Bahrain News Agency, Kingdom of Bahrain

Vietnamese cargo ship sinks in South China Sea, 17 crew members missing

info@bna.bh — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 22:55:00 GMT

Hanoi, Jul. 26 (BNA): The Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry said that a Vietnamese cargo ship carrying 62 crew members sank due to bad weather in the South China Sea, leaving 17 people missing, while 45 others were rescued. Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said the ship "Khoi Nguyen 18" sank while sailing in bad weather near the disputed Fiery Cross Reef area in the South China Sea, Reuters reported. Hang confirmed that Vietnamese...

Sudden floods kill 10 people in China’s Gansu Province

info@bna.bh — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 21:06:00 GMT

Dingxi, Jul. 26 (BNA): A flash flood caused by heavy rainfall left 10 people dead and 23 others injured in the People’s Republic of China’s northwestern Gansu Province. According to the Xinhua News Agency, the flood swept through a scenic area in Weiyuan County, Dingxi City, where a number of tourists were camping, leaving them trapped. Local public security and fire and rescue departments immediately sent emergency teams to the affected area, while search and rescue efforts...

South Korea issues highest-level heatwave warning

info@bna.bh — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:42:00 GMT

Seoul, Jul. 26 (BNA): The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued extreme grave heat wave warnings for Daegu and other Southeastern parts of South Korea as temperatures climbed well above 30 C. The KMA reported that the highest-level heat warnings came into effect in southwestern parts of Daegu, and the nearby cities of Gyeongsan and Cheongdo County, according to the South Korea News Agency (Yonhap). Warnings were also issued for the southeastern cities of...

39 rescued after Vietnamese ship sinks in South China Sea

info@bna.bh — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 14:32:00 GMT

Sansha, Jul. 26 (BNA): Local authorities in Sansha, Southern China, said a Chinese rescue helicopter saved two more distressed crew members from the Vietnamese cargo vessel "Khoi Nguyen 18", which sank in waters near Yongshu Reef in the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea, bringing the total number rescued to 39. All those rescued are Vietnamese nationals, and search and rescue operations are still underway. The vessel had a total of 62 people on board, Xinhua...

Ebola cases rise to 3,075, including more than 1,000 deaths in Congo

info@bna.bh — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 12:26:00 GMT

Kinshasa, Jul. 26 (BNA): The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the ⁠Democratic Republic of Congo has increased to 3,075, including 1,354 ⁠deaths, government data showed.

The World Health Organisation assessed the risk of the virus spreading regionally as high, and declared last May that its outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda constituted an emergency and posed a risk to other countries, Reuters reported.

N.B, H.K, s.a

China issues red alert as Typhoon Noul approaches

info@bna.bh — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 10:45:00 GMT

Beijing, Jul. 25 (BNA): China's national observatory activated a red alert, the highest level in the country's typhoon warning system, as Typhoon Noul approaches. Typhoon Noul, the 12th typhoon of the year, is forecast to make landfall along the coast of south China's Guangdong Province, according to the National Meteorological Centre (NMC). The NMC said that the typhoon's centre was about 100 km offshore southeast of Huidong County in Huizhou City, Guangdong, with maximum...

Spain declares national emergency over wildfires

info@bna.bh — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:49:00 GMT

Madrid, Jul. 24 (BNA): The Kingdom of Spain declared a state of emergency in two regions, including the area around the capital Madrid, as wildfires continued to spread and the number of those affected increased. The Interior Ministry confirmed that additional teams had been deployed to take part in firefighting operations, while more than 20,000 people were evacuated from their homes, including around 10,000 from the Greater Madrid area, as well as around 1,500 people in the Avila...

Nearly 3,000 confirmed infected with Ebola in Congo after data review

info@bna.bh — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 19:35:00 GMT

Kinshasa, Jul. 24 (BNA): The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 2,905, including 1,269 deaths, after health authorities reviewed data from two of the regions worst affected by the disease, adding more than 300 new cases to the official total. The daily report issued by the Congo's Public Health Institute said the increase was largely due to the reconciliation of data from Ituri and North Kivu provinces with the national records, Reuters...

Death toll from Guyana ferry disaster rises to 72

info@bna.bh — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:56:00 GMT

Georgetown, Guyana, Jul. 24 (BNA): The confirmed death toll from the recent sinking of a state ferry off Guyana's coast rose to 72 on Thursday, as multinational rescue teams continued efforts to recover more bodies. The government estimated that around 100 people may have died in the accident, out of an estimated 179 passengers aboard the ferry, making it the deadliest maritime disaster on record for the South American nation, the Associated Press (AP)...

Muslim Council of Elders condemns renewed Iranian attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan

info@bna.bh — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:13:00 GMT

Abu Dhabi, Jul. 24 (BNA): The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, strongly condemned the renewed Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with missiles and drones. The Council reaffirmed its categorical rejection of all actions that undermine the sovereignty of states, threaten their security and stability, or endanger civilians and vital...

Global hunger levels decline for the third consecutive year

info@bna.bh — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:11:00 GMT

Rome, Jul. 22 (BNA): Global hunger declined for a third consecutive year in 2025, demonstrating that progress is possible, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) said in a report. However, the improvements remain fragile, unevenly distributed and insufficient to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, according to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 (SOFI 2026) report, released on Tuesday by five United Nations specialised...

China maintains Level-IV emergency flood response for Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan

info@bna.bh — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:52:00 GMT

Beijing, Jul. 21 (BNA): The Chinese Ministry of Water Resources said on Monday that it has maintained a Level-IV emergency flood response for south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the provinces of Hubei and Hunan, both located in central China. From Sunday morning to Monday morning, heavy to torrential rains lashed central and southern parts of the country. During the same period, water levels rose above warning levels on eight small and medium-sized rivers in Yunnan in...

