

‘Good old days’But to the east of Myanmar’s commercial capital, one group of actresses is finding solace together in their twilight years.

Set up by former screen queen Nwet Nwet San on a donated piece of land, “Mother’s Villa” has become a refuge for more than 20 aging

film stars. “The later years can maybe be very

difficult, even for former

actresses,” t h e

77-year-old founder told AFP.“I saw some people die in

terrible conditions, so I decided to set up this place.”

Inside the building the shelves are littered with awards and film memorabilia, while fading photos of the women dressed in glamorous outfits from their heydays line the walls.

Today they often dress up in the same outfits and makeup for fun, and they have even set up a dance troupe which performs each year at Myanmar’s water festival celebrations.

“I had nowhere to go (but) here I am happy with my friends,” said resident Moe Thida Moe, 73, who recently suffered a stroke.

“It reminds me of the good

old days.” (AFP)

Home of Myanmar’s abandoned

elderly

An elderly resident (L) of the “Twilight Villa”

An elderly resident of the “Twilight Villa” nursing home smiling as she shows a doll which she keeps as close company at the centre on the edge of Yangon.

An elderly resident


z #PollToday

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

/nobonline/newsofbahrain


Beijing

China said yesterday that it helped the

United States search for an American sailor who fell into the South China Sea -- a rare cooperative gesture in the disputed waters.

“The Chinese Liuzhou naval vessel, which performs combat preparation duties in nearby waters, carried out operational coordination with the US side in the spirit of humanitarianism and in accordance with the ‘Code for Unplanned Maritime

Encounters’,” the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement.

The sailor went missing Tuesday during a joint US-Japanese drill in the South China Sea.

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, the country’s navy, confirmed two of its vessels as well as helicopters have been taking part in the search. The two nations called off their routine joint operation to focus on the search, a Japanese navy spokesman said.

London

Members of a British terror cell who called

themselves the “Three Musketeers” received life sentences on Thursday for plotting an attack against police and military targets. The gang, from the West Midlands in central England, was arrested last August after intelligence operatives went to bug one of the member’s cars, only to find a pipe bomb and

meat cleaver hidden in the boot. Judge Henry Globe in London sentenced Naweed Ali, 29, Khobaib Hussain, 25, and Mohibur Rahman, 33, to serve at least 20 years of the term, following a trial in which the police’s undercover operations came under the spotlight.

Another defendant, Tahir Aziz, 38, was also sentenced to life for the same offence, and will serve a minimum of 15 years in jail.

No other government has done as much for settlement in the land of Israel as the government which I lead,”

Trump names biz-woman McCourt envoy to France

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday named new defence and for-eign ministers as part of a cabinet revamp.

President Donald Trump has nominated California busi-nesswoman Jamie McCourt to become the US ambassa-dor to France.

Police grapple for clues as ‘braid chopping’ continues

Trump says US - Russia ties at all time low. Do you think this could have a serious impact on the economies of both countries?

Yes No Cant Say

China helps US search for missing sailor in S. China

UK ‘Three Musketeers’ terror cell jailed for life

Benjamin Netanyahu,Israeli Prime Minister

Japan PM Abe names new defence, foreign ministers

New Delhi

Police said they were investigating an outbreak

of “braid chopping” that is spooking Indian villagers and has seen a woman murdered amid rumours of witchcraft.

Since July, at least 55 women across five Indian states have reported waking to find their braids mysteriously lopped off, sparking intense speculation around the assaults.

Four new cases were reported on New Delhi’s outskirts on Wednesday, just days after half a dozen

similar cases were reported in Gurgaon, south of the capital.

“We heard her cries, and when we rushed she was lying on the floor unconscious,” said Rohit Yadav, whose 55-year-old mother Monesh Devi fell victim in July in Delhi. “Her chopped off hair was lying next to her.”

A 65-year-old woman murdered by a mob in Agra -- home to the Taj Mahal -- was later branded a witch and accused of using sorcery to slice braids, despite no cases being reported in the city.

Planes collide on Indonesian runway, no casualtiesTwo passenger planes col-lided at an airport in the Indonesian city of Medan on Thursday, an airline spokes-man said.

Zookeepers never expected the 23-year-old giant panda to give birth again when she was moved to a nature reserve in southwest China to live out the rest of her days.

Giant panda gives birth to twins at record 23 years old

Washington

US President Donald Trump said relations

with Russia had hit an all-time and “very dangerous” low Thursday, putting the blame on Congress after he reluctantly approved sanctions against Moscow.

