· pdf filecommander-in-chief of the bahrain defence force ... mohammed al najjar...

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200 FilsTuesday, December 26, 2017 Issue No. 7607

P06

‘2018 BCCI electionto be mostunpredictable’

P08

Prominent businessmanManoj Bhatia passes away

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Gas cylinder blast suspect arrested

Terror cell behind the assassination plot of the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force

Leadership

Group in charge of training the terrorists

Preparation and planning

Field execution group

Murtada Majeed Ramadan Alawi ..(Alsindi)Operation mastermind..Fled-Currently in Iran

Habeeb Abdullah Hassan Ali-(Aljamri)Planned the operation ..Currently in Iraq

Mohammed Abdulhassan Al Metghawi –led the

operation-Arrested

Mohamed kadhem Zeineldin (communication point

-Passed away)

Sayed Alawi Hussain Alawi Hussain –field executor -Arrested

Mohammed Abdulhassan Ahmed Almetghawi-operation leader-Arrested

Sayed Alawi Hussain Alawi Hussain –Field executor-Arrested

Sayed Mohammed Qassim –terrorism acts

trainer-Fled

Hussain Ali Mohsen Baddaw-terrorist

trainee-Fled

Ali Jaffar Hassan Al Rayes –terrorist trainee-Fled

Mohammed Yousef Marhoon Al Ajmi –

terrorism trainer -Arrested

Hussain Mohammed Ahmed Shehab-terrorism

trainee-Arrested

Mohammed Abdulwahid Mohammed Al Najjar –terrorism trainee-

Arrested

Mohammed Abdulhassan Saleh Al Shehabi-

Terrorism trainer--Arrested

Mubarak Adel Mubarak Mahanna –Operation

executor-Arrested

Fadhel Al Sayed Abbas Hassan Radhi –in charge

of recruiting-Arrested

Fadhel Al Sayed Abbas Hassan Radhi –in charge

of recruiting-Arrested

Mubarak Adel Mubarak Mahanna- operation

executor-Arrested

DT News NetworkManama

The Military High Court yesterday sentenced

six persons to death for forming a terrorist cell and plotting to assassinate BDF Commander-in-Chief and other terror crimes. The court also sentenced them to 15 years in jail and revoked their Bahraini nationality.

The men sentenced to capital punishment are: Mubarak Adel Mubarak Mahanna (Soldier); Fadhel Al Sayed Abbas Hassan Radhi; Sayed Alawi Hussain Alawi Hussain; Mohammed Abdulhassan Ahmed Al Metghawi; Murtada Majeed Ramadan Alawi (Al Sindi); and Habeeb Abdullah Hassan Ali (Al Jamri).

Only 10 of the defendants are in custody while the other eight are on the run — either inside Bahrain or in Iran or Iraq, said a statement. A total of 18 men were involved in the terror case.

“The defendants were accused with the formation of a terrorist cell, attempting to assassinate the BDF Commander-in-Chief and committing other terrorist crimes,” said a statement.

One of the sentenced was a serving soldier before his arrest and that all six were also stripped of their citizenship. The military court also convicted and sentenced

seven others to seven years in jail and stripped them of their Bahraini nationality.

They are: Mohammed Abdulhassan Saleh Al Shehabi; Mohammed Abdulwahid Mohammed Al Najjar; Hussain Mohammed Ahmed Shehab; Mohammed Yousef Marhoon Al Ajmi; Hussain Ali Mohsen Baddaw; Sayed Mohammed Qassim Mohammed; and Ali Jaffar Hassan Al Rayes.

The court also acquitted five accused. They are: Ali Ahmed Khalifa Salman (Al Karbabadi); Hussain Essam Hussain Al Durazi; Muntazhir Fawzi Abdulkareem Mahdi; Rami Ahmed Ali Al Aryash; and Mohamed Abdullah Ebrahim Abbas.

All the judicial sureties were granted by the Military Judiciary in compliance with the 2002 Criminal Procedures Law and the 2002 Military Judiciary Law, including access to defence lawyers.

“The defendants have the right to challenge the ruling of the court of the first instance at the Military Appeals High Court and the Military Court of Cassation, according to the provisions of the law.

Representatives of human rights institutions and societies and media and several relatives of the defendants attended the court session.

(Continued on Page 2, 3)

Six get death formurder attemptSeven others sentenced to seven years in jailFive of the accused acquitted

10 of the sentenced in custody, eight on the runRuling subject to appeal in higher courts


The Director-General of Northern Governorate

Police has announced the arrest of one of those suspected to be involved in the Demistan gas cylinder blast in which a civilian car was damaged. He said the Public Prosecutor had been notified and the investigation would continue to identify and arrest the remaining suspects.

He also said that after the case was reported, the forensic and crime scene teams were deployed to the site along with the security authorities concerned to gather evidence.

2 Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Plot to kill BDF chief The Commander-in-Chief of BDF was the target of the terror cell The conspiracy to

kill Bahrain Defence Force chief was hatched in 2016. Security services

involved in fighting terrorism busted the plot following intelligence inputs

Mubarak Adel Mubarak Muhanna was chosen to carry out the assassination

The cell promised 100,000 dinars, if he succeeded in executing the operation Bahrain Defence Force Commander-in-Chief Marshall

Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa

3Tuesday, December 26, 2017

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The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain | 1758 6401 [email protected]

was hatched in 2016Continued from Page 1

According to case files, the murder conspiracy

was hatched in 2016 when security services involved in combating terrorism received intelligence about the existence of a terrorist cell planning a major terror act. Intensive investigations of the cell revealed that it was being funded by terrorist elements residing in Iran and Iraq, headed by Murtada Majid Ramadan Alawi (Al-Sindi), who was sentenced in 9 terrorist cases, including two life sentences in the two cases of conspiracy and establishment of a terrorist organization, which planned to assassinate the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force, with the assistance of Habib Abdullah Hassan (Al Jamri) and Ali Ahmed Khalifa (Karbabadi). The terror cell involved 18 members who were sentenced for previous terror acts.

Security forces at the BDF involved in combatting terrorism monitored terrorist elements and identified places where they received their military training, including shooting and vandalism training, and places where they hid weapons. Eleven suspects were arrested and 8 others were found to have fled.

Members of the cell initially targeted an individual to exploit for the attempted assassination of the Commander-in-Chief. Mubarak Adel Mubarak Muhanna was

chosen by the cell as he he had already completed his military training five months ago. Mubarak’s drug abuse background made it easier to get recruited. He was later tempted with money and women which enabled the cell to persuade him to carry out the task by using his military weapon and to engage in military exercises for the members of the terrorist cell, where he was paid for every training he attended. He also participated in demonstrations and riots against the police as well as religious events and

parades. The cell promised to give him 100 000 Bahraini dinars, in case he succeeded in executing the operation, whether the assassination of the Commander-in-Chief or injuring him.

He then began executing the initial stages of the operation after receiving an amount of 1000 dinars and two phones received from the accused Sayed Alawi Hussein Alawi .

In the confessions of the accused, it was revealed that the cell consisted of four groups, beginning with the leadership of Mortada al-Sindi, Habib al-Jamri, and then the preparation and planning group, Muhammad Kazem Mohsen Ali Nasser, who died during his attack on the police forces during the clearance of Deraz on May 24, Murtada al-Sindi, who is in Iran, and Habib al-Jamri, who is in Iraq.

Sindi asked him to communicate with Mohammed al-Metghawi, “the

second person in the planning and planning group” to recruit terrorist elements to carry out the assassination.

Almetghawi is considered to be an active member of the dissolved Al-Wefaq Society and is known as the “leader of the assassination” based on the instructions sent to him by Murtada al-Sindi from Iran and Habib al-Jamri in Iraq, who established and managed the terrorist cell.

He also provided the cell with funds and the necessary tools to carry out the operations required of them. He has several precedents in the cases of gathering and assaulting policemen .

The Field execution group consisted of Alawi Hussein Alawi, a member of the Al-Wefaq Society, who is the field commander and who established and managed the terrorist cell.

The second defendant, Fadil Al-Sayyed Abbas, chose the first accused, Mubarak Adel,

to carry out the assassination. He also participated in acts of vandalism and riot against security forces. He also had criminal precedents.

Fadhil al-Sayyed Abbas, the recruitment officer of the terrorist cell, chose the first defendant, Mubarak Adel, and is considered the first defendant in the case to carry out the assassination.

The terrorist training group, led by Mohammad Hassan Almetghawi and Alawi Hussain Alawi, was composed of 13 people. Its leaders and 8 others were arrested, while 5 were remaining. Some of the accused were found to belong to terrorist organizations Al-Ashtar and Al-Mukhtar cells. Asbaghiyat newspaper has revealed that the 12th defendant Mohammed Yousef Marhoun Al-Ajmi, nicknamed Dabas, was sentenced to 124 years in prison and 46 years in prison for the accused Rami Ali Ahmed (Al-Aryash) .

The terrorist training module, led by Mohammad Hassan

Almetghawi and Alawi Hussain Alawi, was composed of 13

people. Its leaders and 8 others were arrested


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

Ahdeya AhmedDeputy-Editor-in-Chief

Here we are today witnessing the verdict issued by the High Military Court in a case of an attempt to assassinate BDFs

Commander-in-Chief and committing other terrorist crimesEighteen members of a terrorist cell, 10 of whom appeared in

custody and eight were fugitives in Bahrain or abroad in Iran and Iraq were given different sentences yesterday ranging from capital punishment, 15 years in jail and the revoking their Bahraini nationality.

We have always called for the strictest yet fairest verdicts to be issued regarding people involved in terrorist acts and we do see the results today.

Two issues we need to closely look at here.The fact that one of the convicted was a soldier and a few others

were members of the dissolved Al Wefaq Islamic Party.As much as it is interesting, it is not shocking to see member of

Al Wefaq society involved.They are the same party that has involved other member

convicted of various crimes and behind prison bars now.Al Wefaq was therefore neither an Islamic nor a political party.And when its members are convicted of crimes, treason and

terrorism, nothing more needs to be said or requires further analysis.

Fact number two is that one of the terrorists is a soldier. I won’t even go to the oath taken as a soldier because people with minds of terrorists know nothing about what an oath is all about.

Now going back to the verdicts issued on members of the cell living in Iran and Iraq, both countries in which Bahrainis were trained to commit acts of terrorism. These two countries stances towards Bahrain before, during and after our crisis have been extremely destructive.

And instead of paying attention to their own internal issues which we as a country never interfered in, they train our people to commit terrorist acts here.

Only two weeks ago I saw for myself what happened to Iraq. It is torn apart and their economy is destroyed. The political parties continue to tear it apart because they all want shares. Iran is a different issue. The revolutionary guard has managed to rule this country for 39 years now and Iran instead of enhancing its ties with its Gulf neighbors succeeded in becoming an enemy. Instead of focusing on its internal issues and giving their people a better standard of life, Irans supreme leader and its regime continues to harbor terrorists and train Bahrainis to commit acts of terrorism in Bahrain.

Finally, what we need to see soon is a different approach towards countries that harbor and train terrorists. This has to eventually stop.

Death sentences and behind the bars….

Bahrain will stand firmly ‘with allies’

Manama

Bahrain will stand firmly with its allies in

combating terrorism and its financing resources, said Deputy King HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa in a joint statement issued yesterday.

Speaking during a meeting held at Qudaibiya Palace, Their Royal Highnesses welcomed the international community’s understanding to the danger of terrorism and its effect on the security in the region.

Prince Salman and HRH the Prime Minister highlighted Bahrain’s appreciation of the UK Parliament decision designating a number of

outlawed Bahraini groups as terrorist organisations.

