‘Ending pandemic still a lot of work’: WHO Chief
The coronavirus pandemic is far from over, warned World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday as he closed the group’s annual meeting, moved online this year due to the disease, the Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA) reported.
“The reality is, we still have a lot of work to do to end this pandemic,” he said. “We’re very encouraged that cases and deaths are continuing to decline globally, but it would be a monumental error for any country to think the danger has passed.”
He stressed the importance of precautions that have gone into common usage since the pandemic started: social-distancing, hand-washing, wearing facial masks and ensuring a fair distribution of vaccines.
The WHO has criticized the fact that rich countries have purchased vast quantities of hard-to-get vaccines, with young and healthy people already being inoculated there, while poorer countries don’t have enough shots even for health care workers and those especially at risk.
“One day – hopefully soon – the pandemic will be behind us,” said Tedros. “But the psychological scars will remain for those who have lost loved ones, health workers who have been stretched beyond breaking point, and the millions of people of all ages confronted with months of loneliness and isolation.”
Attendees at the session also agreed to meet in November to begin work on a pandemic treaty, which aims to make sure the world is better prepared the next time a pandemic spreads. One focus would be ensuring better cooperation in the next health crisis.
China relaxes family policy to allow up to 3 children
China is relaxing its family policy and allowing couples to have up to three children in future – a move that some argue comes too late to have a sustained effect on the fertility rate. Against the backdrop of the unexpectedly massive decline in the birth rate and the rapid ageing of Chinese society, the Politburo of the Communist Party decided at a meeting in Beijing on Monday that such “optimization of birth policies” would help improve the population structure, the official Xinhua news agency reported. The decision came just three weeks after the publication of the latest census, which showed the world’s most populous country is threatened to shrink in a few years. Experts cited the one-child policy, as well as the high costs of housing and education as reasons.
In the past 10 years, China’s population has grown by only 0.53 per cent annually to just over 1.4 billion people. The one-child policy that had been in place since 1979 was abolished in 2015 and replaced by a two-child policy. However, the turnaround had only led to a slight increase in births in 2016. Since then, the number has fallen every year. In 2020, there were 12 million births, far higher than the 10.04 million reported by the Ministry of Public Security. And as 10 million people die annually in China, the falling birth rate suggests zero growth, or even a population decline.
Bahrain Health Ministry takes action against 41 restaurants and cafés
The Bahrain Health Ministry has taken action, against 41 restaurants and cafés for flouting the mandatory precautionary measures announced by the National Medical Taskforce for Combating COVID-19, and approved by the Executive Committee.
During inspection visits to 211 restaurants and cafés yesterday, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), the Health Ministry’s inspectors stressed the need to fully comply with the precautionary measures recommended by the National Medical Taskforce, including mainly the closure of those outlets except for delivery and takeaway services.
The Health Ministry said that the restaurants and cafés facing legal acting had flouted the procedures and terms stipulated in the ministerial edict 51 of 2020 on mandatory health protocols at restaurants and cafés to curb COVID-19 infections. The restaurants and cafés and which were found in breach of the mandatory precautionary measures were referred to competent legal authorities.
Owners of outlets with minor violations were warned to address their irregularities immediately in compliance with the mandatory precautionary measures. The inspectors called on everyone to continue their commitment and spirit of high responsibility, and to immediately report any violations they may spot.
Plan to vaccinate National Guard staff completed
National Guard President General His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa said that the National Guard has completed its plan to vaccinate its staff. The vaccination drive according to timed targets was set by the National Guard medical personnel upon the issuance of the royal directives to provide safe vaccines and make them available free of charge for all citizens and residents.
The directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander, in dealing with COVID-19 reinforce the spirit of cohesion and solidarity within the nation to overcome the pandemic, HH Shaikh Mohammed said.
His Highness praised the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, of the Executive Committee and the National Medical Team to address COVID-1 and HRH’s proactive health security plans for the Kingdom.
HH Shaikh Mohammed said the National Guard has used all its capabilities to implement its plan to vaccinate its staff in order to enhance the efforts of the national medical team to address COVID-19 and limit the spread of the pandemic, he added.
HH expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Health and the Military Hospital for their great efforts in the national vaccination campaign and for their extensive cooperation with the National Guard in implementing the vaccination plan for its staff.
