Author: News Desk

Samsung is taking a big step towards making folding-screen smartphones mainstream with the launch of a pair of the first water-resistant models as part of its big tech event for the second half of 2021. The new and improved Galaxy Z Flip3 folding-screen flip-phone and Z Fold3 folding phone-tablet hybrid were announced on Wednesday during a livestreamed event, alongside a Google watch co-developed in an attempt to take on the dominant Apple Watch – the Galaxy Watch4. The Z Flip3 builds on the success of its predecessor, the Z Flip, (there was no Z Flip2), which puts a large 6.7in smartphone screen in…

UAE : Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced free parking in Dubai on Thursday, August 12, due to it being a public holiday for the Islamic Hijri New Year. Those who work a normal Sunday to Thursday week will have a three-day weekend. Parking in Dubai is free on Fridays so there are two full days of free parking to enjoy. This does not apply to multi-level terminals. Parking fees will be reinstated on Saturday, August 14. Customer Happiness Centres will be closed from August 12 to 13, with services resuming on August 14. MCN

Australia : Melbourne’s sixth lockdown has been extended for a further seven days after Victoria recorded 20 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday. The premier, Daniel Andrews, announced the lockdown would be extended until 11.59pm on Thursday 19 August, with five of the 20 new cases not yet being linked to the existing outbreak. Although authorities were confident of linking these cases in the next few days, Andrews said more time was needed. “This is very challenging, I know, for every single Victorian who would like to be going about their business, they would like to be open and…

N Korea : North Korea   said South Korea and the United States missed a chance to improve relations and are risking a “serious security crisis” by choosing to escalate tensions as they conduct joint military drills. Kim Yong Chol, a general and politician who played a leading role during historic summits between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump, criticized South Korea and the United States for responding to Pyongyang’s goodwill with “hostile acts”. The statement comes a day after Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, warned Seoul and Washington over annual…

Hong Kong : Shares of debt-laden China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) jumped on Wednesday after it confirmed that it is in talks to sell certain assets, as the move could ease cash flow pressure amid market speculation over a potential restructuring. Shares of Evergrande, the country’s most indebted property developer, jumped as much as 12% in morning trading, after the firm said in a filing on Tuesday that the proposed sales included stakes in Hong Kong-listed units Evergrande New Energy Vehicle (0708.HK) and Evergrande Property Services (6666.HK). Shares of EV units rose 9%, while the property management unit surged 16.4%, Reuters…

Bahrain :  Bahrain has offered condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Algeria over the victims of the wildfires which swept several regions, killing dozens of people, injuring others and resulting in massive property damage. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed Bahrain’s sympathy with Algeria and its full support in the devastating catastrophe. It expressed support for all efforts made to limit the loss of lives and property, praying to God Almighty to rest the souls of the victims in Heaven and speed the recovery of the injured.

Bahrain :  Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa received  Southern Governor,  HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, who presented him with the Southern Governorate’s annual report 2020  on the workflow and projects of the governorate, which were carried out in coordination with concerned authorities to meet the needs of citizens and enhance community partnership. In addition, the meeting reviewed topics related to the governorate’s affairs. The Interior Minister expressed thanks and appreciation to HH the Southern Governor and all the employees of the Governorate for their dedication to enhance services provided to citizens.

US :  New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is poised to take over running the state government after Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned Tuesday following a report from the attorney general that alleged he sexually harassed multiple women, including employees, and violated state and federal law. The future governor called Cuomo’s decision “the right thing to do and in the best interests of New Yorkers” in a brief statement after his announcement. “As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th governor,” she said. Hochul was first…

Bahrain : This week’s BD 70 million issue of Government Treasury Bills has been oversubscribed by 161%. The bills, carrying a maturity of 91 days, are issued by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The issue date of the bills is August 11, 2021 and the maturity date is November 10, 2021. The weighted average rate of interest is 1.50% compared to 1.46% of the previous issue on 4th August 2021. The approximate average price for the issue was 99.623% with the lowest accepted price being 99.597%. This is issue…

Berlin : The German government agreed Tuesday to provide 58 billion euros ($68 billion) to help rebuild regions hit by devastating floods last month. Chancellor Angela Merkel and the heads of Germany’s 16 states approved the state flood aid package, which still needs parliament’s endorsement, reports AP. More than 180 people died in Germany and hundreds more were injured in the July 14-15 floods, which also claimed lives in neighboring Belgium. Heavy rainfall turned small streams into raging torrents, sweeping away houses, bridges and cars. A United Nations science panel released a report this week predicting that such extreme weather events…