TWITTER SPORTS @newsofbahrain BUSINESS 11 Golden year for precious metals INSTAGRAM Brighton spoil Chelsea’s /nobmedia 2 New Year party LINKEDIN THURSDAY newsofbahrain JANUARY 2020 Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s 210 FILS WHATSAPP spectacular overhead kick 38444692 ISSUE NO. 8344 earned Brighton a share of the points against Chelsea FACEBOOK /nobmedia and dampened Frank Lam- pard’s New Year celebra- MAIL [email protected] tions yesterday as Aston Villa secured a vital win WEBSITE newsofbahrain.com against Burnley. P16

Weekender Kathy Griffin ties knot with boyfriend on New Year night 14 CELEBS inside pages 7-10 WORLD 5 India approves third moon mission

Egyptian ties Six killed in discussed Syria strike Manama Beirut is Majesty King Hamad ‘Iran behind US ore than 22 airstrikes Hbin Isa Al Khalifa held Mhit Syria’s Idlib yes- a phone call with Egyptian terday according to the Syr- President Abdel Fattah el-Si- ian Observatory. si and discussed bilateral re- And land-to-land missiles lations and ways of bolster- fired by Syrian regime forc- ing joint ties binding the two es killed six civilians includ- countries in all fields. ing four children in a school The two leaders also reit- embassy attack’ in northwestern Syria. erated, during the phone call, Part of the building in the matching stances between town of Sarmeen had been the two brotherly countries Special representative for Iran Brian Hook welcomed turned into a shelter for the regarding all regional and displaced, the Britain-based international issues. withdrawal of protesters but said Tehran could expect more sanctions Syrian Observatory for Hu- HM the King congratulat- man Rights said. ed President El Sisi on his In the latest round of vio- country’s strides on all lev- Militia members and lence in Syria’s nearly nine- els, as well as the advent of • year-old war, regime forces the New Year, wishing him supporters remained have upped their deadly and the brotherly Egyptian camped outside the bombardment of the north- people further progress and embassy despite tear western opposition bastion prosperity. gas and stun grenades of Idlib in recent weeks. In December alone, the fired at them. violence pushed some Netanyahu in 284,000 from their homes US President Donald in the jihadist-run region immunity plea Trump• said earlier that of some three million peo- Tel Aviv Iran would be held “fully ple, the United Nations says. he Israeli Prime Minister, responsible for lives lost, The mass movement TBenjamin Netanyahu, has or damage incurred”. of people has seen public decided to seek parliamentary buildings such as mosques, immunity from prosecution Baghdad garages, wedding halls and over corruption charges. schools turned into shelters, The move would likely he US sees a direct op - UN humanitarian agency delay a trial until after fresh erational link between OCHA says. elections next March. Tthe attack on its embassy Militia fighters throw stones towards the US embassy during a demonstration condemning US air strikes on bases Regime ally Russia an- In November, the prime in Iraq and Tehran, its special belonging to Kataib Hizbollah in Iraq. nounced a cease-fire for minister was charged by the representative for Iran, Brian Idlib in late August after attorney general with bribery, Hook, said on Wednesday. Tuesday and the government troops sent to Baghdad and Iraqi months of deadly Russian fraud and breach of trust in Iran-backed Iraqi militia in Tehran. military posted at the embassy and regime bombardment three separate cases. members and supporters on “Iran organises, trains and would improve security. that killed around 1,000 ci- Mr Netanyahu, who denies Wednesday withdrew from the equips Shi’ite military proxies Iran organises, trains and Mr Hook said he expected vilians. wrongdoing, would need the mission by order of their lead- and we do not make a distinc- equips military proxies more sanctions to be imposed But sporadic clashes and support of more than half of ers, ending a 24-hour siege after tion between the Iranian regime and we do not make on Iran, whose government was bombardment persisted MPs for immunity to be grant- the arrival overnight of more and Iranian militias,” Mr Hook a distinction between “isolated, running out of money throughout the autumn be- ed. American troops. said. and in a state of panicked ag- fore a spike in violence in Mr Netanyahu - who is “The attack on our embassy “Any attack by an Iranian mi- the Iranian regime and gression”. the past month, the Obser- the country’s longest serv- yesterday was orchestrated by litia, the Iranian regime will be Iranian militias. The attack on the embassy and vatory says. ing leader - is alleged to have Iran,” Mr Hook told The Na - held accountable.” MR HOOK the withdrawal order from the Syria’s civil war has killed accepted gifts from wealthy tional. Mr Hook said the decision by Popular Mobilisation Forces, the more than 370,000 people businessmen and dispensed He said the Trump adminis- Iraqi militias to withdraw their opment”. umbrella body of Iraqi militias since it started in 2011 with favours to try to get more tration saw a direct operation- supporters from the embassy’s He said the situation was “rel- mainly answering to Iran, high- the brutal repression of an- positive press coverage. al link between the attack on perimeter as “a positive devel- atively calm”, and that the US lighted Tehran’s reach in Iraq. ti-government protests.

EXCUSE ME

DON’T MISS IT Pope apologises to woman for ‘angry slap’ Vatican City ple” he gave in the incident Tuesday. ope Francis has apolo - Comments on Twitter were Call to set up firm gised for hitting the hand mostly supportive of the pon- for marketing Pof a well-wisher who tiff’s instinctive reaction. 02 local farmers’ grabbed him and yanked him In another clip that went viral towards her. in 2019, Pope Francis repeated- products backed In his new year’s wishes to ly yanked his hand away from the public in St Peter’s Square being kissed as a long queue of MoH steps yesterday, Francis confessed people came up to him. up inspection to losing his patience with the The waiting pilgrims had 03 campaign to woman while he was strolling been attempting to kiss his pa- in the square Tuesday night to pal ring as part of a tradition, food outlets admire the Vatican’s Nativity practised by more conservative scene. Catholics, to show respect to Calendar tribute Cameras captured the scene the pontiff. to HRH the when the woman, from be - A few days after the incident, 04 hind a barrier, reached out the Vatican said Francis had Premier… and grabbed the pope’s hand, been worried about spreading pulling him violently towards germs. her. However, experts said at the 210 fils (includes VAT) A screenshot of the video that went viral. Francis reacted sharply, ex- time that his reluctance to have claimed something and then He then continued his tour, and gradually relaxed again as Wednesday, Francis said “so his papal ring kissed reflected slapped her hand so she would walking with some difficulty he came into contact with other many times we lose patience. an uneasiness with an element let him go. Frowning in anger, while maintaining a slightly children on New Year’s Eve. Me, too.” He then added “I say of traditional protocol that had he turned and strode away. greater distance from visitors, In his impromptu remarks ‘excuse me’ for the bad exam- lost its original meaning. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 02 Call to set up firm for marketing local farmers’ products backed Govt ready to back private investments in agriculture to boost food security

Manama nicipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Essam Khalaf inaugu- he outcomes of the visit of rated the activities of the market the Deputy Prime Minis- with the participation of 38 Bah- Tter, Shaikh Khalid bin Ab- raini farmers. dulla Al Khalifa, to Hoorat A’ali The Undersecretary of Agri- and his meeting with a number culture and Marine Resources of farmers have come under said that the remarkable pres- spotlight during the meeting of ence of both Bahrainis and ex- Works, Municipalities Affairs patriates at the market reflects and Urban Planning Ministry’s the success achieved by it, which Undersecretary for Agriculture constitutes an impetus towards and Marine Resources, Dr Na- Achieving food further development and diver- beel Mohammed Abu Al Fateh, security requires sification of its activities. here yesterday with a number of taking care of the He pointed out that in the agricultural investors. agriculture sector coming weeks, the farmers While receiving here Ahmed in the Kingdom “market will witness various Bucheeri, Hesham Al Zayani in order to reach festivals, including the tomato and Abdulla Al Fahl, who have an advanced level festival, the berry festival, and agricultural investments in Hoo- others”. rat A’ali, the undersecretary was in developing the He stated that the farmers’ informed about the challenges areas of self- market has become an im - facing Bahraini investors in the sufficiency. portant platform for Bahraini agricultural sector. DR ABU AL FATEH farmers to display their farm He also discussed with them Shaikh Khalid along with Mr Khalaf and other government officials visit Agricultural Incubators Centre in A’ali. products and market them to the idea of establishing a Bah- the public. “It has become an raini company that supports the to enable it to launch projects in order to reach an advanced Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, traditional methods at high cost. avenue towards more competi- marketing of the products of aimed at achieving food security level in developing the areas of Wife of His Majesty the King, The Undersecretary of Agri- tion among farmers to introduce Bahraini farmers. in the Kingdom. self-sufficiency, national capa- and President of the Supreme culture and Marine Resources at the latest systems in agriculture, The company, which will be Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh bilities in the field of food indus- Council of Women (SCW). the Ministry of Works, Munici- in order to produce new types an umbrella for Bahraini farm- Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khali- tries, raising the percentage of Deputy Premier heard the pal Affairs and Urban Planning, of different local agricultural ers, would support efforts to fa, the Head of the Ministerial local production and preserving farmers’ proposals that will con- Dr Nabil Muhammad Abu Al products.” achieve food security in the Committee for Development the experience of the profession- tribute to develop their work Fateh, revealed that the Bahraini Mr Abu Fateh affirmed that kingdom, regulate the marketing and Infrastructure Projects em- als,” he said. and achieve desired benefit, es- farmers market in the Budaiya the market comes in the con- of Bahraini agricultural products phasised that food security file Shaikh Khalid visited the Ag- pecially with regard to market- Botanical Garden attracted a text of the constant concern and determine the products that tops the list of the Ministerial ricultural Incubators Centre ing, such as giving preference to total of 28,000 visitors during its of the Agriculture and Marine are demanded in local market. Committee priorities with the in A’ali, which is supervised by the local vegetable product, pro- first and second week. Resources Agency to advance Dr Abu Al Fateh expressed aim of implementing the Royal the Agriculture and Marine Re- viding basic facilities and ser- He explained that the first the agricultural sector in the the Agriculture and Marine directives of His Majesty King sources of Works, Municipalities vices and infrastructure works week of the launch of the market Kingdom in co-operation with Resources Undersecretariat’s Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to Affairs and Urban Planning Min- in a high horizon, and creating witnessed an influx of 11,000 vis- the National Initiative for the readiness to back the initiative, achieve this goal. istry in cooperation with the Na- appropriate factors for them that itors, while in the second week Development of the Agricultural in line with the government’s “Achieving food security re- tional Initiative for Agriculture enable them to apply the latest the market attracted 17,000 vis- Sector, and make it an important interest in providing support quires taking care of the agri- Development (NIAD) chaired by agricultural technologies, such itors. contributor to achieving sustain- for the private sector in order culture sector in the Kingdom Her Royal Highness Princess as hydroponics, instead of using The Minister of Works, Mu- able food security.

Veteran journalist Soman Baby was honoured by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a media seminar organised by Kerala Media Academy in Trivandrum yesterday. The seminar was chaired by Kerala Media Academy president R S Babu.

Sixteen LuLu Hypermarket customers struck 2020 luck on December 31 when they won a Nissan Patrol top-of-the-line SUVs cars each in the Kingdom’s most valuable car raffle draw, the LuLu Dream Drive. The draw attracted hundreds of guests at the Ramli Mall and was conducted in the presence of official from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and using state-of-the-art electronic systems to choose the winning numbers. The New Year’s Eve Dream Twenty-three students trained in various Indian classical dance forms including Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Draw was laced with fun and entertainment and a party atmosphere prevailed. The winners’ names are up on the Kuchipudi will make their on-stage debut performance on Friday at Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam. The Arangattam LuLu Hypermarket social media channels and are also available in the Customer Service counters in all the eight (dance debut) titled Natya Sangamam 2020 is being organised for the disciples of Kalamandalam Girija Menon and hypermarkets across Bahrain. The LuLu Dream Drive promotion saw hundreds of customers who spent a minimum Guru Sasi Menon. Fifteen students making their debut in Bharatanatyam are Abeeha Susan Sunu, Ananya Manoj Nair, of BD5 entering the raffle to win our 16 Nissan Patrol SUVs. The winners of the 16 Nissan Patrol cars as announced at Asmi C Bopaiah, Deandra Maria Denny, Harshini Ramesh, Ishika Binesh, Leann Mathew, Nandha Sivadas, Namratha the draw were Richard Naces, Shanigaram Ramesh, Abdulla Janahi, Hassan Ali, Abdul Salam, A Rasool, Azarduddin Sujith, Saira Mariam Sabu, Samantha Linta Rajan, Shilpa Maryam Paul, Swanika Ohmjith, Vaishnavi Padmakumar and Aboobacker, Pravin Anand, Faisal Mammu, Hussain, Fatheya Hasan, Vipindas Das, Lulwa Muhammed, Arsalan Bhure, Vandana Sunish. Three students making their debut in Kuchipudi are Bhavya Pavithran, Sinu Manohar and Sreedha Hasin M K and Ail Ahmed. In addition, over 1,000 consolation prizes were also drawn and the names of these winners Vinod. Five students making their debut in Mohiniyattam are Akshatha Vijayakumar, Katherine Grace Jishu, Prarthana are displayed in all LuLu Hypermarket Customer service desk. For more details customer, can go to https://www. Raj C, Sarah Ann Roy and Sejalakshmi Satheesh. luluhypermarket.com/enbh/winners. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 03 Shura President hails HRH Crown Prince’s directives Manama Prime Minister, instructing the He commended the measure He stressed the importance of Bahrain. Electricity and Water Authority which was taken the Cabinet, dur- the measures which, he said, sup- Mr Al Saleh also lauded the hura Council President Ali (EWA) to refrain from completing ing its weekly meeting which was port the visions and royal direc- dedicated efforts exerted by the Al Saleh hailed the direc- an agreement to join the Bahrain chaired by HRH the Crown Prince, tives of His Majesty King Hamad Government, chaired by His Royal Stives which were issued by Credit Reference Bureau (Bene- scrapping 200 services which are bin Isa Al Khalifa to assess citi- Highness Prime Minister, sup- His Royal Highness Prince Sal- fit), which manages clients’ credit provided by 11 government depart- zens’ needs, improve their living ported by HRH Prince Salman man bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the information, until further studies ments, thus bringing the overall standards and pursue strenuous bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme are completed to ensure citizens’ number of services whose levies efforts to bolster development Prince, Deputy Supreme Com- Commander and First Deputy interests are protected. Mr Al Saleh were abrogated in 2019 to 400. momentum in the Kingdom of mander and First Deputy Premier.