“Our relationship with Russia is at an all-time & very dangerous low,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

“You can thank Congress, the same people that can’t even give us HCare!”, he added in reference to a recent defeat in the Senate on his health care reform plans.

Trump’s outburst came the day after he grudgingly signed off on a sanctions bill that had been passed by Congress, calling the legislation “significantly flawed” and arguing that some of its provisions were unconstitutional.

The legislation -- which also includes measures against North Korea and Iran -- targets the Russian energy sector, giving Washington the ability to sanction companies involved in developing Russian pipelines, and placing curbs on some Russian weapons exporters.

It also constrains Trump’s

ability to waive the penalties, a statement of mistrust from the Republican-controlled Congress.

Moscow has reacted furiously to the sanctions, with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev saying they amounted to a “full-fledged economic war” and that they had demonstrated Trump’s “total weakness.”

Trump’s presidency has been overshadowed by allegations that his campaign team colluded with Moscow during last year’s US presidential campaign in which he defeated Hillary Clinton. (AFP)

Russia ties at all time low: Trump

US President Donald Trump

Tokyo

The escapee is female, weighs 55 kilogrammes

(121 pounds) and has a “gentle” disposition -- but a history of running away.

A Japanese zoo said Thursday it was searching for its giant tortoise, which has escaped for the second time in less than two weeks.

The reptile, measuring about one metre (three feet, three inches) in length, was captured on security cameras as she wandered out of the main entrance of Shibukawa Animal Park in western Japan’s Okayama prefecture on Tuesday morning, according to zoo staffer Yoshimi Yamane.

The tortoise “won’t immediately die because it will eat grass available around the zoo, but we’re all very worried”, Yamane said.

“She’s quiet and gentle,” Yamane said, adding that the

zoo has received no reports of sightings of the approximately 35-year-old tortoise.

Tuesday’s escape was the second time in less than a fortnight that the fleet-footed reptile, which is allowed to walk freely inside the park during opening hours, fled the zoo.

Yamane said it was found walking down the road 150 metres away from the zoo on July 21.

“I spotted her on the way to the zoo. I stopped my car and asked my colleagues to help,” she said.

“She can walk faster than we can ever imagine.”

Fleet-footed giant tortoiseescapes Japan zoo... again

It is the second time the tor-toise, nicknamed ‘Aboo’, has escaped the zoo


Sydney

Two men have been charged with terrorism offences after

Australian police thwarted an alleged plot to blow up a plane, authorities said Thursday, as pilots warned of major airport security gaps despite efforts to tighten screenings.

Four men were arrested in Sydney on Saturday accused of planning an attack using an improvised explosive device, prompting authorities to increase security at airports across the nation.

One of the four was released on Wednesday, while two others -- aged 32 and 49 -- were each charged with two counts of “acts done in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act”, Australian Federal Police said.

They face maximum sentences of life imprisonment if found guilty and are due to appear in a Sydney court on Friday.

The charges came as pilots -- who have to be screened alongside air crew, retail workers and passengers at airports -- said similar requirements were not in place for ground staff, who are instead issued with security cards.

“Pilots and cabin crew are routinely screened along with passengers but a lot of ground staff can access aircraft on the tarmac without the same level of scrutiny,” Australian Airline Pilots Association president Murray Butt said late Wednesday.

“We believe it would enhance airport security if all airline staff who have access to aircraft, were screened to the same level as

personnel entering through the terminal.”

The concerns followed a report by Sydney’s Daily Telegraph citing sources who alleged that the plot involved using an unwitting passenger to carry a bomb onboard, with Etihad Airways confirming this week it was helping the investigation.

Aviation experts have also warned of loopholes, such as the use of private-sector security guards instead of government employees at airports, and no photo ID checks for passengers at domestic terminals.

Butt said Australia needed to emulate the US requirement for photo ID checks for passengers, while a former Sydney Airport security chief said security databases should be linked to booking systems.

“The scary thing is domestic airlines have no idea who is really on their aircraft,” Mike Carmody told The Australian Financial Review.

“There is very little coordination. Unless you happen to be someone who really stands out, you are going to fly right through security.”

‘No room for complacency’In response to calls for ID checks, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Thursday airport security measures were “constantly under review”.

