1 hour ago
The Ministry of Education has taken decisive steps against the owner of a private school following an incident involving the mistreatment of a student’s parent. Based on the Ministry’s administrative investigations, a report has been prepared to refer the school owner to the Public Prosecution, the Ministry announced on its Instagram account. According to the Ministry’s statement, the school owner engaged in unauthorised practices and persistently threatened students and parents with expulsion without consulting the relevant regulatory body. Responsibilities This behaviour resulted in a substantial deviation from the school administration’s intended responsibilities. The Ministry of Education affirms its commitment to maintaining vigilant oversight over educational institutions to ensure compliance with regulations and laws. It also stressed the obligation of all their staff members to adhere to their legally prescribed responsibilities. Swift action The Ministry’s swift action aims to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and protect the rights of students, parents, and educational personnel alike. As the investigation proceeds, further details are expected to emerge regarding the specific circumstances surrounding the incident and the steps taken by the Ministry to address the situation effectively.
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Five members of the Council of Representatives have put forth a draft law proposing the allocation of a portion of the Future Generations Reserve Fund (FGR) to support scholarships and grants for higher education. The proposed bill, submitted by MPs Jameel Mullah Hasan, Dr Ali Al Noaimi, Hesham Al Awadhi, Mohammed Moosa, and Mohammed Al Alaiwi, seeks to allocate 2% of the FGR annually for a duration of four consecutive years. This funding is designated for the Ministry of Education, specifically to be utilised for scholarships and grants in modern fields that align with the prevailing demands of the labor market. According to the accompanying memorandum of the proposed bill, the primary objective of the bill is to promote education and scientific research by providing exceptional opportunities for high-achieving students to pursue higher education across a diverse array of academic fields. The draft law is structured into three articles. The first article proposes the allocation of the aforementioned 2% from the FGR to the Ministry of Education, ensuring a consistent flow of funds dedicated to educational enhancement. The second article assigns the Minister of Finance and National Economy with the responsibility of issuing any necessary decisions and regulations to facilitate […]
2 hours ago
Gulf Air has strengthened its legacy in motorsport, extending its title sponsorship of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix until 2027. This move cements the national carrier’s pivotal role in global motorsport, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a premier destination for elite racing, tourism, and innovation. A Legacy That Redefined Middle Eastern Motorsport Since April 4, 2004, when Bahrain made history as the first Middle Eastern country to host a Formula 1 race, Gulf Air has been the name behind one of the sport’s most iconic and enduring partnerships. This renewal ensures the longest-standing title sponsorship in F1 history continues, maintaining Bahrain’s Grand Prix as a cornerstone of the global motorsport calendar. The 2025 edition of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, set for April 11-13, promises another spectacular weekend of speed, drama, and world-class entertainment. Under the dazzling lights of the Bahrain International Circuit, fans will experience the adrenaline rush of high-stakes racing, complemented by electrifying off-track entertainment, gourmet hospitality, and a fusion of Bahraini culture with international spectacle. A Partnership Driving Global Impact For Jeffrey Goh, Gulf Air Group CEO, this agreement is about more than just motorsport—it’s about elevating Bahrain’s global standing. “Our partnership […]
2 hours ago
The Anti-Cyber Crimes Directorate of the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security, in collaboration with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has apprehended an Arab fugitive involved in a scam selling fake concert tickets in Bahrain. The directorate reported that a series of actions were taken, including the issuance of an international arrest warrant, which led to the suspect’s capture outside Bahrain. Following the completion of all necessary legal procedures, the individual was handed over to the Public Prosecution for further investigation. Once his sentence is served, the fugitive will face deportation.
