Author: News Desk

BDF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa received Bahrain’s Ambassador to the US, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa.

Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani said that Bahrain welcomes all international investments and projects with added value to investment and investors. Receiving a business delegation from the Czech Republic, Al Zayani stressed the importance of mutual visits, joint investment and economic projects and positive initiatives between business communities to enhance cooperation and coordination between the two countries. The minister highlighted the important role of the government in supporting the economic sector and investment projects at various levels. Al Zayani reviewed the possibilities and investment opportunities in Bahrain for investors from all over the world, in…

Centrist President Emmanuel Macron took his hunt for more re-election support on Monday to France’s former industrial heartland in the north, a blue-collar stronghold of far-right rival Marine Le Pen, who he will face in an April 24 runoff vote. Macron, 44, is vying to become the first president in two decades to win a second term, but faces a tough challenge from Le Pen, who has tapped into anger over the cost of living and a perception that Macron is disconnected from everyday hardships. A Le Pen win would send shockwaves across Europe and beyond, and deliver a similar…

Russia will take legal action if the West tries to force it to default on its sovereign debt, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told the pro-Kremlin Izvestia newspaper on Monday, sharpening Moscow’s tone in its financial wrestle with the West. “Of course we will sue, because we have taken all the necessary steps to ensure that investors receive their payments,” Siluanov told the newspaper in an interview. “We will present in court our bills confirming our efforts to pay both in foreign currency and in roubles. It will not be an easy process. We will have to very actively prove our…

The Russian rouble weakened sharply in jittery trade on Monday, reversing some of the previous week’s gains, after the central bank decided to relax temporary capital control measures aimed at limiting a drop in the currency. Late on Friday the central bank said it will scrap a 12% commission for buying foreign currency through brokerages from April 11 and lift a temporary ban on selling foreign exchange cash to individuals from April 18. The rouble fell to 82.09 against the dollar at the market opening in Moscow, from the 71 roubles hit on Friday for its strongest since Nov. 11.…

Elon Musk rejected Twitter Inc’s offer to join its board, a dramatic turn in a week when the billionaire became its biggest shareholder, with the social media company warning of “distractions ahead”. The company’s board held many discussions with Musk, Twitter Chief Executive Officer Parag Agrawal said in a note posted to the site on Sunday, but did not disclose the reason for the Tesla chief’s decision. Twitter shares were down about 2% at $45.31 in premarket trading on Monday. They soared 27% on April 4, when Musk made his stake public, but have since shed 7.5% of those gains. The planned…

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has been ousted from power after losing a no-confidence vote in his leadership. The vote was held past midnight after opposition parties brought a motion against him, which was upheld by the Supreme Court. Mr Khan had said he would not recognise an opposition government, claiming – without evidence – that there was a US-led conspiracy to remove him. The assembly will now appoint a new prime minister. That person will be able to hold power until October 2023 when the next election is due to be held. Mr Khan becomes the first Pakistani prime…

Deputised by His Majesty King Hamad Al Khalifa, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, attended the Ramadan Gathering, which was organised by the This is Bahrain Society, at the Cathedral Our Lady of Arabia in Awali. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad said that Bahrain, in the era of HM the King, has become an oasis of security and safety and a country of coexistence among all religions, beliefs and sects. “The Kingdom of Bahrain has a long history as a beacon of fraternity, coexistence and tolerance among all religions and…

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa delegated Deputy Prime Minister His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa to open the 28th Bahrain Heritage Festival, being held under the theme “Our Golden Heritage”. HH the Deputy Prime Minister expressed pride at opening, on behalf of HM the King, the  festival, and stressed royal interest in this national cultural event which was first launched in 1992. He stressed the importance of the festival in revitalising the cultural scene and showcasing Bahrain’s rich heritage, civilization an openness to different cultures. “The festival’s comeback represents a qualitative addition to the cultural…

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov held a press conference following the official talks in the presence of the delegations from the two countries. Al Zayani expressed his happiness to visit Russia, noting its standing at the global level due to the importance of its key historical role over decades in strengthening international peace and security and ensuring global energy supplies. He expressed his appreciation of the international standing of Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, which contributed to maintaining regional and international security and stability.…