'Torture House' Bahrain's Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts Stressed

TWITTER SPORTS @newsofbahrain BUSINESS 8 Saudi Arabia to offer tourist visas for first time INSTAGRAM Verstappen outpaces /nobmedia 28 Leclerc in Sochi LINKEDIN SATURDAY newsofbahrain SEPTEMBER 2019 Max Verstappen topped 210 FILS WHATSAPP the times for Red Bull 38444692 ISSUE NO. 8247 ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in yesterday’s FACEBOOK /nobmedia second free practice for this weekend’s Russian MAIL [email protected] Grand Prix.

WEBSITE P12 newsofbahrain.com

JLo, Shakira to join forces for 2020 Super Bowl halftime 10 CELEBS WORLD 5 Prince Harry in footsteps of Diana to highlight Angola mine peril

Thousands join climate strikes Bahrain’s anti-human trafficking efforts stressed Toronto New York ticipation of the Minister of He also stressed that the ex- Foreign Affairs in the “Com - change of successful experi - undreds of thousands he Minister of Foreign bating Trafficking in Persons in ences contributes to increasing Hof people have joined Affairs, Shaikh Khalid the Context of Migration: Best The Kingdom will the effectiveness of countering climate strike marches Tbin Ahmed bin Mo - Practices, Challenges and the continue to work the phenomenon of trafficking across Canada, with almost hammed Al Khalifa, affirmed Global Migration Compact”, with friendly in persons, especially with the 100 events planned in cities that the Kingdom, under the seminar held in New York City. countries and the adoption of the Global Agree- and towns. leadership of His Majesty King The forum was organised by ment on Safe, Organised and Protesters are taking part Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, is the Kingdom, the Republic of UN to eliminate Regular Migration. in the global climate strike committed to preserving the the Philippines and the Federal trafficking in He affirmed that the King- movement, which has seen values of peaceful coexistence Republic of Nigeria, in co-oper- persons. dom will continue to work with people around the world and mutual respect with the ation with the United Nations SHAIKH KHALID friendly countries and the Unit- take to the streets. international community as part Office on Drugs and Crime and Shaikh Khalid speaks at the forum. ed Nations Office on Drugs and The movement wants of its efforts and keenness to the International Organisation Crime and the International world leaders to adopt combat trafficking in persons, for Migration. ranking in the annual report of ket Regulatory Authority, and Organisation for Migration, ambitious climate change which enables it to continue He pointed out that these ef- the United States Department of Chairman of the National Com- through its membership in the policy. its pioneering achievements in forts and initiatives have placed State on Trafficking in Persons, mittee to Combat Trafficking Human Rights Council to pro- Initial school strikes were this area. the Kingdom for the second noting the role of Chief Execu- in Persons, Ausamah Alabsi in mote efforts to eliminate traf- inspired by Swedish cam- This came during the par - consecutive year in the Tier 1 tive Officer of the Labour Mar- obtaining those achievements. ficking in persons. paigner Greta Thunberg’s “Fridays for Future” movement. The 16-year-old - who on Monday chastised world leaders at the United Na- tions over their failure to do more - spoke in Montreal at the start of strikes in the city, which are expected to draw more than 300,000 Row ends for now people. Seized UK-flagged tanker Stena Impero leaves Iranian port 17 militants killed in strike Ali Rabiei said. Washington Iran had earlier Iran had earlier released sev- • en of the ship’s 23 crew mem- he US military com- released seven of the bers. Tmand for Africa an - ship’s 23 crew members. The ship’s owners said the nounced Friday it killed 17 Stena Impero’s detention “has suspected Daesh militants The ship had been meant enormous pressure for in southern Libya, in the held• at Bandar Abbas us all, especially for the crew”. third such strike in a week. Stena Bulk chief executive “At this time, it is assessed since being seized Erik Hanell told Sweden’s TV4 the airstrike killed 17 terror- by Iran on July 19. channel that the ship seemed to ists” on Thursday, Africom be in good condition and “hope- said in a statement. Dubai fully it will be on duty within a It said its anti-Daesh cam- week or so.” paign in Libya was “ongo- “These ships cost about ing” and that strikes were he British-flagged Stena $20,000 a day, so it adds up to being conducted “in coor- Impero tanker, detained A speedboat of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard passes the British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero in Bandar Abbas port, where quite a lot,” he said. “Money is dination” with the UN-rec- Tby Iran in July, has start- the ship has been detained since July. important of course, but the focus ognised Government of ed moving and left the Bandar is on the crew.” National Accord (GNA) in Abbas port on Friday, according a day. shipping and uphold the inter- The seizure of the Stena Impe- Tripoli. to ship-tracking data. Iran’s marine and port author- national rule of law,” Mr Raab ro was seen as a retaliation for the The Stena Impero was de - ity said on its website that the said. seizure by British commandos of tained by Iran’s Revolutionary Stena Impero was heading to The ship had been held at the Iranian tankerGrace 1 off the Guard in the Strait of Hormuz international waters, hours after 25 Bandar Abbas since being seized coast of Gibraltar on July 4. waterway for alleged marine it began transmitting its location per cent of total global by Iran on July 19 for alleged Grace 1 was released by the violations two weeks after Brit- for the first time in weeks. oil consumption passes violations that were not made British territory on August 18 ain seized an Iranian tanker off British Foreign Secretary through the strait, making clear. An Iranian government after authorities in Gibraltar re- DON’T MISS IT the territory of Gibraltar. That Dominic Raab insisted after its it a highly important spokesman said on Monday that ceived written assurances from vessel was released in August. release that the ship’s detention strategic location for legal proceedings against the Iran it would not sell its cargo of The Swedish-owned vessel had been illegal and that the UK global trade. vessel had concluded. 2.1 million barrels of oil in Syria, set a new destination for Port would work with allies to safe- “Based on a friendly ap - which is under European sanc- Rashid in Dubai, about 250 guard shipping in the region. proach that allows forgiving tions. ‘BRAVE will help kilometres away, tracking data “The Stena Impero was un- disrupt freedom of navigation. mistakes, ground for freedom After turning its tracker turned further boost showed. At normal tanker speed, lawfully seized by Iran. It is We are working with our in- of the tanker has been paved off, the vessel went on to sell the 02 diplomatic ties it would reach Dubai within half part of a pattern of attempts to ternational partners to protect and it can move,” spokesman oil there regardless. with countries’ DEVIL’S HUT Public security volunteer service 03 law ‘a major step’ Hundreds freed from Nigeria ‘torture house’ Abuja ‘Parliamentary diplomacy vital early 500 men and boys have been rescued 04 to boost ties from a building in the northern city of Kaduna, I have spent three months here with among countries’ Nwhere the detainees were allegedly sexually chains on my legs. abused and tortured, Nigerian police said. BELL HAMZA Children as young as five were among those in chains 210 fils (includes VAT) at what was thought to be an extremist religious school, Eight suspects, most of them teachers, were arrested. officers said. The police chief said the detainees - some with injuries Kaduna police chief Ali Janga told the BBC the build- and starved of food - were overjoyed to be freed. ing was raided after a tip-off about suspicious activity. The detainees said they had been tortured, sexually He described it as a “house of torture” and a place abused, starved and prevented from leaving - in some of human slavery. Some captives were as young as five years old, police said. cases for several years. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 02

Bahrain establishes diplomatic ties with East Timor New York the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of the Demo- he Kingdom of Bahrain cratic Republic of Timor-Leste, has announced the estab- Dr Dionisio da Costa Babo Tlishment of Diplomatic Soares, where they signed a joint Relations with the Democratic statement on the establishment Republic of Timor-Leste, in ac- of Diplomatic Relations between cordance with the principles and the two countries. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al purposes of the Charter of the The Minister of Foreign Khalifa, met with the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, Dr United Nations and the provi- Affairs stressed that this step Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United sions of the Vienna Convention reflects the desire of the two Nations General Assembly in New York City. During the meeting, the Minister on Diplomatic Relations as of 18 countries to develop friendly of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s pride in strong historical April 1961. relations and cooperation in all relations with the friendly Republic of India, and their continuous development This came during a meeting fields, based on mutual respect to which reflects common keenness to promote bilateral cooperation regarding between the Minister of For- serve common interests and con- issues of mutual concern. For his part, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar noted eign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin tribute to continue coordination strong bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khal- on all issues of common interest India, and the progress of joint co-operation at all levels, wishing the Kingdom ifa, at the United Nations Head- for the benefit of both countries of Bahrain continued progress and prosperity. quarters in New York City with Shaikh Khalid shakes hands with Dr Dionisio after signing the deal. and their friendly people. ‘BRAVE will help further boost diplomatic ties with countries’ BRAVE, a Bahraini trademark in the MMA sports at the international level

