Author: News Desk

Riyadh : The Royal Commission for AlUla announced the documentation and international publication of a scientific discovery involving rare horseshoe crab fossils dating back approximately 465 million years, as part of a peer-reviewed study published in Gondwana Research, an international journal specialising in geological sciences. The fossil discovery has been published internationally for the first time. The fossils were found in AlGharameel Nature Reserve in AlUla and contribute to the scientific understanding of the region’s natural and geological history. The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period, approximately 485–444 million years ago, placing them among the oldest known horseshoe crab…

Manama : Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, confirmed the return of its seasonal services to Geneva (GVA) and Nice (NCE), operated with a stop in Milan (MXP), as part of its 2026 summer network. Both routes are now available for booking, offering leisure passengers and families convenient access to key European summer destinations. Flights to Nice will commence on May 24 and operate through September 27, while Geneva services will run from June 5 to September 11. Both routes will operate twice weekly using Gulf Air’s Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering convenient morning arrivals in Europe.…

Jakarta : At least 14 people were killed after being swept away by flash floods in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi, as the search for the missing continued. Heavy rain early on Monday triggered flash floods on the island of Siau, located in the Siau Tagulandang Biaro region, said Nuriadin Gumeleng, a spokesperson for the local rescue agency. Sixteen rescuers have been deployed to search for four people who remain missing on Tuesday. 18 people had been injured so far. At least 444 people have been evacuated to local schools and churches after the flash floods, the country’s disaster mitigation agency spokesperson…

Tokyo : A strong earthquake shook western Japan on Tuesday, but no major damage or life-threatening injuries were reported. The magnitude 6.4 quake struck in Shimane prefecture in northwestern Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. There was no risk of a tsunami from the inland quake centered about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) deep. The prefectural capital of Matsue and nearby cities, including some in neighboring Tottori prefecture, were among the most strongly shaken. Local fire departments received several reports of minor injuries, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Shinkansen bullet trains were suspended or delayed in the…

Manama : Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) is preparing for the 36th edition of the Autumn Fair 2026, taking place from January 22-31, with wide participation from international exhibitors. Sara Ahmed Buhiji, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and Chairman of EWB, said the fair is one of the most prominent annual events, playing a key role in boosting tourism and supporting economic activity. She noted that hosting the event at EWB ensures a comfortable and smooth experience for visitors, due to its large spaces and advanced facilities. On his part, Mohammed Ebrahim, General Manager of…

Manama : Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’, today hosted a coordination meeting with Government Ministries and Agencies ahead of the Kingdom’s upcoming events in the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.The meeting, held at The Four Seasons Bahrain Bay, reviewed all preparations for Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing, taking place at BIC across six days on February 11-13 and February 18-20, and the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026, scheduled for April 10-12 as the fourth round of the new F1 season. Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, BIC Chief Executive, chaired the…

Muscat: Dr. Juma bin Ahmed Al Kaabi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Sultanate of Oman, inaugurated the Bahrain pavilion at Muscat Nights in Qurum Natural Park. The event runs from January 1-31 and includes the participation of a number of Bahraini entrepreneurs. The participation aims to enhance the Kingdom’s presence at regional events, support small and medium-sized enterprises, reflect the shared ties between the two countries, and further develop the close relations between Bahrain and Oman. Dr. Al Kaabi emphasised the importance of Muscat Nights as a distinctive cultural and community event in the Omani capital, Muscat,…

Manama : The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) announced the closure of five tourism establishments after detecting violations of laws and regulations governing tourism activities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and taking the necessary administrative measures. The Authority said the step is part of its ongoing efforts to regulate the tourism sector, maintain service quality, and ensure compliance with approved standards, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a leading tourism destination. It also noted the continuation of inspection campaigns, in coordination with relevant authorities, to ensure compliance with applicable legislation and to take legal action in accordance with Decree-Law (15) of…

Amsterdam : Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport cancelled 450 flights on Monday morning due to snow and icy weather and expected that number to rise throughout the day. Schiphol, one of Europe’s busiest hubs, has been forced to scrap hundreds of flights due to the weather since Friday.

Manama : His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace. The Cabinet extended its congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on the 29th anniversary of the founding of the National Guard. The Cabinet reviewed progress on the implementation of His Royal Highness‘ directives for the Ministry of Labour to provide three job opportunities for every registered job seeker by the end of 2025. The initiative aligns with HM the King’s ambitious vision to…