Anti-virus creator John McAfee found dead in cell
Anti-virus software entrepreneur John McAfee has been found dead in a Barcelona prison cell, just hours after a Spanish court agreed to extradite him to the US to face tax evasion charges. The Catalan Justice Department said prison medics tried to resuscitate him, but were not successful. It said in a statement that “everything indicates” Mr McAfee took his own life.
A controversial figure, Mr McAfee’s company released the first commercial anti-virus software. In October 2020, he was arrested in Spain, and accused of failing to file tax returns for four years, despite earning millions from consulting work, speaking engagements, crypto-currencies and selling the rights to his life story.It helped to spark a multi-billion dollar industry in the computer world.
The US Justice Department alleged that Mr McAfee evaded tax liability by having his income paid into bank accounts and cryptocurrency exchange accounts in the names of nominees. He was also accused of concealing assets, including a yacht and real estate property, in the names of others.
AstraZeneca, Pfizer vaccines effective against Delta COVID variants: Study
COVID-19 vaccines made by AstraZeneca and the Pfizer-BioNTech alliance remain broadly effective against Delta and Kappa variants of the COVID-19 causing virus, which were first identified in India, according to a scientific study, underpinning a continued push to deliver the shots.
The study by Oxford University researchers, published in the journal Cell, investigated the ability of antibodies in the blood from people, who were vaccinated with the two-shot regimens, to neutralize the highly contagious Delta and Kappa variants, a statement said.
“There is no evidence of widespread escape suggesting that the current generation of vaccines will provide protection against the B.1.617 lineage,” the paper said, referring to the Delta and Kappa variants by a commonly used code.
However, the concentration of neutralising antibodies in the blood was somewhat reduced, which may lead to some breakthrough infections, they cautioned. Last week, an analysis by the Public Health England (PHE) showed that vaccines made by Pfizer and AstraZeneca offer high protection of more than 90% against hospitalization from the Delta variant.
Warren Buffett resigns as Gates Foundation trustee
The billionaire investor Warren Buffett said he is resigning as a trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and has donated half his wealth to philanthropy since pledging 15 years ago to give away his fortune from running Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett, 90, said in a Wednesday statement he has been an “inactive trustee” for years at the foundation, but fully supported Chief Executive Mark Suzman and that their goals were “100% in sync.”
Buffett also announced a new $4.1 billion donation of Berkshire shares to the Gates Foundation and four family charities, part of his pledge to give away 99% of his net worth. He has since 2006 donated more than $41.5 billion of Berkshire shares, including more than $32.7 billion to the Gates Foundation. The overall total is now equivalent to about $100 billion because Berkshire’s stock price has risen.
“Over many decades I have accumulated an almost incomprehensible sum simply by doing what I love to do,” Buffett said. “Society has a use for my money: I don’t.”
Founded in 2000, the Gates Foundation focuses on combating poverty, disease and inequity, spending $54.8 billion in its first two decades.
Bahrain’s FDI inflows reach $1 Billion in 2020
Bahrain’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows increased by $1.007 billion in 2020, according to the latest World Investment Report (WIR 2021) from the UN Conference of Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The annual report charts global investment flows, analyses trade trends, and examines government policies that seek to expand world trade.
The report highlighted that global FDI contracted by 35% to $1 trillion in 2020, with an expectation for flows to bottom out and increase by 10-15% in 2021. Despite global trends, Bahrain experienced a 3.3% increase in inward FDI stocks, reaching $31.7 billion in 2020.
Also highlighted was Bahrain’s stock to GDP ratio, where Bahrain’s inward FDI stocks relative to GDP reached 92%, the highest ranking in the GCC and surpassing the global average of 49%.
The report recognised the Government of Bahrain’s plans to continue implementing wide-ranging reforms to attract direct investments and link it to its national development and economic diversification plans.
A wide range of sectors drove investment, further demonstrating Bahrain’s strides in diversifying the non-oil sector. Some of the sectors mentioned in the report include manufacturing, education, healthcare, and information technology industries.
H.E. Khalid Humaidan, Chief Executive of Bahrain Economic Development Board, commented: “Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has brought to economies around the world, we were able to carry the momentum from the previous year and attract hundreds of millions of dollars in investment into the country. We are looking forward to continue working with our partners to attract investment into the Kingdom and support existing companies expand, further diversifying our economy and creating jobs in the local market.”
The EDB is the government’s Investment Promotion Agency, mandated to attract investments into Bahrain and continue to drive economic diversification and create jobs in the local market.
Poland tightens COVID quarantine rules for travellers from Britain
Poland is introducing a mandatory seven-day quarantine for all travellers from Britain in a bid to curb the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, the health ministry said on Tuesday. Britain is currently seeing a rise in cases due to the more contagious Delta variant, which was first identified in India.
“The decisions made on quarantine for travelers arriving from Great Britain are intended to reduce the risk of transmission of the Delta coronavirus variant from the endangered area,” Health Minister Adam Niedzielski was quoted as saying by state news agency PAP. “We must take care of our citizens and their security.”
Health Ministry spokesman Wojciech Andrusiewicz said that as of Wednesday, travellers from Britain would be obliged to spend seven days in quarantine even if they had a negative test result before arrival. They would then be required to do a test after seven days.
