Author: News Desk

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received a phone call from His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar. The two sides exchanged congratulations and well wishes on the approaching of Eid Al Fitr, wishing for continued progress and prosperity for the Arab and Islamic nations.

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued a royal decree pardoning 630 inmates on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr. The royal pardon includes individuals convicted in various offences who have served part of their sentences, in addition to a number of individuals under alternative sentencing. The pardon reflects His Majesty’s keenness to provide those pardoned with the opportunity to reintegrate into society and contribute to Bahrain’s comprehensive development process under the leadership of HM the King.

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ratified and issued Law (12) of 2025 amending certain provisions of Decree Law (15) of 1977 on the issuance of development bonds, following its approval by the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives.

Melbourne : Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister, announced that general elections will be held on May 3, amid rising cost-of-living pressures and a housing shortage that could impact his government’s prospects. Albanese, leader of the centre-left Labor Party, is seeking a second three-year term. He visited Governor-General Sam Mostyn to initiate the electoral process before officially announcing the date during a press conference at Parliament House.

Buenos Aires : The heavy rains that led to catastrophic flooding in central Argentina and killed 16 people earlier this month were partly fueled by climate change and could become more frequent in a warmer world, a team of international scientists said on Thursday. An analysis by the World Weather Attribution found that extreme heat in the region leading up to the floods caused a warmer and more humid mass of air that clashed with a cold front from Argentina’s Patagonian region, causing the torrential rains in Bahia Blanca, a port city about 550 km (340 miles) south of Buenos…

Manama :The Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) participated in a high-level humanitarian visit led by the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of South Sudan to the Gorom Refugee Camp in Juba. The visit brought together delegations from several countries and regional and international organisations, reaffirming solidarity with displaced communities, particularly Sudanese refugees affected by conflict. The delegation was headed by Shaikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates. The RHF was represented by Hassan Abdulaziz Murad, Director of Information Technology, accompanied by senior officials from South Sudan. Bertukan Ayano, State Minister at the Ministry…

Manama :The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) has announced that the Moon Sighting Committee will convene on the evening of Saturday, 29 Ramadhan 1446 AH, corresponding to 29 March 2025, to receive testimonies on the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of the month of Shawwal. The council called on individuals with credible testimonies or information regarding the sighting of the crescent moon to promptly contact the Moon Sighting Committee.

Abu Dhabi : Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Zayed Education Foundation has been established to empower young leaders in developing solutions to pressing global challenges through collaboration in education, research, and innovation. By 2035, the Foundation aims to support 100,000 promising young talents, equipping them to drive economic, social, and environmental progress around the world. Launched in the Year of Community, the Foundation embodies the enduring legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who held a firm belief in the importance…

Manama : The Kingdom of Bahrain is celebrating Eid Al Fitr with a wide range of cultural and entertainment events. The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has launched a promotional campaign in partnership with the private sector under the theme “Eid Days… Exciting Experiences Around Every Corner”. As part of the campaign, BTEA has introduced travel packages in collaboration with private sector partners, including the national carrier Gulf Air, destination management companies, hotels, and resorts. These packages include flights, accommodation, and exclusive offers designed to deliver an exceptional visitor experience. Following the success of Manama Nights, the Authority will…

Muscat : The Sultanate of Oman’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices grew by one percent to RO 41,119.5 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RO 40,716.9 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. Preliminary data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), showed that the added value of oil activities declined by 4 percent, reaching RO 14,162.7 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to RO 14,750.3 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. The contribution of oil activities…