Author: News Desk

India and other South Asian countries are likely to record their worst growth performance in four decades this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, the World Bank said on Sunday. Reuters reported that the South Asian region, comprising eight countries, is likely to show economic growth of 1.8% to 2.8% this year, the World Bank said in its South Asia Economic Focus report, well down from the 6.3% it projected six months ago. India’s economy, the region’s biggest, is expected to grow 1.5% to 2.8% in the fiscal year that started on April 1. The World Bank has estimated it…

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday that it was looking into reports of some COVID-19 patients testing positive again after initially testing negative for the disease while being considered for discharge, reported BNA. South Korean officials on Friday reported 91 patients thought cleared of the new coronavirus had tested positive again. Jeong Eun-kyeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a briefing that the virus may have been “reactivated” rather than the patients being re-infected, Reuters reported. The Geneva-based WHO, asked about the report from Seoul, told Reuters in a brief statement: “We are…

King Salman has ordered the extension of curfews across Saudi Arabia “until further notice” as the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 disease continues, the official Saudi Press Agency reported early Sunday. Quoting an official source at the Ministry of Interior, SPA said the king issued the order just before the 21-day curfew measure that started on March 23 expired at midnight Saturday stated the Arab News. The extension of the curfew measure is meant to ensure that the spread of the coronavirus would be placed under full control, the announcement said. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health on Thursday…

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital, a week after being admitted due to “persistent” COVID-19 symptoms, a Downing Street spokesman said Sunday. “The PM has been discharged from hospital to continue his recovery, at Chequers,” he said. Chequers is the official country residence of British prime ministers. Johnson was admitted to hospital last Sunday and was moved to intensive care on Monday. He spent three nights in the ICU and received “standard oxygen treatment,” according to his spokesman, but did not require mechanical or invasive ventilation. The spokesperson said that on the advice of his medical team, the PM won’t immediately be…

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth said on Saturday that coronavirus “would not overcome us” as she delivered her second rallying message to the nation in a week. The 93-year-old monarch, who is the symbolic head of the Church of England, also stated that “Easter isn’t cancelled” in her first-ever address to mark the Christian holy day. “This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart we keep others safe. But Easter isn’t cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever,” she said. Last Sunday, Elizabeth gave only the fifth televised address of her 68-year reign to…

The award-winning drama, Killing Eve will return on OSN’s new streaming service for season three on Monday 13th April 2020 for the third and latest season. The popular series will air on Sunday 12th April at 10 pm on BBC America in the US and will air simultaneously in the Middle East (the time difference between the US and here meaning it will air on 13th April in the region). This change in premiere date comes as AMC Networks announced that Killing Eve Season 3 will premiere two weeks earlier than initially announced, bringing the suspense and thrills to audiences early. Killing Eve season 3 stars…

KHK Heroes call on the nation for a united cause, helping those most vulnerable during the Coronavirus Pandemic. KHK Heroes is calling on Bahrain to make donations, volunteer time to KHK Heroes or take up the challenge to post a video online and nominate someone to pay it forward. His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa directs KHK Heroes Board of Directors to initiate campaigns to support the vision HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier and HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative…

Mixed Martial Arts was the last sport to fully adhere to the advice of several worldwide health organizations and postpone and/or cancel its events for the foreseeable future. The UFC made last-ditch attempts to go through with shows in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, shedding a poor light in the entire sport by doing so. After pressure from around the globe, including from BRAVE CF president Mohammed Shahid, the UFC bowed down and decided to postpone its next shows. However, the UFC’s stance of ignoring safety measures to stop COVID-19 has raised a red flag in the way the…

The Saudi Health Ministry has today confirmed 382 new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which brings the overall number of infected patients to 4033 – of whom 3261 cases are actives and 67 critical cases. Health Ministry’s Spokesman Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali sad that 313 cases were diagnosed in Makkah, 95 in the Madinah, 76 in Riyadh, 50 in Jeddah, 15 in Dammam, 5 in Yanbu, 3 in Al-Hafoof, and one case in Al-Taif, Al-Khobar, Misan, and Al-Shamli. Dr. Al-Abdulaali said that  35 infected patients have recovered today, bringing to 720 the total number of recoveries, while five patients have passed away, bringing the total number…

The Customs Affairs has announced that online customs clearance of products would be launched from Tuesday, April 14. The service enables the submission of customs statement and payment through Fawateer payment system, without the need for personnel attendance. The imported goods could be received via customs ports, while the importers should show the customs statement when the Customs Affairs asks or for later applications. The Customs Affairs highlighted dedication to providing services that facilitate the traffic of goods without affecting the security requirements.