He told reporters in Perth that the times passengers had been advised to arrive at airports would return to normal after being extended in response to the alleged plot which “has

been disrupted and it has been contained”.

Transport Minister Darren Chester defended the current safety measures, saying workers with access to large passenger planes must hold a security card only issued after thorough checks.

“We’ve endeavoured to toughen up regulations around getting access to those cards, and making sure that people who have access to the airport environment are trusted,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“So it’s been recognised that there are issues around the world in relation to the threat provided by the so-called trusted insider... and we are taking measures to keep the Australian travelling public safe.”

Police have until the weekend to hold the fourth man without charge after obtaining a court extension.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said earlier Thursday of the allegations against the men: “The evidence gathered is very strong.”

Australia’s national terror alert level was raised in September 2014 amid concerns over attacks by individuals inspired by organisations such as IS.

A total of 12 attacks, before the latest one, have been prevented in the past few years and 70 people have been charged.

Several terror attacks have taken place in Australia in recent years, including a Sydney cafe siege in 2014 which saw two hostages killed. (AFP)

Two charged over Australia plane plot

Police search for evidence at a block of flats in the Sydney suburb of Lakemba on July 31, 2017, after counter-terrorism raids across the city on the week-end.

Police help screen passengers at Sydney Airport

Police direct locals around a block of flats in the Sydney suburb of Lakemba

Friday, August 4, 2017 21SPORTS

Madrid

Neymar’s world record move to Paris Saint-Germain is set to be completed when the player jets into France

today after the Brazilian paid his 222 million euro ($263.6 million) buyout clause to Barcelona yesterday.

Barca confirmed Neymar’s lawyers “made the payment of 222 million euros in the player’s name” to release him from the five-year contract he signed just last year.

Earlier, Spain’s football league threatened to stall the saga by refusing to accept a cheque presented by Neymar’s representatives at its Madrid headquarters.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has accused the French club of breaching UEFA’s financial fair play rules.

Clubs can be sanctioned by European football’s governing body for making a loss of more than 30 million euros over a three-year period.

However, UEFA insisted the move will not automatically trigger a failure to comply with FFP regulations.

“ T h e transfer of Neymar to PSG will

have an effect

on the club’s finances over several years but the impact of such an operation cannot be judged in advance, notably as PSG could well sell several players for a significant amount,” UEFA said in a statement.

Barca added that they will aid UEFA in any future enquiry into whether the French side fall foul of regulations.

“The club will pass on to UEFA the details of the above operation so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case,” continued the Barca statement.

Neymar is due to arrive in Paris on Friday, according to airport sources, and could be presented at PSG’s Ligue 1 opener at home to Amiens on Saturday although he is unlikely to play.

His new mark is more than double the previous record set by Manchester United’s capture of Paul

Pogba from Juventus last year for 105 million euros, leaving many commentators aghast at the rampant inflation in football transfer fees.

Leading coaches such as Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho lamented that the move could cause even greater

inflation in transfer fees and player wages.“It also looks like the inflation is accelerating,”

said Wenger, whose 21 years at Arsenal have been characterised by prudent spending.

“It’s beyond calculation and beyond rationality.”

‘Transfer of the century’However, in the French capital there is huge

excitement at PSG’s Qatari-backed project landing a star name to finally make them feared among European football’s elite with even French president Emmanuel Macron enthused.

“It adds attractiveness. Yes, it’s good news,” said Macron.

“Neymar to PSG -- the transfer of the century”, splashed Le Parisien’s front page on Thursday with the first five pages devoted to his impending arrival.

The mood is understandably more sombre in Barcelona

where attention has turned to who the Catalans can sign to replace

Neymar in the month before the

t r a n s f e r w i n d o w closes.

Neymar free to completerecord PSG move

Top ten global transfers

France ‘delighted’ at Neymar tax windfallParis

French Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin said he would be

“delighted” at the prospect of Neymar paying tax in France after his expected record-busting transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

“If in fact Neymar does come to a French club, the budget minister will be delighted at the tax that he will be able to pay in France,” Darmanin said on France Inter radio.

“It’s better for this player to pay his tax in France rather than pay it elsewhere,” Darmanin said.

“When you are a minister, your duty is to defend the interests of the state, and the interests of the state are that people pay their tax

in France.”Neymar was expected to arrive

in Paris within days to finalise his world-record 222-million-euro transfer ($260 million) from Barcelona to PSG.

His wages will reportedly triple to 30 million euros ($35.5 million) a year after tax at PSG.

