Author: News Desk

Cape Town :  Precursors of the recently discovered Omicron coronavirus variant are likely to have existed for a very long time, according to their co-discoverer, who hails from Germany. “According to current knowledge, an early form of Omicron evolved as a separate virus type even before Alpha and Delta emerged,” Wolfgang Preiser of Stellenbosch University near Cape Town told. He is a member of the research consortium that discovered the variant. This type of virus then probably evolved over many months without attracting attention, Preiser said. “The question is: Why did Omicron remain hidden for so long and only now…

Moscow : Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin will speak in a video call Tuesday, the White House and Kremlin said, as tensions between the United States and Russia escalate over a Russian troop buildup on the Ukrainian border that’s seen as a sign of a potential invasion. Biden will press U.S. concerns about Russian military activities on the border and “reaffirm the United States’ support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Saturday, confirming the planned call after first word came from Moscow. Putin will come to the call with concerns…

Bahrain :  The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) expressed keenness on raising awareness within the financial and banking institutions in Bahrain about climate-related risks and on including them in the annual training plans of the institutions. CBB Governor Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj said the moves would be within a drive to develop directives related to the environment and the climate. https://youtu.be/K8ReQyOub_c He was speaking as the Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB) joined the Forever Green campaign to carry out the Central Market afforestation project at a total cost of BD 21,000. Al Maraj praised the active contribution of the Bahrain Association of Banks, banks and financial institutions to…

Bahrain : Secretary General of the Higher Education Council and the Board of Trustees Deputy Chairperson of the Higher Education Council Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa praised the American University of Bahrain’s accredited academic programs and specializations on her visit to the university. She hailed the university’s keenness to be updated with the latest technologies that coincides with labor market’s requirements, wishing the university’s personnel continued success. The secretary-general inspected the university’s facilities, noting its readiness to provide quality educational services in a manner that preserves health and safety for all, expressing her appreciation for the efforts of…

Bahrain : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa today issued Royal Decree 118 of 2021, appointing Shaikh Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Khalifa as Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE). The SCE President shall implement the decree, which takes immediate effect, and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Bahrain : Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, met with Chairman and Executive Director of Abraham Accords Peace Institute, Robert Greenway, and his accompanying delegation, as part of their official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting was attended by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Undersecretary Imen Ahmed Al Doseri. The meeting reviewed issues pertaining to the economic and tourism field and ways of developing joint cooperation. The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism asserted the importance of such meetings in invigorating the commercial and tourism field amid regional stability and the…

Bahrain : Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) UNODC’launched the Regional Center of Excellence for Capacity Building in the Field of Combatting Trafficking in Persons, as part of the strategic partnership with United Nations Office for Drugs & Crime (UNODC). The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Mission of the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and the Acting Resident Coordinator of United Nations Activities in Bahrain. The Center launched its first program that aimed to develop the capabilities of the inspectors at LMRA’s Preventive Inspection and Labor Inspection Directorates in the field of fighting against forced…

Bahrain :  In response to recommendations made by the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Civil Aviation Affairs has added the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Bahrain’s Red List countries. Passengers from Red List countries, including those who have transited through Red List countries, are prohibited from entry, except for citizens or residents of the Kingdom of Bahrain. All other travel procedures for arrivals eligible for entry to the Kingdom of Bahrain from non-Red List remain in place, and Red List countries remain in place. All entry procedures for the Kingdom of Bahrain can be viewed on the…

As part of the yearlong Mega Medical Camp, the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) has organized its 8th camp at the KimsHealth Medical Centre in Askar. Blood tests were conducted for around 175 workers followed by medical checkups and consultations by Dr Muhammed Zubair and Dr Taimoor Asif. This is the 8th Mega Medical Camp and as part of this program nearly 1100 workers underwent health screening at various hospitals so far. Being the week of Hygiene awareness, ICRF volunteers briefed workers about the importance of maintaining hygiene at their accommodation. Mr Ravishankar Shukhla, Second Secretary at the Embassy of…

Bahrain : The kingdom will join the world in celebrating the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, observed worldwide each December 5. The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/40/212 on 17 December 1985 for the aim of heightening awareness of the important contribution of volunteer service, and stimulating more people in all walks of life to offer their services as volunteers, both at home and abroad. On the occasion, Labour and Social Development Minister, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, asserted that Bahrain boasts a rich…