The quarantine rules will not apply to travellers who have been fully vaccinated, Niedzielski said in a Tweet written in response to a question from a reporter. The tighter rules had earlier been applied to travellers from Brazil, India and South Africa.
South Korea to chip in additional $2 million to EBRD
South Korea said on Wednesday it has agreed to additionally contribute $2 million to funds operated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in a bid to boost cooperation with the lending body.
The agreement was reached after Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki and EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso held a virtual meeting Tuesday, according to Seoul’s finance ministry, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Under the agreement, South Korea will additionally contribute the money to two EBRD trust funds designed to support the transition into the market economy by eastern European and Central Asia nations. The meeting was arranged to exchange views on agenda in the run-up to the bank’s annual meeting that will be held online on July 1.
Zayed Charitable Foundation begins its ‘Eid Clothing’ initiative
Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation has begun implementing its seasonal programme, “Eid Clothing”, ahead of Eid Al Adha. Hamad Salem bin Kordous Al Ameri, Director-General of the Foundation, said that the foundation aims to achieve its goals in charitable work based on its social responsibility in line with the approach established by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
He added that the Foundation – with the generous follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation; and H.H. Sheikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation – is working to complete the programme before the Eid to bring joy to underprivileged children.
Alcohol to be banned at Tokyo Games venues
Tokyo 2020 organizers on Wednesday said the consumption of alcohol at Olympic venues will be banned as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Kyodo news agency reported.
Health guidelines released on Wednesday also said that people with Covid-19 symptoms or a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius will not be allowed into Olympic venues, the agency said.
The Olympic competitions will be held in about 40 arenas in Tokyo and other Japanese regions, according to Deutsche press agency (dpa). The Games were delayed by a year because of the global health crisis. The Olympics are set to take place from July 23 – August 8 with foreign spectators banned.
Gulf Air begins operating point to point flights beyond hub
Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, announces the launch of point to point flights beyond its Bahrain International Airport hub allowing the airline to expand its operations to new destinations as well as extending passenger services to new markets. Gulf Air launched flights between Athens and Larnaca allowing passengers from either location to buy tickets and commute between both Mediterranean cities.
Similarly, it later launched flights between Bangkok and Singapore where passengers can buy tickets to fly between both Far Eastern capitals. These flights will be available for booking and tickets will be sold on Gulf Air’s website or through travel agencies in the mentioned cities.
Upon the announcement, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi commented: “This is an exciting development for the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Now, not only we operate from and to our hub, but we will also operate from and to foreign points and give the opportunity to more passengers to experience our Arabian hospitality at a local level in their own markets.”
He added: “We studied the demand between Athens and Larnaca as well as between Bangkok and Singapore to carry passengers between each city pair. This is the beginning of a wider plan to expand globally and be available and more visible to the local markets in countries that we fly to”.
Last month, the airline announced that all its flights would be operated by 100% vaccinated crew including pilots and flight attendants. The airline has started its internal vaccination campaign for its operating crew and front line staff since December 2020 and is proud to be one of the first airlines in the world to able to provide peace of mind to all passengers flying to any destination of its growing network.
Moreover, recently Gulf Air announced offering complimentary COVID-19 travel insurance coverage to all ticket holders including health and quarantine expenses in the unexpected circumstances of being diagnosed with or contracting COVID-19 during passengers’ journeys. All tickets booked, including redemption tickets, on Gulf Air flights for travel starting from 10 May until 10 November 2021 are automatically covered with COVID-19 insurance at no extra cost.
Tamkeen’s Business Continuity Support Programme extended for three months
The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has announced, during the meeting of its Board of Directors, the extension of its Business Continuity Support Programme for three months, including June, July and August.
The decision is based on His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s directives to launch a financial and economic stimulus package to reduce the effects of the novel Coronavirus pandemic and maintain sustainable development efforts. It also follows the order of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to government entities to continue implementing the royal directives and develop the right solutions to support sectors adversely impacted by the pandemic.
The support will cover children’s play leisure centres, day care centres, cinemas, gyms and fitness studios, salons and spa, restaurants and cafés that are mainly reliant on dine-in services, events’ halls, retail shops (non-food items), travel and tourism agencies and event planning companies. The salaries of taxi and bus drivers and driving trainers are also expected to be supported for three months. Eligibility criteria of the sectors benefiting from the Support Programme will be available on Tamkeen’s website. Applications, to be submitted between June 27 and July 11, will be assessed and the value of the support will be determined based on the extent to which the institution is affected by the closure.
Commenting, Tamkeen Board of Directors Chairman, Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, lauded HM the King’s sound directives, and HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s constant follow-up, as well as HRH’s leadership of the national efforts to mitigate the repercussions of the pandemic, and encouragement of enterprises to continue playing their role in developing the national economy and achieving more growth.
Tamkeen’s Chief Executive Officer, Hussain Mohammed Rajab, commended the tremendous efforts exerted by Team Bahrain to combat the pandemic, highlighting the important role played by various private sector institutions to continue carrying out their businesses using creative and sustainable ways in dealing with the market’s changes and challenges, citing their success in turning challenges into real opportunities that have yielded positive results, contributing to the continuity of their business during the current circumstances.
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