Author: News Desk

Manama : The Bharathi Association, the only registered Tamil association operating under the Ministry of Social Development, is excited to announce a grand Pongal event scheduled for January 16, 2026, at the Indian Club, in collaboration with Star Vision Events. Since its inception, this non-profit organization has been dedicated to serving the needs of the Tamil community and fostering cultural heritage. A press conference was held Jan 8th to unveil the details of this anticipated all-day celebration. Pongal, a vibrant multi-day harvest festival, is celebrated by Tamils worldwide and holds profound significance within the Tamil diaspora. Known as the Festival…

Manama : Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), visited the Wen w Bkm Festival held at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Zallaq, as part of her ongoing visits to tourism and entertainment events taking place across the Kingdom during the fourth edition of the Celebrate Bahrain Season 2025. During the visit, she reviewed the festival’s activities, which include shopping, food and family entertainment. The festival features more than 160 outlets from inside and outside Bahrain, including Bahraini small businesses, productive families, and participants from GCC countries. Minister Al…

Manila : A series of mild eruptions at the most active volcano in the Philippines has prompted the evacuation of nearly 3,000 villagers from a danger zone on its foothills, officials said Wednesday. Authorities raised the 5-step alert around Mayon Volcano in the northeastern province of Albay to level 3 on Tuesday after detecting intermittent rockfalls, some as big as cars, from its peak crater in recent days along with deadly pyroclastic flows a fast-moving avalanche of super-hot rock fragments, ash and gas. Alert level 5 would indicate that a major explosive eruption, often with violent ejections of ash and…

Manama : Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is all set for a busy weekend of action as ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’ hosts the fourth round of National Race Day this Saturday. The event is set to feature an exciting double-header, with two of the Kingdom’s most competitive local championships hitting the tarmac along BIC’s 2.554-kilometre Inner Track. Racing will be held in both the Bahrain Touring Car Challenge (BTCC) and Time Attack, with sessions scheduled to take place both during daytime conditions and under lights. This weekend’s National Race Day will be taking place just hours after…

Manama : His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today met with Eng Ameen Radhi and Eng Maysam Alnasser, on their recognition among the Best Architects in the Middle East 2025 by Niche Magazine Middle East, at Riffa Palace. His Royal Highness highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting and upskilling the national workforce, creating opportunities that enable citizens to achieve their ambitions, in line with the far-reaching visions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister extended his congratulations to Eng Ameen Radhi and…

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…