Staff working in food handling• areas must keep good personal hygiene and be aware MoH steps up inspection of practices and factors that can cause contamination of food and cross contamination. campaign on food outlets Dr Najat praised the• community’s role Health Ministry vows strict action against violators in monitoring and reporting to the Ministry moved from the food prepa - of Health about any ration area as soon as possible and stored in containers that food safety violations. are suitable for waste disposal services to handle. TDT | Manama The containers must be de- signed to be easy to clean, pre- s part of the Health Min- vent contamination, prevent istry’s efforts to promote access to pests and kept in good Apublic health, the Food condition. Waste disposal must Control Department within also comply with hygiene and the Ministry of Health has car- environmental regulations. ried out inspection campaigns Moreover, there must be ade- across restaurants and food out- quate measures to prevent pests lets in Muharraq, Northern and from contaminating food both Capital Governorates. Health Ministry staff advised restaurant staff to follow established standards of in storage and preparation. Many restaurants were shut down after the inspecting teams discovered violations. The ministry has stressed that food safety and hygiene. inspection campaigns will be Identifying and controlling intensified to ensure that all the hazards in each process safety rules are followed at food achieves the same control outlets and restaurants in the The inspection of risk factors as making a greater interest of the public. campaigns carried HACCP plan for each prod- The team has notified vio - out by the Health uct, according to the FDA and lations to food outlet owners Ministry aims to so achieves the same level of while instructing them to ad- safety. here to established standards ensure the quality of Premises include the regarding food preparation and food consumed by the buildings and rooms in - serving. public. volved in food preparation The team also directed all res- DR NAJAT and storage. They must be taurant staff to follow personal kept clean and in good con- hygiene requirements. Points). dition and the design must For her part, Dr Najat Abul- Although this was first devel- provide suitable space for Fateh, Director of Public oped for the food processing in- working and maintaining hy- Health, stressed the importance dustry, even small food handlers gienic practices, prevent the of these campaigns, pointing such as individual restaurants, build-up of dirt and mould, out that the inspection cam - bars and cafes should have pro- and provide suitable condi- paigns aim to ensure the quality cedures based on HACCP. tions for handling and stor- of food consumed by the public. In some countries, it is also age of food. Dr Najat praised the com - a legal requirement. HACCP is The premises should pro- munity’s role in monitoring a systematic approach to iden- vide adequate: Hand wash- and reporting to the Minis - tifying, evaluating, and con - ing facilities and toilets for try of Health about any food trolling food safety hazards, staff, ventilation in kitchens MOTORCITY WISHES YOU safety violations, and called on and is based around seven basic and toilets, lighting, drain- citizens and residents of the principles. age for kitchens and toilets, Kingdom of Bahrain to co-op- The FDA recommends using facilities for staff to change A HAPPY NEW YEAR erate with health inspectors to the Process Approach to HAC- clothes and storage of clean- eliminate violations and con- CP for the retail and hospitali- ing chemicals, disinfectants tribute to restaurants and food ty sectors to take account of the and other chemicals. supply compliance with health increased complexity of food Staff working in food requirements. preparation in restaurants. handling areas must keep According to experts, one of The Process Approach di- good personal hygiene and the key requirements for pre- vides the food flows into broad be aware of practices and paring and storing safe food is categories based on the stages factors that can cause con- to have procedures based on in the preparation of food, ana- tamination of food and cross the principles of HACCP (Hazard lysing the hazards and placing contamination. Analysis and Critical Control controls on each grouping. All raw materials and in- gredients used and any ma- terial used in processing products must be safe and not contaminated with any- thing that would make the fi- nal product unfit for human consumption. Storage, processing and distribution systems must protect food from contam- ination and cross-contami- nation that makes it harm- ful to health or makes it become unfit to be eaten. This includes pest control and having processes and procedures that limit bacte- Nuwaidrat 17 702 111

rial levels to within specified motorcity.com.bh MotorcityBahrain MotorcityBh criteria. A Health Ministry employee carrying out inspection at a restaurant kitchen. Food waste must be re - THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 04

Trial phase starts at Saudi’s new airport terminal Jeddah Calendar tribute to DID rial operations have started at Arar airport’s new terminal, which T KNOW saw its first arrival and depar- ture flights take place earlier this week. HRH the Premier… It is initially being served by flights to and from the capital The new terminal Riyadh through the national can accommodate The calendar includes a series of quotes and statements carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines. more than one highlighting the Prime Minister’s visions and ideas to achieve SDGs The trial phase was inau- million passengers gurated Sunday by the Gen- annually, with an Manama eral Authority of Civil Avia- air traffic capacity efforts to establish peace and un- tion (GACA), which is testing of 10,000 flights a derstanding among the peoples systems, identifying technical he Court of His Royal of the world. problems and addressing them year. Highness Prime Minister The header of the calendar before the airport is fully op- TPrince Khalifa bin Salman also included HRH Premier’s erational. services at international stand- Al Khalifa has issued the calen- statement on the adoption of GACA statistics show that ards. It is also in line with the dar of the New Year, 2020. the International Conscience 346,000 passengers used Arar Kingdom’s reform plans to The calendar carried the slo- Day, in which he said: “The cel- airport in 2018. The new ter- achieve economic develop- gan “Awakening of Conscience… ebration reflects the strong will minal can accommodate more ment in all Saudi regions. Promoting Peace and Under- of the peoples of the world to than one million passengers The main travel terminal of standing”, marking the UN’s make the world conscience one annually, with an air traffic ca- the new airport has six travel adoption of HRH the Prime Min- of the cornerstones on which to pacity of 10,000 flights a year. gates, including two passenger ister’s initiative to declare April advance the international col- Arar airport serves the King- bridges gates that can serve 5th each year as an International lective action towards a more se- dom’s Northern Border region four aircraft at once, and four Day of Conscience. cure, peaceful and stable world.” and GACA is seeking to develop gates that will serve the airside The International Day of This statement embodies HRH infrastructure and raise the aircraft parking bays. Conscience, whose first edition Premier’s strong belief that con- level of services provided to Inside the terminal there will be marked on April 5, 2020, science is important in mobilis- travellers at the Kingdom’s are 10 check-in counters, 12 was launched by HRH Premier ing international action aimed airports. passport control counters for to motivate the international at promoting peace and stability. Arar’s upgrade will accom- arrival, and eight counters for community to resolve conflicts The calendar’s pages shed modate the growth in demand departure. There is a 900-seat peacefully. light on Bahrain’s rich history for air travel by residents of capacity in the main passenger The calendar included a se- of achievements, including the the region and it will provide terminal. ries of quotes and statements kingdom’s celebrations of the highlighting the Prime Minis- centenary of public education, ter’s visions and ideas towards policing and banking. Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed voted consolidating the sustainability It also highlighted the pro- approach to achieve Sustaina- gress achieved by the Kingdom ‘most influential Arab leader’ ble Development Goals, as well across various fields during His Dubai as to promote the culture of Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al conscience and support global The calendar’s pages shed light on Bahrain’s rich history of achievements. Khalifa’s prosperous era. haikh Mohamed bin Zayed has been voted the most Sprominent Arab leader of 2019 in a readers’ poll by Rus- sian state outlet RT. 13 babies born at SMC on New Year Day RT Arabic reported that the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed TDT | Manama Statistics revealed that nine Deputy Supreme Commander boys and four girls were born in of the Armed Forces received In 2019, Shaikh Mohamed hirteen babies were born the first 12 hours. 69 per cent, or 9.7 million, of a spearheaded the UAE’s efforts in the Kingdom’s largest The third baby to be born was total of about 13.9 million votes. to engage with countries in the Thospital in the first 12 Adam Osama, who was born at Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Arab world and beyond to fur- hours of the New Year. 2:05 am. Mohammad bin Salman was ther its influence and strength- Bahraini baby boy Haider Has- The first baby girl to be born considered the second most en ties. san was the first to be born in was Mariyam Ibrahim. prominent leader, receiving al- In October last year, Russian 2020 at Salmaniya Medical Com- “The maternity ward con- most 16 per cent of the vote, and President Vladimir Putin vis- plex. He was born at 12:00 am. firmed the birth of 13 babies in Jordan’s King Abdullah third, ited Saudi Arabia and the UAE He was soon joined by another the first 12 hours of new years with 12 per cent. in his first official trip to the Bahraini boy Ali Mattar, who was day. This includes nine males and Egypt’s President Abdel Fat- Arabian Peninsula since 2007. born at 12:44 am. four females,” the Ministry of tah El Sisi was fourth. The new He held talks with Shaikh According to the Ministry of Health stated. presidents of Algeria, Abdelm- Mohamed in Abu Dhabi and the Health, majority of the babies “The ministry congratulates all adjid Tebboune, and Tunisia, two leaders signed deals worth born on the ‘auspicious day’ were families on this joyous occasion,” Kais Saied, are also named on over $1 billion in energy, tech boys. Bahraini baby boy Haider Hassan was born at 12.00 am on New Year Day. the statement added. the list. and health sectors.

Asians held for stealing Private schools see boost to January pupil intake Dubai led schools to offer substantial dis- said pupil enrolment had risen places for pupils in an already com- copper wires he numbers of pupils enroll- counts on fees in a drive to retain sharply. petitive sector. Ministry of Interior. ing at some private schools existing pupils and attract new “Taaleem is currently looking at Discounts for siblings attending The investigation “The Southern Governorate Tacross the Emirates for the ones. a 20 per cent year-on-year increase the same school have been one • Police Directorate in co-ordi- start of the January term have risen But despite greater choice in new enrolments for January,” he tactic employed by schools, along led to the capture nation with the Capital Gover- by almost a quarter, The National for parents, a number of private was quoted by The National. with significant tuition fee reduc- of three suspects. norate Police has arrested three reported. schools in the UAE said demand In August, Dubai’s education tions for early enrolment. The arrest was Asians suspected of stealing Schools said the bulk of the new for places remained strong, with regulator announced eight new “We have seen a huge uptake in confirmed by the copper wires worth more than intake consisted of children from reputation an important factor in private schools would open in the admissions across Aldar Acade- BD6,000 from a company in Es- families arriving in the country for decision-making. emirate by September 2020. mies in 2019,” said Stephen Shar- Ministry of Interior. kar and selling them to shops,” the first time. Alan Williamson, chief exec- Officials from the Knowledge ples, director of education for Al- the ministry stated. In recent months, an increas- utive of Taaleem, which runs 10 and Human Development Author- dar Education, which runs eight TDT | Manama “The Director-General of ingly competitive private sector schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, ity said this would add 13,000 new schools in Abu Dhabi. Southern Governorate Police hree Asians were arrest- highlighted that the company’s ed for allegedly stealing employee reported the case, and copper wires worth more the investigation led to identify- Tribal clashes in Sudan’s Darfur kills 36 T Khartoum than BD6,000. ing the suspects. health official and a spokesman the weekend, pose a challenge to rising led the military to over- A company in Eskar had “Two of them were arrest- for a local aid group working in efforts by Sudan’s transitional throw longtime president Omar more than BD6,000 in losses ed red-handed. One of them is poradic tribal clashes be- the area who spoke on condition government to end decades-long Al Bashir in April. after copper wires were stolen working for the company and tween Arabs and non-Ar- of anonymity. rebellions in areas like Darfur. A military-civilian govern- from its premises. After a com- facilitated the robberies. Sabs continued Tuesday in The official, who works in the Rebel groups from Darfur ment now rules the country. One plaint from the company the “The third defendant was re- Sudan’s West Darfur province, main hospital in the province, have now suspended their peace of its key priorities has been end- authorities sprung into action sponsible for selling the wires.” as the death toll increased to at said that around 60 others were talks with the government in ing the insurgencies in Sudan’s and launched an investigation. “He said that legal proceed- least three dozen people, some wounded, and that 49 of them response to the tribal clashes far-flung provinces in order to The investigation led to the ings are being taken to refer of them burnt to death. were taken to the capital, Khar- and called for an investigation. slash military spending, which capture of three suspects. The the case to the Public Prose- Some of the 36 dead were chil- toum, for treatment. Sudan is on a fragile path to takes up much of the national arrest was confirmed by the cution.” dren and women, said a senior The clashes, which erupted at democracy after a popular up- budget. 05 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 world India approves third moon mission

missions. Its unmanned Mars Country’s first mission in 2014 cost just $74 • million, less than the budget of manned mission into Work is going the Hollywood space blockbust- orbit, pledged to take “smoothly” on the er “Gravity”. place by mid-2022 Chandrayaan-3 Sivan also announced that mission to put a rover ISRO had begun the land acquisi- Four candidate probe on the moon’s tion process for a second space- • surface. We are port in the port city of Thoothu- astronauts have been kudi in Tamil Nadu. chosen to take part targeting the launch for this year but it The four are to may spillover to next year start• training in Russia later this month K. SIVAN INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION Chandrayaan-3 CHAIRMA mission• aims to put a rover probe on the reported on Tuesday, citing Ji- moon’s surface tendra Singh, junior minister for ISRO chairman Sivan (center), addressing a press meet at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru. (Courtesy of the Hindu) the department of space. The new propulsion Sivan also said ISRO was mak- module,• lander and The Chandrayaan-3 mission landing. “similar configuration” as the ing “good progress” for its hu- will have a lander and a rover, That mission had aimed to previous mission, Sivan said. man space-flight mission slated surface rover would but not an orbiter, Indian Space land on the south pole of the Only the United States, Russia for late 2021, adding cost about $35 million Research Organisation (ISRO) moon, where no other lunar mis- and China have landed on the that four astronauts Chairman K. Sivan told report- sion had gone before. The region moon. Beijing’s Chang’e-4 probe had been picked for Reuters | Bengaluru ers at its headquarters in Ben- is believed to contain water as touched down on the far side of training, which will be galuru, according to an official craters in the region are largely the moon last year, while Israel planned later this month. ndia has approved its third telecast. unaffected by the high temper- made an unsuccessful attempt to The project, called Gagan- lunar mission months after The Chandrayaan-2 mission atures of the sun. land its Beresheet spacecraft on yaan, would cost less than 100 Iits last one failed to success- in September successfully de- ISRO had hoped to confirm the the moon in April 2019. billion rupees ($1.4 billion), the fully land on the moon, its space ployed a lunar orbiter that relays presence of water in the form of India’s third lunar mission government said in 2018. agency said yesterday, the latest scientific data back to earth, but ice, first detected on its mission will likely launch in 2020 and India has developed a repu- effort in its ambitions to become was unable to place a rover on in 2008. will cost less than its previous tation for pioneering afforda- a low-cost space power. the lunar surface after a “hard” Chandrayaan-3 will have a mission, the PTI news agency ble satellite launches and space