Flood alert upgraded for Imjin River near inter-Korean border amid downpours

info@bna.bh — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:12:00 GMT

Seoul, Jul. 21 (BNA): South Korean authorities on Tuesday upgraded a flood alert to a full warning for the Imjin River near the border with North Korea as water levels rose sharply due to heavy downpours and the North's release of water. The Han River Flood Control Office said that Imjin Bridge's water level has been on a sharp rise. In contrast, the water level at the Pilseung Bridge, the northernmost point of the Imjin River in South Korea, measured 10.1 meters, which marks the...

Twenty seven bodies recovered after ferry capsises off Guyana

info@bna.bh — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:26:00 GMT

Georgetown, Jul. 21 (BNA): The Co-operative Republic of Guyana's government announced that 27 bodies had been recovered from a ferry that capsised off the coast over the weekend with 179 people on board. The ferry MV Barima was travelling from the capital Georgetown to the northwest village of Port Kaituma when it capsized. The government's National Communications Network said on Monday afternoon that 69 people had been rescued, while another 83 remain missing, Reuters...

Flash floods kill 20 in Afghanistan, 100 missing

info@bna.bh — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:12:00 GMT

Kabul, Jul. 21 (BNA): At least 20 people were killed in flash floods in northeastern Afghanistan on Monday, the Taliban-run government said. The death toll was expected to rise, with ⁠100 people still missing on Monday night. Most of the damage was reported from Parun, the capital of Nuristan, the Taliban's National Disaster Management Authority said in a statement. At least 80 people were injured, according to the authority. Taliban officials said Monday evening that they...

Spain's largest wildfire of the year burns for a fifth day as new heatwave looms

info@bna.bh — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:11:00 GMT

Madrid, Jul. 21 (BNA): A wildfire raged out of control across Spain's central Guadalajara province on Monday, burning for a fifth day and becoming the largest blaze of the year, as forecasters warned an approaching ‌heatwave would raise fire risks across much of the country. Spain and southern Europe are facing increasingly severe wildfire seasons, a trend scientists have linked to climate change. The fire comes less than two weeks after a wildfire near Bedar, in Almeria province, killed...

Andy Burnham assumes office as UK prime minister

info@bna.bh — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:24:00 GMT

London, Jul. 20 (BNA): Andy Burnham assumed office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom today, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer, who formally submitted his resignation to King Charles. Burnham becomes the country's seventh prime minister in a decade. The 56-year-old takes office amid economic and political challenges and has pledged to reorient the government's agenda towards improving living standards and addressing cost-of-living pressures. Following his election as leader of...

Firefighters battle Coupang warehouse blaze for 3rd day amid collapse fears

info@bna.bh — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:47:00 GMT

Incheon, Jul. 20 (BNA): Firefighters continued to battle a massive blaze at a Coupang warehouse Monday as flames continued to rage for the third day and force people to evacuate amid concerns of a potential collapse of the building. The fire at the logistics center in Incheon, just west of Seoul, remained uncontained as of 10:30 a.m. after it began early Saturday morning, according to the Incheon firefighting headquarters. While the complex building structure and vast amounts...

Fire breaks out at Coupang logistics center in South Korea, injuring one

info@bna.bh — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Incheon, Jul. 19 (BNA): A fire broke out at a logistics centre operated by the retail giant Coupang Inc. in the western port city of Incheon on Saturday, leaving one firefighter injured. Authorities said that they received a report that a blaze broke out on the sixth floor of the facility at 6:54 am. A total of 121 people, including logistics workers, inside the building have been evacuated, according to the Yonhap News Agency. One firefighter was injured while battling...

Earthquake of magnitude 5.6 strikes central Peru

info@bna.bh — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 10:59:00 GMT

Peru, July 19 (BNA): An earthquake of ‌magnitude 5.6 struck Central Peru on ⁠Saturday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said.

The depth of ‌the ⁠quake was 22 km (13.67 miles), the ⁠EMSC said, Reuters reported.

M.I, AAL

Muslim World League condemns Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan

info@bna.bh — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 03:00:00 GMT

Makkah, Jul. 18 (BNA): The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned Iran's continued attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In a statement, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al Issa, Secretary-General of the MWL and Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars, reiterated the League's condemnation of the repeated Iranian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and vital facilities. He said the attacks violate all...

India launches first privately developed orbital rocket

info@bna.bh — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 22:52:00 GMT

New Delhi, Jul. 18 (BNA): The Republic of India successfully launched its first orbital rocket developed by a domestic private company, marking a new milestone in the country's space programme and advancing private sector participation in the space industry, Reuters reported. The Vikram-1 rocket, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, successfully lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, southern India, and reached its operational orbit at an altitude of 450 kilometres above...

Magnitude 5.0 earthquake strikes southeastern Türkiye

info@bna.bh — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 21:43:00 GMT

Ankara, Jul. 18 (BNA): A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck several provinces in southeastern Türkiye early on Saturday, causing no casualties or damage.

According to Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the earthquake struck the Battalgazi district of Malatya province. The tremor was felt in the provinces of Malatya, Elazığ, Adıyaman, Tunceli and Şanlıurfa, with no casualties or material damage reported so far.

D.A

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake strikes southern Mexico

info@bna.bh — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:06:00 GMT

Mexico City, Jul. 17 (BNA): A powerful earthquake struck Mexico's southern Pacific coast near the border with Guatemala, with tremors felt across wide areas stretching from Mexico City to El Salvador. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake measured 7.3 on the Richter scale. Its epicentre was located 48 kilometres southwest of Aquiles Serdán, near the coast of the Mexican state of Chiapas, at a depth of 15 kilometres, Reuters reported. Despite...