French tax specialist Michel Taly, of the Arsene Taxand law firm, said if that is the case then the club would have to pay the French state a similar sum every year.

“Whichever way you look at it, the state would receive more than 30 million euros a year,” Taly said.

The sum would be split between 15 million euros in income tax on the salary and 15 million euros in social charges, he said.

London

Neymar’s imminent mega-transfer from Barcelona to

Paris Saint-Germain is “beyond calculation and rationality”, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday.

In a reference to PSG’s super-rich Qatari backers, Wenger said the 222 million euros ($260 million) deal was a consequence of what happens when “a country owns a club”.

“For me, it is the consequence of the ownerships and that has completely changed the whole landscape of football in the last 15 years,” he told a press conference at the Emirates Stadium. “Once a country owns a club, everything is possible. “It becomes very difficult to respect the financial fair play because you can have different ways or different interests for a country to have such a big player to represent a country.

“It can’t justify the investments and looks unusual for the game.”

Wenger said Qatar’s use

of football as a vessel for soft diplomacy meant PSG’s owners did not need to worry about whether the transfer represents value for money.

“We are not in a period anymore where you think, in some places: ‘If I invest that, I will get that back.’ We are beyond that,” said the Frenchman.

“The number today involves a lot of passion, pride, public interest and you cannot rationalise that anymore.”

Citing the 1979 transfer from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest of Trevor Francis, who became Britain’s first £1 million ($1.3 million, 1.1 million euros) player, Wenger said fees were now out of control.

“It also looks like the inflation is accelerating,” he said.

“We crossed the 100 million (euros) line last year (when Paul Pogba joined Manchester United from Juventus) and, only one year later, we’re crossing the 200 million line.

Neymar deal ‘beyond rationality’ - Wenger

Neymar

1. 220m euros ($256.54m, £197.42m) -- Neymar (BRA). Barcelona (ESP) to Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), 2017. (deal has yet to be finalised)2. 105m euros -- Paul Pogba (FRA). Juventus (ITA) to Manchester United (ENG), 20163. 100.8m euros -- Gareth Bale (WAL). Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) to Real Madrid (ESP), 20134. 94m euros -- Cristiano Ronaldo (POR). Manchester United (ENG) to Real Madrid (ESP), 2009

5. 90m euros -Gonzalo Higuain (ARG). Napoli (ITA) to Juventus (ITA), 20166. 88.2m euros -- Neymar (BRA). Santos (BRA) to Barcelona (ESP), 20137. 85m euros -- Romelu Lukaku (BEL). Everton (ENG) to Manchester United (ENG), 2017.8. 82.3m euros -- Luis Suarez (URU). Liverpool (ENG) to Barcelona (ESP), 2014.9. 81.7m euros -- Alvaro Morata (ESP). Real Madrid (ESP) to Chelsea (ENG), 2017 10. 79.8m euros -- James Rodriguez (COL). Monaco (FRA) to Real Madrid (ESP), 2014


Madrid

Neymar’s world record move to Paris Saint-Germain is set to be completed when the player jets into France

today after the Brazilian paid his 222 million euro ($263.6 million) buyout clause to Barcelona yesterday.

Barca confirmed Neymar’s lawyers “made the payment of 222 million euros in the player’s name” to release him from the five-year contract he signed just last year.

Earlier, Spain’s football league threatened to stall the saga by refusing to accept a cheque presented by Neymar’s representatives at its Madrid headquarters.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has accused the French club of breaching UEFA’s financial fair play rules.

Clubs can be sanctioned by European football’s governing body for making a loss of more than 30 million euros over a three-year period.

However, UEFA insisted the move will not automatically trigger a failure to comply with FFP regulations.

“ T h e transfer of Neymar to PSG will

have an effect

on the club’s finances over several years but the impact of such an operation cannot be judged in advance, notably as PSG could well sell several players for a significant amount,” UEFA said in a statement.

Barca added that they will aid UEFA in any future enquiry into whether the French side fall foul of regulations.

“The club will pass on to UEFA the details of the above operation so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case,” continued the Barca statement.

Neymar is due to arrive in Paris on Friday, according to airport sources, and could be presented at PSG’s Ligue 1 opener at home to Amiens on Saturday although he is unlikely to play.

His new mark is more than double the previous record set by Manchester United’s capture of Paul

Pogba from Juventus last year for 105 million euros, leaving many commentators aghast at the rampant inflation in football transfer fees.