Taliban kill 23 in attacks Nine dead after Indonesian capital Thailand kicks on Afghan checkpoints off 2020 with hit by New Year flooding plastic bag ban Jakarta

ine people died after In- Ndonesia’s capital was hit by its deadliest flood - ing in years, authorities said yesterday, as torrential rains on New Year’s Eve left vast swathes of the megalopolis A plastic bottle is seen as a group submerged. of volunteers collect trash in the Thousands were evacuated to Chao Praya river to raise public temporary shelters as electrici- awareness on the damage single- ty was switched off in scores of use plastic waterlogged neighbourhoods across greater Jakarta, home to Reuters | Bangkok about 30 million people, with some train lines and one of the A family evacuates their home after heavy rain caused widespread flooding hailand began the year city’s airports also shut. in Jakarta Twith a ban on single-use Winter in Afghanistan usually leads to a lull in fighting, but the Taliban have Indonesia’s National Disas- plastic bags at major stores, kept up attacks on remote security posts ter Mitigation Agency called continuing a campaign on residents to leave flood-hit launched by the govern - Mazar-i-Sharif | Afghanistan claimed 11 policemen died in areas. ment and retailers towards the attack, but Afzal Hadid “The first priority is saving a complete ban in 2021 to t least 23 Afghan security -- a member of the provincial lives,” said agency head Doni reduce waste and debris in Aforces were killed in a se- council -- put the death toll at Monardo. the sea. ries of Taliban attacks across nine, adding four others were A 16-year-old was electrocut- Public awareness of the the country, officials said missing. ed by a power line, while three risk to animals and the Wednesday, despite winter “We are not sure whether more people died of hypother- environment from such snowfall that usually leads to these four police helped the mia, according to the disaster waste was raised last year a lull in violence. Taliban in the attack or have agency. in a series of incidents The assaults targeted vul- been captured by them,” he Authorities said about 19,000 where animals including nerable checkpoints in at least said. people were evacuated, but that A horse pulls a carriage through a flooded road in Jakarta a deer and a baby dugong three northern provinces. Separate assaults by the figure did not include residents were found dead with In Balkh, militants stormed Taliban killed at least nine in Jakarta’s satellite cities. plastics in their digestive a checkpoint early Wednesday members of Afghan security “We’re evacuating peo - systems. and killed at least seven police- forces in northeastern Kun- ple right now,” Jakarta gov - “Thailand was ranked men, according to provincial duz, and seven in neighbour- ernor Anies Baswedan told sixth among the world’s police chief Ajmal Fayez. ing Takhar province, officials reporters. top countries that dumps He said reinforcements had said. Images from across the re- waste into the sea,” Min- been dispatched to the post, The provincial spokesman gion showed waterlogged ister of Natural Resources which is located on the strate- for Takhar said that at least 11 homes and cars submerged and Environment Varawut gic highway connecting Balkh militants were killed as they in muddy floodwaters, while Silpa-Archa told reporters to neighbouring Jawezjan attacked a security checkpoint some people took to paddling on Wednesday after hand- province. in Darqad, close to the border in small rubber lifeboats or tyre ing out reusable bags to the A Taliban spokesman with Tajikistan. inner-tubes to get around. Jakarta residents hit by flooding took shelter from heavy rain under flyovers public. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 06 Kim putting a missile to Trump’s head ISSUE NO.360 DT SUPPLEMENT WWW.WEEKENDERBAHRAIN.COM JAN 2-8, 2020 North Korea ends test moratoriums, threatens ‘new’ weapon

Pyongyang has previously• fired missiles ‘skips’ set-piece New oing into a new decade 5. on a positive note, we What capable of reaching the sat down with two of the have entire US mainland Year’s speech leading ladies in the world been of design in Bahrain, your Samantha Menezes, and Blossom Seoul -- or even at noon, considered North said was GR. Babu. With Design Illustrated, • the latest likely time. these architects turned interior willing to pay the orth Korean leader Kim Instead state television designers have established a name price to preserve its NJong Un appeared to skip showed a lengthy readout of for themselves, and Weekender was his set-piece New Year speech Kim’s address at a four-day par- in conversation with them to hear all nuclear capability about it. Wednesday, with analysts sug- ty meeting, over footage of the leader addressing top officials AFP | Seoul gesting the move may have been 1. What was the inspiration behind to avoid implicitly admit- -- where he said Pyongyang no beginning Design Illustrated? ting mistakes in the longer considered itself bound orth Korean leader Kim last two years of by its moratoriums on nuclear Blossom - It is everyone’s dream to be known for what they are best at and Jong Un has declared diplomacy with and intercontinental ballistic this was the next stepping stone for us Nan end to moratoriums the US. missile tests, and threatened to to be valued for what we love doing. on nuclear and intercontinental Kim has demonstrate a “new strategic Moreover financially this seemed to be ballistic missile tests and threat- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the world would soon ‘witness a new strategic been giving weapon”. the best option to go for considering ened a demonstration of a “new weapon’ the annu- It is a marked departure from the fact that sadly a set of creative companies here have taken it for strategic weapon” soon. al speech the diplomacy of the last two granted that salaries can be delayed Analysts said the announce- riate Trump, who has repeatedly official KCNA news agency cited since 2013, years, which have not seen the even if work goes on. ment, reported by state media referred to Kim’s “promise” to Kim as telling top ruling party after he re- North gain sanctions relief or yesterday, amounted to Kim him not to carry them out, and officials. vived the take sufficient steps towards Samantha - After gaining experience milestones so far? putting a missile “to Donald has downplayed launches of “The world will witness a new tradition denuclearisation to satisfy the with other talented and experienced Every project we get to designers we decided that creating a bring to life is a milestone Trump’s head” -- but warned shorter-range weapons. strategic weapon to be possessed started by US. brand of our own was the next step in as we are part of the that escalation by Pyongyang Negotiations between the two by the DPRK in the near future,” his grandfa- Park Won-gon, a professor of our respective careers and decided to go process from when on would probably backfire. sides have been largely dead- he added, referring to the North cit- ther -- North international studies at Han- for it. A challenge is always necessary it is just an idea on the Washington was swift to re- locked since the breakup of their by its official name. e d Korea’s founding dong University in South Korea, to grow. sketchboard to when it opens spond, with Secretary of State Hanoi summit in February, and The full meeting of the central him as leader Kim Il Sung. said the change of format may its door for a business or 2. How easy/difficult was the process becomes a home. Our first Mike Pompeo urging Kim to the North set the US an end-of- committee of the ruling Work- saying. It has been a key mo- have been to avoid “burdening” from when you decided to start it, till project “Crave” a comfort “take a different course” and year deadline for it to offer fresh ers’ Party was an indication of a Washington ment in the North Korean Kim. the day Design Illustrated opened? food joint in the Flagship is stressing that the US wanted concessions on sanctions relief, major policy shift. had “conducted tens of political calendar, reviewing “There is a huge difference definitely one we would never “peace not confrontation” with or it would adopt a “new way”. State television showed vet- big and small joint military drills the past and setting out goals between giving a New Year’s We had a little help from a friend! forget. As well as our project the North, while Trump played “There is no ground for us eran newsreader Ri Chun Hee which its president personally for the future, and printed in speech with your own voice and Our partner Adam who is already “Eighty Eight Keys Music running a successful business of his Academy” since music has down the development. to get unilaterally bound to the reading out the KCNA dispatch promised to stop” and sent high- full in the Rodong Sinmun announcing what has been de- own “Technobyte” spoke to us about always been close to our with experience. Be a good student and Pyongyang has previously commitment any longer,” the over footage of Kim addressing tech military equipment to the mouthpiece newspaper. cided at the plenary meeting,” the process of a startup. I would say hearts. observer. It helps to understand your forming the company was the easy part fired missiles capable of reach- the officials and general imagery South, he said. At first he wore a party uni- he said. client, work and working /interacting with but keeping it afloat was and still is the 6. What is your vision for ing the entire US mainland, and of the country. form and stood at a lectern to “When you give a speech, people better. has carried out six nuclear tests, The broadcast appeared to ‘Deeply disappointing’ address troops, but the format this means you are giving a di- challenging part. You need to reinvent Design Illustrated in the your thought process for every project new decade? 4. Do Bahrain’s economic policies and the last of them 16 times more stand in place of Kim’s usual Speaking to Fox News and has evolved over time as Pyong- rect message to North Korean you take on and stay updated with assistance make the journey smoother powerful than the Hiroshima New Year speech -- normally a CBS after Kim’s announcement, yang modernises its messaging, citizens on top of the outside growing market trends. To be able to grow as a for women entrepreneurs when and last year he sat in his office company and work on larger blast, according to the highest key moment in the North Korean Pompeo said a resumption of world. compared to other countries? estimates. KNOW WHAT political calendar. nuclear and missile tests would in a Western-style suit and tie. “This may require you to in- 3. What’s would you point as out more significant projects in Bahrain, 7. While choosing business partners, when we design and deal with people in red flags or things to look out for, to Middle East, and India. Most important given how symbiotic your duo is, what general. Good cop - bad cop like they all A self-imposed ban on such Kim acknowledged the im- be “deeply disappointing”. But this year there was no evitably admit that your past Being a woman entrepreneur is difficult budding entrepreneurs? of all is to have a more sustainable would your wise adage be, to others? say. Always works! in most countries. But I would agree to it tests -- Kim declared they were pact of international sanctions “We hope that Chairman Kim January 1 morning broadcast approach has been flawed.” approach to everything we design and to Being a woman designer duo is our best 8. What would you like to see in the being more progressive here than many no longer needed -- has been a imposed on Pyongyang over its will take a different course... that -- as has been standard recently Being a budding entrepreneur, make sure educate clients so as to the need of using advantage I’d say. It gives us a bit of an world of women entrepreneurs in Kim has been giving other countries. Not just policy-wise, but you always know the value of your work more sustainable materials and methods edge compared to the rest. We have 2020? centrepiece of the nuclear di- weapons programmes, but made he’ll choose peace and prosper- also in terms of being welcomed to work the annual New Year’s and worth especially when in a creative during the mode of construction as that is very contrasting personalities which we plomacy between Pyongyang clear that the North was willing ity over conflict and war,” Pom- tiations”. An ICBM launch would be like- on projects for both young and older local speech since 2013, after field. Always have your paperwork intact. need of the hour. think helps keep each other grounded. Taking more risks, being more business- and Washington over the past to pay the price to preserve its peo said. Trump himself was emollient, ly to frustrate China, the North’s clientele. A ying-yang if you may. It is very helpful minded and believing in their inner power. two years, which has seen three he revived the tradition nuclear capability. “We want peace, not confron- saying that he thought Kim was key diplomatic backer and pro- Do not work for free! The rest all comes meetings between Kim and US started by his grandfa- “The US is raising demands tation,” he added, with Seoul’s “a man of his word” and that at vider of trade and aid, which President Donald Trump, but ther Kim Il Sung contrary to the fundamental in- unification ministry adding that their Singapore summit “We did always stresses stability in a re- little tangible progress. terests of our state and is adopt- a strategic weapon test “would sign a contract, talking about gion it regards as its own back 2020 LEATH- Any actual test is likely to infu- ing brigandish attitude,” KCNA not help denuclearisation nego- denuclearisation”. yard. WILL BRING ER WILL ALSO BACK BIG TRENDS FROM MAKE AN APPEARANCE THE 1970S. IN JUST ABOUT EVERY FORM OF CLOTHING. Palau bans ‘reef-toxic’ sunscreen Australia scrambles to reach Many design elements from the ‘70s Dozens of monkeys die in will be big in 2020, including From shirts and dresses thousands stranded by bushfires wide lapels, double-breasted to shorts and trench German zoo fire styles, and flared PEPLUM- coats, leather is going hemlines. But all PUFFED STYLE TOPS to be everywhere in all, the biggest SLEEVES ARE A COULD BE PRETTY in 2020. It’ll come decade-ascending in a wide range of GROWING TREND THAT POPULAR IN THE SPRING. trend will be bell- WILL STILL BE POPULAR NEXT colours, giving the bottom pants. trend a fresh YEAR. Peplum designs are said to look. ‘flatter the lower abdominal You can expect to see area and hide any NEON even more types of imperfections,’ adding that COLORS WILL puffed sleeves, from people can expect to see LIKELY MAKE structured designs the cut incorporated on A BIG SPLASH IN to whimsical just about everything, sheer ones, in from evening EARLY 2020. 2020. gowns to casual streetwear. Expect to see neons paired with other Reefs all over the world are being affected by the toxins in sunscreen Gary Hinton was among those who fled the New South Wales town of Cobargo vibrant colors or soft as fires raced through. He returned to a scene of devastation neutrals, because renowned for its marine life dark colors like Koror | Palau and is regarded as one of the Sydney the country’s southeast was black provide world’s best diving destina- devastated by out-of-control The Krefeld zoo would remain closed New Years Day because employees “too much alau’s pioneering ban on tions, but the government is blazes, which destroyed doz- were “in shock”, its management said contrast.” P“reef-toxic” sunscreens concerned its popularity is ire-ravaged Australia has ens of homes and left some took effect Wednesday as the coming at a cost. Flaunched a major opera- small towns in ruins. Berlin realised,” Krefeld zoo, which tiny Pacific island nation in- Remengesau said there was tion to reach thousands of peo- New South Wales ( NSW) specialises in primates, an- troduced strict environmental scientific evidence that the ple stranded in seaside towns Rural Fire Service commis- lames from flying New nounced on its Facebook page. measures that also include one chemicals found in most sun- after deadly bushfires ripped sioner Shane Fitzsimmons said FYear’s Eve lanterns might Firefighters prevented the of the world’s largest marine screens were toxic to corals, through popular tourist areas emergency services faced a have sparked a blaze that killed flames from spreading to other sanctuaries. even in minute doses. on New Year’s Eve. “real challenge” trying to help dozens of monkeys at a zoo in buildings at the zoo in North “We have to live and respect With Palau’s popular dive Navy ships and military air- injured people -- some report- northwestern Germany, man- Rhine-Westphalia. the environment because the sites regularly packed with craft were deployed alongside edly suffering burns -- in iso- agement and security services Preliminary findings from environment is the nest of life, tourists there were concerns emergency crews Wednes- lated areas. said Wednesday. an investigation suggest the and without it nobody in Palau a build-up of these chemicals day to provide humanitarian Fires are still raging across The blaze tore through the fire might have been caused can survive,” President Tommy would irreparably harm the relief and assess the damage the country, with homes and monkey enclosure shortly be- by flying paper lanterns, which Remengesau told AFP as the reefs. From New Year’s day, from one of the worst days lives remaining under threat fore midnight, killing at least float into the air when lit. new laws took effect. any reef-toxic sunscreen im- yet in Australia’s months-long in Victoria state, and it is ex- 30 animals, including orangu- Three lanterns bearing Palau, which lies in the west- ported or sold in Palau will be bushfire crisis. Three people pected to take days for the mil- tans, chimpanzees and mar- hand-written New Year’s ern Pacific about halfway be- confiscated and the owner will died in just 24 hours and five itary to reach people in remote mosets, police said. wishes were discovered in the tween Australia and Japan, is be fined US$1,000. others remain missing after areas. “Our worst fears have been smouldering debris. ISSUE NO.360 DT SUPPLEMENT WWW.WEEKENDERBAHRAIN.COM JAN 2-8, 2020

