Author: News Desk

Uber drivers in Britain should receive the minimum wage from the time they log on until they log off from the app, two former drivers who led a successful court battle said after the firm granted workers’ rights on Wednesday. Following a Supreme Court defeat last month, the Silicon Valley-based company reclassified its more than 70,000 drivers in Britain as workers, meaning they are guaranteed entitlements such as holiday pay. On the minimum wage, which stands at 8.72 pounds ($12.13) per hour for those aged 25 and over, Uber said it would apply “after accepting a trip request and after expenses” and that…

North Korea so far has rebuffed entreaties from the United States to engage in dialogue, the White House said on Monday, as a chill in relations that began under then-President Donald Trump has extended into Joe Biden’s presidency. Nuclear-armed North Korea gave up on diplomacy with Trump even though he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had three high-profile summit meetings and exchanged a series of letters. Trump had refused North Korean entreaties to relax sanctions against Pyongyang unless Kim took steps to dismantle his nuclear program, which he refused to do. Biden White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told…

Listed companies in the UAE now need to have at least one female director on their boards, according to the Securities and Commodities Authority. The requirement for all companies on local markets came into force following a board meeting on Sunday by the market’s regulator. The UAE’s markets must be elevated “to meet the highest global standards”, the head of the SCA’s board and Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq said in a statement. This “is a priority for the SCA and its board during the coming period and we will work with all partners to enhance the local investment…

Three days of voting began in the Netherlands on Monday in a parliamentary election seen as a referendum on the Dutch government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Mark Rutte, one of Europe’s longest-serving leaders, is widely expected to gain enough support to secure a fourth term. Four polls released this week showed Rutte’s conservative VVD taking 21-26% of the vote, compared with 11-16% for its closest rival, Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam Freedom Party, which leads the parliamentary opposition. With a ban on public gatherings, the election campaign focused on a series of televised debates in which Rutte maintained his…

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Talwar, a guided missile Frigate of the Indian Navy, arrived at Mina Salman Port on Monday. In the framework of the deep-rooted friendly ties, multi-faceted and growing cooperation between India and the Kingdom of Bahrain, Indian Naval Ships have been frequently visiting Bahrain.INS Talwar (F 40) (translated as ‘Sword’) is the lead ship of Talwar class Guided Missile Frigates and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 18 June 2003. One of the potent warships of Indian Navy displaces about 3700 tons and is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots (about 55 kmph). Equipped with an…

The Lion of Bahrain Ali Yaqoob is rising to the big leagues of mixed martial arts. He is ready to turn professional and will make his official debut on the largest Arab card to ever take place in the world, BRAVE CF 48: Arabian Night this March 18th at the Kingdom of Bahrain. Yaqoob will take on Ramyar Luqman in one of the 14 bouts scheduled for the historic show. The multi-decorated mixed martial artist has garnered various accolades throughout his venture into the amateur circuit, with multiple medals in the European Championship, World Championship, and Asian Championship.  Ali Yaqoob had…

BRAVE CF 47: Asian Domination featured an amazing India vs Pakistan contest that captured the imagination of the entire world, showcasing true sporting rivalry in a world-class bout which eventually fell to India’s Mohammed Farhad as he scored an unforgettable knockout over Uloomi Karim, from Pakistan. After the bout, which took place at the historical Arad Ford, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Farhad was highly praised by prominent NRI businessman and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardee Dr Varghese Kurian, who made sure to pay homage with gifts for the young star. Dr Kurian, Chairman of VKL Holdings and Al Namal group…

Manama: National Security Advisor and Royal Guard Commander, Major General HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, received, in the presence of Special Royal Guard Force Commander Lieutenant Colonel HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, members of the Royal Guard who will depart to participate in climbing Everest Summit. Major General HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad was briefed about preparations of the Royal Guard members before participating in the upcoming mission. He praised their remarkable efforts to attain the forward-looking goal. He expressed confidence in the Bahraini people’s ability to overcome challenges, pointing out ability of the Royal Guard team…

The National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19) today held a press conference to provide an update on the Kingdom’s COVID-19 response, at the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital. On the latest COVID-19 developments, HE Dr. Waleed Khalifa Al Manea, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health and Member of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19), began by noting that Bahrain is continuing with its mitigation efforts and once again stressed the importance of adhering to precautionary measures, in particular given today’s reduction of restrictions on certain activities. HE Dr. Al Manea acknowledged…

Manama: Health Minister Faeqa bint Said Al Saleh received Arwa Sayyar and Sana Qambar, who are in charge of a project aimed at enhancing services at the psychiatric hospital. The meeting focused on the taskforce’s plans to improve the delivery of services, and provide facilities at the hospital, including an indoor walkway and an outdoor café. The minister stressed the importance of initiatives spearheaded by civil society institutions and their donations which reflect their dedication and community responsibility. She praised initiatives that reflect community partnership between the ministry and the private sector, stressing keenness to build bridges with all institutions.