Manama Organisation and it translates the various sports bodies around the vision we formed for supporting world. H Shaikh Khalid bin BRAVE Championship which is Speaking during the event Hamad Al Kalifa, Deputy BRAVE Championship today one of the largest sports were Mr Mohammed Ali Qam- HPresident of the Supreme has contributed to gatherings in the world. The age ber, President of Bahrain Mixed Council for Youth and Sports and maintaining the of the Championship is merely Martial Arts Federation (BMMAF) President of Bahrain Olympic five years, but it’s making its way and Mr Mohammed Shahid, Mr Committee, has stressed the im- prestigious position towards success, confirming it is Mohammed Mansour, CEO of Ex- petus served to sports diplomacy reached by Bahrain a Bahraini trademark in the MMA elon Company, Mr Faisal Rah- by BRAVE championships. in the sports field sports at the international level.” man, First Deputy President of This came as he witnessed the internationally. He further added: “This Banca Intesa San Paolo, Mr Ja- press conference announcing the HH SHAIKH KHALID wouldn’t have been possible with- son Van Schalkwyk, President of strategy of BRAVE Organisation’s out the backing and sponsorship BRAVE Organisation South Africa business and marketing strategy government officials as well as extended to it by HM King Hamad and Mr Gustavo Firmino, CEO of in Capital Club in Bahrain Finan- prominent sportspeople and in- bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of BRAVE South America. cial Harbour. vited media personnel. the Kingdom of Bahrain as well “The success achieved since Present in the event were HH On this occasion, HH Shaikh as the follow-up of HH Shaikh the establishment of BMMAF was Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Nasser bin Hamad Al Khali - made possible thanks to the sup- Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain said: “We congratulate BRAVE fa, Representative of His Majesty port and patronage of HM King Combat Sports Council, Aymen Organisation which is emanating the King for Charity Works and Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the bin Tawfeeq Al Moayed, Mo - from KHK Sports on announcing Youth Affairs and President of the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain”, hammed Hassan Al Nisf, Secre- its business and marketing strat- Supreme Council for Youth and Mr Qamber noted, praising the tary-General of Bahrain Olym- egy. It’s one of the future steps Sports. This Championship has outstanding efforts of HH Shaikh pic Committee and other senior that were well-considered by the achieved many of the objectives HH Shaikh Khalid unveils an event poster with Mr Al Moayed. Nasser in translating the direc- we set out for launching it, in- tives of HM the King to promote cluding introducing the Kingdom sports, and make Bahrain a global of Bahrain to the whole world destination to host various conti- as a country of many urban and nental and international sports sports accomplishments. BRAVE events and championships. Championship has contributed From his side, Mr Shaid re- to maintaining the prestigious vealed that the Organisation position reached by Bahrain in is moving based on HH Shaikh the sports field internationally. Khalid’s vision to maintain the HH Shaikh Khalid continued: efforts towards boosting the pres- “Since launching the Champi- ence of BRAVE Championship onship, we targeted reaching the around the world and sign more international level and we have partnerships that help in deepen- drawn up a road map to meet the ing Bahrain’s relationships with objectives we set out. We want to the hosting countries. use sports to cement Bahrain’s “We will organise five more links with the hosting countries Mr Mohammed Shahid speaks at the press conference. editions until the end of this year,” of BRAVE as we are eyeing to build he announced, revealing that HH more collaboration bridges in boosting our economy and tour- vealed, including the number of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al sports and business. We have ism sectors.” BRAVE’s editions and countries Khalifa has launched an inter- managed to open new horizons Meanwhile, the press confer- that embraced the event as well as national open championship for and create more opportunities ence projected a film highlighting the number of channels that aired all the combat sports champions. to support professionalism in the achievements accomplished it and the viewers who followed “The champion of this event will sports, especially in the MMA by BRAVE since its launch, while it, besides the signed partnerships get a belt weighs a hefty 6.5 kg and sport, while at the same time, many prominent stats were re- between the Championship and made of pure gold,” he concluded. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 03 Top UN official lauds Kingdom’s SDG strides New York cess in achieving the Sustainable The Minister of Foreign Af- Development Goals. fairs also met with the President he Minister of Foreign Af- The Minister of Foreign Af- DID of the International Committee fairs, Shaikh Khalid bin fairs also met with the High of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter TAhmed bin Mohammed Al Representative for the United Maurer, and reviewed means to Khalifa, met with the Executive Nations Alliance of Civilisations KNOW enhance co-operation between Secretary of the Economic and (UNAOC), Miguel Ángel Mora- the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Social Commission for Western tinos. International Committee of the Asia (ESCWA), Dr Rola Dashti, at Shaikh Khalid commended the Red Cross. the United Nations Headquarters role of Mr Moratinos in achiev- The United Nations The Minister of Foreign Af- in New York, on the sidelines of ing the United Nations Alliance Economic and Social fairs commended the significant the 74th session of the United of Civilisations’ goals and his Commission for humanitarian role played by the Nations General Assembly. tangible role in developing un- ICRC and its outstanding efforts The Minister of Foreign Affairs derstanding between cultures West Asia is one to provide assistance and allevi- expressed his utmost appreci- and religions and to develop re- of five regional ate the human suffering of many ation for the efforts exerted by lations between various peoples, commissions under people living in difficult circum- Dr Dashti, in activating the role as well as working to confront the jurisdiction of stances, stressing the Kingdom’s of the United Nations Economic extremism in all its forms, wish- the United Nations keenness to expand cooperation and Social Commission for West- Shaikh Khalid receives Dr Dashti. ing him success. Economic and Social with the ICRC. ern Asia (ESCWA). For his part, Mr Moratinos Council. For his part, President Maurer He affirmed the keenness of which plays a pivotal role in ad- pressed her pleasure to have commended the role of the expressed his appreciation for the the Kingdom to continue its pol- dressing the economic challenges met with the Minister of For- Kingdom in consolidating the Kingdom’s willingness to work icy of developing various means facing the countries of the world, eign Affairs, affirming her appre- objectives pursued by the Unit- affirming that the Kingdom is jointly and co-operatively with the of co-operation with the United wishing her success in fulfilling ciation towards the Kingdom’s ed Nations Alliance of Civilisa- considered a distinctive mod- International Committee of the Nations with all its organs and her duties and responsibilities. relentless efforts in promoting tions and spreading the culture el of coexistence, openness and Red Cross, which reflects its keen- committees, especially ESCWA, For her part, Dr Dashti ex- collective action to ensure suc- of dialogue and co-operation, co-operation. ness to benefit all those in need.

Man jailed for forging document Public security volunteer TDT | Manama

he High Criminal TCourt has sentenced a man accused in forgery case to three years service law ‘a major step’ in prison along with BD5,000 in compensation to his victim. Civil Defence Development plan discussed at meeting chaired by Interior Minister The defendant is said to have falsified a form for car ownership trans- General Shaikh fer to illegally own a ve- Rashid• highlighted hicle. the importance to enhance awareness about public security. The real owner discovered the Draft law based on forgery and he community• partnership, filed a complaint says Interior Minister. against the defendant. Manama PROSECUTORS General Shaikh Rashid chairs the meeting. nterior Minister and Chairman The development plan is part of the protection of national security. ism to interfere in Bahrain’s inter- He was abetted by an of the Civil Defence Council, the continuation to ensure prepar- He hoped that the Council of nal affairs blatantly, while Qatar unknown man, whose IGeneral Shaikh Rashid bin edness for different situations and The region witnesses Representatives would give priority seeks to undermine social cohesion identity is yet to be as- Abdullah Al Khalifa held a meet- incidents. to the draft protect in its next legis- and damage family bonds, which certained. ing yesterday to highlight the civil The minister highlighted that rapid changes and lative session for its endorsement. represents an affront to authentic The Bahraini man al- defence development plans and the region witnesses rapid changes challenges affecting Speaking on stepping up public Arab and Islamic values and cus- legedly counterfeited future civil protection steps. and challenges affecting securi- security and stability that security, the Interior Minister ear- toms. the signature of the real The meeting was attended by ty and stability that require high require high competence lier said the Reform Project spear- “This is against Arabic and Is- owner of the car in the Chief of Public Security, Assistant competence and readiness. and readiness. headed by the King is considered lamic values,” he said. form, as a result of which Chief of Public Security for Op- He asserted the dedication to highly significant, and is regarded The Interior Minister explained the ownership of the ve- erations and Training and Direc- develop long term security plans GENERAL SHAIKH RASHID as a national achievement and a that the conspiracies of Qatar and hicle got transferred. tor-General of Civil Defence. according to a clear strategic vision role model throughout time to Iran and their attempts to divide The real owner discov- The Chief highlighted the civil for better dealing with general dents. take Bahrain to a bright and secure the nation and promote sedition ered the forgery and he defence development plan that safety-related accidents. He said that the public security future and protect the dignity of all will fail because of the national filed a complaint against aims to expand the civil protection He highlighted the importance voluntary service draft law comes segments in society. unity of Bahrainis and their loyalty the defendant, according circle and enhance general safety. to enhance awareness of the pub- to promote nationalism and social He said the Qatari and Iranian to the King, which would enable to Prosecutors. The policy covers various fields, lic about protection steps and the responsibility to protect security interference in the internal affairs them to meet challenges. Police investigations including training and rehabilita- continuation with holding exercis- and stability. of Bahrain aren’t new, but come in “Qatari and Iranian conspir- confirmed that the form tion of personnel to tackle certain es and media campaigns to inform He said that the law bases on different forms. acies to subvert national unity was filled by the defend- accidents and provide high-tech people of essential instructions community partnership and the He explained that Iran relies on and spark chaos are doomed to ant, who also faked the tools and modern technologies. they should follow during acci- need for all to carry their duties in fanning the flames of sectarian- failure,” he said. plaintiff’s signature.

