Author: News Desk

JOHANNESBURG: Floods around South Africa’s eastern coastal city of East London have killed at least 10 people and left hundreds homeless since the weekend, national media reported on Monday, as rivers burst their banks and roads were inundated. Footage on state broadcaster SABC showed cars trying to drive through torrents of water that had submerged highways. Several media reported that hundreds of homes had been washed away in the iron-roof informal settlements just outside the city, especially the Mdantsane township. Scientists suspect that climate change is the cause of worsening floods and droughts along the country’s eastern coastline, where the city…

Sharm El-Sheikh: The COVID-19 pandemic and climate change are among the major topics to be discussed during the fourth edition of the World Youth Forum (WYF) in Sharm El-Sheikh from on January 10-13. The forum also features discussions on fair water use policies, confronting environmental challenges and the growing global role of startups as well as the Egyptian experience with the Decent Life initiative as a model for developing communities. The UN sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) and the future of Africa, the future of financial technology of developing markets, digital transformation, education as well as Generation Z’s views for the…

Melbourne: Australian authorities scrambled on Sunday to file a legal defence of their decision to bar entry to tennis world number one Novak Djokovic over his COVID-19 vaccination status, as the Serbian superstar spent his fourth day in immigration detention. Djokovic was hoping to win his 21st Grand Slam at the Australian Open, starting next week, but instead of training has been confined to a hotel used to accommodate asylum seekers, Reuters reports. He is challenging the decision to cancel his visa after being stopped on arrival at Melbourne Airport early on Thursday. A vocal opponent of vaccine mandates, Djokovic…

The announcement of the 13th Faber-Castell ‘Spectra 2021’ art competition winners and release of Calendar 2022 containing winning paintings was held on Sunday, 2 January 2022.  ‘Faber Castell Spectra 2021’, the annual art carnival, organised by the Indian Community Relief Fund (“ICRF”) had an overwhelming response this year which saw students from 17 countries joining the competition, making it SPECTRA INTERNATIONAL 2021. More than 550 children from around 80 schools spread across 17 countries participated in the art competition held online on 10th, 11th December & 26 December 2021.  In addition, there was a competition for adults group (18 years and above) in Bahrain as well.…

Manama: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has received the Skytrax Five Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating after a vigorous audit by Skytrax Research that took place between November and December 2021. The rating comes as a testament to the success of Gulf Air’s operations in flying safely throughout the pandemic and enhancing  its airport and onboard protocols to combat the spread of COVID-19. The airline receives this recognition by providing the highest standards to customers and staff whilst maintaining its boutique strategy to deliver its renowned Arabian hospitality. Upon receiving the Five Star COVID-19 Airline Safety…

Manama: Bahrain welcomes investments that contribute to boosting economic growth, said Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani. The minister highlighted the package of facilities and incentives granted by the Government to bolster Bahrain’s standing as an investment destination. He stressed the importance of the strategy which launched recently and which aims to increase the contribution of the industrial sector in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), boost exports, create rewarding jobs for citizens and support the transformation of this vital sector to enter the fourth industrial revolution. Al Zayani made the statement he opened the Ascon…

Paris: Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain breezed through to the Coupe de France last 16 with a 4-0 win over Vannes. Presnel Kimpembe was also on target for the defending champions, who remain unbeaten in 90 minutes in the competition since 2014, dpa repors. The skipper headed the runaway Ligue 1 leaders in front after 28 minutes at Stade de la Rabine. Mbappe then took centre stage after the break, striking three times to put the fourth-tier side to the sword. Unbeaten against lower-league opposition in the Coupe de France since 2010, a much-changed PSG quickly imposed their authority…

Melbourne: Oil prices were flat on Tuesday ahead of a meeting where major producers are expected to stick to plans to add supply in February, as soaring COVID-19 cases have yet to spark lockdowns in the biggest fuel-consuming countries. Brent crude futures gained 1 cent to $78.99 a barrel at 02:39 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 2 cents to $76.06 a barrel. The two benchmark contracts both climbed more than 1% on Monday. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia and allies – together called OPEC+ – are due to meet…

Manama: The Kingdom of Bahrain strongly condemned the terrorist Houthi militia’s hijacking of a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo ship, which was heading from Socotra Island to the port of Jizan, Saudi Arabia. The Foreign Ministry denounced the terrorist operating which targedt the cargo ship transporting equipment for a field hospital, describing the acts as a flagrant violation of the international law of the sea. It affirmed that terrorist Houthi militia had committed a maritime piracy that poses a great threat to the freedom of maritime navigation in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea. It said that the terrorist acts shows the militia’s terrorist…

Manama: The mother of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, received at her Majlis a number of mothers affiliated with the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) who are contributors to “Nitaj” project. The meeting was held in the presence of RHF Secretary General Dr. Mustafa Sayed and a number of female affiliates to RHF and employees. She expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his personal follow-up to support Bahraini widows and orphans registered with RHF. She commended the…