Author: News Desk

Riyadh : The Saudi Ministry of Tourism announced a new foreign visitor spending record in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, based on data from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Total spending during the first three quarters of 2023 surpassed SAR100 billion, SPA reported. By the end of Q3 of 2023, the surplus in the travel item in the balance of payments was estimated at around SAR37.8 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 72% compared to the surplus recorded during the same period in 2022. The Kingdom’s tourism sector has fully recovered, witnessing a remarkable 150% increase compared to the pre-Covid-19…

Manama : The World Aquatics and the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) today laid the foundation stone for the establishment of the Bahrain World Aquatic Centre at the University of Technology Bahrain (UTB), in partnership with GFH Financial Group and the Bahrain Swimming Association. Held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports First Deputy Chairman, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President, the foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by senior state officials, guests and Bahrain national swimming team players. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad expressed pleasure at…

Tokyo, : Three full days have passed since a major earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula on the Sea of Japan coast, and rescue operations continue. The survival rate is said to drop significantly after 72 hours. The Ishikawa prefectural government says it has confirmed at least 92 deaths. 242 people were still unaccounted for as of Thursday night. In Wajima City, a woman in her 80s was rescued on Thursday afternoon and immediately taken to the hospital. Officials say she was conscious. A man in his 90s and his granddaughter in her 20s were among the victims. They died on…

Manama The “HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Endurance Championship” kicked off today at the Bahrain Endurance Village. Held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports First Deputy Chairman, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President, the two-day championship is organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF). Up to 215 male and female jockeys participated in the international and qualifying races for 120 km and 100 km, as well as a 100-km local race, in addition to local qualifiers for 40 km and…

Manama : BIC, Sakhir – Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) officially launched today the exciting lead-up to the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2024—an historic occasion set to celebrate the Kingdom of Bahrain’s landmark 20th anniversary in F1. Fantastic plans for the highly anticipated motorsport and entertainment spectacle, scheduled to take place 29 February to 2 March, include a campaign commemorating ’20 Years of a Modern Classic’, three days of non-stop racing and loads of family fun and entertainment. Speaking at the launch were Minister of Tourism, Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaffer Al Sairafi, BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Salman…

Manama : Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, honoured a group of shops and commercial establishments that benefited from the national initiative launched by the Consumer Protection Directorate at the ministry.  The initiative is concerned with exempting businesses from promotional campaign fees during December, coinciding with the National Days celebrations. Throughout November to December 2023, 1,122 establishments participated in the initiative, which witnessed a great turnout from businesses across all governorates. This initiative was initiated by the ministry to encourage the commercial sector to participate in the Kingdom’s festivities and to increase the number of consumers visiting…

Manama : The “HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Endurance Championship” will be held at the Bahrain Endurance Village on Friday and Saturday. Held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports First Deputy Chairman, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President, the two-day championship will feature a series of international, local, and qualifying races, in addition to a race for junior riders. International qualifying races for the distances of 120 km and 100 km will be held on Friday. A local race for a distance of 100 km,…

Manama, : The Art Station, a soon-to-open art space under the umbrella of Rashid Al Khalifa Art Foundation (RAK Art Foundation), has announced an open call for its inaugural residency programme for US artists, funded by a grant from the US Embassy in Manama. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in cultural exchange between the United States and Bahrain, emphasising bilateral relations and artistic cooperation. This residency programme, commencing in March 2024, invites US citizens from diverse artistic and creative fields for a three-month stay in Bahrain, where they will collaborate with the local artistic community, conduct public workshops, and…

Dubai :: His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today launched the Dubai Social Agenda 33 for the decade until 2033 highlighting the theme of ‘Family: The Foundation of Our Nation’. The launch of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 follows HH Shaikh Mohammed’s tradition of unveiling promising national programmes and projects on 4 January every year, which marks the anniversary of his accession as the Ruler of Dubai. HH Shaikh Mohammed as saying: “As has become our custom to unveil promising national programmes and projects on the…

Manama The Ministry of Health called on guardians to administer the latest bivalent booster shot against COVID-19 and its variants to their children aged 5-11. Dr. Basma Al Saffar, Head of the Disease Control Department at the Health Ministry, said that the vaccine is available in Halat Bu Maher Health Centre, Hamad Kanoo Health Centre and Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah Health Centre. Guardians can take their children to the health centers without making an appointment, adding that the vaccination will be available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Dr. Al Saffar emphasised the importance of vaccination for enhancing…