Author: News Desk

The German Ambassador to Bahrain Kai Boeckmann has lauded the steady progress of the partnership between Bahrain and Germany since the launch of their diplomatic relations in 1972. “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this important date, I would like to express my gratitude to the Kingdom of Bahrain, especially to HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the government and the people of Bahrain for their strong commitment and support to the relations between our two countries,” Boeckmann said. “Germany and Bahrain are…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un slammed his country’s response to its first confirmed COVID-19 outbreak as immature, accusing government officials of inadequacies and inertia as fever cases swept the country, state media reported on Wednesday. North Korea reported 232,880 more people with fever symptoms, and six more deaths after country revealed the COVID outbreak last week. It did not say how many people had tested positive for COVID-19. Presiding over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party on Tuesday, Kim said the “immaturity in the state capacity for coping with the crisis” increased the “complexity and hardships” in…

Russia said on Wednesday nearly 700 more Ukrainian fighters had surrendered in Mariupol, but Kyiv was silent about their fate, while a pro-Russian separatist leader said commanders were still holed up in tunnels beneath the giant Azovstal steelworks. More than a day after Kyiv announced it had ordered its garrison in Mariupol to stand down, the ultimate outcome of Europe’s bloodiest battle for decades remained unresolved. Ukrainian officials halted all public discussion of the fate of fighters who had made their last stand there. “The state is making utmost efforts to carry out the rescue of our servicemen. Let’s wait.…

Finland and Sweden formally applied to join the NATO alliance on Wednesday, a decision spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but face objections from Turkey to an accession process that is expected to take only a few weeks. Neutral throughout the Cold War, Sweden’s and Finland’s decision to join NATO is one of the most significant changes in Europe’s security architecture in decades, not least because Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia. It also reflects a shift in public opinion in the Nordic region since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. “This is a historic moment which we…

Russia on Wednesday said it was using a new generation of powerful laser weapons in Ukraine to burn up drones, deploying some of Moscow’s secret weapons to counter a flood of Western arms supplied to its former Soviet neighbour. President Vladimir Putin in 2018 unveiled an array of new weapons including a new intercontinental ballistic missile, underwater nuclear drones, a supersonic weapon and a new laser weapon. Little is known about the specifics of the new laser weapons. Putin mentioned one called Peresvet, named after a medieval Orthodox warrior monk Alexander Peresvet who perished in mortal combat. Yury Borisov, the…

India is looking to domestic firms and eastern European nations for military gear and ammunition, as the world’s biggest buyer of Russian arms seeks alternative suppliers at a time when Moscow is fighting a war with Ukraine and facing sanctions. New Delhi has long talked of diversifying the suppliers to its huge armed forces, and even making more equipment at home, objectives that have taken on new urgency since Russia’s invasion, two government officials and a defence source said. India has identified 25.15 billion rupees ($324 million) worth of defence equipment it wants domestic firms to make this year, and…

Finland and Sweden will buy portable firearms and anti-tank weapons together, Finland’s defence ministry said on Wednesday, as the two Nordic country’s handed in their applications to join the Western military alliance NATO. The two countries will step up their cooperation in defence procurement by Finland joining an agreement to acquire anti-tank weapons from Swedish weapons maker Saab Dynamics, a subsidiary of Saab, the ministry said. Finland’s defence minister Antti Kaikkonen also authorised preparations for a joint purchase of small fire arms including assault rifles, shotguns and arms for personal protection, the ministry said. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland…

Abu Dhabi : Two friends — Diyona Anna Binu and Shafeer Panichayil — hailing from Kerala, India, have won Dh500,000 in the latest Big Ticket weekly draw held today in Abu Dhabi. The winning ticket number 069002 was in the name of Diyona Anna Binu. Gulf News spoke to Panichayil, the other winner, who owns a small vegetable and fruit shop in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. “I will invest my winning share into expanding my business,” Panichayil said. Speaking to Big Ticket representatives, Binu said he was extremely excited to hear the news. “It has been my goal to win the…

The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) established a strategic partnership with SANS Institute to provide quality training in cybersecurity for hundreds of Bahrainis starting with 200 graduates over the next two years. This initiative is in line with Tamkeen’s strategic direction and comes as a response to the market needs that require high quality and specialized tech training opportunities for Bahrainis, and the pressing need for qualified professionals within the cybersecurity field. These opportunities will help upskill and reskill Bahrainis to fill this gap and establish sustainable career paths in the technology sector. Husain Mohamed Rajab, Chief Executive of Tamkeen said: “Through…

More than 250 Ukrainian fighters surrendered to Russian forces at the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol after weeks of desperate resistance, bringing an end to the most devastating siege of Russia’s war in Ukraine and allowing President Vladmir Putin to claim a rare victory in his faltering campaign. Reuters saw buses leave the steelworks, where defenders had held out in a complex of bunkers and tunnels, overnight and five arrived in the Russian-held town of Novoazovsk, where Moscow said the wounded would be treated. What will happen to the fighters was unclear, although the Kremlin said Putin had personally guaranteed the…