Author: News Desk

MOSCOW : Russia has sent a shipment of coronavirus-related humanitarian assistance to Cuba, including 1 million medical masks, the defence ministry said on Saturday, adding President Vladimir Putin had given instructions for the aid. Cuba, which kept coronavirus infections low last year, earlier this week reported the highest rate of contagion per capita in Latin America. That has strained its healthcare sector and helped stoke rare anti-government protests earlier this month on the Communist-run island. Two military planes carrying 88 tons of aid – including food and personal protective equipment, including over 1 million medical masks, departed from an airfield…

US: A judge in Los Angeles on Friday signed off on a deal that allows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s billionaire ally Thomas Barrack to be released from custody while he awaits trial on charges of illegal lobbying on behalf of the United Arab Emirates. This report produced by Freddie Joyner.

Tokyo : An San and teenager Kim Je Deok paired up to lead South Korea to a gold medal in the Olympic debut of archery’s mixed team event at the Tokyo Games. On a sizzling Saturday at the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field, they held off Gabriela Schloesser and Steve Wijler of the Netherlands by a tally of 5-3 to bring home yet another archery gold for South Korea. The country has now captured 14 of 17 gold medals in archery team competitions since the current format was introduced to the Olympics in 1988, The Associated Press (AP) reported. What’s more,…

Bahrain: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sent a cable of condolences to President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on the victims of the floods which swept Henan province. HM the King expressed sincere condolences to the Chinese President, people and the victims’ families, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. He also expressed hope the rescue and searching operations will help find more survivors.

Tokyo : After a stunning loss in the opener, the U.S. women’s soccer team vowed to be ruthless against New Zealand. And they rebounded in a big way, said AP. The Americans cruised to a 6-1 rout of New Zealand in front of First Lady Jill Biden at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday. With the United States leading 2-0 at the break, Biden arrived in time to watch the team put the game away in the second half at Saitama Stadium. The United States was blanked by Sweden 3-0 in the opener. It was the team’s first loss since January…

Bahrain: His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today sent a condolence cable to the President of the People’s Republic of China, HE Xi Jinping, following flooding in the central province of Henan. In the cable, His Royal Highness extended his condolences to the President, the people of China and the families of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. His Royal Highness also expressed hope search and rescue operations will help find more survivors. His Royal Highness sent a similar cable to the Premier of the State Council of the People’s…

Bahrain: The government of Bahrain prepares to welcome Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, as the Kingdom’s status as a leading centre of public health expertise is acknowledged with the opening of a new WHO office. Dr. Ghebreyesus’s visit comes as Manama was recently awarded the title of “Healthy City 2021” by the WHO. The city has been recognised for its commitment to creating an environment conducive to human well-being, the first Middle East capital to earn the distinction. Dr. Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, accompanied by Dr. Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the…

Bahrain: The 32 edition of the Olympic Games “Tokyo 2020” officially kicked off on Friday following an inauguration ceremony held under the patronage of the Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Olympic Stadium, Tokyo. The event was attended by many political personalities and sports figures from across the world as well as the delegations of the participating nations. On this occasion, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee hailed the successful opening ceremony of the event which will take…

Thailand: Drugmaker AstraZeneca said Saturday it was scouring its supply chain to find more doses of its Covid-19 vaccine for Southeast Asia, which is facing its most serious outbreak yet of the virus. The statement from the Anglo-Swedish company — which produces its vaccine in Thailand for use domestically and in neighbouring countries — comes in the wake of a supply shortage which has sparked heavy criticism of Thai Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha’s administration. Under the terms of AstraZeneca’s agreement with Thai authorities, 180 million doses are due for production, one-third destined for the Thai market and the rest to be exported.…

US: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and British billionaire businessman Richard Branson, who are dreaming of calling themselves astronauts by taking a spacewalk, have suffered a severe setback. The US government has made it clear that both billionaires cannot be granted astronaut status according to the New Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to a BBC report, the new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules say astronaut hopefuls must be part of the flight crew and make contributions to space flight safety. These are the first changes since the FAA wings program began in 2004.