The National Guard will consolidate its pledge to answer the call of national duty, to be always in the front lines protecting the homeland and watching over the safety of its citizens and residents, HH Shaikh Mohammed added. He prayed to God to protect Bahrain and to perpetuate its glory and prosperity during the reign of HM King Hamad.
‘Saved by Martial Arts’: Vladislav Novitskiy excited to give back starting with BRAVE CF 51
Vladislav Novitskiy is living out his dreams. The rising mixed martial arts (MMA) star is set to battle fellow debutant Yanis “The Galactic” Ghemmouri of France at BRAVE CF 51: The Future Is Here this Friday, June 4 live in front of a hometown crowd at the state-of-the-art Falcon Club Arena in Minsk, Belarus. Novitskiy enjoys competing inside the cage and having the support of the nation on his side. But even though MMA is his passion nowadays, it was not his first love.
His first love was football. As a matter of fact, he played the sport at a very high level. He had the opportunity to play for Dinamo Minsk. Most youngsters would give anything to have that dream, and Novitskiy got the chance to suit up for the beloved club. It was a fairly typical childhood for the young Belarusian although he struggled to find the best outlet for his youthful energy.
Novitskiy took a dangerous path by associating with street gangs. He wanted to gain the respect of his peers. Furthermore, when there is the potential for danger on every street corner, he was comforted by the idea of knowing people who were watching his back.
However, one unfortunate incident altered the trajectory of his mischievous lifestyle. He lost a fight on the street that sustained him a fractured facial bone, leaving him on the hospital bed for days. Reflecting on the hazards he went through, Novitskiy recognized that it was time to turn things for the better.
He then came across MMA. Little did he know, the day he walked into the gym, his life would change forever. His coaches saw potential in the young Novitskiy and urged him to take training seriously. That meant quitting his bad habits and vices while dedicating his time to strengthening his body and developing his skills instead.
This much-needed discipline steered him away from the life of a slacker and even brought him to national glory in MMA. Now, Novitskiy is revered in the sport by his countrymen, holding a professional record of 9-4 with seven wins by way of knockout and two via submission.
Novitskiy has completely transformed his life, and now he wants to offer hope to those who may have none. He seeks to show young kids there can be unity and friendship on the mats, as opposed to the streets. Moreover, he aims to reach out to those who may have once headed in the wrong direction that life can change in the blink of an eye.
“It is never too late to start on your dreams. It does not matter what you have done in the past because you always have one more day to change everything and make your life meaningful,” Novitskiy shared.
A certified lethal finisher, Novitskiy will make his first global MMA appearance on the supporting card of BRAVE CF 51: The Future Is Here, which is headlined by a Lightweight encounter between Lucas “Mineiro” Martins of Brazil and Germany’s very own Marcel Grabinski.
“This is a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent in one of the best MMA promotions in the world today. I will do my best to put on a great show for the people of Belarus and the fans around the globe,” he said.
Belarus is set to be the seventh European nation that BRAVE CF has visited since its foray into the continent in June 2018. Despite the ravaging effects of COVID-19 last year, the Bahrain-based MMA promotion remained committed to its mission to empower the European MMA circuit, holding seven events in a calendar year in the region. The organization picked up where it left off, kicking off 2021 with its inaugural event in Sochi, Russia last January and then upping the ante with its maiden venture on Belarusian soil this Friday. Novitskiy is admittedly blown away by the magnitude that the upcoming extravaganza in his hometown has created leading up to fight week.
“This is a milestone for Belarusian MMA because the fastest-growing MMA promotion in the world is coming to our country. I think many people are excited and waiting for this event,” he stated.
Zoho announces new version of its expense reporting software
Zoho Corporation, a global technology company, has announced a new version of its expense reporting software, Zoho Expense, that includes advanced capabilities to help mid-market businesses bring about efficiency in its T&E process, and control costs while recovering from the effects of Covid-19. With the new version of Zoho Expense, businesses can manage their travel, gain more visibility and control of their company’s global spend from a single place.
Business travel has been significantly reduced due to Covid-19 while remote working has become a global norm. Companies require the right processes and tools to improve collaboration, ensure compliance of all regulations, and optimise company costs until revenue is normalised. The new version of Zoho Expense is designed to provide visibility on all costs incurred by the company across offices.
With a chat bar built into the system, teams can communicate in real-time during the T&E process. Zoho Expense also allows businesses to have the flexibility to quickly implement changes in their travel and expense policy with customisable approval workflows. This means that businesses can rest assured that their compliance obligations are fulfilled in the event of an audit.
