Belgian TV presenter charged with armed robbery

03 28,775 Bahrainisvisited Turkey

05Act now to reduce child cancer

07Saudi women grow their ventures at US incubator

10

Thousands stranded in Myanmar dam flooding12WORLD

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Jonas to voice act in ‘UglyDolls’Singer Nick Jonas will voice act and perform an original song in upcoming animated film “UglyDolls”, alongside Kelly Clarkson and Pitbull.| P16

FRIDAYAUGUST 2018

200 FILS ISSUE NO. 7855

Traditional Bahraini food in a traditional setting

United face Juventus in Champions League 18 SPORTS

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13 charged with terror offencesTDT| Manama

Thirteen people, six in custody and seven at

large, have been charged with forming and funding of the ‘February 14 Coalition,’ a terror organisation which carried out various terror activities in the Kingdom, Chief of the Terror Crime Prosecution Advocate Gen-eral Chancellor Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi said yesterday.

The suspects, who have been referred to the Fourth High Criminal Court, will stand trial on September 19. They are facing charges of forming and funding of the terror outfit, carrying out acts of sabotage, possess-ing Molotov cocktails and possessing pornographic photos and videos, he said.

US accuses Iran of bad faith over sanctions lawsuitAFP| The Hague

The United States has accused Iran of bad

faith for challenging Wash-ington’s renewed nucle-ar-linked sanctions against it at the UN’s top court.

Iran has asked the Inter-national Court of Justice to order the United States to lift the sanctions, reimposed after US President Donald Trump pulled out of a mul-tilateral 2015 accord.

Iran brought the case at the court in The Hague un-der a 1955 friendship treaty that predates the country’s Islamic Revolution. Wash-ington told the court it had no jurisdiction to rule on the case. “Iran is not invoking the treaty of amity in good faith in this proceeding,” US State Department lawyer Jennifer Newstead said in her closing argument.

Qatar sought to lobby US policy ‘influencers’ Al Arabiya| Riyadh

Qatar attempted to lobby 250 individuals whom

they deemed “influential” in the Trump administration by offering them trips to Doha, The Wall Street Journal re-ported on Wednesday. The newspaper reported that New York restaurateur Joey Alla-ham and his lobbying business partner Nick Muzin courted those individuals, including Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and attorney Alan Dershowitz who travelled to Doha. Dershowitz had writ-ten a column supporting Qatar after his trip there, which was

funded by the Qatari Amir, al-though he did say in the article that he was reluctant to accept because he has “heard that Qa-tar was contributing to Hamas, which is a terrorist group, and that it was supporting Iran.”

Dershowitz told The Jour-nal that he felt tricked because he was unaware that the pur-pose of the trip would be to use him for political gain.

“If I had known their pur-pose with me was maybe to impact the president, I would not have gone,” Dershowitz told the Journal. Huckabee was reportedly paid $50,000 by Allaham.He did not respond to a request for comment.

Bahrain and Egypt boost bilateral ties

His Majesty King Hamad, Al-Sisi review regional and international developments to combat terrorismTDT| Manama

Egypt President Abdul Fa-tah Al-Sisi who arrived on an official visit to the

Kingdom yesterday held talks with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to boost bilat-eral relations at various levels in the interest of the two countries and their people.

The talks were held in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and dele-gations of both countries.

Regional and internation-al developments and topics of joint interests were reviewed, in addition to pushing on with efforts to combat terrorism and its forms of financing to estab-lish peace, security and stability in the region.

HM the King expressed de-light in the Egyptian President’s

visit that reflects the depth of the Bahraini-Egyptian relations, saying the Egyptian President’s

visit is a good opportunity to promote coordination, consul-tation and cooperation in vari-

ous fields. The two leaders paid tributes to the strong bilateral relations, looking forward to further broadening cooperation.

HM the King hailed the devel-opment seen by various fields under the leadership of Presi-dent Al-Sisi, welcoming Egypt’s supportive stances toward the Kingdom , and its key contribu-tions to Bahrain’s development process. He reiterated standing by Egyptian efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

HM the King pointed out Egypt’s pivotal role in defend-ing Arab national security and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.

The Egyptian President ex-pressed delight in meeting HM the King in Bahrain within the framework of reinforcing coor-dination and consultation that contribute to boosting the bi-lateral relations. He expressed

appreciation of the warm wel-come and generosity, noting the royal role in promoting Bah-raini-Egyptian relations.

He lauded Bahrain’s genuine stances under the leadership of HM the King toward Egypt and its people, as well as its honour-able support for the joint Arab action.

The two leaders attached great significance to Arab uni-ty and solidarity to safeguard Arab interests and gains. They also highlighted standing firm-ly against foreign attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of Arab countries.

Earlier in the day, His Majes-ty welcomed President Al-Sisi at Bahrain International Air-port upon his arrival. His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and senior officials were pres-ent.

Belgian TV presenter charged with armed robberyAFP| Brussels

One of Belgium’s top foot-ball TV presenters has been

charged with armed robbery during a raid in an affluent Brus-sels satellite town, prosecutors has said. Stephane Pauwels, who has hosted shows for Belgian and French television, was ar-

rested in a major police probe.Pauwels is suspected of

“armed robbery with a firearm, at night, as part of a gang”, fed-eral prosecutor’s spokeswoman Wenke Roggen told AFP.

The raid took place in the wealthy town of Lasne, south of Brussels, in 2017, and was de-scribed by media as a “home in-

vasion”. The arrest is part of an investigation launched several months ago into armed robber-ies, burglaries and drug dealing, Roggen said, with five people currently in custody.

Pauwels was detained in the southern city of Mons on Tues-day and on Wednesday appeared before a judge who charged him

and granted conditional bail.The 50-year-old is a presenter

on Belgium’s RTL-TVI channel -- the country’s leading private broadcaster -- and is also known in France for hosting football programmes on several stations.

As well as football, Pauwels also hosts a show on RTL-TVI called “Storms of Life”.

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with Egypt President Al Sisi

Bahraini women’s 4x100m relay team of Salwa Naser, Edidiong Odiong, Iman Isa, Hajer Al Khaldi won gold with a Games record of 42.73 seconds. Bahrain won Gold and silver medals in Men’s 5,000m and women’s 1,500m as well as a bronze in men’s 1,500m athletics events

Stephane Pauwels

02FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2018

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receiving Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi upon his arrival in the Kingdom as part of his three-legged Asian tour. The meeting were held in the presence of Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and delegations of both countries. Talks focused on boosting bilateral relations at various levels. Regional and international developments and topics of joint interests were also reviewed. China will be the second leg in the tour. Sisi will conclude his trip with a visit to the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, which is considered the first official visit of an Egyptian president to Uzbekistan

Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, during an inspection visit to a number of BDF units. He was briefed about their work progress, as well as training programmes aimed at enhancing the combat and administrative readiness and competence of the servicemen. The Commander-in-Chief gave directives to continue implementing training projects and programmes

Interior Minister, Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa receiving US Ambassador to Bahrain, Justin Siberell, in the presence of Public Security Chief, Major-General Tariq bin Hassan Al-Hassan. They reviewed the Bahrain-US relations and discussed topics of mutual interest

Zayed bin Rashid Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Chairman of Gulf Air’s Board of Directors, alongside the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Krešimir Kucko receiving the Chairman of Bahrain Free Labour Unions Federation (Al Hurr), Yaqoob Yousif, along with a number of representatives from the airline and the National Labour Union of Gulf Air. During the meeting, a number of matters related to labour issues were discussed

Bahrain-Thai Haj cooperation discussedTDT | Manama

Head of Bahrain’s Haj Mis-sion, Shaikh Adnan bin

Abdulla Al-Qattan, yesterday lauded the deep-rooted Bah-raini-Thai relations.

Receiving a Thai delegation, led by the Advisor to the Thai Minister of Interior, Al-Qattan affirmed keenness to strength-en bilateral relations at various international gatherings and through joint projects.

Head of the Thai delega-tion, currently on a visit to the Kingdom to meet Thai Haj pilgrims and expatriate community here, stressed the

depth of the two countries’ relations spanning more than 40 years.

Highlighting His Majesty

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khali-fa’s special interest in boosting bilateral ties, Al-Qattan high-lighted Bahrain’s experience in

serving pilgrims among citizens and expatriates. He also shed light on the role of the Bahrain Haj Mission in delivering ser-

vices and facilities to pilgrims, as well as on its coordination mechanisms with the relevant parties in Bahrain and abroad.

Officials during a photocall

A comprehensive qualification review system on anvil: BSE TDT | Manama

The Bahrain Society of En-gineers (BSE) has rejected

media reports claiming that society “will review the quali-fication of its 2200 members” clarifying that “it did not de-cide on such a procedure”.

The statement, however, said that BSE will review the qualifications of a number of the current members for scru-tiny purposes. “This shall also include outsourcing part of the process to specialist compa-

nies in such area.”Huda Sultan, Director

of Information at BSE said that BSE has followed a pre-cise system to ensure the validity of applications and qualifications submitted for membership.

“However, to come up with a more integrated system of qualification review, BSE will develop a more comprehen-sive mechanism to ensure that the correct decisions about membership applications are made,” the statement said.

Southern Governor opens avenue in West RiffaTDT | Manama

Following Royal Direc-tives from His Maj-

esty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Southern Gov-ernor His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Khal-ifa Al-Khalifa opened the Majid bin Nasser Al-Majid Al-Nuaimi Avenue in West Riffa. The 1500-metre long avenue represents one of the main historic and vital arteries, in West Riffa, link-ing blocs 902, 904, 908, 910 and 912.

The inauguration was at-tended by dignitary Abdulla bin Hamad Al-Nuaimi, Ed-ucation Minister Dr Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, South-ern Police Director-Gener-al Brigadier Hamad bin Ali Al-Merri and members of the Al-Naim tribe.

HH Shaikh Khalifa hailed the royal gesture of HM the King to name the main ave-nue after one of the Al-Naim tribesmen.

Embassy holiday

The Embassy of India will remain close on

Monday on account of Jan-mashtami

HRH CP congratulates Malaysian SultanManama

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin

Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Su-preme Commander and First Deputy Prime Min-ister sent a cable of con-gratulations to HM Sultan Muhammad V the Sultan of Malaysia on his country’s National Day, wishing the friendly Malaysian peo-ple further progress and prosperity. HRH the Crown Prince also sent a similar congratulatory cable to Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad.

Similar cables of congrat-ulations were also sent by HRH Prince Khalifa bin Sal-man Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, to HM Sultan Mu-hammad V the Sultan of Malaysia and Prime Minis-ter Mahathir bin Mohamad.

HM King congratulates Trinidad and Tobago prezManama

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sent

a cable of congratulations to Trinidad and Tobago Presi-dent Paula-Mae Weekes on her country’s Independence anniversary.

Separately, His Majesty sent a cable of congratula-tions to Kyrgyzstan Presi-dent Sooronbay Jeenbekov on his country’s independ-ence anniversary.

D T N _ 0 3 _ 0 3 0 8 2 0 1 8 . p d f

03

big story

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2018

ASSETSCash and balances with the Central Bank of Bahrain 21,393,478 28,999,035Financial assets measured at amortised cost 28,430,657 28,555,380Due from other offices of the Bank 16,011,131 18,836,872Deposits and balances due from banks 982,656 1,411,274Loans and advances to customers 107,165,218 89,695,663Other assets 324,171 258,224Prepayments and accrued income 1,381,555 1,054,624Property and equipment 333,952 355,776

Total assets 176,022,818 169,166,848

LIABILITIES AND HEAD OFFICE FUNDSLiabilities Deposits and balances due to banks 63,412 5,681,905Customer deposits 161,054,490 143,421,255Due to other offices of the Bank 2,283,419 3,045,579Other liabilities 1,003,892 1,391,032Accruals and deferred income 1,007,300 1,074,093

Total Liabilities 165,412,513 154,613,864

Head Office fundsCapital 10,000,000 10,000,000Unremitted profits to Head Office 610,305 4,552,984

Total Head Office funds 10,610,305 14,552,984

Total Liabilities and Head Office funds 176,022,818 169,166,848

Interest income 3,202,064 2,768,386Interest expense (1,569,522) (1,222,300)Net interest income 1,632,542 1,546,086

Fees and commission income 289,701 554,750Fees and commission expenses (9,630) (10,354)Net fees and commission income 280,071 544,396

Other income, net 49,931 71,531Total operating income 1,962,544 2,162,013

General and administrative expenses (1,276,556) (1,143,739)Allowance for impairment, net (862,384) 9,611 (Loss)/profit for the period (176,396) 1,027,885 Other comprehensive income for the period - -Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period (176,396) 1,027,885

Cash flows from operating activities

(Loss)/profit for the period (176,396) 1,027,885

Adjustments for:

Allowance for impairment losses on loans and advances 862,384 -

Amortisation of other financial assets measured at amortised cost (43,273) -

Depreciation on property and equipment 41,551 31,721

Provision for end-of-service indemnity 22,947 18,517

Net cash generated before changes in operating assets and liabilities 707,213 1,078,123

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Loans and advances to customers (21,852,669) (2,772,339)

Prepayments and accrued income (326,931) 57,435

Other assets (65,947) (15,800)

Deposits and balances due to banks - 3,458

Customer deposits 17,633,235 33,065,557

Accruals and deferred income (66,793) 164,415

Other liabilities (518,532) (645,333)

Statutory reserves with the Central Bank of Bahrain (55,000) (365,000)

Cash from operations (4,545,424) 30,570,516

Payment of employees’ end of service indemnity (2,995) -

Net cash flows (used in)/ generated from operating activities (4,548,419) 30,570,516

Cash flows from investing activities

Investments in treasury bills (4,965,020) -

Redemption of treasury bills 5,000,000 4,936,576

Purchase of property and equipment (19,726) (1,070)

Net cash flow generated from investing activities 15,254 4,935,506

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents (4,533,165) 35,506,022

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 35,544,697 34,756,414

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 31,011,532 70,262,436

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION(Expressed in Bahraini Dinars unless otherwise stated)

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME(Expressed in Bahraini Dinars unless otherwise stated)

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS(Expressed in Bahraini Dinars unless otherwise stated)

As at

30 June2018

(reviewed)

30 June 2018(reviewed)

30-Jun-18(reviewed)

31 December 2017

(audited)

30 June 2017(reviewed)

30-Jun-17 (reviewed)

we do banking, you do life.

Licensed by CBB as a Conventional Retail Bank

The above statements have been extracted from the condensed interim financial information of Mashreq Bank PSC, Bahrain Branch for the six month period ended 30 June 2018 which were approved for issue on 30th August 2018 and reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers ME Limited, Kingdom of Bahrain, who expressed an unqualified review conclusion.

MASHREQBANK PSC, BAHRAIN BRANCH, MANAMA - KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Six month period ended


Ahmed DayyatCountry Head

TDT | Manama

Mohammed Zafran

Travellers from Bahrain to Turkey increased by 30.6 per cent in the first five months of this year as

compared to the previous year, data revealed.

Turkey strengthened its position as a popular travel destination for Bahrainis as the country witnessed a considerable increase in the number of visitors from Bahrain this year.

28,775 Bahrainis visited Turkey in the period between January and May, around 30 per cent more compared to the same period last year, accord-ing to the latest data released by the

Turkish Consulate General Cultural and Information Office for the GCC countries.

Business, medical as well as pleasure tourism were all described as ‘popular’ among Bahraini travellers to Turkey.

According to the data, 17,500 Bah-rainis travelled to Turkey in 2016. The number grew to 22,031 in 2017 and it is expected to be substantially higher at the end of 2018.

“Turkey continues to be an attrac-tive destination for Bahraini business people, holidaymakers and those seek-ing medical services due to our strong cultural ties,” said Turkish diplomat Salah Ozer.

“The United Nations World Tourism

Organization (UNWTO) recently named Turkey as the world’s sixth most vis-ited country in 2017, welcoming 39.9 million tourists. Such achievements and accolades will help in growing the number of tourists travelling to Turkey in 2018.”

Chief Executive Officer of Global Travel & Tour Suhaib Kidwai said that he has seen tourism to Turkey increase rapidly in the past two years. “The pop-ularity of Turkey as a travel destination for Bahrainis is because of multiple factors. First, the country is very ‘vi-sa-friendly’; there are no hassles in the applications for a visa since they are so keen on helping tourists and supporting tourism to the country. The country is

also seen as a Gateway to Europe. At our company as well, we have seen a gradual increase in sales for travel to Turkey. It is now one of our top selling packages,” he told Tribune.

Turkey has seen a great number of visitors from other countries in the region as well. From January to May, 28,775 from Qatar, and 15,417 from the UAE travelled to Turkey.

The country also recorded a 17.25 per cent increase in the number of vis-itors from Kuwait during the first five months of this year as 90,590 Kuwaiti travellers chose Turkey as their travel destination. Around 50 per cent of the total tourists from the GCC region to Turkey were from Kuwait.

28,775 Bahrainis visited Turkey

between January and MayIstanbul has become one of the popular destinations for Bahrainis

Turkey continues to be an attractive

destination for Bahraini

business people, holidaymakers

and those seeking medical services due to our strong

cultural tiesSALAH OZER

TURKISH DIPLOMAT

On a mission to support reform

Teacher of Physical Education Jihad Almo’men to contest from the 4th constituency of the Northern Governorate

• Almo’men said he is working on integrated electoral programme

• Focus will be on the needs of the people in the constituency

TDT | Manama

Jihad Jafar Almo’men, a teacher of physical ed-

ucation at the Ministry of Education, con-firmed that he will run for the next Council of Representatives elections from the 4th constitu-ency of Northern Governorate.

Almo’men said that his candida-cy is a mission to support the re-form project of His Majesty the King. He said he is working on an integrated elec-toral programme to serve the needs of the people of the constituency and the citizens as a whole.

The priority,

he said, will be on reducing unemployment by creating suitable job opportunities for graduates. An equal focus will be placed on issues including housing and education among others.

