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02 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2018 S Jayaraj, senior electrical engineer at the Ministry of Works, won the first prize in the photography competition held in connection with the Indian School Mega Fair 2018. The competition was held in association with Nikon Ashrafs. There were around 400 entries on the topic Daily Life in Bahrain and the winner was selected from a short list of 34 participants, said ISB Secretary Saji Antony. Mr Jayaraj who hails from the Indian state of Kerala received the first prize –a Nikon Camera- at the Mega Fair finale. Above, Mr Jayaraj receives the award, and, right, the picture taken by Mr Jayaraj. Photo contest winner Somalia blasts condemned 15 persons were killed in twin explosions that hit Mogadishu • The Foreign Ministry affirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with Somalia and firm rejection of all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism. Manama B ahrain condemned the twin terrorist bombings that took place near the Presidential Palace area in So- malia, resulting in the death and injury of a number of people, including security personnel. The Foreign Ministry ex- tended its deep condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery. It affirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with Somalia and firm rejection of all forms of violence, extrem- ism, and terrorism, calling for international concerted efforts to end terrorism and its funding. The death toll from a double car bomb attack yesterday in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, has risen to 15, a security official said. Twenty others were injured, according to the official, Ibrahim Jama. The blasts occurred in central Mogadishu, near the National Theatre, the presidential palace and the Daljirka Dah- son monument. Plumes of smoke rose over the streets, and a heavy police presence was reported in the area. Al Shabaab, a mili- tant group linked to al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement posted on affiliated websites. A suicide bomber drove a car filled with explosives to the gate of the presidential palace and killed presidential guards, the state- ment said. The mastermind behind the twin attack was detained by the country’s National Intelligence Agency, officials said on Twitter. Senior journalist Awil Dahir Salad was among several staff members of London-based Universal Somali TV who were killed, according to the station. The blasts are the latest in a series to hit the capital. Somalia has been a regular focus of US counterterror ef- forts. US airstrikes targeting Al- Shabaab have killed 62 militants in the East African nation this month, US Africa Command said Monday. The United States re-estab- lished a permanent diplomatic presence in Somalia at the start of December, citing the coun- try’s progress in recent years. It had closed its embassy in Mog- adishu in 1991. Youth role lauded • The Speaker paid tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, hailing royal care and support to young people in the Kingdom of Bahrain. • Separately, she hailed the decision which was taken by the Albanian authorities to expel two Iranian diplomats for their involvement in illegal activities. Manama C ouncil of Representa- tives Speaker Fawziya Zainal has hailed the contributions of youth in the Kingdom towards nation de- velopment. She made the statement as she attended a ceremony held by East Riffa Club, under the auspices of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Sal- man bin Hamad Al-Khalifa marking Bahrain’s national days. The Speaker paid tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, hailing royal care and support to young people in the Kingdom of Bahrain. She underlined the keenness and resolve of the Council of Representatives to achieve Bahraini people’s aspirations and support all social seg- ments, particularly youngsters, through laws and legislations that bolster their participation in all fields. She said was honoured to be the first woman to chair the East Riffa Club’s Cultural and Social Committee for four years. She extended thanks to His Majesty the King’s Represent- ative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Coun- cil for Youth and Sports (SCYS) Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and SCYS First Deputy Chairman and Head of Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA) HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Separately, she hailed the de- cision which was taken by the Albanian authorities to expel two Iranian diplomats for their involvement in illegal activities. “These illegal activities re- flect the persistence of the Ira- nian regime in damaging coun- tries and peoples’ interests and backing terror groups in many parts of the world”, she said. She stressed the necessity of confronting Iran in all arenas and at all levels, slamming Teh- ran regime’s support to extrem- ism and terrorism. She called on the interna- tional community to oblige the Iranian regime to respect the sovereignty and independence of other countries, refrain from interfering in their internal af- fairs and comply with the prin- ciples governing international relations and good neighbour- liness and commit to regional and international security, sta- bility and peace. “The Albanian decision re- flects the exasperation of the international community with the Iranian blatant violations of the international law,” the Speaker said. She said hat Bahrain has long warned against the Iranian pol- icies, urging Arab and Islamic united parliamentary stance against Tehran’s blatant inter- ference, subversion of security and stability and support to ter- rorist groups. Ms Zainal