The meeting reviewed government plans and

development programmes and highlighted government’s keenness to promote initiatives supportive to the

optimum use of energy, including new and renewable energy in support of environmental protection.


His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince

Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa yesterday announced Bahrain’s keenness to further enhancing the deep-rooted fraternal relations binding Bahrain and Oman.

During a reception held at the Qudaibiya Palace for Oman’s Shura Chairman Khalid bin Hilal Al-Mawali and his accompanying delegation, HRH the PM stressed that the “exchange of visits contributes in boosting bilateral relations and broadening cooperation

in various areas”. The Premier asked Oman’s Shura Chairman to convey his regards to Sultan Qaboos bin Said and Omani people. The Prime Minister commended the development witnessed by Oman in various fields while highlighting Bahrain’s eagerness to expand cooperation in the interests of both countries.

Oman’s Shura Chairman conveyed greetings of HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman and wishes of further development and prosperity to the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people.

He praised the longstanding

bilateral relations enhanced by close cooperation at various levels, wishing Bahrain and its people durable progress and wellbeing.

Separately, the visiting delegation held discussions with Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa

at the BDF General Command, Council of Representatives Speaker Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Mulla and several other top officials and Royal Family members. The delegation also visited the BDF Museum where they were received by Director of Media and Moral Guidance, Brigadier Mohammed Qatarmi Al-Kubaisi.

A’Ali Disability Complex:70pc works completedManama

One of the biggest and the most specialised

complexes for the differently abled people in the Middle East, the Comprehensive Disability Complex in A’Ali, is nearing completion, said a top Works Ministry official.

W o r k s A f f a i r s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ahmed Al Khayyat said the $23 million project, capable of accommodating 450 persons

and 160 administrative persons in the main building, is now more than 70 per cent completed.

The project, funded by Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development, is expecting completion in April 2018.

“It will help tackling the needs of people with special needs and providing them with the chance to improve their abilities and engage in the community,” said Al Khayyat during a visit to the complex.

Strengthening tiesBahrain, Oman mull ways to

enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors

Deputy King HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Prime Miniter HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa during a discussion held at Qudaibiya Palace yesterday.

Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa with Oman Shura Chairman Khalid bin Hilal Al-Mawali and his accompanying

delegation


Safeguarding Bahrain

Cabinet pledges to implement HM King’s vision to safeguard Kingdom


His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa

bin Salman Al Khalifa yesterday said that the government will take all measures to implement His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision to safeguard Bahrain against the forces of destruction and division and achieve new milestones in development.

Chairing the Cabinet session at the Gudaibiya Palace yesterday, HRH Prime Minister lauded the Royal keynote address to the nation on the occasion of the National Days, stressing the government’s keenness on carrying on the development march, noting that the progress pace has accelerated during HM the King’s prosperous era.

The session also extended sincere thanks and appreciation to the citizens and residents for the feelings of joy and happiness they had expressed while participating in the festivities marking the glorious National Days.

Southern city housing Then, the cabinet lauded King Hamad’s order to name the Southern City housing projects, linking Askar, Jau, Al-Dur and their suburbs, as the “Khalifa City”. After that, the session wished Bahrain and its people further progress, prosperity and stability marking the new Gregorian year, 2018, expressing hope that peace and security will prevail across the world.

In another context, the Cabinet welcomed the UK Parliament’s recommendation to the British government to designate outlawed Bahraini groups as terrorist organisations. It also valued highly the anti-terror efforts exerted by the UK government.

CondemnedThen, the session strongly condemned the ballistic missile attack carried out by the militias in Yemen on civilians in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, describing it as a hostile cowardly attack aimed

at subverting Saudi Arabia’s security and stability.

The session lauded the competence of the Saudi air defence and its success in intercepting the missile, reiterating Bahrain’s standing with Saudi Arabia and full-fledged support for all the measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability.

Airport attackThe Cabinet condemned the terrorist attack that had targeted Al-Arish Airport in Egypt, expressing support for the measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability against the danger of terrorism.

Health services On health, HRH the Prime Minister gave directives to strengthen the monitoring system in public and private hospitals to reduce the spread of any infection acquired in them. The Minister of Health was instructed to submit a report on the precautionary measures adopted to prevent infection in hospitals and health centres.

No to plastic bags Then, HRH the Prime Minister gave directives to limit wrong practices that affect the land and marine environment. In this regard, the Premier instructed the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to cooperate with the Supreme Council for Environment to develop a plan to avoid the use of the plastic bags.

Instructions were also given to find alternatives for plastic bags and to develop e n v i r o n m e n t - f r i e n d l y standards for its use.

Bird flu diseaseThe Prime Minister gave directives to the Ministry of Health and the competent departments in the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to increase precautionary measures to prevent the transmission of the

bird flu disease, as well as to intensify awareness campaigns.

In another context, The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to follow up on the needs of fishermen in Umm Al-Hassam regarding the provision of harbour securing. The same ministry was asked to take necessary measures regarding the complaints of the Salhia citizens about activities that violate the purpose of land allocation programme and the damage it caused to environmental and health.

Approved a draft-law on amending some provisions of Law 33/2006 on sewage disposal and surface water drainage, referred to the Legislative Branch as per a royal decree in 2013.

Endorsed a proposal to appoint military, security and human rights attachés at Bahrain’s embassies.

Returned to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs a draft government reply to a proposal on rules and regulations of travelling to some countries which pose a threat to Bahrain’s security and stability.

Referred to Council of Representatives:• A draft-law on amending some

provisions of Law 20/2002 with respect to the Regulation of Fishing and Exploitation of Marine Resources,

• A draft-law on adding a new article to Decree-Law 40/1999 on GCC citizens’ ownership of built real estates and lands,

• Two draft-laws on amending Articles (3) and (5) of Law 74/2006 on the welfare, rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

Other decisionsHealth care MoU

Net Metering

An MoU on cooperation in the field of health care between Bahrain’s Ministry of Health and India’s Health and Family Welfare Ministry was discussed and referred to ministerial committee during the session. The move followed a memorandum presented by the Minister of Health.

The Cabinet approved a draft-resolution regulating the linking of renewable energy to the electricity distribution network at the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), in order to implement the “Net Metering” System.

“Recommended by the Executive Committee, the draft-resolution regulates the mechanism of linking the electricity produced from renewable energy, including solar power, to the government electricity network,” a memorandum presented by the Electricity and Water Affairs Minister said.

The session also approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on renewable energy to be signed by the Electricity and Water Affairs Ministry in Bahrain and the Ministry of Renewable Energy in India.

The minister in charge of electricity and water was mandated to sign the MoU.


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

Information communication technology is revolutionizing products. Once composed solely of mechanical and electrical parts, products

have become complex systems that combine hardware, sensors, data storage, microprocessors, software, and connectivity in myriad ways. These “smart, connected products”-made possible by vast improvements in processing power and device miniaturization and by the network benefits of ubiquitous wireless connectivity-have unleashed a new era of competitions.

Smart, connected products offer exponentially expanding opportunities for new functionality, far greater reliability, much higher product utilization, and capabilities that cut across and transcend traditional product boundaries. The changing nature of products is also disrupting value chains, forcing companies to rethink and retool nearly everything they do internally.

These new types of products alter industry structure and the nature of competitions, exposing companies to new competitive opportunities and threats. They are reshaping industry boundaries and creating entirely new industries. In many companies, smart, connected products will force the fundamental question, “What business am I in?”

Smart, connected products raise a new set of strategic choices related to how value is created and captured, how the prodigious amount of new. data they generate is utilized and managed, how relationships with traditional business partners such as channels are redefined, and what role companies should play as industry boundaries are expanded.

The phrase “internet of things” has arisen to reflect the growing number of smart, connected products and highlight the new opportunities they can represent. Yet this phrase is not very helpful in understanding the phenomenon or its implications. The internet, whether involving people to things, is simply a mechanism for transmitting information. What makes smart, connected products fundamentally different is not the internet, but the changing nature of the “things.” It is the expanded capabilities of smart, connected products and the data they generate that are ushering in a new era of competition.

The Third Wave of IT-Driven CompetitionTwice before over the past 50 years, information technology radically reshaped competition and strategy; we now stand at the brink of a third transformation. Before the advent of modern information technology, products were mechanical and activities in the value chain were performed using manual paper processes and verbal communication. The first wave of IT, during the 1960s and 1970s, automated individual activities in the value chain, from order processing and bill paying to computer-aided design and manufacturing resource planning. The productivity of activities dramatically increased, in part because huge amounts of new data could be captured and analysed in each activity. This led to the standardization of processes across companies and raised a dilemma for companies about how to capture IT’s operational benefits while maintaining distinctive strategies.

The rise of the internet, with its inexpensive and ubiquitous connectivity, unleashed the second wave of IT-driven transformation, in the 1980s and 1990s. This enabled coordination and integration across individual activities; with outside suppliers, channels, and customers; and across geography. It allowed firms, for example, to closely integrate globally distributed supply chains.

The first two waves gave rise to huge productivity gains and growth across the economy. While the value chain was transformed, however, products themselves were largely unaffected.

Now, in the third wave, IT is becoming an integral part of the product itself, Embedded sensors, processors, software and connectivity in products, coupled with a product cloud in which product data is stored and analysed and some applications are run, are driving dramatic improvements in product functionality and performance. Massive amounts of new product-usage data enable many of those improvements.

Another leap in productivity in the economy will be unleashed by these new and better products I addition, producing them will reshape the value chain yet again, by changing product design, marketing, manufacturing, and after-sale service and by creating the need for new activities such as product data analytics and security. This will drive yet another wave of value-chain-based productivity improvement. The third wave of IT-driven transformation thus has the potential to be the biggest yet, triggering even more innovation, productivity gains, and economic growth than the previous two.

Waves of Technology

‘2018 BCCI election to be mostunpredictable’

Mohammed Zafran/[email protected]

Manama

Unlike the previous elections, the upcoming

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) election in 2018 is going to be the most unpredictable as the number of potential voters have risen more than fivefold, according to Mahmood Al Namliti, a prominent businessman and a candidate for the election.

The number of people who are eligible to vote in the upcoming BCCI election is

close to 60,000, compared to the 11,000 voters in the last term, said Al Namliti.

According to him, this takes the election to a different level. “This has huge implications, the chamber never had an election like this. The massive increase in the number of voters means that it becomes all the more unpredictable,” he said.

“In the last few years, we have seen a huge increase in the number of businessmen with the chamber membership. This is partly due to the increase in the number of businesses opening. Second: the

chamber has taken initiatives to have more members,” he added.

“Most of the new voters will be small businesses, their votes are going to make a huge difference. So it is important to understand their needs,” he said, adding “Having 60,000 potential voters will mean that the voting day will have to be meticulously planned. Obviously, not all 60,000 will come to vote, perhaps only half of the number will show up. But even then, it is a huge jump from the last election. So it will need to be organized in a much bigger way to accommodate the new

people,” he said.He said that the new board

that would be elected must be from diverse business backgrounds. “I hope that we can have diversity in expertise, with experts from all fields being represented. We need businessmen with a background in medicine, engineering, agriculture and so on. If its only one field, let’s say only engineers get elected, it would be unhealthy,” he said.

He said he has started preparation for his election campaign. “We have started already, I am very positive about this election,” he said.

Guatemala to move embassy to JerusalemGuatemala City

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said

yesterday he had given instructions to move the Central American country’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a few days after his government backed the United States in a row over the city’s status.

In a short post on his official Facebook account, Morales said he decided to move the embassy from Tel Aviv after talking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

This month U.S. President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing decades of U.S.

policy and upsetting the Arab world and Western allies.