oing into a new decade 5. on a positive note, we What sat down with two of the have leading ladies in the world been of design in Bahrain, your Samantha Menezes, and Blossom GR. Babu. With Design Illustrated, these architects turned interior designers have established a name for themselves, and Weekender was in conversation with them to hear all about it.

1. What was the inspiration behind beginning Design Illustrated?

Blossom - It is everyone’s dream to be known for what they are best at and this was the next stepping stone for us to be valued for what we love doing. Moreover financially this seemed to be the best option to go for considering the fact that sadly a set of creative companies here have taken it for granted that salaries can be delayed even if work goes on.

Samantha - After gaining experience milestones so far? with other talented and experienced Every project we get to designers we decided that creating a bring to life is a milestone brand of our own was the next step in as we are part of the our respective careers and decided to go process from when on for it. A challenge is always necessary it is just an idea on the to grow. sketchboard to when it opens its door for a business or 2. How easy/difficult was the process becomes a home. Our first from when you decided to start it, till project “Crave” a comfort the day Design Illustrated opened? food joint in the Flagship is definitely one we would never We had a little help from a friend! forget. As well as our project Our partner Adam who is already “Eighty Eight Keys Music running a successful business of his Academy” since music has own “Technobyte” spoke to us about always been close to our with experience. Be a good student and the process of a startup. I would say hearts. observer. It helps to understand your forming the company was the easy part client, work and working /interacting with but keeping it afloat was and still is the 6. What is your vision for people better. challenging part. You need to reinvent Design Illustrated in the your thought process for every project new decade? 4. Do Bahrain’s economic policies and you take on and stay updated with assistance make the journey smoother growing market trends. To be able to grow as a for women entrepreneurs when company and work on larger compared to other countries? 3. What’s would you point as out more significant projects in Bahrain, 7. While choosing business partners, when we design and deal with people in red flags or things to look out for, to Middle East, and India. Most important given how symbiotic your duo is, what general. Good cop - bad cop like they all Being a woman entrepreneur is difficult budding entrepreneurs? of all is to have a more sustainable would your wise adage be, to others? say. Always works! in most countries. But I would agree to it approach to everything we design and to Being a woman designer duo is our best 8. What would you like to see in the being more progressive here than many Being a budding entrepreneur, make sure educate clients so as to the need of using advantage I’d say. It gives us a bit of an world of women entrepreneurs in other countries. Not just policy-wise, but you always know the value of your work more sustainable materials and methods edge compared to the rest. We have 2020? also in terms of being welcomed to work and worth especially when in a creative during the mode of construction as that is very contrasting personalities which we on projects for both young and older local field. Always have your paperwork intact. need of the hour. think helps keep each other grounded. Taking more risks, being more business- clientele. Do not work for free! The rest all comes A ying-yang if you may. It is very helpful minded and believing in their inner power.

2020 LEATH- WILL BRING ER WILL ALSO BACK BIG TRENDS FROM MAKE AN APPEARANCE THE 1970S. IN JUST ABOUT EVERY FORM OF CLOTHING. Many design elements from the ‘70s will be big in 2020, including From shirts and dresses wide lapels, double-breasted to shorts and trench styles, and flared PEPLUM- coats, leather is going hemlines. But all PUFFED STYLE TOPS to be everywhere in all, the biggest SLEEVES ARE A COULD BE PRETTY in 2020. It’ll come decade-ascending in a wide range of GROWING TREND THAT POPULAR IN THE SPRING. trend will be bell- WILL STILL BE POPULAR NEXT colours, giving the bottom pants. trend a fresh YEAR. Peplum designs are said to look. ‘flatter the lower abdominal You can expect to see area and hide any NEON even more types of imperfections,’ adding that COLORS WILL puffed sleeves, from people can expect to see LIKELY MAKE structured designs the cut incorporated on A BIG SPLASH IN to whimsical just about everything, sheer ones, in from evening EARLY 2020. 2020. gowns to casual streetwear. Expect to see neons paired with other vibrant colors or soft neutrals, because dark colors like black provide “too much contrast.” 8 ISSUE 360 WWW.WEEKENDERBAHRAIN.COM

Streaming services have ushered in a whole Book reviews new kind of reach and visibility for creativity in shouldn’t require excuses except for the field of ‘filmmaking’. Whether they are short the obvious sentiment films, feature films, mini-series or full-blown “here’s another great web series, we are presently spoilt for choice. Turn book I found, read it!”. Weekender will review one production every Featuring bookworms and their sentient week, so you can add or take it off your to-do list opinions about for the weekend! their best friends, The Weekender brings you book reviews for you to pick up the best ones off the shelf and tuck in for a cozy This week, Page weekend in another world. Nabeel reviews Netflix’s You. s deep as we are into This week, Neeti Joshua reviews Freakonomics TV’s golden age, by now we are all inured by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt. to the antihero. We think nothing of rooting for a mob boss, drug kingpin or serial killer. Keep us entertained reakonomics is a literary A and your shortcomings are juggernaut that changed really your own business. It the face of popular science should, therefore, be no problem when it first released in 2005. whatsoever for us to warm to up and have nothing better to the Bible story. It’s too easy to Written by the award-winning You, now showing on Netflix. An do than plan their next pointless fall into the Love Actually trap of economist Steven Levitt and the New adaptation of Caroline Kepnes’ yet Instagrammable night”). normalizing erotomania, treating Yorker journalist Stephen Dubner, F novel of the same name, it’s a Joe knows only too well that it as adorable, even heroic. The the book looks at unconventional sparky, funny tale of unreliable Instagram is a lie, Twitter is a trick is not to lose sight of what economic concerns and addresses narrator Joe wooing aspiring botfest and Facebook a cesspit you’re portraying. You tread them through a quirky lens. writer Beck by stalking her social – but he also knows that’s where a fine line, giving Joe enough What Freakonomics essentially does media accounts and manipulating the good stuff is. Knowledge is humanity to make him relatable is distill years of academic research his way into a relationship with power and every self-revelatory but never making his actions by Levitt into digestible units whose her. nugget he mines tips the scales defensible. It is smart enough to statistics based conclusions stay And this Joe is certainly a further in his favor in his pursuit let us know that to sympathize with the reader for years to come. charmer. His narration is of Beck. with Joe is to be complicit in If the numbers for the book comes crammed with one-liners on the like all the best monsters, he his crimes. Every time you feel from Levitt, all credit for the words crass idiocies of pop culture and is a product of society. It’s like you’re being drawn in, the show go to Dubner who keeps the tone harsh judgments on Beck’s lovers he says: “You can’t tell me pulls the rug from under you and of the writing snazzy & sharp and (“if he came anywhere close to [it’s] crazy. It’s the stuff of a reminds you that he is not the in a departure from similar works, making you come, you’d have million love songs.” Valorising romantic hero you are looking never looks down on the reader in made a Broadway show out of the obsessive pursuit of an for. If the show you’re watching condescension. it”) and friends (“your wealthy unobtainable target is a staple of doesn’t do that, it is probably not The book’s sub-heading calls Levitt girlfriends have just now woken the rom-com, the pop song, even love. a rogue economist. A provocative title, Levitt earned the moniker from years of experience looking into avenues of economics largely ignored or looked down upon in premier academic circles – child-rearing, sports, teacher cheating, and crime – and then drawing conclusions that conventional economists have derided as distasteful, simplistic or just plain wrong. The insight shared at the beginning of the book is just that all actions or motivations by individuals are driven crack gangs and so much more. The Freak- by incentives. The authors go on to argue that quel, titled SuperFreakonomics embraces given the right incentives they can convince even more esoteric topics such as patriotic any individual to pursue a particular course of prostitutes and life insurance for terrorists. action. Levitt and Dubner take this premise and My favorite section of the book was the Q and applies it across a range of subjects including A, where select questions from their readers the relative safety of guns and swimming pools, and the authors’ responses are recorded. Crisp, commonalities between school teachers and witty and funny, it truly encapsulates everything sumo wrestlers, the working mechanisms of that makes this book the tour-de-force it is. WEEKENDERBAHRAIN WEEKENDER_BH 9

s cliché as it may sound, time does really fly by. Through out this year, I’ve talked about some fantastic films as well as utter cinematic garbage. I got to relive some laughably awkward yet priceless moments from my short foray into filmmaking as well as come to terms with the loss of my favorite local haunt Ain Saar Cineplex. Truth be told, writing these reviews have become something I look forward to every week. Not only do I get to fulfil one of my high school aspirations but it has gone a long way in helping me regain my confidence as a writer which is something I’ve struggled with for some time after the failure of Dead Sands. The lists of the best & worst films of 2019 by Ahmed Zayani Let’s get to the meat of this week’s piece; my favourite, and Instagram @theahmedzayani most hated films of 2019. While this year wasn’t as remarkable as years past, we did get quite a few solid offerings as well as more than our fair share of bad ones. Please note that as of this writing there are a few films that I couldn’t get around The Worst Films of 2019: to watching that include The Irishman, Richard Jewel, Uncut Gems, and 1917. That said, let’s get the ball rolling with:

Black Christmas Serenity Hellboy The Curse of Up until two weeks ago, this spot was Serenity’s La Llorona to lose. However, after catching a screening of While it may not hold its spot on the top of the Look, I’m a reasonable guy & I do tend to keep an Blumhouse’s latest remake, that claim became mountain, Serenity proves there is no shame in open mind for most films. Yet despite coming out under This was easily one of my most anticipated films of fraught. It is a tough order to produce something far coming second some times. the direction of Neil Marshall & staring David Harbour, 2019, so the wounds from its disastrous existence worse then the 2006 remake but did this stillborn of a this new iteration of Hellboy got no love from myself or still run deep. All I can say is that for once, I’m film do just that. anyone who was itching to see a continuation of Del worried about The Conjuring’s future. Toro’s franchise.

The Prodigy Dark Phoenix 47 Meters What Men Cold Maleficent: Want Pursuit It takes a special kind of bad film The penultimate film in Fox’s Down: Mistress of Evil for you to say that the best thing X-Men universe tried to go back I loved the Mel Gibson original Look, I understand what the How is it that this film is the one about it was the trailer, and I’ll be to the well it poisoned almost a Uncaged and quite honestly a gender swap filmmakers were trying to do that a good chunk of reviewers lay damned if The Prodigy isn’t just that. decade back, and unsurprisingly, reboot seemed like a good idea. here, and on the one hand, I down for? The narrative is a mess, Absolutely horrible from end to end. it was met with the same results. Shark movies are so hot right But while the original went for wit truly admire their effort. Yet, on the acting subpar, and the whole Let’s hope Disney can now atone now, or they were until the SyFy and charm, this feel went with the the other hand, all I can say is thing reeks of being a soulless to the sins of the past. channel ran them to the ground. This film has zero reason to exist, scary movie school of thought “why?”! cash grab. one was bad enough, two is an and flooded the screens with pure insult to humanity. idiocy.