Earthquake strikes New Zealand's South Island, tsunami warning lifted

info@bna.bh — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:43:00 GMT

Te Anau, Jul. 16 (BNA): A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck near the town of Te Anau on New Zealand's South Island, prompting authorities to issue a temporary tsunami warning before lifting it after no threat was detected, local authorities said. The earthquake struck about 40 kilometres north of Te Anau, with authorities initially estimating its magnitude at 6.3 before revising it to 5.9. No casualties or damage have been reported, while more than 18,000 people reported feeling...

Wildfires expose millions in the Midwest and Northeast US to dangerous smoke

info@bna.bh — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:15:00 GMT

Minnesota, Jul. 15 (BNA): Heavy smoke from several large wildfires blazing in Canada and Minnesota is expected to engulf large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast U.S. this week, exposing millions of people to dangerous air pollution. Minnesota officials issued an air quality alert from Tuesday through Friday for areas including the Twin Cities metro area, Alexandria and Two Harbors, with very heavy smoke expected across the state’s northeastern corner as large wildfires spread. Air...

Earthquake of magnitude 6.05 strikes Mindanao, Philippines

info@bna.bh — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:08:00 GMT

Manila, Jul. 15 (BNA): magnitude 6.05 ‌earthquake struck Mindanao in the ⁠Philippines on Tuesday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences ‌said.

The ⁠quake was at a depth ⁠of 10 km (6.21 miles), ⁠GFZ ⁠said, Reuters reported.

M.I, AAL

Bangladesh flood death toll rises to 51

info@bna.bh — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:33:00 GMT

Dhaka, Jul. 12 (BNA): The death toll from floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains in southeastern Bangladesh has risen to 51, with dozens more injured, authorities announced. Floodwaters have inundated large areas across seven districts, affecting more than one million people and leaving many communities isolated. Cox's Bazar recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 28 deaths. According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, more than 38,000 people...

Spain reports progress in containing southern wildfire

info@bna.bh — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 03:49:00 GMT

Madrid, Jul. 11 (BNA): Spanish authorities said the wildfire that has burned across southern Spain for a week is showing positive signs of containment after claiming 12 lives and destroying around 6,600 hectares. Favourable weather conditions enabled firefighters to begin direct firefighting operations, while authorities said no new casualties had been reported. Hundreds of firefighters and military personnel continue efforts to contain the blaze, and around 1,500 residents remain...

Venezuela earthquake death toll rises above 4,300

info@bna.bh — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 23:51:00 GMT

Caracas, Jul. 11 (BNA): The death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela two weeks ago has risen to more than 4,300, Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly, announced.

Rodríguez said the number of fatalities from the June 24 earthquakes had reached 4,333. More than 19,000 people remain in temporary shelters, while the United Nations has appealed for nearly $300 million to support relief operations.

M.A., K.E

China issues highest alert over Typhoon Bavi

info@bna.bh — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 21:16:00 GMT

Beijing, Jul. 11 (BNA): China issued its highest-level red alert for rainstorms as Typhoon Bavi made landfall along the country's eastern coast, Xinhua News Agency reported. The National Meteorological Centre warned of heavy to torrential rainfall across several regions over the next 24 hours, with the heaviest precipitation expected in parts of Zhejiang, Fujian and Taiwan. Authorities also warned of flooding and other weather-related hazards as the typhoon continued moving...

WMO warns of record sand and dust storms in 2025

info@bna.bh — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 22:17:00 GMT

Geneva, Jul. 10 (BNA): Record sand and dust storms affected several regions of the world in 2025, particularly along the United States-Mexico border and in China, causing significant impacts on public health and the economy, Reuters reported. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in its annual report that the storms disrupted economic activities and transport networks, while the Bodélé Depression in Chad remained the world's leading source of airborne dust. The report added...

International reports warn of growing wildfire threat in Europe

info@bna.bh — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Berlin, Jul. 10 (BNA): International reports have warned of increasing wildfire risks across Europe as heatwaves and high temperatures persist, with the number of fatalities expected to rise in the coming years due to the impacts of climate change. Spain witnessed one of its deadliest wildfires in recent hours, with at least 11 people killed in the south of the country, as record temperatures were recorded across wide areas, the Associated Press (AP) reported. According to the...

Landslides triggered by Typhoon Bavi kill 15 in Philippines

info@bna.bh — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 19:19:00 GMT

Manila, Jul. 10 (BNA): At least 15 people were killed and six others remain missing after landslides triggered by heavy rainfall associated with Typhoon Bavi in the Philippines. Philippine police said the intense rainfall caused widespread landslides in the southern parts of the country, noting that rescue teams continue search operations for the missing despite difficult weather conditions. Typhoon Bavi, which earlier swept across several Pacific islands, is forecast to move...

WHO warns DR Congo Ebola outbreak may be up to four times larger

info@bna.bh — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 19:02:00 GMT

Kinshasa, Jul. 10 (BNA): The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the actual scale of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could be between two and four times larger than the number of officially confirmed cases due to continued community transmission, Reuters reported. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said around 80% of newly confirmed cases in the outbreak's epicentre in Bunia, Ituri Province, are not...

New Congo province has suspected Ebola case as deaths hit 600

info@bna.bh — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:15:00 GMT

Kinshasa, Jul. 9 (BNA): The Democratic Republic of Congo said on Wednesday that suspected Ebola cases had been reported in a new province, ‌highlighting the expansion of the ongoing outbreak as deaths hit 600. The outbreak, declared on May 15, has so far infected 1,759 people across the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, according to the government's latest situation report published Wednesday ⁠night. But that case total does not include two cases in...

