Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz shakes hands with Bahrain Defence Force commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, in Manama on February 3. Israel Defence Ministry / AFP
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz shakes hands with Bahrain Defence Force commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, in Manama on February 3. Israel Defence Ministry / AFP
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz shakes hands with Bahrain Defence Force commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, in Manama on February 3. Israel Defence Ministry / AFP
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz shakes hands with Bahrain Defence Force commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, in Manama on February 3. Israel Defence Ministry / A

Bahrain confirms posting of Israeli officer to kingdom


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Bahrain confirmed on Saturday an Israeli officer will be stationed in the country.

The officer’s posting is related to the work of an international coalition of more than 34 countries, Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the state news agency.

The ministry said the coalition, which it did not name, was tasked with securing freedom of navigation in the territorial waters of the region, protecting international trade and confronting piracy and terrorism.

The ministry’s statement followed media reports that Israel would send a naval officer to an official posting in Bahrain, the first time an Israeli military officer has been posted to an Arab country.

Bahrain and Israel signed a security co-operation agreement during a visit to the kingdom by Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz on February 3.

The Israeli Defence Ministry said the pact "will support any future co-operation in the areas of intelligence, mil-to-mil (military to military), industrial collaboration and more".

Bahrain hosts the Fifth Fleet's headquarters as well as some operations for Centcom, the US military co-ordination umbrella organisation for the Middle East that Israel joined last year.

Bahrain, along with the UAE, established ties with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega

Director: Tim Burton

Rating: 3/5

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Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

How to get there

Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
 

Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')

Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MAIN CARD

Bantamweight 56.4kg
Abrorbek Madiminbekov v Mehdi El Jamari

Super heavyweight 94 kg
Adnan Mohammad v Mohammed Ajaraam

Lightweight 60kg
Zakaria Eljamari v Faridoon Alik Zai

Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Mahmood Amin v Taha Marrouni

Light welterweight 64.5kg
Siyovush Gulmamadov v Nouredine Samir

Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Ilyass Habibali v Haroun Baka

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

LIST OF INVITEES

Shergo Kurdi (am) 
Rayhan Thomas
Saud Al Sharee (am)
Min Woo Lee
Todd Clements
Matthew Jordan
AbdulRahman Al Mansour (am)
Matteo Manassero
Alfie Plant
Othman Al Mulla
Shaun Norris

MATCH INFO

What: Brazil v South Korea
When: Tonight, 5.30pm
Where: Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae

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Updated: February 12, 2022, 7:57 AM