Author: News Desk

The Oman Ministry of Health reports 148 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 3,721. 33 of the new cases are Omanis, while the other 115 are Non-Omanis. The death toll stands at 17, as no new deaths were reported today. 39 new recoveries from COVID-19 were reported, taking the number of recoveries to 1250.

The Chief Executive of Labour Fund ‘Tamkeen’ Dr. Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi today announced that more than 10,000 small and micro enterprises have been supported through the Business Continuity Support Program so far. He noted that today, Monday 11 May, is the last day for small and micro enterprises to apply for the program. His Excellency Sh. Mohammed pointed out that this program provides financial grants to small and micro enterprises with an active CR or a valid license. Dr. Janahi stated that applications are currently under review and Tamkeen will evaluate the extent to which each applicant meets the program’s…

All mosques in Iran will reopen on Tuesday, a further step in the government’s plans to ease restrictions which aimed to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, the official IRIB news agency reported. The decision to reopen the mosques was made in consultation with the ministry of health, IRIB quoted Mohammad Qomi, the director of the Islamic Development Organization, as saying. The move comes even though some parts of the country have seen a rise in infections. Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday that a county in southwestern Iran had been placed under lockdown to prevent the spread of…

The second repatriation flight from Bahrain to Kozhikode, as part of the Vande Bharat Mission, departed at 6:20 pm (8:50 pm IST). 184 people including 180 adults and 4 children travelled in the flight to Kozhikode. The 180 adults include about 20 pregnant ladies. https://www.facebook.com/starvisionnews/videos/563210317732619/ The Indian Embassy of Bahrain has given priority to those who have lost their jobs, pregnant women, those who have visiting visas, those who have expired or cancelled expatriates.

Employees, business owners, police and trade unions in Britain expressed confusion Monday after the government switched from telling workers to stay at home to urging them to return to work — but preferably without getting near other people or using public transport. In a televised statement Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson extended most of the draconian restrictions on daily life imposed March 23 to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including closing schools, restaurants and most shops. He also sketched out how the lockdown will be eased in stages if the number of infections in the U.K. continues to fall.…

The number of the coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the GCC exceeds 100,000 on Monday, according to the latest official tallies. 563 deaths were reported from the six countries. Saudi Arabia, GCC’s most populous country, tops the list with a total of 41,014 cases resulting in the death of 255 COVID-19 patients. Then comes Qatar with 32,623 infections and 20 deaths. The country with a population of 2.6 million people, has the world’s highest infections per 100,000 people. The UAE has so far reported 18,198 infections including 198 deaths, while Kuwait has recorded a total of 9,286 cases resulting in 65 deaths. Bahrain confirmed…

A fire broke out in the Dubai Expo 2020 site on Monday. The Emirati officials said no one was injured from the fire. Dubai Civil Defence quickly responded and firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control. The blaze saw thick black smoke rise over the site of the world’s fair in the southern edge of Dubai, one of seven sheikhdoms in the United Arab Emirates. https://twitter.com/expo2020dubai/status/1259750559076298752?s=20 The fire was caused by a problem during welding works, according to the officials. Earlier this month, a Paris-based body behind the events said that Expo 2020 world’s fair would be postponed to October…

The Oman Ministry of Health recorded 174 new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Monday, bringing the total number of cases in the Sultanate to 3,573. The Ministry added that 36 of the new cases were Omani citizens, and the rest 138 were foreign citizens. Oman’s death toll remains at 17, as no new deaths are not reported.

Move permits can be now claimed during the National Disinfection Programme through the Abu Dhabi police website, www.adpolice.gov.ae. Those going out for absolute necessity, including visiting hospital or pharmacy, or buying essential needs, and don’t have move permits during the Programme timing, have to provide evidence on the reasoning behind their emergency. All the entities, whose employees can’t abide by the National Disinfection Programme timings due to the nature of their work, have to provide the National Crisis & Emergency Management Authority with lists of the names of these employees and their car plate numbers, to exempt them automatically from…

China has issued a lengthy rebuttal of what it said were 24 “preposterous allegations” by some leading U.S. politicians over its handling of the new coronavirus outbreak. According to Reuters, the Chinese foreign ministry has dedicated most of its press briefings over the past week to rejecting accusations by U.S. politicians, especially Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, that China had withheld information about the new coronavirus and that it had originated in a laboratory in the city of Wuhan. A 30-page, 11,000-word article posted on the ministry website on Saturday night repeated and expanded on the refutations made during the…