Author: News Desk

A total lockdown has been imposed on an industrial area in Oman’s Muscat that houses migrant workers as part of efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus in the densely populated area, the Ministry of Health and the Muscat Municipality announced on Monday. The lockdown, which will begin today, was imposed on the al-Wadi al-Kabir area and will remain closed until further notice. Oman has so far reported 2,637 confirmed coronavirus cases and 12 virus-related deaths. Mass gatherings for Ramadan have been banned and the current lockdown in Muscat was extended until May 8. However, ahead of the holy month, Oman allowed some…

Kuwait’s Health Minister Shaikh Dr. Basel Al Sabah said on Monday coronavirus recoveries climbed to 1,947 after 171 people more were cured. The cases were proven negative according to laboratory and radiological tests, the minister said. Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reports. They will be transferred to the rehabilitation wing of the hospital, designated to receive those infected with the virus, in preparation for their discharge within the next two days.

China has questions to answer over the information it shared about the novel coronavirus outbreak but a post mortem over its role should come later, Britain’s defence minister said on Monday. According to Reuters, asked by LBC radio if China had questions to answer over how quickly it made the world aware of the extent of the crisis, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “I think it does.” “The time for the post mortem on this is after we’ve all got it under control and have come through it and our economies are back to normal,” Wallace said. “China needs to…

Kuwaiti security forces broke up a riot by Egyptian workers seeking repatriation who were being held in shelters dedicated for those in violation of the Gulf Arab state’s residency laws, the Ministry of Interior said on Monday. Security forces intervened after “riots and chaos” broke out and seized several people who would face legal measures, the statement carried on state media said. Representatives of the Egyptian embassy in Kuwait went to the shelter and reassured workers that repatriation flights would begin this week, the statement said. The Egyptian embassy also apologized for the riots, it added. Several Gulf governments are…

Contributions have poured for the World’s Tallest Donation Box, shining 180,000 lights on 18 floors of Burj Khalifa within 24 hours of the initiative’s launch, stated Emirates News Agency (WAM). The donations raised on the first day will help provide 180,000 meals for individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the UAE, as part of the initiative that aims to illuminate Burj Khalifa’s 1.2 million lights in a message of hope and solidarity to the world. Launched as part of the ’10 million meals’ campaign on Saturday, the World’s Tallest Donation Box enables companies, entities and the public…

Hundreds of people queued outside liquor stores in New Delhi on Monday as the Indian capital began easing some curbs after a 40-day lockdown against the coronavirus, while some offices resumed work with a few staff and traffic trickled into the streets, reported Reuters. The nationwide lockdown, among the world’s strictest, is being relaxed in some areas with fewer infections, although it will stay until May 17, the government said last week. The measure was adopted on March 25 and extended twice. Many government cars were among the traffic on Delhi’s boulevards on Monday, while police at checkpoints peered into…

The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) announced the launch of their new logo reflecting their new vision and development strategy. The Chamber explained that the logo represents its new identity, futuristic vision, and the board of directors’ keenness on revamping and modernizing the chamber’s operations and services, while at the same time reflects its long history full of achievements. The Chamber vowed to keep abreast of all developments and offering its members quality services that match their needs and aspirations and empower their growth and development. It also clarified that the new logo will be used in all…

The United Arab Emirates today sent an aid plane containing five metric tons of medical supplies to Botswana to bolster the country’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. The aid will assist approximately 5,000 medical professionals as they work to combat the virus. Mahash Saeed Al Hameli, UAE Ambassador to South Africa and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana, said commenting on the aid delivery,”Today’s delivery of aid affirms the UAE’s continuous and active engagement in international efforts to fight COVID-19 and comes within the framework of strengthening the medical capabilities of a large number of friendly countries…

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has revealed how he thought of committing suicide while struggling with personal problems before making a spectacular comeback to the national side. Shami battled weight issues, injury and a legal quarrel with his estranged wife before a stellar performance at the World Cup last year re-established the 29-year-old as a key player. With cricket and sports halted in the coronavirus lockdown, Shami opened up about his own and his family’s fears to teammate Rohit Sharma during an exchange on Instagram. “I think if my family had not supported me back then I would have lost…

Members of the same family are allowed to travel in the same vehicle without getting fined for violating the three-people limit, the Dubai Police have said. First-degree relatives are also exempted from the limitation and they can travel in the same vehicle even if there are more than three people, the Brigadier Saif Mahir Al Mazrouei, Director of Dubai Police Traffic Department said. While a fine of AED1,000 will be imposed on a driver if he had more than three individuals in his vehicle, members of the same family should not be worried about this limitation, he noted.