On Thursday, 128 countries defied Trump by backing a non-binding U.N. General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to drop its recognition of Jerusalem.

Guatemala and neighbouring Honduras were two of only a handful of countries to join the United States and Israel in voting against the resolution on Jerusalem.

The United States is an important source of assistance to Guatemala and Honduras, and Trump had threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that supported the U.N. resolution.

Vatican City

Pope Francis used his Christmas message

yesterday to call for a negotiated two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, after U.S. President Donald Trump stoked regional tensions with his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Francis spoke of the Middle East conflict and other world flashpoints in his “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) address, four days after more than 120 countries backed a U.N. resolution urging the United States to reverse its decision on Jerusalem.

“Let us pray that the will to resume dialogue may prevail between the parties and that a negotiated solution can finally be reached,

one that would allow the peaceful coexistence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders,” he said, referring to the Israelis and Palestinians.

“We see Jesus in the children of the Middle East who continue to suffer because of growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians,” he said in his address, delivered from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to tens of thousands of people.

It was the second time that the pope has spoken out publicly about Jerusalem since Trump’s decision on Dec. 6. On that day, Francis called for the city’s “status quo” to be respected, lest new tensions in the Middle East further inflame world conflicts.

Dr. Jassim Haji

By Invitation

Mideast needs two-state solution, says Pope

Mahmood Al Namliti


Hanoi/Manila

Authorities in Vietnam prepared to move a

million people from low-lying areas along the south coast on Monday as a typhoon approached after it battered the Philippines with floods and landslides that killed more than 230 people.

Typhoon Tembin is expected to slam into Vietnam late on Monday after bringing misery to the predominantly Christian Philippines just before Christmas.

Vietnam’s disaster prevention committee said 74,000 people had been moved to safety from vulnerable areas, while authorities in 15 provinces and cities were prepared to move more than 1 million.

The government ordered that oil rigs and vessels be protected and it warned that about 62,000 fishing boats should not venture out to sea.

“Vietnam must ensure the safety of its oil rigs and vessels. If necessary, close the oil rigs and evacuate workers,” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc was quoted as saying on a government website.

Schools were ordered to close in the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi

Minh City on Monday, a working day in Vietnam.

On Sunday, Tembin hit the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, parts of which are contested by several countries, including Vietnam and China.

No casualties were reported in outposts there.

Vietnam, like the Philippines, is regularly battered by typhoons that form over the warm waters of the Pacific and barrel westwards into land.

Tembin will be the 16th major storm to hit Vietnam this year. The storms and other disasters have left 390 people dead or missing, according to official figures.

SCORES MISSINGIn the Philippines, rescue workers were still struggling to reach some remote areas hit by floods and landslides that Tembin’s downpours brought, as the death toll climbed to more than 230. Scores of people are missing.

The full extent of the devastation was only becoming clear as the most remote areas were being reached.

Health worker Arturo Simbajon said nearly the entire coastal village of

Anungan on the Zamboanga peninsula of Mindanao island had been wiped out by a barrage of broken logs, boulders and mud that swept down a river and out to sea.

“Only the mosque was left standing,” Simbajon said.

“People were watching the rising sea but did not expect the water to come from behind them.”

Manuel Luis Ochotorena, head of regional disaster agency, said he expected the death toll to rise.

“Many areas in Zamboanga peninsula are still without power and communications, some towns are cut off due to collapsed bridges, floods and landslides,” he said.

Tens of thousands of people on Mindanao have been displaced by the storm, which struck late on Friday.

The Philippines is battered by about 20 typhoons a year and warnings are routinely issued.

But disaster officials said many villagers had ignored warnings this time to get out coastal areas and move away from riverbanks.

In 2013, super typhoon Haiyan killed nearly 8,000 people and left 200,000 families homeless in the central Philippines. (Reuters)

Moscow

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was barred

on Monday from running in next year’s presidential election after officials ruled he was ineligible to take part due to a suspended prison sentence he says was trumped up.

The decision by the central election commission was widely expected as election officials had repeatedly declared Navalny would be ineligible to run. Twelve members of the 13-member commission voted to bar Navalny. One member abstained, citing a possible conflict of interest.

Navalny, 41, who polls show would struggle to beat incumbent Vladimir Putin in the March election, said he would appeal and called on his supporters to boycott the election and campaign against it being held.

“We knew this could happen, and so we have a straight-

forward, clear plan,” Navalny said in a pre-recorded video released immediately after the decision.

“We announce a boycott of the election. The process in which we are called to participate is not a real election.

It will feature only Putin and the candidates which he has personally selected.”

Navalny said he would use his campaign headquarters across Russia to support the boycott and monitor turnout on voting day, March 18.

Polls show Putin, 65, who has dominated Russia’s political landscape for the last 17 years, is on course to be comfortably re-elected, making him eligible to serve another six years until 2024, when he turns 72.

Allies laud Putin as a father-of-the-nation figure who has restored national pride and expanded Moscow’s global clout with interventions in Syria and Ukraine.

Navalny says Putin’s support is exaggerated and artificially maintained by a biased state media and an unfair system. He says he could defeat him in a fair election, an assertion Putin’s supporters have said is laughable. (Reuters)

Putin critic Navalny barred from presidential election

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Vietnam braces for typhoon

Vietnamese residents are seen at an evacuation center before Tempin storm hits the land in Ho Chi Minh city

Toll tops 230in Philippines

BUSINESS8 Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Get ready for‘Shop Bahrain’

DT News Network [email protected]

The fourth-edition of the Bahrain Shopping

Festival – ‘Shop Bahrain’ - is set to be the biggest nationwide Festival with a unique line-up of events and entertainment, a fantastic shopping experience and numerous prizes. The 30-day event, aimed at celebrating the Kingdom’s hospitality and tourism offering, will kick off on January 11 and will run until 10 February 2018.

The festival, organised by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), is held in cooperation with partners from the public and private sector such as Tamkeen, YK Al Moayyed, VIVA Bahrain and Gulf Air.

The event will kick-start the Kingdom’s robust 2018 tourism calendar and will include an impressive line-up of activities and promotions for the entire family to enjoy including numerous prizes and raffle draws.

“The fourth-edition of the festival aims to further drive the growth of the tourism and retail sector by attracting residents and tourists to the numerous activities. We were keen to host the event during the holidays of our Gulf neighbors in order to attract a large number of tourists to flock the country,” said Chief Executive of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa.

“This year we have over 27 hotels participating and have also witnessed an increase in the participating shopping malls that reached 22 malls. The Taste Tour alone will also feature 44 restaurants. Also the prizes for the festival include airline tickets and

over 20 brand-new cars from YK Al Moayyed,” he added.

Tamkeen’s Chief Executive Dr. Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi stressed that Tamkeen continues to support Shop Bahrain for the fourth year in a row due to its proven track record of energizing the retail sector in the Kingdom.

‘Festival City’ Among the highlights of the event is a unique shopping experience witnessed across the participating malls along with a number of entertainment activities for the entire family. The calendar of events also includes a ‘Festival City’ located at the Bahrain Bay which will host a variety of activities and carnival games for all age groups as well a market, live performances and acts in both English and Arabic and entertainment.

‘Taste Tour’Other highlights include the return of the ‘Taste Tour’ which aims to showcase over 40 mouth-watering restaurants. Also the excitement doesn’t end here, shoppers registered in the Festival’s loyalty system found at participating hotels and shopping malls will be able to enroll in raffle draws. Shop Bahrain will also be covered by a number of local and regional social media influencers with an aim of promoting the festival to a larger audience.

Further commenting on the Festival, Shop Bahrain Director, Yousef Mohammed Al Khan said: “The Festival this year will create an unforgettable calendar of events for the entire family including many surprises, exciting range of in-mall

activities and valuable prizes. This year we launched a dedicated app for the festival aimed at informing locals, residents and tourists about the latest promotions, activities and the latest updates on customer’s the

loyalty point system.” Shoppers and visitors

can learn more about “Shop Bahrain” through the website: w w w . s h o p b a h r a i n . c o m or through the account @shopbahrain on the social networking channels.

“We aim to work hand-in-hand with the public and private sectors to support the Kingdom’s 2030 Economic Vision,”

-Mohammed Al Moayed, Director at YK Al Moayyed

“This festival is the launch pad to promote Bahrain’s tourism and retail sector. The festival provides a tremendous opportunity on both the economic and social front and also fosters partnership between the public and private sector and creates job opportunities.”

-Ulaiyan Al Wetaid,VIVA Bahrain CEO

“We are pleased to cooperate with Shop Bahrain for the fourth year in a row. As the national carrier, the partnership is in line with our strategy aimed at supporting the growth of the tourism sector and national economy.”

-Captain Waleed Abdul Hameed Al Alawi, Gulf Air Deputy Chief Executive Officer

“The Kingdom’s tourism strategy aims to increase the average tourist expenditure in Bahrain to reach BHD100 per day. Shop Bahrain will be a main driver as it will offer tourists a 30-day celebration catered to the entire family,”

-Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Tourism and

Exhibitions Authority

“The festival has a positive impact on various sectors in the Kingdom such as retail, hospitality, transportation and so forth. It also portrays the true partnership between the public an private sector and aims to position Bahrain as an ideal tourism destination in the region,”

-Dr. Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi, Tamkeen’s Chief Executive

“For event BD10 spent by the shopper, they will be eligible to enter the raffle draw to enter fabulous prizes including 20 brand new cars. Shoppers can register for the system through kiosks located at participating shopping malls and hotels,”

-Yousef Mohammed Al Khan, Shop Bahrain Director

Confluence 2017 today

DT News [email protected]

Manoj Bhatia, a well-known Indian

businessman in the Kingdom and President of Thattai Hindu Mercantile Community, passed away in Mumbai on Monday morning, after suffering a heart attack, at the age of 66. He was admitted to the Bombay Hospital for a surgery.

Manoj, who was in Bahrain for over six decades, is a member of the Bhatia community, one of the earliest Indian expatriate communities to migrate to the Gulf countries. He represents the Bhatia Business Community in Bahrain.

In a statement, the Executive Committee of the Thattai Hindu Mercantile Community expressed their deepest condolences to Bhatia’s family. “May God give them the strength to face this difficult time and may his soul rest in peace.”

Manoj was also the founding member of Bahrain Philippines Joint Business

Council, founding member of Bahrain Indonesia Business & Friendship Society, Board Member of Bahrain Businessmen Association (BBMA), Vice Chairman of Bahrain Asian Traders Committee (BATC) - a Sub-committee within, The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Kingdom of Bahrain, Board Member of Bahrain India Society, and Advisor to Indian Community Relief Fund.

Manoj was the group Chairman of Naraina Holding Company WLL, the parent company of one of the largest trading, manufacturing, and services companies in Bahrain and was a well-wisher of ICRF medical camps and sponsor of several medical camps.

“He was an important business person among the Indian community in the Kingdom,” said ICRF Advisor Bhagwan Asarpotta.

Manoj is survived by his wife Snehal and children Bhaarat Bhatia, Hemant Bhatia and Jessica Bhatia.

Manama

Confluence 2017 organised by Angels

Toastmasters will be held today at the Crowne Plaza.

The event, according to Angels Toastmasters, will be a glittering evening of enthralling speeches by world-renowned orators from the United States, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Angels Toastmasters, the only multinational ladies’ Toastmasters club in Bahrain, is all about embracing challenges and empowering ourselves and each other.

