Author: News Desk

London :  Countries should consider recommending that passengers wear masks on long-haul flights, given the rapid spread of the latest Omicron subvariant of COVID-19 in the United States, World Health Organization (WHO) officials said. In Europe, the XBB.1.5 subvariant was detected in small but growing numbers, WHO and Europe officials said at a press briefing. Passengers should be advised to wear masks in high-risk settings such as long-haul flights, “this should be a recommendation issued to passengers arriving from anywhere where there is widespread COVID-19 transmission”, Europe WHO’s senior emergency officer Catherine Smallwood said. XBB.1.5 – the most transmissible Omicron…

Antalya : Bahrain’s Parliamentary Division head and Shura member Abdulaziz Hassan Abul has chaired the meeting of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development in the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA). The meeting in the Turkish city of Antalya discussed draft resolutions and reviewed a brief report on the committee’s recent activities. The committee discussed a draft resolution on the establishment of an Asian energy market aimed at enabling Asian countries to achieve optimal use of clean natural energy resources and export surpluses to other Asian countries. The assembly noted the significance of developing the sector through setting renewable…

Manama : Works Ministry said that the storm water drainage networks on Avenue 36 at A’Ali Area and connecting it to the main drainage networks on Shaikh Zayed Highway necessitate closure of its the slow lane for eastbound traffic and two lanes will be provided for traffic movement. The closure will be effective starting from Friday for 3 days.

Manama : “Whispers”, a solo art exhibition by Mohamed Taqi, was inaugurated by the Art Centre affiliated with Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) was opened. BACA President Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and arts fans attended the ceremony. The exhibition includes various paintings of different nature that share the message that Taqi tries to convey through his works,- To achieve a kind of spiritual expression. The exhibition will run until January 24.

Manama :  A panel discussion session themed “political developments affairs” was held today as part of the 2023 Diplomatic Forum. Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani attended, along with heads of diplomatic and consular missions abroad, heads of departments and directors. Undersecretary for Political Affairs Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa highlighted key regional and international issues which are accorded attention within the framework of Bahrain’s foreign policy and the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Dr.…

Manama : The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) held a press conference to showcase the key achievements from the previous year and the strategic priorities for 2023, in alignment with Tamkeen’s commitment to open and transparent communication with the labor market regarding future plans. During the conference, Tamkeen confirmed its commitment to the main objectives that serve its main mandate of supporting the growth and development of the national economy by enabling the private sector to be the key engine of economic development and empowering Bahraini talent with the skills required to become the first choice of employment in the labor market.…

New York: Microsoft Corp is in talks to invest $10 billion into OpenAI, the owner of ChatGPT, which will value the San Francisco-based firm at $29 billion, Semafor reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. The funding includes other venture firms and deal documents were sent to prospective investors in recent weeks, with the aim to close the round by the end of 2022. This follows a Wall Street Journal report that said OpenAI was in talks to sell existing shares at a roughly $29 billion valuation, with venture capital firms such as Thrive Capital and Founders Fund…

Manama : The Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club (REHC) will hold the season’s 15th race on Friday, January 13. The race will be held over the cups of His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Chairman of the REHC High Committee, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, as well as those of their sons, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Highness Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The…

Abu Dhabi :  South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol will make a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday. The president will meet with UAE President His Highness Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss the ties between the two countries and the means to further develop cooperation in light of the strategic partnership that binds the two countries. The two leaders will also review regional and international issues of common interest. President Suk-yeol’s agenda includes attending the World Future Energy Summit as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, meetings with many state officials and visits…

Manama : First Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives, MP Abdulnabi Salman, has stated that the Government Action Plan has been endorsed unanimously by the relevant parliamentary committee. The parliamentary committee in charge of studying the Government Action Plan approved the government blueprint during its meeting today under the chairmanship of MP Abdulnabi Salman, the panel chairman.