Author: News Desk

Manama : Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, affirmed the Ministry’s commitment, in coordination with relevant authorities, to strengthening legislative and regulatory measures that support Bahrain’s industrial and commercial sectors while balancing economic development with environmental protection, in line with the Kingdom’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Ministerial Decision (7) of 2026 prohibits the manufacture, import, or use of single-use plastic bags less than 57 microns thick. The measure falls under the National Waste Management Strategy and aligns with international environmental best practices to promote sustainable practices and reduce plastic waste. The minister clarified that…

Manama : The Deputy King, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, today chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace. The Cabinet commended His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s address at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, held at the invitation of Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, affirming the Kingdom’s steadfast stance on peace. The Cabinet highlighted the importance of HM the King’s address that affirmed Bahrain’s firm commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflict and to strengthening relations between countries, religions, and peoples based on dialogue, mutual respect…

Vienna : At least five people have been killed in a string of avalanches in western Austria, authorities said Saturday. The government office of the Tyrol region said intense snowfall over the last week led to accumulations of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet). Combined with windy conditions and weak snowpack below, the conditions were especially susceptible to avalanches, it said. Tyrol police said five off-piste skiers were caught up in a nearly 450 meter- (about 490 yards) wide avalanche Friday afternoon in the St. Anton am Arlberg area at an altitude of about 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet). An…

Beijing : China’s National Meteorological Centre renewed a blue alert for a cold wave as the country braces for cold fronts. Temperatures are expected to fall by 6 to 10 degrees Celsius on February 22 and 23, across regions including north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the northeast China provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning, as well as Jiangsu Province in east China. In parts of Heilongjiang and Jilin, temperatures could plummet by more than 12 degrees Celsius. The centre urged relevant departments to prepare for both the cold wave and strong winds, while also implementing protective measures for tropical…

Berlin :Alexander Dobrindt, German Interior Minister, plans to speed up the integration of asylum seekers into the labour market with a new “immediate work plan”, according to DPA. Dobrindt said: “People who come here should be able to work and quickly,” he said, adding that the best form of integration is into the workforce. Under the plan, asylum seekers could be allowed to work after three months in Germany, even if their asylum process is not yet complete. According to the Federal Employment Agency, permission to take up employment can currently be granted to asylum seekers and individuals tolerated if…

Manama : Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) concluded six days of Formula 1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2026 with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc recording the fastest overall time. Leclerc clocked 1:31.992 in his Ferrari SF-26 during the final afternoon session under lights, the quickest lap of the tests and the only time under 1:32.000. The session concluded with a practice start along BIC’s main straight ahead of the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026, scheduled for April 10–12. Leclerc completed 132 laps on the final day and finished 0.879 seconds ahead of reigning Formula 1 Drivers’ World Champion Lando Norris, who took…

Washington : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa participated in the first meeting of the Board of Peace, held in Washington, DC, at the invitation of His Excellency Donald Trump, President of the United States of America. A number of heads of state and senior officials, as well as representatives of countries and international organisations, also attended. HE President Trump opened the meeting by thanking the leaders for their participation. His Excellency said the situation in Gaza is complex and that achieving peace requires genuine collective efforts and strong political will. HE the US President emphasised that nothing…

Manama : The Deputy King, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, today visited the majlises of the Al Asfoor family, Faisal Hassan Jawad, and the late Ali bin Yousif Fakhro. The Deputy King highlighted that the Kingdom’s accomplishments across various sectors are driven by the Kingdom’s comprehensive development, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. His Royal Highness expressed his pride in Team Bahrain, which brings together both the public and private sectors, for their relentless efforts and unwavering dedication in driving forward the Kingdom’s far-reaching ambitions. His Royal Highness also stressed the importance…

Kabul : The United Nations World Food Programme has warned that Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most severe hunger crises. John Aylieff, Afghanistan Country Director for the United Nations’ World Food Programme said, “We have a catastrophic nutritional crisis on our hands with two-thirds of the country at a very serious or crisis level for acute malnutrition. This is the highest surge in malnutrition ever recorded in the country. And the lives of 4 million children are hanging in the balance.” The situation is compounded by a moribund economy, a severe drought, two devastating earthquakes in late 2025 and…

Washington : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hosted a reception in Washington, DC, following the Ramadhan iftar. The reception was part of His Majesty’s current visit to the United States to participate in the first meeting of the Board of Peace at the invitation of His Excellency Donald Trump, the President of the US. The reception was attended by His Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, Advisor to the US President. Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council states, senior US administration officials, members of…