The organisers of the Bahrain Grand Prix are expected to advise the FIA today whether they feel capable of hosting a rescheduled Formula One race this season.
Yesterday, they released a non-committal statement that said the race could return "in the very near future".
The race was originally scheduled for March 13 but was postponed following unrest in the country. The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, the world motorsports governing body, issued a deadline of May 1 for the country's crown prince, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to decide whether he wanted to request that the race be reinstated to the calendar.
In a written statement released yesterday, Zayed Rashid al Zayani, the chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, stopped short of requesting the race take place this season.
"We gratefully acknowledge the understanding of Formula One Management and the FIA in what have been difficult times," he said. "We also thank the continued support of the international motorsport community and Formula One fans around the world.
"Clearly our national priority is to find a resolution to the difficulties that the kingdom of Bahrain has experienced. The national situation has moved on in a positive manner, the situation is evolving all the time …
"Bahrain's grand prix is a time of celebration and hosting the race is a source of great pride for Bahrain and Bahrainis. It is a showcase to the world and we look forward to welcoming the teams and drivers and everyone involved in Formula One back to Bahrain in the very near future."
Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One chief, had indicated last week that the deadline could be extended. He was quoted in yesterday's statement as saying that "Bahrain's commitment to Formula One has been clear from the very outset".
Ecclestone added: "While obviously the kingdom has had to put its national affairs first, I have never been in any doubt that restoring the … Bahrain Grand Prix has been of paramount importance.
"In eight years with my relationship with Bahrain I have always been confident that they will produce something special."
Most Formula One teams believe that if Bahrain is to rejoin the calendar, it would involve extending the season. As it stands, the 19-race championship is due to end on November 27 in Brazil and with all remaining races already selling tickets, the room for movement is limited.
There are free weekends either side of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 17, with India due to host its inaugural race on October 30 and Brazil's race at Interlagos a month later, but racing three consecutive weekends would be unprecedented.
Mohammed bin Sulayem, the Emirati vice president of the FIA's World Motor Sports Council, earlier this year told The National that while in previous years the two Middle East grands prix have deliberately been at either ends of the calendar to maximise exposure, organisers of the UAE race at Yas Marina Circuit would not object to Bahrain being held at the end of the season this year.
"This is an emergency and in an emergency we need to work together," he said.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
Spider-Man%202
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
Kandahar%20
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Racecard
6pm: The Pointe - Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.35pm: Palm West Beach - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (T) 1,800m
7.10pm: The View at the Palm - Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.45pm: Nakeel Graduate Stakes - Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
8.20pm: Club Vista Mare - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,900m
8.55pm: The Palm Fountain - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
9.30pm: The Palm Tower - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m
Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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Race%20card
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