Leading coaches such as Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho lamented that the move could cause even greater

inflation in transfer fees and player wages.“It also looks like the inflation is accelerating,”

said Wenger, whose 21 years at Arsenal have been characterised by prudent spending.

“It’s beyond calculation and beyond rationality.”

‘Transfer of the century’However, in the French capital there is huge

excitement at PSG’s Qatari-backed project landing a star name to finally make them feared among European football’s elite with even French president Emmanuel Macron enthused.

“It adds attractiveness. Yes, it’s good news,” said Macron.

“Neymar to PSG -- the transfer of the century”, splashed Le Parisien’s front page on Thursday with the first five pages devoted to his impending arrival.

The mood is understandably more sombre in Barcelona

where attention has turned to who the Catalans can sign to replace

Neymar in the month before the

t r a n s f e r w i n d o w closes.

Neymar free to completerecord PSG move

Top ten global transfers

France ‘delighted’ at Neymar tax windfallParis

French Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin said he would be

“delighted” at the prospect of Neymar paying tax in France after his expected record-busting transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

“If in fact Neymar does come to a French club, the budget minister will be delighted at the tax that he will be able to pay in France,” Darmanin said on France Inter radio.

“It’s better for this player to pay his tax in France rather than pay it elsewhere,” Darmanin said.

“When you are a minister, your duty is to defend the interests of the state, and the interests of the state are that people pay their tax

in France.”Neymar was expected to arrive

in Paris within days to finalise his world-record 222-million-euro transfer ($260 million) from Barcelona to PSG.

His wages will reportedly triple to 30 million euros ($35.5 million) a year after tax at PSG.

French tax specialist Michel Taly, of the Arsene Taxand law firm, said if that is the case then the club would have to pay the French state a similar sum every year.

“Whichever way you look at it, the state would receive more than 30 million euros a year,” Taly said.

The sum would be split between 15 million euros in income tax on the salary and 15 million euros in social charges, he said.

London

Neymar’s imminent mega-transfer from Barcelona to

Paris Saint-Germain is “beyond calculation and rationality”, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday.

In a reference to PSG’s super-rich Qatari backers, Wenger said the 222 million euros ($260 million) deal was a consequence of what happens when “a country owns a club”.

“For me, it is the consequence of the ownerships and that has completely changed the whole landscape of football in the last 15 years,” he told a press conference at the Emirates Stadium. “Once a country owns a club, everything is possible. “It becomes very difficult to respect the financial fair play because you can have different ways or different interests for a country to have such a big player to represent a country.

“It can’t justify the investments and looks unusual for the game.”

Wenger said Qatar’s use

of football as a vessel for soft diplomacy meant PSG’s owners did not need to worry about whether the transfer represents value for money.

“We are not in a period anymore where you think, in some places: ‘If I invest that, I will get that back.’ We are beyond that,” said the Frenchman.

“The number today involves a lot of passion, pride, public interest and you cannot rationalise that anymore.”

Citing the 1979 transfer from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest of Trevor Francis, who became Britain’s first £1 million ($1.3 million, 1.1 million euros) player, Wenger said fees were now out of control.

“It also looks like the inflation is accelerating,” he said.

“We crossed the 100 million (euros) line last year (when Paul Pogba joined Manchester United from Juventus) and, only one year later, we’re crossing the 200 million line.

Neymar deal ‘beyond rationality’ - Wenger

Neymar

1. 220m euros ($256.54m, £197.42m) -- Neymar (BRA). Barcelona (ESP) to Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), 2017. (deal has yet to be finalised)2. 105m euros -- Paul Pogba (FRA). Juventus (ITA) to Manchester United (ENG), 20163. 100.8m euros -- Gareth Bale (WAL). Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) to Real Madrid (ESP), 20134. 94m euros -- Cristiano Ronaldo (POR). Manchester United (ENG) to Real Madrid (ESP), 2009

5. 90m euros -Gonzalo Higuain (ARG). Napoli (ITA) to Juventus (ITA), 20166. 88.2m euros -- Neymar (BRA). Santos (BRA) to Barcelona (ESP), 20137. 85m euros -- Romelu Lukaku (BEL). Everton (ENG) to Manchester United (ENG), 2017.8. 82.3m euros -- Luis Suarez (URU). Liverpool (ENG) to Barcelona (ESP), 2014.9. 81.7m euros -- Alvaro Morata (ESP). Real Madrid (ESP) to Chelsea (ENG), 2017 10. 79.8m euros -- James Rodriguez (COL). Monaco (FRA) to Real Madrid (ESP), 2014

SPORTSFriday, August 4, 201722

Manama

Javier Gomez will attempt to back up at World Triathlon Series

(WTS) Montreal this weekend after racing in Edmonton, Canada, while Brent McMahon and Ben Hoffman respectively take a tilt at Ironman 70.3 Philippines and Ironman 70.3 Boulder in their lead-up to Kona.

