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Bahrain Opens World’s Largest Underwater Theme Park

Bahrain inaugurates the world’s largest underwater theme park. (BNA)
Bahrain inaugurates the world’s largest underwater theme park. (BNA)
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Bahrain Opens World’s Largest Underwater Theme Park

Bahrain inaugurates the world’s largest underwater theme park. (BNA)
Bahrain inaugurates the world’s largest underwater theme park. (BNA)

Bahrain’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani officially inaugurated Friday the world’s largest underwater theme park, Dive Bahrain.

The initial phase of the project was completed recently by submerging a 70-meter long Boeing 747, 20-22 meters below waters north of Bahrain, to become the first attraction of the 100,000 m2 theme park, said the Bahrain news agency (BNA).

Prior to the opening, the park was inspected by a group of diving professionals, who ensured all safety requirements are fully met to guarantee a safe experience for the public.

The minister said the theme park aims to further boost tourism within the strategy of Bahrain Tourism Authority (BTA) to promote the sector. He added that the park’s location was chosen according to the highest marine environment safety standards in consultation with registered dive centers.

During the official opening, the minister, Chief Executive of the Supreme Council for Environment, Dr. Mohammed Mubarak bin Daina, along with a number of professional divers carried out an inaugural dive to experience the magnificent underwater aircraft structure.

Dive Bahrain will be open to the public on Saturday.

In addition to the aircraft, the park will include several structures, such as a replica of a traditional Bahraini pearl merchant’s house, an artificial coral reef and other sculptures that will be submerged to provide a safe haven for coral reef growth and a habitat for sustainable marine life.

The eco-friendly park will also provide researchers with rich information and data on marine ecology and biology and will improve environmental awareness on the importance of preserving marine life.

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Prince Harry Loses Legal Fight with UK Government over Police Protection

Prince Harry says security concerns have hampered his ability to visit the UK. HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
Prince Harry says security concerns have hampered his ability to visit the UK. HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
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Prince Harry Loses Legal Fight with UK Government over Police Protection

Prince Harry says security concerns have hampered his ability to visit the UK. HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
Prince Harry says security concerns have hampered his ability to visit the UK. HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP

Prince Harry on Friday lost his legal challenge to changes to his security arrangements made by the British government following his decision to step down from royal duties with his American wife Meghan.

Harry, King Charles' younger son, had sought to overturn a decision by the Home Office - the ministry responsible for policing - which decided in February 2020 he would not automatically receive personal police security while in Britain.

Last year, the High Court in London ruled the decision was lawful and that decision was upheld by three senior Court of Appeal judges who said that, while Harry understandably felt aggrieved, that did not amount to an error of law in the decision.

Judge Geoffrey Vos said Harry's lawyer had made "powerful and moving arguments" about the impact of the decision about his security.

"It was plain that the Duke of Sussex felt badly treated by the system, but I conclude - having studied the detail of the extensive documentation - I could not say that the Duke's sense of grievance translated into a legal argument for the challenge to RAVEC's decision," he told the court, Reuters reported. 

Harry, 40, who now lives in California with Meghan and their two children, attended two days of hearings in person in April, when his lawyer told the court that he had been singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment.

His lawyers said al Qaeda had recently called for him to be murdered, and he and his American wife Meghan had been involved in "a dangerous car pursuit with paparazzi in New York City" in 2023.

"One must not forget the human dimension to this case: there is a person sitting behind me whose safety, whose security and whose life is at stake," his lawyer Shaheed Fatima told the court as Harry watched on.

"His presence here and throughout this appeal is a potent illustration, were one needed, of how much this appeal means to him and his family," she said.

However, the government's legal team said the bespoke arrangement for Harry, the Duke of Sussex, had positive advantages from a security assessment point of view.