Besides, working on a law allowing parliamentarian a 60 per cent quota to nominate candidates in job allocation, he said he aims to protect the rights of retirees and women.

Almo’men explained that the Council’s past performance was not satisfactory with many

decisions sti l l pending on youth affairs and wom-en’s support.

He hopes that things will get better with many y o u n g p e o p l e joining the Coun-cil of Representa-tives.

A l m o ’ m e n urged voter to participate in the electoral process and choose the most efficient candidate. “I am very sure that the performance of the next Coun-cil will be, better than the current -with God’s will,” he said.


I am very sure that the

performance of the next Council

will be, better than the current -with God’s will

JIHAD JAFAR ALMO’MEN

A TEACHER OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT THE MINISTRY OF

EDUCATION

CONDENSED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION for the six months ended 30 June 2018Retail Bank, Bahrain

sc.com/bh

Licensed by the CBB as a Conventional Retail Bank and a Wholesale Bank

Dr. Boutros KlinkChief Executive Officer, Bahrain

Shaikha TareefChief Financial Officer, Bahrain

Reviewed by: KPMGPublic Accountants

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

as at 30 June 2018

Bahraini Dinars 000’s30 June 2018

(reviewed)31 December 2017

(audited)

AssetsCash and balances at central banks 90,558 43,722 Due from other entities of the Head Office 31,744 78,805 Deposits and amounts due from banks 25,320 17,929 Loans and advances to customers 443,451 449,228 Investment securities 149,214 158,529 Property, equipment and software 4,023 4,213 Interest receivable and other assets 28,414 23,992

Total assets 772,724 776,418

LiabilitiesDue to other entities of the Head Office 59,265 47,858 Deposits and amounts due to banks 6,628 19,173 Customers accounts 600,202 616,269 Interest payable and other liabilities 55,427 41,267

Total liabilities 721,522 724,567

Head Office funds Capital 10,743 10,743 Retained earnings 4,430 5,622 Other reserves 36,029 35,486

Total Head Office funds 51,202 51,851

Total liabilities and Head Office funds 772,724 776,418

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

for the six months ended 30 June 2018


(reviewed)30 June 2017

(reviewed)

Interest income 16,756 15,596Interest expense (3,029) (2,757)Net interest income 13,727 12,839

Fee and commission income 6,294 6,425Fee and commission expense (764) (578)Net fee and commission income 5,530 5,847

Net trading income 1,893 2,519Other income 235 226

Total operating income 21,385 21,431

Staff costs 6,211 5,673 Depreciation and amortisation 215 233 Premises and equipment costs 320 448 Other expenses 7,951 6,986

Total operating expenses 14,697 13,340

Profit before impairment losses 6,688 8,091

Net impairment loss (2,258) (2,105)

Profit for the period 4,430 5,986

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME




(reviewed)

Profit for the period 4,430 5,986

Other comprehensive incomeItems that may be reclassified to profit or loss:

Net fair value movement during the period (187) 222

Total other comprehensive income for the period (187) 222

Total comprehensive income for the period 4,243 6,208

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS




(reviewed)

Net cash used in operating activities (11,703) (4,022)

Net cash generated from investing activities 10,589 14,044

Net cash used in financing activities (913) (4,771)

(Decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalents during the period (2,027) 5,251

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 72,022 70,329

Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June 69,995 75,580

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN HEAD OFFICE FUNDS


Bahraini Dinars 000’s

Capital Retained earnings

Other reserves

Total2018 (reviewed) General reserve Fair value reserve

At 1 January 2018 10,743 5,622 34,056 1,430 51,851 Transition adjustment on adoption of IFRS 9 - (4,709) - 730 (3,979)

At 1 January 2018 - restated 10,743 913 34,056 2,160 47,872Comprehensive income for the periodProfit for the period - 4,430 - - 4,430Other comprehensive incomeFair value reserve:Net fair value movement during the period - - - (187) (187)

Total comprehensive income for the period - 4,430 - (187) 4,243Amounts remitted to Head Office during the period - (913) - - (913)

At 30 June 2018 10,743 4,430 34,056 1,973 51,202

Capital Retained earnings

Other reserves

Total2017 (reviewed) General reserve Fair value reserve

At 1 January 2017 10,743 4,771 34,056 765 50,335 Comprehensive income for the periodProfit for the period - 5,986 - - 5,986Other comprehensive incomeFair value reserve:Net fair value movement during the period - - - 222 222 Total comprehensive income for the period - 5,986 - 222 6,208 Amounts remitted to Head Office during the period - (4,771) - - (4,771)

At 30 June 2017 10,743 5,986 34,056 987 51,772

Focus on improving livesJameel Nasser to fight for a seat on the Council of Representatives from the 9th constituency of the Northern Governorate

TDT | Manama

Jameel Nasser has announced his candidacy for the upcoming elec-tion declaring that his focus will

be “on improving the livelihood of cit-izens” in the Kingdom.

He will fight for a seat on the Council of Representatives from the 9th constituency of the Northern Governorate.

Explaining his decision, Nasser told

Al Ayam that he felt that his chances in “the circle are good”.

“I was encouraged by the willingness of the people there to support me for a seat on the Council of Representatives,” he said.

Presenting his electoral programme, he said his focus will be on improving the livelihood of citizens. “I believe that this is the most important thing a citizen wants from the Council of Representatives.”

He also made clear that he will seek to introduce a legislation to reduce the deficit in pension funds.

My goal, he said, is to defend the youth and find a new and realistic solu-tion to the problem of unemployment faced by the graduates.

Jameel Nasser told Al Ayam that he is currently working on forming an electoral team in his constituency as well as working on campaign plans and programme.

Contesting election, according to Nasser, is not an easy matter. “It’s all about gaining experience, rather than the end results.”

“A candidate if he wins can serve the country from the Council of Represent-atives, but most importantly one should know that we are all participating in the reform project headed by His Majesty the King and develop the democratic process in our dear Kingdom. This is what everyone wants.”

Jameel Nasser

Jihad Jafar Almo’men

Act now to reduce child cancer Future Youth Society is organising events to make childhood cancer a national child health priority

TDT | Manama

Mohammed Zafran

Some problems, like child-hood cancer, can be too overwhelming to solve,

even though researchers are working 24/7 to find better treatments and cure to help kids fight cancer.

But it’s impossible to stop the fight, especially after knowing the fact that every three min-utes worldwide, a child dies of cancer.

Reports indicate that can-cer continues to be the leading cause of death in pediatric pa-tients among the non-commu-nicable diseases.

What matter most here is sup-porting the cause. And Future Youth Society has made it easier than ever for all to join the fight.

Five events The society said it is organising five major events in September to raise awareness and bene-fit young cancer battlers better cope with the disease.

The first in the series of the community outreach initiative will start this Sunday at the Sal-maniya Medical Complex.

The campaign, as part of the Future Youth Society’s ‘Smile’ initiative’ features a walkathon event, a music concert, a ‘kids’ day out’ as well as other events at all major shopping malls in the Kingdom.

“We aim to include the whole community in our campaign,” Sabah Al Zayani, the society chairman told Tribune adding

that they are planning to involve schools, universities, private and public sectors organisations in the initiative.

The launch day at Salmaniya Medical Complex will see the

participation of children and parents in large numbers.

The society, he said, has roped in Bahraini singer Najma Abdul-la for the concert planned. “On the day, we will take children

for lunch, watch a movie and spend time at a shopping mall fun centre,” he added.

Big stands will be displayed as part of the campaign at shopping malls. “This is one of the most important aspects of our cam-paign as we want to let people know about how the disease af-

fects the children,” he said. Regarding the importance of

early detection, Al Zayani said: “People need to know how ear-ly detection is possible and the benefits of early detection of childhood cancer.”

He added: “We need to look out for certain indications, which are simple. Ignoring them will be lead to create fatal re-sults.”

Al Zayani also expressed his enthusiasm about the response received. “We have had a very good response so far from the private sector as well as the pub-lic sector organisations.”

“A number of banks and ho-tels have shown their interest,” he said.

On other plans, the Chairman said the society is also planning to start a fundraising initiative to help cancer sufferers during the walkathon.

He, however, told Tribune that the main goal for “us is spread-ing the awareness.”


Evgenia PepelovaAsif IqbalThis condensed interim financial information was authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 30 August 2018 and signed on its behalf by: DirectorChairman

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENT OFFINANCIAL POSITION

30 JUNE 31 DECEMBER

2018 2017(UNAUDITED) (AUDITED)

ASSETS BHD BHDCash and cash equivalents 1,844,462 1,150,440Investment in Murabaha deposits 805,265 1,291,969Statutory deposit 130,592 128,052Other receivables 984,115 4,190,294Retakaful assets 770,006 1,142,483Deferred Wakala fee 116 625Qard El Hassan receivable from participants 1,350,000 1,350,000Total assets 5,884,556 9,253,863

Liabilities, Participants’ and Shareholders’ EquityLIABILITIESTakaful payables 830,870 1,282,221Retakaful payables 30 110,823Other payables 738,926 3,344,723Deferred wakala fee 116 625Qard El Hassan payable to operator 1,350,000 1,350,000Total liabilities 2,919,942 6,088,392Participants’ equity (269,794) (309,466)Shareholders’ EquityShare capital 8,596,431 8,596,431Accumulated losses (5,362,023) (5,121,494)Total shareholders’ equity 3,234,408 3,474,937Total liabilities, participants’ and shareholders’ equity 5,884,556 9,253,863

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENT OFSHAREHOLDERS’ INCOME

SIX MONTHS PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE

2018 2017(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)

REVENUES BHD BHDInvestment income 5,851 1,278Wakala fee 509 205Total revenue 6,360 1,483EXPENSESAcquisition costs (8) 2,196General and administrative expenses (246,881) (281,927)Loss for the period (240,529) (278,248)

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENT OFPARTICIPANTS’ REVENUESAND EXPENSES

SIX MONTHS PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE

2018 2017(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)

REVENUES BHD BHDGross contributions - (12,540)Less: Retakaful share - 12,492Net retained contributions - (48)Change in unearned contributions – net 1,267 9,272Earned contributions 1,267 9,224Commission income earned 41 (3,186)Investment income 9,475 16,343Other income - 1,517Total revenue 10,783 23,898EXPENSESGross claims incurred 1,065 (939,995)Retakaful share of claims incurred 86,892 988,879Net claims incurred 87,957 48,884Wakala fee (509) (205)Provision for doubtful contribution receivables - 6,838Other expenses (58,559) -Total expenses 28,889 55,517Net surplus transferred to participants’ equity 39,672 79,415

MORE THAN 300,000 CHILDREN EACH YEAR ARE DIAG-NOSED WITH CANCER. MANY TYPES OF CHILDHOOD CAN-CER ARE CURABLE IF GIVEN:

» The right to early and proper diagnosis;

» The right to access life-saving essential medicines;

» The right to appropriate and quality medical treat-ments, and;

» The right to follow up care, services and sustainable livelihood opportunities for survivors.

Sabah Al Zayani, Chairman, Future Youth Society

Ministry recruits 797 teachers TDT | Manama

The Education Ministry is finalising the recruit-

ment procedures for 797 Bahraini teachers, said Un-dersecretary for Resources and Services, Dr. Moham-med Mubarak Juma’a.

The appointments are made from the Bahrain Teachers’ College, as well as from universities in Bahrain and abroad.

The administrative and teaching staff will join their schools on September 2.

NIHR monitoring committee holds meetingTDT | Manama

The National Institu-tion for Human Rights

(NIHR)’s Complaints, Mon-itoring and Follow-up Committee held its fif-teenth meeting chaired by Maria Khoury and attend-ed by committee members Khaled Al Shaer and Rawda Al Aradi.

The committee said it received and reviewed six complaints and has com-municated with the con-cerned authorities for their follow-up. The NIHR also identified four cases through media and social outlets.

The NIHR receives com-plaints and requests via at-tendance in person, toll-free hotline 80001144, www.nihr.org.bh as well as through NIHR mobile phone app.

Childhood cancer is not one disease, but severalChildhood cancer is made up of over a dozen different types and countless subtypes. Cancer in children can begin virtually anywhere in the body. The causes of most types of childhood cancer are not known and are not strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors, unlike many adult cancers.

Every day, there are almost 700 new casesThis is equivalent to an entire elementary school of children. This adds up to over 250,000 new cases of cancer each year in children under the age of 20.

Children, like gold, are precious and strongEver wonder why the Childhood Cancer Awareness ribbon is gold? In 1997, a group of parents picked gold as the official colour be-cause it symbolizes how precious children are and their resiliency. (ALSF)

06

business


Register for Post-paid lines before Sept 2: TRATDT | Manama

Post-paid Subscribers are required to register for

their SIM cards before the 2 September 2018, said the Telecommunications Reg-ulatory Authority (TRA) in a statement.

The statement, warns that failing to register within the specified period will result in suspension of the service on a temporary basis.

It also states that failing to register again during the suspension period will result in final deactivation by the 2nd of December 2018.

The move, according to TRA, is part of the Author-ity’s on-ongoing efforts to protect and safeguard sub-scribers from fraud and identity theft.

For more information, consumers can contact TRA’s Consumer Call Center on 81188.

NAFTA 2.0 agreement appears to be in reachThe sticking points likely will center on Canada’s managed dairy market

• Negotiators have worked for a year to update and rewrite the 25-year-old free trade pact

AFP | Washington, United States

A deal on an overhaul of the North American Free Trade Agreement

appears to be within reach, as Canada and the United States opened their third day of ne-gotiations yesterday aimed at getting the pact done by the end of the week.

Trade officials worked late into the night on details, and Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland went into another face-to-face meeting with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as the sides seek to bridge their differences.

Despite US President Donald Trump’s threats to leave Can-ada on the sidelines after an-nouncing a breakthrough with Mexico on Monday, Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed optimism a deal was close.

The White House plans to notify Congress on Friday of its

intention to enter into a new free trade agreement, to provide the required 90 days’ notice that would allow NAFTA 2.0 to be signed by December 1, when Mexico will install a new pres-ident.

But that will mean compro-mises on both sides on issues that have created friction be-tween the neighboring coun-tries, notably Canada’s dairy

trade rules and mechanisms to settle disputes and intellectu-al property protections, as the leaders each try to claim victory.

“I think they’re going really well,” Trump said of the Canada talks, saying they were “proba-bly on track” to meet the Friday deadline.

“I think Canada very much wants to make the deal,” he said, while again raising the possibil-

ity of doing a separate, bilateral deal with Mexico.

The crucial phase of talks be-gan Tuesday, and Trudeau ex-pressed optimism the countries could reach agreement by the end of the week.

“There is a possibility of get-ting to a good deal for Canada by Friday,” Trudeau said. But “no NAFTA deal is better than a bad NAFTA deal.”

Mexico paved the way by agreeing to a NAFTA 2.0 with the United States on Monday.

Freeland told reporters that she and Lighthizer were re-viewing “a number of different issues” with their teams.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland (C) arrives for a meeting with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington, DC

KNOW WHAT

The new NAFTA includes a higher

percentage of local-ly-produced compo-

nents in autos

Macron says French ‘resistant to change’Paris, France

French President Em-manuel Macron came

under attack from the op-position yesterday after describing his countrymen as “Gauls who are resistant to change” during a trip to Denmark. The comments came during an exchange with French expatriates in the Scandinavian country, which Macron has long ad-mired because of its eco-nomic model that mixes a strong social security sys-tem with rules allowing companies to easily fire workers.

“Let’s not be naive, what is possible is linked to a cul-ture, to a people who are the product of their history,” Macron said on Wednesday afternoon. “These Lutheran (Protestant) people, who have experienced transfor-mations in recent years, are not like the Gauls who are resistant to change,” he said, using a term for the ancient tribes that roamed France more than 2000 years ago.

The remark echoed pre-vious comments by Macron saying the French “hate re-forms” and that the country is “unreformable”.

The 40-year-old former investment banker is try-ing to push through his own version of Denmark’s “flexi-curity” model of flex-ibility and security by loos-ening French labour law and reforming the social security system.

OPEC’s fund lends Bosnia 47.6m euros

Reuters | Sarajevo

The OPEC Fund for Inter-national Development

extended two loans worth a total of 47.6 million euros to Bosnia for the construction of a section of a north-to-south pan-European high-way which passes through the country.


In United States Dollars (‘USD’) Accumulated Foreign currency deficit translationreserve Total2018Balance at 1 January (41,325,088) 281,682 (41,043,406)Deficit for the period (5,668,548) - (5,668,548)Foreign currency translation reserve - 69,626 69,626

Balance at 30 June (46,993,636) 351,308 (46,642,328)

2017 Balance at 1 January (35,123,193) 400,876 (34,722,317)Deficit for the period (5,662,241) - (5,662,241)Foreign currency translation reserve - (96,217) (96,217)

Balance at 30 June (40,785,434) 304,659 (40,480,775)

In United States Dollars (‘USD’)

Income Wakala fee 5,588,953 5,360,467 Investment profit income 187,102 222,902 Mudarib share 31,000 22,387 Other income 109,472 129,710 Totalincome 5,916,527 5,735,466 Expenses

General and administration expenses 4,788,071 4,828,510

Totalexpenses 4,788,071 4,828,510 ProfitfortheperiodbeforecontributiontoKFAS 1,128,456 906,956 Contribution to KFAS (864) (1,147)Zakat (957) (1,278)NETPROFITFORTHEPERIOD 1,126,635 904,531 Profit attributable to: Owners of the parent 1,098,427 866,990 Non-controlling interests 28,208 37,541 NETPROFITFORTHEPERIOD 1,126,635 904,531

CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFCHANGESINPARTICIPANTS’EQUITY

CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFSHAREHOLDERS’INCOME

CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFFINANCIALPOSITION

CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFCHANGESINSHAREHOLDERS’EQUITY

CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFPARTICIPANTS’REVENUEANDEXPENSES


Share Statutory Foreign Accumulated Investment Total Non- Total capital reserve currency losses fairvalue controlling equity translation reserve interest reserve 2018Balance at 1 January 58,000,000 1,314,688 (748,181) (9,256,561) 1,883,085 51,193,031 7,816,245 59,009,276 Foreign currency translation reserve - - (54,446) - - (54,446) 60,909 6,463 Investment fair value reserve - - - - (941,329) (941,329) (487,671) (1,429,000)Net profit for the period - - - 1,098,427 - 1,098,427 28,208 1,126,635

Balanceat30June 58,000,000 1,314,688 (802,627) (8,158,134) 941,756 51,295,683 7,417,691 58,713,374

2017 Balance at 1 January 58,000,000 1,288,932 (960,577) (9,405,523) 2,142,759 51,065,591 7,758,687 58,824,278 Foreign currencytranslation reserve - - 158,653 - - 158,653 (600,182) (441,529)Investment fair value reserve - - - - (63,103) (63,103) 641,131 578,028 Net profit for the period - - - 866,990 - 866,990 37,541 904,531

Balance at 30 June 58,000,000 1,288,932 (801,924) (8,538,533) 2,079,656 52,028,131 7,837,177 59,865,308

t’azur Company b.s.c. (c)

The Board of directors ‘ have approved the condensed consolidated financial information.