Positive co-operation between Bahrain, UN stressed Manama praised the role of the Trust Fund tween the two sides represents Economic Vision 2030, to invest He also pointed out that de- Office in contributing to the fi- an unprecedented step in the in people, resources and thought, spite the global economic cri- he Undersecretary of nancing and implementation of region to frame joint coopera- in addition to adopt best man- ses and the turbulent regional International Affairs at the 2030 Sustainable Develop- tion through practical programs We have a common agement and development prac- environment, the Kingdom of Tthe Ministry of Foreign ment Goals (SDGs) and praised and creative initiatives, that con- history of constructive tices, in order to serve the basic Bahrain has succeeded in achiev- Affairs, Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin the outstanding efforts of UNDP tribute in the implementation co-operation and we purpose, which focuses on en- ing a real economic growth rate, Ahmed Al Khalifa, met with Ex- to achieve these comprehensive of government action plans in look forward to new hancing the standard of living of providing the best basic services, ecutive Director at the UN Mul- and ambitious goals. line with national priorities and citizens and ensuring access to empowering civil society, with ti-Partner Trust Fund Office, The Undersecretary of Inter- of the SDGs, he said: “We have a and dynamic areas that services of the highest quality, the partnership of various groups Mrs Jennifer Topping, on the national Affairs, reviewed the common history of constructive support our promising pointing out to the high assur- such as women and youth, under sidelines of the 74th session of positive co-operation between co-operation and we look for- partnership. ance of His Majesty King Hamad the rule of law and an advanced the United Nations General As- the Kingdom of Bahrain and the ward to new and dynamic areas DR SHAIKH ABDULLA bin Isa Al Khalifa, that “develop- democratic process, in addition sembly in New York City. United Nations during the past that support our promising part- ment which the goal is not the to working to create a stable and During the meeting, Dr Shaikh period, stressing that the frame- nership.” by the Kingdom of Bahrain in citizen, is useless and we do not prosperous regional environ- Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, work of strategic partnership be- He discussed the steps taken the framework of the Bahrain want it.” ment. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 04

Youth leaders initiative to begin in Oct ‘Parliamentary diplomacy vital Manama

hairman of the Good CWord Society (GWS), Hassan Bu Hazza, has an- to boost ties among countries’ nounced the initiative to prepare youth leaders in Bahrain, patronised by the Bahrain has been consistently promoting parliamentary diplomacy, says House speaker President of the Bahrain Bas- ketball Association and Hon- orary President of the GWS, HH Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, will kick off early October, describing it as a quality development initiative reflecting the Bah- raini youth’s creative ability to lead the kingdom’s future towards wider horizons in various fields. Bu Hazza lauded HH Shai- kh Isa bin Ali’s patronage of the landmark initiative which he had launched during the final ceremony of HH’s Award for Voluntary Work, thus reflecting HH Shaikh Isa bin Ali’s support for initiatives aimed at supporting Ms Zainal with House Speakers of Asian and European parliaments. Bahrain and GCC youth. He also valued highly the political, economic, industrial her counterparts on the side- legislatures and increase their cooperation with the Arab Manama and diplomatic fields. lines of the Fourth Meeting of role in serving comprehensive Planning Institute (API) in She pointed out that the Leg- Speakers of the Eurasian Coun- development in GCC countries. Kuwait in the implementation peaker of the Council of islative Branch in the Kingdom Legislative Branch in the tries’ Parliaments, held recently The Kingdom’s parliamen- of the initiative by of special- Representatives, Fawzia is keen to enhance parliamen- Kingdom keen to enhance in Astana, Kazakhstan. tary delegation also held talks ised experts, using advanced SZainal, has stressed that tary co-operation with Asian parliamentary co- The Bahraini delegation also with the Speaker of the Ka - programmes, noting that the the activation of parliamen - and European parliaments at operation with Asian and took part in the co-ordination zakh House of Representatives implementation of the ini- tary diplomacy is in line with international gatherings to ac- European parliaments. meeting with GCC delegation to (Mazhilis) Speaker, Nurlan Nig- tiative will run until March the vision of His Majesty King tivate the external relations of MS ZAINAL discuss the meeting’s agenda, as matulin, and Senate Speaker, Dr 2020. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Bahrain’s Legislature. well as to co-ordinate stances Dariga Nazarbayeva. Deputy GWS’s Chairman openness to countries of the She indicated that the dele- Meeting of Speakers of the Eur- ahead of the Inter-Parliamen- The delegation also met the and the Coordinator-General world, as a means to consoli - gation of the Kingdom’s Leg- asian Countries’ Parliaments, tary Union Conference, set to members of participating legis- of the initiative, Anwar Saleh date the Kingdom’s relations islative branch has activat - as reflected in their positive be held in Belgrade in October. lative councils and internation- Bu Hassan, uncovered details with various countries at all ed parliamentary diplomacy response to Bahrain’s speech The Speaker held meetings al organisations, in line with of the initiative, to be organ- levels, as well as to co-ordi - during its external participa- during the same event. with her Saudi and Omani efforts to build strong partner- ised by the Good Word Soci- nate stances and strengthen tion, and earned the confidence The Speaker said that she had counterparts on ways to en - ships with Asian and European ety, in co-operation with the co-operation with them in the of the participants in the Fourth held a number of meetings with hance cooperation among GCC countries. Arab Planning Institute (API) in Kuwait, from October 2019 to March 2020. He stressed that the initiative aims to achieve three US Navy, BDF participate in ‘Neon Defender 19’ main goals, including the preparation of youth lead- TDT | Manama mand area of operations each ers and initiative-takers with year. creative thought and vision he US and Bahrain armed These exercises are vital to that cope with the modern forces participated in ex- the free flow of commerce in development challenges, Tercise ‘Neon Defender 19’. the region. rehabilitating youth leaders ND 19 is a bilateral surface and “Our message is clear, the to contribute to addressing maritime security exercise be- US Navy remains committed to key development challenges tween the US Navy and Bahrain working with partners and allies in their communities using Defence Force (BDF) to enhance to strengthen maritime security unconventional means and interoperability and warfight- in the region,” said Malloy. tools, in addition to honing ing readiness, online news Navy “By training together, exer- their personal skills, encour- Recognition reported. cises like ND 19 allow us to ef- aging positive trends and im- The exercise served to en - fectively develop and maintain parting knowledge of leader- hance military relations and the necessary skills to address ship skills to them. strengthen the partnership be- threats to freedom of navigation He indicated that the in- tween the US and the Kingdom and the free flow of commerce.” itiative features six stages, of Bahrain. This co-operation US Fifth Fleet area of oper- namely the selection of par- demonstrates both nations’ ations encompasses about 2.5 ticipants, training and reha- commitment to the freedom of million square miles of water bilitation, holding special- navigation in the US 5th Fleet area and includes the Arabian ised workshops, the discus- area of operations, promoting A US security boat during exercise Neon Defender 19. Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and sion of the participants’ ini- long-term security and stability. parts of the Indian Ocean. tiatives, the provision of the “Neon Defender 19 is a perfect said Vice Adm Jim Malloy, com- ordnance disposal or minefield our partners with a priority on The expanse comprises 20 technical and institutional opportunity to showcase the mander, US Naval Forces Central clearance tactics is critical for military readiness and tactics. countries and includes three support for the participants deepening interoperability be- Command, US Fifth Fleet and lasting regional stability.” ND 19 is just one of more than critical choke points at the Strait and finally the evaluation of tween US Naval Forces and the Combined Maritime Forces. The main goal of exercises 60 exercises that the US Navy of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the beneficiaries’ activities, BDF, and demonstrates our com- “Being able to undertake com- like ND19 is to share experienc- conducts with more than 30 the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at as well as the outcomes of mitment to regional security,” plex operations like explosive es and build relationships with nations in the US Central Com- the southern tip of Yemen. the initiative. Commission launches online platform to monitor tourism Riyadh thing which enables the platform promotions that seek to alleviate The platform is also envisioned the platform with the aim of pro- to be an accredited centre for the seasonal impacts that worsen to contribute to the level of tourist viding accurate and transparent he Saudi Commission statistics and data related to the due to the lack of accurate infor- services presented and to stim- statistical information that can for Tourism and Nation- tourism sector in Saudi Arabia,” mation,” it said. The commission has set ulate investments in the sector realise benefits for investors and Tal Heritage (SCTH) has the SCTH media department said The platform is in line with the a grace period of 90 days providing accurate and instant decision-makers. He said that launched an online platform to on Thursday. national digital transformation for tourist facilities to data on tourist movement in the the information was a “compass” monitor the performance of tour- “The commission has set a program, a key part of the Saudi complete procedures of Kingdom, in addition to adopting through which investments in the ist activities. grace period of 90 days for tourist Vision 2030, which stresses that connecting to the platform. easy and quick access to informa- tourist sector could be stimulated. “The commission has launched facilities to complete procedures advanced digital infrastructure tion and statistics. This can guar- The commission had invited the national platform for tourist of connecting to the platform, is an integral part of economic SCTH antee accuracy and high quality providers of technical adminis- monitoring, which is an online which will be useful for inves- activities and represents a basic of data and statistics relating to tration services at accommoda- platform to monitor the perfor- tors in the first place, through requirement to boost competi- on occupancy rates and the level tourist accommodation facilities. tion facilities and other tourist mance of all tourist monitoring giving them indicators that can tiveness. of performance and evaluation Ahmad Al Khatib, chairman services to apply for applications activities, including accommoda- help them build development and This new platform will provide for the facilities, and will also help of the board of directors of the through the platform link: www. tion and tourist movement, some- marketing plans, as well as their up-to-date statistics and figures follow up on tourist movement. SCTH, recommended establishing ntmp.gov.sa. 05 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 world

Prince Harry in footsteps of Diana ‘What Greta said!’ to highlight Angola mine peril Kiwi schoolkids strike for climate

