Breaking News
5 days ago
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) has announced a rare archaeological discovery at the Al-Hillah site in southern Bahrain: a decorated ceramic mask, known as a “fayence mask,” dating back more than 3,300 years. The mask was found in a mass grave containing the remains of two women from the ancient Dilmun civilization, alongside an infant. This remarkable find is considered one of the rarest in the Kingdom, representing only the second mask of its kind discovered to date. The announcement was made by archaeologist Mashael Al Shamsi during her presentation at the symposium “Archaeology of the Arabian Gulf: Between Discovery and Preservation,” organised by BACA in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Study Al Shamsi said that the mask requires further in-depth study, as it remains one of the few such artifacts that has not yet been extensively researched. She noted that a specialised scientific study is underway, which will examine the mask alongside associated artifacts, including beads and funerary objects. The ongoing excavations are focused on layers dating back to the Middle Dilmun period. The research team is preparing a comprehensive study to document the findings […]
7 days ago
Bahrain officially launched its first Bahrain International Boat Show today, marking a major milestone for the Kingdom’s marine and maritime sector. Held under the Sea World Expo Bahrain 2026 banner, the three day specialised exhibition brings together regional and international companies showcasing boats, yachts and marine accessories. Organisers described the inaugural edition as a foundation event aimed at establishing Bahrain as a new meeting point for the global boating industry. The exhibition features eight main categories, including boats and yachts, diving, fishing, marine tourism, marine technology, naval and maritime services, watersports and marine environmental protection. Despite the wide scope, organisers said the core focus remains on boats, yachts and the engines, accessories and technologies that support them. Speaking to the Daily Tribune, Sea World Expo and Orka Projects chief executive Khalid AlSaeed said the long term goal is to position Bahrain as a global hub for the boats and yachts industry and to make the Kingdom an opening season destination on the international marine calendar. He added that future editions are expected to expand further, with plans to announce the next show at a central location in Bahrain. AlSaeed noted that the exhibition is designed to attract foreign direct investment […]
7 days ago
Gold prices edged lower on Friday as a combination of a strengthening U.S. dollar and technical index rebalancing offset recent momentum. Despite a 0.2% dip to US$4,469.03 per ounce (BHD 1,684.82), bullion remains on track for a weekly gain of over 3%, having recently touched a record high of US$4,549.71 (BHD 1,715.24) in late December. A decline is mirrored in the Bahraini market, where 24K gold is currently priced at BHD 54.60 per gram. Investor focus now shifts to the release of U.S. non-farm payrolls data, with economists forecasting modest job growth and a slight decline in the unemployment rate to 4.5%. While these immediate pressures have sparked some profit-taking, the long-term outlook remains bullish. Experts suggest that persistent geopolitical tensions and rising global debt could propel gold prices to US$5,000 an ounce (BHD 1,885.00) by the first half of 2026. Similarly, while silver and platinum saw slight declines on Friday, both metals are finishing the week with strong gains following their own recent record-breaking performances.
7 days ago
The Bahrain Cricket Federation (BCF) has launched the DP World ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour in the Kingdom of Bahrain, marking a major moment for cricket fans and the sporting community. Organised in cooperation with the International Cricket Council (ICC), the three-day Trophy Tour runs until Sunday, 11 January 2026, giving the public a rare opportunity to see the iconic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy up close. The tour blends cricket with Bahrain’s culture and heritage, featuring a royal boat parade, fan engagement activities at major malls, visits to historic landmarks, and extensive school outreach programmes aimed at inspiring young people and promoting grassroots cricket. Throughout the tour, fans engaged with the trophy at locations including Water Garden City, The Avenues Mall, Dana Mall, and historic sporting and cultural sites across the Kingdom. Angelo Mathews to Attend Trophy Unveiling Gala As part of the Trophy Tour, the Bahrain Cricket Federation announced that Sri Lankan cricket legend Angelo Mathews will be in Bahrain to attend the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Unveiling Gala. The gala will be held on Saturday, 10 January 2026, at 7:00 PM at Crowne Plaza Bahrain, bringing together senior officials, corporate leaders, international […]
7 days ago
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak has confirmed that advertising licenses in Bahrain are now typically issued within five working days, provided all technical and administrative requirements are met. Responding to a parliamentary inquiry from Shura Council member Dr. Ibtisam Al Dallal, the minister detailed a streamlined electronic application process available through the ministry’s website and the national e-government portal. The oversight framework involves 18 administrative staff and 15 specialised inspectors who subject every submission to rigorous scrutiny, ensuring that advertisements meet specific criteria regarding size, location, and safety. A key component of the approval process is a dedicated linguistic review conducted by the Advertising Committee to ensure the correct usage of the Arabic language. This committee, operating under Decree-Law No. 14 of 1973, also coordinates with relevant service providers and authorities to provide technical opinions on complex applications. To further modernise the sector, the ministry has submitted two draft amendments to the legislative authority aimed at aligning current laws with the evolving commercial landscape. These reforms are intended to enhance Bahrain’s urban aesthetic while facilitating a faster, more organised licensing environment for businesses.