In United States Dollars (‘USD’) 30 Jun 2018 31 Dec 2017 (reviewed) (audited)ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 9,930,315 4,220,604 Statutory deposits 8,199,001 8,959,013 Deposits more than 3 months 5,153,684 13,188,688 Investments 12,572,367 10,789,190 Contributions receivable 25,968,926 19,009,726 Receivable from takaful and retakaful companies 2,900,088 2,909,272 Deferred acquisition cost 4,532,732 3,574,577 Deferred retakaful share of contribution 9,154,241 9,319,384 Retakaful share of outstanding claims 17,196,323 15,911,975 Property and equipment 632,929 647,463 Other assets 4,573,591 3,622,593 Totalassets 100,814,197 92,152,485 LIABILITIES,PARTICIPANTS’FUND ANDSHAREHODERSEQUITY Liabilities Technical reserves 73,312,588 61,219,973 Payable from takaful and retakaful companies 5,143,971 3,577,613 Other liabilities 10,286,592 9,389,028

Totalliabilities 88,743,151 74,186,614

Participants’fund Accumulated deficit (46,993,636) (41,325,087)Foreign currency translation reserve 351,308 281,682

Totalofparticipants’fund (46,642,328) (41,043,405) Equity Share capital 58,000,000 58,000,000 Statutory reserve 1,314,688 1,314,688 Investment fair value reserve 941,756 1,883,085 Foreign currency translation reserve (802,627) (748,181)Accumulated losses (8,158,134) (9,256,561) 51,295,683 51,193,031 Non- controlling interest 7,417,691 7,816,245 Totalshareholder’equity 58,713,374 59,009,276 TOTALLIABILITIES,PARTICIPANTS’FUNDANDSHAREHODERSEQUITY 100,814,197 92,152,485


Contributions Gross contributions 39,070,872 29,542,823 Retakaful share of gross contributions (6,972,703) (7,305,998)Retainedcontributions 32,098,169 22,236,825 Unearned contributions adjustment (9,395,592) (3,253,325)Netearnedcontributions 22,702,577 18,983,500 Policy issuance fee 177,917 321,329 Policy acquisition costs (1,941,590) (1,508,334)Re-takaful discount 1,374,477 1,361,771

Netacquisitioncosts/discountincome (389,196) 174,766 Unearned acquisition costs / discount income adjustment- net 278,722 (154,623)Netearnedacquisitioncosts/discountincome (110,474) 20,143 Netearnedrevenue 22,592,103 19,003,643 Claims Gross claims paid 21,621,956 17,631,631 Retakaful share of claims paid (1,658,742) (3,140,105)Change in Outstanding claims - gross 2,847,065 948,956 Change in Outstanding claims - retakaful share (1,319,104) 2,122,005 Netclaims 21,491,175 17,562,487 Netearnedrevenueovernetclaimsincurred 1,100,928 1,441,156 Wakala fee (5,588,954) (5,360,467)General and administrative expenses under mudarib model (1,366,027) (1,811,993)

Deficitfromtakafuloperations (5,854,053) (5,731,304)

Profit income 297,127 155,842 Mudarib share (30,999) (22,387)Other expense (80,623) (64,392)DEFICITFORTHEPERIOD (5,668,548) (5,662,241)

Sixmonthsended30June

Sixmonthsended30June

2018 (reviewed)

2018 (reviewed)

2017 (reviewed)

2017 (reviewed)

CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDFINANCIALSTATEMENTFORTHESIXMONTHSENDED30JUNE2018

Saudi women grow their ventures at US incubator

Washington, United States

Reem Dad, a 22-year-old from Saudi Arabia, is de-veloping a platform for

pilgrims and tourists to expe-rience a virtual reality tour of Medina, one of Islam’s holiest sites.

Heba Zahid, 37, is working on GreenDesert, a venture that would be one of the first to help create a recycling culture in the Middle Eastern country.

Dad and Zahid were among 14 young women social entrepre-neurs from the kingdom who recently attended an intensive programme at Halcyon, a Wash-ington-based business incubator, to turn their ideas into reality.

The initiative comes after Saudi women were given the right to drive in June, among reforms backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman raising hopes for greater gender equal-ity.

“Everything is changing now... There is space for females every-where,” said Dad, whose virtual reality programme is called Tai-bah VR.

“If a man wants to establish a company or wants to start up something, there’s a process they go through -- the same process we also go through. So I feel we are equal,” she told AFP.

Other projects include an Ara-bic-language app to help autistic children communicate, match-ing employers and workers to reduce unemployment and underemployment, as well as a video game to motivate youths to engage in community service.

The Saudi government’s Vi-sion 2030 aims in part to pro-mote local businesses, includ-ing those run by women, whose participation in the workforce is expected to grow from 22 per cent to 30pc by the end of the next decade.

That’s still far behind most other nations. In the United States, where large gaps remain between women and men’s em-ployment rates, wages and job positions, around 60pc of wom-en participate in the labor force, according to the Brookings In-stitution.

‘Future leaders’Halcyon fellow Asmaa Alab-dallah, 22, founded BitGo, a Pokemon Go-like augmented reality game that uses gamifi-cation techniques to encourage community service.

“Of course, we have a lot of challenges... but the most impor-tant thing is that you will never give up,” she said, insisting like Dad that her greatest obstacle lay not in being a woman entre-preneur in Saudi Arabia as much as in finding local programming talent.

The training was funded in part by Medina-based Taibah University, which launched a competition with support from the Saudi consulate in New York.

During their two-week stay, the women fine-tuned their business pitches, built up their strategic networks and partici-pated in workshops on negoti-ations, sales and vulnerability.

They got advice from large companies like Amazon Web

Services, other startups and con-sultants such as Deloitte.

The programme ended with the women presenting their fledgling ventures to some 150

investors, philanthropists, as well as international organiza-tion and embassy representa-tives.

“In a country like Saudi Ara-

bia especially that has histor-ically not been open to wom-en getting access to these kind of opportunities, the fact that they were willing to do this pro-

gramme with all-women found-ers was very welcome,” said Halcyon director of policy and international programs Josh Mandell.

“We expect these women to return to Saudi Arabia not just as future leaders for their coun-try and their region, but to start successful ventures.”

The women got workspace and housing at one of Wash-ington’s most illustrious ad-dresses in the tony Georgetown neighborhood, Halcyon House, a sprawling red brick mansion with a sweeping view of the Po-tomac River.

Since its inception in 2014, Halcyon Incubator’s full-time fellowship has supported 61 ven-tures it says have raised more than $56 million and created some 500 jobs positively impact-ing 675,000 people.

Last year, Halcyon became an independent non-profit organ-ization that also encompasses public policy and the arts.

It was launched by Kate Goo-dall and Japanese American biochemist Sachiko Kuno, a co-founder of Sucampo Phar-maceuticals and a driving force behind the Washington-based, female-led investment fund WE Capital.

Saudi entrepreneurs Asmaa Alabdallah (L), founder of BitGo, and Reem Dad (R), co-founder of Taibah VR, stand in front of Halcyon House in Washington

KNOW WHAT

The Saudi gov-ernment’s Vision 2030 aims in part to promote local

businesses, including those run by women, whose participation in the workforce is expected to grow

from 22 percent to 30 percent by the

end of the next dec-ade

Maersk to send first container ship through Arctic OceanA Danish vessel is attempting

to become the first contain-er ship to tackle the Arctic sea route north of Russia.

Denmark’s Maersk, the world’s largest operator of con-tainer shipping, plans to send the first such ship from East Asia to Europe via the Arctic Ocean. The ship will collect data to see if melting Arctic sea ice has made the route econom-ically viable.

The recently launched Venta Maersk set sail from the Rus-sian port of Vladivostok on Au-gust 23, from where it travels north through the Bering Strait and then west along Russia’s northern coast, heading for St Petersburg via what is known as the Northern Sea Route.

The company said the Venta Maersk, which carries approx-imately 3,600 containers, is de-signed to withstand waters as cold as -25°C.

Markets drop, peso, lira tumbleLondon, United Kingdom

Stock markets dropped yes-terday on profit-taking af-ter a recent run higher on

optimism on trade deals, while Argentina’s peso and the Turk-ish lira tumbled.

The peso slumped to a new record low, prompting Argen-tina’s central bank to raise its benchmark interest rate from 45 to 60 per cent in a bid to arrest a slide in its value.

The drop followed the IMF’s agreement to a request from the Argentinean government on Wednesday to speed up pay-ments under its $50 billion loan.

The peso fell nearly 15pc against the US dollar, taking its losses since the beginning of the year to over 45pc.

Meanwhile, the Turkish lira

suffered fresh losses, dropping almost 5pc against the dollar, as a deputy central bank governor resigned.

The lira has lost nearly 45pc of its value against the dollar since the beginning of the year, which led economists to warn of a full-blown recession.

Other emerging market cur-rencies also slid as investors shied away from risk.

On Wall Street, stocks were lower as investors took profits from a record-setting rally on hopes that Canada and the Unit-ed States were close to a deal on reviving the North American

Free Trade Agreement.While hopes were still high for

a deal, investors began to worry about other issues, and Europe-an stocks suffered.

London closed down 0.6pc, followed by a drops of 0.5pc in

Frankfurt and 0.4pc in Paris.“Stocks are firmly in the red as

rising Italian government bond yields, a slide in emerging mar-ket currencies, and continued uncertainty about US-China trade tensions have weighed on

markets,” said market analyst Da-vid Madden at CMC Markets UK.

“Those topics have been bub-bling away in the background, and now they are at the forefront of dealers’ minds,” he added.

Italy sold 10-year bonds at a 3.25pc rate of return for inves-tors, crossing the 3.0pc thresh-old for the first time since May 2014.

The yield on Italian debt has shot over the 3.0pc level several times in the secondary markets several times in recent months as an anti-establishment coa-lition came to power and has signalled changes to economic and budget policy.

Higher borrowing costs could put additional strain on Italy, which has the largest debt in the eurozone and where growth was tepid.


ASSETSCash and cash equivalents 4,601,108 1,166,383Insurance and reinsurance receivables 7,343,208 8,016,433Reinsurance assets 50,845,808 37,419,186Due from related parties 64,023 1,360,809Available for sale investments 8,663,549 8,658,071Deferred policy acquisition costs 1,186,352 989,252Prepayments and other receivables 114,017 95,260

Total assets 72,818,065 57,705,394

LIABILITIESInsurance liabilities 61,541,117 47,867,626Reinsurance balances payable 6,115,353 5,075,263Accruals and other liabilities 677,182 1,017,567Due to related parties 1,616,778 683,044Deferred reinsurance commission 934,589 686,287Employees’ end of service benefits 196,415 175,276Total liabilities 71,081,434 55,505,063

Head Office funds 1,736,631 2,200,331

Total liabilities and Head Office funds 72,818,065 57,705,394

Insurance premiums earned—Gross 8,254,858 7,066,994 Reinsurers share of insurance premiums earned (6,373,188) (4,551,451) Insurance premium earned—Net 1,881,670 2,515,543

Claims incurred—Gross (24,633,496) (28,137,051) Reinsurers’ share of claims incurred 24,012,507 27,058,430 Claims incurred—Net (620,989) (1,078,621) 1,260,681 1,436,922

Staff costs (467,839) (551,727) General and administration expenses (843,363) (987,946) Acquisition costs incurred (1,052,763) (1,053,233) Commission earned on reinsurance ceded 712,006 679,165 Provision for doubtful debts— (charge)/reversal (72,511) 259,522 (1,724,470) (1,654,219)Underwriting results (463,789) (217,297)

Investment income 122,005 128,342 Foreign exchange gain/(loss) 9,009 (28,587) 131,014 99,755Loss for the year (332,775) (117,542)

Other comprehensive income

Items that are or may subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss

Change in fair value of available for sale investments (130,925) (1,190)Total other comprehensive loss (130,925) (1,190)

Total comprehensive loss for the period (463,700) (118,732)

ACE American Insurance CompanyBahrain Branch

ACE American Insurance Company, Bahrain Branch is a core operating company within the Chubb Group and has a financial strength rating of AA from Standard and Poor’s. As at 31.12.2017 Chubb Group had total assets of USD167 billion.

The complete audited financial statements are available and can be obtained from our office in Bahrain

As at


Condensed Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income(All amounts expressed in Bahraini Dinars unless otherwise stated)

Condensed Interim Statement of Financial Position(All amounts expressed in Bahraini Dinars unless otherwise stated)

30 June2018

(Unaudited)

30 June2018

(Unaudited)

31 December2017

(Audited)

30 June2017

(Unaudited)

Key figures around 1530 GMT New York - Dow Jones: 0.4pc at 26,017.31 points

London - FTSE 100: 0.6pc at 7,516.03 (close)

Frankfurt - DAX 30: 0.5pc at 12,494.24 (close)

Paris - CAC 40: 0.4pc at 5,478.06 (close)

EURO STOXX 50: 0.7pc at 3,431.82

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: 0.1pc at 22,869.50 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: 0.9pc at 28,164.05 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: 1.1pc at 2,737.74 (close)

Euro/dollar: at $1.1646 from $1.1709 at 2100 GMT

Pound/dollar: at $1.3004 from $1.3028

Dollar/yen: at 111.24 yen from 111.68 yen

Traders work on the floor at the opening bell of the Dow Industrial Average at the New York Stock Exchange

TPG and Vodafone Hutchison to mergeSydney, Australia

Vodafone Hutchison Aus-tralia and TPG Telecom

announced plans yesterday to merge into a Aus$15 billion (US$11 billion) unit to take on key rivals Telstra and Op-tus as competition heats up in the telecommunications sector.

Under the proposal Vodafone Australia -- privately-owned by Hong Kong-based CK Hutch-ison and Britain’s Vodafone Group -- will hold the majority

stake at 50.1 percent.TPG shareholders would

own 49.9 percent of the entity which will be called TPG Tele-com Limited and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with a combined revenue of more than Aus$6 billion.

“With this merger, we will be a more formidable competitor against Telstra and Optus,” said TPG chairman David Teoh.

The so-called “merger of equals” will allow the two companies to better invest and drive innovation and product

improvement to give customers more choice, they said.

TPG is an ASX-listed tele-communications provider and is one of the country’s largest internet service providers. It has a fixed-line residential sub-scriber base of over 1.9 million people and significant corpo-rate, government and wholesale business.

Vodafone Hutchison Austral-ia (VHA) is the nation’s third largest mobile operator with a customer base of around 6.0 million subscribers.

© GRAPHIC NEWSSources: High North News, The Independent, CNN *Twenty-foot equivalent

RUSSIA

INDIA

CHINA

A r c t i cO c e a n

Suez Canal

St Petersburg Vladivostock

AFRICA

Picture: Google MapsVENTA MAERSKCrew: 26 (trained for Arctic)Built: 2018 (Zhoushan Shipyard, China)Length/breadth: 200m/35.2mCargo: 3,600 TEU* containersOperating temperature: As low as -25°CTrial voyage: Ship, carrying cargo of frozen fish and other refrigerated goods,is due to arrive in St Petersburg in mid-September

Northern Sea RouteCould be up to14 days fasterthan currentsouthernoption

Ship will collect datato see if melting

sea ice hasmade route

economicallyviable

Southernroute

Picture: Roger K/MarineTraffic.com

First container ship attempts Arctic routeA Danish vessel has set sail from Vladivostok aiming to become the

first container ship to tackle the Arctic sea route north of Russia

YK Almoayyed & Sons (YKA) awarded 13 of its employees across their divisions for excellent performances. In picture are Mona Almoayyed – Managing Director at YKA (seated, centre), Alok Gupta – Chief Executive Officer at YKA (seated, 3rd from right), Sonu Duggal – Group Manager HR & TQM at YKA (standing, 3rd from right) with the award winners and officials

Apple buys startup for AR glassesReuters | Sydney

Apple Inc has acquired a startup focused on mak-

ing lenses for augmented reality glasses, the company confirmed on Wednesday. Apple confirmed it acquired Longmont, Colorado-based Akonia Holographics. “Ap-ple buys smaller companies from time to time, and we generally don’t discuss our purpose or plans,” the iP-hone maker said in a state-ment.

Akonia was founded in 2012 by a group of holog-raphy scientists and had originally focused on holo-graphic data storage before shifting its efforts to creat-ing displays for augmented reality glasses, according to its website.

S&P, others paid $157m to settle lawsuitReuters | Sydney

Standard & Poor’s and other companies paid

A$215 million ($157 mil-lion) to settle a lawsuit in Australia where they were accused of overlooking risks when awarding high rat-ings to opaque investments that imploded in the global financial crisis. Australia’s Federal Court published the figure on Thursday after approving its terms earlier in the month, in a decision ending the last crisis-era case against the firm.


