Author: News Desk

Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange (TADAWUL) plans to launch an environmental, social or governance (ESG) index in cooperation with global index provider MSCI by the fourth quarter of this year or first quarter of 2021, the bourse’s chief executive said on Wednesday. The index will include at least 70 Saudi listed companies and will be based on MSCI standards, Khalid Al-Hussan said at a virtual event. “Globally we understand that ESG is becoming an investment requirement and we don’t want to be behind this in the Saudi market,” he added. Demand for climate-friendly and sustainable investments has been on the rise…

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday it had appealed for $76 million in aid for Lebanon after last week’s massive explosion in Beirut destroyed or damaged hospitals, clinics and medical supplies. Lebanon was already struggling with a financial crisis and a rise in the number of new coronavirus cases before the Aug. 4 explosion in the capital’s port area that left at least 171 dead and injured some 6,000. The blast put three hospitals out of operation and has left three others working at partial capacity, reducing the number of beds in public and private hospitals by 500-600,…

Twitter Inc rolled out its new long-awaited Application Programming Interface (API) software on Wednesday, nearly a month after the social media company delayed the platform’s launch following the hack of several high-profile accounts. The API platform provides broad access to public Twitter data that users have chosen to share, according to the microblogging site. The launch was postponed due to an unrelated hack that affected some of the social media platform’s top voices including U.S. presidential candidate Joe Biden, reality TV star Kim Kardashian and former U.S. President Barack Obama.

England sought to defuse a looming row over the awarding of school qualifications during the pandemic by allowing students to use results of their earlier practice tests. The coronavirus pandemic closed schools across Europe and meant that in some countries almost no examinations took place, leaving educators with a dilemma over how to award grades that affect students’ job prospects and university places. Scotland’s devolved government was forced to reverse downgraded results on Tuesday after a moderation process led to 75,000 young people having their grades revised down, sparking dismay and protests. Pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will…

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa directed the Industry Ministry to intensify inspections and review licenses for workshops, garages and laboratories located near residential areas to ensure safety and avoid risks or accidents. HRH Premier stressed the importance of following security and safety measures in all industrial establishments in order to maintain the safety of workers in these facilities, citizens and residents in the areas close to them. This came within the framework of HRH’s concern to solve issues related to citizens’ needs and problems in order to maintain society’s security and stability.

The Public Health Directorate at the Ministry of Health has announced the opening of volunteering opportunities to take part in the third phase of the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial. The inactivated vaccine is pre-qualified by the World Health Organization and volunteers can register through the National Volunteer Platform. The ministry revealed that the trial will enlist up to 6000 volunteers, over the age of 18, and volunteers will have to undergo a health assessment prior to enlisting, as per the health requirements set by the approved protocols. The Ministry of Health emphasized that the inactivated vaccine does not cause infection,…

Prayers at mosques, collective worship and religious assemblies will remain suspended, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has said. The suspension will be maintained until the rate of the coronavirus (COVID-19) will decrease to the levels set by the competent authorities, the council said. The highest religious council in Bahrain has been conducting bimonthly reviews of its decisions related to the impact of the virus on religious matters. The decision to extend the suspension was taken following consultations between the council and the medical taskforce, the minister of justice, Islamic affairs and endowments and the heads of the Sunni and…

Gym, swimming pools and outdoor playgrounds will be closed again if citizens and residents do not comply with the precautionary measures, said Dr. Waleed Al Manea, Undersecretary of the MOH in a press conference held by the National team to combat COVID-19. These places were reopened last week as per the decision issued by the Government executive committee based on the National Medical Tasks Force to bring back normal life gradually. “If you comply with these instructions, the more quickly we would go back to the normal life,”  added Dr. Waleed Al Manea.

GEMS Industrial Services, a leading company in Bahrain, is inviting applications to various job posts. Candidates currently residing in Bahrain only need to apply. The salary range would be based on experience and qualifications. Visa and accommodation will be provided by the company. Candidates should apply with their Biodata (gemshr2020@gmail.com). For more information, Contact (+973 1749 1106).

Facebook said on Tuesday it removed 7 million posts in the second quarter for sharing false information about the novel coronavirus, including content that promoted fake preventative measures and exaggerated cures. Facebook released the data as part of its sixth Community Standards Enforcement Report, which it introduced in 2018 along with more stringent decorum rules in response to a backlash over its lax approach to policing content on its platforms. The company said it would invite external experts to independently audit the metrics used in the report, beginning 2021. ♦ Facebook launches TikTok-like product inside Instagram ♦ Facebook brings official music videos…