Author: News Desk

A piece of UAE flag made with mosaic, and measuring 498.33 m², has been added to the Guinness World Records under “Nefsy’s” initiative during the 49th UAE National Day last year. This was part of the biggest mosaic Emirati Flag campaign which the National Food Product Company silver-sponsored. The campaign was conducted in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent, the Government of Dubai, and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. The initiative aimed at providing support to curb the COVID-19 and mitigate the pandemic’s social and economic impact, through in-kind donations for underprivileged families. The Islamic Affairs and Charitable…

Full list of the winners of Oscar 2021 Best original screenplay Judas and the Black Messiah Minari Promising Young Woman – WINNER Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7 Best adapted screenplay Borat Subsequent Moviefilm The Father – WINNER Nomadland One Night in Miami The White Tiger Best international feature film Another Round – WINNER Better Days Collective The Man Who Sold His Skin Quo Vadis, Aida? Best actor in a supporting role Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7 Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah – WINNER Leslie Odom, Jr, One Night in Miami Paul Raci, Sound of Metal…

Spotify on Monday said it has partnered with Facebook to allow listeners to play music and podcasts directly from the social network’s iOS and Android apps. Facebook last week said it planned to launch several audio products, including Clubhouse-style live audio rooms and a way for users to find and play podcasts. The new integration is rolling out in 27 markets, including the U.S. and Canada, with additional markets to follow in the coming month, Spotify said in a statement. Spotify’s paid subscribers would be able to access full playback without advertisements without leaving the Facebook app. Apple last week said it will…

The European Commission said on Monday it had launched legal action against AstraZeneca for not respecting its contract for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines and for not having a “reliable” plan to ensure timely deliveries. AstraZeneca said in response that the legal action by the EU was without merit and pledged to defend itself strongly in court. “AstraZeneca has fully complied with the Advance Purchase Agreement with the European Commission and will strongly defend itself in court. We believe any litigation is without merit and we welcome this opportunity to resolve this dispute as soon as possible,” AstraZeneca said in a statement…

82 die in Baghdad COVID hospital fire – Interior Ministry A fire sparked by an oxygen tank explosion killed 82 people and injured 110 at a hospital in Baghdad that had been equipped to house COVID-19 patients, an Interior Ministry spokesman said on Sunday. “We urgently need to review safety measures at all hospitals to prevent such a painful incident from happening in future,” spokesman Khalid al-Muhanna told state television, announcing the toll. The fire erupted on Saturday at the Ibn Khatib hospital in the Diyala Bridge area. Ali Bayati, a member of Iraq’s semi-official High Commission for Human Rights,…

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has called on employers to join the wage protection system and commit to regular and timely transfer of workers’ wages to their bank accounts through any of the payment methods facilitated by entities licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain. In this regard, the LMRA noted that the first phase of the system is scheduled to start on May 1, and includes employers who employ 500 workers or more. The CEO of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, Jamal Abdul Aziz Al-Alawi, explained that the LMRA will implement the first phase on this date following…

The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) has launched the “Women’s Support Centre” Application that provides integrated services and consultations to beneficiaries. The move is within the framework of the SCW’s keenness to constantly develop the services it delivers through the Women’s Support Centre and make them more flexible and efficient in meeting the needs of Bahrain women and their families, in addition to meeting the requirements of the exceptional circumstances created by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The application is available on Google Play and Apple Store in Arabic and English. It is accessible to people with special needs, and can…

The US will immediately provide raw materials for COVID-19 vaccines, medical equipment and protective gear to help India respond to a massive surge in COVID-19 infections, a White House spokeswoman said on Sunday. “The US is working around the clock to deploy available resources and supplies,” National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement. She said the US would send raw materials required for India to manufacture the Covishield vaccine, as well as therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and protective equipment for frontline workers. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all citizens to be vaccinated and exercise…

Iraq’s health minister and the governor of Baghdad have both been suspended after a fire at a Baghdad hospital. At a special Sunday Cabinet session, Health Minister Hassan Al-Tamimi and Baghdad Governor Muhammad Jaber were suspended and referred for investigations, said a statement by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s media office. It added that a commission chaired by Interior Minister Othman Al-Ghanimi was set up to investigate the deadly fire at Ibn Al-Khatib hospital and hold those responsible accountable. The fire at the Ibn al-Khatib hospital in the capital Baghdad late Saturday claimed the lives of 82 and injured 110 others,…

Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, and Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, have recently discussed ways to enhance their close commercial relationships by establishing a codeshare agreement. Being the first two airlines that started operations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Gulf Air and SAUDIA will cooperate to expand their footprints regionally and internationally by sharing their codes and offering guests the signature warmth of Arabian hospitality. The codeshare will further enhance seamless travel options for passengers of Gulf Air and SAUDIA, providing wider choices of domestic destinations in Saudi Arabia and other international destinations…