“Ever since it’s inception in 2005, Angels Toastmasters have been able to enrich our lives by improving our communication and leadership skills through

the Toastmasters platform. And Confluence 2017 is our opportunity to bring out our event management skills,” says Distinguished Toastmaster Rosaline Roy Charlie, Chairperson of Confluence and mentor of the club.

The event is scheduled from 6:30 pm onwards at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Diplomatic Area.

“Our speakers, who include Abdulla Abandi, James Jeffley, Joel Indrupati, Rowena Niduaza and Sarah Khan, are just as excited to meet us and speak at Confluence as we are to host them. It’s definitely an event that promises to educate, entertain and enthral!” added Rosaline.

For further information contact Fareeda at 36361667 or Benchie at 33997764.

Prominent businessman Manoj Bhatia passes away

The press conference held at Bab Al Bahrain

BUSINESSTuesday, December 26, 2017 9

Moscow

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co Ltd will recall 127,738 Nissan cars in Russia,

Russia’s technical safety watchdog Rosstandart said on Monday. Rosstandart said the recall would affect Nissan Note and Nissan Tiida cars produced between August 30, 2008 and August 1, 2014, due to possible issues with the airbag safety device.

Jerusalem

Israel’s markets regulator will propose regulation to ban companies based on bitcoin and

other digital currencies from trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, he said on Monday. Shmuel Hauser, the chairman of the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), told the Calcalist business conference he will bring the proposal to the ISA board next week.

-Vladimir Putin,

Nissan to recall 127,738 cars Israel regulator seeks to ban bitcoin There would be no changes to taxes for businesses operating in Russia in 2018,”

Russian President

Careful planning is essential to sustained business success. It defines winning for the next 12 months. Here are a few tips which might come handy for a productive planning process. Manama

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

announced that the issue of the 5.5 year Government Development Bonds has been subscribed by 100 per cent.

Subscriptions worth BD 200 million were received for the BD 200 million issue, which carries a maturity of 5.5 years.

The expected interest rate on the issue, which begins on 27 December 2017 and matures on 27 June 2023, is 5.50pc.

The Government Development Bonds are issued by the CBB on behalf

of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

This is Government Development Bond issue No.15 (BH00063E4993).

Bahraini and non-Bahraini investors were allowed to trade in the bonds in the secondary market of the Bahrain Bourse (BHB).

The BD200 million Bonds will be issued at a par value of BD1 each on 27 December 2017 for a period of 5.5 years ending on 27 June 2023. The annual fixed return on these securities is 5.50%, and will be paid every six months on 27 June and 27 December every year throughout the period of

this issue.Minimum subscription

was 500 BHD (500 bonds) and minimum allotment was 10,000 bonds per subscriber applying for an amount of BHD 10,000 and above.

Upon listing of the bonds, investors will be able to trade them in the secondary market through a registered broker at BHB during the trading session, which is held on a daily basis from Sunday to Thursday.

The subscription were open on Thursday and Sunday from 9:30am until 1:00pm and on Monday from 9:30am until 11:00am.

Govt bondsissue fully subscribed

Dr. Jassim Haji, a Bahraini technology expert, has been fea-tured for the 17th time on a leading technol-ogy magazine with a comprehensive over-view and future vision of technological trend. Dr Haji has been fea-tured on international and regional techno-logical publications for the past seven years and putting kingdom of Bahrain on the tech-nology world map.

Every company’s situation is unique, because every owner’s situation is unique. Some aim to sell their business in the next few years. Some are looking to grow the long-term value of the company. Some want to maximize short-term cash flow. Differing objectives naturally call for dif-ferent plans.

One key source of good data is your customers. Ask your customers how likely they would be to recommend your com-pany to a friend or colleague who’s in the market for what you offer. By the way, not only will you get great input for your plan-ning discussions, you’re also likely to get a good deal of repeat and referral business out of this process. Write your plan down, and use it as

the basis for your financial budget. The budget—essentially a projected income statement for the next 12 months—should derive from and reflect your plan. Let’s say you’re aiming to increase profit-ability by boosting gross margin, and your plan spells out the measures you intend to take to reach that objective. The budget should specify the target gross margin by quarter, and it should project profits accordingly. At the end of each quarter you can see how close you came to the goal and alter your course when necessary.

Anyone who has worked on a com-pany’s front line knows that these work-ers see things that management doesn’t. They know where the bottlenecks are. They know where time and materials are wasted. They often spot opportunities for new products and services or new ways of doing thing. Do they bring these observa-tions to management? Not always—in part because management never asks.

As Thomas Edison said about inven-tions, planning is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. Heading out to an offsite—the kind of meeting where everyone spouts off without any supporting data—isn’t planning, it’s corporate self-indulgence. A good plan requires several different kinds of data. Sales, costs, and other financial figures, of course—usually for the past three years. Detailed information about the profitability of different products, ser-vices, and customers. Trend lines showing (for example) gross margin and SG&A as a percentage of revenue.

Begin by defining your goal.

Involve your customers

Get front-line employees involved as well

Write your plan down, and use it as the basis for

your financial budget

Do your homework

Remember, the objective of any plan is to advance your goal. Planning that does not advance the goal is of little value. (forbes)

Russia’s FinMin: crypto FX should only be tradedMoscow

Russian Finance Minister Anton

Siluanov said on Monday that cryptocurrencies should be traded only by professional investors, not in the mainstream.

“Professional market participants should work with crypto-currencies, not ordinary people,” Siluanov said in an interview with Rossiya 24, a Russian state TV channel.

BUSINESS Tuesday, December 26, 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 0.3799 0.3354

KUWAIT 0.2855 32.0873 0.2877 0.2540

OMAN 0.3849 0.3820 0.3878 0.3425

QATAR 3.6420 3.6143 3.6699 3.2405

UAE 3.6730 3.6451 3.7011 3.2681

SAUDI 3.7500 3.7215 3.7787 3.3366

AUSTRALIA 0.2920 0.2896BANGLADESH 0.00483 0.00458CANADA 0.3018 0.2985DENMARK 0.0627 EGYPT 0.0241 0.0218EURO 0.4501 0.4476HONGKONG 0.04970 0.04930INDIA 0.00582 0.00585INDONESIA 0.00003017 0.00002855IRAN TUMAN 0.00010964 IRAQI DINAR 0.000300 JAPAN 0.00352 0.003450JORDAN 0.5362 0.5354KOREA 0.00039646 KUWAIT 1.254 1.254MALAYSIA 0.0938 0.0936NEW ZEALAND 0.2616 0.2616NORWAY 0.0481 NEPAL 0.00395 0.00365OMAN 0.98220 0.98340PAKISTAN 0.00366 0.00358PHILIPPINES 0.00758 0.00747QATAR 0.10386 0.10381SAUDI ARABIA 0.10065 0.10071SINGAPORE 0.2834 0.2814SOUTH AFRICA 0.02850 0.02840SRI LANKA 0.00283 0.00246SWEDISH 0.0479 SWITZERLAND 0.3891 0.3861SYRIA 0.001740 0.0018TAIWAN 0.013100 THAILAND 0.011730 0.011710TURKEY 0.1024 UNITED KINGDOM 0.5076 0.5047UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 0.102850 0.102870UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 0.37790 0.37800YUAN 0.056800 0.056800

Dubai

Gulf stock markets were mostly quiet in moderate

trading volumes yesterday as Abu Dhabi-listed Dana Gas jumped ahead of a court hearing on its effort to avoid redeeming $700 million of Islamic bonds.

Abu Dhabi’s index edged up 0.3pc as Dana jumped 13.2pc; it was the market’s most heavily traded stock by far.

A court in the emirate of Sharjah was expected later on Monday to hear a case in which Dana is seeking to have its sukuk declared invalid under United Arab Emirates law.

However, the Sharjah court will not necessarily issue any ruling and the hearing could be adjourned. Legal actions related to the sukuk in both Sharjah and Britain may continue for months, even years, before the case is resolved, people familiar with the case have said.

Dubai’s index edged up 0.2pc as Union Properties, the most heavily traded stock, climbed 3.3pc after saying

it planned to list its ServeU facilities management unit in Dubai in the second half of 2018.

Bahrain’s Al Salam Bank, the second most heavily traded stock in Dubai, jumped 7.7pc to 1.12 dirhams after a 6.1pc gain on Sunday, when a disclosure on the Bahrain exchange showed a key person involved with the bank had bought 250,000 shares.

In Bahrain, the bank’s shares surged 8.5pc to 0.115 dinar, equivalent to 1.12 dirhams.

Khaleeji Commercial Bank, another Bahraini bank which has soared in big trading volumes since it listed in Dubai last Tuesday, plunged 9.9pc to 1.36 dirhams. Its shares in Bahrain sank 5.8pc to 0.113 dinar, equivalent to 1.10 dirhams.

Saudi Arabia’s index slipped 0.5pc as Najran Cement dropped 2.2pc after its board decided to halt its third production line, which has a daily capacity of 6,500 tonnes, and restart its second line, with a capacity of 3,000

tonnes, because of high inventories of clinker.

Saudi cement shares have risen sharply in recent weeks partly because of hopes for a pick-up in the cement industry as the government eases fiscal austerity. But Najran’s decision suggested improvement in the industry might not come quickly.

In Qatar, the index fell 0.4pc but Qatar First Bank, the most heavily traded stock, surged 6.7pc, continuing

a rebound from record lows that began in late November.

In Egypt, the blue-chip index rose 0.4pc. Sharkia National Co for Food Security surged 10pc after it said it had appointed Adel Abdel Halim al-Banna as acting chief financial officer. But Suez Bag plunged 10pc to 34.85 pounds after Tora Cement said it had sold its 4.52pc stake in Suez Bag for 26.01 pounds per share. (Reuters)

Gulf mostlyquiet as Dana soars before courthearing

SAUDI fell 0.5pc to 7,146 points.

DUBAI rose 0.2pc to 3,355 points.

ABU DHABI gained 0.3pc to 4,338 points.

QATAR dropped 0.4pc to 8,570 points.

EGYPT rose 0.4pc to 14,843 points.

KUWAIT edged up 0.03pc to 6,345 points.

BAHRAIN gained 0.6pc to 1,293 points.

OMAN fell 0.6pc to 5,023 points.

Closing Bell

Washington

A gift-wrapped package addressed to U.S.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s home in a posh Los Angeles neighborhood that was suspected of being a bomb was instead filled with horse manure, police told local media.

The package was found Saturday evening in a next-

door neighbor’s driveway in Bel Air, the Los Angeles Police Department told the Los Angeles Times and KNBC

television, the NBC affiliate in Los Angeles. The package also included a Christmas card with negative comments about President Donald Trump and the new U.S. tax law signed by Trump last week.

