Author: News Desk

Figures showing a global rise in COVID-19 cases could herald a much bigger problem as some countries also report a drop in testing rates, the WHO said on Tuesday, warning nations to remain vigilant against the virus. After more than a month of decline, COVID cases started to increase around the world last week, the WHO said, with lockdowns in Asia and China’s Jilin province battling to contain an outbreak. A combination of factors was causing the increases, including the highly transmissible Omicron variant and its BA.2 sublineage, and the lifting of public health and social measures, the WHO said.…

Russia’s finance ministry said on Thursday its order to pay $117 million in interest on two Eurobond coupons was fulfilled and that it will update the market separately on whether the payment was deposited into the account of payment agent Citibank. Sanctions over events in Ukraine have cut off Russia from the global financial system and blocked the bulk of its gold and foreign exchange reserves. The payment on the two Eurobonds, due on Wednesday, is Moscow’s first test in honouring its external debt obligations since Western sanctions were imposed. Citi’s branch in London did not immediately respond to a…

Russia warned the United States on Thursday that Moscow had the might to put the world’s pre-eminent superpower in its place and accused the West of stoking a wild Russophobic plot to tear Russia apart. Dmitry Medvedev, who served as president from 2008 to 2012 and is now deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, said the United States had stoked “disgusting” Russophobia in an attempt to force Russia to its knees. “It will not work – Russia has the might to put all of our brash enemies in their place,” Medvedev said. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, the…

Travel Souq has opened its second branch in Budaiya. The new branch was inaugurated by the CEO of Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority, Dr. Nasser Ali Qaedi. Travel Souq currently has a head office in Bab Al Bahrain and offers service for booking airline tickets online. https://youtu.be/N_tPLyeeh_Q The website www.travelsouq.com has already attracted a lot of attention. Travel Souq has been operating in Bahrain for the past 3 years. The inaugural event was attended by NEC Exchange & Travel Souq owner Fouad Noonu, NEC Digital Director Biju Jacob, Director of Monitor and Licensing BTEA Senan A Aljabrey, Chairman of Association…

Russian forces in Ukraine are blasting cities and killing civilians but no longer making progress on the ground, Western countries said on Thursday, as a war Moscow was thought to have hoped to win within days entered its fourth week. Local officials said rescuers in the besieged southern port of Mariupol were combing the rubble of a theatre where women and children had been sheltering, bombed by Russian forces the previous day. “The bomb shelter held. Now the rubble is being cleared. There are survivors. We don’t know about the (number of) victims yet,” mayoral adviser Petro Andrushchenko told Reuters…

Serdar Berdymukhamedov, the son of outgoing Turkmen President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, won a snap election with 73% of the vote and will succeed his father, the Central Asian nation’s Central Election Commission said. The victory of 40-year-old Serdar Berdymukhamedov was widely expected after his father elevated him to the No.2 position in the country as a deputy prime minister, clearly indicating that he was the designated successor. Eight other candidates ran in the election. Under the Turkmen constitution, the president is elected for a seven-year term, according to Reuters. Serdar Berdymukhamedov is commonly referred to by local media as “the son…

Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani received candidates of Riyada Group elections in Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) led by Dr. Ali Al Dairi and Ali Abdulhussain Makki. The minister praised the economic development in the Kingdom and stressed the government’s interest in the Bahrain Chamber as a major partner in managing the national economy and adopting economic projects. He expressed the ministry’s readiness to support the BCCI and provide all assistance to ensure the efficiency of its performance.

Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh receives Bahrain Multiple Sclerosis Patients Society Chairperson Nahla Abul-Fath on the election of a new Board of Directors for the society for the years 2022-2023. The chairman praised the efforts of health societies in the Kingdom and their contributions to promote community awareness and measures to prevent diseases. He commended the advanced health system in Bahrain and the levels of health care and treatment services provided to citizens and residents. Al Saleh said that the development of health institutions and treatment and rehabilitation centers reflect the great interest in developing the health…

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) announced that the issue of the 3-year Government Development Bond has been oversubscribed by 289%. Subscriptions worth BD 433.363 million were received for the BD 150 million issue, which carries a maturity of 3 years. The fixed annual coupon rate on the issue, which begins on March 17 and matures on March 17, 2025, is 4.20%. The Government Development Bonds are issued by the CBB on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain. This is Government Development Bond issue No. 28 (ISIN BH000695OFI8).

National Guard Director of Staff Major General Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Khalifa visited a site of the National Shield 2022 drills involving National Guards in coordination with Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) and the Interior Ministry. Shaikh Abdulaziz was briefed on the details of the training to unify concepts and plans and create a common operational system to confront various challenges. The National Guard Director affirmed that the National Guard’s participation is directed by Commander of the National Guard General HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa to develop cooperation between the National Guard, BDF and Interior Ministry. It enhances…