MANAMA: A runner in yesterday's Bahrain Marathon Relay died after collapsing during the race, sources told the GDN last night. Sumit Mathew, 35, complained of cramps in his legs and feeling uneasy before he fell down while running the last stage of the 48-km race, at around 3.45pm.

MANAMA: Bahrain's development efforts received a big boost yesterday as MPs added BD25 million to the BD333m additional budget requested by the government.

THE first phase of a pioneering campaign to make Bahrain's villages better places to live in is set to kick into action next month. Malkiya coast will be the first to benefit with the launch of a major project, the details of which are being kept secret until its unveiling during the National Day celebrations.

MANAMA: The Works Ministry's Public Relations Directorate last night denied rumours that parts of the Sitra Causeway had collapsed. Similar rumours concerning King Fahad Causeway were dismissed by Traffic Culture director Lieutenant-Colonel Mussa Al Dossary.

THE 29th annual Bahrain Marathon Relay has raised more than BD15,000 for Bahraini charities, organisers announced at the end of yesterday's race. Held under the patronage of General Organisation for Youth and Sport (Goys) president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the 2009 Bahrain Marathon Relay was once again organised by the Bahrain Round Table (BRT).

MANAMA: The parliament yesterday approved a government request for an additional budget to fund stalled projects and meet other expenses.

MANAMA: A policeman suffered burns following a Molotov cocktail attack in Sehla last night, Northern Police said in a statement. The incident happened as security personnel reached the area after reports that 30 people had gathered there illegally and were burning tyres, causing traffic congestion.

A CAMPAIGN to instal new and safe gas cookers in labour camps is underway following a spate of fires caused by kerosene stoves over the past few years.

THE new Bahraini generation of journalists won praise yesterday for their ability to learn and put into practice the latest developments in mass media.

A BAHRAIN organisation has come to the rescue of 25 under-privileged pupils who may have been forced to drop out of school.

MUMBAI: Members of a Hindu hard-line political party yesterday ransacked the offices of an Indian television news channel in Mumbai, using iron rods and baseball bats to beat employees and smash furniture.

THE third annual Bahrain Irish Festival continued with the Aer Rianta Gaelic Games competition at the Riffa Views Bahrain Rugby Football Club, Saar.

THE 18th Jewellery Arabia exhibition will conclude today at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. More than 600 exhibitors from all over the world have participated in this year's event, which was officially opened by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on Tuesday.

SOMEONE told me the new Nissan Maxima was the company's first premium, four-door sports car. They were wrong. In fact, it's more than that. It's more of a family sports car, if that is possible, with the sophistication of a sports car and the comfort and ambience of a fully functional family sedan.