In focus

Bahrain Raft Race was hailed a success by organisers after it raised more than BD20,000 for charity. Scores of people turned out to watch 24 teams compete in the race, which was held at Al Bander Hotel and Resort, Sitra.

The fund-raising event, which also featured activities for children, was organised by the Rotary Club of Salmaniya in association with Al Bander.

Mothers’ Day was celebrated at Al Ruwad School, Hamala, at an event attended by parents. More than 150 children performed nursery rhymes in Arabic and English and prepared various items to express their love and gratitude to their mothers.

A new “super bank” with investments totalling over $100 billion within five years is due to be established in Bahrain in the near future,  Bahrain-based Albaraka Banking Group chairman Shaikh Saleh Kamel told a Press conference at the Crowne Plaza’s Bahrain Conference Centre. He was speaking shortly after ABG’s annual general meeting and extraordinary general meeting. President and chief executive Adnan Ahmed Yousif said the bank achieved an operating income of $339.57 million for 2006, compared with $297.75m in 2005.