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Amid cold winter weather and fast-depleting inventories, Europe’s natural gas prices jumped on Monday to a two-year high to levels of over $100 per barrel oil equivalent, which now makes burning oil for industrial use more cost-effective. Dutch TTF Natural Gas Futures, the benchmark for Europe’s gas trading, surged by 4% in Amsterdam on Monday, to the highest level since February 2023. The first proper winter in Europe with prolonged periods of cold snaps since the 2022 energy crisis is depleting the EU stockpiles of natural gas, which have dropped to the lowest level since the crisis for this time of the year. As a result, European prices are rallying, and with most of Europe now relying on LNG imports for its natural gas supply, it has recently become more efficient for industries to burn oil and coal – wherever possible – as they are cheaper feedstocks than gas right now. “We have already seen increased gas-to-fuel oil switching and gas-to-gasoil is next,” said Eugene Lindell, head of refined products at consultancy FGE. “This is one of the pillars of gasoil strength right now.” The gas-to-oil switch could boost oil demand in Europe, and also in Asia, in the first quarter, potentially giving more […]
2 hours ago
President Trump has reiterated his proposal to take control of Gaza, saying he is committed to “buying and owning” the war-ravaged enclave in comments given to reporters Sunday aboard Air Force One. Trump described that Gaza should be thought of as a “big real estate site” and that neighboring and regional Arab states could be tasked with handling its redevelopment. “I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it,” Trump told the press pool while flying to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. “But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back. There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site.” Addressing the question of the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced, he said of Gazans, “If we could give them a home in a safer area – the only reason they’re talking about returning to Gaza is they don’t have an alternative. When they have an alternative, they don’t want to return to Gaza.” However, videos over the past days and week have shown families pouring back into the north, most often by food […]
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Over the weekend President Trump said he has spoken directly to Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine, something the Kremlin neither confirmed nor denied, only saying that communications with the US administration are currently being conducted through various channels. “I do believe we’re making progress,” Trump had told reporters, adding that he expects there to be more communications to come. “We want to stop the Ukraine-Russia war.” But as of Monday the Kremlin still says it has yet to be presented with any concrete offer that it would be enticed by. Moscow has received nothing to get it to the negotiating table with Ukraine, at a moment it has the clear battlefield momentum. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin expressed this to RIA state news agency “It is important that words be backed up by practical steps that take into account Russia’s legitimate interests, demonstrating a readiness to eradicate the root causes of the crisis and recognize the new realities.” “Concrete proposals of this nature have not yet been received,” he emphasized. As for the alleged Putin-Trump phone call, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said exactly the following: “in this case, I can neither confirm nor deny it” – in response to an inquiry by TASS: But even as […]
3 hours ago
The EU would do well to indefinitely suspend Ukrainians’ visa-free access to the bloc after martial law ends. Outgoing Polish President Andrzej Duda told the Financial Times that a crime wave could sweep across Europe after the Ukrainian Conflict ends if that country’s PTSD-afflicted troops spill into the bloc and engage in organized crime like their Soviet predecessors from the 1980s Afghan War did after 1991. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry swiftly reacted by denying that they could pose any such threat, pointing to how they didn’t between 2014-2022, and claiming that they’re actually a security asset for Europe. Their three points are superficial though since traumatized troops anywhere in the world are much more prone to deviant behavior, the latest phase of the conflict has objectively been much more traumatizing than the prior one, and this therefore makes its veterans a security liability for Europe at the very least. Compounding the aforementioned risks is the fact that the US failed to track billions of dollars’ worth of weapons sent to Ukraine according to Reuters so some of these likely ended up on the black market. The threat that Duda just drew attention to is thus a very credible and urgent one that should be taken seriously by all European […]
3 hours ago
In two speeches given less than 24 hours apart in the French city of Toulouse, Jean-Luc Mélenchon delivered some of the most shocking yet brutally honest words from a European politician, openly calling for the older French to be replaced by a “Creole” generation of mixed races and cultures. The leader of France’s far-left LFI is calling outright for replacement of White French people, conjuring up the Great Replacement term that has been demonized as a conspiracy theory by the left for years. “In our country, one person in four has a foreign grandparent. 40% of the population speaks at least two languages. We are destined to be a Creole nation and so much the better! May the young generation be the great replacement for the old generation,” said Mélenchon. According to the dictionary, Creole is defined as a “a person of mixed European and black descent, especially in the Caribbean.” He also goes on to make a number of further statements, saying the new immigrants need “to heal France from the wounds of racism.” According to Euronews, France is among the five European countries with the least discrimination. Furthermore, he makes inflammatory statements, calling for “torch-bearers” to bring about change, which has […]
3 hours ago