Death toll from Venezuela quakes rises to 3,811

info@bna.bh — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:14:00 GMT

Caracas, Jul. 9 (BNA): The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has risen to 3,811, according to figures released by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez on ‌Wednesday. The latest tally puts the number of injured in the June 24 quakes at 16,740, and the number of homeless at 17,907. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez renewed calls for international sanctions on Venezuela to be lifted to assist the earthquake recovery, saying the country had enough overseas assets to...

Four killed, eight missing in heavy rain in southern China

info@bna.bh — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:01:00 GMT

Beijing, Jul. 7 (BNA): Four people were killed and eight others remain missing after heavy rainfall and flooding struck parts of Nanning in southern China. Local authorities said the hardest-hit areas were Hengzhou and Binyang County, where rainfall exceeded local 24-hour records. All casualties were reported in Hengzhou. The flooding affected 84,700 people in Hengzhou, where 53,808 residents were evacuated and the relocation of a further 660 people was under way. In Binyang County,...

Five killed in residential building fire in China

info@bna.bh — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 22:46:00 GMT

Beijing, Jul. 6 (BNA): Five people were killed and one other was injured after a fire broke out in a residential building in Zhengzhou, China, according to the local Fire and Rescue Department.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the fire has been extinguished and the injured person is in stable condition after receiving emergency medical treatment.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

D.A

Wildfire forces evacuation of 10,000 in southern France

info@bna.bh — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 21:50:00 GMT

Paris, Jul. 6 (BNA): Around 10,000 people have been evacuated after a wildfire spread across southern France, Reuters reported. Authorities in the Pyrénées-Orientales department said evacuations were carried out in 26 areas in the foothills west of the city of Perpignan. The wildfire has scorched around 4,600 hectares, fuelled by strong winds, intense heat and exceptionally low humidity. Local authorities urged residents in the affected areas to keep roads clear to allow firefighters...

DR Congo reports 506 Ebola deaths

info@bna.bh — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:08:00 GMT

Nairobi, Jul. 6 (BNA): The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported more than 500 deaths from the ongoing Ebola outbreak, Reuters reported. The Ministry of Communication and Media of Congo said 1,561 confirmed Ebola cases have been recorded, including 506 deaths. It added that 628 patients are receiving treatment in hospitals and isolation centres, while 253 people have recovered. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) expressed concern over infected...

China activates Level-IV flood emergency response for Anhui, Shandong

info@bna.bh — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:27:00 GMT

Beijing, Jul. 6 (BNA): China's Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) announced in a statement that the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Monday activated a Level-IV emergency response for flood control for the provinces of Anhui and Shandong. According to a statement issued by MEM authorities to Xinhua News Agency, some areas in northern Anhui and southern Shandong may experience torrential rain. Hourly rainfall in these areas is forecast to range from 30 to 60...

Heavy rain triggers flooding, evacuations in Dunedin

info@bna.bh — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 11:24:00 GMT

Wellington, Jul. 6 (BNA): Heavy rain triggered flooding, road closures and evacuations in New Zealand's southern city of Dunedin and the neighbouring Waitaki ‌District on Monday, with officials urging residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. Dunedin City Council said a range of roads in Mosgiel, west of the city centre, had ⁠closed overnight because of surface flooding, while the road over Three Mile Hill was also shut and small slips were reported on Otago Peninsula. Flood...

First Ebola patient in France recovers and is discharged from hospital

info@bna.bh — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:57:00 GMT

Paris, Jul. 4 (BNA): Stéphanie Rist, Minister of Health of the French Republic, announced that the first patient to be diagnosed with Ebola on French territory has fully recovered and been discharged from hospital. In a statement, Minister Rist said the patient, a doctor working in the humanitarian sector, had returned to France on June 23 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the virus is spreading widely. She said the patient received medical treatment and close...

US celebrates 250th anniversary of independence with major nationwide festivities

info@bna.bh — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:55:00 GMT

Washington, Jul. 4 (BNA): The United States of America is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its independence with major nationwide festivities across cities and states. The day marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when the 13 colonies declared their independence from the British Crown, making it a historic day known as Independence Day or the Fourth of July. According to the Associated Press (AP), official and public...

Magnitude 5.5 earthquake strikes off central Chile

info@bna.bh — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 12:46:00 GMT

Santiago, Jul. 4 (BNA): A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck an area off the coast of central Chile.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres.

M.A.

Venezuela earthquakes death toll rises to 2,645

info@bna.bh — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 12:44:00 GMT

Caracas, Jul. 4 (BNA): The death toll from two earthquakes that struck the Venezuelan capital Caracas and nearby areas has risen to 2,645.

Local authorities said more than 12,000 people were injured and around 15,000 were left homeless, adding that several buildings in the affected areas had been evacuated.

The two earthquakes are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.

M.A.

Philippines and Canada announce strategic partnership to strengthen bilateral cooperation

info@bna.bh — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:55:00 GMT

Vancouver, Jul. 3 (BNA): The Philippines and Canada announced the elevation of their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, in a move aimed at strengthening cooperation across a range of areas. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, said in a statement issued after expanded bilateral talks with Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, in Vancouver that the two countries had agreed to elevate their relations to the level of a strategic partnership,...

Deaths rise across Europe due to heatwave as governments move to tackle climate-related events

info@bna.bh — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:17:00 GMT

Brussels, Jul. 3 (BNA): Preliminary data from several Western European countries have recorded more than 4,000 excess deaths during the late June heatwave that swept across Europe, according to preliminary data, after record temperatures placed heavy strain on healthcare systems, as governments began taking steps to strengthen preparedness for future heatwaves. The French Republic recorded 2,025 excess deaths during the week beginning 22 June, an increase of around 30% compared with...

