Author: News Desk

Manama: LuLu Hypermarket has brought a shot of glamour to the local fashion scene with the opening of the all-new Fashion section at Mezzanine Floor of Lulu Hypermarket Dana Mall. The expanded and upgraded Fashion Store has something for the whole family – besides women’s wear and girl’s fashion clothing, there are the latest summer collections for men and boys to keep cool in style. The new Fashion section also has the latest in accessories such as jewellery and ladies’ handbags and purses. To make the shopping a truly family affair, there is a zone especially for children’s toys which means…

California : Apple Inc is working with more Chinese suppliers to produce its latest iPhones, Japan’s Nikkei newspaper said on Wednesday, as a tech feud stemming from a trade war with the United States prompts Beijing to strengthen domestic firms. Luxshare Precision Industry Co Ltd is set to build up to 3% of the upcoming iPhone 13 series, and two firms it acquired last year will supply key components and parts for the latest iPhones, the paper said, citing sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reported. Lens Tech Co Ltd will supply metal casings and Sunny Optical Tech Group Co Ltd will supply…

EU :  EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is calling for the United States to swiftly lift its wide-reaching coronavirus entry ban for arrivals from Europe. “We insist comparable rules be applied to arrivals in both directions,” von der Leyen told German media RND in comments published Wednesday. The epidemiological situation in the US and EU are very similar today, she said. “We must solve this problem as soon as possible and we are in contact with our American friends,” she emphasized. “It must not drag on for weeks.” The EU put the US on its list of third…

Bahrain :  His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued Decree-Law 18 of 2021 amending some provisions of law 51 of 2014 on the regulation of the engineering professions. The Prime Minister, and ministers –each in their capacity- shall implement the provisions of the decree-law which takes effect upon  publication in the Official Gazette.

UK : The health minister who oversaw the award of Covid contracts replaced his mobile phone before it could be searched for information relevant to £85m of deals that are subject to a legal challenge. Lord Bethell is one of those under scrutiny over the way contracts for PPE and Covid tests were awarded at the height of the pandemic. As part of legal proceedings issued by the Good Law Project, the government is expected to disclose Bethell’s correspondence including by email, WhatsApp and SMS relating to the award of £85m of contracts for antibody tests to Abingdon Health. The secretary…

India : Senior ministers and national security adviser on Wednesday criticised New Delhi for denying permission to five foreign journalists based in India to visit Pakistan, saying that free speech and independent journalism was shrinking under the “insecure” Indian government. The statements from Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf surface a day after the Modi-led government, according to media, declined Pakistan’s request to allow the journalists to travel to Islamabad through Wagah border. The report says the Wagah border crossing was closed for of all travelers, except “diplomats and some others”…

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia has decided to allow entry to foreign travelers fully vaccinated with either Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines, provided that they also receive a booster shot of either of the four vaccines approved by the Kingdom, according to the country’s e-visa portal. “Guests who have completed two doses of the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines will be accepted if they have received an additional dose of one of the four vaccines approved in the Kingdom,” one of the guidelines for travellers on the portal says. The decision follows the country reopening its doors to international visitors on August 1, condition…

UAE :  A Britain’s maritime trade agency on Tuesday warned that a “potential hijack” was unfolding of a ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations initially warned ships that an incident is “currently underway” off the coast of Fujairah. Hours later, the authorities said the incident was a “potential hijack,” but provided no further details. The circumstances continue to remain unclear. I.com

Bangladesh : Several lightning bolts hit a Bangladesh wedding party within a few seconds today, killing 16 people and injuring the groom, officials said. The group had just left a boat at the riverside town of Shibganj to take shelter from the thunderstorm when the lightning struck, a government administrator for the town said. The bride was not with the wedding party, Sakib Al-Rabby told news agency AFP, confirming 16 people died as several bolts struck within a few seconds of each other in the western district of Chapainawabganj. Fierce monsoon storms have battered Bangladesh. A week of torrential rains…

Czech Republic : Three people died and dozens more were injured on Wednesday when two trains collided at a village in the west of the Czech Republic, according to railway officials. “Unfortunately, according to the latest information, a train collision… has killed three and left dozens of people injured,” national rail operator Sprava zeleznic said on Twitter. “All the passengers have been evacuated from the trains,” the firm added. National police said all passengers were accounted for, adding that the accident happened shortly after 8:00 am (0600 GMT) at Milavce. “At the moment, 31 people whose lives are not in…