With that out of the way, let’s move to; The Best Films of 2019: Once Upon a Time Knives Out Jojo Rabbit The Lighthouse

in Hollywood Rian Johnson’s film may not be technically Only Taika Waititi can take the concept of a Nazi It rarely happens that a movie leaves me speechless the best movies of the year, but it’s certainly child conversing with his imaginary friend Adolf Hilter, after finishing a screening, but Eggers’ sophomore Tarantino isn’t always my cup of tea & I’ve found one of my favorites & one of the best times and give us one of the best comedies of the year. film did just that. It is a masterpiece, a film that some of his prior films lacking. But I found this love I’ve spent in a theatre. This film needs to be on your watch lists when it elevates the medium into an art form that unravels letter to 1960s Hollywood to be his magnum opus. debuts here later this month. before us. Watch it if you haven’t, and be prepared to be taken aback.

Glass Ford v Ferrari Jay & Silent Joker Avengers: Parasite I had almost put the excellent Endgame A lot can be said about M. Night’s I am the farthest person from Bob Reboot How in the world can you explain Yesterday or Alita: Battel Angel what Parasite is? Is it a comedy? latest film and to the extent those being a gear head, but I still in this position, but chose Todd Since this film came out eight points would be valid. Still, this film found so much to love about this I’ll admit; this is a biased entry, A drama? A social commentary and I know this is one film that Philips’ instant classic cause it months back, I must’ve seen the on the class system? Or is it a is the ideal cap for a narrative that film. Christian Bale gives another played better on multiple watches. “Assemble” scene a few dozen started almost two decades ago stellar performance that makes so many people will hate, but combination of all? I say watch I frankly don’t care. Reboot is Here’s hoping a sequel is soon times, and with each one, I was this movie blind when it comes to and has the best performance of Joaquin Phoenix come off as greenlit. overwhelmed with goosebumps. 2019 in James McAvoy. Tommy Wiseau by comparison. arguably the funniest film this year cinemas here mid-January and get and is a love letter to everyone This isn’t the best superhero film lost in one of the best films of 2019. who championed Kevin Smith of all time, but it’s every bit as during his career. special as they claim it to be. 10 ISSUE 360 WWW.WEEKENDERBAHRAIN.COM Ringing in a new decade

Fireworks at the Burj Khalifah in Dubai, the world’s tallest building, on Dec 31, 2019. New York City’s Times Square reportedly had more than one million people gather to watch the ball drop

hen the clock hit midnight on Jan. 1, 2020, a new decade began. As New Yorkers prepared for the famed ball to drop in Times Square and folks across the US were going about their day Tuesday, other cities worldwide were already ringing in the New Year. WIn Australia, revellers celebrated the moment with fireworks by the Sydney Opera House and above Melbourne’s skyline. Many in Seoul saw paper lanterns. Singapore’s luxurious Marina Bay celebrated with fireworks. In Hong Kong, pro-democracy protests continued. New York City’s Times Square reportedly had more than one million people gather to watch the ball drop, where many had been waiting since the early morning to snag a spot. As part of the annual televised event, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, revellers both at home and in person saw performances by Post Malone, BTS and Sam Hunt. The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) hosted New Year’s Eve celebrations at The Park, The Avenues – Bahrain, last night. As part of the festivities, New Year’s Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera Confetti drops over the crowd after the clock struck midnight during the New Year’s BTEA organised a series of events and activities to mark the occasion. House. celebration in New York’s Times Square. Spectators enjoyed the breath-taking musical aerial performance by the dancers and acrobats of Sonic, in addition to a projection of the countdown timer chiming in the New Year on the side facade of the Four Seasons Bahrain Bay hotel; marking the beginning of 2020. Unforgettable performances and a spectacular fireworks display were added attractions. In Dubai, Emaar, the master developer of the Burj Khalifa, wowed over two billion people across the globe with a breathtaking pyrotechnic show on the world’s tallest building to ring in 2020. In a mesmerising story, the Burj Khalifa transformed through animation, light, sounds and a synchronised fountain show taking viewers on a journey at the onset of a new decade. Following the traditional 10 second digital countdown on the lit façade of Burj Khalifa, the clock struck midnight, signalling the Downtown Dubai skyline to be filled with a flurry of fireworks and colour for a record-breaking eight- minute and forty three second-long show. Those lucky enough to view the show, were treated to the longest set of consecutive fireworks in the history of the Burj Khalifa NYE shows, timed at over five minutes. The Revellers photograph fireworks over the Arc de Triomphe as they celebrate the New show featured a total of 1,371 kg of fireworks, which were Year on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, France, placed across a colossal 207 firing locations. Fireworks exploding around the London Eye during New Year celebrations in central To mark the dawn of a new decade the show on Burj London. Khalifa was conceptualised by Emaar. Every second of the show was as enchanting as previously billed and incorporated fireworks, animations on the Burj Khalifa LED façade, music compositions and a beautiful fountain show. The highly anticipated event welcomed over one million onlookers in Downtown Dubai, Emaar’s flagship mega- development, to witness 15,000 perfectly choreographed fireworks showcasing 48 pyrotechnic patterns, signalling the start of a new decade. Celebrations also included the longest ever The Dubai Fountain Show since the fountains launched in 2009, adding yet another prestigious milestone of the water- music spectacle. The world-famous show took 160 hours across four weeks to choreograph and featured 113.5 kilolitres of Fireworks explode near Petronas Twin Towers during New Year celebrations in Kuala water in the air at one time, released from an astounding Lumpur, Malaysia. 1,137 water shooters, and 6,612 lights. Fireworks explode over the Kremlin in Moscow during New Year celebrations 11 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 business Golden year for precious metals

Central banks are also buying added. cost $1,938. The metal is mainly Many analysts say more gold and have flipped from Spot gold is up more than 18pc used in car exhaust systems to • tightening to loosening mon- in 2019 as of 1837 GMT and at neutralise emissions, and strict- prices are likely to etary policy, pushing interest $1,519.41 an ounce is pushing er environmental regulations are rise further in 2020 rates and bond yields down and back towards a six-year high of adding to demand. making non-yielding precious $1,557 reached in early Septem- Since palladium is produced Spot gold is up more metals more attractive to inves- ber. as a by-product of nickel and than• 18pc in 2019 tors. Holdings of gold in ex - platinum mining, supply has “An environment of low rates, change traded funds ( ETFs) been unable to keep up, with persistent macro uncertainty, also rose by around 14pc this further shortfalls expected in Reuters and elevated equities makes a year. the early 2020s. case for holding gold as a hedge. Spot silver, rising in gold’s “The market has been in old prices are set for their This view could likely drive de- wake, is up about 15pc in 2019 a structural deficit for a few strongest annual increase mand for gold higher into 2020 at $17.85 an ounce, its strong- years now and that’s expected Gsince 2010, as worries and lend support to the current est performance since 2016. to persist,” said Ryan McKay, over global economic health medium-term uptrend,” said Platinum at $962.50 an ounce a commodity strategist at TD triggered a surge of interest in Stephen Innes, a market strat- was 21.6pc higher this year, Securities. precious metals, while palladi- egist at AxiTrader. its biggest rise since 2009. But “We saw deficit this year, even um soared more than 50 per cent Representative picture (Courtesy of ET) While the United States and palladium continued to stand though the auto market has been to record highs thanks to supply China cooled their trade war out, soaring more than $700 an in terrible shape. On top of that shortages. also saw their largest annual with shaky growth and glob - earlier this month, several is- ounce this year in its fourth con- we have increased environmen- Silver and platinum, which gains in several years. al stock markets potentially sues remain unresolved and gold secutive annual gain. It touched tal regulations globally. That like gold are often seen as safe Many analysts say prices are looking unsustainable at record should perform well if dollar a record high of $1,998.43 an contributes to increased PGM investments in uncertain times, likely to rise further in 2020, highs. weakness plays out in 2020, he ounce on Dec. 17 and on Tuesday loadings in the auto-catalysts.”

French unions vow no Ghosn met Lebanese president surrender in month-long strike after fleeing Japan: sources one of the sources. The other Lebanese officials source said Ghosn was in good • health. have said there would In a written statement, Ghosn be no need to take legal said after his arrival that he had measures against Ghosn “escaped injustice and political because he entered persecution” and would begin communicating with media the country legally on next week. Sources close to him a French passport said he was unwilling to share details of his escape so as not to Lebanon has no jeopardise those who aided him A Lloyds Bank branch in central London, Britain extradition• agreement in Japan. He is staying at the home of with Japan a relative of his wife, but plans Paris days, is on course to exceed the to return soon to a gated villa in longest transport strike to date Ghosn has enjoyed the upscale Beirut neighbour- he leader of France’s in France, which lasted for 28 an• outpouring of hood of Achrafieh, one of the Thardline CGT union on days in 1986 and early 1987. support from Lebanese sources said. Wednesday urged all work- Macron’s New Year’s ad - He was first arrested in Tokyo ers to join pension strikes that dress was closely watched for since his 2018 arrest in November 2018 and faces have crippled public trans- signs that the government’s four charges - which he de - port over the past month, as resolve might be weakening. Reuters | Beirut nies - including hiding income a showdown with President But while calling for a “rapid Former Nissan Motor Chariman Carlos Ghosn leaves the Tokyo Detention House and enriching himself through Emmanuel Macron enters a compromise” during a new ugitive former Nissan in Tokyo, Japan payments to dealerships in the second month. round of negotiations with un- chairman Carlos Ghosn Middle East. In his New Year’s address ions next week, Macron vowed Fmet Lebanon’s president anese, and Brazilian passports contacted. Nissan sacked him as chair- Tuesday Macron vowed not that the reforms “will be car- after his escape from Japan, are with lawyers in Japan. She declined to provide de- man saying internal investiga- to back down on his plan to ried out.” where he was smuggled out of The French and Lebanese for- tails of the exit of one of the most tions revealed misconduct in- replace France’s 42 separate Reacting to his comments, house arrest by a private secu- eign ministries have said they recognise titans of industry. The cluding understating his salary pension schemes with a sin- Yves Veyrier, secretary-gener- rity company, two sources close were unaware of the circum- accounts of the two sources sug- while he was its chief executive, gle system that would require al of the Force Ouvriere (FO) to Ghosn said on Wednesday. stances of his journey. gest a carefully planned escape and transferring $5 million of people to work longer. Energy workers have One of the sources said Ghosn Lebanon has no extradition few were aware of. Nissan funds to an account in The government says the was greeted warmly by Presi- agreement with Japan, where They said a private security which he had an interest. changes are necessary to make also called for a three- dent Michel Aoun on Monday he faced trial on charges of fi- firm oversaw the plan, which Ghosn has enjoyed an out- the system fairer for all and day blockade of the after flying into Beirut via Is- nancial misconduct, which he was three months in the making pouring of support from Leba- more sustainable but unions country’s oil refineries tanbul and was now in a buoyant denied. Under the terms of his and involved shuttling Ghosn nese since his 2018 arrest, with argue that workers, particu- and fuel depots starting and combative mood and felt bail, he had been confined to out via a private jet to Istanbul billboards proclaiming “We are larly in the public sector, will January 7. secure. his house in Tokyo and had to before pushing onward to Bei- all Carlos Ghosn” erected in sol- lose out. In his meeting at the presi- have cameras installed at the en- rut, with even the pilot unaware idarity with his case. Reacting to Macron’s speech, Union, one of France’s biggest, dency, Ghosn thanked Aoun for trance. He was prevented from of Ghosn’s presence on board. Locally he is considered a CGT leader Philippe Martinez said: “I don’t get the impres- the support he had given him communicating with his wife, “It was a very professional op- poster boy for success in a coun- called for strikes “everywhere” sion that there is much room and his wife Carole while he Carole, and had his use of the eration from start to finish” said try where rampant unemploy- from next week, both “in the for negotiation.” was in detention, the sources internet and other communi- ment pushes young Lebanese public and the private sector”. Far-left leader Jean-Luc Me- said. He now needs the protec- cations curtailed. The sources They said a private abroad to find work and the “Faced with a self-satisfied lenchon, head of the France tion and security of his govern- said the Lebanese ambassador security firm oversaw economy relies heavily on re- president who thinks that Unbowed (LFI) party, added on ment after fleeing Japan, they to Japan had visited him daily the plan, which was mittances amid a deep financial everything is going fine in Twitter: “These are not (New added. while he was in detention. three months in the crisis that has sparked a wave of this country we have to send a Year) wishes but a declara - A media advisor to the presi- making and involved protests. stronger warning sign,” he told tion of war to the millions of dent’s office denied the two men ‘Pure Fiction’ Ghosn was born in Brazil but BFM news channel. French who refuse his reform.” had met. While some Lebanese media shuttling Ghosn out via of Lebanese descent and lived in “We’re calling on all the Already another day of mass Lebanese officials have said have floated a Houdini-like ac- a private jet to Istanbul Lebanon as a child. He oversaw French to mobilize, attend protests is set for January 9, there would be no need to take count of Ghosn being packed in before pushing onward a turnaround at French carmak- demonstrations and go on when teachers, dockers, hos- legal measures against Ghosn a wooden container for musical to Beirut, with even the er Renault that won him the strike,” he added. pital workers and other public because he entered the country instruments after a private con- pilot unaware of Ghosn’s nickname “Le Cost Killer” and The 28-day strike, which left sector employees are expected legally on a French passport, cert in his home, his wife called presence on board used similar methods to revive thousands of travellers strand- to join transport workers by although Ghosn’s French, Leb- the account pure fiction when Nissan. ed over the Christmas holi- striking for the day. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 12 Lebanese scream for their dollars