Closing BellSAUDI 0.9% » 7,948

DUBAI 0.3% » 2,840

ABU DHABI 0.5% » 4,987

QATAR 0.5% » 9,886

KUWAIT 0.1% » 5,262

BAHRAIN 0.3% » 1,338

OMAN 0.3% » 4,419

EGYPT 1.1% » 16,009

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSSAND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2018


June 30, 2018 June 30, 2017SR BD SR BD

Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited

Underwriting income

Gross claims adjusted - - 77,034 7,703

Reinsurance adjustments - - (73,422) (7,342)

Net claims paid and outstanding - - 3,612 361

Agency fees - - (500,000) (50,000)

General and administrative expenses (359,958) (35,996) (433,812) (43,381)

Total underwriting expenses (359,958) (35,996) (930,200) (93,020)

Underwriting loss (359,958) (35,996) (930,200) (93,020)

Other income, net 64,946 6,495 3,418,127 341,813

Net income / (loss) before taxation (295,012) (29,501) 2,487,927 248,793

Income tax (329,213) (32,921) (197,109) (19,711)

NET (LOSS) / INCOME FOR THE PERIOD (624,225) (62,422) 2,290,818 229,082

Other comprehensive income - - - -

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) /

INCOME FOR THE PERIOD (624,225) (62,422) 2,290,818 229,082

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENT OFFINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)AS AT JUNE 30, 2018

June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017SR BD SR BD

Unaudited Unaudited Audited Audited

ASSETS

Statutory deposit 776,968 77,697 767,394 76,739

Other assets 79,972 7,997 12,760 1,276

Accounts receivable and

reinsurance balances receivable 424,930 42,493 516,826 51,682

Time deposits 5,625,281 562,528 7,500,469 750,047

Cash and cash equivalents 2,892,193 289,219 2,454,657 245,466

TOTAL ASSETS 9,799,344 979,934 11,252,106 1,125,210

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Equity

Share capital 70,464,000 7,046,400 70,464,000 7,046,400

Statutory reserve 3,019,782 301,978 3,019,782 301,978

Accumulated losses (63,938,840) (6,393,884) (63,314,615) (6,331,462)

Total equity 9,544,942 954,494 10,169,167 1,016,916

Liabilities

Accounts payable and other liabilities 254,402 25,440 1,082,939 108,294

Total liabilities 254,402 25,440 1,082,939 108,294

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 9,799,344 979,934 11,252,106 1,125,210

ARABIAN AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY (BAHRAIN) E.C.

The condensed interim financial was approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on August 29, 2018 and are signed on their behalf by:

Asif IqbalChairman

Evgenia PepelovaDirector

Gulf markets mostly rise• Saudi index down 0.9 pct, hurt by financials, SABIC

• UAE, Qatar markets boosted by financials

• Egypt market hits highest since July 12

Reuters | Dubai

Saudi stock market fell for the second day in a row yesterday as investors con-

tinued to cut positions in the absence of fresh news and con-cerns about valuations. Other big Gulf markets rose.

Middle East fund managers have become less positive to-wards equities in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after Turkey’s cur-rency crisis triggered volatili-ty in the markets this month, a monthly Reuters poll showed on Thursday.

The Saudi index fell 0.9 per cent, hurt by selling in market heavyweight Saudi Basic Indus-tries, which dropped 1.1pc, and Al Rajhi Bank declined 1pc. The Saudi index is still up 9.9pc since the start of the year, but has seen

selling this quarter.This year’s gains have been

fuelled by inflows of foreign funds in anticipation of Riyadh joining emerging market index-es next year. Recent exchange data indicates those inflows

have slowed, but not halted, as stock valuations have risen.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Dubai index was up 0.3pc, with the exchange’s big-gest bank Emirates NBD up 0.5pc and developer Arabtec up 1.6pc.

In Abu Dhabi, the index was up 0.5pc, with First Abu Dhabi Bank up 0.7pc and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank 2.3pc higher.

The Qatar index was up 0.5pc, with buying interest in finan-cials, led by Qatar National Bank which rose 1.7pc and Qatar Is-lamic Bank which climbed 2.4pc.

The Egyptian index was also up 1.1pc, as the index hit the highest level since July 12, due to sustained interest in financials and property stocks. Commer-cial Bank International Egypt climbed 2.2pc and Madinet Nasr for Housing surged 5.1pc.

Traders on the floor of Dubai stock exchange (Courtesy of Middle East Magazine)

Apple expected to unveil new iPhones at September 12 eventFrankfurt am Main, Ger-many

Apple yesterday sent out invitations to a Septem-

ber 12 event at which it is expected to unveil new ad-ditions to its money-making iPhone line-up.

In typical enigmatic style, Apple offered scant clues to what it has in store for the presentation to take place in the Steve Jobs Theater.

Invitations had the words “Gather round” under a large golden circle.

Speculation includes talk that Apple introduce three new iPhone models, in-fusing some with features from a premium iPhone X that debuted last year with a $1,000 price tag.

Panasonic to move UK headquarters

Tokyo, Japan

Panasonic plans to move its European headquar-

ters from Britain to the Netherlands later this year over concerns about po-tential tax issues related to Brexit, a company spokes-woman said Thursday.

“We will move our Euro-pean headquarters to the Netherlands,” the spokes-woman told AFP, confirm-ing a report in the Nikkei business daily about the Japanese electronics giant’s decision.

Laurent Abadie, CEO of Panasonic Europe, told the Nikkei that the headquar-ters would move from out-side London to Amsterdam in October. The decision was sparked by fears that Japan could treat Britain as a tax haven after Brexit.

Gold dips on firmer dollar, Palladium upReuters | London

A slightly f irmer dollar weighed on gold yester-

day, but prices were expected to continue to rebound in coming weeks from the steep losses earlier this month.

Spot gold was down 0.3 per-cent at $1,202.96 an ounce at 0955 GMT, while US gold fu-tures shed 0.2 percent to $1,209 an ounce.

The dollar index was mar-ginally firmer, making gold

more expensive for buyers us-ing other currencies, after the greenback hit a four-week low of 94.434 on Tuesday.

Spot gold has been trading within an $8 range over the past two sessions, with investors keenly watching the psycholog-ical $1,200 level after the metal hit a 1-1/2-year low of $1,159.96 early this month.

Spot silver fell 0.8pc to $14.61 an ounce. Platinum lost 0.9pc at $788.49 while palladium gained 1.4pc to $978.25.

A worker shows gold biscuits at a precious metals refinery in Mumbai, India

Oil rises on Iran sanctionsReuters | London

Oil prices rose yesterday, extending gains on grow-

ing evidence of disruptions to crude supply from Iran and Venezuela and after a fall in US crude inventories. Bench-mark Brent crude oil was up 20 cents a barrel at $77.34 by 0920 GMT. US light crude was 10 cents higher at $69.61.

Brent has risen by almost 10 percent over the last two weeks on widespread percep-tions that the global oil mar-ket is tightening and may run short in the next few months as US sanctions restrict crude exports from Iran.

Iranian crude exports will

likely drop to just over 2 mil-lion barrels per day (bpd) in August, versus a peak of 3.1 million bpd in April, as import-ers bow to American pressure to cut orders.

“The oil market is once again tightening,” said Giovan-ni Staunovo, analyst at Swiss bank UBS in Zurich. “Iranian oil export declines are already visible well in advance of U.S. oil-related sanctions, which enter into force in November.”

The Organization of the Pe-troleum Exporting Countries, in which Iran is the third-big-gest producer, will discuss in December whether it can com-pensate for a sudden drop in Iranian supply.

HUGS CAN DO GREAT AMOUNTS OF GOOD - ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDRENPRINCESS DIANA

QUOTE OF THE DAY

T A S T E B U D S

FRIDAY

Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Deputy Editor-in-Chief Ahdeya Ahmed | Chairman & Managing Editor P Unnikrishnan | Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 38444680, Email: [email protected]

Subscription & circulation: Tel: 38444698/17579877 | Email:[email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing

August 31, 2018

BNP PARIBAS – CONVENTIONAL RETAIL BANK – BAHRAIN BRANCH (Licensed as a Conventional Retail Bank by the Central Bank of Bahrain)

CONDENSED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

As at 30 June

2018(Reviewed)

31 December

2017(Audited)

ASSETSCash and balances with banks and the Central Bank 2,701 2,355Placements with banks 47,300 11,300Due from other offices of the Bank 8,872 25,783Financial assets at amortised cost 36,838 -Available-for-sale financial assets - 34,932Loans and advances to banks 8,311 2,559Loans and advances to customers 40,811 35,993Other assets 1,528 840Property and equipment 51 70Total assets 146,412 113,832LIABILITIES AND HEAD OFFICE FUNDSLIABILITIES Deposits from banks - 1Due to other offices of the Bank 43,266 4,826Due to customers 44,782 52,563Other liabilities 16,934 16,164Total liabilities 104,982 73,554HEAD OFFICE FUNDSCapital 2,700 2,700Other reserve 1,449 1,449Fair value reserve - 39Unremitted profit 37,281 36,090Total Head Office funds 41,430 40,278Total liabilities and Head Office funds 146,412 113,832

Condensed interim statement of comprehensive income (continued)(Expressed in thousands of Bahraini Dinars)

Condensed interim statement of financial position(Expressed in thousands of Bahraini Dinars)

Condensed interim statement of comprehensive income (Expressed in thousands of Bahraini Dinars)

Six month period ended 30 June

2018(Reviewed)

30 June

2017(Reviewed)

Cash flows from operating activitiesProfit for the period 1,283 1,228

Adjustments for:Depreciation 22 26Charge for termination indemnity - net 18 11Reversal of allowance on impairment, net - (107)Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges, net (38) -

1,285 1,158Changes in operating assets and liabilities:Balances with banks and the Central Bank 55 190Loans and advances to banks (5,752) 1,408Loans and advances to customers (4,830) 13,198Due from other offices of the Bank 772 3,314Other assets (688) 184Deposits from banks (1) 2Due to other offices of the Bank 38,440 123Due to customers (7,781) 21,908Other liabilities 719 158Net cash generated from operating activities 22,219 41,643

Cash flows from investing activitiesPurchase of property and equipment (3) -Movement in investment securities (1,954) (25,945)Net cash used in investing activities (1,957) (25,945)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 20,262 15,698Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 34,357 59,680Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 54,619 75,378

Non-cash transactionTransfer from available-for-sale financial assets to financial assets at amortised cost

34,932 -

Condensed interim statement of cash flows (Expressed in thousands of Bahraini Dinars)

Philippe Sirgant Chief Operating OfficerMEA

S. Hari Chief Operating OfficerConventional Retail Bank


2018(Reviewed)

30 June 2017

(Reviewed)

Interest income 1,202 1,461Interest expense (116) (334)Net interest income 1,086 1,127

Income from securities 583 347Net fees and commissions 734 634(Loss)/gain on derivatives and foreign exchange transactions (4) 6

Total operating income 2,399 2,114

Staff costs (256) (350)Depreciation (22) (26)Premises related costs (53) (53)Other operating costs (823) (564)Reversal of allowance for impairment, net - 107Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges, net 38 -

Total operating expenses (1,116) (886)Profit for the period 1,283 1,228

The above has been extracted from the reviewed condensed interim financial information.The auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers ME Limited, Kingdom of Bahrain, have expressed an unqualified review conclusion on 30/08/2018.


2018(Reviewed)

30 June

2017(Reviewed)

Profit for the period 1,283 1,228Other comprehensive income for the periodItems that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss:

Fair value reserve - (59)

Total comprehensive income for the period 1,283 1,169

Traditional Bahraini food in a

traditional setting

Freej Bin Rashdan serves authentic Bahraini food in the comfort of a

traditional Bahraini house which revives childhood memories

Arab News | Cairo

Ramla is a colloquial Egyptian word for sand. It is also the name of a new artisanal shoe brand taking Cairo by

storm.“The word ‘Ramla’ has an Egyptian es-

sence. It invokes memories of the beach,” the brand’s founder, Reem Alaa Hamed — an architect and interior designer — told Arab News. “From an architectural per-spective, sand is an important construction material that goes into the making of almost everything.”

Founded by Hamed in June 2017, Ramla is an ethical brand of effortlessly chic leath-er mules, convertible loafers, sandals and slippers. Hamed prides herself on offering entirely Egyptian-made products, sporting handmade silk tassels, sarma embroidery and/or fine fabrics, to mention just a few product highlights. The online store is prov-ing increasingly popular in Cairo, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Italy.

The 27-year-old designer had spent the years leading up to founding Ramla in Flor-ence, Italy, getting hands-on experience at a workshop specializing in customizable handmade artisanal men’s shoes, while si-multaneously pursuing an MA in Luxury Business, before returning to Egypt.

Hamed’s introduction to the leather in-dustry took place even earlier, after com-pleting her BA in Interior and Architecture Design, also in Florence, where she spent some time working as a product developer

for a number of retail luxury brands.Back in Egypt, and working full-time as

an architect, Hamed considered drawing on her expertise to create a new shoe brand. She mulled it over for a bit and settled on designing “comfortable, simple and fun women’s shoes.”

“I always went to after-work gatherings feeling I was a bit too formal for this more laid-back part of my day,” she said. “I wanted to create something elegant and borderline casual. Shoes I could easily slip into, anytime

Egypt’s Ramla brings architectural inspiration to artisanal footwearThe 27-year-old designer had spent the years leading up to founding Ramla in Florence, Italy. Ramla is an ethical brand of effortlessly chic

leather mules, convertible loafers, sandals and slippers

A footwear model by Ramla

1994The Provisional Irish Republi-can Army (Sinn Féin) declares a ceasefire in Northern Ireland

1997 Diana, Princess of Wales, dies in a car crash in a road tunnel in Paris

1957Federation of Malaya gains in-dependence from Great Britain

1945The Liberal Party of Australia is founded by Robert Menzies

TODAY IN HISTORY

F O O T S T E P S

Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Deputy Editor-in-Chief Ahdeya Ahmed | Chairman & Managing Editor P Unnikrishnan | Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 38444680, Email: [email protected]

Subscription & circulation: Tel: 38444698/17579877 | Email:[email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing

TDT | Manama

Harpreet Kaur

Want to try some authentic traditional food in a tradi-tional setting, that too, by

the sea? Go to Freej Bin Rashdan, at Dohat Arad Park, a traditional restau-rant that serves typical Bahraini food with a local touch.

Freej Bin Rashdan serves authentic Bahraini food in the comfort of a tra-ditional Bahraini house which revives childhood memories.

“The idea of opening a traditional restaurant came from the fact that Bahraini cuisine is very rich and has a lot of delicious and varied dishes which is liked by everyone, but not available to everyone, especially the expats in our country,” says Thani Rashdan, owner of the restaurant who also hosts a cookery show.

Known for his collection of Ghuzi recipe, Rashdan says there are plenty of restaurants offering Indian, Italian, Saudi and other international food but none that offer authentic Bahraini food.

“We did a survey on restaurants. To our surprise we found out that there aren’t many restaurants that offer authentic Bahraini cuisine. That gave birth to the idea of opening a traditional restaurant where citizens, residents and tourists can enjoy tradi-tional meals in an authentic setting,” he said.

When asked about choosing the lo-cation in Dohat Arad garden at Muhar-raq, he said: “After considering a num-ber of locations we zeroed in on this place in Dohat Arad which provides a unique natural setting, which is very relaxing and reflects our ancestors’ association with the sea.”

Bahrainis were traditionally great

seafarers, says he.Fareej Bin Rashdan offers a full, rich

and authentic Bahraini menu in addi-tion to the barbecues and all kinds of fresh juices and hot drinks, especially the Arabic coffee and tea prepared on the charcoal.

With the atmosphere and with the kind of food served, Freej Bin Rashdan is becoming a popular destination for the citizens and residents of different nationalities.

“Even international tourists have started visiting us here to try some of our delicious dishes, and they do enjoy the atmosphere of great heritage and hospitality,” says Rashdan.

No meal is complete without des-serts. So Freej Bin Rahsdan offers a range of popular desserts and local treats.

“We also offer desserts, chocolates and sweets sourced from well-known bakeries to ensure diversity. The choice is open to our customers,” says Rahsdan, adding that the customers can choose either to dine indoors or outside by the sea when the weather is nice.

“Additionally, we are working on expanding our seating location to in-clude upstairs where the customers can enjoy the clear skies and fresh breeze,” he adds.

We did a survey on restaurants. To our surprise we found out that there aren’t many restaurants

that offer authentic Bahraini cuisine. That gave birth

to the idea of opening a traditional restaurant

where citizens, residents and

tourists can enjoy traditional meals in an

authentic settingTHANI RASHDAN

OWNER, FREEJ BIN RASHDAN

for a number of retail luxury brands.Back in Egypt, and working full-time as

an architect, Hamed considered drawing on her expertise to create a new shoe brand. She mulled it over for a bit and settled on designing “comfortable, simple and fun women’s shoes.”

“I always went to after-work gatherings feeling I was a bit too formal for this more laid-back part of my day,” she said. “I wanted to create something elegant and borderline casual. Shoes I could easily slip into, anytime

and anywhere.”Ramla’s debut collection came out in June

2017. It was created from materials she had picked herself, handcrafted by Egyptian artisans under Hamed’s instruction. The collection consisted of a “Timeless” line of

black mules and a “Tropical” line of more vivid ones, all paired with colorful tassels.

“I had two types of women in mind while conceptualizing these designs; the formal woman with a classic style versus the more casual and arts-y one,” she explained.

Ramla quickly began creating an online buzz, and Hamed was invited to exhibit some of her work at the Dubai Fashion Fo-rum in October 2017.

For her winter collection, Hamed brought in her passion for architecture, creating

items inspired by what she described as the architectural notions of “subtracting, adding and moving.” It included unusual V-shaped slip-ons with lines inspired by architecture, as well as a selection of low and high heels.

“I still had the same vision of creating comfy and simple designs, nothing extrav-agant. Except that the mule changed into a slip-on and was more of an evening thing now.”

Eager to further expand and experiment, Hamed went on to incorporate serma, a hand embroidery technique practiced in Upper Egypt, into the winter collection.