40 killed in bus crash in southwest Pakistan

info@bna.bh — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:25:00 GMT

Quetta, Jul. 3 (BNA): Forty people were killed and eight others injured when a passenger bus fell from a highway into a narrow valley in Balochistan province, southwest Pakistan. Shahid Rind, Spokesperson for the Government of Balochistan, said the bus driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to fall into a valley in the remote Dhana Sar area, near the border between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, while the injured were taken to...

Magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes Indonesia's Halmahera island

info@bna.bh — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:14:00 GMT

Jakarta, Jul. 3 (BNA): A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Indonesia's Halmahera island, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 127 kilometres.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said there was no tsunami threat.

M.A., A.A

Magnitude 5.2 earthquake strikes off Greece's Karpathos island

info@bna.bh — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:50:00 GMT

Tokyo, Jul. 3 (BNA): A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck off the coast of the Greek island of Karpathos, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The Athens Institute of Geodynamics said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 13 kilometres, with its epicentre located 11 kilometres off the coast of Karpathos.

M.A., A.A

WHO declares end of cruise ship-linked hantavirus outbreak

info@bna.bh — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:31:00 GMT

Geneva, Jul. 2 (BNA): The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius has officially ended, Reuters reported. The organisation noted that no new cases were reported since May 25. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, said the last person under monitoring had completed quarantine and tested negative for the virus, allowing the organisation to officially declare the outbreak over. A total of 13...

Two people killed, several injured in hospital fire in Germany

info@bna.bh — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:03:00 GMT

Berlin, Jul. 2 (BNA): Two people were killed and at least 34 injured in a fire that broke out in the roof of a hospital in the German city of Ludwigslust, a police official said. The German News Agency (dpa) reported on Thursday that the two who died were patients at the hospital in Ludwigslust, northwest of Berlin, Initial reports indicated the fire started in a patient’s room, the report said. Patients and hospital staff were being evacuated from the...

Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes off northeastern Japan

info@bna.bh — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:29:00 GMT

Tokyo, Jul. 1 (BNA): A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said in a statement that the earthquake occurred at 9:08 p.m. local time at a depth of 40 kilometres.

The agency said there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage. It also confirmed that no tsunami warning had been issued.

D.A

Bangladesh warns of dengue surge as weather aids spread

info@bna.bh — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:08:00 GMT

Dhaka, Jul. 1 (BNA): Bangladesh could face a sharp increase in dengue infections over the next two months, health experts warned, as wet weather and inadequate mosquito control spur a wider outbreak. According to Reuters, Bangladesh’s health ministry’s data showed that dengue deaths rose from one at the end of May to 18 by the end of June, while reported infections climbed more than eightfold, from 714 to 5,924. The spread of the disease has accelerated in recent weeks,...

Fire at petrochemical plant in eastern India injuries at least 20 people

info@bna.bh — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

New Delhi, Jul.1 (BNA): The Indian police announced that at least 20 people were injured and five were in critical condition due to a fire that broke out in a petrochemical plant in eastern India. According to the Associated Press (AP), the blaze broke out Tuesday in a naphtha pipeline at a facility operated by Haldia Petrochemicals and quickly spread to nearby homes in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of the state capital,...

Congo confirms 1,307 cases of Ebola, including 377 deaths

info@bna.bh — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:17:00 GMT

Dakar, Jun. 30 (BNA): The Democratic Republic ⁠of Congo announced late on Monday that confirmed Ebola cases in the country had reached 1,307, including 377 deaths.

According to Reuters, the Congo authorities said these ⁠cases have been recorded in three provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu and ⁠South Kivu, while continuing to monitor the epidemiological situation and taking the necessary measures to limit the spread of the virus.

N.B, H.F, A.A.M

Severe weather impacts: Italy and Balkans face red alert

info@bna.bh — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:53:00 GMT

Severe weather impacts: Italy and Balkans face red alert Rome, Jun. 29 (BNA): The Italian Republic and the Balkans are facing the impact of an exceptional heatwave that has entered its second week, causing widespread disruption to daily life and a sharp rise in excess deaths, with the number exceeding normal levels by hundreds of cases, amid growing warnings over the risk of wildfires. According to Reuters, in Italy, authorities issued a red alert covering 22 cities, from Bolzano in...

Aftershock hits Caracas as rescue efforts enter critical hours in Venezuela

info@bna.bh — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:35:00 GMT

Caracas, Jun. 29 (BNA): Venezuela was struck by another earthquake as the country continues to deal with the aftermath of the two devastating earthquakes that hit last week, while rescue teams and civilians continue their efforts to search for survivors beneath the rubble. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake struck at 7:01 a.m. local time, 27 km (17 miles) north of the Caribbean coastal area of Caraballeda, with a magnitude of 4.6. The Colombian Geological Survey,...

Venezuela quake death toll nears 1,500 as rescue work goes on

info@bna.bh — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:50:00 GMT

Caracas, Jun. 29 (BNA): The death toll from Wednesday's twin earthquakes neared 1,500 people. Foreign rescue teams poured into La Guaira, where dozens of buildings collapsed into piles of sand and rubble in the coastal state, about 40 km (25 miles) north of Caracas, Reuters reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160 km (100 miles) west of Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor last...

Germany reports third consecutive national heat record

info@bna.bh — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 20:27:00 GMT

Berlin, Jun. 28 (BNA): Germany recorded a new national temperature record for the third consecutive day, with temperatures reaching 41.7°C in the town of Neißemünde in the Oder-Spree district of Brandenburg, according to preliminary data from the German Weather Service (DWD). The latest record follows a series of consecutive highs, with temperatures reaching 41.3°C on Friday in Saarbrücken-Burbach, rising to 41.4°C at the same location on Saturday, before climbing to 41.5°C later that day...

