I. Headlines:
· HM the King receives credentials of 8 new Ambassadors.
· Markaz: GCC markets slip into red; falls 2.91% in June.
· Bahrain’s first lady opens Tylos Show at St. Petersburg.
II. Political:
HM the King receives credentials of 8 new Ambassadors.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa yesterday received at Al-Sukhir Palace eight newly-appointed ambassadors who submitted copies of their credentials. The new diplomats are Li Chen (China), Max Bjuhr (Sweden), Tairou El-Hadj Abdu Kabassi (Benin), Joseba Achutegui (Venezuela), Chandra Sekara (Sri Lanka), Etienne Thévoz (Switzerland), Dr. Niali Holohan (Ireland) and Mohammed Gudeta Chebsa (Ethiopia). HM the King welcomed and hailed the good relations bonding Bahrain and their respective countries, stressing steadily-growing cooperation in all fields. Royal Court Minister, Follow-up Minister, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Royal Protocol chief attended the ceremony.
III. Economic, Trade, Business:
Markaz: GCC markets slip into red; falls 2.91% in June.
According to Markaz Report for June 2012, the level of markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ were down in this past June, losing 2.91% after a decrease of 6.1% in May. All GCC markets except Abu Dhabi were in the red. Saudi (TASI) was the largest loser shedding 3.80% for the month, followed by Qatar which lost 3.49%. Dubai has been the best performing market YTD, with a gain of 7.28%. Kuwait lost 0.60% in June while Bahrain and Oman both lost 1.13%. Kuwait Financial Centre (known as Markaz) is an investment company and a center that was established in 1974 by the late Sheikh Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah subsequent to the first oil shock, and aims at channeling oil wealth into the development of Kuwait's infrastructure and giving hand to the GCC brotherly countries.
Dr. Mirza pays inspection visit to Muhrraq Electricity and Water Emergency Center.
Minister of Energy, Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, has paid an inspection visit to the Al-Muhrraq Electricity and Water Emergency Centre, as well as to the Consumer Service Directorate. Accompanied by the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) Chief Executive Shaikh Nawaf bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa. The Minister there held talks with the Muharraq’s 7th Constituency representative and MP Othman Mohammed Sharif, and informed him that EWA has been working on optimizing the power supply across the country.
The Egyptian Air launches extra flights to Bahrain.
Egypt Air launched their first Extra flights to Bahrain International Airport from Cairo on board the B777/300 aircraft to the Kingdom of Bahrain. As part of the Airlines Efforts to facilitate the transfer of Egyptian Expats and Citizens working within the Kingdom and to provide a fast and comfortable way for their return to their country to meet with their families during the summer break. To assure the operational capabilities to handle the big number of passengers the Airline organized 13 additional flights from and to Bahrain Airport within 5 days period to conclude by the 2nd of July 2012.
IV. Social, Culture, Tourism:
Bahrain’s first lady opens Tylos Show at St. Petersburg.
The Spouse of HM the King, and Supreme Council for Women’s President, HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa has opened yesterday the Tylos Show being hosted by the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russian. Minister of Culture Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Professor Michael Petrovsky, the Director-General of State Hermitage Museum, a large number of VIPs and experts interested in world heritage and museums, and members of the World Heritage Commission. The show was inaugurated under the slogan “A Trip beyond a Lifetime”.
Bahrain launches drive to eradicate strays.
Bahrain has launched a BD300,000 ($795,000) five-year scheme campaign that aims to eradicate stray dogs in the kingdom. The Catch, Neuter, Return (CNR) project, run by the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA), is designed to humanely stop them from breeding without the need to have them shot. The scheme is being run with the guidance and direction of the London-based Dogs Trust International.
V. Photo of the Day:
* Wife of HM the King, and Supreme Council for Women’s President, HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa with Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa at the opening of the Tylos Show at Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. 3rd June 2012 Al-Wasat.
Issued by:
Embassy of Malaysia,
MANAMA
4th July 2012