Batelco profits down after exit from India



Batelco Group has reported an 8 per cent decline in net profits after its exit from India and subsequent drop in its mobile-subscriber base.

The Bahrain telecommunications firm reported profits of 16.1 million Bahrani dinars ($42.7 million) in the first quarter of 2012, compared with 17.5 million dinars during the same period last year.

A drop in mobile subscribers was partly to blame for the lower profits.

Batelco said in February it had sold its stake in India's STel, after the Indian operator's licences, along those of several other firms, were revoked in an ongoing corruption scandal.

That contributed to a 40 per cent decline in Batelco Group's mobile customers during the first quarter, compared with the previous quarter.

Excluding the STel divestment, Batelco Group saw a 9 per cent drop in mobile subscribers during the period, it said.

Batelco, which has operations in six countries, reported revenues of 78.0 million Bahraini dinars ($206.9 million) for the first three months of the year, down 4 per cent from the same period last year.

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FIXTURES

New Zealand v France, second Test
Saturday, 12.35pm (UAE)
Auckland, New Zealand

South Africa v Wales
Sunday, 12.40am (UAE), San Juan, Argentina

Racecard
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Second ODI

England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)

England win by 86 runs

Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley 

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  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
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  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.

If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).

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Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Director: Kangana Ranaut

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From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases

A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.

One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait,  Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.

In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.

The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.

And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.