BAHRAIN: Summer Outdoor Work Ban begins today
The Labour and Social Development Ministry has announced that all preparations have been made to begin supervision of implementation of ministerial edict 3/ 2013, on banning outdoor afternoon work between 12 noon and 4 pm in July and August.
The decision comes within the Kingdom’s keenness to protect workers from occupational diseases and injuries, especially during the summer period, which witnesses a rise in temperature and an increase in humidity.
Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan called on employers to implement the decision, affirming that Bahrain is a leader in ensuring secure and safe work environment for workers, out of its keenness on their safety and health at various production sites, noting that the implementation of outdoor afternoon work ban is the best means to achieve that goal.
Month-long Bahrain Summer Festival kicks off on July 1
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) will today launch the 13th edition of the Bahrain Summer Festival, which will be held remotely throughout the month of July. Catering to all ages and interests, the month-long festival’s events and activities range from stage plays and music concerts to workshops, cooking shows and other forms of entertainment, as well as the Nakhool Star talent competition.
The public can stay up to date on all the latest happenings surrounding the festival via its dedicated social media channels (@Nakhoolbah), including broadcasts of all live events on YouTube. The festival’s full programme can be accessed on BACA’s website (culture.gov.bh). The festival will be broadcast on BACA’s YouTube Channel, Bahrain Summer Festival.
The festival will kick off on July 1 with Resto Maryam, a Lebanese stage play which will be shown throughout the month on the festival’s YouTube channel. A series of public competitions running alongside will be held every Monday and Thursday, as well as fun and educational activities and games, all of which can be accessed on BACA’s website, www.culture.gov.bh.
Shows will continue with a a traditional Chinese music concert on July 4, and Tony Memmel and his Band on July 7, held in cooperation with the embassies of China and the United States, respectively.
On July 18, two shows will be held in cooperation with the Embassy of Palestine entitled “The People of Our Neighbourhood” and “The Wonders of Science”. On July 20, a concert organised by the Egyptian Embassy entitled “Rehab Mutawa”, along with the Bahrain Music Band. Local music will also be strongly represented, with performances by Galali Folklore Band on July 21, Mohammed bin Faris Band on July 22, and the Bahrain Police Band on July 23.
Regarding workshops, the festival’s programme features children’s short story writing classes between July 3 and 6, that will also serve as the platform for this year’s Nakhool Star talent competition, as well as music, arts and cooking workshops showcasing the cultures of several countries around the world. This year’s edition will also present cooking workshops from several countries around the world, as a window to learn about the cultures and civilisations of other peoples.
North Korea’s Kim says ‘great crisis’ caused by pandemic lapse
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the failure to implement measures to tackle the coronavirus had caused a “great crisis” and he chastised ruling party officials for risking the safety of the country and people, state media reported on Wednesday.
North Korea has not officially confirmed any COVID-19 cases, a position questioned by South Korean and U.S. officials. But the reclusive country has imposed strict anti-virus measures, including border closures and domestic travel curbs.
Kim called a meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea politburo to address some party executives’ neglect of duty, including failing to implement important long-term measures to fight the pandemic, the KCNA state news agency said.
“He mentioned that senior officials in charge of important state affairs neglected the implementation of the important decisions of the Party … and thus caused a crucial case of creating a great crisis in ensuring the security of the state and safety of the people and entailed grave consequences,” the news agency said.
Global Women Virtual Fashion Forum & Show starts today
Google to clamp down on financial scams in UK
Google will clamp down on financial fraud on its platform in Britain, saying on Wednesday that all financial services will need to be verified by the regulator before they can advertise. Britain’s financial watchdog issued 1,200 consumer warnings last year about scams advertised via social media platforms by fake companies, double the number in 2019.
Google, which is part of U.S. tech giant Alphabet , said in a blog post it will begin enforcing the new policy, which follows calls from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to vet paid promotions, from Sept. 6.
“While this is an important step from Google we think a permanent and consistent solution requires legislation,” an FCA spokesperson said in emailed statement.
The regulator will assess the outcome of Google’s decision once the changes take effect, the spokesperson added. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has been lobbying the government to introduce a legal requirement for internet giants to take down financial fraud websites, the Sunday Times reported in March. (Reuters)
MIAMI BUILDING COLLAPSE: Death toll reaches 16
The known death toll in last week’s collapse of a condominium building in Surfside, Fla., rose by four, to 16, on Wednesday, as the authorities said more bodies were recovered from the rubble overnight. At a news conference on Wednesday, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava of Miami-Dade County said as many as 147 people remained missing, nearly a week after the desperate search for survivors began.
“It’s an extremely, extremely difficult situation,” said Chief Alan Cominsky of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. “We keep moving forward. We keep looking for certain signs.”
As the search in Surfside has dragged on, volunteers and trained rescue teams from across the country and beyond have gathered. Local leaders also warned of those trying to take advantage of the disaster, including by creating fraudulent online fund-raising accounts.
