Bahrain School Holds Graduation Ceremony on F1 Circuit

Seniors of Bahrain's fee-paying Bayan School get a graduation to remember despite the coronavirus, with a "drive-through" ceremony at the kingdom's Formula One circuit | AFP
Seniors of Bahrain's fee-paying Bayan School get a graduation to remember despite the coronavirus, with a "drive-through" ceremony at the kingdom's Formula One circuit | AFP
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Bahrain School Holds Graduation Ceremony on F1 Circuit

Seniors of Bahrain's fee-paying Bayan School get a graduation to remember despite the coronavirus, with a "drive-through" ceremony at the kingdom's Formula One circuit | AFP
Seniors of Bahrain's fee-paying Bayan School get a graduation to remember despite the coronavirus, with a "drive-through" ceremony at the kingdom's Formula One circuit | AFP

As coronavirus bans wreak havoc on school-leaving events, one Bahrain school has honored its seniors with a "drive-through" graduation ceremony complete with fireworks at the kingdom's Formula One circuit.

In rows of well-spaced vehicles, students and their families lined up Wednesday evening in front of the main podium of Bahrain International Circuit, where Grand Prix races are held.

This year's race was postponed as the pandemic threw the racing calendar into chaos, but the venue was repurposed to bid farewell to the Bahrain Bayan School graduates.

One by one the 82 seniors, dressed in traditional gowns and caps with the new addition of face masks, left their car to receive their degrees, to the backing of shouts of encouragement from their relatives.

Before reaching the podium, they passed through a sterilization gate and waited in socially distanced marked bays before greeting the school principal -- from a two-meter distance -- and briefly taking off their masks for a photo.

Families still in the cars waved the Gulf kingdom's national flag and held placards congratulating their offspring, before fireworks lit up the sky in a finale.

Bahrain, with a population of some 1.5 million, half of them expats, has reported 16,200 coronavirus cases including 32 deaths.

The kingdom closed schools and universities as part of a nationwide shutdown to prevent the spread of the pandemic.



Diallo Goal Seals 2-2 Draw for Man United against Liverpool

Manchester United's Amad Diallo reacts at the end of the English Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP)
Manchester United's Amad Diallo reacts at the end of the English Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP)
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Diallo Goal Seals 2-2 Draw for Man United against Liverpool

Manchester United's Amad Diallo reacts at the end of the English Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP)
Manchester United's Amad Diallo reacts at the end of the English Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP)

Amad Diallo's late equalizer secured a 2-2 draw for Manchester United against Premier League leader Liverpool on Sunday.

The forward turned home Alejandro Garnacho's cross in the 80th minute at Anfield after Mohamed Salah's penalty had looking like giving Liverpool the win.

United led through Lisandro Martinez's strike in the 52nd, but Cody Gakpo leveled seven minutes later.

Salah fired Liverpool ahead from the spot in the 70th after Matthijs de Ligt handled in the box.

Late drama Raul Jimenez scored a 91st-minute penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw for Fulham against Ipswich.

It was Jimenez's second penalty of the match as Fulham twice came from a goal down at Craven Cottage.

Relegation-fighting Ipswich went ahead through Sam Szmodics in the 38th and Jimenez leveled from the spot in the 69th.

Ipswich went in front again through Liam Delap's penalty in the 71st and looked like climbing out of the relegation zone.

But when Jimenez was brought down by Leif Davis in the box, referee Darren Bond pointed to the spot again.

Jimenez made no mistake and fired into the top corner to share the points.

Fulham is ninth and six points off the top four, while Ipswich is 18th and below Wolverhampton on goal difference, having played a game more.