7 days ago
Two men who posed as police officers and forced a driver to hand over the PIN to a money app have had their three-year prison terms upheld on appeal, after BD96 was transferred from his account. The High Criminal Court of Appeal upheld the sentence after hearing that the pair stopped the victim on the road, took his phone and then drove him to an open sandy plot where he was assaulted. According to the case file, the second defendant signalled for the driver to pull over, got into the vehicle and claimed he was a policeman. He searched the car and seized the victim’s mobile phone, then ordered him to drive to a nearby area where the first defendant was waiting. Prosecutors said the first defendant demanded the PIN for one of the victim’s financial applications.
7 days ago
The Capital Trustees Authority has introduced a new fee structure for truck parking at the Manama Central Market to ease chronic congestion and improve the efficiency of loading operations. Under the new regulations, managed by the government-owned company Amakin, trucks are now charged BD 10 for the first 12 hours, followed by BD 2 for each additional hour, with a BD 50 penalty for lost tickets. While officials frame the move as a necessary organisational step to ensure fair access and prevent the monopolisation of spaces, the decision has sparked significant concern among local merchants and traders. Critics, supported by Strategic Thinking Bloc spokesman MP Khalid Bu Onk, argue that the sharp increase in logistics costs threatens the stability of the fruit and vegetable market, which typically operates on narrow profit margins. There are growing fears that these overheads will eventually lead to higher prices for consumers. Despite these concerns, the Authority maintains that the measures were developed through prior consultation with stakeholders and has pledged to continue a dialogue with merchants to balance regulatory requirements with the market’s commercial sustainability.
1 week ago
Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is all set for a busy weekend of action as ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’ hosts the fourth round of National Race Day this Saturday. The event is set to feature an exciting double-header, with two of the Kingdom’s most competitive local championships hitting the tarmac along BIC’s 2.554-kilometre Inner Track. Racing will be held in both the Bahrain Touring Car Challenge (BTCC) and Time Attack, with sessions scheduled to take place both during daytime conditions and under lights. This weekend’s National Race Day will be taking place just hours after the completion of the third round of the 2025/2026 Bahrain Drag Racing Championship on BIC’s quarter-mile drag strip, continuing the circuit’s packed calendar of events to start the new year. National Race Day is being organised and run by BIC in cooperation with the Bahrain Motor Federation, the Circuit Racing Commission, and the Bahrain Auto X and Drift Commission. Action is scheduled to begin at 10.20am and continue until after 6pm, with the podium ceremonies for both BTCC and Time Attack scheduled for 6.30pm. All are welcome to attend the meeting. Tickets are BD2 for adults and BD1 for children. They can […]
1 week ago
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced the launch of a new seasonal route to Geneva, Switzerland. Starting June 4, the airline will operate twice-weekly flights via Milan, running through the peak summer season until September 27. This strategic expansion aims to provide travellers from the region with seamless access to one of Europe’s most iconic financial and leisure hubs. The new route complements Gulf Air’s existing seasonal European network, which includes popular destinations like Nice, Málaga, and Mykonos.
1 week ago
The Fourth Minor Criminal Court has sentenced a man to six months in prison and fined him BD 200 after convicting him of broadcasting false news and insulting a foreign country. During a previous hearing, the Public Prosecution submitted both written and oral arguments, calling for the maximum penalty to be imposed. The prosecution relied on verbal and technical evidence, the testimony of the investigating officer, and two video clips broadcast on a media channel in which the defendant allegedly made false statements and issued insults against a foreign country. In its pleadings, the prosecution stressed the ‘responsibility attached to freedom of expression’, warning against the misuse of words to incite hatred, spread discord, or provoke unrest. The prosecutor noted that while freedom of opinion is protected, the law provides clear limits when speech threatens public order and national security. The Public Prosecutor cited Article 23 of Bahrain’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression within the limits of the law and without prejudice to national unity or social cohesion. Reference was also made to Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which affirms freedom of expression while allowing lawful restrictions necessary to protect public order and […]
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