Gomez recorded a respectable sixth place last week and came down ill post-race. He says, “Never felt good but fought hard to finish the best I could. Felt weird in Edmonton and then I’ve been a bit sick after the race.” The Spaniard now hopes he’s shaken off the bug to do well in the first WTS race held in Montreal. This will be held across the standard distance, right in his wheelhouse.

McMahon will be racing the

Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Cebu City only two weeks after winning Ironman Lake Placid, but the Canadian is a seasoned campaigner and is confident in how his body will back up. “Rest is the key to success backing up races so I’ve taken good care of the body and I’ll be coming round just in time for Cebu,” he says. “I love the event and organisers so it’s exciting to be coming back and off a big win. I’ve won here before so I know what needs to be done. This will be a great step in the preparations for Kona.”

Hoffman is racing close to home at Ironman 70.3 Boulder, Colorado, US after returning from a training camp in Kona. The 2014 runner-up is now putting the finishing touches on his long preparation for the Ironman World Championship.

IAAF world: 26-member team to fightfor Kingdom

Bahrain squad:Men: 1. Zouhair Aouad (5,000 metres), 2. Birhanu Balew (5,000 metres), 3. Hassan Chani (Marathon), 4. Abraham Cheroben (10,000 metres), 5. Shumi Deehasa (Marathon), 6. Andrew Fisher (100 metres), 7. Sadiq Mikhou (1,500 metres), 8. Albert Kibichii Rop (5,000 metres), 9. Benson Kiplagat Seurel (1,500 metres), 10. Salem Yaqoob Eid (200 metres).

Women: 1. Oluwakemi Adekoya (400 metres), 2. Mimi Belete (5,000 metres), 3. Rose Chelimo (Marathon), 4. Eunice Chumba (Marathon), 5. Shitaye Eshete (10,000 metres), 6. Tigest Getent (3,000 metres steeplechase), 7. Kalkidan Gezahegne (5,000 metres), 8. Noora Salem Jassim (Shot Put), 9. Ruth Jebet (3,000 metres steeplechase), 10. Eunice Kirwa (Marathon), 11. Desi Mokonin (10,000 metres), 12. Salwa Eid Naser (400 metres), 13. Edidiong Odiong (200 metres), 14. Bontu Rebitu (5,000 metres), 15. Winfred Mutile Yavi (3,000 metres steeplechase), 16. Aminat Yusuf Jamal (400 metres hurdles).


Bahrain will be represented by a 26-strong member team when the IAAF World Championships get

underway today in London, UK and conclude on 13 August. The Bahraini team is comprised of 10 male and 16 female athletes and are spearheaded by 2016 Rio De Janeiro 3,000 metres steeplechase gold medal winner and Eunice Kirwa who won the silver medal in the women’s marathon.

Bahrain’s athletes in action

BTF summer camp beginsManama

Bahrain Tennis Federation (BTF) has begun a

summer training camp for juniors under the head of the technical committee Abdul Jalil Mohammed Humaidan, Board

Member in the framework of the BTF efforts to develop Bahraini tennis. Around 20 players both boys and girls registered between the ages of five years to 12 years and do around five hours a week training over a 15-day period

from Sunday to Wednesday under the supervision of BTF coaches at its tennis courts of Bahrain Polytechnic University in Isa Town.

The camp comes under the plans and programmers of the

International Tennis Federation for the development of tennis in the West Asia region, which is supported by providing tools and balls and raquets under the Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) programme.

Real top All-starsin shootoutChicago

Marcelo scored on the decisive penalty kick as La Liga and

Champions League title holders Real Madrid took a shootout victory Wednesday over the Major League Soccer All-Stars. Real Madrid played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time in the MLS All-Star Game before taking the shootout 4-2 before a sellout crowd of 61,000 at Soldier Field, the home stadium of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

Borja Mayoral opened the scoring in the 59th minute for Real Madrid, which controlled possession of the ball throughout the contest. Real will now return to Europe to meet Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup in Macedonia on August 8, then take on Barcelona in the two-legged Spanish Super Cup on August 13 and 16 before opening the La Liga season on Aug 20.