An LAPD bomb squad X-rayed the package before opening it and found the horse manure inside, police told local media. Aerial footage

from KNBC showed officers investigating a large box in wrapping paper, then dumping a large amount of what they later identified as the manure and opening the card that was included inside. Mnuchin, who KNBC said was not home when the package was discovered, is a former Goldman Sachs Group Inc executive and Hollywood film financier. (Reuters)

US Treasury Secretary was sent gift-wrapped box of horse manure

Steven Mnuchin


© GRAPHIC NEWS

International sporting achievements of 2017

Source: Wire agencies Pictures: Getty Images

JAN 29 Serena Williams winsrecord 23rd Grand Slam at

Australian Open. Roger Federerwins men’s title, his 18th major

FEB 5 Cameroon defeat Egyptto secure fifth Africa Cup

of Nations crown

5 New EnglandPatriots producegreatest comebackin Super Bowlhistory to claimdramatic overtimetriumph againstAtlanta Falcons

29 Boxer Anthony Joshua knocksout Wladimir Klitschko to pick uptwo more world heavyweight belts

MAR 18 England win Six Nationsrugby but miss setting new

record for consecutive Test wins

APR 9 Sergio Garcia celebratesfirst major title – at 74th

attempt – at U.S. Masters golf

MAY 12 Chelsea claim PremierLeague glory – led by coach

Antonio Conte –while Real Madridsecure La Liga,Juventus winSerie A andBayern Munichstorm Bundesliga

JUN 3 Real Madrid become firstteam to retain Champions

League title with emphaticwin over Juventus

11 Rafael Nadal wins atRoland Garros – firstplayer to win singleGrand Slam 10 times

25 Team New Zealandbeat defending championsOracle Team USA towin America’s Cup

23 Golfer Jordan Spieth, 23, winsBritish Open, his third major title

23 Chris Froome wins Tour deFrance – claiming yellow jerseyfor fourth time in five years

21 Rafael Nadaltakes No.1 tennisrank for first timesince 2014 –caps resurgencewith 16th majortitle at U.S. Open

silver in World 100m, Farah taking10,000m gold, 5,000m silver

12 Track giantsUsain Bolt andMo Farah retire,Bolt pipped into

JUL 15 Grass courtmaster Roger

Federer wins record8th Wimbledon title

SEP 17 Slovenia win their firstEurobasket title – winning all

nine matches – beating Serbia in final

OCT 27 Lewis Hamilton joinsselect club of only five

drivers with four or more Formula 1world championships – MichaelSchumacher, Juan Manuel Fangio,Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel

14 John Gosden-trained Enable isnamed Horse of the Year at CartierRacing Awards after five consecutiveGroup One race wins, includingPrix de l’Arc de Triomphe

26 New Zealand beat England towin Women’s Rugby World Cup

2 Australia beatEngland 6-0 toretain RugbyLeague World Cup.Australia womenalso win, beatingNew Zealand 23-16

7 Cristiano Ronaldowins fifth Ballon d’Oraward, equalling haulof La Liga rivalLionel Messi

Saudi Arabia in opening match

NOV 1 HoustonAstros win

first ever MLBWorld Series withvictory over LosAngeles Dodgers

12 Marc Marquezbecomes youngest four-time MotoGPchampion, aged 24

3 ParisSt-Germain

sign Neymar fromBarcelona for worldrecord transfer feeof €222m

AUG

DEC 1 Draw for 2018 World Cuppits host Russia against

Hamilton joins greatsFroome’s four Neymar fee

Federer back on top Bolt retires

Joshua beats Klitschko Real ruleSerena record

Tuesday, December 26, 201712

Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, received yesterday the newly-appointed U.S Ambassador to Bahrain, Justin Siberell. The minister wished the ambassador every success in assuming his diplomatic duties.

BBK held its monthly “Day of Ap-preciation” to announce the Silver Monthly Award winners within its Employee Recognition Pro-gramme for the months of July & December 2017 at its headquar-ters in Manama. Reyadh Yousif Sater Chief Executive of BBK hand-ed over the Silver awards to Ameer Al Meshkhas from Information Technology, Reema Hussain From Financial Control & Planning, Ahmed Aref from Audit, Wedyan Abdulnabi and Eman Al Salman from Retail Banking Group.

Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons (YKA) received two Diligent Em-ployee Awards from the Min-ister of Labour & Social De-velopment Jameel Humaidan during the ceremony that is held annually. Yousif Ahmed Abdulwahab, who has com-pleted 27 years at Industrial Building Systems as Custom-er Relations Coordinator, and Mohammed Radhi Majeed Internal Control as Assistant Manager, who has completed 25 years, received the awards.

A delegation from the Omani Consultative Assembly, led by Chairman, Khalid bin Hilal Al-Mawali, accompanied by Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Mulla, yesterday visited the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF)’s Military Museum. The delegation was welcomed by the Director of Media and Moral Guidance, Brigadier Mohammed Qatarmi Al-Kubaisi.

BDF Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, received at the BDF General Command yesterday, an Omani Consultative Assembly delegation, led by Chairman, Khalid bin Hilal Al-Mawali. Parlia-ment Chairman Ahmed Al Mulla, BDF Chief of Staff, lieutenant-General Dhiyab bin Saqr Al-Nuaimi, Defence Ministry’s Undersecretary, Major-General Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and the Omani Ambassador to Bahrain, Abdulla bin Rashid bin Ali Al-Mudailwi were present. The commander-in-chief lauded the depth of the steadily-growing relations between the two countries and their brotherly peoples.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 13

Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) shared their transformational journey through implementing their Back to Basics Strategy at Retail Banking Research (RBR) “Branch Transformation” Conference. Speakers from Barclays, JP Morgan Chase, Emirates NBD, Alrajhi Bank and many more shared their latest innovation and future plans in the two days conference that took place in London from the 28th – 29th of November. Hassan Jarrar, BisB Chief Executive Officer said the strategy has become more embedded in the Bank’s psyche, all segments of the bank have worked together to drive the business in a common direction”. Maisa J Shunnar, head of Business Planning & Transformation talked about the five pillars of the transformation strategy and the journey to implementation.

For three consecutive years (2016, 2017, and 2018) Dr. Sutan Emir Hidayat, Head of Busi-ness Administration De-partment of University College of Bahrain has been listed in ISLAMICA 500 as one of the 500 most influential people in Islamic Economy at the Global Scale. The award reception cere-mony this year was held in Capital Club, Manama


Minister of Interior Lt General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa yesterday received Oman’s Shura Council President Shaikh Khalid bin Hilal Al-Ma’wali and the accompanying delegation. The meeting was also attended by Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Mulla, MP Abbas Al-Madhi, Deputy Interior Minister, General Inspector, Chief of Public Security and Interior Undersecretary. The Interior Minister said the visit comes as part of the distinguished brotherly ties between the two countries

Shura Council Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh met Oman’s Shura Council President Shaikh Kha-lid bin Hilal Al-Ma’wali and the accompanying delegation, who arrived on an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Oman Shura Council President hailed deep-rooted social, economic, political and legislative cooperation binding Bahrain and Oman. The meeting was attended by Shura Council First Deputy Chairman Jamal Mohammed Fakhro, Second Deputy Chair-person Jameela Ali Salman and other offi-cials attended

BDF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa received the Turkish Military Attaché, Colonel ‘Isa Unlü. The Commander-in-Chief welcomed the newly-appointed attaché wishing him success in his duties. They also discussed various topics of shared interest. Separately, the Commander also held discussions with Kuwaiti Military At-taché, Colonel Nasser Abdulaziz Al Samhan on various issues of shared interest.


Southern Governor Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa conducted an inspection visit to the region of Zallaq, in the presence of Sunni Endowments Chairman Dr. Rashid Mohammed Al-Hajeri. Shaikh Khalifa stressed the importance of reaching out to citizens and assessing their needs to ensure their well-being and decent liv-ing standards. Labour and Social and Development Ministry Under-secretary Sabah Salim Al-Dosary, Southern Municipal Councilor Badr Saud Al-Dosary and a num-ber of Zallaq villagers were present


Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) shared their transformational journey through implementing their Back to Basics Strategy at Retail Banking Research (RBR) “Branch Transformation” Conference. Speakers from Barclays, JP Morgan Chase, Emirates NBD, Alrajhi Bank and many more shared their latest innovation and future plans in the two days conference that took place in London from the 28th – 29th of November. Hassan Jarrar, BisB Chief Executive Officer said the strategy has become more embedded in the Bank’s psyche, all segments of the bank have worked together to drive the business in a common direction”. Maisa J Shunnar, head of Business Planning & Transformation talked about the five pillars of the transformation strategy and the journey to implementation.

For three consecutive years (2016, 2017, and 2018) Dr. Sutan Emir Hidayat, Head of Busi-ness Administration De-partment of University College of Bahrain has been listed in ISLAMICA 500 as one of the 500 most influential people in Islamic Economy at the Global Scale. The award reception cere-mony this year was held in Capital Club, Manama


Minister of Interior Lt General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa yesterday received Oman’s Shura Council President Shaikh Khalid bin Hilal Al-Ma’wali and the accompanying delegation. The meeting was also attended by Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Mulla, MP Abbas Al-Madhi, Deputy Interior Minister, General Inspector, Chief of Public Security and Interior Undersecretary. The Interior Minister said the visit comes as part of the distinguished brotherly ties between the two countries

Shura Council Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh met Oman’s Shura Council President Shaikh Kha-lid bin Hilal Al-Ma’wali and the accompanying delegation, who arrived on an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Oman Shura Council President hailed deep-rooted social, economic, political and legislative cooperation binding Bahrain and Oman. The meeting was attended by Shura Council First Deputy Chairman Jamal Mohammed Fakhro, Second Deputy Chair-person Jameela Ali Salman and other offi-cials attended

BDF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa received the Turkish Military Attaché, Colonel ‘Isa Unlü. The Commander-in-Chief welcomed the newly-appointed attaché wishing him success in his duties. They also discussed various topics of shared interest. Separately, the Commander also held discussions with Kuwaiti Military At-taché, Colonel Nasser Abdulaziz Al Samhan on various issues of shared interest.


Southern Governor Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa conducted an inspection visit to the region of Zallaq, in the presence of Sunni Endowments Chairman Dr. Rashid Mohammed Al-Hajeri. Shaikh Khalifa stressed the importance of reaching out to citizens and assessing their needs to ensure their well-being and decent liv-ing standards. Labour and Social and Development Ministry Under-secretary Sabah Salim Al-Dosary, Southern Municipal Councilor Badr Saud Al-Dosary and a num-ber of Zallaq villagers were present

London

Singer Mel B, who has been embroiled in her messy

divorce from producer Stephen Belafonte throughout 2017, has been “approached about a memoir”.

The Sunday People alleges that publishers have already been in contact and the former Spice Girl could land up to a $7 million advance in the process if she agrees, reports thesun.co.uk.

A source told the paper: “She has been making notes and has been -approached about a memoir. The last year’s volume of ¬controversy and scandal is enough for most autobiographies.

“Mel doesn’t want to hold back.” (IANS)

London

Popular band Spice Girls might reunite

next year as judges of a Chinese talent show.

Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, whose

eponymous fashion empire saw its annual losses double to 8.5 million pounds last week, has always refused to sing again.

But a source close to the chart-topping band

revealed a compromise -- she and the other four members will judge a Chinese reality show to “find the next global pop star”, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The source said:

“Victoria vowed she would never sing with the girls again, and she won’t. But now they have found a way round that. They will go to China in the spring and do the television show.” (IANS)

Hugh Jackman @RealHughJackman

There were many amazing moments during the

making of @GreatestShowman .... this is one of

them. Introducing the extraordinary @kealasettle #ThisIsMe #TheAudition


Dwayne Johnson said he is overwhelmed by

the audiences’ reaction to his latest release, ‘Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle’.

The 45-year-old actor said he is grateful to the people for showering their love on the film, making the occasion even special with Christmas festivities around.

“Grateful and blown away by your reactions after watching #JUMANJI. I wanted to make a fun Christmas movie for generations of families to e n j o y around

the world.”“I also wanted to make

a movie for all the lovers out there... When the sun goes down, the sexy smoldering eyebrow goes up when you see the movie.

Yup, nine months from now they’ll

all be delivered... #JumanjiBabies.

