Author: News Desk

Manama :  FinTech Forward 2025 (FF25), the region’s premier strategic financial technology event, today announced that seven firms have joined as Silver Sponsors.  The diverse line-up underscores the event’s broad appeal, bringing together regional leaders and global innovators committed to shaping the future of financial services across the Middle East. The sponsors include Ajyad Capital, a CBB-licensed Islamic Investment Business Firm offering global Sharia-compliant investment management, alternative investments, and brokerage services; Bede is a dynamic FinTech app transforming Bahrain’s lending landscape with easy and instant personal Islamic microfinance solutions delivered through its mobile application; Citibank Bahrain, a regional pillar of…

Manama: The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) announced that it is in the final stages of preparation to launch the upgraded version of the Wage Protection System (WPS), designed to create a comprehensive framework that strengthens labour market stability and safeguards the rights of all parties.  The new system will electronically verify the timely payment of wages to private sector employees.  The LMRA said that banks and financial institutions that have completed aligning their systems with the new platform will be announced gradually. Nibras Mohamed Ali Taleb, LMRA CEO, Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons, highlighted…

Oslo : Lithuania reopened air traffic at Vilnius airport, its largest and busiest air hub, on Sunday after hours of suspensions and diversions triggered by reports of balloons in its airspace affected thousands of travellers, the airport’s operator said. European aviation has repeatedly been thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone sightings and air incursions, including at airports in Copenhagen and Munich. Air traffic at Vilnius was restored at 4:50 a.m. (0150 GMT) on Sunday after a decision was made late on Saturday to close the airspace “due to a possible series of balloons heading toward Vilnius Airport,” the…

Doha : Caballo De Mar, the horse owned by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the General Sports Authority and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee for the Victorious Forever team, won first place at the Paris Longchamp racecourse over a distance of 4,000 metres, claiming the Qatar Prix du Cadran title for the second race of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Group 1. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad emphasised that this victory…

Beijing : China’s internet sector saw solid growth in business revenue in the first eight months of 2025, data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed. From January to August, China’s major internet companies and related services companies generated about 1.29 trillion yuan (roughly 181.46 billion U.S.) dollars) in business revenue, up 2.2 percent year on year and featuring a growth rate 0.8 percentage points faster than in the first quarter of 2025. Cumulative profits of major internet companies reached 106.3 billion yuan during this period, down 3.8 percent year on year, with the decline narrowing by 4.5…

Jakarta : The number of students confirmed dead after the collapse of an Islamic boarding school building in Indonesia rose to 36, from 16 a day earlier, the country’s disaster mitigation agency said on Sunday. Efforts continued for a seventh day to search for the bodies of 27 students still declared missing – mostly teenage boys from the ages of 13 to 19 – trapped under the rubble. Cranes were deployed to excavate debris and search and evacuation efforts were 60% complete, according to the agency, which said it expected to clear all debris and finish the search on Monday.…

Manama :  SICO BSC (c), a leading regional asset manager, broker, and investment bank, with presence in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE; and SINNAD, a subsidiary of BENEFIT Company and a CBB-licensed ancillary service provider for card processing and payment have announced their participation as gold sponsors of the third edition of the region’s premier strategic financial technology event, FinTech Forward 2025 (FF 25). Hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), the forum will take place on October 8th and 9th, 2025 at Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB). The event will convene over 1,500 delegates and 40 prominent speakers…

Manama :  The McLaren team, owned by Mumtalakat Holding Company, won the 2025 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship for the second consecutive year, following the team’s third and fourth-place finishes in the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. British driver Lando Norris secured third place, while his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri finished fourth in a fiercely competitive race held under the lights of the Singapore circuit, known for being one of the most challenging tracks due to its tight corners and precise layout. With this victory, McLaren secured the 2025 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship for the second consecutive…

Manama :  The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) has successfully concluded a strategic five-day visit to the United States, which kicked off from September 29 to October 3.  Led by Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of Bahrain EDB, the delegation included senior members from Bahrain’s investment-promotion agency.  The visit aimed to showcase Bahrain’s compelling value proposition and ease of doing business to leading US based companies, with a particular focus on key sectors, namely financial services, manufacturing, and information and communications technology (ICT). During the visit, which comprised both Los Angeles and San Francisco,…

Sofia : Three people were killed in the Black Sea resort of Elenite after heavy rains caused severe flooding in southeastern Bulgaria. According to the Interior Ministry, the victims included two rescuers, one from the border police and a tractor driver, while the third died inside a hotel after water levels rose suddenly. Videos shared on social media showed muddy torrents sweeping away cars and damaging infrastructure. Authorities declared a state of emergency in parts of southeastern and northwestern Bulgaria and deployed drones to search for stranded individuals.