Injured Sharapova pulls out of TorontoMontreal

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria

Sharapova withdrew yesterday from next week’s WTA Rogers Cup tournament in Toronto with a sore left forearm, Tennis Canada announced.

The move came a day after the former world number one from Russia withdrew from the WTA event in Stanford, California, before a second-round match.

“I am so sorry to be missing the Rogers Cup this year,” Sharapova said. “I am so appreciative to the tournament for the wild card and my fans in Toronto for their support.

“I am disappointed that injury is keeping me from the tennis court once again and I

will work as hard as I can to return to the game I love as soon as possible.”

The injury will cast further doubt over Sharapova’s participation at the US Open, the last Grand Slam event of the season which starts in New York on August 28.

Due to her low ranking, Sharapova would also need a wild card to play in the main draw of the tournament.

Sharapova suffered the injury while playing in her first US match in more than two years, defeating American Jennifer Brady 6-1, 4-6, 6-0 in her Monday opener at Stanford. She had not played in the US since March of 2015 due in part to a 15-month doping suspension.

Participants with organisers and coaches at the camp

Maria Sharapova of Russia

FarahLondon

Mo Farah will like another

athletics superstar Usain Bolt bring the curtain down on his track career at the world championships with he hopes a final

double golden flourish.The 34-year-old

Somalia-born Briton -- who will switch

his focus to road running -- can

capture his 10th successive world

or Olympic title in the 10000 metres today.

Then he hopes to bow out in style on the track in London where he achieved his first Olympic

double in 2012 with the 5000m on Saturday week.

That will bring to an end a six year spell where like Bolt in the sprints Farah has dominated.

He broke up the previous hegemony of the Kenyans and Ethiopians, lifting his exploits up above those of legends such

as Paavo Nurmi, Lasse Viren, Emil Zatopek, Haile Gebrselassie and

Kenenisa Bekele.However whilst many question how

will the sport cope without Bolt and his engaging showmanship -- lightning bolt and all -- perhaps unfairly the same has not been said about the vacuum that Farah will leave in his wake.

Despite his achievements -- Olympic (2012/16) and world doubles (2013/15) at 5000m and 10000m -- the British public have been left largely unmoved.

Only once, in 2011, has he reached the top three in the popular vote for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year poll.

It prompted British triathlon star Alistair Brownlee to decry the glaring omission for an athlete whose exploits were recognised by Queen Elizabeth II who bestowed a knighthood on him.

Whilst Brownlee put it down to Farah perhaps not being considered British -- he came from war-torn Somalia via Djibouti with his mother (Amran) and two of his five siblings aged eight to England to join their father Muktar -- doping claims made about his US-based coach Alberto

Salazar, since proved to be false, may have had an impact.

Farah, though, is used to adversity having been separated from his twin brother Hassan for 12 years until he returned to Somalia for the latter’s wedding.

‘I wasn’t focused’“It was difficult to adapt to London

at first but when you’re aged eight, you somehow find a way,” Farah told ‘The Big Issue’, the weekly magazine which is sold by the homeless last year.

“I was good at running so the kids liked me for that. If I hadn’t been into running I wouldn’t have made friends, met so many people and learned the language as quickly as I did.”

“I wasn’t focused when I was 16,” he told ‘The Big Issue’.

“I was just chilling out, going to school, seeing my friends. I wasn’t taking running seriously. “I’m not complaining but now I think if I’d listened to my coach more then maybe I could have been more successful. I could have won more medals.” (AFP)

bids for final double


golden fanfare

Klitschko ends Joshua rematch hopesBerlin

Ukraine’s former world heavyweight champion

Wladimir Klitschko announced his retirement from boxing yesterday to scupper any hopes of a November rematch against Britain’s Anthony Joshua.

Hamburg-based Klitschko, 41, hangs up his gloves as one of the all-time greats of the ring after a nine-and-a-half year reign as heavyweight champion, which was ended in 2015 and his last two fights ended in defeat.

He is behind only the great Joe Louis as the second-longest serving heavyweight champion of all time having enjoyed 18 consecutive defences over a nine-year span. Louis made 26 title defences between 1937 and 1949.

