Author: News Desk

Mogadishu : Three soldiers were killed and 27 people wounded in an attack on a hotel in Somalia’s capital, police said on Friday. Security services were earlier seen surrounding the Syl Hotel, usually frequented by government officials and lawmakers, following the late Thursday attack. “Three soldiers died. Eighteen civilians and nine soldiers were injured in the hotel attack, Kasim Ahmed Roble, police spokesperson, told a news conference. “All the five terrorists were shot dead and their bodies displayed.”

New Delhi : India on Saturday announced its 6-week-long general elections will start on April 19, with most surveys predicting a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Voting in the world’s largest democracy will stretch over seven phases, with different states voting at different times and results will be announced on June 4. Over 970 million voters — more than 10% of the world’s population — will elect 543 members for the lower house of Parliament for a term of five years. Modi, who is seeking a third consecutive term, faces little challenge…

Manama : Based on the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to open, restore, and develop 32 mosques belonging to the Sunni and Ja’fari Endowments, located across the Kingdom’s governorates, as part of a development plan for mosques, Dr. Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Futtais Al Hajeri, Sunni Endowments Council Chairman, today opened the Al-Namliti Mosque in North Riffa. Dr. Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed highlighted the kingdom’s achievements in the field of building and taking care of houses of worship during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s…

Manama : Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Foreign Affairs Minister, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, has affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain boasts a pioneering model for respecting human rights and consolidating individuals’ political, civil, economic, social and cultural freedoms, under His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s comprehensive development process, and the policies of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. In a statement marking the Arab Human Rights Day and the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Arab Charter on Human…

New Delhi : An Indian navy warship has intercepted the hijacked cargo ship Ruen and demanded the Somali pirates on board surrender, a navy spokesperson said on Saturday. The pirates who allegedly hijacked the Maltese-flagged bulk cargo vessel on Dec. 14 opened fire on the navy ship in international waters on Friday, the spokesperson said without providing further details. The navy had called on the pirates to surrender and release the vessel and any civilians they may be holding. Somali pirates who seized the vessel in December may have used it in the takeover of a Bangladesh-flagged cargo ship off…

Tunis: The Tunisian Coast Guard units in Zarzis rescued 34 people of different nationalities and recovered two human bodies, according to a statement released on Friday by the General Directorate of the National Guard. The survivors said “about 70 people set off from the coast of a neighbouring country, before their boat sank.” The security forces coordinated with the competent authorities to take the necessary measures regarding these irregular migrants and the search for the missing, the same source added.

Manama : Dr. Jaleela bint Sayed Jawad Hassan, Health Minister, received Dr. Ali Hassan Al Ahmadi, the Yemeni Ambassador to Bahrain. The minister affirmed the depth of the fraternal Bahrain-Yemen relations across various fields. Dr. Ali Hassan Al Ahmadi praised the level reached by the Bahraini-Yemeni relations, lauding the steady progress of the health sector in the kingdom.

Manama : The annual two-month ban on catching, trading and selling crab has gone into effect today, and will run until May 15, the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) has announced. The ban is in line with Edict (52) of 2016 on banning the fishing, trading and selling of crab. The SCE indicated that the annual ban is within the framework of the Kingdom’s keenness to protect marine wealth and biodiversity in its territorial waters, by stopping fishing operations during the crab breeding period. The SCE said that marine wealth teams will monitor the implementation of the ban, in cooperation…

Manama : The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) recently hosted an Iftar Meet with workers at a labor accommodation in Manama. Such gatherings are instrumental in fostering harmony and extending the hands of sharing and caring within the community. Sri Ravi Singh, Second Secretary at the Embassy of India, graciously joined the workers and the ICRF team in breaking the fast on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the labor camp of ACME Cleaning Company. The event, attended by nearly 180 workers, was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Malabar Gold. ICRF is conducting many such outreach programs during this…

Makkah : The Grand Mosque in Makkah teemed with worshippers today as they observed the first Friday prayer of Ramadan. Security and tranquility reigned supreme as the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, along with all departments, worked tirelessly to accommodate the large crowds. Preparations began at dawn, with authorities meticulously readying courtyards, gates, and corridors to ensure easy movement and facilitate prayers. The influx of worshippers was evident from the early morning hours, filling the mosque’s interior and corridors with the faithful extending their rows to surrounding roads. The…