Author: News Desk

Manama : Following the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) announced the launch of a loan deferral and liquidity support program, including a set of measures to support Bahrain’s economy and the financial sector.  Retail banks and financing companies will offer customers the option to defer loan installments and credit card payments, including principal and interest, for three months, with the deferral option applicable to both individuals and corporates. These institutions will have the flexibility to postpone the classification of loans for affected…

Gaza : A UAE medical aid convoy entered the Gaza Strip as part of the United Arab Emirates’ ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian people and alleviate their humanitarian suffering, within the framework of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3. The convoy comprises eight trucks carrying 53 tonnes of medical aid, including medicines, medical equipment, supplies, and medical furniture, contributing to strengthening the capacity of healthcare facilities to continue providing treatment services amid the difficult humanitarian and health conditions in the sector. The aid supports the UAE field hospital in Rafah and the UAE medical centre in Khan Younis, in addition to…

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held a meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.  His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, was present. His Majesty the King welcomed HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and highlighted the longstanding ties between the two countries, built on a history of close cooperation and established relations, which stand as a model for relations among neighbouring states. His Majesty affirmed that the UAE has, across various stages, maintained its role as a key…

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, upon his arrival on a visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister; Their Highnesses the sons of His Majesty the King, and senior officials were also present.

Manama : In light of the continued review of the progress of educational processes across all public and private educational institutions, and following the previously announced temporary precautionary measures, the Ministry of Education announced a further update to these processes.  This follows earlier updates, which included allowing early education institutions (nurseries and kindergartens) to optionally resume operations, the optional resumption, at the discretion of parents, of educational services provided to students with disabilities enrolled in public and private schools, and the introduction of a flexible assessment system for students associated with international qualifications. The update expands to include public and…

Manama : Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah), the real estate arm of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat), is commencing public beach enhancement works at Bilaj Al Jazayer, to introduce a renewed experience marking the next step in the transformation of Bahrain’s sunset coast. This stage forms the 1st phase of the Bilaj Al Jazayer masterplan landscape enhancement. These enhancements are aimed at elevating overall visitor experience and creating a more accessible and enjoyable beachfront. Spanning over 80,000 sqm, this phase will deliver an active, lifestyle-led beachfront, including enhancing the shoreline with shaded walkways, sports and outdoor fitness areas, dedicated…

Manama : The Ministry of Interior affirmed that the Iranian aggression targeting the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) facility, located within a populated area, on April 5, constitutes a flagrant attack on lives, property, infrastructure, and industrial and oil facilities, and amounts to war crimes criminalised under international humanitarian law and rejected by international conventions and norms. The ministry added that, were it not for the precautionary and preventive measures taken by the government as part of efforts to strengthen civil protection and ensure the safety of citizens and residents, the attack could have resulted in heavy losses of life…

Manama : The Ministry of Interior reported that the Anti-Narcotics Directorate of the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science has foiled an operation involving the sale and trafficking of more than 100 kilogrammes of marijuana and hashish, with an estimated street value of approximately BD 1.5 million, and arrested three individuals involved in the case. The Interior Ministry stated that the smuggling operations were being carried out from Iran through what is known as “dead mail”, after which the narcotic substances were sold and trafficked in the Kingdom of Bahrain using the same method. It added that, upon…

Manama : Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, conducted a field visit to several central warehouses, markets, and retail outlets to assess the efficiency of supply chains and review food security strategies aimed at ensuring the continued flow of goods under current conditions. The visit included Abdul Lateef Khalid Alaujan Foodstuff Company in Hidd, Nesto Markets in Gudaibiya, Sharbatly Fruit Group, and Baba Sons Company in Sitra. The Minister emphasised that enhancing supply chain resilience is a top priority to maintain market stability, noting ongoing coordination with suppliers and distributors to secure adequate strategic reserves of essential…

Wellington : Thousands of residents in New Zealand have been ordered to evacuate their homes as the country’s North Island prepares for Cyclone Vaianu, which authorities warned could cause coastal flooding and landslides. New Zealand’s meteorological service said the cyclone is expected to bring heavy rainfall and winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour, making landfall on Sunday before passing west of the remote Chatham Islands on Monday. A state of emergency was declared in several areas on Saturday, with authorities ordering the evacuation of parts of Whakatāne, a city with a population of around 37,150 located about 430…