Enjoy the movie!” Johnson wrote alongside a video of himself. (TOI)


All the Money in the World

Phantom Thread In the Fade Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

Molly’s Game

MOVIES... COMING SOON... next week

(www.imdb.com)

Director: Ridley ScottStars: Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Romain Duris

Director: Paul Thomas AndersonStars: Vicky Krieps, Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville, Sue Clark

Director: Fatih AkinStars: Diane Kruger, Denis Moschitto, Numan Acar, Samia Muriel Chancrin

Director: Paul McGuiganStars: Jamie Bell, Annette Bening, Julie Walters, Vanessa Redgrave

Director: Aaron SorkinStars: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera

December 26, 1971

Jared Leto

Actor and singer-songwriter for the band Thirty Seconds to Mars who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Dallas Buyers Club. He also played prominent roles in Requiem for a Dream.

Los Angeles

Actor Will Smith said he would like to play the role of Uncle

Phil if popular TV show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” returns to the small screen.

Smith, who starred as a teenage boy named Will on the sitcom, said his age won’t allow him to play that role again, reports aceshowbiz.com.

“I’d have to be Uncle Phil in that one. I’m 50. Like, come on, Aunt Viv! I’m 50. I can’t go out

on my own,” he said on TV show “The Graham Norton Show”.

During the episode, Smith also revealed that there were things that he disliked about the 1990 show.

“It was my very first role and I was very, very focused on being successful so I learned the whole script and everyone else’s lines,” he said. (IANS)

Keeping up with her annual tradition over holidays, Jennifer

Lawrence has visited a children’s hospital in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The 27-year-old actress visited Norton’s Children’s Hospitalon Christmas eve. The medical facility took to its official Instagram, where they thanked Lawrence for taking some time out of her busy schedule and celebrating the

holiday season with the kids.“Louisville’s own Jennifer

Lawrence stopped by Norton Children’s today to visit with patients, families, and staff.”

“This visit has become a tradition for Lawrence each Christmas. Thank you, Jennifer!” the post read, alongside the ‘mother!’ actor’s picture at the hospital. (TOI)

RITZ GOURMET TAKEAWAYSDate: December 1-31, Venue: The Ritz Gourmet Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz Gourmet Lounge offers a selection of gourmet desserts and festive hampers filled with heaven-ly delights like minced pies, special cookies, chocolates and much more. Roasted turkey to-go family dinners can also be ordered beginning from December 2. Orders must be placed at least 72 hours in advance.

RITZ FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA Date: December 2 - 26, 3:00 pm -7:00 pm Venue: The Lobby Lounge,The Ritz-Carlton

Tea time at The Ritz-Carlton is always grand and the festive season makes it more special. Enjoy traditional scones and pastries with your favorite tea vari-ety complemented by a selection of festive treats – an excellent opportunity to spend picture perfect #RCMemories with family and friends.

RITZ BUBBLY CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEADate: December 2 - 30, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Venue: The Ritz Gourmet Lounge,The Ritz-Carlton

Take pleasure in all the sweet treats of a traditional afternoon tea with a twist. A selection of freshly made scones and carefully baked gourmet cakes will be served alongside with your favorite cup of tea or glass of bubbly.

RITZ GRAND CHRISTMAS BRUNCHDate: Monday, December 25, 12:30 pm-4:30 pmVenue: Grand Foyer,The Ritz-Carlton

Indulge in a festive celebration of culi-nary delights highlighted by our chefs’ splendid creations - from live cooking and carving stations, a large seafood and prime rib corner to a delectable spread of heavenly desserts. The grand occasion elevates with live musical entertainment, festive activities, and a special visit from Santa Claus.

RITZ NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION: STUDIO 54Date: Sunday, December 31, 8:00 pm-2:00 am Venue: Al Noor Ballroom,The Ritz-Carlton

Countdown to 2018 and celebrate with a throwback to the 1970s era of glam-

our, fashion and indulgence. Join us as we transform our 9,000 square-foot Al Noor Ballroom into the famous Studio 54 complete with disco lights, party favors, an indulgent buffet, live enter-tainment and performances. Dress is black tie or festive party dress.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FESTIVITIES

Date: Till December 31, 2017Venue: Four Seasons Turkey To Go: Bring the sophisticat-ed flavours from the celebrated Four Seasons restaurant home with this memorable feast, and spend more time out of the kitchen with your loved ones this Thanksgiving. Available for home delivery or pick up.Roast Turkey: With chestnut stuffing, turkey sauce, cranberry chutney, mash potato, Brussels sprouts and carrots. - BD 80++ for 8 people.Honey Baked Spiral Ham: With mashed potato, roasted vegetables and apple sauce - BD 45++ for 8 to 10 people.Roast Beef: With mashed potato, roast-ed vegetables and rosemary sauce- Starting from BD 20++ per kg (per kg serves 4 to 5 people).For orders: +973 17115500

NYE DESI NIGHT EVENTDate: 31st December 2017Venue: OASIS BANQUET HALL DIVA HOTEL JUFFAIR BAHRAIN

Welcome the New Year in style at Diva Hotel Juffair. Tempt your senses while celebrating the New Year’s Eve with a Special Indian Cuisine Dinner Buffet including selected unlimited alcoholic beverages. At Oasis Banquet Hall Diva Hotel. Enjoy with Live Indian DJ with remix. Separate place for a kids games & other activities with a kid’s snacks buffet.www.thedivahotel.com

FRIDAY WINTER BRUNCHDate: till February 9thVenue: Bahrain Bay Kitchen

The known lavish culinary offer-ings, including five unique food sta-tions serving Arabic, Western, Indian, Japanese and Chinese delicacies and winter inspired dishes using seasonal ingredients to live the season spirit including stews, BBQ, roasted chest-nuts, fondue, Raclette and more. Guests may enjoy special chestnut

giveaway after their meal. Shisha is also available on the restaurant terrace dur-ing brunch hours. The offer is available only on Fridays.

SATURDAY BRUNCHDate: January Venue: Bahrain Bay Kitchen

Four Seasons is offering a wide selec-tion of Arabic favorites such as lamb Ouzi, cold mezzes and much more. It’s just the perfect offer for you and your family. End your Saturday fun with a tasty shisha on the terrace.

FESTIVE SEASON AT THE GULF HOTELDate: Ongoing Venue: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa

Our festivities began with the light-ing of the Christmas tree in the hotel lobby. This marks the beginning of the Christmas and New Year celebrations and everyone is invited to witness the ceremonial lighting! Get mesmerized as this year our team has merged both the festive traditions and the unique Arabic culture presenting the ultimate season bliss. From a traditional Arabic gingerbread house to the fusion of the festive Arabic village! The festivities is about giving and sharing, this season we are collecting festive wishes for the charity program called “Smile of Bahrain”, we hope to collect as much wishes for the organiza-tion and we look forward to your kind-ness to help those children with cancer make their dreams come true.

An uplifting slew of flavors to cel-ebrate the spirit of the season have been crafted by the culinary team for the Christmas Eve dinner and the Christmas day brunch.

On 24th December we are offering 3 yuletide options for your Christmas Eve dinner. From the traditions of the Vigilia di Natale in Italy at our La Pergola Italian restaurant, to the pano-ramic view of the Juffair Skyline at Fusions Restaurant to the lavish buffet in Al Waha, all featuring the finest delicacies from sumptuous starters of the hamachi sashimi, zucchini carpac-cio and to the main course of the well-loved stuffed turkey roulade that will get the guests in the festive mood.

Our Christmas day brunch promis-es to be filled with all the traditional Christmas trimmings and a treat for all ages at The Gulf Convention Center for only BD 32 net. The Christmas day brunch presents the festive spread of our 10 award winning outlets, featuring exotic festive menus from rock lobster and the red snapper to start with, and followed by a tableau of flavours.

Tickets is a must.If you’re planning to party at home this Christmas, leave the cooking with us! Christmas plum puddings, mulled wine and turkey are available for order!:

Ring in the New Year at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain, as we present to you for the first time live at The Gulf Convention Center, Beauty and the Beats! Featuring an all-female group internationally renowned for a great & diverse night with music beats from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, top 100 hits, deep house, house and pop. BD 55 net per person, inclu-sive of a lavish buffet spread of delec-table dessert with apple and cranberry lattice tart, chocolate hazelnut, cream cheese puffs, ricotta tart with chocolate and kumquats and almond macaroon galette for the finishing.

Featuring jazz saxophone player Miss S, to the throbbing beats of Percussionist Ms. Dee and the soulful voice of Ms. Lady S.! This in addition to the vibrant and gorgeous DJ (DJANE – NC), who will be spinning her groove mix-com-pilations till the wee hours of the party!

In addition you can also choose your celebration from Al Waha Restaurant for a guaranteed New Year’s gour-met that that will keep your stom-ach delighted till 2018! To the special New Year Ala Carte menus from Royal Thai, China Garden, Sato and Takth Jamsheed.

You can also choose to delight your loved one to a New Year ’s Eve roman-tic moment at Fusions, Raosi By Vineet, La Pergola and our all exclusive balcony at Royal Thai.

For a more pub style new year’s wel-come, dance your heart out at the dance floor with our DJ’s famous tracks at Sherlock Holmes and Typhoon.

For further information or bookings please call: +973 17 713000

CUT BRUNCHDate: January1-31Venue: Wolfgang Puck Steakhouse

Indulge into Wolfgang Puck’s favorite dishes. CUT Brunch served every Friday from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

CUT ON THE HOURDate: January1-31Venue: Wolfgang Puck Steakhouse

Enjoy a two-course meal in 60 minutes with your choice of tea or coffee!

CUT THE LOUNGE TO THE CHASEDate: January1-31Venue: CUT Bar & Lounge

Enjoy Wolfgang Pucks signature bites and drinks with chic music.

RE/IMAGINE YOUR SATURDAYSDate: January1-31Venue: re/Asian Cuisine

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay invites you to discover the perfect Saturday Brunch at re/Asian Cuisine by

Wolfgang Puck. Soak in the immersive views from the 50th floor and feast on mouthwatering Asian selections like Korean Fried Chicken Bao Buns, Wok Fried Shrimp Dumplings and Brisket Wontons.

THE BLUE HOURDate: re/Asian CuisineVenue: Blue Moon Lounge

Signature cocktails & Bites at Blue Moon Lounge is the perfect offer to try while enjoying the best view from the 50th floor.

ULTIMATE SKIN TREATMENT BY MCCMDate: January1-31Venue: Four Seasons

Experience an exclusive selection of innovative face and body treatments connected with high technology and complemented with cosmetic prod-ucts penetrating deeply that produces faster and visible results with MCCM. MCCM Portugal holds a long record and experience in the field of aesthet-ic medicine and medical cosmetics. Combining technology, entrepreneur-ship and experience, these 4 exclu-sive ultimate effective skin treatments focuses on using precise and essential active principles and ingredients that can be tailored for each need of dif-ferent body and different skin whilst giving the right care and attention that reflect visible results.

FAMILY CRICKET DAY

Date: December 29 Venue: Gulf Air Club Salmabad

Mayball Solutions SPC is organizing a Family Cricket Fest in Gulf Air Club which is exclusive for families. A total of 450 families are expected in the fest. There will be separate kid’s zone for kids below the age of 10 where they will be entertained with cartoon char-acters and activities like face painting, balloon twister and games. There will also be raffle draw at every half an hour to win exciting gifts! The event will be a very good opportunity for creat-ing strong brand awareness & impact among the crowd due to its exclusive family participation and that too for 6 to 8 hours long from 9 am to 5 pm. For registration call or Whatsapp 35529756/33351538.


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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’re in the process of changing directions in your professional life. This can’t be done in a day. It’s sometimes painful. Things will be going slowly and require you to think and confront yourself honestly. Don’t run away even if you’re tempted to do so. Trust that you aren’t far from your goal.

