Author: News Desk

Manama : Yousif bin Abdulhussain Khalaf, Minister of Labour and Minister of Legal Affairs, received Dr. Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University (AGU). The minister highlighted the university’s role in preparing national competencies and underscored the importance of cooperation between educational institutions and relevant entities to support professional development in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting also emphasised the importance of continuing joint efforts to support initiatives aimed at enhancing national capabilities and meeting the evolving needs of the labour market.

Beijing : The death toll from the gas explosion that occurred last Friday at the Liushenyui coal mine in Qinyuan County, Shanxi Province in northern China, has risen to 82, while nine others remain missing, the county’s emergency management office announced. Local authorities deployed rescue teams and medical personnel numbering 755 people to the site to continue ongoing search and rescue operations. 123 people were transferred to hospitals to receive necessary medical care, including two in critical condition and two in serious condition, while 33 people were able to leave hospital and return home after their health conditions stabilised. The…

Montreal : British driver George Russell of Mercedes claimed first place in the sprint race for the Canadian Grand Prix, the fifth round of the Formula One World Championship, held at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal, Canada. Russell completed the 23 laps of the race while maintaining the lead position from which he started, finishing ahead of compatriot and reigning world champion Lando Norris of McLaren, who came second, while Mercedes’ young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli finished third after an intense and exciting battle with his British team-mate that saw him go off the track more than once. With…

Montreal : Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes set the fastest time in free practice for the Canadian Grand Prix, part of the Formula 1 World Championship, held on Friday at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Antonelli, 19, recorded a best lap of 1m 13.402s, continuing his strong form this season and giving Mercedes a promising start after introducing their first major upgrade package. His British team mate George Russell finished second, 0.142 seconds behind, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton placed third ahead of team mate Charles Leclerc. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing finished fifth, while McLaren’s Lando Norris was sixth, followed…

Manama : Ebrahim bin Hassan Al Hawaj, Minister of Works, reviewed progress on the Isa Town North Junction development project during an inspection visit. The project aims to improve traffic flow and road connectivity between several key areas, including Riffa, A’ali, Sanad, Salmabad, and Isa Town. Al Hawaj said the project will increase the junction’s capacity to more than 160,000 vehicles per day upon completion, helping to reduce congestion, particularly on Shaikh Salman Highway. The project includes the construction of a three-lane flyover in each direction, upgrades to the ground-level junction, and related works including drainage, road paving, pavement development,…

Prague : Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underscored the GCC member states’ commitment to enhancing global security, stability, development, and prosperity in cooperation with regional and international partners amid rapid geopolitical developments and growing security and economic challenges. Speaking during a panel session on GCC-European strategic relations at the GLOBSEC Global Security Forum 2026 in Prague, Albudaiwi said the GCC General Secretariat’s participation reflects its commitment to strengthening communication and exchanging views with international partners, decision-makers, and experts in support of regional and international security. He noted that the GCC states continue diplomatic efforts…

Baku : The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning participated in specialised sessions during the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, to review Bahrain’s housing and urban planning programmes. Ahmed Kamel Ahmed Al Sharaf, Director of Developer Affairs Relations at the ministry, presented the Government Land Development Programme (GLDP) during a session organised by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) General Secretariat. He said the programme includes seven projects aimed at delivering more than 4,000 housing units between 2024 and 2027 through partnerships with the private sector. Al Sharaf also reviewed Bahrain’s urban planning and housing financing programmes, including…

Mexico City :   The European Union (EU) and Mexico are set to sign an updated trade and cooperation agreement aimed at reducing trade barriers and expanding economic and political cooperation. The agreement updates a 2000 pact and includes areas related to climate change, human rights, and international cooperation. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the agreement goes beyond trade and reflects efforts to strengthen partnership amid global uncertainty. Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs Roberto Velasco described the agreement as the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations. Annual trade between the two sides is estimated at around…

Manama : The General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) announced that all its services and units are at the highest levels of readiness and full defensive preparedness. The General Command expressed pride in the advanced combat readiness and high vigilance demonstrated by its personnel in carrying out their national duties to defend the Kingdom and safeguard its achievements. It urged the public to exercise caution regarding any unfamiliar or suspicious objects resulting from attacks, and to avoid approaching or handling them. The General Command affirmed that personnel of the Royal Field Engineering Unit remain fully prepared to safely…

Abu Dhabi :  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) welcomed a resolution adopted by the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) during its 111th session addressing threats to maritime safety in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The resolution, proposed by the UAE and co-sponsored by several member states, expressed grave concern over Iran’s use of drones, missiles, and sea mines, and the resulting threats to safe navigation and seafarers. According to the resolution, Iranian attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 11 seafarers and left more than 20,000 stranded. The resolution stressed the importance of maintaining…