controls. met quickly. Although no formal Security personnel pace nerv- With no fresh currency com- • ously, eying angry customers. ing in from outside due to in - policy is in place, most Large crowds form near the creasing capital restrictions, have arbitrarily capped ATMs outside until the machines “time could be rapidly running withdrawals at around suddenly stop dispensing cash. out,” it warned. $1,000 a month “I have seen a woman beg - Amid the depletion of foreign ging -- literally begging the bank currency, dollar-hungry banks employee -- and going on the are now “trying to transfer their Ordinary depositors floor and kissing it, asking for losses onto the public,” said A Lebanese protester bearing• the brunt of her money,” said Taki. Sami Halabi, director of the Bei- in front of the central But “the banks don’t care,” rut-based research and policy bank headquarters in these measures the capital Beirut he said. firm Triangle. Bank of America “They have your money, and By trapping dollar savings, • they will give it to you when they banks are increasingly forcing said Lebanon’s foreign want to, just like a father giving the public to deal with the plum- exchange reserves his son a weekly allowance.” meting Lebanese pound, in what experts are calling a de-facto could run out by the Trapped dollar savings middle of 2020 haircut. For decades, Lebanon’s com- The local currency has lost mercial banks have been the around 30 percent of its value on AFP | Beirut main conduit of foreign curren- the unofficial exchange market cy entering Lebanon, via depos- for the first time since it was nside a Lebanese bank, a its from investors and the coun- pegged to the dollar at 1,500 woman screams for her sal- try’s wide-reaching diaspora. Lebanese pounds in 1997. Iary. A man pounds his fist on But a severe slowdown in “The reputation of the banks the marble counter, demanding foreign currency injections has has become completely tar - the teller release $200. In cri- hampered dwindling reserves nished,” Halabi told AFP. sis-hit Lebanon, this is the new in a highly dollarised economy “No one is going to trust them normal. where the Lebanese pound and for years.” “It’s a shocking experience,” the greenback are used inter- said Khaled Taki, a 68-year-old changeably in everyday life. ‘Financial nightmare’ consultant whose bank last week In November, two credit rat- The restrictions have sparked says she has refused to hand him any dollars ing agencies downgraded Leb- panic in debt-ridden Lebanon, been living a “finan- from his account. anon’s top banks further into where protesters are demand- cial nightmare”. “You have money in the bank, junk territory, citing liquidity ing the removal of a political Since October, her you go there to get it, and they pressures. class they deem incompetent bank has blocked tell you: No.” In a report that same month, and corrupt. transfers to a con- A grinding liquidity crunch the Bank of America said Leba- A video circulating on social struction firm build- has hit Lebanon, where unprec- non’s foreign exchange reserves media shows a customer pulling ing her house in Eu- edented protests since October could run out by the middle of out an axe in the middle of a rope -- a move she 17 have railed against the polit- 2020 if they continue to plum- bank while he screams at em- says could land her ical class and a deepening eco- ployees who refused to hand him in jail. nomic crisis. his money. Allowed access Since September, banks have In the northern city of Trip- to only 1,000 dollars a restricted the amount of dollars It’s a shocking oli, a single soldier struggled to month, she says she can that can be withdrawn or trans- experience,” said break up a fist fight between a barely cover rent in Italy, let ferred abroad. Khaled Taki. You have handful of bank employees and alone pay the $30,000 she owes Although no formal policy is a group of angry customers. the construction company. in place, most have arbitrarily money in the bank, As demonstrations enter their “The capital controls ruined capped withdrawals at around you go there to get it, third month, protesters are also my life,” said the advertising pro- $1,000 a month, while others and they tell you: No increasingly targeting banks, fessional who left Lebanon two have imposed tighter restric- which they say are robbing peo- years ago. tions. A 68-YEAR-OLD CONSULTANT WHOSE BANK ple of their hard-earned savings. “They turned my life from a With ordinary depositors LAST WEEK REFUSED TO HAND HIM ANY They have staged impromptu good one into a needy one.” bearing the brunt of these meas- DOLLARS FROM HIS ACCOUNT demonstrations inside branches, Her bank, however, had called ures, bank branches have trans- during the Christmas holidays the access to dollars she does formed into arenas of conflict. singing carols to relay their mes- have “a miracle”. Fistfights, shouting and tears sage. “No one is able to move $1,000 abound, as cash-hungry clients Even outside Lebanon, depos- out of Beirut,” she said they told haggle tellers to release money itors are feeling the pinch. her in a message after she filed trapped under informal capital Rana, a 47-year-old expatriate, several complaints. Grown from necessity: vertical farming takes off in ageing Japan Kyoto | Japan ‘Sustainable agriculture’ energy compared to production he nondescript building Inada said the firm initially using the sun, but on the other on an industrial site near experienced some difficulty in hand our productivity is higher TKyoto gives little hint to selling the lettuce, but they have over a similar surface area,” he the productivity inside: 30,000 now grown a good brand by pro- said. heads of lettuce grow here daily, ducing consistent quality at a The system allows the firm under artificial light and with consistent price -- in a country to produce eight crops of let- barely any human intervention. where prices vary considerably tuce per year, irrespective of the This “vegetable factory”, us- depending on the season. season. Spread also uses signifi- ing the latest vertical farming Spread’s lettuce are found on cantly less water than traditional techniques, is part of a trend supermarket shelves in Kyoto agricultural methods. born out of necessity in Japan, and the capital Tokyo and Ina- “I believe we are contributing where traditional farming faces da has grand expansion visions to a sustainable agriculture for a double threat from the ageing to move production closer to our society,” claims Inada. population and migration to- where the vegetables are con- Japan already has around 200 In Japan, vertical farming is taking offing as traditional methods face a double threat from the ageing population and wards the cities. sumed. lettuce factories using artificial migration towards the cities With the average age of a The firm is building a factory light but the majority of these farmer in Japan at 67 and few ry in Kyoto, a vast sterile area niques -- notably in Denmark Kyoto still employs several doz- in Narita near Tokyo and is eye- are small-scale but according candidates to replace those dy- where the vegetables are stacked and the United States -- but Ja- en humans to move the lettuce ing further afield to countries to specialist consultancy group ing out, the country has been on shelves several metres pan’s population crisis means -- a “difficult task”, admits one where the climate is not suited Innoplex, such factories will forced to become a pioneer in high. the farmers are dying out, with staff member. for such agriculture. “We can double in number by 2025. so-called vertical farming. Machines shift the lettuc - question marks over how the But the advantages are clear: easily export our production sys- And other companies are Globally renowned firms es around the factory to areas world’s third-biggest economy “We can produce in large quan- tem to very warm or very cold jumping on the smart-agricul- such as Panasonic, Toshiba and where the light, temperature will feed itself. tities and at a stable rate all year climates to grow lettuce,” said ture bandwagon, with Mitsubi- Fujitsu have tried their hand -- and humidity are ideal for that “Given the lack of manpower round, without being affected Inada. shi Gas Chemical building a fac- converting old semi-conductor stage of growth. The process and decline in agricultural pro- by temperature changes,” said But is this system environ - tory in northeastern Fukushima production lines with varying works without soil or pesticide, duction, I felt a new system was Inada. mentally friendly? Inada said he that will produce 32,000 heads levels of success. and only a dozen or so humans needed,” Shinji Inada, Spread’s “The other benefit is that hesitated before launching the of lettuce daily. One of the few companies to are employed to collect the let- boss, told AFP. we have few losses because concept over this very question Nor is its just lettuce: tomatoes turn a quick profit, Spread pro- tuce at the end. Spread has taken some time our products are preserved for but finally reasoned the pros and strawberries grown by com- duces 11 million heads of lettuce Other countries have em - to make the process nearly fully longer,” added the vegetable ty- outweighed the cons. puter under artificial light are annually from its latest facto- ployed vertical farming tech- automated: an older factory in coon. “It’s true that we use more on their way to a table near you. 13 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020

غغغغغغ (JOKER (15+)(THRILLER/CRIME/DRAMA غ (REALMS (18+) (CRIME/HORROR) FROZEN 2 (PG)(ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/COMEDY CITY CENTRE: 7.45 + 9.45 + 11.45 PM CITY CENTRE: 11.00 AM + 1.15 + 3.30 + 5.45 + 8.00 + 10.15 PM CITY CENTRE: 6.15 + 9.00 + 11.45 PM SEEF (II): 11.15 AM + 1.15 + 3.15 + 5.15 + 7.15 + 9.15 + 11.15 PM SEEF (II):11.00 AM + 1.15 + 3.30 + 5.45 + 8.00 + 10.15 PM JOAQUIN PHOENIX, ZAZIE BEETZ, ROBERT DE NIRO RYAN KELLEY, MADISON MCKINLEY, PRAYA LUNDBERG KRISTEN BELL, IDINA MENZEL, JOSH GAD غغغغ(MALEFICENT 2: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG SAB KUSHAL MANGAL (PG-13) DABANGG 3 (PG-15)(HINDI/ACTION/COMEDY) CITY CENTRE:12.00 + 4.45 + 9.30 PM OASIS JUFFAIR : 12.15 + 3.00 + 5.45 + 8.30 + 11.15 PM OASIS JUFFAIR :2.00 + 7.45 PM ANGELINA JOLIE, TERESA MAHONEY, MICHELLE PFEIFFER CITY CENTRE:12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 PM CITY CENTRE: 2.30 + 8.30 PM SEEF (I): 10.30 AM + 1.00 + 3.45 + 6.30 + 9.15 + 12.00 MN SEEF (II): 10.30 AM + 1.30 + 4.45 + 8.00 + 11.15 PM DRIVING LICENCE (PG-15)(MALAYALAM) AKSHAYE KHANNA, PRIYAANK SHARMA, RIVA KISHAN SALMAN KHAN, SONAKSHI SINHA, WARINA HUSSAIN OASIS JUFFAIR: 12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 PM SEEF (I): 12.00 + 2.45 + 5.30 + 8.15 + 11.00 PM JUMANJI THE NEXT LEVEL (PG-15) STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (PG-13) AL HAMRA: 6.00 + (12.00 MN THURS/FRI.) CITY CENTRE: 10.45 AM + 1.30 + 4.15 + 7.00 + 9.45 PM + (12.30 MN THURS/ OASIS JUFFAIR:2.15 + 8.00 PM FRI) CITY CENTRE: 11.00 AM + 2.00 + 5.00 + 8.00 + 11.00 PM CITY CENTRE (ATMOS) : 10.30 AM + 1.00 + 3.45 + 6.30 + 9.15 + 12.00 MN DAISY RIDLEY, MARK HAMILL, ADAM DRIVER CITY CENTRE (IMAX 2D) :12.00 + 2.45 + 5.30 + 8.15 + 11.00 PM CITY CENTRE (VIP I) :12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 PM SEEF (I): 12.45 + 3.30 + 6.15 + 9.00 + 11.45 PM WADI AL SAIL12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 PM DWAYNE JOHNSON, JACK BLACK, KEVIN HART AL FELOUS (THE MONEY) (PG-15)(ARABIC/COMEDY/CRIME) OASIS JUFFAIR : 11.30 AM + 5.15 + 11.00 PM CITY CENTRE: 11.00 AM + 1.30 + 4.00 + 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM + (12.30 MN THURS/FRI) SEEF (I):11.15 AM + 1.45 + 4.15 + 6.45 + 9.15 + 11.45 PM SEEF (II):(12.45 MN THURS/FRI) WADI AL SAIL: 10.45 AM + 1.45 + 3.45 + 6.15 + 8.45 + 11.15 PM TAMER HOSNY, ZEINA, KHALID EL-SAWI