European Union condemns Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain

info@bna.bh — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:24:00 GMT

Brussels, Jun. 28 (BNA): The European Union (EU) strongly condemned the recent Iranian drone attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain and expressed its full solidarity with the Kingdom. In a statement published on the EU's official website, Anouar El Anouni, the EU's spokesperson, said the deliberate attacks by Iran are unacceptable and constitute a clear violation of international law. The statement called for de-escalation and the full implementation of United Nations Security...

Muslim World League condemns Iranian drone attack targeting Bahrain

info@bna.bh — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:20:00 GMT

Makkah, Jun. 28 (BNA): The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned the Iranian drone attack targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain. In a statement issued by its General Secretariat, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars, condemned Iran's attacks against the Kingdom of Bahrain, describing them as violations of all religious values, international and humanitarian laws and norms, and as acts that...

Magnitude 5.2 earthquake strikes northwest China

info@bna.bh — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Beijing, Jun. 23 (BNA): A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, northwest China.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 8 kilometres. Its epicentre was located at 37.86 degrees north latitude and 95.54 degrees east longitude, Xinhua News Agency reported.

No casualties or material damage have been reported so far.

D.A

Early closure of Eiffel Tower amid heatwave

info@bna.bh — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 21:58:00 GMT

Paris, Jun. 23 (BNA): The company managing the Eiffel Tower in Paris announced that the landmark will close to visitors earlier than usual, as France experiences a heatwave that has pushed temperatures to around 40 C. In a statement, the company described the measure as exceptional and said it was introduced as a precaution in response to the high temperatures. It added that the reduced operating hours could be extended to Wednesday if current weather conditions persist. The company...

Keir Starmer announces resignation as UK Prime Minister and Labour Party leader

info@bna.bh — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:14:00 GMT

London, Jun. 22 (BNA): Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Labour Party, following months of growing pressure within the party, paving the way for the selection of Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade. In an emotional speech outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he had informed His Majesty King Charles III of his decision, noting that he would remain in office until the leadership contest to ensure an orderly...

Fire at training centre in India's Lucknow kills at least 14

info@bna.bh — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:08:00 GMT

New Delhi, Jun. 22 (BNA): At least 14 people, most of them students, were killed in a major fire that broke out on Monday at a training centre in the Aliganj area of Lucknow city in Uttar Pradesh state, India. Initial reports said the fire started in a three-storey building, which housed a training centre on the upper floors and a shop on the ground floor, trapping many students. Footage showed harrowing moments as students tried to save themselves by jumping from the upper floors to...

Six killed in military plane crash in Bolivia

info@bna.bh — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:04:00 GMT

Buenos Aires, Jun. 22 (BNA): Six people aboard a military plane that crashed in Bolivia on Sunday are dead, according to the Bolivian Defence Ministry. Those killed include four members of the military and two civilians, it said. The German Press Agency (DPA) reported that the Cessna FAB-409 aircraft had departed on Sunday morning from the airport of El Alto, which lies adjacent to the capital La Paz. It had been carrying out "support for civilian measures"...

Heat, wind and drought conditions spark wildfires in US West

info@bna.bh — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:26:00 GMT

Utah, Jun. 22 (BNA): Extreme heat and dry, windy conditions fueled several wildfires in the West on Sunday, including an uncontained blaze in Utah that forced the evacuation of a small town southwest of Salt Lake City. The Iron Fire in Utah’s Juab County was first detected Saturday and had blackened 34 square miles (87 square kilometers), authorities said. The fire about 70 miles (113 kilometers) southwest of Salt Lake City forced the evacuation of Eureka, population 1,000, and people...

Severe heat wave hits most parts of Europe

info@bna.bh — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 17:21:00 GMT

Paris, Jun. 21 (BNA): A severe heat wave has hit most of the European continent, prompting warnings as temperatures approach record highs. France expects 39 to 40 degree Celsius by Sunday, and forecasters said temperatures of 39 to 40 degrees Celsius would stretch from the southwest through the Paris region into Burgundy, with some areas possibly reaching 41C, Reuters reported. Germany issues near-nationwide heat alerts as temperatures approach 38C. The German Meteorological...

Storm Francisco strengthens into typhoon over the Philippine Sea

info@bna.bh — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:54:00 GMT

Manila, June 21 (BNA): The Philippine weather agency said on Sunday that severe tropical storm Francisco is expected to intensify into a typhoon later in the day, although it is unlikely to make a direct landfall in the country. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the storm was estimated to be 1,315 kilometres east of Luzon and was moving west-northwest at 25 km/h, with maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h and gusts...

ICAO reiterates support for Kuwait over Iranian attacks on airport

info@bna.bh — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:26:00 GMT

Kuwait, Jun. 20 (BNA): The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) reiterated its support for Kuwait's position regarding Iranian attacks on Kuwait International Airport during its 238th session, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. According to Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the council discussed a working paper submitted by Iran concerning its attacks on neighbouring countries and circulated Kuwait's letters of protest addressing repeated...

Passengers injured in train collision north of London

info@bna.bh — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 01:13:00 GMT

London, Jun. 20 (BNA): Multiple passengers sustained injuries of varying severity, including serious cases, after two passenger trains collided in Bedfordshire, north of London, prompting a large-scale response from British emergency and rescue services. British Transport Police said the collision occurred on the railway line between Luton and Bedford, Reuters reported. According to initial reports, a train travelling from Corby to London collided with another train travelling from...

WHO reports 896 Ebola cases, 232 deaths in DR Congo

info@bna.bh — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:55:00 GMT

Geneva, Jun. 19 (BNA): The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that 896 confirmed Ebola cases and 232 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo one month after the outbreak was declared. WHO said more than 115 experts have been deployed and 110 tonnes of emergency supplies delivered to support response efforts, while 78 patients have recovered. The organisation noted that challenges remain in accessing high-risk areas, tracing contacts, and securing...