Klitschko, nicknamed ‘Dr Steelhammer’ due to the PhD he

holds, won super-heavyweight gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

After turning professional, he was the undisputed world champion from 2006-2015, a period in which he held several belts.

His reign was ended two years ago when he finally lost to Britain’s Tyson Fury on points.

Klitschko’s last fight was in April when he was stopped by Joshua in the 11th round of the WBA title fight in front of 90,000 at Wembley Stadium in London in a hard-fought bout in which both fighters hit the canvas.

Klitschko’s retirement dashes a mooted blockbuster rematch with Joshua possibly in Las Vegas in November.

‘End of an era’Such was the interest in Klitschko’s

announcement that the demand crashed his website on Thursday morning.

“After my last fight against Anthony Joshua, I deliberately took the time to make a decision,” said Klitschko, whose elder brother Vitali, 46, is also a former world heavyweight boxing champion.

“I never thought I’d have such a long and incredibly successful boxing career, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” he told his fans in a statement.

Klitschko bows out with a record of 64 wins and five defeats with 54 knock-out wins in 69 professional bouts.

“This retirement marks the end of an era that is unrivaled in the sporting world,” said Frank Hoffmann, the head of RTL who broadcast Klitschko’s fights in Germany.

Wladimir Klitschko of the Ukraine

Britain’s Mo Farah runs to the line to win the men’s 3000m during the IAAF Diamond League Anniversary Games athletics meeting at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park stadium in Stratford, east London

Farah, who is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Tania and 4 children which includes twin girls born after his Olympic double, will bow out with few regrets at least save that had he been more disci-plined early on his legacy would be even greater.

Colombo

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane

hit centuries as India took opening day honours on 344-3 at stumps against Sri Lanka in the second

Test in Colombo yesterday. Pujara (128) and Rahane

(103) put on an unbeaten 211-run partnership for the fourth

wicket to thwart Sri Lankan bowlers who struck two crucial blows in the afternoon session.

The in-form Pujara registered his 13th Test century in his landmark 50th

game as Rahane fired his ninth Test hundred.

The visitors, who lead the three-match series 1-0, wobbled slightly when Lokesh

Rahul went for 57 and skipper Virat Kohli followed for 13 soon after lunch.

Rahul, who scored his eighth Test fifty despite only just recovering from a virus, was run out in a mix-up with Pujara.

“I was disappointed because I have been away from the game so long and I didn’t want to get out at all,” he told reporters at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground.

He said knowing the team was waiting for his return post recovery “made a big difference and I came back with a lot more confidence”.

“The pitch was on the slower side and would turn as the Test went on,” he added.

Bounce-back timeVeteran left-arm spinner spinner Rangana Herath sent Kohli trudging back to the pavilion with a tossed-up delivery that got the edge of the captain’s bat and went to slip.

Pujara and Rahane ground out the runs to deny Dinesh Chandimal’s side any more wickets during the day.

Pujara, who scored 153 in the first innings of the opening Test, hit 10 fours and a six.

Rahane also tackled the spinners with aplomb, using his feet to great effect during his 168-ball stay at the crease so far.

Sri Lanka’s interim coach Nic Pothas praised Rahane for his gritty knock but conceded the squad didn’t maintain pressure on the world’s top Test team.

“Rahane came and played very well. From that point onwards we didn’t perhaps execute as well as we had done up to that point,” said the former South Africa player.

“We just released the pressure a little bit. That was the turning session. India got momentum back. This is the day one and it’s Test match cricket. It’s about how you bounce back.”

In the morning session, off-spinner Dilruwan Perera had Shikhar Dhawan trapped lbw for 35 after the tourists elected to bat first.

Debutant left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara was still searching for his first Test scalp as paceman Nuwan Pradeep had to leave the field due to a suspected pulled hamstring. The hosts need at least a draw to stay alive in the series. (AFP)

SPORTS

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P23 Farah bids for final double golden fanfare

Pujara, Rahanetons put India in control

Scoreboard:India 1st inningsS. Dhawan lbw b Perera 35L. Rahul run out (Chandimal/Dickwella) 57C. Pujara not out 128V. Kohli c Mathews b Herath 13A. Rahane not out 103Extras (b4, nb1, lb3) 8Total (3 wickets; 90 overs) 344

· 4/8/2017 · a question is posted weekly and a bd50 award is allocated for the winner. the...

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