Author: News Desk

Helsinki : Finland plans to raise its defence spending to at least 3% of its gross domestic product by 2029, according to a government statement on Tuesday. The government also announced its intention to withdraw from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use and stockpiling of anti-personnel landmines. This move would enable Finland to resume stockpiling landmines if deemed necessary. Several European countries, including Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, have recently indicated similar plans to exit the treaty. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated that while there is no immediate military threat to the country, enhanced preparedness and investment…

Boston : A box truck crashed into a building Tuesday afternoon in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood and hit several pedestrians before flipping onto its side, city officials said.  The driver and five others were injured in what authorities said appears to have been an accident. Michael Cox, Boston Police Commissioner, said four people were hospitalised. The driver and one pedestrian were in critical condition early on, but several hours later, the driver’s condition had improved. Two others declined medical treatment at the scene. Cox and others noted that the outcome could have been far worse given the location.

Seoul : The death toll from South Korea’s worst-ever wildfires that ravaged the southeastern regions until last week has increased to 31, authorities said Wednesday. The Interior Ministry said one person who sustained serious injuries from wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province died during treatment, raising the total number of fatalities to 31. Eight others were seriously injured, and 36 sustained minor injuries. The wildfires damaged 4,015 houses, 1,914 agricultural and livestock facilities, seven temples and 986 other structures. Roughly 48,000 hectares of woodland in 11 regions were scorched, displacing 3,307 people. As of 5 ppm Tuesday, the total amount of…

Osaka : In less than a month, the Kingdom of Bahrain will inaugurate its fourth national participation in the World Expo at Expo 2025 Osaka. Construction is ongoing for the Kingdom’s pavilion, themed “Connecting Seas”, which, upon completion, will stand as one of the most sustainable pavilions in the Expo. The pavilion seamlessly blends modernity with heritage, narrating Bahrain’s enduring connection with the sea from the Dilmun civilisation to the present day. Expo 2025 Osaka will take place in the Kansai region of Japan from April 13 to October 13, under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”. It…

Manama : The Kingdom of Bahrain marks World Autism Awareness Day annually on April 2, underscoring its commitment to promoting the rights of persons with autism and ensuring an inclusive environment in line with international standards. Dr. Shaikha Rania bint Ali Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the Bahrain Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled, highlighted Bahrain’s integrated approach, combining governmental, civil, and private sector efforts to promote equality and empower persons with disabilities. She emphasised that this reflects the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad…

Abu Dhabi : The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) between the United Arab Emirates and both Costa Rica and Mauritius have come into force. The agreements will contribute to the elimination or reduction of customs duties on a wide range of goods. The agreements will also simplify customs procedures and establish new pathways for investment in priority sectors within the United Arab Emirates and across markets in Central America and Africa. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said that the agreements serve as a catalyst for deepening economic cooperation and enhancing connectivity with…

Manama : The organising committee of the Al Dana Drama Award has opened nominations for its second edition, held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. The award, organised by the Ministry of Information, aims to support drama production and promote the Gulf’s creative industries. Entries are open to production companies, satellite channels, and digital platforms that hold the rights to the submitted works. Both public and private sector entities may…

Washington : Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in a discussion session organised by the Heritage Foundation at its headquarters in Washington. The session was attended by Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the US. The session discussed the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries in economic, trade, defence, and development fields. The session also explored means to advance these relations towards broader horizons in support of common interests and goals. The session included an exchange of views on the latest developments in the Middle East, ongoing…

Vilnius : Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, announced that the bodies of three out of four United States soldiers who went missing in the country last week have been found, after their armoured vehicle sank in a swamp during a military exercise. The search for the fourth missing soldier is still ongoing. President Nausėda wrote on the X platform: “It is with deep sadness and sorrow that I received the news of the tragic loss of three US soldiers,” adding, “Lithuania mourns together with the American nation”. He noted that search and rescue operations will continue until…

Washington : Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said on Monday that while U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to impose sweeping tariffs have created significant uncertainty and affected confidence, a near term recession remains unlikely. Georgieva noted during a forum interview that no sharp economic impact has been observed so far, and the IMF does not currently anticipate a looming recession. She indicated that the IMF is expected to make a slight downward revision to its global economic outlook in the upcoming update of the World Economic Outlook report, which is scheduled to be released in…