The buzz only grew louder and Hamed was soon invited to collaborate with Maya, a Kuwaiti eco-friendly brand, on a seasonal home collection; the outcome of which was a successful pop-up event held last April in Kuwait.

Hamed’s fascination with — and interest in reviving — the art of serma inspired her most recent SS’18 palazzo serma collection; which is also inspired by architecture. Ea-ger to keep the summer spirit alive, Hamed introduced vegetable-dyed leather slippers and sandals to give the customer “a new kind of fun shoe.”

The young designer is currently working on her next winter collection, again inspired by “pure architecture, with a ‘belonging’ theme and exhibiting a mix of materials — all the while maintaining Ramla’s identity.”

Which is?“It’s comfy, it’s classic, it’s everyday,”

Hamed said.

Egypt’s Ramla brings architectural inspiration to artisanal footwearThe 27-year-old designer had spent the years leading up to founding Ramla in Florence, Italy. Ramla is an ethical brand of effortlessly chic

leather mules, convertible loafers, sandals and slippers

A footwear model by Ramla

Ramla is an ethical brand of effortlessly chic leather mules, convertible loafers, sandals and slippers

12

world


Suu Kyi should have ‘resigned’: UN rights chiefBangkok, Thailand

Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi should have

resigned as Myanmar’s de facto leader over last year’s brutal army campaign against the Rohingya, the outgoing UN human rights chief has told the BBC.

A military crackdown in response to attacks by Rohingya militants drove around 700,000 of the Mus-lim minority from Rakh-ine state into Bangladesh, where they have given ac-counts of widespread rape, murder and arson targeting their villages.

Instead, as streams of des-perate Rohingya fled, Suu Kyi suggested an “iceberg of misinformation” had ob-scured the real picture of what had taken place inside Rakhine and backed the army campaign as a justified response to “terrorist” acts.

“She (Suu Kyi) was in a position to do something,” UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said in the in-terview with the British broadcaster.

“She could have stayed quiet -- or even better, she could have resigned.”

“There was no need for her to be the spokesperson of the Burmese military. She didn’t have to say this was an iceberg of misinforma-tion. These were fabrica-tions,” he said. His stinging comments intensify days of damning criticism of My-anmar and military leaders from the United Nations.

Belgian bizman dies after fall in Moscow

Moscow, Russia

A Belgian businessman died after an appar-

ent fall from an apartment building in central Moscow, but police sources told Rus-sian media they were not treating it as a criminal case.

B r u n o C h a r l e s D e Cooman was vice president of research and develop-ment at the Russian group Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK).

“The body was found near the House of the Embank-ment,” a 12-storey build-ing on the opposite side of the Moskva river from the Kremlin, an official source told the Russian Interfax news agency Wednesday.

“The cause of death ap-pears to be a fall from a high altitude, most likely from a window,” the source said.

The circumstances of the death were being investigat-ed, he said, but added that criminal motives were not suspected.

TASS news agency quoted a source as saying no trac-es of a struggle were found during a preliminary search of the businessman’s flat.

The Belgian foreign min-istry confirmed the death to AFP.

Thousands stranded in Myanmar dam flooding

• More than 63,000 people in Bago region were affected

• The dam’s spillway was broken by seasonal rainfall.

• 12,600 people have taken shelter in about 30 temporary camps

AFP | Bago, Myanmar

Rescuers in boats negotiat-ed muddy waters yester-day to reach thousands

stranded in central Myanmar after a dam overflowed, sending a torrent of water across farm-land and villages.

No casualties have yet been reported but state media said more than 63,000 people in Bago region were affected after the Swar Chaung dam overflowed early Wednesday morning.

The dam’s spillway, a struc-ture that controls the release of more than 20,000 cubic metres

of water held in Swar Chaung’s levee, was broken by seasonal rainfall.

Slabs of concrete where the spillway once stood were left in ruins as a steady stream of wa-ter drained out of the reservoir and spilled out into surrounding farmland.

Making up a part of the dam’s walls, the structure -- which

engineers onsite called a “duck bill” -- once stood 120 metres (400 feet) high.

Local engineers walked along the edges of the dam’s walls in-specting the damage, while au-thorities appeared to be absent from the site.

It is the second major regional flood caused by damage to a dam in weeks, after at least 35 people

were killed, scores left missing and thousands displaced by a collapsed hydropower facility in neighbouring Laos.

Soldiers sporting orange life jackets were mployed to rescue the stranded, steering tin boats to waiting villagers huddled on mudflats.

Trucks were lodged in murky waters while roads had buckled

under the weight of the waters, which continued to flow across the villages.

Reeling from the loss of his home, Wai Lin Aung, 27, said there was no warning from au-thorities on what to do after the dam overflowed.

“No one told us what we need-ed to do so we just monitored the water levels and as the situa-tion became worse, we just ran,” he told AFP, adding that he had stayed at a monastery overnight.

“How can I feel comfortable seeing my house destroyed? I have nowhere to live and noth-ing to eat.”

Myanmar experiences a mon-soon season that goes from June to November, but locals in Ye-dashe township said that they had never witnessed such a mas-sive torrent of water.

The heavy weight of the floods also fractured part of a bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay highway linking Myanmar’s two biggest cities, throwing the country’s traffic artery into disarray.

Minister of Construction Han Zaw said Thursday that 500 people are working to fix the road.

Myanmar soldiers use a boat to help residents cross a flooded area in Swar town of Bago region

Pentagon cautions India over buying Russian armsWashington, United States

A top Pentagon official cau-tioned India on Wednesday

that there are no guarantees for a special waiver from US sanc-tions if it buys new weapons platforms from Russia.

Under current US rules against Russia, third countries could face sanctions if they transact with Russian defence or intelligence sectors.

But after lobbying from De-fence Secretary Jim Mattis, Congress granted the US pres-ident and the secretary of state the option of granting waivers,

such as when an ally nation transitions from legacy Russian gear to Western arms.

Randall Schriver, the Pen-tagon’s assistant secretary of defence for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, said the waiv-er authority had created the impression Washington would insulate India “from any fallout from this legislation no mat-ter what they do.” “I would say that’s a bit misleading,” Schriv-er told an audience at the Car-negie Endowment For Inter-national Peace in Washington.

“Our strong preference ... is (for India) to seek alternatives and see if we could be a partner to India in addressing those defence needs,” he said.

Jim Mattis

Sisi hails return to ‘normal’ Italy ties Cairo, Egypt | AFP

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednes-

day hailed the return of “nor-mal” relations with Italy that were long strained over the murder of an Italian in Cairo.

Diplomatic relations be-tween the two countries plum-meted after the mutilated body of Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old doctoral researcher at Brit-ain’s Cambridge University, was found in a roadside ditch in January 2016.

The extent of the injuries suffered by the academic shocked Italy and Rome re-

called its ambassador to Cairo in April 2016, only sending an envoy back in September last year. But in a sign of easing relations, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio visited Cairo on Wednesday and met with Sisi.

Sisi said he was keen to en-hance cooperation and wel-comed the increasing diplo-matic visits between Egypt and Italy as a “return of relations to their normal course”.

Di Maio, leader of Italy’s populist Five Star Movement, praised the “progress made on the case and the sincere coop-eration” of authorities.

China pigeon racers cause flap with rail ruseShanghai, China

Cheating to win is as old as sport itself but two Chinese

pigeon racers took it to mod-ern-day extremes when they hid the birds in milk cartons and hopped on a bullet train.

It was no surprise then when their homing pigeons scooped the first four places in the race and total prize money of more than one million yuan ($150,000).

But the pigeons’ rapid times soon raised suspicions and

Shanghai race organisers turned the men in when the scale of the ruse emerged, the state-run

Legal Daily reported.The two men, surnamed Gong

and Zhang, attempted to conceal

their crime by killing the birds and giving up the prize money, the state newspaper said.

But it was too late and a Shanghai court handed the duo suspended sentences of three years for fraud.

The court also fined Gong 30,000 yuan and Zhang 20,000 yuan, Legal Daily said, adding that they also broke competition rules by using older pigeons in-stead of one-year-olds.

Racing pigeons can fly about 150 kilometres per hour -- fast, but not as fast as a bullet train.

Birds released during a recent Pigeon Grand Prix (Courtesy of that’s)

KNOW WHAT

The two men, sur-named Gong and

Zhang, attempted to conceal their crime by

killing the birds and giving up the prize

money


300 endangered turtles found dead in Mexico Mexico City, Mexico

More than 300 sea tur-tles from an endan-

gered species were found dead on a beach in southern Mexico, trapped in a banned type of fishing net, environ-mental authorities said.

In Mexico’s second mass turtle death in as many weeks, the Pacific Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys oli-vacea) were found floating just off the beach of Puerto Escondido in the state of Oaxaca, their shells forming a bleak mini-island.

“They had drowned at sea about eight days earlier, trapped in banned 120-me-ter fishing nets and six-inch nylon fishing line,” said Mexico’s prosecution unit for environmental crimes.

On August 17, authorities said they had found 122 sea turtles dead on a beach in the neighboring state of Chiapas, mostly from the same species.

Trump unblocks more critics on Twitter San Francisco, United States

More critics of US Don-ald Trump found

themselves unblocked from his Twitter account on Wednesday, in keeping with a court ruling that he can’t shut out opposing viewpoints.

A federal district court judge in May ruled that blocking people from the president ’s @realDon-aldTrump account violat-ed First Amendment free speech rights in a case brought by The Knight First Amendment Institute at Co-lumbia University.

The seven people named in the suit were unblocked as the decision was ap-pealed. The institute tweet-ed on Wednesday that it had gotten word that many people on a list of 41 more Twitter users it had given to the Department of Justice had also been unblocked by @realDonaldTrump.

“We’re pleased to see the White House take steps to comply with the district court’s ruling that the First Amendment prohibits the president from blocking Twitter users simply be-cause they have criticized him,” the institute said.

Voyeur rabbi victims reach $14.25 million settlementWashington, United States

Victims of a prominent Wash-ington rabbi who for years

secretly videotaped women as they used a ritual bath reached a $14.25 million settlement with four Jewish organisations, their lawyer confirmed Wednesday.

The settlement covers over 150 women filmed by Bernard “Barry” Freundel, along with other women who undressed where the hidden camera was located even if they were not taped, attorney Alexandra Har-

win told AFP Wednesday.Freundel was sentenced to

six and a half years in prison in 2015, after his voyeurism went undetected for years.

Rabbi at the Kesher Israel syn-agogue in Washington’s upscale Georgetown neighborhood, he placed his secret camera near the mikveh, a bath used to achieve ritual purity in Judaism.

The case has shocked the city’s Jewish community, in which Freundel was a highly respected figure who taught at several universities in the area.

The class action lawsuit in-itially sought $100 million in damages, but the organizations’ insurance policies “provided far less coverage for the claims,” Harwin explained.

Nonetheless, she said the settlement “provides prompt and substantial payments to the women victimized by Freundel, while maintaining their confi-dentiality and avoiding an over-ly-burdensome process.”

Freundel is expected to be re-leased in 2020, his lawyer told The Washington Post.

Rabbi Bernard Freundel leaves the DC Superior Court House in Washington (Courtesy of VOAnews)

KNOW WHAT

The case has shocked the city’s Jewish

community, in which Freundel was a highly respected figure who taught at several uni-versities in the area

© GRAPHIC NEWSSources: Christopher Scotese (Paleomap Project), The Economist, National Geographic

How the world could look in 250m yearsWith Earth’s tectonic plates constantly moving, renowned geologist

Christopher Scotese predicts a new super-continent will emergein around 250 million years, dubbed Pangaea Proxima

Early dinosaurs roamed lastsuper-continent, formed fromcollision of older land masses

Atlantic widens by 2.5cm every year.Scotese predicts this will reverseand ocean will shrink dramatically

North America

Newmountain range

South America Antartica Australia New Zealand

Africa Europe Asia

PacificOcean

PacificOcean

AtlanticSea

AtlanticOcean

NewYork Cairo

Moscow

Delhi

TokyoShanghai

Sydney

London

Cape Town

Lima

India

PANGAEA PROXIMA – 250 million years from now

PANGAEA – 200 million years ago PRESENT DAY

EurasiaNorth AmericaAfricaSouth AmericaIndiaAntarcticaAustralia

The world – 250 million years from now

With Earth’s tectonic plates constantly mov-

ing, renowned geologist Chris-topher Scotese predicts a new super-continent will emerge in around 250 million years, dubbed “Pangaea Proxima”.

Continental drift (the move-ment of tectonic plates under the Earth’s surface) only be-came an accepted theory in the 1960s. Since then, geologists have gained a firmer under-standing of how continents moved in the past, and believe multiple super-continents ex-isted in cycles throughout our planet’s history.

The most recent landmass, Pangaea, broke apart almost

250 million years ago, resulting in the globe we are familiar with today. Geologists agree that Africa and Europe are currently on a slow collision course, pushing up the Alps and Pyrenees along the way. Eventually the Mediterranean Sea will disappear and the two continents will become one mega-continent: Eurafrica.

Scotese, based at the Univer-sity of Texas, believes we are in the middle of an expanding and contracting cycle. He pre-dicts that the Atlantic Ocean will slowly close over the next 250m years and the Americas will collide with Eurafrica to form Pangea Proxima.

Last-ditch talks on way to avert battle for IdlibRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hinted in Moscow that the assault may be imminent.

• Government forces have been massing around Idlib for days

• Turkey actively sponsors rebel forces in Idlib

AFP | Beirut, Lebanon

Key brokers held last-ditch talks yesterday on the fate of Syria’s only

remaining rebel-held prov-ince, hoping to stave off a gov-ernment offensive the UN has warned could spark catastro-phe.

Government forces have been massing around Idlib for days and looked poised to launch what could be the last major battle of the civil war that has torn Syria apart since 2011.

After retaking a succession of rebel bastions around the country this year, the gov-ernment of President Bashar al-Assad has set its sights on Idlib.

The province’s most power-ful armed faction is the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group and neighbouring Turkey is trying to use its influence to

avert a major offensive against it.

“The negotiations between Turkey and HTS are still under way,” said the head of the Brit-ain-based Syria Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman.

Russia, whose 2015 military intervention in support of As-sad helped the government reclaim much of the ground it lost in the early days of the seven-year conflict, wants the jihadist outfit to disband, he said.

“This is the condition set by Moscow to avert a broad offen-sive... Its launch hinges on the failure or success of these talks with HTS.”

Jihadist ‘abscess’

In comments published on its propaganda agency Ibaa, HTS appeared to leave the door open to a negotiated settlement.

“The issue of the disbanding -- should it ever take place -- is one that would be discussed internally by the alliance’s con-sultative council but not dictat-ed by local or foreign parties,” it said.

“We in HTS are striving to find an effective solution in the liberated Syrian north that would protect our people from a possible offensive by the crim-inal regime and its allies.”

While Turkey actively spon-sors rebel forces in Idlib, its influence over the former Al-Qaeda affiliate is less clear and Abdel Rahman warned the chances of success were slim.

“Turkey’s relationship with HTS is a complicated one but may best be framed as cooper-ative animosity,” said analyst Elizabeth Teoman, of the Insti-tute for the Study of War.

Turkey, Russia and fellow regime backer Iran all operate “observation points” in Idlib as part of a “de-escalation” deal agreed last year that was meant to reduce bloodshed in the province.

Members of Russian and Syrian forces stand guard near posters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Abu Duhur crossing on the eastern edge of Idlib province

KNOW WHAT

Turkey, Russia and fellow regime backer Iran all operate “ob-servation points” in

IdlibSingapore promises UK not to cane bank robber Singapore, Singapore

A British court has ruled a man suspected of carry-

ing out a rare bank robbery in Singapore can be extradited after the city-state promised he will not be caned, officials said yesterday.

The government in London will now make the final deci-sion on whether David Roach, a Canadian citizen, will be sent to the city-state to face justice, Singapore’s attorney-general’s office and interior ministry said in a statement.

Roach is wanted in Singa-pore for allegedly stealing Sg$30,000 ($22,000) from a Standard Chartered bank branch in 2016 after strolling

in and presenting a threaten-ing note.

He fled to Bangkok, where he was jailed on charges relat-ed to bringing the stolen cash into Thailand but authorities refused to send him to Singa-pore as the countries do not have an extradition treaty.

David Roach

Sydney, Australia

Usain Bolt is set to get a first t a s t e o f competi-

tive football today in a much-hyped game, but the sprint superstar admits he is nervous with his fitness

levels not up to scratch.The Jamaican is likely to be handed

a 10 or 15 minute run-out for Austral-ia’s Central Coast Mariners in a friend-

ly against an amateur side as he works towards his dream of earning a playing contract and becoming a professional foot-baller.

Such is the buzz swirling around the match that it will be broadcast live on pay TV and 10,000 fans are expected to cram into the Central Coast Stadium for what is normally a low-key pre-season fixture.

The club, which finished bottom of the domestic A-League last season, is planning fireworks and other entertainment to keep fans amused until Bolt makes his entrance.

All eyes will be on the eight-time Olympic champion with a local paper planning to distribute 100,000 cardboard cut-out face

masks of the 32-year-old for onlookers to wear.

“I think that will be a bit weird, but not too weird,” Bolt, who favours play-

ing left wing, joked of the masks. “I’ve seen a little bit of that in track and field.

But it will be something new to play the first game and see that.”

Bolt dominated sprinting after taking double individual gold at the Beijing Olym-pics in 2008 and he remains the world record holder for the 100 metres.

He went on to win a further six Olympic golds and pick up 11 world titles before retiring last year and pursuing his passion for football.

Despite being used to running in front of 100,000 spectators and millions of TV viewers, the nerves are jangling as he enters a new phase in his career, having tried out with several other clubs around the world to no avail.

“There will be nerves, definitely. It’s not like a charity game anymore, this is a career I’m pursuing,” said Bolt.

“I expect to make mistakes, but I also

expect to go in, make myself proud and push myself.”

His football dream is still a work in pro-gress, with Bolt admitting this week to struggling with the constant stop-start of the sport, unlike his usual quick fire sprint on the athletics track.

