Author: News Desk

Washington:  It’s a consequential week for President Joe Biden’s agenda, as Democratic leaders delicately trim back his $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better” package to win over remaining lawmakers and work to quickly pass legislation to avoid a federal shutdown. An expected Monday vote on a related $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package is now postponed until Thursday, amid ongoing negotiations. More immediately, the Senate has a test vote set Monday to keep the government funded and avert a federal debt default before Thursday’s fiscal year-end deadline. That package stands to run into a blockade by Republican senators — all but ensuring…

London:  Britons are encouraged these days — though in most cases not required — to wear face coverings in crowded indoor spaces. However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson regularly appears in the packed, poorly ventilated House of Commons cheek-by-jowl with other maskless Conservative lawmakers. For critics, that image encapsulates the flaw in the government’s strategy, which has abandoned most pandemic restrictions and is banking on voluntary restraint and a high vaccination rate to curb the spread of the coronavirus, AP reports. As winter approaches, bringing the threat of a new COVID-19 surge, Britain’s light touch is setting it apart from more…

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates on Saturday announced a new federal government structure and a new mechanism for federal government action for the next 50 years. HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted the formation of the new government following the reshuffle. Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Mohammad bin Hadi Al Husseini was appointed as the new Minister of State for Financial Affairs, succeeding Obaid Al Tayer while Abdullah bin…

Bahrain: His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today received a congratulatory cable from the Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa on the occasion of His Royal Highness being awarded the C3 Leadership Award by the 2021 C3 US-Arab Healthcare & Business Summit. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa described the award as an international recognition of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s leadership capabilities across various areas, as well as HRH’s efforts in combating the…

Bahrain : The Kingdom of Bahrain condemned the terrorist bombing that took place near a security checkpoint in Mogadishu, in the Federal Republic of Somalia, resulting in the death and injury of a number of people. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended condolences to the families of the victims, the Somalian people and the government, wishing those injured a speedy recovery. The ministry affirmed Bahrain’s support for the measures taken by the Somalian government to stop terrorist organizations, stressing the Kingdom’s solid position in rejecting all forms of extremism and terrorism and calling for the importance of concerted efforts to…

Washington : US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, held a phone call with the Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, the White House announced in a statement. “Mr. Sullivan expressed the Biden Administration’s commitment to support the civilian-led transition to democracy in Sudan and oppose any attempts to derail or disrupt the will of the Sudanese people,” the statement said. “Mr. Sullivan underscored that any attempt by military actors to undermine the spirit and agreed benchmarks of Sudan’s constitutional declaration would have significant consequences for the U.S.-Sudan bilateral relationship and planned assistance.  Mr. Sullivan and Prime Minister Hamdok discussed the importance…

Bahrain : His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today sent a cable of thanks to HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, in response to a congratulatory cable sent by HRH Princess Sabeeka regarding HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister being awarded the C3 Leadership Award. The award was granted by the 2021 C3 US-Arab Healthcare & Business Summit, in recognition of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s achievements across various fields, his leadership role…

Bahrain : His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today received cables of congratulations from a number of ministers and senior officials in the Kingdom of Bahrain on the occasion of His Royal Highness being awarded the C3 Leadership Award, granted by the 2021 C3 US-Arab Healthcare & Business Summit. The award is in recognition of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s achievements across various fields, his leadership of national efforts to address the COVID -19, which achieved remarkable success and international acclaim, and in appreciation of His Royal Highness’s role…

Washington: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky said she recommended booster shots for at-risk adult workers to protect essential workers and minority communities despite the agency’s advisory committee voting against the measure. The U.S. government is rolling out boosters starting with third doses of the Pfizer (PFE.N)/BioNTech vaccine for Americans aged 65 and older, adults with underlying medical conditions and those in high-risk working and institutional settings, after health regulators cleared the move this week and Walensky signed off on it earlier on Friday. “Many of our frontline workers, essential workers, and those in congregate…

Berlin: The two people most likely to become Germany’s next chancellor, Olaf Scholz and Armin Laschet, make their last campaign appearances later Saturday ahead of Sunday’s elections. Polls indicate a small margin between the two, with moderate left-winger Scholz leading the conservative Laschet by just 3 percentage points, dpa reported. Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has led Europe’s biggest economy for nearly 16 years, is supporting her fellow Christian Democrat Laschet at an event in his home city of Aachen on the French border. Scholz from the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) is nearer the capital, with a final event in…