THE GRUDGE (15+) (HORROR/THRILLER/DRAMA) OASIS JUFFAIR : 12.00 + 2.15 + 4.30 + 6.45 + 9.00 + 11.15 PM OASIS JUFFAIR (VIP):2.00 + 6.30 + 11.00 PM CITY CENTRE:10.30 AM + 12.45 + 3.00 + 5.15 + 7.30 9.45 + 12.00 MN + (12.30 MN THURS/FRI) CITY CENTRE (VIP II) : 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM SEEF (II): 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM + (12.30 MNTHURS/FRI) غ (WADI AL SAIL: 10.30 AM + 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 PM GOOD NEWWZ (15+)(HINDI/COMEDY/DRAMA ANDREA RISEBOROUGH, DEMIAN BICHIR, JOHN CHO OASIS JUFFAIR : 11.00 AM + 2.00 + 5.00 + 8.00 + 11.00 PM SEEF (I): 11.30 AM + 2.30 + 5.30 + 8.30 + 11.30 PM CATS (PG) (MUSICAL/DANCE/FANTASY) AKSHAY KUMAR, KAREENA KAPOOR, DILJIT DOSANJH CITY CENTRE11.30 AM + 2.00 + 4.30 + 7.00 + 9.30 + 12.00 MN غغغ SEEF (II): 11.00 AM + 1.30 + 4.00 + 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM 21 BRIDGES (PG-15)(CRIME/ACTION/THRILLER) 21 WADI AL SAIL: 11.00 AM + 3.45 + 8.30 PM CITY CENTRE: 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM JAMES CORDEN, JUDI DENCH, JASON DERULO CHADWICK BOSEMAN, SIENNA MILLER, STEPHAN JAMES THAMBI (PG-13)(TAMIL) OASIS JUFFAIR : 11.30 AM + 5.15 + 11.00 PM غغغغغغغ غغغغ (RICHARD SAYS GOODBYE (18+) (COMEDY/DRAMA) TRAUMA CENTRE (PG-15)(THRILLER KARTHI, JYOTHIKA, SATHYARAJ OASIS JUFFAIR (VIP): 11.45 AM + 4.15 + 8.45 PM CITY CENTRE: 2.30 + 7.15 + 12.00 MN CITY CENTRE: 10.30 AM + 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 PM SEEF (II): 11.45 AM + 2.00 + 4.15 + 6.30 + 8.45 + 11.00 PM VALIYAPERUNNAL (PG-15)(MALAYALAM) SEEF (II): 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM BRUCE WILLIS, NICKY WHELAN, STEVE GUTTENBERG OASIS JUFFAIR: 1.45 + 7.45 PM WADI AL SAIL: 1.30 + 6.15 + 11.00 PM SHANE NIGAM, HIMIKA BOSE, JOJU GEORGE JOHNNY DEPP, ZOEY DEUTCH, RON LIVINGSTON IP MAN 4 (PG-15)(ACTION/DRAMA/BIOGRAPHY) CITY CENTRE: 10.30 AM + 3.45 + 9.00 PM (THRISSUR POORAM (PG-15) (MALAYALAM غ (NORM OF THE NORTH 3: KING SIZED ADVENTURE (G SEEF (I): 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM OASIS JUFFAIR :11.30 AM + 2.30 + 5.30 + 8.30 + 11.30 PM OASIS JUFFAIR (KIDS CINEMA): 1.00 + 5.15 + 9.30 PM DONNIE YEN, SCOTT ADKINS, KWOK-KWAN CHAN SPIES IN DISGUISE (PG) WADI AL SAIL: 8.00 + 11.00 PM CITY CENTRE:11.45 AM + 1.45 + 3.45 + 5.45 PM AL HAMRA: 12.00 + 9.00 PM غ (OASIS JUFFAIR (KIDS CINEMA): 10.45 AM + 3.00 + 7.15 + 11.30 PM KNIVES OUT (PG-15)(CRIME/COMEDY/THRILLER SEEF (II): 10.30 AM + 2.30 + 6.45 + 11.00 PM CITY CENTRE:11.00 AM + 1.15 + 3.30 + 5.45 + 8.00 + 10.15 PM JAYASURYA, SWATHI REDDY, GAYATHRI ARUN WADI AL SAIL: 12.00 + 2.00 + 4.00 + 6.00 PM CITY CENTRE: 11.45 AM + 5.45 + 11.45 PM JENNIFER CAMERON, BRIAN DOBSON, MICHAEL DOBSON CITY CENTRE:DUBBED IN ARABIC: 11.30 AM + 1.45 + 4.00 PM DANIEL CRAIG, CHRIS EVANS, ANA DE ARMAS SEEF (II): 11.15 AM + 1.30 + 3.45 + 6.00 + 8.15 + 10.30 PM MUNTHIRI MONCHAN (PG-15) (MALAYALAM) DISTURBING THE PEACE (PG-15) (ACTION/DRAMA) SEEF (II):DUBBED IN ARABIC: 12.15 + 4.30 + 8.45 PM LE MANS ‘66 (PG-13)(DRAMA/SPORT/BIOGRAPHY) AL HAMRA:3.00 PM WADI AL SAIL: 11.15 AM + 3.45 + 6.00 + 10.30 PM MANESH KRISHNAN, DEEPIKA ANIL, SALIM KUMAR, ANJALI NAIR, VISHNU SEEF (II): 11.45 AM + 1.45 + 3.45 + 5.45 + 7.45 + 9.45 + 11.45 PM CITY CENTRE: 12.45 + 6.00 + 11.15 PM NAMBIAR GUY PEARCE, DEVON SAWA, KELLY GREYSON WADI AL SAIL: DUBBED IN ARABIC: 1.30 + 8.15 PM MATT DAMON, CHRISTIAN BALE, JON BERNTHAL WILL SMITH, TOM HOLLAND, KAREN GILLAN

MOVIE REVIEW Alone/Together: A story about the beauty of love and art

The film is an instant blockbuster• hit, proving Liza and Enrique’s power to showcase a compelling DON’T MISS IT story time yet again

lone/Together is a 2019 ‘Alone/Together’ marks Philippine romantic dra- the big screen comeback Ama film written and di- of Liza Soberano and rected by Antoinette Jadaone, and starring Liza Soberano & Enrique Gil Enrique Gil. It follows the love story of Christine (Soberano) and Raf (Gil), who cross paths again eight years after they first met during their college years. Oggs Cruz, writing for Rap- pler, reviewed the film thus, “Alone/Together” is a film that ly positive reviews and praised is clearly within the genre that Soberano stating “you see a dif- aspires for escape from the real ferent Liza in the role that she world. However, it actually has immersed into with quiet treads that real world, looking, but smouldering result. The with the help of Neil Daza’s pre- Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil in ‘Alone/Together’ eyes speak a lot. This is Liza at cise lensing, more forlorn and her best without turning to the palpable than just pretty and tress who can go beyond innate Je CC from Lion hear tv wrote the film’s themes are dissected. a distinctive character, cogni- kilig factor as her saviour. She glossy. The conspiracy between charisma to draw her audience “Alone/Together’, is liberal; its The idea of people striving to zant of its need to be more than invests her role with quiet in- the mechanics of a romance and into her character’s plight. In a haunting illustration of a high- make their romance work amid the conventions from its main- tensity between love and disgust palatable realness is strange at gesture that is very mature, Gil ly vulnerable love affair, tried their individual pursuit of their stream contemporaries that tend and personal confusion. This is first, until it all makes beautiful generously grants Soberano the under the curbs of time and respective dreams and wants, is to fully embrace. acting so well-defined and away sense. He praised Soberano as spotlight, allowing his character personal differences. There is a treated with a grounded sensi- Paolo Tariman of The Philip- from the demands of inane love a formidable performer, an ac- to stay as a support. consummate lens through which bility that gives Alone/Together, pine Star gave the film general- teams.” 14 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 celebs

‘Iconic duo’ Arnold Madonna celebrates New Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood go for skiing Year despite two injuries ANI | Los Angeles The duo has been longtime Fox | Los Angeles with this past year! ❌ Here’s to friends. Schwarzenegger told another decade of dreams and efore the New Year, Arnold The Hollywood Reporter in adonna isn’t letting Evolution #newyear #newbe- BSchwarzenegger and Clint 2011 he admires Eastwood’s any injuries stop her Bringing in the New ginnings #health #happiness Eastwood went for skiing. career, reported People mag- Mfrom celebrating New Year as best I can #love.” According to People maga- azine. Year’s in style. with 2 injuries. And Madonna recently made zine, Schwarzenegger shared Schwarzenegger said: “In Taking to Instagram on New yes Im paying for it headlines after it was reported a picture of himself with Clint the future, I have to adapt my Year’s Day, the “Like a Prayer” today...... but i dont that she is dating her backup on Instagram on roles to my age. Clint East - singer shared a sultry video of regret it because if dancer, 25-year-old Ahlama- the slopes. Ar- wood also has done it in the her ringing in the new decade in lik Williams. Madonna further nold captioned same way. Extreme fighting classic Madonna fashion. Ive learned one lesson fuelled speculation about the the picture, or shooting is not possible In the video, Madonna, 61, is in life its to have No relationship when she shared “Name a more anymore. I want to be more seen strutting her hips and se- regrets!!! Ever!!! a tropical vacation post with iconic duo. I’ll encouraged as an actor and I ductively dancing on the beach MADONNA Williams. wait.” believe that I can manage this while singing along to a cover “Saying Good-bye to 2019!,” The Holly- challenge.” version of Frankie Valli’s 1967 Ever!!!” the singer captioned the airy wood leg - He further mentioned classic, “Can’t Take My Eyes “Life is a journey, a process, snapshots of herself sailing ends were that he is like a sponge Off You.” The singer rocked a and we all make mistakes and with Williams. “We Continue decked that absorbs all the multi-coloured dress and plen- we learn from them and move to Swim with Sharks! And Take up in ski knowledge and ty of gold around her neck as on!! 2019 kicked my a-- and the Road Less Travelled by!! gear, in- is always will- she masterfully showed off her taught Madame ❌ some very ex- #fun #healing #davidbanda @ cluding ing to learn dance moves without spilling pensive lessons but she would ahla_malik.” goggles new things. her drink in the video. not trade them for anything for Williams accompanied the and ski As for East- “Bringing in the New Year what we risk reveals what we pop icon, her eldest daugh- hats as wood, the as best I can with 2 injuries!” value,” she continued. “I am so ter Lourdes, 25, whom she they en- Hollywood actor Madonna prefaced the caption. very blessed and grateful for all shares with actor Carlos joyed the and director had a long “And yes Im paying for it to - the beautiful experiences and Leon; son David Banda, 14; Madonna slopes dur- career and doesn’t seem day...... but i dont regret it be- souls I have encountered and daughter Mercy James, ing their to consider stopping cause if Ive learned one lesson created with and 14; and twin girls Estere skiing trip. it. in life its to have No regrets!!! fallen in love and Stella Ciconne, 7. Arnold Schwarzenegger Bieber releases trailer of his YouTube docuseries Kathy Griffin ties knot ANI | Los Angeles form and a community where I could share music, experiences with boyfriend on lobal pop star Justin Bie- and moments with my fans. It feels BETTER ber on Tuesday launched great to partner with YouTube for Gthe trailer of his upcoming this original documen- New Year night 10-episode YouTube docuseries tary series. I want KNOW titled “Justin Bieber my fans to be part ANI | Los Angeles And later in the video dis - The docuseries is a documen- of this journey,” Kathy closed that they would be getting tary series chronicling the mak- CNN quoted Bieber The series is an Griffin athy Griffin, married just after midnight. ing of Bieber’s first album in four as saying about the Kan American The video featured Kathy, who years. series. all-access, 10-epi- actor and come- wore a silver sequence dress, The series will bring Bie- “Justin Bieber’s sode original doc- dian, married her paired up with a black belt and ber back to YouTube, courage as an umentary, which longtime boyfriend Bick decked up in a formal suit. where it all started artist is tru- will premiere on Randy Bick in the ear- “Happy New Year! And, sur- when he was a pre- ly admirable January 27 ly hours of New Year’s prise! We’re getting married! teen, to give fans a and we are Day. Tonight! After midnight!” the full circle look at grateful he According to Peo- couple said in the video. his life.”When continues ple magazine, on A couple of hours later Kathy I was getting to share his New Year’s eve shared another video of her started, inspiring spotlight authentic struggles and Kathy revealed small ceremony on her Twitter YouTube story on real-life triumphs in our YouTube that she and account. provided You- Originals, we are thrilled to add her boyfriend “The entire ceremony was just me with Tube. As this special project to our 2020 are all set to tie the under 14 minutes but I have to a plat- we aim slate,” said Susanne Daniels, global knot, and in fact, they were give you guys the uncut first 75 t o head of original content for You- ready to take the plunge. seconds. LOVE IT! We promised Tube, in a statement. On Tuesday night, less than you atypical. We are in love and The series is an all-access, an hour before the dawn of we cannot stop laughing. Thank 10-episode original documen- 2020, the actor via Twitter you @LilyTomlin and Jane Wag- Justin tary, which will premiere on announced her engagement ner! #HappyNewYear,” the co- Bieber January 27. with boyfriend Randy. median captioned the post. CLASSIFIEDS Millie Bobby Brown welcomes New Year with throwback cover of ‘Someone Like You’ ANI | Los Angels TV while a young Millie picks Millie, whose career took From there I’ve been all up a hot pink microphone and off in swift speed, further over the world meeting he ‘Stranger Things’ fame starts crooning. wrote: “This decade has all of you. Met the most TMillie Bobby Brown wel- “At the beginning of this dec- been life-changing, like genuine people. grown- comed her new year by sharing ade, I was 6 years old. going to seriously, I found my up and learned many a sweet throwback music cover school. making my class listen passion in 2013 when things.” on social media where a young to me sing 24/7. probably not I knew I loved being The young ac - Millie is seen singing to Adele’s even thinking about where I’d on camera. in 2014 tor starred in Net - ‘Someone Like You’. be at the end of the decade. this -2015 I was begging flix show ‘Stranger The 15-year-old star shared an video was taken in 2011 when casting agents to be- Things’ which is an th 17 January, 2020 old home video of herself belting I was 7 and utterly obsessed lieve in me. in late American science out the ballad to mark the new with @adele and still utterly 2015 Carmen Cuba, fiction series having year. obsessed. no change,” she wrote the duffer bros, three seasons on its She also penned a rather in the caption. Shawn levy, and list already and the emotional caption marking her The online commentators dan cohen but fourth season is re- Please Call / WhatsApp: +973 38862215, 33784481, 33911860 achievements alongside the couldn’t help but go in awe to most of all @ portedly going to throwback video. In the clip see little Millie in the nostalgic netflix be- Millie Bobby Brown be on the floors Adele is seen performing on a video. lieved in me. soon. 15 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 sports