“He doesn’t have foot-ball fitness, which is nat-ural. We have not brought him in and said you have to do this and do that by this time,” said Mariners coach Mike Mulvey, who has giv-en Bolt an indefinite time to prove himself.

“For this Friday, it comes down to what the fitness coaches tell me with re-gards to how his body’s coping with the loading we’ve got at the moment.

“But I would imagine he’s going to be playing some part on Fri-day.”

SpotlightMariners head of performance Andrew Young was blunt in his assessment: “As of right now, Usain’s not in the type of con-dition required to play A-League,” he told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph.

“We have to work on his aerobic capacity

and he knows that.” The Mariners kick off their A-League season away to Brisbane Roar on October 21.

Despite Bolt being likely to spend most of Friday’s game on the bench, his presence at the club’s base in Gosford, 75 kilometres

(47 miles) north of Syd-ney, has generated global excitement and Mulvey is lapping it up.

“What the lads in the office are telling me, there could be 10,000-12,000 people here, that’s quite unbelievable for a pre-sea-son game. But I welcome it because it puts us under a little bit of a spotlight,” he said. While Bolt is used to the trappings of fame and fortune, he is determined to be just “one of the boys” in his new life around the

Gosford area, a popular weekend getaway from Sydney with magnificent national parks and sandy beaches. The bright lights of Sydney are not far away, but he has no plans to be out partying.

“I do want to enjoy the city and the life but I’m still going to remember that I’m a pro-fessional footballer now so I have to respect the coach and what rules the Mariners put down,” he said.

14

features


There will be nerves, definitely.

It’s not like a charity game anymore,

this is a career I’m pursuing

USAIN BOLT

Nervous Bolt prepares for football debut for Australia’s Central

Coast Mariners

Usain Bolt (C) trains with A-League football club Central Coast Mariners

Thirty-one-year-old eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt trains with A-League football club Central Coast Mariners in Gosford

When bolt

kicks a ball

15

entertainment


C R O S S W O R D

S U D O K U

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

How to playPlace 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.

Y O U R S T A R T O D A Y

B E E T L E B A I L E Y

AriesYour aggressive nature is strong today, so be careful. Even though this may be good for getting things done and tackling any project you need to complete, the problem is that you might have a tendency to step on other people’s toes in the process. Be considerate of others’ emotions.

TaurusIt’s probably in your nature to want to include every-one in your plans today. Perhaps you’re running around making sure everyone is being cared for. More than likely, your nurturing instinct is coming out, so feel free to spread this love around. Be careful not to sacrifice too much of yourself as you do this.

GeminiYou may find that you have a strong will now. Once you get fired up to go somewhere, there’s little chance that anyone can stop you. People may accuse you of being lazy or wanting to take the easy way out, but it’s different this time. You should feel fired up and ready to move.

CancerCalm down, and be careful about accusing someone of something when you don’t have all facts. Keep your wrath under control. If you strike out now, you may find that you lose their respect forever. There are no guarantees on a day like today. If there are conflicts you need to work out, make sure that it’s done in private.

LeoYou may be feeling a bit more in touch with your warri-or side than your emotional side today. More than like-ly this will set stage for conflict in your world of hopes and dreams. Be careful that you aren’t too aggressive toward people who are trying to help. The danger is that you’re likely to hurt the ones closest to you.

VirgoYou may find that someone or something is thinking or working opposite to the way you are. This feeling is aggravated even more by a strong warrior force that wants to be recognized. There is a squeaky wheel in the situation that needs oiling. Take care of the basics before you try to deal with particulars of a situation.

LibraPay attention to your body today and feel free to stop when your body says to stop. There’s a strong ag-gressive force asking you to take action in one way or another. Make sure that you are considerate of others. Most importantly, make sure that you are considerate of yourself.

ScorpioEmotionally, you should be doing well today. But when it comes to taking action, you’re apt to be indecisive. Every option seems to looks fantastic. You probably aren’t going to want to miss out on anything. The best thing for you to do is try to get a piece of everything. There are many pies to dip your fingers into.

SagittariusThere’s tension in the air today, and you might be rest-less and anxious to start something. There is plenty of energy around to feed you, but the trick is to make sure that you’re doing things for the right reasons. Don’t do things out of guilt, fear, or regret. Keep on the best path for the best reasons for the best results.

CapricornYou’re probably feeling more in touch with your emo-tions, but it might be difficult to know which way to move based on where you are. There’s an element of aggression in your world today that might aggravate your heart, making it difficult for you to get a grip on your situation.

AquariusYou may be focused on a certain trajectory, but today you could run into complications based on overlooked issues. Be aware of the people around you and how your actions affect them. You don’t need to change your direction, but you might need to make a couple modifications to keep everyone happy.

W O R D O F T H E D A Y

ButtonholeDefinition:1: to detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments ofDid You Know?Buttonhole is easy to pin down as a noun referring to the slit or loop through which

a button is passed to fasten something, but its shift to a verb meaning “to detain in conversation” requires some explanation. Buttonhole is an alteration of another verb now long out of use: buttonhold, which literally meant to hold on to the buttons or lapels of someone’s coat when speaking to him or her. In the mid-19th century, English

speakers altered the verb to buttonhole, perhaps as a result of hearing buttonhold as buttonholed. The overlap is apparent in an early instance of this spelling in an 1862 London publication called All Year Round: “The man who is button-holed, or held … and must listen to half an hour’s harangue about nothing interesting.”

Across

1- Anticipate; 6- French friends; 10- Actress Catherine ___-Jones; 14- Intervening, in law; 15- Clublike weapon; 16- Understand-ing words; 17- Lend ___ (listen); 18- Teen follower; 19- Scot-tish refusals; 20- Belle or Bart; 21- China rose; 23- Texas tea; 25- Toward the stern; 26- Cat call; 29- Catch; 32- Prepares for publication or release; 37- Horace’s “___ Poetica”; 38- Makes lace; 39- Head cases?; 40- In spite of; 43- Standards of perfec-tion; 44- Home to billions; 45- “Fancy that!”; 46- Ages; 47- “My Heart Will Go On” singer; 48- Throw; 49- Figure skater Midori;

51- “Hold On Tight” group; 53- Pertaining to tactics; 58- Devour; 62- Falafel holder; 63- End in ___ (draw); 64- ___ of Two Cities; 65- Pitcher Hershiser; 66- Curtain holders; 67- Went after; 68- Rind; 69- Smell ___; 70- Ages between 13 and 19;

Down1- Latin lesson word; 2- Proceeded; 3- Between ports; 4- Consec-utively; 5- Country singer Gibbs; 6- Eastern nanny; 7- Biblical gift bearers; 8- Swelling reducer; 9- Letter cross-line; 10- Bluish white metallic element; 11- Biblical twin; 12- Driving aids; 13- Loser to DDE; 22- Breastbones; 24- Atty.-to-be exams; 26- Craze; 27- Eat away at; 28- Bony prefix; 30- To the ___ degree; 31- Very, to Verdi; 33- Pop; 34- English architect Jones; 35- Prongs; 36- Wise ones; 38- Semihard light yellow cheese; 39- The ___ Mutiny; 41- Pale; 42- General on Chinese menus; 47- Physician; 48- Perfectly; 50- Jewelled crown worn by women; 52- Slightest; 53- Grow weary; 54- To ___ (perfectly); 55- Give a ring; 56- Verdi heroine; 57- For fear that; 59- London gallery; 60- ___ Bator; 61- Teachers’ favorites; 62- Soft drink;

PiscesYou should be in a good mood today, but don’t be sur-prised if some aggravating force steps on your toes or pulls your chain in some way. More than likely, there isn’t much you can do about the situation except grin and bear it. Do your best to maintain your position and don’t lose self-confidence.

16 FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2018

KIN (PG-15) (THRILLER/ACTION/DRAMA/SCI-FICTION) NEW

CARRIE COON, JAMES FRANCO, ZOE KRAVITZ

CINECO (20) 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 PM + (12.45 MN THURS/FRI)SEEF (II) 11.15 AM + 1.30 + 3.45 + 6.00 + 8.15 + 10.30 PM + (12.45 MN THURS/FRI)SAAR 12.00 + 2.15 + 4.30 + 6.45 + 9.00 + 11.15 PMWADI AL SAIL 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM

REPRISAL(PG-15) (ACTION/CRIME/THRILLER) NEW

BRUCE WILLIS, FRANK GRILLO, JOHNATHON SCHAECH

CINECO (20) 10.30 AM + 12.45 + 3.00 + 5.15 + 7.30 + 9.45 PM + 12.00 MN + (12.30 MN THUR/FRI) (VIP I): 11.45 AM + 2.00 + 4.15 + 6.30 + 8.45 + 11.00 PMSEEF (II) 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 PM + (1.00 AM THUR/FRI) SAAR 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PMWADI AL SAIL 12.00 + 2.15 + 4.30 + 6.45 + 9.00 + 11.15 PM

SLENDER MAN (15+) (THRILLER/HORROR) NEW

JOEY KING, JULIA GOLDANI TELLES, JAZ SINCLAIR

CINECO (20) 11.30 AM + 1.30 + 3.30 + 5.30 + 7.30 + 9.30 + 11.30 PM SEEF (II) 12.00 + 2.00 + 4.00 + 6.00 + 8.00 + 10.00 PM + 12.00 MNSAAR 7.00 + 9.00 + 11.00 PM WADI AL SAIL 11.45 AM + 1.45 + 3.45 + 5.45 + 7.45 + 9.45 + 11.45 PM

THE LITTLE MERMAID (PG-13) (ADVENTURE/FAMILY) NEW

WILLIAM MOSELEY, POPPY DRAYTON, SHIRLEY MACLAINE

CINECO (20) 11.00 AM + 1.00 + 3.00 + 5.00 + 7.00 + 9.00 + 11.00 PM SEEF (II) 10.30 AM + 12.30 + 2.30 + 4.30 + 6.30 + 8.30 + 10.30 PMSAAR 11.00 AM + 1.00 + 3.00 + 5.00 PM WADI AL SAIL 12.00 + 2.00 + 4.00 + 6.00 PM

THE MEG (PG-15) (ACTION/THRILLER)

JASON STATHAM, RUBY ROSE, BINGBING LI

CINECO (20) (IMAX 3D): 11.00 AM + 1.30 + 4.00 + 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM (1.00 AM THURS/FRI) (ATMOS): 11.30 AM + 2.00 + 4.30 + 7.00 + 9.30 PM + 12.00 MN (VIP II): 10.30 AM + 1.00 + 3.30 + 6.00 + 8.30 + 11.00 PM SEEF (II) (12.30 MN THUR/FRI) SEEF (I) 11.00 AM + 1.30 + 4.00 + 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM WADI AL SAIL 10.30 AM + 1.00 + 3.30 + 6.00 + 8.30 + 11.00 PM

EL BADLAH (PG-13) (ARABIC/COMEDY)

TAMER HOSNY, AKRAM HOSNI, MAJED EL MASRY, AMINA KHALIL

CINECO (20) 12.00 + 2.00 + 4.00 + 6.00 + 8.00 + 10.00 PM + 12.00 MN SEEF (I) 11.00 AM + 1.00 + 3.00 + 5.00 + 7.00 +

9.00 + 11.00 PM + (1.00 AM THURS/FRI)SAAR 11.30 AM + 1.30 + 3.30 + 5.30 + 7.30 + 9.30 + 11.30 PM WADI AL SAIL 11.45 AM + 1.45 + 3.45 + 5.45 + 7.45 + 9.45 + 11.45 PM

MILE 22 (15+) (ACTION/THRILLER)

MARK WAHLBERG, LAUREN COHAN, IKO UWAIS

CINECO (20) 11.15 AM + 1.15 + 3.15 + 5.15 + 7.15 + 9.15 + 11.15 PM SEEF (II) 11.45 AM + 1.45 + 3.45 + 5.45 + 7.45 + 9.45 + 11.45 PM WADI AL SAIL 8.00 + 10.00 PM + 12.00 MN

THE EQUALIZER- 2 (15+) (ACTION/CRIME/THRILLER)

DENZEL WASHINGTON, PEDRO PASCAL, ASHTON SANDERS

CINECO (20) 11.15 AM + 1.45 + 4.15 + 6.45 + 9.15 + 11.45 PM SEEF (II) 10.45 AM + 1.15 + 3.45 + 6.15 + 8.45 + 11.15 PM

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE FALLOUT (PG-15) (ACTION/THRILLER/CRIME)

TOM CRUISE, HENRY CAVILL, VING RHAMES

CINECO (20) 11.30 AM + 2.30 + 5.30 + 8.30 + 11.30 PM SEEF (II) 11.00 AM + 2.00 + 5.00 + 8.00 + 11.00 PM

HOTELTRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER (PG) (ANIMATION/COMEDY/DRAMA)

ADAM SANDLER, ANDY SAMBERG, FRAN DRESCHER

CINECO (20) 10.30 AM + 12.30 + 2.30 + 4.30 + 6.30 + 8.30 + 10.30 PMSEEF (II) 11.00 AM + 3.00 + 7.00 + 11.00 PM

SKYSCRAPER (PG-13) (ACTION/THRILLERA/DRAMA)

DWAYNE JOHNSON, NEVE CAMPBELL, PABLO SCHREIBER

CINECO (20) 11.45 AM + 1.45 + 3.45 + 5.45 + 7.45 + 9.45 + 11.45 PMSEEF (II) 1.00 + 5.15 + 9.30 PM

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (PG) (FAMILY/ADVENTURE/COMEDY)

EWAN MCGREFOR, HAYLEY ATWELL, BRONTE CARMICHAEL

CINECO (20) 11.45 AM + 2.00 + 4.15 + 6.30 + 8.45 + 11.00 PMSEEF (II) 11.15 AM + 1.30 + 3.45 PM

THE DARKEST MINDS (PG-13) (THRILLER/SCI-FICTION)

AMANDLA STENBERG, MANDY MOORE, BRADLEY WHITFORD

CINECO (20) 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM

CHARMING (PG-13) (ANIMATION/COMEDY)

DEMI LOVATO, WILMER VALDERRAMA, SIA

CINECO (20) 10.45 AM + 12.45 + 2.45 + 4.45 + 6.45 + 8.45 + 10.45 PMSEEF (II) 1.00 + 5.00 + 9.00 PM

THE INCREDIBLES 2 (PG) (ANIMATION/ACTION/ADVENTURE)

CRAIG T. NELSON, SAMUEL L. JACKSON, CATHERINE KEENER

CINECO (20) 10.30 AM + 1.00 + 3.30 + 6.00 + 8.30 + 11.00 PM

OCEAN’S EIGHT (PG-15) (COMEDY/CRIME)

SANDRA BULLOCK, CATE BLANCHETT, ANNE HATHAWAY

CINECO (20) 12.00 + 2.15 + 4.30 + 6.45 + 9.00 + 11.15 PM

THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME (15+) (ACTION/COMEDY)

MILA KUNIS, SAM HEUGHAN, KATE MCKINNON

CINECO (20) 10.45 AM + 1.15 + 3.45 + 6.15 + 8.45 + 11.15 PM

SOUQ AL GOMAA ( ) (ARABIC/COMEDY) NEW

AMR ABDEL-GELEEL, MAHMOUD EL GENDY, DALAL ABDELAZIZ

SEEF (II) 10.45 AM + 3.00 + 7.15 + 11.30 PM

SATYAMEVA JAYATE (PG-15) (HINDI/ACTION/THRILLER)

JOHN ABRAHAM, MANOJ BAJPAYEE, AISHA SHARMA

SEEF (II) 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 PM

YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA PHIR SE (PG-15) (HINDI/COMEDY/DRAMA) NEW

DHARMENDRA, SUNNY DEOL, BOBBY DEOL

SEEF (I) 11.30 AM + 2.30 + 5.30 + 8.30 + 11.30 PM

STREE (15+) (HINDI/ COMEDY/HORROR) NEW

RAJKUMMAR RAO, SHRADDHA KAPOOR, PANKAJ TRIPATHI

SEEF (I) 12.45 + 3.30 + 6.15 + 9.00 + 11.45 PM

MISS GRANNY ( ) (FILIPINO/COMEDY/MUSICAL) NEW

SARAH GERONIMO, NOVA VILLA, JAMES REID

SEEF (I) 11.30 AM + 2.00 + 4.30 + 7.00 + 9.30 PM + 12.00 MN

JAWANI PHIR NAHI ANI 2 (PG-13) (URDU/COMEDY/ROMANTIC)

MAWRA HOCANE, KANWALJIT SINGH, HUMAYUN SAEED

SEEF (I) 12.00 + 3.00 + 6.00 + 9.00 PM + 12.00 MNAL HAMRA ON THURSDAY 30TH: 12.00 + 3.00 + 6.00 + 12.00 MN FROM FRIDAY 31ST: 6.00 + (12.00 MN FRI)

NARTANASALA (TELGU) NEW

NAGA SHAURYA, KASHMIRA, YAMINI, JAYAPRAKASH REDDY, AJAY

AL HAMRA FROM FRIDAY 31ST: 12.00 NOON

IMAIKKAA NODIGAL (TAMIL) NEW

NAYANTARA, ATHARVSS, RASHI KHANNA, ANURAG KASHYAP

AL HAMRA FROM FRIDAY 31ST: 3.00 PM

ANNANUKKU JEY! (TAMIL) NEW

ATTAKATHI DINESH, MAHIMA NAMBIAR, RJ BALAJI

AL HAMRA 9.00 PM

TABBY - Male tabby, 4 mos, brown spotted coat, escaped home during house move, raised indoors, not wearing collar or ID tag, Janabiya (Mercado Mall area), 5/8/18. 38348512

CESAR - Went missing same time as FLO, Male, 2 yrs, light brown w multiple scratches, well cared forstray that always stays in area, not wearing collar or ID tag, Sar (by Avenue 23), 22/8/18. 34372599

WARD - Male Dilmun, 4 yrs, black spot on face, not wearing collar/ID tag, believed to have been thrown in another area by a neighbor, Arad (block 244 - near Zayani Hall/ Khadija Mosque), 10/7/18, BD500 REWARD for safe return. 39646602

JACK - Male Siberian Husky, 3 yrs, neutered, microchipped, may be wearing grey collar w no ID tag, was staying at stables in Saar, may have been taken in by someone, BD100 REWARD for safe return, Saar, 29/7/18. 66922747 or 36337003

FLO - Went missing same time as CESAR, Female, 2 yrs, tri-colour, spayed, bit chubby now, well cared for stray that always stays in area, not wearing collar or ID tag, Sar (by Avenue 23), 22/8/18.34372599

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MISSING PETS

Jonas to voice act in ‘UglyDolls’IANS | Los Angeles

Singer Nick Jonas will voice act and perform an origi-nal song in upcoming ani-

mated film “UglyDolls”, along-side Kelly Clarkson and Pitbull.

