SURVEY: Bahrain remains best place for expats to live and work in the Gulf
Bahrain remains the best place in the Gulf region for expats to live and work despite the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest InterNations Expat Insider survey. The 2021 survey, which samples key indices related to things like quality of life and cost of living, ranks Bahrain ahead of Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
The InterNations survey showed Bahrain ranked highly across key indicators including quality of medical care, political stability, ease of settling in and job satisfaction. Just over 80 percent of expats in Bahrain are happy with medical care quality, compared with 71 percent globally while 84 percent are happy with the country’s political stability compared to 64 percent globally.
This combined with Bahrain’s best-value cost of setting up and operating a company than neighbouring countries, as well as the kingdom’s unparalleled access to the GCC region’s fastest growing market are all key factors in ensuring demand from companies looking to set up in the region, the survey added.
Most expats in Bahrain also feel financially secure while almost 70 percent of respondents said they are satisfied with their job in general.
The majority of expats in Bahrain work in healthcare, energy and utilities, education and hospitality. Rapid population growth in the country is driving demand for both healthcare and education services and workers, InterNations noted.
Exactly half of expats in Bahrain rate the cost of living positively and the kingdom is placed 26th in the global rankings for cost of living.
Despite the pandemic, Bahrain remains a very easy place for expats to settle in, according to the survey. The country was ranked fifth globally for ease of settling in and most expats (87 percent) find it easy to live in Bahrain without speaking the local language, compared with 54 percent globally. Bahrain ranks sixth globally in the language subcategory.
Moreover, 77 percent of expats said they feel at home in the local culture (versus 63 percent globally), and 70 percent said it is easy to settle down in Bahrain (versus 62 percent globally). Bahrain ranks fifth in the world for ease of settling in.
Microsoft is finally retiring Internet Explorer in 2022
(VIDEO)
Microsoft is pulling the plug on its once omnipresent browser, Internet Explorer, next year as it prepares to battle market leader Chrome with its slicker Edge browser. Launched in 1995, Internet Explorer became the dominant browser for over a decade as it was bundled with Microsoft’s Windows operating system that came pre-installed in billions of computers. The browser, however, started losing out to Google’s Chrome in the late 2000s and has become a subject of countless internet memes for its sluggishness in comparison to its rivals.
To compete better, Microsoft launched the Edge browser in 2015 that runs on the same technology as the Google browser. As of April, Chrome has a 65% share of the global browser market, followed by Apple Inc’s Safari, with an 18% share, according to web analytics firm Statcounter. Microsoft Edge has a 3% share, while Internet Explorer has a miniscule share of the market it once dominated. The Windows software maker said on Wednesday the future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 was in its faster and more secure Microsoft Edge. “Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will be retired and go out of support on June 15, 2022, for certain versions of Windows 10,” the company said in a blog post.
Dr. Jameela Al Salman clarifies on Black fungus disease
At the press conference held by the National Taskforce for Combating the COVID-19, about the importance of implementing precautionary measures to avoid rising cases.
Dr. Jameela Al Salman answered for Starvision News regarding the preventive measures taken to avoid the spread of black fungus. Dr. Jameela explained briefly about the Black fungus disease and symptoms.
National Taskforce head said citizens and nationals to implement the precautionary measures at all stages for their own and their family safety and requested to continue to collaborate and support the campaign by following precautionary measures and avoiding family gatherings. Also mentioned this is the only way we can decrease the number of positive cases.
ICRF conducts 2nd Online Interaction with Workers
The Online Interaction with workers at various labour camps started under the guidance of His Excellency Mr Piyush Srivastava, the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bahrain, held its second program on Friday at the Al Ghana Labour Camp located in Budaiya. Chief Guest of the event was His Excellency Mr Ahmed Al-Haiki, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs at the Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs.
His Excellency addressed the workers online and advised them to follow the guidelines and instructions issued by the company and government regarding health and safety. “The number of fatal accidents have been reduced drastically over the last three years. The Ministry’s aim is to have zero fatal accidents in Bahrain” he said. He also mentioned that he is very happy to be associated with ICRF team who are helping the Ministry of Labour in making the life of workers happy and safe.
