Author: News Desk

Manama : The ICCA Middle East Summit 2025, hosted for the first time in Bahrain, brought together leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from the global meetings and events industry. The summit highlighted the region’s growing prominence as a hub for business events and explored strategies that use technology, sustainability, and infrastructure to support economic growth. During the summit, participants shared insights on how leadership, innovation, and well-equipped venues are shaping the future of meetings and conventions in the Middle East. Speaking to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Senthil Gopinath, Chief Executive Officer of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), underscored the…

Mumbai : India is likely to get above-average monsoon rainfall in September after receiving 5% above-normal rains in August, the state-run weather department said on Sunday. Above-normal rainfall could damage India’s summer-sown crops like rice, cotton, soybean, corn, and pulses, which are typically harvested from mid-September. All regions, except northeastern states and the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are likely to receive rainfall equating to 109% of the 50-year average in September, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The monsoon is the lifeblood of India’s nearly $4 trillion economy, delivering almost 70% of the rainfall needed to water…

Manama : The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Middle East Summit concluded successfully today at Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), with over 100 international experts and specialists from the Middle East and beyond in attendance. Held for the first time in Bahrain in partnership with ICCA, the summit featured comprehensive panel discussions, specialised workshops, and inspiring dialogues addressing key topics shaping the future of the global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry. The agenda included discussions on priorities for developing the international business events sector, including a session titled ‘Bahrain’s Tourism Vision and the Perspective of the International Meetings…

Riyadh : Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, received Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al Natsheh, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of Palestine on the sidelines of the launch of the Global Symposium for Regulators 2025 (GSR-25) hosted by Saudi Arabia. The two sides held a meeting to discuss prospects for a strategic partnership in digital infrastructure, with the participation of leaders from the digital economy, space, and innovation ecosystem. The meeting reviewed means to enhance cooperation in the digital economy, including developing digital infrastructure, building enablers, and sharing best practices in digital government, in addition…

Kabul : About 622 people were killed and more than 1,500 injured in an earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan, authorities said on Monday, as helicopters ferried the wounded to safety from rubble being combed in the hunt for survivors. The disaster will further stretch the resources of the country from a sharp drop in aid to a huge pushback of its citizens from neighbouring countries. The quake of magnitude 6 injured more than 1,500, the Taliban-run Afghan interior ministry said in a statement that put the death toll at 622.

Manama : The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) announced the implementation of 1,317 inspection campaigns and visits, during the period of 24 to 30 August 2025, which resulted in the detention of 9 violating and irregular workers, while 92 violators were deported. The inspection campaigns and visits also resulted in monitoring a number of violations related to the provisions of a number of regulating laws, especially the Labour Market Regulatory Authority and the Residency Laws in the Kingdom of Bahrain, noting that legal measures were taken regarding the observed violations. The Authority pointed out that 1,303 inspection visits were carried…

Kuwait : Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the 165th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council held in Kuwait City. The meeting was chaired by Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait and chairman of the current session, with the attendance of foreign ministers from the GCC countries and Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC.   The meeting discussed the agenda items, including following up on the implementation of decisions by the GCC Supreme Council and the Ministerial Council, reviewing recommendations from ministerial and specialised…

Manama : Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), confirmed that the national cyber drill “Cyber Shield 2025” under the theme “Supply Chain Attacks” reflected the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the ongoing focus of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on making cybersecurity a strategic priority to protect the nation’s security against increasing cyber threats. Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed expressed appreciation for the presence of Lieutenant General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security…

Manama : The Deputy King, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, today met with the tenth intake of the Prime Minister’s Fellowship Program at Gudaibiya Palace. HRH the Deputy King highlighted the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to developing and upskilling the national workforce, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad affirmed that investing in Bahrainis is integral to the Kingdom’s sustainable development and progress. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad commended the tenth intake of the Prime Minister’s Fellowship Program for their excellence and unwavering dedication to success. His…

Manama : Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, President of the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), announced the launch of an international tender to develop and implement the Sitra Independent Water and Power Production Plant (IWPP), with a planned capacity of approximately 1400–1500 megawatts (MW) of electricity and 30 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) of potable water, through a strategic partnership with the private sector under a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) system. The president noted that EWA has completed the pre-qualification process for developers, with seven leading global companies/consortia qualified in developing Independent Water and Power Production (IWPP) plants: Abu Dhabi National Energy…