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Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Mental Health, Drug Tests May Soon Be Part of Pre-Marriage Checks in Bahrain
The Services Committee in Bahrain's Council of Representatives has begun reviewing a new parliamentary proposal that seeks to expand mandatory pre-marriage medical examinations. The draft law would add mental health assessments and drug abuse tests to the current requirements. Under the proposal, couples preparing for marriage would be required to undergo tests for genetic and infectious diseases, mental health evaluations, and screenings for the use of illegal drugs or substances. The law also grants the Minister of Health the authority to add other tests as needed. In addition, doctors would be required to provide advice and guidance to the couple, while marriage registrars must ensure the tests have been completed before approving the marriage contract. MP Basma Mubarak, one of the main sponsors of the bill, told Al Ayam that the amendment aims to modernize Bahraini legislation and create stronger foundations for healthy families. She stressed that pre-marriage testing should go beyond detecting hereditary and infectious diseases, to also include mental and social well-being. 'The goal is not only medical prevention but also to protect family stability and the well-being of society,' Mubarak said. She noted that many divorce and family breakdown cases stem from unaddressed health or behavioral issues, and that early detection—especially of drug abuse—could determine whether a marriage is viable. Mubarak explained that the proposal shifts the concept from 'traditional medical testing' to a 'comprehensive health check' for both partners. This broader approach, she added, ensures that couples begin their marriage with the best chances for a stable and healthy life. She also pointed out that while Bahrain's current law focuses only on hereditary and infectious diseases, regional experiences such as Saudi Arabia's expanded pre-marriage screening program have shown positive results—reducing high-risk marriages by about 60% within six years. 'Updating the legal definition of pre-marriage testing will provide stronger medical, psychological, and social protection for Bahraini families,' Mubarak affirmed.
Daily Tribune
06-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Why Almonds Cost More This Year?
Bahrain's local markets have recently seen a sharp rise in almond prices, with rates reaching up to BD 14 per kilogram. Ahmed Abu Kareem, owner of the popular 'Loz Bokreem' stall, told Al Ayam that the increase is mainly due to a shortage in supply. He explained that both local Bahraini almonds and the sought-after 'Jumbo' variety are now being sold at around BD 14. 'The big almonds ripened late this year because of low humidity and continuous winds,' Abu Kareem said. 'The wind really affected the trees, and the harvest was much smaller, which pushed the prices up.' He highlighted that almond growth and quality depend heavily on humidity levels. 'The higher the humidity, the bigger, sweeter, and better the almonds,' he explained. According to Abu Kareem, different varieties appear throughout the season, starting with the popular 'Habbān' almonds, followed by the prized 'Alexandrian' almonds, known for their reddish interior and rich flavor, and finally the large 'Jumbo' almonds that customers eagerly wait for. He also stressed the importance of proper crop care, noting that pesticide spraying is essential to protect the almonds from worms and insects. 'If you don't spray the right pesticide, you won't get a single edible almond,' he said. Despite the price hike, Bahraini almonds have started appearing on local tables, known for their high quality and variety. Markets usually become lively as soon as the almond season kicks off, with customers rushing to get their share of the limited harvest.
Daily Tribune
21-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Al Ayam Newspaper Signs Media Cooperation Deal with Russia's Rossiya Segodnya
===Bahrain's Al Ayam newspaper signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia's state media group Rossiya Segodnya on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where Bahrain is participating as the guest of honor this year. The agreement was signed by Sergey Kochetkov, First Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Rossiya Segodnya, and Rashid Nabil Al Hamar, Editor-in-Chief of Al Ayam, representing Al Ayam Publishing. The MoU sets the stage for broader collaboration between the two media houses, focusing on content exchange, joint projects, and knowledge-sharing, while also aiming to foster deeper cultural and media understanding between the two countries. Speaking after the signing, Rashid Al Hamar expressed pride in the agreement, calling it 'a milestone that strengthens Bahrain's media presence globally and reflects our genuine interest in building lasting relationships with leading international media institutions.' Sergey Kochetkov added, 'We're pleased to partner with a well-established outlet like Al Ayam. This cooperation will help us better communicate the shared stories and values between our nations and support our journalistic missions.' The deal comes as part of a growing wave of Bahraini-Russian cooperation in both public and private sectors, reflecting the evolving partnership between the two nations.
Daily Tribune
11-06-2025
- General
- Daily Tribune
Will Manama Souq Rise Again? One Year After Bahrain's Biggest Market Blaze
TDT | Manama What started as a normal day in the Kingdom turned tragic in a matter of was the middle of a typical summer when our newsroom received a call, something about a fire. Fires aren't unusual during the hot months in Manama, but this one felt different. My colleague's voice hinted at something bigger. We quickly dispatched a team to the scene, and what we witnessed was heartbreaking. The historic Manama Souq was engulfed in flames. Civil Defence teams were battling the blaze under intense heat, working tirelessly to cool the site. Amid the chaos, a person was still trapped inside a multi-storey building, waiting for rescue. This wasn't just any fire, it turned out to be the largest blaze in the history of the iconic Manama Souq, also known as the "Heart of Manama." Tragically, the fire claimed the lives of a man and two women. Nine others suffered from injuries and suffocation. A Year Later Over a year has passed since the fire tore through 83 shops in the souq, yet little has changed. Many of the affected businesses, mostly owned by Bahrainis and run by expatriates, remain in limbo. Our sister newspaper, Al Ayam, revisited the area recently to speak to shop owners. Most buildings still lie in ruins damaged beyond repair. Though one property owner received a violation notice earlier this year, calling for renovations, locals say the structures need to be demolished and rebuilt entirely. 'There's nothing to fix. Just rubble,' said one shop owner, pointing to a collapsed wall. 'We need a fresh start.' For decades, traders have called this place home. Now, many are pleading for government compensation and a plan to restore the souq. 'This isn't just a market,' said an elderly vendor. 'This is the soul of Manama, where tourists, investors, and locals meet. We can't let it die.' The delays have affected not just shop owners, but their families, especially those who relied on rental income from inherited properties. Estimates suggest that restoring the souq could cost more than BD 10 million. Some traders have already spent up to BD 1,500 just to clear their shops of ash, debris, and ruined goods. An elderly vendor, who has worked in the souq for over 60 years, told us, 'We've survived many challenges—but this is the worst. Just getting permit approval can take over a year.' The Manama Souq is a hotspot for locals and tourists, especially on weekends. But now, traders say the area lacks even basic facilities like public toilets and resting spots.'People come, but they leave quickly. There's nowhere to sit, no toilets—just ruins,' said one vendor. The fire broke out on Shaikh Abdullah Street, one of the oldest and most vibrant parts of the souq. Today, it's quiet. Walls are blackened, signs are charred, and memories hide in the ash.
Daily Tribune
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman led ninth edition of Prime Minister's Journalism Award
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, led the ninth edition of the Prime Minister's Award for Journalism, honouring Bahrain's most distinguished media professionals. This year's awards recognised exceptional achievements across a spectrum of journalistic disciplines: 👉Journalism Personality of the Year: Issa Al Shaiji, Editor-in-Chief of Al Ayam @alayam 👉Best Column: Dr. Abdulla Ahmed Al-Madani, Al Ayam 👉Best Investigative Journalism: Ali Al Fardan, Al Bilad @albiladpress 👉Best Interview: Mohammed Qasim Al-Saei, Akhbar Al Khaleej @aak_news 👉Best Photography: Sultan Jassim Al Haddad, Bahrain News Agency bnanewsen 👉Best Digital Platform: Faisal Mohammed Al-Ali, Al Watan @alwatan_live
