Author: News Desk

Greenland : Climate scientists have detected warning signs of the collapse of the Gulf Stream, one of the planet’s main potential tipping points. The research found “an almost complete loss of stability over the last century” of the currents that researchers call the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The currents are already at their slowest point in at least 1,600 years, but the new analysis shows it may be nearing a shutdown. Such an event would have catastrophic consequences around the world, severely disrupting the monsoons that billions of people depend on for food in India, South America and West Africa;…

US : Joe Biden is setting a goal for half of all new US vehicle sales to be electric by 2030 while also tightening pollution standards for cars and trucks, in a barrage of action aimed at reducing the largest source of planet-heating gases in America. The White House outlined its plan to tackle the climate crisis by cutting emissions from vehicles, with Biden set to sign an executive order demanding that 50% of all new cars and trucks sold by the end of the decade be powered by electric batteries. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US department of…

US: Astra’s last test launch went better than expected, nearly achieving orbit — kind of a stretch goal for that specific mission. The company at the time said that it would only need to tweak software to reach an orbital destination, and now we know when it’s going to get the chance to prove it: Astra revealed a launch window today of August 27 for its first ever commercial orbital launch, a demonstration mission for the U.S. Space Force. The contract Astra has with the Space Force also includes a second launch, set for sometime later this year, with the…

Bahrain :  The Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) has authorised a  clinical study to evaluate the use of Enovid nasal spray to treat individuals with COVID-19. The authorisation follows a medical study submitted by the relevant authorities at the Ministry of Health, which indicates their support for a clinical trial to take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Enovid will be tested on volunteers who have already been diagnosed with COVID-19 and who are suffering from mild symptoms. The NHRA noted that upon completion of the trial and further analysis of medical data, the spray will be…

Saudi Arabia : The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) has called upon all OIC member states to adopt a human rights-based approach inspired by universal Islamic principles as a framework to guide joint efforts in mitigating the post-pandemic global challenges. Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the ‘Islamic Human Rights and Human Dignity Day’, the commission expressed concern over the unfortunate reality of the world where millions worldwide continue to face indignities, including foreign occupation and oppression, hunger, preventable diseases, limited socio-economic opportunities, and lack of access to basic needs that seriously undermine their fundamental…

Bahrain :  Labor and Social Development Minister, Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA)’s Chairman Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan hailed His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issuance of Decree-Law 16/2021, amending some provisions of Law 36/2012 promulgating the Labor Law in the Private Sector. Minister Humaidan stressed that the decree reflects His Majesty’s keenness to consolidate the principle of equality and preserve the rights of all workers without discrimination, an approach that the Kingdom has been keen to establish within the human rights system. He pointed out that this amendment takes into account equality and justice, as well as that it contributes to enhancing the role of…

UAE :  The UAE has strongly condemned the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militias’ systematic attempts to attack civilians and civilian objects in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia with a booby-trapped drone, which was intercepted by the Coalition Forces. In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), and carried by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) today, the UAE reiterated that these systematic terror attacks by the Houthis reflect their blatant disregard for the international community and all international laws and norms. The Ministry urged the international community to take an immediate and decisive stance to stop these recurrent…

Bahrain : Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air has released a special documentary about the airline’s history and 70 years of aviation in the region. The 20-minute documentary narrates the journey from the establishment of Gulf Air in 1950 throughout the seven following decades until its 70th anniversary in 2020. The documentary features prominent figures from Bahrain who were part of the airline’s history or were linked to its evolution at different stages and eras. Interviews were conducted with Zayed R. Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Chairman of Gulf Air’s Board of Directors, Waleed Abdulhameed AlAlawi, Gulf Air’s…

UK : Amber-plus restrictions end for France as the category is axed, and Austria and Germany move to green list. Perhaps the most notable developments for British travellers are the much-anticipated end to amber-plus list restrictions in France, and India and the United Arab Emirates moving from the red list to amber. The amber-plus category has been scrapped, and, with the shelving of plans for an “amber watchlist”, it means a return to a three-tier system of rules. UK Government confirmed that four countries would move from the red list of countries – which require hotel quarantine on arrival in the UK – to amber: India Bahrain Qatar…

Paris :  Because of too much air pollution in French cities, the country’s Council of State has fined France 10 million euros ($11.85 million). After the government had already been called upon to improve air quality in five metropolitan areas a year ago, the limits were still being exceeded in Paris and Lyon, the Council of State announced in Paris on Wednesday, Deutsche press agency (dpa) reported. Despite the decrease in traffic during the coronavirus lockdown, the limit values were also only slightly undercut in Marseille/Aix, Toulouse and Grenoble. The Council of State also justified the high penalty with the fact…