Author: News Desk

Manama: The Criminal Information Directorate launched a virtual customer service centre that uses modern technology to provide advanced services. The centre is part of the instructions of the Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology, to provide competent and active e-services.

Manama : Bahrain’s economy is on a strong footing after last year growing at its fastest pace in a decade, driven by continued fiscal reforms and improved finances amid higher oil prices, the International Monetary Fund said. The kingdom’s economy, which expanded by 4.9 per cent in 2022, spurred by a 6.2 per cent surge in non-oil gross domestic product, is projected to moderate to 2.7 per cent in 2023, the IMF said in a statement at the conclusion of Article IV consultations with Bahrain. Non-oil GDP this year is expected to moderate to 3.3 per cent, reflecting “fiscal consolidation, higher interest rates, and…

Washington will move ahead with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey in consultation with Congress, national security adviser Jake Sullivan has confirmed. The decision comes a day after Ankara gave the green light for Sweden to join Nato. Turkey, which had been the main stumbling bloc on Sweden’s path towards the alliance, had requested in October 2021 to buy $20 billion of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters and about 80 modernisation kits for its existing planes. Speaking ahead of a summit of Nato leaders in Lithuania, Mr Sullivan said on Tuesday that Mr Biden “had been clear that he supports the…

Manama : The kingdom today hosted the third round of political consultations between Bahrain and Finland. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Political Affairs Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sofie From-Emmesberger, the Director General of the Department for Africa and the Middle East at the Finnish Foreign Affairs Ministry, co-chaired the meeting. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed lauded the solid Bahrain-Finland relations, stressing that the steady growth of bilateral ties over the past four decades reflects the two countries’ keenness to bolster their cooperation and partnership across political, economic and cultural fields, as well as back…

Manama : His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa hailed the victory of Bahrain Victorious rider Pello Bilbao, who sprinted to victory at the end of the 10th stage of the Tour de France. HH Shaikh Nasser dedicated the win to former Bahrain Victorious cyclist friend Gino Mäder, who died last month from injuries suffered in a crash at the Tour de Suisse. Shaikh Nasser said that the victory confirms the advanced level attained by the team, commending the dedicated efforts of the cyclists, technical and administrative staff,…

Manama : Ambassador Dr. Yusuf Abdulkarim Bucheeri, the Director-General for Legal Affairs and Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the United Nations Human Rights Council’s urgent debate. The debate was convened by an urgent request from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to discuss the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred as manifested by the recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran in some European and other countries, on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council. The ambassador underlined that tolerance, brotherhood and humanity are among the core values and messages of…

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited the General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF). Upon arrival, HM the King was received by Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Commander-in-Chief of BDF, Lieutenant General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the National Security Advisor and Royal Guard Commander, Colonel His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Commander of the Royal Guard’s Special Force, Lieutenant-General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, Minister of Defence Affairs and senior BDF staff. HM the King praised…

Manama : Bahrain will be hosting the ninth SDMX Global Conference on Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange from October 29 to November 2 on the theme of Empowering Data Communities. The event is co-organised by the SDMX Sponsors and the Bahrain Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) with support of ESCWA and Banca d’Italia, and will bring together a broad range of official statistics compilers and users from national, regional and international agencies, academia and the private sector. The Global Conference is a bi-annual event for the official statistics community worldwide to share information on recent and upcoming SDMX developments leveraging…

Taipei : Bahrain today lost to Indonesia in the Asia Volleyball Cup Challenge, being held in Chinese Taipei. The Indonesia team dominated the first set 33/31 before the national squad bounced back to win the second and third sets (27/25) and (25/21) respectively. Indonesia sealed the final victory, winning the fourth and fifth sets (25/23) and (15/11) respectively. Indonesia tops Group F with two wins against Sri Lanka and Bahrain respectively in the preliminary stage. Bahrain is second in the group thanks to its victory last Sunday after beating Sri Lanka (3/1).

Cairo : : Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister, Ahmed Isa, received here today the Bahrain’s Ambassador to Egypt, and its Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal. The minister congratulated Zainal on the precious royal trust bestowed upon her by appointing her to her posts, wishing her every success in carrying out her diplomatic duties. The ambassador lauded the advanced level reached by the Bahraini-Egyptian relations thanks to the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, citing the two leaders’ constant keenness to strengthen ties between the two countries. During the meeting,…