Bahrain this week ...

Bahrain is stepping up its campaign to woo new investment in tourism and to bring in visitors from all over the world.

It is speeding up applications for tourism licences and launching international promotional campaigns.
Tourism officials are also promoting traditional attractions such as bands and handicrafts and setting up familiarisation trips to Bahrain from Europe and other Arab countries.

Police and public can work together to make Bahrain a safer place.
This was the message from His Majesty King Hamad when he received Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Southern Governor Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa and senior ministry officials.
“You must interact with the community, be close to people to serve them and make them feel safe,” His Majesty told policemen.
The King was briefed by officials on plans to further develop the ministry to provide better services.
He praised their role in loyally performing their duties and efforts to establish a transparent law and order system in the light of royal reforms.

Construction of three new health centres, together costing BD10.5 million, will begin in the next two months and two more will be on the way by the end of the year, Health Minister Dr Nada Haffadh said.
She was speaking after opening Bahrain’s 21st primary care centre, in Zallaq.
The BD500,000 health centre has been set up under His Majesty King Hamad’s directives to improve the health care facilities in the kingdom.

AN Islamist MP is calling for a ban on depictions of anything related to sex in events being held as part of the Spring of Culture festival.
Shaikh Mohammed Khalid called the event the “Spring of Foolishness” and condemned as immoral an opening performance by Lebanese singer Marcel Khalifa, which he said included dancers portraying intimate acts as part of a story depiction.
A spokesman for the culture and heritage department dismissed the criticism saying that the response to the show had been “overwhelmingly” positive.
Riffa Views has appointed Bruce McWilliams, a consultant from International Schools Services (ISS), to oversee the certification, development, registration and operation of Riffa Views International School (RVIS).
The school proposes to admit its first batch of students in autumn next year and will offer an American/ international curriculum leading to an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa is to be honoured with a top UN award, for his work for the poor. He is being honoured for his role in raising Bahraini living standards and providing outstanding housing services in Bahrain.
The Premier has been chosen by a UN Habitat jury for the 2006 Special Citation of the Habitat Scroll of Honour Award.

Officials have vowed to crackdown on vice dens by implementing stringent regulations and stepping up police patrols.
Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said the government will impose tougher criteria while issuing visas and residence permits to protect tourist facilities and furnished apartments from becoming homes of immoral acts.

An SOS to the world to rescue women from poverty and powerlessness went out from Bahrain’s First Lady yesterday.
Women worldwide suffer from poverty, lack of education and knowledge and deteriorating health conditions, Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa told a UN debate on empowering women, being held in New York.

Bahrain Training Institute (BTI) will be hosting a Career Week at its premises in Isa Town, next month.
The three-day event will run from April 9 to 11 in Hall 7A.
This event is aimed at mainly promoting BTI graduates to private and public sector in Bahrain and highlighting job market awareness amongst BTI trainees.
About 24 companies public and private will participate in the Career Week exhibiting their services and products to attract trainees.

And finally ... a group of footballers has scored a small victory over a municipal council, which has agreed to give them their goalposts back.
The Northern Municipal Council removed the goalposts last month in a bid to force players out of the Duraz Public Park.
However, it has conceded defeat after youngsters continued to play football in the park – despite the lack of proper goals.