The opening of the centre marks two important milestones, a milestone in the friendship between Nato and Kuwait, and a milestone in the blossoming partnership between Nato and the entire Gulf region, he said. “Nato’s Istanbul Cooperation Initiative — the ICI — was designed to contribute to long-term regional stability, so I am extremely pleased that our three other ICI partners are represented here today: Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates,” he said.

The German ambassador to Bahrain wanted to do something special for the German National Unity reception. [...] He came back, jazz guitar in hand, to join the “Jazzabilly band” in a few songs. The audience was thrilled. Simms-Protz has always professed his belief that music and art are instrumental tools for bringing people together — especially the youth.

The foreign ministry has brought a group of journalists from seven countries as part of its public diplomacy to project Bangladesh to the world. The 13 journalists from Sri Lanka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bahrain, Australia, Qatar, India, and Egypt have come as part of the ‘Visit Bangladesh Programme’ of the government.

Britain is to establish its first permanent military base in the Middle East since it formally withdrew from the region in 1971.  The base, at the Mina Salman Port in Bahrain, will host ships including destroyers and aircraft carriers.  The UK said it was an "expansion of the Royal Navy's footprint" and would "reinforce stability" in the Gulf.

"The air link completes the cultural bridge, consolidated by HM the King's recent visit to Russia," Shaikha Mai said. “Gulf Air’s direct flights to Moscow will enhance tourism, cultural and civilisational exchange between the two friendly countries.”