You’ll have to demonstrate your endurance today. Much is required of you, and you have no choice but to make the contribution expected of you. There’s no way around it. You’re a key player in the events swirling around you. Surely you’ve noticed. Much as you’d like to take off for a vacation, you can’t do it now.

You may have some very good ideas relating to your professional field, but do you have complete mastery of them? If not, accept the fact that you can still learn from courses or experts in your field. It won’t kill you to be guided a bit. Stop doubting or criticizing what others propose to you.

There may be some worries nagging at you. Perhaps you have a financial concern or minor health complaint. Don’t let it get you down. You have the inner resources to overcome it. Although the current state of affairs has you feeling gloomy, your optimism will return soon. Until then, put your trust in other values, such as love, friendship, and faith.

You may feel somewhat grumpy and sluggish, like you have an energy deficit. But the oppressive mood of today will also lend objectivity and reality to any examination you make of what’s happening in your life. For example, any matter that fails to elicit your enthusiasm is probably due for some changes.

The mood is somewhat oppressive today. If you could, you’d send away anyone who tries to put obstacles in your path. Or maybe you’d prefer to go away yourself! The day ahead is good for a realistic test of the waters. How far do you think you can go with your individual potential, emotionally and professionally?

You’ve decided to blow the whistle on yourself! All of a sudden it’s obvious that you’re not performing as well as you should be. It’s time to put your self-discipline to work. You may change your work methods, budget your money more carefully, or diversify your activities. Perhaps you’ll reorganize your work team. All sorts of solutions are available to you.

Career or family? Social recognition or personal gratification? You may feel torn between two poles and spend the better part of the day searching for answers to such questions. Now you’re trying to keep all the bases covered, but the weariness you feel on days like this is a hint that you need to make some wise, realistic changes for the future.

You may feel like you can no longer explore your inner feelings, but you must persevere. You have a tremendous capacity to bury problems deeply, and you can go through life obliviously surfing on top of them. It’s true that this strategy allows you to remain in a good mood. But you may never be in such a good mood that you’re profoundly happy. Wouldn’t you agree?

You’ll have to deal with some internal and external conflict. Often you’re so happy to be lost in your dreams that you don’t really focus on what’s going on in the real world. But today alarm bells relating either to work or finances rudely awaken you. It’s useless to panic. You’ve learned that running away only worsens the situation.

Your legendary impatience is playing tricks on you. You’re in too much of a hurry. You may have changed things on the outside but you haven’t changed who you really are. Resist the temptation to sweep everything away to start all over again. If you did, in a few months you’d just be back where you started. Think about a better approach. You can be a little stubborn, and it seems that you’re in the process of giving a wonderful demonstration of this. You can be a little slow when you need to move, but once you get started, it’s very hard to get you to stop! Still, there’s nothing terribly difficult about making the necessary adjustments. You need to give yourself time.

1- Songwriters’ org.; 6- Trail of a wild animal; 11- Cereal grass; 14- Dutch treat; 15- Brownish gray; 16- U-turn from SSW; 17- Give the illusion of three dimensions; 19- Woman created from the rib of Adam; 20- Prototype; 21- Keep possession of; 23- Apt. divisions; 24- According to law; 25- Hired killer; 29- Elector; 30- First-stringers; 31- Tense; 32- Get thee ___ nunnery; 35- In spite of; 39- Buck’s mate; 40- “___ Tu”: 1974 hit; 41- Anouk of “La Dolce Vita”; 42- Preminger etal.; 44- Addison’s collaborator; 45- Unsettle; 48- French pronoun; 49- Goddess of wisdom; 50- Horse with a golden coat; 55- Brandy letters; 56- Discreditable; 58- Mischievous fairy; 59- Like Thor; 60- Not for kids; 61- ___ Moines; 62- No-see-ums; 63- Hosiery thread;

1- Kodak rival; 2- Before long; 3- Abrupt; 4- Zip-___-Doo-Dah; 5- Deli meat; 6- Halts; 7- Trim; 8- Not in; 9- Comic musical work; 10- Go back on one’s word; 11- Actor Ryan; 12- Smith’s block; 13- Itty-bitty; 18- Song in praise of God; 22- Sailor; 24- Awkward boors; 25- Clock pointer; 26- Langston Hughes poem; 27- Head of France; 28- Mouth; 29- Urns; 31- Pulsate; 32- Duration; 33- Like Nash’s lama; 34- “A Death in the Family” author; 36- Quadrangle; 37- Maintained by the federal government; 38- Vegas roller; 42- Suffix with Capri; 43- Adjusting a musical instrument; 44- Arias, usually; 45- Second king of Israel; 46- “Who’s there?” reply; 47- Boutiques; 48- Domesticates; 50- Pillar; 51- Calf-length skirt; 52- Chits; 53- Invalid; 54- Bone: Prefix; 57- Heston’s org.;

BEETLE BAILEY R

a #PollToday

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

/nobonline/newsofbahrain


Seoul, South Korea

North Korea said it is a “pipe dream” for

the United States to think it will give up its nuclear weapons, and called the latest U.N. sanctions to target the country “an act of war” that violates its sovereignty.

The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved tough new sanctions against North Korea on Friday in response to its latest launch of a ballistic missile that Pyongyang says can reach anywhere on the U.S. mainland. The

resolution was drafted by the United States and negotiated with the North’s closest ally, China.

“We define this ‘sanctions resolution’ rigged up by the U.S. and its followers as a grave infringement upon the sovereignty of our Republic, as an act of war violating peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the region and categorically reject the ‘resolution,’” North Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday. (AP)

Islamabad

The wife and mother of an imprisoned Indian

naval officer facing the death penalty in Pakistan for espionage and sabotage were allowed to meet with him on Monday in what the Foreign Ministry said was a “humanitarian gesture.”

It was the first meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his family since he was arrested in March 2016

after entering the country from Iran. He was able to speak with his wife and mother at the ministry through a glass partition with microphones.

A Pakistani military tribunal found Jadhav guilty of espionage and sabotage and sentenced him to death, but India obtained an order from the International Court of Justice to halt the execution. (AP)

Manila

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s eldest

son quit as vice mayor of the southern city of Davao on Monday, citing his being linked to a drug smuggling case by opponents and personal problems from a failed marriage as reasons for the move.

Paolo Duterte announced his resignation during a special session of the Davao City Council. Davao is President Duterte’s hometown and its mayor is

Paolo’s younger sister, Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“There are recent unfortunate events in my life that are closely tied to my failed first marriage,” the vice mayor said, in a statement made available to media.

“These, among others, include the maligning of my reputation in the recent name dropping incident in the Bureau of Customs’ smuggling case and the very public squabble with my daughter.” (Reuters)

Voices are getting louder and louder for two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Pope Francis expressed his desire publicly for the second time yesterday. However, with Guatemala also moving its embassy to Jerusalem, do you expect a solution in the near future?

Yes No Cant Say

It’s a ‘pipe dream’ that it will give up nukes, says North Korea

Wife, mother meet with jailed naval officer of India in Pakistan

Duterte’s son quits as vice mayor of hometown Davao

India tightens Christmas security Christians and others in India celebrated Christmas despite fears of an anti-Christian backlash in some parts of the country.

India’s capital launched a metro train with driverless technology Monday, though officials said it would oper-ate with a driver for at least a year or two.

Queen Elizabeth II and senior members of the royal fam-ily — along with newcom-er Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s American fiancee — attended a Christmas church service.

Philippine firefighters have found all 37 bodies of employees of a U.S.-based company who were trapped in a blaze that gutted a shop-ping mall in southern Davao city.

India launches new ‘driverless’ metro train

Queen, royals attend Christmas service

Filipino firefighters find all 37 bodies of workers in mall

“Let us pray that the will to resume dialogue may prevail between the parties and that a negotiated solu-tion can finally be reached, one that would allow the peaceful coexist-ence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recog-nized borders,”

Pope Francis said referring to the Israelis and Palestinians

The wife, right, and mother, center, of imprisoned Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav are escorted by an Indian diplomat after meeting with Jadhav at Foreign Ministry in Islamabad

Tunis

The United Arab Emirates has information that

Tunisian women or women travelling on Tunisian passports might commit “terrorist acts”

in the Gulf country, Tunisia’s state news agency said.

Tunisia late on Sunday suspended flights from Dubai carrier Emirates to Tunis, with officials saying the airline

was refusing to carry female Tunisian travellers.

Emirates has given no reason for not allowing female Tunisians to board its flights since Friday.

UAE says Tunisian women maycommit “terrorist acts”: Tunisia

Palm Beach

On Christmas Eve, U.S. President Donald

Trump took calls from children, asking them what they wanted most from Santa, and revealing what was on his own wish list.

One boy wanted building blocks. Another wished for his grandma to get out of the hospital. And as for Trump - who has sent a series of combative tweets since arriving at his Florida vacation home - he said he wants “peace for the country.”

“We’ve got prosperity - now we want peace,” Trump told a child named Ryan, who called the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to check on Santa’s progress.

Every year on Christmas

eve NORAD purports to track the flight of Santa and his reindeer-pulled sleigh, a tradition since 1955 when a department store misprinted a phone number, sending a flood of calls to a NORAD colonel, who played along.

Sitting in a gold chair beside first lady Melania Trump in an ornate, tapestried great room, the president enthusiastically chatted with youngsters and their parents. Reporters in the room could hear only the president’s side of the conversation.

In his trademark brash style honed during a career in the New York real estate world, Trump predicted the kids would have the greatest Christmas ever.

“I’ll make a prediction -

Santa is going to treat you well. Really well. The best he’s ever treated you,” he told one child from Mississippi, throwing in an invitation to come to the Oval Office sometime.

Casper from Arlington, Virginia, was a child after Trump’s own heart. “Building blocks! That’s what I always liked too,” the president exclaimed.

“I predict that Santa will bring you building blocks, so many you won’t be able to use them all,” he said.

As for Ryan, he told Trump he wanted his grandmother to come home from the hospital.

“That is great. That’s better than asking for some toy or something,” Trump said. (Reuters)

‘We’ve got prosperity. Now we want peace’

Trump’s Christmas wish

U.S. President Donald Trump par-ticipates in NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) Santa Tracker phone calls with children

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 SPORTS20

Beijing

New archeological research has shed

fresh light on China’s first emperor

-- creator of the world-

f a m o u s

terracotta army -- and his quest for eternal life, state media reported.

A set of wooden slips found in the central province of Hunan contain an executive order from emperor Qin Shihuang for a nationwide search for the elixir of life, along with replies from local governments, according to Xinhua news agency on Sunday.

It cited Zhang Chunlong, a researcher at the provincial institute of archaeology, as saying the emperor’s decree reached even frontier regions and remote villages.

Qin Shihuang’s obsession with eternal life was well-known: he was responsible

for the massive underground mausoleum in the northern

province of Shaanxi filled with nearly 8,000 terracotta

soldiers built to protect him in the afterlife.

By studying the 36,000 wooden slips -- found in 2002 at the bottom of a well in Hunan --

archaeologists have uncovered not only the imperial order to find an “elixir of life”, but also the often embarrassed responses from local authorities who struggled to meet his demands.

According to Xinhua, a village called “Duxiang” reported to the emperor that it had failed to discover a miraculous potion, but that the search was continuing.

Another place, “Langya,” suggested that “an herb collected from an auspicious local mountain” might do the job.

The texts were written on a series of wooden slats originally connected to each other by strings. This technique was the most common medium of writing in China before the appearance of paper at the beginning of the first millennium A.D.

Qin Shihuang’s sereach for immortality was doomed to failure: he died in 210 BC after reigning for 11 years.