“I love that I get to work with Kelly Clarkson and Pitbull, and I can’t wait to get started,” Jo-nas said, reported variety.com.

The singer, who has got en-gaged to “Quantico” star, most recently appeared in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” with Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. He also appeared along-side James Franco in the indie drama “Goat”.

“Nick Jonas is not only a tal-ented musician, he’s also an accomplished actor beloved by millions of passionate fans around the world,” said Adam Fogelson, chairman of STXfilms.

“Over the last several years, Nick has proven there’s not much he can’t do, and we’re ecstatic to have him join Kelly and Pitbull in this charming and funny film,” Fogelson added.

The “UglyDolls” movie the first project by STX’s family and animation division in a deal with Pretty Ugly LLC, the toy company behind the critters.

The toys subvert the idea of ugly by turning the adjective into a positive, and include characters such as Wage, Babo, Ice-Bat, and Wedgehead.

In the film, Clarkson’s char-acter Moxy and her UglyDolls friends confront what it means to be different, struggle with

their desire to be loved, and ultimately discover that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing because who you truly are is what matters most.

Jonas said: “The UglyDolls remind audiences the impor-tance of acceptance and loving yourself, and as someone who started in this business very young, I understand the signif-icance of using my platform to tell stories that lift others up.”

The film will release in 2019 as a launch vehicle for the fran-chise.

In 2005, Nick Jonas formed a band with his older brothers,

Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas. And they called it the Jonas Brothers.

KNOW WHAT

Nick Jonas

No one dreams of being a refugee: Angelina JolieIANS | New Delhi

The global refugee crisis is a major challenge for

zpresent generation, believes actress-activist Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy for UNHCR - UN Refugee Agency. She says no one dreams of being a refugee.

Angelina has written an opinion piece for CNN, sharing her thoughts on the anguish that refugees face, including the pain of being unable to provide their children with food when they are hungry or medicine when they are ill or

injured.“I have also seen how much

it weighs on refugee parents when they are unable to send their children to school, know-ing that with each passing year, their life prospects are shrink-ing and their vulnerability is growing,” she wrote.

“In a new report, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warns that rising numbers of refugee children are not receiving an education. While the implica-tions are grave, our response should not be to despair but instead to see an opportunity.

NAME CHANGEI, BIJOY PRABHAKRAN SINI VILLA, F/o ABHINAV BIJOY, HOLDING INDIAN PASSPORT No. L1186728 DATED 20.10.2013, ISSUED AT BAHRAIN, HAVING PERMANENT RESIDENCE AT SINI VILLA, MALAYALAPUZHA(PO), MALAYALAPUZHA THAZHAM, PATHANAMTHITTA PIN 689666, PRESENTLY RESIDING AT P O BOX NO 37923, FLAT NO 41, BLDG 1017, ROAD NO 2923, BLOCK NO 329, SALMANIYA, KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN DO HEREBY CHANGE MY SON NAME AS (GIVEN NAME) ABHINAV (SURNAME) BIJOY. OBJECTION (S), IF ANY, MAY BE FORWARDED TO EMBASSY OF INDIA, P.O BOx NO 26106, BLDG 1090, ROAD 2819, BLOCK 428, AL SEEF, BAHRAIN.

Elba gets behind the camera for ‘Yardie’IANS | Los Angeles

British actor Idris Elba goes behind the camera for his

directorial debut “Yardie”, a crime drama he says will offer young people a “perspective” on violence at a time when Lon-don is suffering from a surge in knife crime.

Based on the novel by Vic-tor Headley, the film follows the story of D, a young Jamai-can who arrives in London in the 1980s and comes across the man who, a decade earlier, killed his brother in Jamaica. Rather than abandon his life of crime, he soon sets out on a bloody quest for justice.

The film, released in UK cinemas this Friday, comes after London’s murder rate overtook that of New York for the first time earlier this year.

Elba is best known for series “The Wire” and “Luther” and movies “Thor” and “Beasts of No Nation”.

17

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Nadal speeds throughWawrinka and del Potro ease into 3rd round as Murray crashes out

AFP | New York

World number one and defending champion Rafael Nadal steamed

into the third round on another scorching day at the US Open on Wednesday with a straight-sets win over Vasek Pospisil.

Nadal, spared the worst of the heat thanks to his late-night start on Arthur Ashe Stadium, sped past Pospisil 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

His only hiccup came in the second set, when he dropped his serve to fall 2-4 down.

“The conditions are tough,” Nadal said. “It was important to start very well with that break. To win in straight sets is always very positive, especially in these conditions. It’s almost midnight, very happy about the victory.”

Former champions Stan Wawrinka and Juan Martin del Potro also advanced, while 2012 winner Andy Murray, like Waw-rinka back at Flushing Meadows after missing last year through injury, was bounced by Fernan-do Verdasco.

Wawrinka survived searing mid-day heat and a spirited Ugo Humbert.

“I knew it would be a difficult match,” said Wawrinka, who was pleased to find himself feel-

ing fit after prevailing 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in three hours and 21 minutes.

“My level is there. I’m playing really good tennis,” added Waw-rinka, who was unable to defend his 2016 title after undergoing two knee surgeries last year.

“I think there is a good chance that I’m playing better in the next round,” said the Swiss, who will face Canadian Milos Raonic

for a place in the last 16.Meanwhile Murray, the 2012

US Open winner, who was play-ing his first Grand Slam in 14 months, is still fighting to find full fitness after hip surgery in January.

He gave himself a mixed re-view after a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss to Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, whose only win over Murray in 14 prior meetings was at the

2009 Australian Open.“I think some of the tennis I

played today was some of the best I’ve played since I had the surgery or since I came back,” said Murray.

He was disappointed to sur-render the first set after hold-ing a set point, but pleased he had enough in the tank to push Verdasco through five break points in the final game before the Spaniard converted his third match point.

Even with his current limi-tations, Murray is a dangerous opponent, Verdasco said.

Rafael Nadal

The conditions are tough. It was

important to start very well

with that break. To win in straight

sets is always very positive,

especially in these conditions. It’s

almost midnight, very happy about

the victoryRAFAEL NADAL

Serena, Venus setup clash AFP | New York

Serena and Venus Williams set up a 30th career meeting on Wednesday

as the US Open reeled from a sexism row sparked when a player changed her shirt on court.

Six-time champion Serena eased into Friday’s third round encoun-ter against her sister with a 6-2, 6-2 win over German world number 101 Carina Witthoeft on the back of 30 winners and 13 aces.

Venus, the 2000 and 2001 cham-pion, made the third round for the 17th time with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Camila Giorgi of Italy.

Friday’s match will be the earliest the sisters have met at a Slam since the 1998 Australian Open in what was also their first ever clash. It will be their sixth face-off in New York.

“Friday will be incredibly hard,” said Serena before jokingly hitting back at Venus’s claim that when they last met at a Slam in the final of the 2017 Australian Open her sister had an advantage as it was “two against one.”

That was a reference to Serena be-ing in the early stages of pregnancy with her daughter Olympia.

“I guess I had a little advantage but it’s going to be hard for me on Friday,” said 36-year-old Serena.

Since Venus won their first ever clash in Australia, Serena, bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, has built up an advantage over the last two decades, enjoying a 17-12 head-to-head superiority.

“It’s a tough match to have so early in the tournament. We would have liked to have played later but it is what it is. It’s not the end of the world,” added Serena.

Venus, 38, and playing her 80th Slam, notched up her 775th career win

by seeing off Giorgi.However, she was reluctant to dis-

cuss Serena when asked to describe the specific challenges.

“You’re beating it up now. Any other questions about anything else?” she barked.

Defending champion and third seed Sloane Stephens also made the third round with a marathon 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 win over Ukraine qualifier Anhelina

Kalinina.Stephens triumphed after 2 hours

and 46 minutes on Arthur Ashe Sta-dium and will next face two-time Australian Open champion and former world number one Victoria Azarenka.

The American needed treatment on a blistered right hand in the second set as the crushing effect of the heat and humidity took its toll.

However, the 10-minute heat-break between the second and third sets proved a timely boost.

“I just sat on the floor, changed my outfit, had two bites of Sushi and a slushie,” said the 25-year-old Ste-phens after seeing off world number 134 Kalinina.

Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 run-ner-up, made the third round for the first time in three years with a 6-1, 6-2 win against Australian 25th seed Daria Gavrilova.

Serena Williams

30 Serena and Venus

Williams will clash for the 30th time on Friday with

a place in the last 16 of the US Open at stake

Brave CF announces Brave 16 fight card TDT | Manama

Brave Combat Federation announced the full fight

card for Brave 16. Brave 16 will take place at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE on 21st September, 2018 under the patronage of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The fight card features two major championship title fights. The main event features the Welterweight champion, Carlston Harris from Guyana defending his championship against Jarrah Al Selawe from Jordan.

In the co-main event, reign-ing featherweight champion, Elias Boudegzdame from Al-geria will defend his title for the second time against the 2011 NCAA division champion,

Bubba Jenkins from the Unit-ed States of America.

The main card features some of the most awaited fights, in-cluding 10 time IBJJF World Champion from Brazil, Bru-no Malfacine facing Cristian Rodriguez Jr from USA in the flyweight division.

Mohammad Fakhreddine from Lebanon will make his most awaited return to face the formidable Gadzhimusa Gaziev from Dagestan, Rus-sia. The undefeated Mounir Lazzez from Tunisia will make his much anticipated promo-tional debut at Brave CF fac-ing the undefeated Dmitrijs Homjakovs from Sweden in a catchweight bout.

Bahrain will host the 2018 Brave International Combat Week during 11-18 November.

Curran leads England rally against IndiaAFP | Southampton, United Kingdom

Sam Curran marked his England return with a Test-best 78 as the

hosts fought back on the first day of the fourth Test against India at South-ampton yesterday.

It was a familiar story when Curran, primarily a left-arm swing bowler and playing just his fourth Test, came into bat with England in dire straits at 86 for six.

But thanks to the 20-year-old they finished on a far more respectable 246 all out, with India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah taking an economical three wickets for 46 runs in his 20 overs

India had four overs to bat until the close but reached stumps on 19 with-out loss, a deficit of 227 runs.

Shikhar Dhawan was three not out and KL Rahul 11 not out.

Curran was unfortunate to miss the third Test at Trent Bridge, a match India won by 203 runs to reduce Eng-land’s lead in the five-match series

to 2-1, as he made way for returning all-rounder Ben Stokes.

But yesterday saw him put on 81 for the seventh wicket with the recalled Moeen Ali (40) and Curran then added 63 for the ninth with Stuart Broad (17).

Curran, a son of the late Zimbabwe all-rounder Kevin Curran, was last man out, bowled trying to heave spin-ner Ravichandran Ashwin.

In all, he batted for over three hours, facing 136 balls including eight fours and a six.

Earlier, England captain Joe Root opted to bat after winning the toss and promptly saw his side slump to 36 for four.

It was the 32nd time in their last 63 Test innings that England had been four wickets down with 100 or fewer runs on the scoreboard.

India’s four quicks all gained sharp and often extravagant seam movement -- which helped explain the large total of 23 byes conceded by wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant.

Main card

Carlston Harris vs. Jarrah Al Selawe - WelterweightElias Boudegzdame vs. Bubba Jenkins - FeatherweightBruno Malfacine vs. Cristian Rodriguez Jr - Flyweight

Mohammad Fakhreddine vs. Gadzhimusa Gaziev - WelterweightMounir Lazzez vs. Dmitrijs Homjakovs - Catchweight

Under card

Chad Hanekom vs. Leon Aliu - MiddleweightHamza Kooheji vs. Crisanto Pitpitunge - Bantamweight

Guram Kutateladze vs. TBD - LightweightFlavio Seraphim vs. Vaughn Donayre - Catchweight

Louis Sanoukidakis vs. Nawras Abzakh - BantamweightHussain Ayyad vs. Jonathan Corton - Flyweight


Kaka back in Italy to discuss AC Milan roleAFP | Milan, Italy

Former AC Milan and Brazil star Kaka has re-

turned to Italy amid reports Wednesday he is set for a backroom role with the fall-en Serie A giants.

The 2007 Ballon d’Or winner is reported to be looking at the possibility of joining the club’s board along with fellow AC Milan icons Leonardo and Paolo Maldini.

Another ex-Milan team-mate Gennaro Gattuso has coached the seven-time Eu-ropean champions since last season.

“I often talk with Leonar-do, we are friends, but the role that I will have at Milan we have not yet discussed,” Kaka told journalists after his arrival in Italy.

Kaka spent six seasons with Milan before joining Real Madrid in 2009 but re-turned for a season on loan in 2013. He won one Serie A title and the Champions League with Milan.

The 36-year-old will at-tend AC Milan’s first home game of the season at the San Siro against Roma on Friday, after the club lost their opener 3-2 in Napoli.

Bale can fill Ronaldo boots at Real: GiggsAFP | London

Gareth Bale can cope with the pressure of

replacing Cristiano Ronal-do as the star man at Real Madrid, says his Wales boss Ryan Giggs.

Bale has become the main forward at Real since Ronaldo’s summer depar-ture to Juventus, scoring in their opening La Liga wins against Getafe and Girona.

“When someone like Cristiano leaves there is al-ways going to be a spotlight on who is going to replace him goal-wise and threat-wise,” said Giggs.

Giggs said Ronaldo’s de-parture meant there will be more focus on players who are going to score the goals.

Egypt’s Shikabala loaned to Greek side Apollon Smyrni AFP | Athens, Greece

Egyptian international midfielder Mahmoud

Shikabala has been loaned by Zamalek to Apollon Smyrni for this season, the Greek Super League club announced Wednesday.

No financial details of the loan were announced by the Athens side.

Shikabala, 32, has made 32 appearances for the Egyptian national team scoring two goals.

On a club level, besides Zamalek, he has played for Al-Raed, Ismaily, Sporting CP, Al Wasl and PAOK Thes-saloniki.

Deschamps backs Lloris in French squadAFP | Paris

France coach Didier De-schamps gave his firm backing to Tottenham

goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and recalled “retired” defender Adil Rami as he named his first post-World Cup squad ahead of two Nations League matches.

Barely six weeks after their triumphant World Cup cam-paign in Russia, France face Germany on September 6 and Netherlands three days later as part of Nations League compe-tition which has replaced the traditional friendlies.

If fans expected Deschamps to punish Lloris over a recent drink driving charge -- he was arrested on Friday morning in London before being re-leased on bail and will face a

magistrates’ court hearing on September 11 -- they will be disappointed.

Deschamps gave the 31-year-old World Cup winner his full backing after naming a largely unchanged squad from the one that triumphed 4-2 over Croa-tia in Moscow on July 8.

“I’ve spoken with him, he realises his mistake and he’s sorry for it,” Deschamps said.

“He knows only too well that it shouldn’t happen, but it happened and it’s not going to change what I think about him and the Hugo Lloris that I’ve always known.”

A bigger surprise was Mar-seille defender Rami, who announced -- “with a certain degree of euphoria”, said De-schamps -- his internation-al retirement on the night of France’s World Cup victory.

Man United to face Juventus in UCLAFP | Monaco, Principality of Monaco

Cristiano Ronaldo can look forward to a return to Old

Trafford in the Champions League this season after his new team Juventus came out in the same group as Manchester United in yesterday’s draw in Monaco.

Ronaldo spent six years at United, winning the Champions League in 2008, before moving to Real Madrid in 2009. He will come up against his compatriot Jose Mourinho, under whom he played during his time at Real, while United midfielder Paul Pogba can also look forward to facing his old team.

While those sides will be fa-vourites to progress to the last 16 from Group H, they will have to be wary of Valencia, with the Spaniards returning to the group stage for the first time in three years.

Swiss champions Young Boys, group-stage debutants, look to be the makeweights in the sec-tion.

Tough for Liverpool Yesterday’s draw ceremony

at Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum, a stone’s throw from the Med-iterranean Sea, threw up sev-eral other fascinating groups, with last season’s beaten final-ists Liverpool set to have their work cut out alongside the Paris Saint-Germain of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, as well as Na-poli, in Group C.

Carlo Ancelotti, who be-came coach of Napoli in the close season, will return to the French capital, where he led PSG to the title in 2013. That group is completed by a fa-mous old name in 1991 Euro-pean Cup winners Red Star Belgrade.

Holders Madrid begin their bid to win a fourth consecutive Champions League crown in a kind-looking Group G, featuring Roma, CSKA Moscow and the Czech side Viktoria Plzen.

Spurs, Inter meet again In contrast, Barcelona and

Tottenham Hotspur will play each other in a testing Group B along with Inter Milan and PSV Eindhoven, the 1988 European Cup winners.

Inter are returning to the competition for the first time

in seven seasons. They were in the same group as Tottenham in 2010/11, with the Italian side memorably winning 4-3 at San Siro despite Gareth Bale scoring a hat-trick.

The draw looks kind to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City as they look to win the trophy for the first time.

They will face group-stage debutants Hoffenheim as well as Lyon and Shakhtar Donetsk, coming up against the latter for the second year running.

