Author: News Desk

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. The report by state news agency KCNA did not elaborate on the nature of the crisis or how it put people at risk. 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…

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) will tomorrow 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…

Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has appointed 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.

Vancouver: British Columbia closed schools and universities on Monday due to extreme heat which pushed temperature in the western Canadian province to a national record over the weekend, in a country that is widely known for its brutal winter and snows. Lytton, a town in central British Columbia roughly 200km (124 miles) north of Vancouver, reported a temperature of 46.6°C (115.88°F) on Sunday. Prior to the weekend, the historical high in Canada was 45°C, set in Saskatchewan in 1937, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Reuters reported. Monday was forecast to be even hotter, as much of western Canada…

Manama: Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa today received the Interior Ministry’s employee Othman Al-Awadhi for winning the 100-km race of the Jordan World Endurance Championship. The Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary Shaikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa also attended.The Interior Minister hailed the directives and follow up of the Representative of HM the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for his keenness to support youth jockeys in international competitions. He congratulated the employee for the accomplishment that reflects his competitive skills. He stressed the importance of supporting and training jockeys to…

Abu Dhabi to allow only COVID vaccinated people entry to some public areas The UAE capital of Abu Dhabi will only allow those vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter some public areas, including malls, restaurants and gyms, starting August 20, according to an announcement made by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee. The committee said it took the decision on Monday after vaccinating 93 percent of target groups in the emirate and to preserve public health. “The decision covers shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, gyms, recreational facilities, sporting activities and all other retail outlets not within shopping centers, except those…

Rescue workers pulled a 10th body from the rubble of a collapsed Florida condominium on Monday, as officials vowed to keep searching for any possible survivors five days after the 12-story building fell without warning as residents slept. Crews were using cranes, dogs and infrared scans as they looked for signs of life amid the ruins, hoping air pockets may have formed underneath the concrete that could be keeping some people alive. “We’re going to continue and work ceaselessly to exhaust every possible options in our search,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told a news briefing. The death toll…

The UAE capital of Abu Dhabi will only allow those vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter some public areas, including malls, restaurants and gyms, starting August 20, according to an announcement made by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee. The committee said it took the decision on Monday after vaccinating 93 percent of target groups in the emirate and to preserve public health. “The decision covers shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, gyms, recreational facilities, sporting activities and all other retail outlets not within shopping centers, except those selling essential goods such as supermarkets and pharmacies,” the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis…

European Union countries on Monday gave the final seal of approval to a law to make the bloc’s greenhouse gas emissions targets legally binding, as EU policymakers prepare a huge new package of policies to fight climate change. Negotiators from Parliament and EU member states reached a deal in April on the climate law, which sets targets to reduce net EU emissions by 55% by 2030, from 1990 levels, and eliminate them by 2050. Ministers from the 27 EU countries formally approved the deal on Monday, except for Bulgaria, which abstained. “The final compromise does not reflect our national position…

Australian leaders were holding emergency talks on Monday as states and territories sought to stamp out new clusters of coronavirus infections. Prime Minister Scott Morrison called an urgent federal cabinet meeting and will meet with state and territory leaders in the evening, Australian news agency AAP reported. Four states and territories have recorded new cases and three of the country’s state capitals have imposed lockdowns or tight restrictions, according to AAP. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told broadcaster ABC on Monday that it was a “critical time” for Australia and that the world is entering a “new phase” of pandemic with the more…