Author: News Desk

Russia is considering accepting Bitcoin as payment for its oil and gas exports, according to a high-ranking lawmaker. Pavel Zavalny says “friendly” countries could be allowed to pay in the crypto-currency or in their local currencies. Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he wanted “unfriendly” countries to buy its gas with roubles. The move is understood to be aimed at boosting the Russian currency, which has lost over 20% in value this year. Sanctions imposed by the UK, US and the European Union, following the invasion of Ukraine, have put a strain on Russia’s rouble and raised its…

Germany’s health minister said Friday that it’s too soon to declare a ‘freedom day’ from COVID-19 as the virus continues to run rampant, claiming hundreds of lives each day. The country’s disease control agency reported 296,498 newly confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, and 288 deaths, reports AP. German lawmakers voted last week to let most federal rules on wearing masks and testing expire. But Health Minister Karl Lauterbach urged the country’s 16 states to use their powers to ensure social distancing and other safety measures in virus hotspots. “The pandemic isn’t over by a long shot,” Lauterbach…

Five days after the crash of a passenger jet in mountainous southern China, the disaster’s cause remains a mystery while the search for the plane’s second “black box” continued Friday. Hundreds of people, many in white hazmat suits, combed the impact zone and a much larger debris field along steep slopes, reports AP. They were searching for a box containing the flight data recorder, along with bits of the wreckage and the belongings and body parts of the 132 on board who perished in the crash. Persistent rain has frustrated the task and the remote location has required the use…

Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) and the US Embassy to Bahrain organized a specialized workshop entitled “Comprehensive journalist skills.” The workshop was presented by Dr. Frederick Kendrick at the Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF). Dr. Kendrick holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Media and has years of experience in journalism and content creation. The workshop focused on developing the next generation of journalists and developing their skills in journalism, content writing, and digital media. BJA President Isa Al Shaiji stressed the importance of cooperating with regional and international institutions to coordinate specialized workshops that would further develop the skills…

His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa hailed Bahraini youngsters’ efforts to honour the Kingdom across all fields. “The Kingdom of Bahrain is thriving, thanks to the devotion of its youth, and moving forward on the path of development at various levels”, he said  in a text message addressed to all Bahraini youngsters on their mobile phones marking Bahraini Youth Day, which falls on March 25. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa also sent the message to all Government employees through their emails. “Dear youth.. we celebrate…

Information Affairs Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi hailed His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s care for Bahraini youth, who represent the nation’s real wealth, honouring the Kingdom across all fields. He praised the Government, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for its drive to bolster the role of Bahraini youth in supporting the Kingdom’s development through their creative potential and achievements in all fields. He lauded the fruitful efforts of His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad…

Labour Fund (Tamkeen) Chief Executive Officer Hussein Mohammed Rajab expressed thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for declaring the Bahrain Youth Day, which will be celebrated on March 25 annually. He also hailed the support of the Government, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prime and Prime Minister, praising royal support to Bahrain youth to highlight their efforts and achievements which contribute to the Kingdom’s progress and prosperity. Tamkeen CEO commended the role of creative youth competences which succeeded in honouring the Kingdom of Bahrain across all…

Ukrainian troops are recapturing towns east of Kyiv and Russian forces who had been trying to seize the capital are falling back on overextended supply lines, Britain said on Friday, one of the strongest indications yet of a shift in momentum in the war. The mayor of a suburb east of Kyiv said Ukrainian troops had recaptured a nearby village and thousands of civilians were leaving the area in response to a call from the authorities to get out of the way of the counter-attack. A month into their assault, Russian troops have failed to capture any major Ukrainian city.…

China’s state-run Sinopec Group has suspended talks for a major petrochemical investment and a gas marketing venture in Russia, sources told Reuters, heeding a government call for caution as sanctions mount over the invasion of Ukraine. The move by Asia’s biggest oil refiner to hit the brakes on a potentially half-billion-dollar investment in a gas chemical plant and a venture to market Russian gas in China highlights the risks, even to Russia’s most important diplomatic partner, of unexpectedly heavy Western-led sanctions. Beijing has repeatedly voiced opposition to the sanctions, insisting it will maintain normal economic and trade exchanges with Russia,…

It is “foolish” to believe that Western sanctions against Russian businesses could have any effect on the Moscow government, Russian ex-president and deputy head of security council Dmitry Medvedev was quoted as saying on Friday. The sanctions will only consolidate the Russian society and not cause popular discontent with the authorities, Medvedev told Russia’s RIA news agency in an interview. The West has imposed an array of sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, but one month into the war, the Kremlin says it will continue the assault until it accomplishes its goals of Ukraine’s “demilitarisation and denazification”. Some…