The draw was also kind on German champions Bayern Munich, although they will meet two great European names in Benfica and Ajax. But it was less so for another Ger-man club, with Borussia Dort-mund coming up against Monaco and Atletico Madrid in Group A, along with Club Brugge.

Having won the Europa League last year, three-time fi-nalists Atletico are hoping to go all the way in this competition, with the final to be played at their own Wanda Metropolitano

stadium on June 1, 2019.

Changes brought in for this season mean half of the clubs in the group stage were allocat-ed to the top four sides in the four best-ranked leagues: Spain, England, Germany and Italy.

The first round of group games will be played on September 18 and 19.

© GRAPHIC NEWSSource: UEFA Picture: Getty Images

Champions LeagueGroup Stage drawGROUP AAtletico MadridDortmundMonacoClub Brugge

ESPGERFRABEL

GROUP BBarcelonaTottenhamPSV EindhovenInternazionale

ESPENGNED

ITA

GROUP CParis St-GermainNapoliLiverpoolRed Star Belgrade

FRAITA

ENGSRB

GROUP DLokomotivPortoSchalkeGalatasaray

RUSPORGERTUR

GROUP EBayern MunichBenficaAjaxAEK Athens

GERPORNEDGRE

GROUP FManchester CityShakhtarOlympique LyonHoffenheim

GROUP GReal MadridAS RomaCSKA MoscowViktoria Plzen

ESPITA

RUSCZE

GROUP HJuventusManchester UtdValenciaYoung Boys

ITAENGESPSUI

ENGUKRFRAGER

Sep 18 / 19, Oct 2 / 3, Oct 23 / 24,Nov 6 / 7, Nov 27 / 28, Dec 11 / 12

MATCH DATES

MarceloReal Madrid

Luka Modric named UEFA player of the yearAFP | Monaco, Principality of Monaco

Luka Modric of Real Madrid and Croatia yesterday re-

ceived the accolade of UEFA Player of the Year in Monaco after his Champions League exploits.

“My father always pushed me to fight for my dreams, I owe him a lot for everything,” said Modric, whose silky mid-field skills helped Real to a third straight European crown and then propelled Croatia to the World Cup final.

“It’s an incredible moment for me, I feel really excited and proud of this great award,” said the 32-year-old, who started out at Dinamo Zagreb and then had four years with Tottenham before Real prised him away six years ago.

Modric, whose success sets him up as a favourite to win the Ballon d’Or world player of the year accolade, saw off former Real teammate Cristiano Ron-aldo and Liverpool’s Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah for the overall award.

Real Madrid’s achievement in winning the Champions League for the third season running was further recognised as Modric also won the UEFA award for the best midfielder of last season.

His clubmate Sergio Ramos was named best defender while Real shot stopper Keylor Navas won the best goalkeeper prize.

Ronaldo, who did not appear at the ceremony, was awarded the award for best striker cho-sen by Champions League and Europa League coaches from last season and journalists.

The award “recognises the

best players, irrespective of nationality, playing for a club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the past season. Players are judged on their performances in all competitions – domestic, con-tinental and international”.

Danish international Pernille Harder, of German club Wolfs-burg, won the UEFA women’s player of the year prize.

Wolfsburg lost to domi-nant French outfit Lyon in the Champions League final in Kiev in May.

There was also an award for David Beckham, the former Manchester United, Real Ma-drid and England star collecting the UEFA President’s Award for his achievements in the game and his work since retiring as a player.

Luka Modric

Cristiano Ronaldo

Race-walker collapses after 50km of heat, smog

AFP | Jakarta

Indonesia’s Hendro said it was a “miracle” to even fin-

ish the 50km race walk in Ja-karta’s brutal pollution, heat and humidity yesterday after he was carried from the finish line on a stretcher.

Hendro collapsed after pounding the Indonesian cap-ital’s smoggy streets for more than four-and-a-half hours in 31 Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) heat to finish last, in the Asian Games’ slowest 50km (31 miles) walk for nearly three

decades.The air quality index in cen-

tral Jakarta hit 163 yesterday morning. A reading of more than 150 is considered a health threat to the general popu-lation.

After being doused in ice water by medics Hendro, 28, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, was carried to the medical centre shouting incoherently with pain.

“The race was so difficult -- the hot weather, humidity, and not just the humidity but the pollution,” he said after recovering. “Racing here is not easy. This is Indonesia.”

“This is a miracle for me I can finish. This is a miracle,” he added.

Hayato Katsuki of Japan took gold with 4:03:30 -- 23 minutes slower than the last Asian Games -- with a well-judged race, after making holes in his vest to improve venti-lation.

‘Little Fu Mingzia’, 14, claims second diving medal

AFP | Jakarta

China’s powerhouse divers secured a one-two in the

women’s 10 metre platform yesterday, with Si Yajie taking gold to successfully defend her Asian Games title.

Nineteen-year-old Si, an Olympic silver medallist, nev-er looked seriously threatened by Zhang Jiaqi, 14 -- but later claimed she had not anticipat-ed the win over her younger rival.

“I’m feeling quite emotion-al, I did not expect this,” Si

said after securing the top spot with 405.45.

Zhang -- nicknamed “Lit-tle Fu Mingzia” after the Chi-nese diving great -- opened with an outstanding forward three-and-a-half somersaults in front of a sea of boisterous, red-shirted China fans.

But in the end Si’s experi-ence saw her through and she won with a remarkably con-sistent 8.5 average on all five rounds.

“I felt the pressure a little bit,” said the tiny Zhang, look-ing overwhelmed among a scrum of reporters.

“But she (Si) is a bit old-er and has taught me how to cope,” added Zhang, who won the synchronised 10 me-tre platform on Tuesday with Zhang Minjie, who was cele-brating her 14th birthday.

Zhang Jiaqi finished on 395.30, as North Korea’s Kim Mi Rae landed bronze with 367.90.


163The air quality index in central Jakarta hit

163. A reading of more than 150 is considered

a health threat

Unified Korea reach Asian hoops finalAFP | Jakarta

A jo int Korean wom -en’s basketball team slammed Taiwan 89-66

to reach the Asian Games final yesterday, helped by Las Vegas razzmatazz and some good, old, northern grit.

Roared on by around 100 fans waving Korean unification flags, North Korean Ro Suk Yong joint top-scored with 17 points in a blow-out victory for the defend-ing champions in Jakarta.

The Koreans advance to face China in this weekend’s gold medal game after they out-gunned Japan 86-74 in the sec-ond semi-final.

Beanpole centre Park Ji-su chipped in with 10 points -- one of six Korean players in double figures -- in her first game since being released by WNBA team the Las Vegas Aces.

A noisy section of Korean fans waving flags bearing the blue Korean unification flag with the slogan “One dream, one Corea”, and wearing matching T-shirts, serenaded players throughout.

As chants of “Uri nun hana da” (we are one) echoed around the arena, the Koreans were sparked by a captain’s perfor-mance from Lim Yung-hui -- who at 38 is old enough to be mother of some of her team-mates. Lim also scored 17 points, along with Park Hye-jin, in a one-sided encounter.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Korea forward

Kim Han-byul told AFP.“It’s definitely historical --

just the fact the North Kore-an girls are able to play with us,” added Kim, who was born Kimberly Roberson to a Korean mother and an American father in Indiana.

All Blacks of AsiaJapan were once known as the easy-beats of world rugby but they are more like the All Blacks against Asian opposition, a point they hammered home as they crushed Indonesia by a record

92-0 in sevens.Coincidentally, Japan’s wom-

en also set a new Games record, and against the same opposi-tion, when they spanked the hosts 65-0 -- the second biggest win in female sevens history, after Kazakhstan’s 74-0 victory against Laos in 2014.

In cycling, Malaysia’s “Pocket Rocketman” Azizulhasni Awang powered to men’s sprint gold -- and then shaved off his mous-tache to celebrate.

“I kept the moustache when I came to Jakarta to look a bit

more fierce. Part of my game-plan,” explained the 1.66m (5ft 5in) Olympic bronze medallist.

Uzbekistan finished with six out of seven gold medals in the Central Asian wrestling sport of kurash, while China won four of the six canoeing titles decided yesterday.

China also picked up another two diving titles and won the mixed doubles table tennis as they increased their haul to 112 gold medals, ahead of Japan’s 59, 39 for South Korea and 30 for Indonesia.

Taiwan’s Peng Szuchin (L) tries to shoot over Unified Korea’s Ro Suk Yong (R) in the women’s basketball semi-final match

Bahrain eyes handball gold

TDT | Manama

Bahrain will look to add an-other gold medal to their

tally when they take on favour-ites Qatar today in the handball final.

This title decider will tip off at 2pm (Bahrain time) at Gor Popki Cibubur Sports Hall, where the Bahrainis hope to overcome the much experi-enced and talented Qatari team and capture competition’s title.

Having won all their previous matches in the tournament, the nationals will head into this crunch game while banking on a group of Bahrain’s young and experienced handball play-ers, led by skipper Hussain Al Sayyad, who is team’s top scorer.

Aron Kristjansson, the Ice-landic coach of Bahrain, will also pin hopes on his goalkeep-er, Mohammed Abdulhussain, who played a major role in the team’s past victories.

Ali Mirza, Hasan Al Samahiji, Mahmood Abdulqader, Bilal Askani, Hasan Madan, Husain

Mohamed, Jasim Al Salatna, Ali Salman and Mohamed Ahmed will be likely have a playing role today.

Elsewhere, Samira Al Bitar will be in action in the wom-en’s triathlon race early this morning. Coached by Ghanim Badawi, Samira will enter the competition well prepared. The race will commence with a swim in sea, to be followed by a cycling race and a running race.

In sailing, Abdulla Janahi had another fine sailing day yester-day (Wednesday) in the laser standard class.

The 30-year-old Bahraini, who came sixth in both the eighth and ninth races on Tues-day, headed into yesterday’s ninth and 10th races with 15 other sailors in an attempt to improve on his overall ranking with one day remaining.

Heading into these races in eighth place overall, Janahi battled hard and again showed some amazing skills to manage ninth in the 10th race, then was seventh in the 11th race.

Janahi is still holding on his eighth place with 83 points and 72 net points, with the 12th and last race scheduled for today (Friday), when the top three will be honored with their respective medals at the prize-giving ceremony.

In cycling, Yahiaaldien Khal-ifa was 18th in the cycling track men’s omnium cycling track race at Jakarta International Velodrome. Khalifa’s last-posi-tion finish granted him 6 points, while Iran’s Mohammad Gan-jkhanlou secured the gold med-al with 40 points.

In equestrian, Shaikh Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa came in 23rd place in the final round of the showjumping individual event at Jakarta International Equestrian Park.

R i d i n g Aw Vi v i ka , t h e 42-year-old Bahraini scored 63.78 points. Compatriots Sayed Adnan Al Alawi (39.19 points) was 32nd, Khalid Al Khatri (47.85) was 57th, while Ahmed Maki was eliminated from the competition.

Bahrain’s Handball team

China’s Si Yajie competes in the women’s 10m platform diving final

Riders look a Hendro Yap of Indonesia competes in the men’s 50km walk race competition

I felt the pressure a little bit. But she

(Si) is a bit older and has taught me

how to copeZHANG JIAQI

OCA hopes to see Kuwait back in Olympic fold for 2020Reuters | Jakarta

Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Director General

Husain Al-Musallam has told Reuters he hopes his native Kuwait will imple-ment a roadmap proposed by the International Olym-pic Committee that will see it return to the Olympic fold ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Kuwait’s national Olym-pic committee has been banned since 2015 after the government was ac-cused of interference with a new sports law. As a re-sult, Kuwaiti athletes had to compete under the Olym-pic flag at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and they have had no access to IOC funds.

Earlier this month, the IOC provisionally lifted the ban shortly before the start of the Asian Games “as a gesture of goodwill to recognise the progress accomplished”, al low-ing the country to com-pete under its own flag in Jakarta.

Al-Musallam said in an interview on Wednesday that several other countries had faced the same prob-lem, the difference was Kuwait has been grappling with the issue for the last three decades.

Odiong adds relay gold Bahraini athletes sign off with a bang

TDT | Manama

Lined up with some of Asia’s best athletes, the Bahraini nationals were again in top form as they

extended their medal haul win.The team of Salwa Naser, Edidiong

Odiong, Iman Isa, Hajer Al Khaldi opened Bahrain’s medal haul of the day, taking home the women’s 4x100m relay gold.

Odiong picked up her third gold medal of the Asian Games when she led her country to victory, ending China’s hold on the event.

The Chinese women had won the last seven of eight gold medals at the Asian Games in the 4x100m but had to be sat-isfied with silver after the Bahrain team won in a Games record 42.73 seconds. Kazakhstan picked up the bronze.

Bahrain’s Salwa Naser, who also won the 400m gold, finished with four medals at the Games.

Odiong’s compatriot Kalkidan Be-fkadu followed suit, securing multiple golds after adding the 1,500m title to her 5,000m victory which she finished in 4 minutes and 7.88 seconds. She was followed by another Bahraini Tigist Belay (4:09.12), who secured the silver, while India’s Chitra Palakeezh (4:12.56) took the bronze.

“Today was very hard, because she’s my friend -- today I’m fighting with her. But we make each other better,” Befkadu said.

Bahrain were dominant in the next challenge as Birhanu Balew and Albert Rop sealed a 1-2 finish in the men’s 5,000m final, clocking 13:43.17 and 13:43.76, respectively, while Saudi Arabia’s Tariq Al Amir (13:56.49) rounded of the podium.

Late on, Mohammed Tiouali bagged the men’s 1,500m bronze after coming third in 3:44.72. Jin-son Johnson (3:44.72) of India was first, followed by silver medalist Amir Moradi (3:45.62) of Iran.

There was even more joy for Bah-rain as the relay team of Salwa Naser, Aminat Jamal, Iman Isa and Manal ElBahraoui battled to the women’s 4x400m event in 3:30.61 minutes, finishing just behind gold medalists India (3:28.72), and ahead of Vietnam (3:33.23), who received the bronze.

In the men’s 4x40m relay, Bah-rain’s Ali Khamis, Abbas Abubakr, Mousa Isa and Abdulrahman Khamis could only come fifth in 3:03.97. Qatar (3:00.56) captured the gold, with India (3:01.85) winning the silver and Japan (3:01.94) the bronze.

Noora Jassim put in a brave performance in women’s discus throw, but was sixth with her best attempt of 51.19 metres. Yang Chen (65.12) of China took the gold medal, followed by compa-triot Bin Feng (64.25) and Seema Punia (62.26) who settled for the silver and bronze, respectively.

The 21-year-old Odiong had com-pleted the women’s sprint double with the 100m and 200m titles at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and also won silver in the 4x400m relay later on the final day of athletics at the 18th Asian Games.

“I thank God for giving me three gold medals,” she said. “I am very happy and I am happy for my team mates, they did a marvellous job. I love you all.”

Odiong was denied a clean sweep of golds in the 4x400m relay by India, who won a fifth straight title in the event.

Bahrain ended another prosperous day on the track finishing with 25 medals from athletics, with 12 gold, six silver and seven bronze and moved up in the medal table to 10th place.

China’s Wei Yongli, who recently became the first Asian woman to break the 11-second barrier in 100m sprint, felt the African-born athletes in the Bahrain squad would only help raise the

standard of the sport in Asia.“We are unfamiliar with this team (Bahrain),

we don’t know them until today, although it is a pity we didn’t win but we did our best,” Wei told reporters after the 4x100m relay. “This is sports, there is no such thing like unfairness.

“I think it is good. With their presence they will bring the standard of Asian sports a tad higher and also help us to push ourselves to improve.”

Tokyo 2020 dreamJapan won gold in the men’s 4x100m relay

in a time of 38.16 seconds with a team that included three of the four sprinters who came second at the 2016 Olympics.

“Very happy to win gold and hear the na-tional anthem play as we missed it at the

Olympics and the world championships,” Ja-pan’s Aska Cambridge told reporters.

“We are aiming to average 37 seconds in Japan training consistently to win the gold at the Tokyo (Olympic) Games (in 2020).”

World junior 100m sprint champion Lalu Mu-hammad Zohri brought the crowd to their feet by helping the hosts win silver while China, with 100m Asian Games sprint champion Su

Bingtian, could only manage bronze.

Triple Olympic med-allist Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan soared to victory in the tri-ple jump, with her 14.26m easily enough for a third consecutive Asian Games win.

Rypakova, 33, who took gold at

London 2012, said there was “no secret” to

her longevity.

“It’s my job. I like it,” she said. “I

have a little worry that there’s nobody

coming through after me in Ka-zakhstan -- no-body who can match my results

in the future.”India scooped

t wo m o re g o l d medals to take their athletics tally to sev-en -- a vast improve-

ment on their two in Incheon 2014.

J i n s o n Jo h n s o n made up for his shock

loss to compatriot Man-jit Singh in the 800m by

winning the 1,500m, while India’s women comfortably won the 4x400m relay.

Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew celebrates winning ahead of compatriot Albert Rop during the final of the men’s 5000m athletics event


I thank God for giving me the three gold medals,

and I’m very happy. I was thinking -- now I want to go for four ... It was too much. I’m happy but 400 was too

muchEDIDIONG ODIONG

M e d a l l i s t Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total 1 China 112 76 53 241 2 Japan 59 49 66 174 3 South Korea 39 46 56 141 4 Indonesia 30 23 37 90 5 Iran 19 19 20 58 6 Uzbekistan 15 19 19 53 7 Taiwan 14 17 24 55 8 India 13 21 25 59 9 North Korea 12 9 12 33 10 Bahrain 12 6 7 25

42.73Bahrain’s women’s

4x100m relay team of Salwa Naser, Edidiong

Odiong, Iman Isa, Hajer Al Khaldi won with a Games record

42.73 seconds

Bahrain’s Kalkidan Befkadu celebrates winning ahead of compatriot Tigist Belay during the final of the women’s 1500m athletics event

Bahrain’s Salwa Naser (2nd R) celebrates winning the final of the women’s 4x100m relay athletics event

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