Author: News Desk

Ukrainian forces may have to retreat from their last pocket in the Luhansk region to avoid being captured, a Ukrainian official said, as Russian troops press an advance in the east that has shifted the momentum of the three-month-old war. A withdrawal could bring Russian President Vladimir Putin closer to his goal of capturing eastern Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk regions in full. His troops have gained ground in the two areas collectively known as the Donbas while blasting some towns to wastelands. Luhansk’s governor, Serhiy Gaidai, said Russian troops had entered Sievierodonetsk, the largest Donbas city still held by Ukraine,…

The Chinese metropolis of Shanghai inched further towards a gradual reopening from two months of grinding COVID-19 lockdown, while the capital Beijing maintained curbs that have drastically curtailed movement even as case numbers decline. Shanghai aims essentially to end its lockdown from Wednesday. More people have been allowed out of their homes and more businesses permitted to reopen in the past week, although most residents remain largely confined to their housing compounds and most shops are limited to making deliveries. Shanghai officials urged continued vigilance on Saturday, even though the vast majority of its 25 million residents live in areas…

Two blazes that grew into New Mexico’s largest ever wildfire were both started by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the agency said on Friday, prompting the state’s governor to demand the federal government take full responsibility for the disaster. Forest Service investigators determined the Calf Canyon Fire was caused by a “burn pile” of branches that the agency thought was out but reignited on April 19, the Santa Fe National Forest said in a statement. That blaze on April 22 merged with the Hermits Peak Fire, which the USFS started with a controlled burn that went out of control on…

Bahrain Health Minister, Faeqa bint Said Al-Saleh, today met the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on the sidelines of the 75th World Health Assembly, currently held here. The minister conveyed the congratulations of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to WHO chief following his re-election to his post. She wished WHO every success in its next session, affirming the Health Ministry’s support for all WHO’s programmes and activities. Minister Al-Saleh commended Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus’ outstanding management of WHO,…

Bahrain has been ranked first among Arab countries and second in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in ground and port infrastructure, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2021 Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI). The report also highlighted strong placements for Kingdom in other areas, including ranking 12th globally in business environment. Amongst GCC countries, Bahrain ranked second in the following areas: travel and tourism policy; price competitiveness; prioritisation of travel and tourism; and demand pressure and impact – measured by inbound length of stay, seasonality of international tourist arrivals, interest in cultural and natural attractions, and…

Bahrain’s National Committee to Control Smoking and All Types and Products of Tobacco has been granted the World No Tobacco Day 2022 Award by the World Health Organisation (WHO) during its 75th General Assembly, held in Geneva on May 22-28, in recognition of its accomplishments in the area of tobacco control. On the occasion, Health Minister, Faeqa bint Said Al-Saleh, extended sincere thanks, appreciation and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their unlimited support for the health sector, contributing to…

The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on two Russian banks, a North Korean company and a person it accused of supporting North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction program, increasing pressure on Pyongyang over its renewed ballistic missile launches. The latest American move came a day after China and Russia vetoed a U.S.-led push to impose more United Nations sanctions on North Korea over its ballistic missile launches, publicly splitting the U.N. Security Council for the first time since it started punishing Pyongyang in 2006. The vetoes came despite what the United States says was a sixth test of an…

Hundreds of Bahraini government officials and business leaders attended the Israeli Embassy’s Yom Haatzmaut event recently to celebrate the close relationship that has developed between the countries since the signing of the Abraham Accords. Israeli actor and singer Tsahi Halevi, who starred in the hit television show Fauda, and Chef Doron Sasson participated in the program. Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior’s band played the Israeli and Bahraini national anthems. The event marks the first time that Israel has held a Yom Haatzmaut event in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This is the first such event of its kind following the…

Manama: Minister of Labour and Social Development, Jamil bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, inaugurated today the 9th Career Day symposium and expo for the academic year 2022, which was organised by the Applied Science University in the presence of the university’s Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Wahib Ahmed Al Khajah, President Dr. Ghasan Foued Awad, as well as businessmen and their representatives. The Career Day, in which 60 private sector establishments are taking part, aims to introduce the students to the employment opportunities in the private sector and rationalize the youth’s choice of the required specialties in the labour market. The event also…

The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) signed an agreement with (Aon) Insurance Company. The agreement came to implement the insurance project for foreign residents within the framework of the implementation of the National Health Insurance Program. President of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) Lieutenant General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa praised the continuous support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the health sector. Shaikh Mohammed stressed Bahrain’s efforts to ensure the sustainability of providing comprehensive health coverage…