Gulf Daily News Wednesday, 28th January 2015 Email: [email protected] 3 l Two injured after bullets hit Dubai plane... By RAJI UNNIKRISHNAN BAHRAIN’S national carrier cancelled its flight to Baghdad yesterday after a Flydubai plane, carrying 154 passengers, was shot at while landing in the Iraqi capital. Gulf Air is “monitoring” the security situation in Iraq and could suspend its two other flights this week – scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday – over security concerns, however, no decision has been made. Suspects It follows reports of two passengers, including a young girl, suffering minor injuries when three or four bullets hit the body of a Flydubai plane as it was landing at Baghdad International Airport on Monday night. Iraqi authorities have rounded up suspects in farmlands south of the airport, which sits on the city’s western outskirts. However, it was not clear whether the shooting was intentional as celebratory gunfire into the air is common in Iraq. Gulf Air, which operates three weekly flights to the Iraqi capital – on Tuesday, Gulf Air cancels after shooting Thursday and Saturday – said its decision on suspending its other flights would depend on the security situation in Baghdad. “In light of recent events in Iraq, Gulf Air can confirm the cancellation of flight GF201 which was scheduled to depart Bahrain yesterday to Baghdad due to security concerns,” said a statement. “The airline is monitoring the security situation around Baghdad International Airport and working closely with airport and security officials in the Iraqi capital. “Gulf Air is wholly committed to the safety and security of its passengers and crew.” However, an airline spokeswoman confirmed their daily flights to Najaf was not affected. “We will decide on the flights scheduled [to Baghdad] in the coming days after monitoring the security situation, which we are doing continuously,” she told the GDN. Kuwait freezes assets of former AUB chairman KUWAITI authorities have reportedly issued orThe newspaper also stated that Mr Al Rajaan ders to freeze the property and assets of the for- planned to challenge allegations of wrongdoing mer head of a Bahraini bank. and seek to lift the asset freeze. The GDN reported yesterday that Neither Mr Al Rajaan nor repreformer Ahli United Bank (AUB) sentatives of AUB could be reached chairman Fahad Al Rajaan had refor comment yesterday. signed from his position for “personMr Al Rajaan was listed among al reasons”. the 500 most powerful Arabs in the However, Kuwaiti newspaper Al world in 2013 and had served as Jarida has claimed that Kuwait’s chairman of AUB since 2000. Public Prosecution has issued orders He is also chairman of Wafra Into freeze his property and assets, as vestment Advisory Group, Kuwait; well as those of his relatives. Ahli United Bank, Egypt; United It said Mr Al Rajaan was wanted Bank of Kuwait, London; and Kufor questioning over allegations of wait Real Estate Investment Consorfinancial misconduct at the Kuwait tium. n Mr Al Rajaan Social Security Department, where He is also director-general of Pubhe was formerly director-general. lic Institute for Social Security, Kuwait. Young musicians show off skills THE 16th annual BSME Young Musicians of the Gulf competition began at St Christopher’s School yesterday. A total of 111 of the region’s top young music talents are taking part in the three-day event. Soloists, aged seven to 18, performed on the opening day. Three music experts from the UK have flown in to judge the competition. They are conductor and examiner Richard Dickins, conductor Christopher Adey and flautist and teacher Atarah Ben-Tobin. Performances ranged from instrumental pieces on cello, flute, piano, tabla and violin and included vocal renditions from Carmen and more classical pieces. “The judges were extremely impressed by the high standard of performances in the first round,” said deputy head of senior school Steve Keeble. Twenty-five musicians, including last year’s winner and runner-up, qualified for the second round and will perform again at St Christopher’s, Isa Town, today for a place in the semi-final, which will also be held today at the school’s Saar campus at 7pm. The 25 ensembles will perform for the judges tomorrow morning. The grand finale will be held tomorrow at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa Hotel starting at 7pm. The contest is being sponsored by Euro Motors. The competition, which has grown into a premier music event for young people in the region, was inaugurated by St Christopher’s School in 1998. Ten schools from Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Doha and Bahrain are taking part in the contest. For ticket details for the final, call 17788101 or 17598600. “Gulf Air is taking the Aviation Authority. “An investigation is unnecessary precautions while “After landing at Baghdad derway to establish what working closely with govern- International Airport on Jan- happened.” ment and airport authorities in uary 26, 2015, damage to the Iraq briefly suspended air Iraq to prepare for all eventu- aircraft fuselage consistent traffic on Monday, but most alities. with small arms fire was dis- flights resumed yesterday “However, daily flights to covered on Flydubai flight morning. Najaf remain unaffected.” FZ 215,” said a Flydubai The GDN previously reFlydubai, operated by bud- spokesman. ported that Bahrain resumed get carrier Dubai Aviation “All the passengers disem- flights to Iraq in 2012 after Corporation, suspended all barked normally through the jet its decision to suspend operits flights to Iraq along with bridge. ations to Iran and Iraq over a Emirates Airlines, Air Arabia “Passengers from Baghdad political dispute in Decem1/27/15 11:27ber AM 2011. and EtihadMalibu-FastTrack-GDN-QP-H18x12.7W.pdf Airways following to Dubai were 1accommodated a directive from UAE’s Civil on a replacement aircraft. [email protected]
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