Elon Musk is leading a group of investors in a $97.4 billion offer to purchase the nonprofit that controls OpenAI – the makers of ChatGPT, – and which Musk was an original investor in. On Monday, Musk’s attorney Marc Toberoff said he submitted the bid to OpenAI’s board of directors in an unsolicited offer that could upend OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s plans to convert it into a for-profit company, as well as plans to spend up to $500 billion on AI infrastructure through the so-called ‘Stargate’ joint venture, WSJ reports. “It’s time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was,” Musk said in a statement provided by Toberoff. “We will make sure that happens.” Altman and Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 as a charity. In 2019, after Musk left the company and Altman became chief executive, OpenAI created a for-profit subsidiary that has served as a vehicle for it to raise money from Microsoft and other investors. Altman is in the process of turning the subsidiary into a traditional company and spinning out the nonprofit, which would own equity in the new for-profit. One of the thorniest questions in the conversion has been how the nonprofit will be valued. […]
3 hours ago
A sea change is at hand. Little noticed in the blizzard of executive orders issued by President Trump is this provision in Executive Order No. 14173 for getting federal money: (iv) The head of each agency shall include in every contract or grant award: (A) A term requiring the contractual counterparty or grant recipient to agree that its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code; and (B) A term requiring such counterparty or recipient to certify that it does not operate any programs promoting DEI that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. In other words, if you want federal money, you will have to “certify” that you do not “operate any programs promoting” DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) “that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.” And the order eases the way for enforcement through whistleblower claims. Major universities may be the most impacted because they rely heavily on tens of billions of dollars in contracts and grants paid out nationally every year by the federal government. Many of those schools also continue to maintain aggressive DEI programs that are highly suspect […]
12 hours ago
Amid reports that Hamas has paused the next round of Israeli hostage releases, while accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire, President Trump in his latest words has warned “all hell is going to break out” if the Islamist group doesn’t release all the remaining hostages: President Donald Trump said Monday that a precarious ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas should be canceled if Hamas doesn’t release all the remaining hostages it is holding in Gaza by midday on Saturday — though he also acknowledged that such a decision would be up to Israel. In comments to reporters after signing a series of executive orders, Trump said, “If they’re not here, all hell is going to break out” and said he feared many scheduled for release are actually already dead He did add the caveat that “I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it.” The timeline and deadline is interesting, given Hamas is unlikely to obey dictates coming from Washington. To a large degree there has already been “hell to pay” in the course of the war in the Gaza Strip. Hamas at this point has less to lose than before, as much of the Strip is already obliterated and in ruins. * * * […]
12 hours ago
Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, emphasised that the “Sama Bay” project represents a continuation of initiatives to develop maritime tourism and a qualitative addition to the tourism sector in Muharraq Governorate. She noted that waterfronts and marine activities are among the key pillars of the 2022-2026 tourism strategy, highlighting that the project offers an integrated tourism experience that includes marine, sports, and entertainment activities, making it a distinctive destination for all age groups. The minister highlighted that the new waterfront enhances Muharraq Governorate’s tourism appeal and highlights the beauty of the Kingdom and its rich maritime heritage. She also noted the governorate’s advanced tourism infrastructure, in addition to hosting several major projects such as Marassi Bahrain and the Sa’ada project, which contribute to strengthening the tourism sector and attracting investments. Minister Al Sairafi added that Bahrain, as the only archipelagic country in the region, possesses unique capabilities to enhance maritime tourism, noting that coastlines represent a key element in diversifying and developing the tourism product, which helps attract visitors from around the world and supports the goals of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. On her part, Sarah Ahmed Buhejji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), […]
12 hours ago
Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), announced that the total number of registrations of the Revamped eKey 2.0 app exceeded 13,000 within one day of its official launch. Al Qaed mentioned that such engagement in downloading the app reflects the public awareness and advanced digital culture among the citizens and residents in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and their interest in benefiting from modern technologies to access the services provided to them. He also pointed out that these initial statistics support the Authority’s efforts in implementing digital transformation strategies, demonstrated by the initiatives under the Government Programme for 2023-2026. These initiatives aim to continue the digitisation of services, develop government systems and channels, and adopt modern technologies that enhance user experience while ensuring the highest levels of security. iGA invites the public to download the Revamped eKey 2.0 app, available via the eGovernment Apps Store, bahrain.bh/apps, as well as other stores such as iOS, Android, and Huawei. iGA also encourages all citizens and residents to submit their inquiries, feedback, and suggestions via the National Suggestions and Complaints System or through the Tawasul app, or directly contact the Government Services Contact Centre at 80008001. It […]
12 hours ago
Bahraini students ranked among the top in the Arab world in TIMSS 2023, an international assessment of mathematics and science by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). Bahrain placed second in fourth-grade science, third in fourth-grade mathematics, fourth in eighth-grade science, and third in eighth-grade mathematics. Dr. Samah Mohammed Al Ajjawi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Development of Education and Learning Policies and National Research Coordinator for International Studies, highlighted the Ministry of Education’s efforts to enhance teaching practices in science and mathematics to align with global advancements in these key subjects through the STREAM approach. The ministry is also implementing plans to develop curricula and teaching methods for mathematics and science to achieve better international results in future assessments. The study provides data to support continuous improvements in education policies for public and private schools.