Harry has had a long interest in landmine clearance -- he Protesters marched to Parliament during a climate strike protest march in Wellington Diana, Princess of Wales walks in one of the safety corridors of the landmine field in Huambo, Angola (file) visited Angola in 2013 to see the work of the Halo Trust to protest until their demands Young people had to act, first-hand (file picture) Wellington were acted upon. 14-year-old Armand Headland scar of war,” Harry said in re- 2002 and 2003, when Angolans “People do have every right said, arguing that inaction Harry also called mote national park near the returned to their homes after ore than 40,000 to be angry. My generation would see the planet trans - • southern town of Dirico, where peace was declared. people packed into shouldn’t be out here missing formed into an uninhabitable on Angolans to he detonated a mine from a dis- Diana was photographed Mthe grounds of Wel- school,” he said at the Welling- wasteland. protect the “unique tance. meeting some of the victims lington’s parliament buildings ton strike. “It’ll be just like Venus be- wildlife” in the area “By clearing the landmine we during her visit. Friday, giving the latest global “But it’s really important to cause it’s so hot... there’s not can help this community find “If an international ban on climate strike a flying start with me that we’re out here making a going to be any humans left be- Huambo | Angola peace -- and with peace comes mines can be secured it means, the largest turnout yet seen in stand against other generations cause of our activity if we keep opportunity.” looking far ahead, that the New Zealand. that have really screwed over burning stuff,” he said. Harry also called on Angolans world may be a safer place for Children in school uniform our planet. Michael Alspach, 37, braved ritain’s Prince Harry yes- to protect the “unique wildlife” this generation’s grandchil- marched alongside teens with “If enough of us come out the crowds with 17-month-old Bterday walked through a in the area, which lies 1,000 dren,” said the princess at the skateboards tucked under their here and show enough mana toddler Ella, saying he would cleared minefield in Angola, kilometres (600 miles) from time. arms and grey-haired protest (honour) and support for each not be able to look his daugh- tracing his late mother’s foot- Huambo, near the border with Prince Harry travelled to veterans supporting the young- other the message will get ter in the eye unless he did steps to draw attention to a Botswana. Angola in 2013 to witness the er generation. through.” everything in his power to se- country that remains plagued “That river and those wild- clearing of a minefield organ- Participants carried signs cure her future. by land mines. life are your natural assets and ised by Halo Trust, a charity saying “We’re skipping school “It’s probably not going to be Donning a protective visor if looked after will bring you championed by Diana. to teach YOU a lesson”, “Deni- too bad for me, to be honest, but and blue bullet-proof vest, Har- unlimited opportunities within Harry -- Diana’s second son al = Death” and “What Greta We’re skipping she’s going to be 80 in 2100 and ry was almost the exact replica the conservancy-led economy.” and sixth in line to the British said!”. that’s when the projections are of Princess Diana when she fa- The Duke of Susses will trav- throne -- is on a 10-day tour The latter referenced Swed- school to teach YOU looking quite bad, so I’m doing mously walked across a cleared el to Huambo later on Friday of southern Africa, which he ish teen activist Greta Thun- a lesson. Denial = it for her,” he said. minefield near the central city to view the iconic site where started in Cape Town with his berg’s powerful address to the Death and What While dissatisfied at the cli- of Huambo in 1997. Diana was photographed and wife Meghan and four-month Climate Action Summon in Greta said! mate commitments made in Diana was drawing attention visit a recently-renovated or- old son Archie. New York on Monday, when New York, Alspach was confi- to the more than one million thopaedic hospital. Duchess and baby remained she thundered “how dare you” dent the push for meaningful landmines planted during An- More than 1,600 people have in South Africa while the Duke PARTICIPANTS at world leaders over inaction action was gaining momentum. gola’s 27-year civil war, which been injured by landmines in toured conservation and HIV on climate change. “It’s great to see so many peo- ended in 2002. Angola between the start of prevention projects around the New Zealander James Capie ple out here. Changing perspec- Just months later she was the war in 1975 and 2015, ac- region. shared a similar sense of out- tives is the first step, actions killed in a car crash in Paris, cording to British charity Halo He visited Botswana before rage and the 13-year-old said come after ideas -- I’m hopeful,” when Harry was 12. Trust. Angola, and is scheduled to fly his generation would continue he said. “Landmines are an unhealed Most casualties occurred in to Malawi today. No kidding: Japan airlines offer seat maps to avoid tots Tokyo ternet firestorm, with support- ed up with finding yourself ers and naysayers battling it out. Fnext to a screaming child on “Answered prayers”, airline a long-haul flight? On some Jap- Thank you, @ specialist site The Points Guy anese airlines a seat map will JAL_Official_jp titled a post on the subject. warn you where potentially for warnings me “Nice. But how long before bawling babies are sitting. about where babies we get upcharged for seats away The facility, offered as part plan to scream from said babies?” one user of Japan Airlines’ “Smile Sup- and yell during a asked. port” travel service for those 13 hour trip. This Another called the map an un- with infants, is not new, but lit necessary offering. up the internet after a Twitter really ought to be “Japan Airlines seat map helps user praised it. mandatory across avoid screaming babies. Why “Thank you, @JAL_Official_jp the board not just have noise cancelling for warnings me about where VENTURE CAPITALIST RAHAT AHMED headphones?!” babies plan to scream and yell TWEETED And some pointed out that ba- during a 13 hour trip. This really bies aren’t the only troublesome ought to be mandatory across travellers. the board,” venture capitalist “Can we use the same soft - Rahat Ahmed tweeted. spokeswoman confirmed its ware to avoid people who eat A somewhat bemused JAL seat maps have shown where noisily instead?” one Twitter spokeswoman confirmed the children are sitting “for a while.” user asked. feature, pointing out it was not JAL’s maps indicate where in- “Will airlines also have maps a novel offering. fants under two are sitting, with for obnoxious passengers that At least one other Japanese a child icon to let “other passen- drink too much, remove their airline does the same: All Nip- Not everyone loves the sound of a baby crying, so some Japanese airlines will let you know where a potentially screaming gers know.” shoes, hog the armrest or recline pon Airways (ANA), where a tot will be sitting The relevation caused an in- in my lap?” added another. 06 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 07 society

The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) organised its 132nd Free Medical Camp on the premises of MCSC camp in Askar. Senior medical consultants from Salmaniya Medical Centre, American Mission Hospital, ASRY Clinic, Al Rayan Hospital along with para-medical staff from Bahrain Specialist Hospital, American Mission Hospital and IMC Medical Centre conducted free medical check-ups for more than 300 workers of the Company. Babu Rajan K G, Managing Director of Qatar Engineering Laboratories, who sponsored this year’s medical camps for The Rotary Club of Sulmaniya held its regular lunch meeting at the Le Meridien Hotel on Wednesday. Guest speaker was Dr Claire Cosgrove of AMA University ICRF was present during the event. “ICRF doing a tremendous job for the Indian community especially to the low income category. Very much appreciate the valuable contributions to who spoke about he importance of teaching environmental positive action to the next generation. The club recognized the achievement of Golden Tulip banquet those unfortunate class,” said Mr Babu Rajan. ICRF honoured Babu Rajan during the programme. manager for his 30 years of service. Akram Mohamed is retiring end of the month and has been a very helpful person during our club’s regular meeting.

Bahraini entrepreneur Khalid Juman was handed over Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS)-Indo-Friendship Award on the 26th day The Indonesian Embassy in Manama held the Indonesian Cultural Night on 26 September 2019, in Bahrain Cultural Hall. The event of the month-long event The New Millennium School lifted the Boys U-19 table tennis title in the CBSE CLUSTER (Bahrain Chapter) Inter School Competition, held on 24th September 2019. featured Ayoub Zykra, a traditional dance group originated from and based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Ayoub Zykra is well-known for titled BKS-Shravanam Team members were Amruth Chandra, Ashutosh Mehta and Siddharth Manakil. Chairman Dr Ravi Pillai, Managing Director Mrs Geetha Pillai and Principal, Mr performing Indonesian traditional dances particulary those West Sumatera. Variety of dances were performed throughout the 2019. BKS officials and Arun Kuumar Sharma congratulated the students and the coaches for their commendable performance. show, including traditional dances from Jakarta (Betawi), Bali and West Sumatra. dignitaries attended.

Palakkad Arts and Cultural Centre Theatre (PAACT Bahrain) held an event under the title ‘Ponnonam 2019’ at Jashanmal Auditorium within the premises of Isa Town Indian School. ICRF Chairman Aruldas Thomas, Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam President P V Radhakrishna Pillai and other dignitaries attended. A grand Onam feast was served to the attendees.

Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Bahrain Polytechnic’s Deputy CEO of Resources and Information Affairs and Chairman of committee for ‘the Khalid bin Hamad Competition for Innovation in Artificial Intelligence’ received Dr Jassim Haji, President Artificial Intelligence, at the campus to discuss preparations for the third annual ‘Khalid bin Hamad Competition for Innovation in Artificial Intelligence’ and the AI The Indian School Bahrain (ISB) Tarang 2019, the biggest School Youth Festival in the Gulf countries began at the Isa Town campus on Wednesday. The ISB Youth Festival is notable for the huge participation of students in around 130 events. More than 2,500 children are participating in these events with Essay Writing English compulsory for all students from IV to XII. The non-stage Academy progress. events Flower Arrangement, Poetry Writing, Pencil Drawing and Painting were conducted earlier at different venues with the enthusiastic participation of students. The stage events will continue till October 1 on five venues, followed by the Grand Finale on October 3. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 07 society

The Indian School Bahrain (ISB) Tarang 2019, the biggest School Youth Festival in the Gulf countries began at the Isa Town campus on Wednesday. The ISB Youth Festival is notable for the huge participation of students in around 130 events. More than 2,500 children are participating in these events with Essay Writing English compulsory for all students from IV to XII. The non-stage events Flower Arrangement, Poetry Writing, Pencil Drawing and Painting were conducted earlier at different venues with the enthusiastic participation of students. The stage events will continue till October 1 on five venues, followed by the Grand Finale on October 3. 08 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 business

Saudi Arabia to offer tourist visas for first time

ers as part of a push to diversify News quoted Khateeb as saying. sporting and cultural events in Arabia has splurged billions in Applications can its economy away from oil. Khateeb said the kingdom will a bid to kickstart tourism. an attempt to build a tourism • Kickstarting tourism is one also ease its strict dress code for The government says it hopes industry from scratch. be made online of the centrepieces of Crown foreign women, allowing them tourism will contribute up to 10 Visitors will be In 2017, the kingdom an - Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s to go without the body-shroud- percent of the gross domestic surprised... by the nounced a multi-billion dollar Visas open to citizens Vision 2030 reform programme ing abaya robe that is still man- product by 2030, compared to treasures we have to project to turn 50 islands and of• 49 countries to prepare the biggest Arab datory public wear for Saudi three percent currently. share -- five UNESCO other pristine sites on the Red economy for a post-oil era. women. It says by 2030 it aims to at- World Heritage Sites, Sea into luxury resorts. Kingdom will also “Opening Saudi Arabia to in- Foreign women, however, will tract up to 100 million annual a vibrant local culture Last year, construction of Qid- • ternational tourists is a historic be required to wear “modest visits by both domestic and for- diya “entertainment city” was ease its strict dress code moment for our country,” tour- clothing”, he added, without eign tourists. and breathtaking launched near Riyadh, which for foreign women ism chief Ahmed al-Khateeb elaborating. But the kingdom currently natural beauty would include high-end theme said in a statement. Visas in the desert kingdom, lacks the infrastructure to ac- parks, motor sport facilities and Government hopes “Visitors will be surprised... by endowed with rich bedouin her- commodate visitors in such high AHMED AL-KHATEEB a safari area. • the treasures we have to share itage and archaeological sites, numbers, with officials estimat- The country is also develop- tourism to contribute up TOURISM CHIEF -- five UNESCO World Heritage are currently restricted to expat ing 500,000 new hotel rooms ing historic sites such as the to 10pc of GDP by 2030 Sites, a vibrant local culture and workers, their dependents and will be required nationwide over centuries-old Mada’in Saleh, breathtaking natural beauty.” Muslim pilgrims travelling to the coming decade. home to sandstone tombs of the Riyadh Saudi Arabia will open appli- holy sites in Mecca and Medina. The sector is expected to cre- same civilisation which built the cations for online tourist visas In a rare move, Saudi Arabia ate up to one million tourism Jorda- nian city of audi Arabia said yesterday to citizens of 49 coun- last year began issuing tempo- jobs, the government says, as it Petra. it will offer tourist visas for tries today, rary visas to battles high youth unemploy- Sthe first time, opening up Bloomberg visitors ment. the kingdom to holiday- to attend Saudi mak-

The rose-coloured sandstone of Madain Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia’s northwestern town of al-Ula

PM Johnson says Boeing CEO to testify before will obey the law India’s Congress on 737 MAX antitrust body Reuters | Washington

oeing Chief Executive clears Saudi BDennis Muilenburg has agreed to testify before Con- Aramco’s acquisition of Sukhoi Su-35 jet gress next month on the now fighters grounded 737 MAX that was in- SABIC An approval from volved in two fatal crashes that Reuters India’s antitrust Boris Johnson, British Prime killed 346 people, a US House body is required as Russia in talks Minister Committee said yesterday. SABIC has subsid- Muilenburg agreed to testify he Competition Commis- iaries operating in with Turkey Reuters | London before the US House Transpor- Tsion of India ( CCI) said tation and Infrastructure Com- yesterday it approved Saudi India on possible ritish Prime Minister mittee on Oct. 30 and would Aramco’s acquisition of a 70 Su-35 fighter BBoris Johnson said yes- be joined by John Hamilton, per cent stake in Saudi Basic terday his government will the chief engineer of Boeing’s Boeing Co Chief Executive Dennis Industries Corporation (SAB- jet sale: RIA obey the law and remains Commercial Airplanes divi- Muilenburg IC). An approval from India’s the South Asian nation. confident the country can sion and Jennifer Henderson, antitrust body is required as In March, Saudi Aramco leave the European Union the chief pilot for the 737, the before the Senate Commerce SABIC has subsidiaries oper- had agreed to buy the stake Turkey has been with a deal. committee said. Committee next month. Boe- ating in India, while Aramco for $69.1 billion, in one of the • Johnson has vowed that Sources said Muilenburg ing did not immediately com- Overseas Co, a unit of Saudi biggest deals in the global at odds with the Britain will leave the bloc was also expected to appear ment yesterday. Aramco, also has an office in chemical industry. United States on Oct. 31 with or without a divorce agreement, but Reuters | Moscow parliament has passed a law to compel him to seek an extension if he has not got ussia and Turkey are an agreement by Oct. 19. Apple will seek theatre deals for movies Rholding talks about He was asked yesterday if the possible sale of Rus - he was looking for ways to sian-made Sukhoi SU-35 delay or get around the new before streaming -Wall Street Journal fighter jets to Turkey, but law, which he has dubbed a Reuters it is too early to talk about “surrender act”. Rocks”, starring Bill Murray Roma this year, which was given a concrete deal, RIA news “We will obey the law, and produced in partnership only a limited theatrical release. agency cited a senior Rus- but we’re confident we can pple Inc plans to take a dif- with “Moonlight” producers In a victory for it and other sian official as saying yes- come out on Oct. 31 and the Aferent path to streaming ri- A24, will be among Apple’s first streaming services, the Acad- terday. best way to do that is to get val Netflix and allow theatrical major theatrical releases in mid- emy of Motion Picture Arts Turkey has been at odds a deal,” Johnson told report- releases for some of the fea - 2020, it here said. and Sciences later voted not with the United States ers. ture-length films it has begun Apple, a late entrant to the to change its rules to demand over its purchase of Rus- “That’s why the surren- producing for its new Apple TV+ streaming war, plans to launch Oscar nominees must play in sian S-400 missile systems, der act is so damaging,” he service, the Wall Street Journal its service called Apple TV+ on theaters for a minimum period which Washington says are added. “It has had the effect reported yesterday. Nov. 1 for $5 a month to compete before being launched on other not compatible with NATO with our European friends Citing people familiar with with rivals such as Netflix Inc small screen mediums. defenses and poses a threat making them think: ‘maybe the matter, the Journal said that and Walt Disney’s upcoming Apple is spending $2 billion to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 parliament can block this by pursuing traditional releases streaming offering, Disney+. on original content this year but ‘stealth’ fighter jets. thing, maybe they will be for major projects, the iPhone Both the rivals have deeper is still dwarfed by the industry The United States has forced to extend.’ If you’re maker hopes to make it easier to libraries and years of experience leader Netflix, which has a re- also expelled Turkey from in a negotiation that obvi- attract big-name directors and in making hit shows. ported $10 billion budget for the F-35 programme, but ously makes it more diffi- producers to its projects. Alfonso Cuaron won the best content and 151 million paid Ankara has so far dismissed cult.” Sofia Coppola’s “On the Apple CEO Tim Cook director Oscar for Netflix’s subscribers. the warnings. SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 09

McDonald’s to test veggie Lufthansa seeks more code-share burger in Canada EU and Japan ink plan agreements with airlines in India to bypass ‘Silk Road’ Reuters | New Delhi ufthansa is seeking Lmore airlines to partner with in India for code-sharing agreements to expand its presence in the country, a senior company executive siad yesterday. Lufthansa is focusing on growing its network in In- dia in part because of the grounding of the country’s biggest private carrier Jet Fast food giant McDonald’s is dipping another foot into the world of plant- Airways which stopped fly- based food, announcing plans to test a vegetarian burger in Canada ing in April after running out of cash. to partner with the fast-grow- The German airline, New York ing Beyond Meat, which devel- which already has a code- oped a patty that McDonald’s share agreement with state- ast food giant McDonald’s described as “delicious, juicy, run carrier Air India, has an Fis dipping another foot perfectly dressed plant-based interline agreement with into the world of plant-based burger” with “the iconic Mc- Vistara, a full service carrier “meat,” announcing plans on Donald’s taste customers have owned by the Tata Group Thursday to test a vegetarian come to love.” and Singapore Airlines, burger in Canada. McDonald’s rivals are which it is keen to expand, The “PLT,” standing for also making a push into the Alain Chisari, vice presi- “Plant.Lettuce.Tomato,” will fast-growing business. dent, Asia Pacific, Lufthansa be available for 12 weeks in 28 Burger King in April un- Group, said. restaurants in Ontario starting veiled a vegetarian “Whopper,” Conscious of China’s ambitions with its Belt and Road programme, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and European “Vistara fits really well on September 30. while KFC, also with Beyond Commission Jean-Claude Juncker inked their accord on coordinating major projects connecting Europe and Asia with our product portfolio “McDonald’s has a proud Meat, has sold plant-based because they’ve got the pre- legacy of fun, delicious and nuggets. Brussels all countries in the world and that there is something that mium proposition as well. craveable food -- and now, While meat alternatives not merely dependence on one we’re already doing but they We are looking forward to we’re extending that to a test have been around for decades, country.” are using it for their geopolit- expanding the relationship of a juicy, plant-based burger,” a new generation of companies he EU and Japan yester- Abe said that together Japan ical objectives,” one senior EU with Vistara but also other said Ann Wahlgren, vice pres- including Impossible Burger day signed an infrastruc- and the EU could build “sus- official said. partners,” he said in an in- ident of global menu strategy. and Beyond Meat have em - Tture agreement to link tainable, comprehensive and The EU provides huge sums terview in New Delhi. “We’ve been working on our ployed technologies to pro- Europe and Asia as a counter rules-based connectivity”. in loans, grants and develop- recipe and now we’re ready to duce proteins with taste and to China’s ambitious “Belt and “Of course it goes without ment assistance around the hear feedback from our cus- texture that more closely ap- Road” strategy. saying that in order to make the world, but it has had limited tomers.” proximate meat. Japanese Prime Minister connectivity linking Japan and success in converting this lar- ECB’s Lane sees no Plant-based protein is not Large food companies are Shinzo Abe and European Europe something rock solid, gesse into influence. a completely new pursuit for also becoming more active in Commission chief Jean-Claude the Indo-Pacific -- the sea route Juncker’s replacement Ursu- limit yet to further McDonald’s. The fast-food the space, with Nestle plan- Juncker inked the accord to co- that leads to the Mediterranean la von der Leyen takes office in rate cuts giant has launched with Nes- ning on October 1 to launch its ordinate infrastructure, trans- and the Atlantic -- must be free November on a pledge to make tle and vegetarian burger in “Awesome Burger” in the Unit- port and digital projects. and open,” Abe said. the EU a bigger player geopolit- Germany. ed States after unveiling the The deal is part of the bloc’s He was alluding to concerns ically and the Asia connectivi- This time, McDonald’s plans “Incredible Burger” in Europe. “Asia connectivity” strategy, that China is seeking to use the ty plan is seen as a significant launched last year amid grow- Belt and Road, particularly port plank of this ambition. ing international concerns projects in Asia, to dominate “In a bifurcated world dom- about Beijing’s vast “new Silk navigation routes. inated by the US and China, a Toyota strengthens Japan Road” of railways, roads and As part of growing EU-Japan lot of places around the world ports across the globe using cooperation, Juncker said the are looking for European lead- partnerships with Subaru stake billions of dollars in Chinese commission was recommend- ership to present an alterna- Reuters | Tokyo loans. ing opening talks with Tokyo tive,” another senior official and another smaller Japa - The EU-Japan agreement on sharing air passenger data to said. ECB’s chief economist Philip Lane s nese automaker, Suzuki Mo- repeatedly stresses the impor- improve aviation security. Even in its own backyard the oyota Motor Corp will tor Corp, said they would take tance of projects being sustain- EU has sometimes struggled to Reuters | New Delhi Traise its stake in Suba - small equity stakes in each able both environmentally and ‘We have heard the call’ be heard, with the Cooperation ru Corp to 20 per cent from other. fiscally -- a veiled swipe at the While the EU insists its push between China and Central and around 17pc, the two Japanese “In this once-in-a-century Belt and Road scheme, which on infrastructure connections Eastern European Countries he European Central automakers said yesterday, as period of profound transfor- critics say saddles countries to Asia is not intended as a rival group -- also known as the 17+1 TBank is not yet ap - they leverage their scale to mation, by strengthening their with vast debts to Chinese com- to China, privately senior offi- -- making a splash with a series proaching the limit to how better compete in developing bonds and aligning their capa- panies that they cannot repay. cials acknowledge that it was a of high-profile investments and far it can cut its deposit rate new vehicle technologies. bilities, Toyota and Subaru aim “Connectivity must be sus- factor that pushed them to act. summits. without hurting lending or The investment comes ... to make ever-better cars,” tainable in financial terms -- we China says its trade with Belt EU officials admit they need triggering a dash to cash, a month after Toyota Toyota said in a statement. must bequeath to the next gen- and Road countries has exceed- to do more to counter the nar- the ECB’s chief economist eration a more interconnected ed $5 trillion, with outward rative of Chinese generosity in Philip Lane said yesterday. world, a cleaner environment direct investment surpassing eastern Europe, pointing out “We’ve seen more neg- and not mountains of debt,” $60 billion, and the “soft pow- that in fact the bloc’s funding ative rates elsewhere so Juncker said before the signing er” clout it has brought Beijing to the same area of 230 billion I don’t particularly think ceremony. has drawn envious looks from euros dwarfs what Beijing has there’s a technical limit yet,” “It’s also a question of creat- Brussels. invested in the same period -- Lane told a Reuters event in ing interconnections between “China woke us up to realise 600 million euros. New York. Libra coin group in talks with EU regulators Reuters | Genenva members of the Libra Associa- termine whether the network he Libra Association, due tion that include Vodafone, cred- would launch on schedule for Tto launch and manage the it card companies Mastercard June 2020, he said. Facebook-led Libra cryptocur- There are discussions and Visa, and PayPal, announced “When we (made) the an - rency, is talking to European that are ongoing plans to launch a digital cur - nouncement in June, that was Union regulators after opposi- (with EU regulators) rency backed by a reserve of re- our North Star,” Perez said, add- tion from Germany and France, and we still have al-world assets next year. ing that a delay of one or two its managing director said at one work to do with The proposed cryptocurrency quarters would not be an issue. of his first public appearances them and any other has since garnered scrutiny from “What is important is that we on the job. regulators in the authorities across Europe and need to comply with the regu- “There are discussions that North America, with France and lators and we need to make sure are ongoing (with EU regulators) world Germany pledging to block Libra that they are on board with us and we still have work to do with BERTRAND PEREZ, MANAGING DIRECTOR from operating in Europe. and fully comfortable with our them and any other regulators AND COO AT LIBRA ASSOCIATION Perez, a senior director of pay- solutions.” The association is in the world,” Bertrand Perez ments engineering for PayPal now planning to ramp up oper- said in an interview yesterday before starting at Libra this May, ations, he said, including “sig- during a blockchain conference said the association is currently nificant” growth and hiring over in Geneva, where the association focussing its efforts on meet- the next two quarters, including is based. ing and addressing regulatory in compliance and technological In June, Facebook and other concerns. Progress would de- development. 10 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

Selena Gomez Jennifer Lopez

Elizabeth Banks Selena JLo, Shakira to makes history with Gomez directing award join forces for Los Angeles shares ctress Elizabeth ABanks has become scariest 2020 Super Bowl the first female director to be honoured with Will Rogers Pioneer moment halftime of the Year award, and gave a heartfelt Los Angeles of her Stadium in Miami Gardens, speech. Florida. She is the first life ulti-talent- The duo follow in the woman director and ed perform- footsteps of Maroon 5, Jus- fifth woman ever to Los Angeles Mer Jennifer tin Timberlake, Beyonce, receive the award in cause the veil was lifted, but Lopez will be hosting Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, the 78-year history of the relieved that I finally had the 2020 Super Bowl and Lady Gaga, who have Will Rogers Motion Picture inger-actor Selena Gomez the knowledge of why I had halftime show along- headlined the popular show Pioneers Foundation. has recently opened up suffered for so many years side “Hips don’t lie” in the US. Jay-Z’s Roc Nation The award Sabout her battle with with depression and anxiety, hitmaker Shakira. company is co-producing was presented anxiety and depression. I’’ve never had full answers, If they remain the the NFL’s 100th anniver- on Wednesday While receiving the 2019 awareness or anything about only performers for the sary halftime show. at the organisa- McLean Award earlier this this condition, so I began to show, it will mark the first time It will be the first col- tion’s annual Pio- month, Gomez recalled the face it head-on, as my moth- two women have co-headlined laboration between the neer Awards din- Elizabeth ‘’scariest moment’’ of her life, er taught me to face my fears a Superbowl show, without an- two chart toppers. ner here, reports Banks reports eonline.com. and challenges when I was other male act. The performance deadline.com. She said: “I think that we are younger.” Lopez, 50, and Shakira, 42, happens to fall on Banks will soon be coming better when we tell the truth She battled it by meeting both posted a photograph of Shakira’s 43rd out with her next directorial and, so, this is my truth. Last with “some of the greatest them standing side by side on so- birthday. “Charlie’s Angels”, which she year, I was suffering mentally doctors and psychiatrists” and cial media to announce the news “I’m so hon- has also written, produced and and emotionally, and I wasn’’t educating herself, and talking on Thursday, reports dailymail. oured to be tak- has featured in. able to stay all that kept to - to others who were struggling, co.uk. ing on one of the “I didn’’t start directing mov- gether. I wasn’’t able to hold a things which led her to be - “Going to see the world on world’s biggest ies because I think I am the smile or to keep things looking come “very passionate” about fire,” Lopez wrote. stages in the greatest director in the world. normal, it felt like all of my mental health”. “It doesn’t get any bigger than company of a fellow I did it because I had something pain and my anxiety washed “Although this does not this! So excited about getting female artist to represent I want to say. I want to change over me all at once and it was mean that it has all gone away. on that #SuperBowlLIV #Pep- Latinos and Latinas from the world, and so in thinking one of the scariest moments I can say that after a year of a siHalftime stage,” posted Sha- the US and all over the about my status, bestowed just of my life.” lot of intense work, that I am kira. world -- and to top it off, on now by three Angels, as an in- After seeking help and get- happier, I am healthier, and I The singers, who have re- my birthday. This is a dustry ‘’pioneer’’, I wanted to ting “a clear diagnosis,” Gomez am in control of my emotions leased music in Spanish and true American dream say something tonight that has said she felt “equal parts of and thoughts more than I’’ve English, will perform on and we are going to bring the show never been said on this stage, at terrified and relieved”. ever been, So, I’m very happy February 2 at Hard Rock of a lifetime,” Shakira said. this forum,” Banks said as she “Terrified, obviously, be- about that,” Gomez added. started her acceptance speech. Salman Khan is Katrina Kaif’s true friend Here’s Jacqueline Mumbai Nikki why Nikki Bella ran The two were last seen together in Fernandez spills Bella away from boyfriend Artem ‘Bharat’, which has been named as the beans on her Chigvintsev on their first date ctress Katrina Kaif has Bollywood’s biggest overseas grosser opened up about super- in 2019 so far. The Ali Abbas Zafar di- Los Angeles beauty secrets ly think he was picking up Astar Salman Khan calling rectorial is the highest-grossing Hindi Mumbai tomatoes – and I see a paparazzi him a true friend. film abroad. restler Nikki in this corner, and one in the other Katrina was speaking at hen it comes to beau- Bella recently corner and I just freaked. I walked a conclave about her rela- Wty and fitness, Jacque- Wopened about away from him, all the way to my tionship with Salman, with line Fernandez surely crosses her first date with boy- car. And poor Artem, all of a sudden whom she has given hits one’s mind. While her charm friend Artem Chigvintsev I get a text like, ‘Uhh, where did you after hits such as ‘Maine is unparalleled, the actor’s in an interview. go?’ I didn’t even say anything,” Pyaar Kyun Kiya’, ‘Tees mantra to this flawlessness She confessed she added. Maar Khan’, ‘Tiger is relatively simple. that she literally The 37-year-old former ‘Danc- Zinda Hai’, ‘Ek Tha “I drink lots of water and ran away from ing with the Stars’ pro was left Tiger’ and ‘Partner’. always take my makeup off him fearing perplexed by all this and feared She also said: “Its before bed so the skin can that their outing that he did something wrong. a friendship that’s breath overnight,” the for- would be caught “I’m [with] a basket of vegeta- lasted 16 years, he’s a mer Miss Universe Sri Lan- by paparazzi. bles, just standing there, think- true friend. He’s a solid ka said. “Our first date Artem Chigvintsev ing, ‘Did she [go] somewhere? person who is there for From her role was at the farmer’s What happened?’ “ Chigvint- you when you need it. as the chic market in Studio City, and I sev added. He may not be in touch Omisha in had no idea that it was filled “And I’m seeing, like, a shad- with you all the time but ‘Race 2’ with paparazzi,” she told En- ow crossing the road and almost he stands besides his to playing tertainment Tonight, cited running. So I’m like, ‘Did I do friends.” a rather People. something wrong?” he said. simple Jen- “So Artem and I are, Bella ended her engage- Jacqueline ny Fer- like, looking at veg- ment to wrestler John Hailey Baldwin celebrates bachelorette Fernandez nandes in etables – and I Cena over a year party with Kendall Jenner, others ‘Brothers’, honest- ago. Jodie the actor has epitomised Comer Los Angeles beauty in every role but what according to her makes a per- upermodel Hailey Bald- son beautiful is kindness and Jodie Comer in talks to star in ‘The Last Duel’ win, who is just a few confidence. Los Angeles Sdays away from walking “It may sound cliche, but down the aisle with singer I truly believe beauty comes odie Comer, who recently took home an Emmy Justin Bieber, celebrated a fun from within. Kindness and Jfor Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role bachelorette party with her confidence are a large part in ‘Killing Eve’, is in talks to star in Ridley Scott’s girl gang and it looks like she of what makes a person ‘The Last Duel’. had the time of her life. beautiful,” she added. Comer will star alongside actors Matt Damon and Although Hailey and Justin “People tend to be Ben Affleck in the revenge drama from Disney-Fox, tied the knot in a secret cere- Hailey Baldwin very self-critical but reported Variety. mony last year, the model and everyone has their ‘The Last Duel’ is set in 14th century France and the singer are all set to say ‘I pals, including Kendall Jenner, own unique beauty tells the story of a man who goes to war and returns to do’ once again, this time in Maeve Reilly, Kelia Moniz, and that they should cel- discover a friend of his has raped his wife (portrayed by front of friends and family in Natalie Manuel Lee. ebrate,” Jacqueline Comer). No one will believe his wife, and the soldier South Carolina. The 22-year-old model also continued. appeals to the king of France and says he wants to fight Ahead of the nuptial, Hailey shared a glimpse of her herself a duel to the death to decide the man’s fate, becoming celebrated her bachelorette from the bash on her Insta- the last legally sanctioned duel in France. party in Los Angeles with her gram Story. 11 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 sports

Lawyers for Neymar, Barca lock horns in Belotti brace sinks AC Milan contract spat Andrea Belotti scored two goals to inspire Torino to a 2-1 win over AC Milan AFP | Madrid renewal bonus, which he was AC Milan slid down to awyers for Brazilian foot- to have received in instalments. • Lballer Neymar and Span- The young Brazilian quick- 13th in the points table ish champions Barcelona ly hit back with a lawsuit de- went head-to-head in court manding payment of the bonus AFP | Milan on Friday after failing to in full. avert a multi-million-dollar kipper Andrea Belotti’s battle over a tangled contract ‘The taxman watching’ quick-fire second-half dispute. Until now, the full value of Sdouble, including a sen- The hearing opened in the the bonus has never been made sational overhead kick in front early afternoon at a court in the public, but according to fig- of goal, sealed a 2-1 comeback Barcelona suburbs, but the star ures cited during the hearing, win in Serie A over AC Milan on striker was not present. the gross sum was 64.4 million Thursday. He had arrived in the city on euros, of which Neymar re - Polish striker Krzysztof Thursday but returned to Paris ceived a first tranche of 20.75 Piątek had put AC Milan ahead a day later where he was seen million. from the spot after 18 minutes training with Paris Saint-Ger- After his transfer, Barcelona in the clash between midtable main (PSG) during the after- refused to pay him the remain- rivals in the Olympic Stadium. noon. ing 43.65 million, which after But in four-minute spell, Be- Lawyers for the two sides tax amounted to a sum of 26 lotti sealed all three points for had tried to reach an agree - million euros. Walter Mazzarri’s side who had ment during closed-door rec- The Spanish club demanded suffered back-to-back losses in onciliation talks in the morn- he return the part of the bonus their previous two games. ing, but without success. already received as well as 8.5 Torino move up to sixth in “It is going to court,” Barce- million euros plus interest in the table, equal on nine points lona lawyer Josep Vives told compensation for breach of with Napoli and Cagliari after Andrea Belotti of Torino FCscores his goal from the penalty spot journalists outside the court. contract. five games, but six points behind After several hours of wran- Neymar promptly counter- leaders Inter Milan. season with 22 goals -- stepped fusion in front of the Milan goal. gling in court, the two sides sued, demanding payment of AC Milan drop to 13th, follow- up to slot in the resulting pen- Belotti sent the ball through were told to present their con- the 26 million euros with in- ing on from last weekend’s 2-0 alty. for Simone Zaza, but Don - clusions in writing on October terest. derby defeat. Belotti missed a chance to narumma cleared with the re- 21 after which the judge will Addressing the court, Barca “We didn’t want to lose a third equalise just before the break, bound finding the Italy inter- issue his ruling at a date which lawyer Carles in a row,” said Belotti. KNOW WHAT sending the ball over when national again who finished off has yet to be set. McCragh said Neymar “They made us dance in the alone in front of goal, with Pi- an acrobatic overhead kick into The case revolves around the money first half but when we returned atek also wasteful firing Alessio goal for his fourth goal in five a decision by Neymar, the was “a loy - after the break we were a dif- Torino move up to Romagnoli’s perfect cross wide games. world’s most expensive foot- alty bonus” ferent side.” on 53 minutes. Milan missed two late baller, to quit Barcelona in 2017 linked to the Both northern Italian rivals sixth in the table, But Torino piled on the pres- chances to snatch a point with and join PSG in a stunning coup length of the were desperate to get back to equal on nine points sure and it paid off with Belotti Franck Kessie hitting the ball for the French club. contract but winning ways with Milan go- with Napoli and breaking through on 72 min - wide while Piatek’s header was The move angered the Span- the club ing ahead early after a penal- Cagliari after five utes with a blistering equaliser cleared by Torino goalkeeper ish giants who filed a com - had ty awarded when Lorenzo games, but six points which left Gianluigi Donnarum- Salvatore Sirigu. plaint for breach of contract made De Silvestri fouled Rafael behind leaders Inter ma with no chance in the Milan “It was a game we had under against the 27-year-old super- an ear- Leao. Milan goal. control, but we didn’t have the star. ly pay- Piatek -- third top And the 25-year-old added a cynicism to kill it off,” said Mi- Neymar’s shock transfer ment scorer in Serie A last second minutes later amid con- lan coach Marco Giampaolo. to PSG for a world record 222 at the million euros ($250 million re- at the time) came less than quest of a year after he signed a con- Neymar’s tract that would have kept family “who Sevilla surrender two-goal lead at Eibar him at the Spanish club until were hav- 2021. ing finan- Julen Lopetegui’s side could the interval with goals in the Sociedad, who did jump up to As well as filing a lawsuit, cial prob- Eibar came from have climbed above Atletico 66th, 77th and 82nd minutes. second after continuing their Barcelona refused to pay him lems in • Madrid but instead slipped to The first was a penalty, con- excellent start to the season the remainder of his contract Brazil”. two goals down to beat their second consecutive defeat verted by Fabian Orellana. Pedro with a 3-0 win over Alaves. Sevilla 3-2 in La Liga after conceding three times in 16 Leon then capitalised on some Sevilla bought 12 new players minutes at Ipurua. poor defending from Sevilla in the last transfer window but AFP | Madrid Lucas Ocampos gave Sevilla goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik and la Real may have the signing an early lead, finishing through Diego Carlo to equalise. Cote of the summer in Martin Ode- Coutinho embraces the legs of Mark Dmitrovic in completed a remarkable come- gaard, who has moved to Anoeta evilla threw away a two-goal the 11th minute before Oliver back by scoring from a free-kick. on loan until the end of the sea- family feeling at Bayern Slead and with it the chance to Torres made it two with just Defeat leaves Sevilla seventh son from Real Madrid. go second in La Liga as they lost over half an hour played. in the table and needing a re- Odegaard joined Madrid aged AFP | Berlin here. I think that’s one of this 3-2 to Eibar on Thursday. But Eibar stormed back after sponse on Sunday against Real just 16 in 2015 but has struggled club’s principles: it’s like a to live up to the hype. Now 20, hilippe Coutinho says he family,” he told Bundesliga. the Norwegian appears to be Palready feels part of the com. finding his feet, the highlight of “family” after forging a potent Coutinho says the squad’s his display against Alaves was a partnership with Robert Le- strong spirit was summed up jaw-dropping assist for Mikel wandowski at Bayern Munich. when Lewandowski, who was Oyarzabal’s opener. The defending German on a hat-trick, handed over After picking the ball up on champions play three games penalty duties to allow him to the right, Odegaard drifted away in eight days, starting at Bun- score against Cologne. from one opponent and thread- desliga bottom side Paderborn “It was certainly a great ges- ed a remarkable pass inside two on Saturday before travelling ture. Lewy had the chance for more for his team-mate to poke to Spurs in the Champions a hat-trick, but he gave me the home. Willian Jose’s second League on Tuesday and then chance to score my first goal and a third from the impressive hosting Hoffenheim in the and I’m grateful for it,” said Oyarzabal, this time from the league. Coutinho. penalty spot, secured a convinc- After failing to fill Andre Bayern coach Niko Kovac ing win for Imanol’s side, before Iniesta’s huge shoes at Bar- says the pair’s understanding Alaves midfielder Manu Garcia celona, Coutinho is rebooting is improving “from game to was sent off with five minutes his career on loan this season, game” and also praised Le - to play. claiming his first goal in Mu- wandowski’s penalty gesture. Elsewhere on Thursday, Celta nich’s red shirt with a penalty “It’s crucial, it can be the Vigo drew 1-1 at home to Es - in last Saturday’s 4-0 win over sort of little thing which makes panyol as Santi Mina scored a Cologne. the difference. You saw it with 90th-minute equaliser for Celta The Brazilian was outstand- Lewy and Philippe - it’s what to cancel out an opener from ing and feels “right at home we need and what we want.” Eibar’s Chilean forward Fabian Orellana (L) kicks the ball Adria Pedrosa. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 12 Verstappen outpaces Leclerc in Sochi Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set impressive pace in second practice session of Russian Grand Prix AFP | Sochi, Russia be favourites at any of the next six races, but that doesn’t mean ax Verstappen topped we can’t win,” Hamilton told the times for Red Bull reporters. Mahead of Ferrari’s “We know how fast Ferrari Charles Leclerc in yesterday’s KNOW WHAT have been on the straights. In second free practice for this the past three races, we have weekend’s Russian Grand Prix. been stuck behind and not able The two ‘new generation’ to get by. rivals, both 21, outpaced Valt- Max Verstappen has “At the moment, I would say teri Bottas and Lewis Hamil - two race wins so far these last three races -- we’ve ton of Mercedes, the team that this season probably not extracted 100 per has dominated all five previous cent on the weekend and that’s events held at the Sochi Auto- what we need to get back to. drom by the Black Sea. ing day punctuated by technical Extracting the maximum.” Dutchman Verstappen, who problems. Hamilton has won eight of the is set to take a five-place grid For the Mercedes team, the 15 races so far, but is without a penalty for using a new engine, two Friday sessions confirmed win in three since the European clocked a best lap in one minute their own prognosis that they summer break. and 33.162 seconds to outpace are lacking in the performance With a luxurious 65-point lead the in-form Monegasque driver, Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen competes during the second practice session advantage that has enabled them ahead of team-mate Bottas, he winner of the Belgian and Italian to reign supreme in Sochi since can win a sixth championship Grands Prix, by 0.335 seconds on Hamilton with Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari ahead of Pierry Gasly in Hulkenberg of Renault, Lance 2014 and also allowed them to with consistent podium finish- a cool and dry afternoon. who ended 13 months without a a Toro Rosso. Stroll in the second Racing Point dominate the first half of this es between Sochi and the final Bottas was six-tenths adrift win by triumphing in Singapore Sergio Perez was seventh and Red Bull new boy Alex Al- season. Grand Prix of the season in Abu in third just one-tenth ahead of last Sunday, fifth in the second for Racing Point ahead of Nico bon, who endured a frustrat- “I don’t think we are going to Dhabi.

Murray says playing Karachi’s wait goes on as ODI called off due to rain AP | Karachi affect any more matches of the only ‘top-70’ tennis series, and also allow the ground he 10-year wait for ODI staff ample time to prepare the Tcricket continues for Kara- National Stadium Karachi (NSK) after Zhuhai exit chi after the first one-day inter- outfield for the next fixture. national between Pakistan and Karachi hasn’t hosted an ODI ing surgery in January with a Sri Lanka was called off without in 10 years since Sri Lanka last Andy Murray three-set victory over Ameri- any play yesterday. played here in 2009. • can Tennys Sandgren. An unusual spell of monsoon It is the first time since Sri was knocked out by Murray said he was pleased rain in the southern port city Lanka’s team bus was attacked Alex de Minaur with aspects of his perfor - during this time of the year left in Lahore in 2009 that a foreign mance against 20-year-old the cricket ground completely team will conduct a two-week AFP | Beijing De Minaur and his hip was waterlogged. tour of Pakistan with Karachi fine, but admitted that he still Umpires called off the match hosting all three ODIs. lacked match fitness. at 4:30 PM local time with no A man walks amidst rain waters before ODI Cricket match between Pakistan vs Major teams have avoided Pa- ormer number one Andy “My feeling tonight was at chance of any play. Sri Lanka at the National Stadium in Karachi kistan since that ambush, which FMurray said he was playing points I played very well but The second match of the ODI condition in Karachi. match of the series was called killed eight people and injured only “top-70, top-60” tennis af- I was not able to sustain my series between Pakistan and Sri The decision was taken mu- off without a ball being bow several players. ter his bid to win a first singles level,” he said. Lanka has been rescheduled for tually by the Pakistan Crick- led. The ODI series will be fol - title since major hip surgery “I am not playing top-20, Monday instead of Sunday as a et Board (PCB) and Sri Lanka The rescheduling would make lowed by three Twenty20s at came to a premature end on top-30 tennis right now, I may- result of the ongoing weather Cricket (SLC) after the opening sure that the downpour does not Lahore. Thursday. be am playing only top-70, top- The flagging Briton lost over 60 level,” he added. three sets to the 31st-ranked “Physically I was struggling. Australian Alex de Minaur at I could play one or two good Vettel insists the Zhuhai Championships points, but then I was trying Sabalenka through to Wuhan finals in China. to finish the points a little bit Singapore row Murray, now 413 in the early and shot selection then AFP | Wuhan, China won’t sour Leclerc world, said afterwards that goes down when you’re tired.” for “the first time in my entire Murray will play the China eigning Wuhan Open relationship career I did not practise the Open in Beijing next week as Rchampion Aryna Sabalen- day before a match” -- part of a he ramps up his return, but ka said her yesterday semi-final AFP | Sochi new routine to wring the most admitted to AFP this week victory over world number one out of his creaking body. that he does not expect to re- Ashleigh Barty tastes sweeter our-time world cham- It did not bring a second capture the scintillating form than last year’s tournament win Fpion Sebastian Vettel victory in three days though that brought him three Grand after her tough journey on this insisted Thursday that his as De Minaur won 4-6, 6-2, Slams. year’s tour. Singapore Grand Prix victo- 6-4 in just over two-and-a-half Having enjoyed a day’s rest, The 21-year-old Belarusian ry will not sour his relation- hours. He plays fourth seed Murray started with intent power-hitter proved she was ship with Ferrari teammate Borna Coric from Croatia in against De Minaur but failed back in top form and well past Charles Leclerc, who saw the last eight. to get his serve firing consist- her slump as she dismissed Bar- his chances of a hat-trick The 32-year-old Murray on ently and clocked up two dou- ty 7-5, 6-4 in 103 minutes. of wins dashed by pit-lane Tuesday won his first ATP Tour ble faults as he surrendered his She fired 24 winners and strategy in the city state. singles match since career-sav- second service game. saved four of the five break Leclerc started on pole points she faced against Barty, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus hits a return against Ashleigh Barty of Australia last weekend but lost the who needed treatment for a left lead to Vettel thanks to a calf injury halfway through the the second two-time champion decision to use a tactical second set. alongside Kvitova –- Sabalenka ‘under-cut’. It was her 11th consecutive vows to battle until the last ball. It was Vettel’s first victory win in Wuhan and takes her It feels even better “I’ll be there for the fight. since Belgium in August of career record in China to 28-6. Doesn’t matter who is going to 2018. “It means a lot for me,” said than last year... This be there in the final,” she said. As Vettel looked ahead to the ninth-seeded Sabalenka, year it was a really Barty said she was not con- this Sunday’s Russian Grand who awaits either Petra Kvitova tough season for me. cerned about her calf injury, but Prix in Sochi, he said that or American Alison Riske in To get back on that conceded she would need to be he felt sympathy with Le- the final. level, it feels much vigilant during the tricky final clerc’s radio outburst after “It feels even better than last more enjoyable stretch of the season. the Monegasque driver was year... This year it was a real- It’s important at this time of denied victory. ly tough season for me. To get ARYNA SABALENKA the year to listen to your body,” Vettel revealed he spoke back on that level, it feels much said the 23-year-old Aussie. to Leclerc after the race and more enjoyable.” player to successfully defend “There were certain things I insisted their relationship Andy Murray hits a return Looking to become the first the Wuhan title –- and to be wasn’t able to do. will not sour.

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