China activates flood emergency response amid heavy rain forecasts

info@bna.bh — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:01:00 GMT

Beijing, Jun. 19 (BNA): China activated a Level IV emergency flood response in five provinces as heavy rainfall is forecast to continue until June 25. According to Xinhua News Agency, meteorologists warned that persistent heavy to torrential rain is expected to affect central and eastern China over the coming week, raising river levels and increasing the risk of flooding in some smaller waterways. China's Ministry of Water Resources issued special alerts identifying areas at risk,...

Wildfire in Spain disrupts rail services between Madrid and Barcelona

info@bna.bh — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:55:00 GMT

Madrid, Jun. 18 (BNA): The Kingdom of Spain’s rail operating company Adif stated that high-speed train services between Madrid and Barcelona were suspended after a wildfire broke out near a section of the line in Catalonia. According to Reuters, the disruption comes as Spain prepares for the first heatwave of the season, with the national weather agency forecasting a sharp rise in wildfire risk from Sunday, particularly in northern inland areas. Last summer, Spain and Portugal...

12 dead as a plane on a skydiving outing crashes in Missouri

info@bna.bh — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:53:00 GMT

Butler, June 15 (BNA): A plane carrying a pilot and 11 passengers on a skydiving outing in Missouri crashed in a field and was engulfed in flames Sunday, killing all aboard, authorities said. The crash happened shortly after the plane took off from a local airport around 11:30 a.m., and some of the occupants’ family members witnessed the crash, said Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson. A heap of blue and silver mangled metal lay in the grass near Butler Memorial Airport with a...

Helicopter collides with another in Brazil, killing 6

info@bna.bh — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:37:00 GMT

Rio De Janeiro, June 15 (BNA): Two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning and crashed in the city’s western zone, killing all six people aboard, firefighters said. Rio de Janeiro’s Military Fire Department said one of the helicopters crashed on the parking lot of a car dealership, where several electric vehicles were parked, igniting a fire that was extinguished. Officials said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision, the AP...

Indian Air Force plane crash kills all five onboard

info@bna.bh — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 20:03:00 GMT

New Delhi, Jun. 13 (BNA): The Indian Air Force announced the deaths of five of its personnel after an An-32 military transport aircraft crashed while landing at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam in north-eastern India. The aircraft was involved in the accident during a routine flight and crashed in the vicinity of the air base during the landing process, causing a fire to break out on board. In a statement posted on X, the Indian Air Force said the incident occurred in the...

Magnitude 5.7 aftershock strikes Sarangani in the Philippines

info@bna.bh — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 14:39:00 GMT

Manila, Jun. 13 (BNA): A magnitude 5.7 aftershock struck Sarangani province in the Philippines, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said on Saturday.

The aftershock was centred 21 kilometres west of Balut Island in Davao Occidental province.

The institute said the tremor was an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani on Monday and warned that further damage is possible.

M.A., A.A

One death, three injuries reported in helicopter crash in northern Italy

info@bna.bh — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 06:40:00 GMT

Rome, Jun. 12 (BNA): One person died and three others were injured in a helicopter crash near Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. Initial reports indicated that the helicopter took off from a villa on the Italian side of the lake before experiencing technical problems shortly after departure. Local media reported that the victim was 60 years old. Two of the injured were airlifted to hospital for treatment, while no further details were released regarding the identities of those...

WHO calls for enhanced surveillance as Ebola outbreak continues in DR Congo

info@bna.bh — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 21:20:00 GMT

Nairobi, Jun. 12 (BNA): The World Health Organisation (WHO) underscored the importance of enhancing surveillance and health response measures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the Ebola outbreak continues to spread to new health zones. The organisation noted that health authorities in DR Congo have recorded 676 confirmed cases and 136 deaths, while cases linked to the outbreak have also been detected in neighbouring Uganda, Reuters reported. Olivier le Polain, a WHO...

Japan launches H3 rocket on sixth mission

info@bna.bh — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:45:00 GMT

Tokyo, Jun. 12 (BNA): The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the successful launch of the H3 rocket on its sixth mission after resolving a technical issue that affected its previous flight. The rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture in south-western Japan and successfully deployed six small satellites into their designated orbits at an altitude of 580 kilometres, achieving all primary mission objectives, the Associated Press (AP)...

France condemns drone, missile attacks against Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan

info@bna.bh — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:23:00 GMT

Paris, Jun. 11 (BNA): The French Republic condemns in the strongest possible terms the unacceptable drone and missile attacks against the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. France reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all its partners in the Middle East. It remains fully committed and willing to participate in their defence. France calls on all the parties to strictly respect the...

Philippines earthquake death toll rises to 45

info@bna.bh — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:41:00 GMT

Manila, Jun. 10 (BNA): The death toll from a powerful earthquake in the southern Philippines has risen to 45, while 630 people were injured and 17 remain missing, a civil defence official said. Rescuers are still searching ruined buildings in the Philippines for anyone possibly trapped inside after Monday's quake, according to the German News Agency (DPA). The earthquake measured 7.8 on the Richter scale and struck off the coast of Mindanao, the second most populous island in...

Powerful Philippine quake leaves at least 32 feared dead

info@bna.bh — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:30:00 GMT

General Santos, June 9 (BNA): The death toll in a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday has risen to at least 32, with dozens of people injured, disaster officials said, as Manila stepped up search and rescue operations. The quake, which triggered tsunami warnings across several countries, hit early in the morning about 20 km (12.4 miles) off the coast of Sarangani province, with tremors felt strongly across Mindanao and 420 km away...

Tropical Storm Cristina forms off Nicaragua

info@bna.bh — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:58:00 GMT

Miami, Jun. 9 (BNA): Tropical Storm Cristina formed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Nicaragua, with maximum sustained winds reaching 75 kilometres per hour. The US National Hurricane Center in Miami said the storm was centred about 160 kilometres south-west of Managua, and 235 kilometres south-east of San Salvador, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The centre noted that Cristina is expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala through...