Dr Babu Ramachandran briefed the workers on the importance of vaccination which plays a significant role in the fight against COVID-19 in addition to the practice of washing hands, using masks and maintaining social distance. During the event, following COVID protocol, ICRF distributed lunch to nearly 750 workers. ICRF also distributed COVID-19 awareness flyers.
Mr Ravi Shankar Shukhla, Second Secretary at the Embassy of India, Aruldas Thomas – Chairman ICRF, Dr Babu Ramachandran – Vice Chairman, Pankaj Nallur – General Secretary, Bhagwan Asarpota – ICRF Advisor, ICRF volunteers Javad Pasha and Clifford Correa joined the program along with AlGhana Contracting representative Bibi Thomas.
This Awareness Campaign on COVID-19 is part of a series of Online Interactions with workers at various labour camps and distribution of COVID awareness flyers and lunch to the workers. The third and last of the series will be held on the 28th of May.
Bahrain welcomes ceasefire in Gaza Strip
Bahrain has welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip following the success of the efforts of Egypt in leading negotiations between both parties to reach a long-term truce in order to end the military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the effective joint international efforts to stop the military operations between both sides to prevent the destructive operations in preparation for political negotiations to restore security and stability and work to deliver humanitarian aid and relief supplies to the residents of the Gaza Strip.
The ministry stressed the importance of continuing international efforts to solve the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and to establish lasting peace in the Middle East.
New type of coronavirus originating in dogs found: Study
A new type of coronavirus believed to have originated in dogs was detected among patients hospitalized with pneumonia in 2017-2018, and maybe the eighth unique coronavirus known to cause disease in humans if it is confirmed as a pathogen, a study said.
Researchers in the study, published in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal on Thursday, said their findings underscored the public health threat of animal coronaviruses. The researchers said they had tested nasal swab samples taken from 301 pneumonia patients at a hospital in the east Malaysian state of Sarawak. Eight of the samples, mostly from children under 5 years old, came back positive for a canine coronavirus.
Further genomic sequencing found that the new strain, named CCoV-HuPn-2018, shared characteristics of other coronaviruses known to have infected cats and pigs but was mostly similar to one that is known to have infected dogs. It also contained a genetic deletion, or mutation, that was not found in any known canine coronaviruses but was present in human strains such as SARS-COV and SARS-COV-2, the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic. The source of the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus itself, whether animal or other, remains unclear.
The paper’s authors said the findings indicated that the virus likely recently jumped from animals to humans, but stressed that more studies were needed to determine whether it can be transmitted between people. They also said it was unclear whether the virus could make people sick, noting that it was possible it was merely “carried” in the patient’s airways without causing disease. (Reuters)
NPRA announces new entry measures
The Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) announced on Friday that entry to Bahrain will be restricted, effective Sunday, to citizens, GCC nationals and holders of residence visas from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
In a statement today, NPRA announced that passengers arriving from the aforementioned countries will have to be quarantined for 10 days, present a certificate confirming the result of a negative PCR test containing a QR code, no more than 48 hours before their arrival.
The Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) said that all arrivals must conduct a PCR test upon arrival, a second PCR test for arrivals who will stay in Bahrain for a period of more than 5 days, and a third PCR test ten days after the date of arrival for those who will reside in Bahrain for a period of more than 10 days.
Spain to allow all vaccinated travelers in from June 7
Spain will allow all vaccinated travelers to visit the country from June 7, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Friday, as the tourism hotspot aims to revive its virus-battered travel industry.
“From June 7, all vaccinated people and their families will be welcome in our country, Spain, regardless of their country of origin,” Sanchez said at an international tourism fair in Madrid. He also announced that British travelers would be allowed to visit Spain for holidays from next week. “From next Monday, the 24th of May, Spain will be delighted to receive British tourists again into our country,” Sanchez said. He said they will be allowed in “without restriction”, but he did not specify whether they would have to show a negative Covid test.