Search teams said on Tuesday that they had removed more than three million pounds of debris from the wreckage since Thursday, when a section of the oceanfront complex caved in during the early-morning hours.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister visits new Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre project
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on Wednesday visited the newly established Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre development project in Sakhir. HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister highlighted that ongoing development projects across various sectors are in line with the Kingdom’s comprehensive sustainable development goals, led by HM the King.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister noted that the Kingdom is a regional hub for investment, adding that the provision of advanced development initiatives enhances tourism and drives innovation.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister noted that the newly established Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Sakhir will further the Kingdom’s competitiveness and provide quality opportunities for citizens.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister was briefed on the detailed plans for each stage of the project and its timeline for construction. In this regard, HRH the Crown Prince praised the efforts of those managing the project.
For his part, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Chairman of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, HE Zayed bin Rashid Alzayani, highlighted HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s continued support for the project, which will further the Kingdom’s exhibitions and conferences capacity.
HE Alzayani provided project details, adding that the new Centre contains advanced infrastructure, technology and services to the highest international standards. HE Alzayani further noted that the Centre will further strengthen the Kingdom’s tourism sector and will contribute to the Kingdom’s economic diversification.
The Sakhir Exhibition and Convention Centre project laid its foundation stone on 7th January 2020 and is built on an area of 309,000 square meters. The building itself spans 149,000 square meters of the total land area.
The Centre includes 10 exhibition halls totalling 95,000 square meters equipped with the latest services necessary to host international events and exhibitions, a main conference centre equipped with the most advanced display facilities and a capacity for approximately 4,000 people, and a number of medium sized halls and multipurpose spaces. A number of senior officials also attended.
Bahrain to host Procurement Middle East 2021
The fifth edition of the Procurement Middle East Conference will open in Bahrain on September 8 under the patronage of Tender President Shaikh Nayef bin Khalid Al-Khalifa. The two-day Procurement Middle East 2021 which concludes on September 9, will be held under the theme (From Tactics to Strategy: Building Resilient, Efficient and Sustainable Procurement 4.0).
The hybrid event will also featured the 3rd edition of the Procurement Middle East Awards. More than 500 participants representing 20 countries will take part, along with over 70 keynote speakers and consultants. The event will provide a platform for global and regional experts involved in the procurement sector to exchange knowledge and review new technologies and innovative ways to develop this sector.
It also provides the participants with the opportunity to discuss and learn about the latest developments and see visions and ideas in the procurement sector. The conference will also include the Middle East Procurement Awards ceremony in 12 categories.
“The Middle East Procurement Conference is a unique interactive platform that highlights the positive impact digital transformation in the field of procurement and supply management, which allows more transparency and helps expedite response time, which in turn contributes to enabling companies to assess risks in an informed and more accurate way, and stimulate business to be a tributary to the economy in all its sectors”, said Shaikh Nayef.
He stressed the importance of partnerships, stimulating change and digital capabilities, as well as offering innovative solutions aimed to achieve technical progress in this vital field.
Algeria names finance chief as new Prime Minister
Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has appointed Finance Minister Aïmen Benabderrahmane as the new Prime Minister, instructing him to continue consultations with political parties and civil society to “shortly” designate the government, Algeria Press Service quoted the Algerian Presidency of the Republic as saying in a statement.
“Under the provisions of the Constitution, including Article 91, paragraphs 5 and 7, President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune appointed Wednesday Aïmen Benabderrahmane, as the new Prime Minister, charging him to continue consultations with political parties and civil society to ‘shortly’ designate the government,” the statement also said.
World Bank says will boost financing for COVID vaccines to $20 billion
The World Bank on Wednesday pledged to boost available funding for COVID-19 vaccine purchases and deployment to $20 billion from a previous target of $12 billion, citing a sharp increase in overall financing demand from developing countries. World Bank President David Malpass said the global development bank had already provided more than $4 billion to 51 developing countries for the purchase and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, and would add billions for 25 more countries soon.
“Much more will follow in coming weeks,” Malpass told reporters, noting that a total of 41 requests had been received from African countries, where less than half the population has been vaccinated.
Malpass also redoubled his call for countries with surplus doses to release those doses and any options for more for use by developing countries with adequate plans for distribution. The World Bank was also continuing to press for greater transparency by governments and pharmaceutical companies about vaccine contracts, options and agreements, he said.
“We’re at war with the vaccine,” Malpass said, adding that tight supplies and high demand made it crucial to have sufficient information to keep production flowing. “COVID’s not going to go away quickly. It’s going to be a long-term war.”
The decision to increase funding for vaccinations reflects growing concern about widely divergent vaccination rates between advanced economies and developing countries, World Bank officials said.
The World Bank has seen a sharp increase in overall financing demand from developing countries – not just health-related expenditure – during the pandemic, said the bank’s managing director for operations, Axel van Trotsenburg. He told reporters that the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association had made lending commitments of nearly $100 billion since the start of the crisis, well above the normal level of just under $60 billion. High demand for financing was expected to continue well into 2022, he said.
Van Trotsenburg noted that many middle-income countries in Latin America had been requesting financing from the bank, noting that requests totaling over $1 billion had been received in the past six weeks alone.
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