6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes western Cuba

info@bna.bh — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 01:23:00 GMT

Havana, Jun. 9 (BNA): A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck western Cuba today, causing buildings to shake in Havana and other areas, with no immediate reports of casualties or material damage. The earthquake occurred at a depth of around 10 kilometres in waters west of Havana, Reuters reported. Residents felt the tremor in several parts of the country, while local reports indicated concern among citizens after buildings and facilities shook. The effects of the earthquake were also felt in...

7.8 magnitude quake in the Philippines kills at least 19, sets off tsunami

info@bna.bh — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:52:00 GMT

Manila, Jun. 8 (BNA): An offshore magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 19 people, injuring more than 200 others, mostly in damaged buildings, and sending a 1-meter (3-foot) tsunami onto nearby coasts. A few buildings collapsed, and key infrastructure sustained quake damage in the city of General Santos, and tsunami damage was reported in at least one coastal village. Smaller waves were measured in Indonesia and Palau and as far away...

Jakarta highlights importance of human capital development

info@bna.bh — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 21:18:00 GMT

Jakarta, Jun. 7 (BNA): The Jakarta Provincial Government highlighted the importance of human capital development as a key factor in infrastructure development and the city's transformation into a global hub. Atika Nur Rahmania, Head of the Jakarta Regional Development Planning Office (Bappeda), said the true essence of a city lies in the quality of its people rather than its physical infrastructure, the Indonesian News Agency (Antara) reported. She noted that developing skilled and...

Kosovo holds third election in 16 months

info@bna.bh — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 20:06:00 GMT

Belgrade, Jun. 7 (BNA): Kosovo headed to the polls for its third general election in 16 months. More than 900 candidates representing 17 political parties and three electoral alliances are participating in the elections, competing for 120 seats in parliament, while the number of registered voters is about 2.1 million voters inside and outside the country. According to the German News Agency (DPA), the snap election became necessary because the previous parliament was unable to...

Heavy rain hits southwest Japan, disaster risk rises

info@bna.bh — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 13:33:00 GMT

Tokyo, June 7 (BNA): Heavy rain hit southern Kyushu in southwestern Japan on Sunday, prompting the weather agency to warn of possible landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swollen or overflowing rivers. Linear rainbands, zones of heavy rain clouds that form in succession over the same area, had developed in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures through late Sunday morning, sharply increasing the risk of disasters, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Atmospheric...

Muslim World League condemns heinous Iranian aggression against Bahrain and Kuwait

info@bna.bh — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 22:32:00 GMT

Jeddah, Jun. 6 (BNA): The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned the Iranian aggression targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait. In a statement issued by the MWL General Secretariat, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al Issa, Secretary General of the MWL and Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars, renewed his condemnation of these repeated Iranian attacks, which violate all religious values, international and humanitarian laws and norms, and undermine efforts...

WHO warns of growing global risks from contaminated food

info@bna.bh — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:17:00 GMT

Geneva, Jun. 5 (BNA): The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned of growing global risks associated with food contamination, stressing that it is one of the leading causes of illness and death worldwide, particularly among children. The WHO noted that consuming food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites or harmful chemicals causes around 1.5 million deaths annually, in addition to hundreds of millions of cases of foodborne illness. According to an analysis conducted by the...

12 died in fire at unlicensed elderly care home in Sri Lanka

info@bna.bh — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:49:00 GMT

Colombo, Jun. 4 (BNA): Twelve people died and eight others were injured in a fire at an unlicensed elderly care home in western Sri Lanka. Police spokesperson Frederick Wootler said the fire broke out late Wednesday at the facility in Anguruwatota. Rescue teams evacuated 51 residents, while police and military personnel assisted survivors and transported them to safe locations. Authorities arrested the home's manager on suspicion of negligence, and investigations are underway to...

FAO report highlights long-term economic case for tackling antimicrobial resistance in livestock

info@bna.bh — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:34:00 GMT

Geneva, Jun. 4 (BNA): The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has warned antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant long-term threat to food security, livestock production, economic welfare and human health. The report, issued by the organisation, titled "The future of antimicrobial use in livestock – The economic cost of action or inaction," said that under current trends, driven by growing demand for animal source foods and continued...

UN Secretary General expresses concern over attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait

info@bna.bh — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 01:38:00 GMT

New York, Jun. 3 (BNA): António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), expressed deep concern over the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait, including the resumption of exchanges of fire between the United States and Iran. The Secretary General condemned all attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, stressing that international humanitarian law strictly prohibits attacks against civilian objects. He emphasised the need to fully...

Tropical storm Jangmi batters Japan, cuts power to 60,000 homes

info@bna.bh — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:26:00 GMT

Tokyo, Jun. 3 (BNA): Severe tropical storm Jangmi ripped across Japan on Wednesday, with fierce winds and torrential rain disrupting transport and businesses, and knocking out power for tens of thousands of homes. The storm's centre lay about 150 kilometres (93.2 miles) south of Tokyo as of early Wednesday afternoon, moving northeast with maximum sustained winds of up to 25 metres (82 feet) per second, Reuters reported. The storm is set to pass ⁠very close to the Pacific side...

Belgium condemns attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait

info@bna.bh — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:10:00 GMT

Brussels, Jun. 3 (BNA): The Kingdom of Belgium strongly condemned the recent Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait and emphasised its full solidarity with the two countries. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said in a post on X that Belgium strongly condemns the attacks against civilian facilities. He stressed that such actions are unacceptable and risk further destabilising the region, adding that Iran must cease its attacks, whether carried...