Britain has long been the biggest source of tourists for Spain, and until now British travelers have only been allowed into Spain for visits deemed essential. But for the time being, Britain has upheld restrictions on travelers from Spain, who have to quarantine on arrival, as well as showing a negative COVID-19 test. It expects to welcome around 45 million foreign tourists in 2021, just over half the number who came in 2019 before the pandemic struck, the tourism minister said this month.
“Political Prisoner” concept does not exist in Bahrain: Interior Ministry
The Ministry of Interior has dismissed baseless allegations made by Al Jazeera Channel in a report on its website. In a statement, the ministry said that the report “Activists reveal the suffering of political detainees in Bahrain with COVID-19 outbreaks” is part of its ongoing incitement against Bahrain and its people.
Refuting the allegations, the ministry said:
“First: The records of the “Reformation and Rehabilitation” in Bahrain doesn’t know the “political prisoners” concept that comes out of the imagination of those promoting it, such as the inciting channel that works against Bahrainis and knows only the language of violence and terrorism.
“Second: Those serving their sentences at the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre serve their final verdicts after completing all judiciary phases.
“Third: The channel quoted those who call themselves ‘activists’, claiming COVID-19 outbreaks at the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre. Facts and reality refute the allegations. The pandemic affected all countries, including developed countries and organisations.
“Fourth: The steps taken by the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre are part of the success story in fighting the pandemic. Each COVID-19 case is dealt with per a clear treatment protocol under the supervision of the Health Ministry and the preventive measures to reduce the active cases to the lowest level.
“Fifth: The situation of inmates at the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre is assuring per the reports of human rights organisations that periodically visit the centre to ensure that all inmates receive their rights and services. These organisations include the National Institution for Human Rights, the Ombudsman Office and the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission.
“Sixth: The Qatari Al Jazeera Channel lacks professionalism by highlighting negative aspects by quoting anonymous pretending to tell the truth. The channel forges facts for incitement purposes.
“Seventh: It was better for the channel to highlight violations in Qatari prisons and against foreign workers working in the World Cup facilities.”
Hong Kong to restrict crypto exchanges to professional investors
Cryptocurrency exchanges operating in Hong Kong will have to be licenced by the city’s markets regulator and will only be allowed to provide services to professional investors, according to government proposals published on Friday.
Governments and financial regulators around the world are still assessing whether and how they should regulate the cryptocurrency industry. Investor protection and preventing money laundering are particular concerns. Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether have been on a roller-coaster ride this week which has raised further questions about their potential as mainstream investments.
Dozens of cryptocurrency exchanges operate in Hong Kong, including some of the world’s largest. The city currently has an “opt in” approach under which exchanges can apply to be licenced by markets watchdog the Securities and Futures Commission, but do not have to. Hong Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) has been consulting the market on changes to those rules since last year.
The FSTB said on Friday in its consultation conclusions all virtual asset (cryptocurrency) exchanges should be licensed if they wished to operate in Hong Kong. It also said “confining the services of a VA exchange to professional investors…. is appropriate at least for the initial stage of the licensing regime.”
Local financial technology and crypto industry associations have opposed regulation stopping exchanges from offering services to retail investors, warning this could drive exchanges out of Hong Kong and push investors onto unregulated venues. According to Hong Kong law, an individual must have a portfolio of HK$8 million ($1.03 million) to count as a professional investor.
Regulators and governments in Asia have different attitudes to regulating cryptocurrencies and the exchanges on which they are traded. Under Singapore’s regime, crypto exchanges must be licenced, but can have retail investors as clients. However, China on Tuesday announced a tougher ban on banks and payment companies offering crypto-related services which furthered a selloff that briefly wiped $1 trillion off crypto market capitalisation.
The FSTB said it intends to propose legislative changes to turn its proposals into law in the upcoming 2021-22 session of the city’s legislative assembly. (Reuters)