Guardiola adamant City are England’s ‘team of the Last phase of Bahrain GP decade’ despite slump AFP | Manchester Early Bird discounts on sale ep Guardiola has insisted PManchester City are Eng- lish football’s team of the dec- TDT | Manama ade, despite his side heading into 2020 some 14 points be- ahrain International Cir- hind runaway Premier League cuit (BIC) ushers in the leaders Liverpool. Bnew year by extending, Statistics appear to prove for one month only, its Early him right given City have won Bird promotion on tickets to 13 domestic trophies since the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain 2010, with only Chelsea (nine) Grand Prix 2020. within touching distance of The mega event is the hottest that mark. Pep Guardiola reacts during a match ticket in town, and fans are in- City have clearly benefitted vited to take advantage of the from the financial clout they good players, interesting man- fantastic Early Bird offers from have enjoyed since being taken agers.” Wednesday, January 1, for the over by Abu Dhabi ownership month. This will be the final in August 2008. ‘Huge elephants’ discounts available for Formula City manager Guardiola The former Barcelona and 1 tickets in 2020. reached the peak of his powers Bayern Munich manager, who Tickets can now be purchased when he oversaw an unprec- joined City in 2016, added: “I with up to 15 per cent discount edented treble in the 2018/19 think we did it incredibly well. for the four-day extravaganza season that saw the club win “People say ‘how was 2019?’ of racing and entertainment, F1 cars in action at BIC (file photo) all three major English tro - Now people are saying it is a which is scheduled for March along BIC’s Main Grandstand. A whereas University and Victory phies -- Premier League, FA disaster. We won four titles in 19 to 22 at BIC in Sakhir. It will Main Grandstand seat now costs Grandstand tickets costs BD54 Cup and League Cup -- in the 2019, so it was an incredible mark the second of a record 22 BD127.5 instead of its original apiece, down from their original one campaign as well as the year for us, we enjoyed it a lot. rounds on the 2020 FIA Formula price of BD150. Aside from this, price of BD60. Community Shield. “In some games in this 1 World Championship. there are also 10pc discounts on It is worth noting that tickets Even though their league last part of the year we have Tickets can be bought online KNOW WHAT four-day tickets to the Batelco to the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bah- form has been a disappoint- struggled a bit but it was an at BIC’s official website www. Grandstand, Turn One Grand- rain Grand Prix are among the ment in the first half of the incredible year for us. Con - bahraingp.com, by calling the stand, University Grandstands most affordable on the season current season, Guardiola is in gratulations for all the people BIC Hotline on +973-17450000, and Victory Grandstands. calendar. BIC has also covered no doubt City are “the” team of working here. or at BIC’s City Centre Bahrain The 15pc price reduction A Batelco Grandstand tick- the Value Added Tax (VAT) on the decade in England. “They were fighting with stand located on the ground covers four-day tickets et for all four days now costs all event tickets, saving fans “I think this in the last dec- huge elephants here in Eng- floor near gate number three in on seating along BIC’s BD108, down from its original from any additional expense to ade was the best team in terms land, big, big clubs with the the West Court. Main Grandstand price of BD120. There are also attend the biggest sporting and of points, in terms of goals, biggest history. For the past BIC Commercial Director Batelco Grandstand tickets social occasion of the year. in terms of everything, titles decade we were part of them. Sherif Al Mahdy commented, price, so I invite everyone to for only Saturday and Sunday, The race weekend is set to in- even. So congratulate Man- That is amazing.” “There is a huge demand each make the most of our final offers priced at BD90 apiece, down clude not only Formula 1 racing, chester City for that,” he said. Despite their current ‘trou- year for tickets to the Formula 1 over the next month. from the original cost of BD100; but also plenty of other action “When we analyse every sin- bles’, City could still win any, Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and “The Bahrain Grand Prix is an and also for Friday-only tick- on the track. There will also be gle day here, what happened or all, of the three cup com- we are delighted to be offering event that everybody is eagerly ets at BD54 each, reduced from plenty of off-track fun and fam- day-by-day gives us perspec- petitions in which they are in- the fans a chance to get the best waiting for and It’s going to be BD60. ily entertainment, all of which tive in what happened in the volved and Guardiola expects deals possible with our Early a weekend you most definitely Furthermore, a four-day will be headlined by unforgetta- last 10 seasons, especially the club to remain a major Bird promotions. must not miss!” ticket to the Turn One Grand- ble live concerts featuring some when people from Abu Dhabi player in the English game in “This will be the last chance The 15pc price reduction cov- stand now costs BD90, reduced of international music’s biggest took over the club and bought the decade ahead. to get tickets at a discounted ers four-day tickets on seating from its original price of BD100; and most beloved stars.

Lyon against ‘ridiculous’ four-day test concept Reuters | Sydney Kubica opens new chapter ustralia off-spinner Na- Athan Lyon says he is total- Ridiculous ... I’m not as Alfa Romeo F1 reserve ly against the idea of tinkering with the duration of five-day a fan of four-day test test matches and hopes the matches. I believe Reuters | London proposal to shorten the game’s you’ll get so many more longest format is not even con- draws and day five is obert Kubica has joined sidered by administrators. crucial RAlfa Romeo as their 2020 The International Cricket reserve driver, the role the Pole NATHAN LYON Council (ICC), the world gov- carried out 14 years ago when erning body of the sport, is set With an increasing number of he made his Formula One debut to reflect on the idea of making test matches ending premature- with the Swiss-based team then test matches four-day affairs to ly, the administrators are keen known as BMW Sauber. free up a crammed internation- to free up more space in the The deal announced yester- al calendar and reduce player Nathan Lyon reacts during a match schedules for lucrative short- day also sees Polish oil company workload. (file photo) er-form matches. PKN ORLEN, who backed the Australia have said they will The Federation of Interna- 35-year-old’s comeback last sea- seriously consider the concept, is crucial. tional Cricketers Associations son at former champions Wil- while England will back mak- “One, there’s the weather el- fears the new gaps in the cal- liams, become a co-title spon- ing it mandatory from 2023. ement. But the wickets these endar could well be filled with sor of the team in a multi-year Williams’ Robert Kubica waves to fans prior to a race (file photo) The cash-rich Indian board days are probably a lot flatter more cricket. partnership. (BCCI) are yet to declare their than they have been in the past, While four-day tests allow a Kubica’s big break came in to provide a competitive car. obviously different, but I am stance on the matter. so it allows teams to bat longer golf-like Thursday-to-Sunday 2006 when he became Poland’s He announced in Septem- convinced that I will find the Lyon, the most successful and to put pressure on sides ... scheduling, they require a min- first F1 racer, replacing Canada’s ber that he was leaving and has same determination and hunger Australian off-spinner with 380 you need time for the pitch to imum of 98 overs a day to be 1997 world champion Jacques since been replaced by Canadi- to succeed.” wickets in the longest format, deteriorate and bring spinners played, a challenge, considering Villeneuve at BMW Sauber and an Nicholas Latifi, the team’s Kubica had also been linked joined test captain Tim Paine in more on day five as well. five-day matches already often going on to win with them 2019 reserve. to the Haas and Racing Point and team mate Travis Head in “I’m totally against it and I fall short of their daily quota of at the 2008 Canadian Grand “I’m starting a new chapter teams who had considered him criticising the idea. hope ICC aren’t even consid- 90 overs. Prix. in my career by joining Alfa Ro- for a role as a tester and simu- “Ridiculous ... I’m not a fan ering it.” “It’s a challenge,” Lyon said, The Pole, who suffered a meo Racing ORLEN. This is a lator driver. of four-day test matches,” Lyon Four-day matches were given adding that some of the best near-fatal rally accident in 2011 team that has a special place in Ferrari-powered Alfa Ro- told The Unplayable Podcast the green light by the ICC in test matches he has experi - that partially severed his right my heart and it’ll be nice to see meo’s race drivers this year are ahead of Friday’s third and final 2017, when South Africa hosted enced have finished late on the arm, scored tail-enders Wil- the familiar faces I still remem- Finland’s 2007 world champion test against New Zealand in one against Zimbabwe, while fifth day. “You’re challenging liams’ only point last year in a ber from Hinwil,” said Kubica in Kimi Raikkonen and Italian An- Sydney. “I believe you’ll get so England played a four-day test yourself in different ways – remarkable personal comeback a statement. tonio Giovinazzi, an unchanged many more draws and day five against Ireland last July. physically and mentally. clouded by the team’s inability “Time and circumstances are lineup from 2019. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 16 Brighton spoil Chelsea’s New Year party

Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s overhead• stunner for Brighton denies Chelsea It was frustrating for different reasons. In Grealish inspires the first half, the game Villa• to rare away was there to be won. We win at Burnley weren’t ruthless enough. We got the goal and we had the possession. But AFP | London we just didn’t kill the lireza Jahanbakhsh’s game off spectacular overhead FRANK LAMPARD Akick earned Brighton a share of the points against Chel- sea and dampened Frank Lam- pard’s New Year celebrations yesterday as Aston Villa secured a vital win against Burnley. by VAR. Chelsea’s 1-1 draw on Eng - Wesley put Villa ahead in the land’s south coast gave them a 27th minute and captain Greal- five-point lead over fifth-placed ish doubled his side’s advantage Manchester United in the race four minutes before the break to secure Champions League as his powerful effort found the football for next season. top corner. Cesar Azpilicueta gave the Chris Wood pulled a goal back visitors an early lead, tapping for Burnley with 10 minutes to in from close range following go but Villa held on to secure all a corner in the 10th minute but three points. Brighton were never out of it and Alireza Jahanbakhsh brings Brighton level with a magnificent overhead volley “It was massive. We’ve only pulled level in the 84th minute had one away win all season be- courtesy of Jahanbakhsh’s mo- The Chelsea boss said he was wasted openings that ultimately strike that the Chelsea goalkeep- equaliser. fore this,” Grealish told the BBC. ment of magic. concerned about the lack of con- prevented Chelsea from cement- er parried. Their persistence paid off “To come here, one of the hard- “It was frustrating for differ- sistency from his side, who have ing their dominance. Lampard’s team were quickly minutes later. Lewis Dunk kept est places in the league, it was ent reasons,” Lampard told BT beaten Tottenham and Arsenal Lampard’s team were quick- into their stride after the break the ball alive from a corner and well-deserved and well-needed.” Sport. “In the first half, the game in recent weeks but also lost at ly on top from the start of the but Pulisic failed to make the Iranian midfielder Jahanbakhsh Speaking about his goal that was there to be won. We weren’t home to Southampton. match and deservedly took the most of his chances and was re- acrobatically found the bot - was ruled out, he said: “I knew ruthless enough. We got the goal The away side dominated the lead through Azpilicueta, who placed by Callum Hudson-Odoi tom-left corner to give his team it was going to be disallowed, and we had the possession. But opening hour of the match but finished from close range after in the 66th minute. share of the points. when you see some of the deci- we just didn’t kill the game off. were clinging on at the end with the ball fell to him. Brighton kept battling and - Grealish inspires Villa - sions over the past two weeks. “We allowed them to stay in the impressive Kepa Arrizabala- But Brighton enjoyed a spell Kepa was forced to produce an In the other early kick-off, When you score, you have the the game. In the end it was a ga denying Neal Maupay in the of possession towards the end of outstanding save from Aaron Villa beat Burnley 2-1 despite feeling it will be disallowed. wonder goal but we were lucky closing minutes. the first half and Leandro Tros- Connolly in the 80th minute seeing Jack Grealish’s opening When it was I really wanted to not to lose the game.” Christian Pulisic will rue three sard tested Kepa with a powerful as the home side pushed for an goal controversially chalked off score again and thankfully I did.”

Venus Williams pulls out of Arteta wants Xhaka to stay at Arsenal Beckham’s Inter Brisbane AFP | London But a mistake by goalkeep- scored a late winner. er Bernd Leno, flapping at a Arteta said it was the job of Miami names Alonso International ikel Arteta hopes Gran- cross, gave Jorginho the chance the whole squad to boost Leno’s Mit Xhaka will stay with to equalise into an empty morale. Arsenal as the new manager net before Tammy Abraham “He will be as first head coach looks to revive the Gunners’ down. When fortunes. an error costs Swiss midfielder the team Xhaka was ruled points, it’s hard- out of Sunday’s 2-1 er,” he explained. loss at home Venus Williams hits a return (file to Chel - sea photo) with illness amid speculation he could AFP | Brisbane leave the Emir- ates Stadium He’s done a really during the January transfer good job since he enus Williams pulled window. joined this football Vout of the season-open- Xhaka was stripped of the club and we have to ing Brisbane International Arsenal captaincy in Octo- respect that. We just yesterday after a “setback” ber by former manager Unai need to bring the during practice. Emery following the player’s confidence back in The American veteran angry reaction to being booed and that’s it said she still hoped to play by Gunners fans. Diego Alonso reacts during a match (file photo) at the Adelaide Internation- He has since been linked MIKEL ARTETA al later this month ahead with a move to Hertha Ber- AFP | Los Angeles our club and believe Diego has of the Australian Open, lin in the German Bundesliga the right drive, passion and the first Grand Slam of the but Arteta, asked if he wanted “We have to lift him. iego Alonso has been leadership to accomplish our year. the 27-year-old Xhaka to leave “He’s done a really good Dnamed the first head goals.” “Unfortunately I will not north London club Arsenal, re- job since he joined this football coach of David Beckham’s In- Inter Miami, which opens be starting my season in plied: “I hope not. He played at club and we have to respect ter Miami ahead of their in- the season March 1 against Los Brisbane due to an unex- Bournemouth, he played really that. augural season in the North Angeles FC, is owned by five pected setback during my well, he was very committed, he “We just need to bring the America’s Major League Soc- people, including Beckham. training,” the 39-year-old played a really good game. confidence back in and that’s cer. Alonso, the only coach to seven-time major winner “After the game he started to it.” “In Diego we found a man- win the CONCACAF Champi- said in a statement. feel ill. He had a temperature Arsenal could be without ager that fits our culture and ons League with two differ- “I look forward to being and he wasn’t feeling good. The Calum Chambers for the New has a strong desire to build a ent teams, reportedly beat in Australia in the new year last two days he was in bed. Year’s Day visit of Manchester winning club for our fans,” said out former New York City and will see everyone in Ad- That’s why he hasn’t been se- United after the centre-back Inter Miami spokesman Paul manager Patrick Vieira and elaide.” lected.” suffered a knee injury in the McDonough. former DC United midfield- The tournament, featur- Arsenal let slip a winning defeat by Chelsea. “He brings a lot of experi- er Marcelo Gallardo for the ing a strong field including position in the closing stages The Gunners, for so long one ence and championship-win- job. world number one Ashleigh against Chelsea after a goal from Granit Xhaka of the Premier League’s lead- ning mentality as we begin The 44-year-old Alonso Barty and Australian Open Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ing clubs, are currently in 12th our drive to be among the best most recently served as head champion Naomi Osaka, had them leading into the last place, just six points above clubs in the Americas. coach for Monterrey in Mex- gets underway on January 6. 10 minutes. the relegation zone. “We have big aspirations for ico.

Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Chairman & Managing Director P Unnikrishnan Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 38444680, Email: [email protected] Subscription & circulation: Tel: 36458394 | Email:[email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing