TWITTER SPORTS @newsofbahrain OP-ED 8 Questions must be asked about Tehran’s role in suppressing protests in Iraq INSTAGRAM Messi shines in Barca /nobmedia 22 Christmas stroll LINKEDIN SUNDAY newsofbahrain DECEMBER 2019 Barcelona go into the brief 210 FILS WHATSAPP Spanish winter break 38444692 ISSUE NO. 8333 on top of La Liga after a glittering show from FACEBOOK /nobmedia Lionel Messi helped the defending champions beat MAIL [email protected] Alaves 4-1 on Saturday. WEBSITE P15 newsofbahrain.com Hilary Duff bashes paparazzi for following her children everywhere 14 CELEBS WORLD 6 North Korea warns US could ‘pay dearly’ for rights criticism Call to remove stickers Manama he General Directorate Tof Traffic has expressed thanks and appreciation to drivers who followed the traffic rules while marking the national celebrations in all governorates, and their co-operation that contrib- uted to the success of the traffic plans. Protest anniversary It highlighted that the Embassy denies asking permission period for stick- ing posters and images on Pakistan to skip summit cars had ended and called to remove them. Islamabad he Saudi Embassy in 33 militants Pakistan yesterday de- The brotherly killed in Mali Tnied a claim that the relations between Kingdom had exerted pressure the countries are Paris on Islamabad to dissuade it long standing and from participating in the Kuala strategic based on rench forces have killed 33 Lumpur Summit. trust, understanding Fmilitants in an operation The claim was published in Mali, according to Presi- and aired by various media and mutual respect. dent Emmanuel Macron. outlets in the country. SAUDI ARABIA Mr Macron made the an- “The Royal Embassy of nouncement on a visit to Ivo- Saudi Arabia in Pakistan de- tween the countries are long ry Coast, where he reiterat- nied the information and fake standing and strategic based ed France’s commitment to news broadcast by some me- on trust, understanding and fighting jihadists in the region. dia channels, claiming that mutual respect, and the two It comes weeks after 13 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia countries enjoy a consensus French troops died in a heli- pressurised and threatened of views on most regional and copter collision in Mali in the Pakistan to refrain from par- international issues, especially biggest single-day loss of life ticipating in the Kuala Lumpur the issues of the Islamic na- for its military since the 1980s. Summit,” said the statement. tion,” the statement contin- The statement added that ued, adding that the two sides Sudanese protesters cheer after arriving from the capital Khartoum to the town of Atbara to celebrate the anniversary the relations between Saudi had complete agreement on of the uprising that toppled Omar Al Bashir. Waving national flags and chanting slogans, marchers vowed to press on Arabia and Pakistan were cor- the idea of Muslim unity and with the political transition that stemmed from the protests. The United States yesterday dropped Sudan from its list dial and did not require use of maintaining the role of the Or- of nations that severely violate religious freedoms, signalling increased support for Sudan’s newly created transitional threatening language. ganisation of Islamic Cooper- government. In a statement, the US State Department said it upgraded Sudan to a special watch list for religious “The brotherly relations be- ation (OIC). freedom, citing “significant steps taken by the civilian-led transitional government.” DON’T MISS IT Work on Shaikh Zayed Highway 02 Development Project ‘underway’ Tough talks begin National Lebanon PM-designate begins tough talks to form govt campaign on “Lebanon is in intensive care,” 03 way to Mr Diab was prime minister-designate Has- combat ‘rising • san Diab told reporters after designate prime All political sides are in meeting several political leaders diabetic cases’ minister on Thursday line with my proposal on Saturday. with backing from the “All (political) sides are in line ‘Future for a government of Iran-backed Hizbollah, independents and with my (proposal) for a gov- Profession’ ernment of independents and Amal and Bassil’s FPM. experts, including experts, including Hizbollah,” 04 project is Hizbollah. he said. reviewed Beirut Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with Mr Diab in Beirut. MR DIAB Mr Diab, a 60-year-old engi- neering professor and self-styled ebanon’s prime minis- are warming up to a line-up of wide protests. ties to the country’s sectarian technocrat, said he is hoping to 210 fils (includes VAT) ter-designate yesterday independent experts. Demonstrators are demand- parties. set up a 20-member government Llaunched consultations Debt-burdened Lebanon has ing an overhaul of the politi - But Shiite groups Amal and within four to six weeks. to form a desperately-needed been without a fully functioning cal establishment which they Hizbollah have been demand- He said he would start talks government for a protest-hit government since former prime deem corrupt and inept, insist- ing a government that includes with representatives of the pop- country facing economic col- minister Saad Hariri resigned on ing on a government of inde - representatives of established ular movement on Sunday to lapse, saying political leaders October 29 in the face of nation- pendents and experts with no parties. form such a government. NOW ONLY IN CITY CENTRE GET % BACK 50 ON EVERYTHING BAHRAIN City Centre Bahrain Tel: +973 17556002 www.homesrusgroup.com AS GIFT VOUCHER ON A SPEND OF BHD 10 AND ABOVE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2019 02 Work on Shaikh Zayed Highway Development Project ‘underway’ Upon completion, the highway’s capacity is estimated at 53,000 vehicles per day (BHD23.4m) Shaikh Zayed High- The key project will way extension project in the • Kingdom last June. contribute to reducing The project was launched traffic congestion in following an agreement signing both Salmabad and A’ali. ceremony between Bahrain’s Minister of Works, Municipal The development Affairs, and Urban Planning, • Essam Khalaf and representa- of the key artery will tives of the UAE firm, as well as include the diversion the UAE Ambassador to Bahrain, and protection of Shaikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin ground services. Zayed Al Nahyan. The UAE’s state-held news agency, Wam, reported that the Manama project, which is funded byAbu Dhabi Fund for Development, is ork on Shaikh Zayed a part of the Gulf Development Highway Develop- Programme. Mr Khalaf signs the agreement. (file picture) The first phase of the project was launched last August. Wment Project, which Mr Khalaf said the project began last August, is progressing bin Salman Highway. enue and Avenue 36 in A’ali. addressing traffic jams in front was a “key part” of the country’s according to schedule, Assistant Four roundabouts along the She pointed out that the high- of the driving school in A’ali and efforts to improve its road net- Undersecretary for Roads at Shaikh Zayed Highway will also way’s capacity is estimated at Bahrain National Stadium. work, adding that it would help the Works, Municipalities Af- be converted into intersections 53,000 vehicles per day in the The development of the key reduce traffic congestion. fairs and Urban Planning, Huda with traffic lights with the pro- two directions and that 2,800 artery will include the diversion Phase 1 of the project will see Fakhro, said. ject also including lighting work, vehicles use the highway during 60 and protection of ground ser- streets being expanded to three She said that the expansion roadblocks, traffic signs, revamp- the morning peak hour, 3,500 per cent is the expected vices, the development of the lanes in both directions, in ad- ing the asphalt layers, beautifi- in the afternoon peak hour and reduction in waiting time rainwater drainage network on of the Shaikh Zayed Highway is at intersections upon the dition to street renovation ac- one of the most important stra- cation and landscaping as well 3,200 in the evening peak hour. completion of the project. the road and surrounding areas tivities. tegic projects on Bahrain’s main as rainwater drainage, she noted. She indicated that by 2030, the as well as executing the imple- New traffic lights and signs, road network, noting that the She added that the Works highway’s capacity will increase mentation of a sewage station roadblocks, lighting, landscap- first phase of the project features Ministry had already started es- to 100,000 vehicles per day, with and sewage transmission light to ing, and rainwater drainage will the expansion of the highway to tablishing a rainwater drainage an average of 5,400 vehicles dur- serve the Ramli Housing Project. also be installed. three lanes in both directions network on the 16 December ing the morning peak hour, 6,700 to reducing traffic congestion in Bahrain’s Ministry of Works, Mr Khalaf had said wait - from December 16 Highway Highway, in addition to sewage during the afternoon peak hour both Salmabad and A’ali as well Municipal Affairs, and Urban ing times at its intersections to Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman network, noting that temporary and 6,100 during the evening as facilitate access to them, while Planning, along with UAE-based would also be reduced by 60 Highway and from the western diversion roads are being built peak hour. also easing access to the Edu- Western Bainoona Group, per cent once roadworks are roundabout of A’ali to Shaikh Isa between the Shaikh Salman Av- The key project will contribute cational Area in Isa Town and launched Phase 1 of the $62m completed. UAE Exchange Bahrain actively participated as the Diamond Sponsor in the two day “Bijoy Mela- Bangladesh fair” organised as a fundraising programme for Bangladesh School on 19th and 20th December.