The Qin dynasty -- notorious for its book burnings and executions of literati -- laid the foundation for China as a unified nation that has persisted for two millennia. (AFP)

Researchers uncover fresh details regarding China’s first emperor Qin Shinhuang

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 21SPORTS

He is the man responsible for putting Panama on the footballing map... and he’s English.

Gary Stempel, 60, is a name that won’t resonate with most British sports fans, but in the country nicknamed the Heart of the Universe he’s God.

In 2009, thanks to Stempel’s leadership, Panama won their first ever major international championship, lifting the Central American Nations Cup.

Months later he guided the small nation, which has a population of just over 4 million, to a quarter-final berth in the Gold Cup.

It was an achievement that kick-started a love of the beautiful game they call ‘futbol’ with the Panamanian people.

And it was all because of an Englishman called Gary.Stempel was born on January, 26 1957 in Panama City to a British

mother and Panamanian professional baseball-playing father.At the age of 5, his family decided to move back to England and

set-up home in east Finchley, north London.It was there Stempel, playing football in the school playground,

became engrossed in sport.A keen Arsenal fan, he was a regular at Highbury and began

studying tactics with the belief he wanted to work in management one day.

He took a job at Millwall as a community outreach officer in the mid 1980s, patiently completing his coaching badges with a masterplan in mind.

After 10 years at The Old Den, Stempel took a calculated gamble and moved back to Panama with his family in 1996.

But he initially found the transition difficult, with the country he called home lacking the infrastructure for professional football.

In fact, football was well down the pecking order in terms of sports the kids were playing in the streets.

Baseball was more popular, thanks in part to New York Yankees Panamanian pitcher Mariano Rivera.

Even boxing had a far bigger reach than football.To make ends meet, Stempel took jobs in soccer schools

and picked up coaching roles along the way.Helped by the coaching badges he attained in England, as well as being fluent in Spanish, his football career started to flourish.

Stempel landed a job with the national under-22 team, and achieved unthinkable success.

In a rare taste of success for Los Canaleros, they achieved a silver medal at the 1997 Central

American Games.What was even more remarkable was Stempel built

t h a t youth team from unsigned players he found on the dusty streets of Panama City.

“The footballers here are streetkids and every one of them has a dysfunctional character,” he said at the time.

“Some of my players don’t know who their dad is. Some have mothers in jail and work two or three jobs around training to provide for their brothers and sisters.”

Stempel then took a job at ANAPROF, now Liga Panamena de Futbol, club Panama Viejo from 1998-2001, where he found even more success.

The now defunct side won two championships during his tenure and his profile began to rise.

It was from there he was trusted with managing both the national under 21 and Under 23 Panama national teams.

Stempel had to be ready for anything the hostile central American nations would throw at him, including urine.

“In my first major game as coach of the Panama under-21, I had to give my half time team talk drenched in urine after walking through the tunnel behind a referee who was getting bags full of the stuff thrown at him,” he recalled of his early experiences.

But now he had the Panamanian people starting to take note of their soccer team, albeit at youth level. (thesun.co.uk)

Pana-maniaGary Stempel: The Englishman who turned England’s 2018 World Cup opponents Panama into a footballing

nation

Gary Stempel (file pic)

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 SPORTS22

My early races weren’t good enoughLondon

Stoffel Vandoorne admits the early part of his

2017 Formula 1 season “wasn’t good enough” as he struggled to get up to speed amid McLaren-Honda’s reliability problems.

After a decorated junior single-seater career, including the 2015 GP2 title and a successful stint in Japanese Super Formula, Vandoorne was expected to star upon receiving full-time promotion to F1.

But the Belgian racer failed to escape Q1 at any of this year’s first five races, while star team-mate Fernando

Alonso earned plaudits for plucky performances in a difficult car.

Vandoorne accepts he did a bad job in the first part of the season, but says his situation was worsened by his lack of experience coupled with chronic unreliability and the poor driveability of the McLaren-Honda package.

“I knew in the beginning it wasn’t good enough, but I also knew that I was dealing with a lot of problems,” Vandoorne said. (autosport)

M-Sport title changed perceptions of meLos Angeles

Sebastien Ogier says winning the 2017 World Rally

Championship title with privateer outfit M-Sport has brought him more recognition than any of the four crowns he scored with Volkswagen Motorsport.

Though Ogier underlined that all five of his WRC titles meant an equal amount to him personally, he said the underdog nature of his 2017 achievement had prompted a different reaction to his VW successes.

“It’s very satisfying to be able

to win in this condition,” said Ogier.

“You never achieve these things alone, you need a big team around you.

“Often people think it’s easy to win with the best team. It’s not easy even if you have the best car and the best team, you still have to do your job.

“But it’s even harder if you start with the smallest team and the smallest budget.

“That makes the challenge even bigger so I guess we got more recognition winning this way and that makes it very satisfying.” (autosport)

Lehmann to step down after 2019 Ashes

London

Australia coach Darren Lehmann will step down

from his post after the 2019 Ashes series in England.

The 47-year-old had said in August 2016, when extending his contract until 2019, that he would be unlikely to continue beyond that point.

And he has now told Fox Sports: “That will be it. It will be a case of too much time,

too much travel.”Lehmann played 27

Tests and 117 one-day internationals for Australia, taking over as national coach in 2013.

Australia will be in the UK for almost the entire summer of 2019. They will play a one-day international series before England host the World Cup, which is set to run until mid-July, before Australia attempt to defend

the Ashes urn and win a Test series on English soil for the first time since 2001.

Lehmann replaced Mickey Arthur as coach shortly before the 2013 Ashes, but despite losing that series 3-0, the Aussies romped to a 5-0 success down under in 2013-14. England regained the urn with a 3-2 home win in 2015, but Australia already hold an unassailable 3-0 lead in the current series. (BBC)

London

Surrey pace bowler Tom Curran will make his

England Test debut against Australia on Boxing Day.

The 22-year-old replaces the injured Craig Overton for the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“He’s a feisty character and he gets the ball to move around a bit,” said England captain Joe Root.

“He’s always in the contest. At no point will he hide away from any challenge. If times become hard he will give it everything.”

The void left by Overton, who has a fractured rib, could have been filled by fellow fast bowlers Jake Ball or Mark Wood. There was also the option to hand a debut to Mason Crane, but that would have meant changing the balance of the attack. (BBC)

Curran to make Boxing Day Test debut

Stoffel Vandoorne (file pic)

Darren Lehmann (file pic)

Sebastien Ogier (file pic)

Tom Curran (file pic)

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 23SPORTS

I came here to win titles:

SalahLondon

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah

has set his sights on winning titles with the Anfield club after taking the Premier League by storm.

T h e E g y p t international is joint top of the scoring charts with Harry Kane on 15 and wants to add silverware to all the plaudits he is receiving.

In an interview on Sky Sports News, Salah said: “I want to win

titles here, I came here to win titles -- to win something for the club, for us, for the fans.

“I love to win something here. We are working hard every day to win something. I am sure we are going to win something this year.’’

Salah, who joined in the summer from Roma, has formed a potent attacking partnership with Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane at Liverpool. (espn.in)

Manchester

Chelsea legend Dennis Wise has admitted that

he was surprised that Antonio Conte did not call on Michy Batshuayi from the start in Chelsea’s goalless draw with Everton on Saturday.

The Chelsea manager opted not to use the Belgian forward from the off, despite Alvaro Morata missing the game due to suspension.

Instead, Conte opted to start a front three of Eden Hazard, Pedro Rodriguez and Willian, and left Batshuayi on the bench.

Batshuayi only came on for the final 19 minutes at Goodison Park as he wasn’t given much time to influence the game. And former Chelsea star Wise has admitted his surprise that Conte didn’t call on

Batshuayi from the start at Goodison Park.

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports after the game, Wise said: “When you start with Willian, Pedro and Hazard, they all want to come off people. They don’t want to go in behind.

“Batshuayi wants to go in behind. He stretches the play a little bit more.

“I was surprised he didn’t

come on at half-time.”Chelsea return to Premier

League action on Boxing Day when they host Brighton at Stamford Bridge. The west London side’s draw with Everton caused them to fall even further behind in the race for the title, with the Blues now 16 points behind leaders Manchester City after 19 games of the new campaign. (thesportreview)

Wise sends message to Conte

Foreman believes Anthony Joshua is the man to beat

Thomas returns to Paris-Roubaix in 2018

London

Boxing legend George Foreman believes

Anthony Joshua is the man to beat at heavyweight level... but has never even heard of Tyson Fury.

The American star, 68, fought against the likes of Muhammad Ali during his long, distinguished career.

But Foreman believes British hero AJ is the main man in heavyweight boxing now - and can’t wait to watch him go toe-to-toe with Deontay Wilder.

On Joshua, Foreman claimed: “I think he’s a legitimate heavyweight champion. He’s on the top of the list as far as one to beat.

“One day when they put together the Anthony

Joshua vs Deontay Wilder fight, it would probably be one of the greatest heavyweight fights in boxing in the modern day.

“Anthony Joshua is something special. “What Anthony Joshua has is what every group of fighters should - he is conditioned.

“This guy works out, gets in the ring, gets knocked down in the 11th-round but he’s got legs to get up and fight and even earn a knockout like he did against Klitschko.

“He has the condition and the will to win. He could’ve existed in any era. “I think he’s a good fighter and if he has god matches made then he can probably leave boxing about when he is 30.” (thesun.co.uk)

London

After skipping the Classics in 2017,

Geraint Thomas will return to take on Paris-Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège next season.

The Welshman, who confirmed his participation and leadership hopes for next year’s Tour de France in an interview with Cyclingnews last week, has also outlined the rest of his early season ambitions.

Unlike in previous years, he will not begin his season in Australia at the Tour Down Under, and will instead make a later debut at the Volta ao Algarve in the spring. Tirreno-Adriatico will also feature

on his programme, before he returns to altitude training.

He will miss the bulk of the early spring cobbled races, including the Tour of Flanders, but will return for Paris-Roubaix in a Team Sky line-up that will also include Ian Stannard and Gianni Moscon.

“There are a lot of big races in the build up to the Tour, so I’ll start with Algarve, then do Tirenno and then do some training camps. Then I’ll come back and ride Paris-Roubaix, which is exciting. With the cobbled stage in the Tour it’s a good excuse to go back and ride that Monument,” he said. (cyclingnews)Mohamed Salah (file pic)

Antonio Conte (file pic)

Geraint Thomas (file pic)

Anthony Joshua (file pic)

SPORTS

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I came here to win titles: SalahP23

London

Felipe Massa says Formula 1 ended its era of “grandmother”

driving with its 2017 cars, which he likened to the 2006-08 V8-powered machines in which he was most successful.Massa won 11 grands prix for Ferrari between 2006-8, but ended his 16-year spell in F1 with Williams in 2017.

The Brazilian said this year’s cars restored a challenge he felt had been the missing before the

aerodynamic rule changes and move to more durable tyres.

“Definitely I will remember that it [the 2017 car] is nice to drive,” Massa said.

“When you’re just driving the car it is quite a nice feeling for the driver in terms of the G-force and the physicality. “I think to do a perfect lap in these cars you need to be a proper driver, not like in the past where the tyres were going away or you needed to drive

like a grandmother. Now you need to drive like a driver.

“It’s similar to maybe 2006, ‘07 and ‘08 or even before that time.

“You have the car ready to accept everything so the driver really needs to risk and drive in a proper, aggressive direction.”

Making his debut with Sauber in 2002, Massa raced in both the V10 and the V8 eras before the current V6 turbo-hybrid era began in 2014. (autosport)

F1’s ‘grandmother’ era ended: Massa

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