Author: News Desk

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…

China : China on Wednesday tightened overseas travel restrictions for its citizens as part of efforts to contain rising coronavirus cases, after reporting its highest number of infections in months. The movement of people is coming under more restriction inside China – with localised transport closures and stay-at-home orders in places in some cities – and beyond China’s borders. China had previously boasted of its success in crushing Covid-19, with hard lockdowns in the early stages mixed with tight controls of its borders, but mass testing campaigns have uncovered Delta variant infections across the country. The latest outbreak is threatening…

US : The United States will require thousands of border agents to wear body cameras, according to two officials and government documents, a major operational change that could increase oversight of agents and also help capture criminal activity. The cameras are expected to be rolled out in parts of Texas and New Mexico during the summer and expanded to Arizona, California, Vermont and Texas’ busy Rio Grande Valley in the fall and winter, according to a recent government assessment of how the devices could impact privacy. Pro-immigrant activists will likely welcome the increased oversight of an agency some have criticized…

Bahrain :  The Supreme Judicial Council has completed its preparations to implement the provisions of the Corrective Justice Law for Children and their protection from ill-treatment promulgated by Law 4/2021 that comes into effect on August 18. The Council has held several meetings and workshops between judges and law enforcement agencies in coordination with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and the Public Prosecution. The Council’s Vice Chairman and President of the Court of Cassation Abdullah bin Hassan Al Buainain has issued several decisions in this regard related to the implementation of the provisions of the law, most…

Florida : Boeing Co scrubbed the launch of its CST-100 Starliner to the International Space Station on Tuesday due to a system glitch, a fresh setback for the U.S. aerospace company following the vehicle’s botched 2019 debut. Boeing engineers ruled out “a number of potential causes, including software,” but were still working to understand the source of “unexpected valve position indications” in the propulsion system, Boeing said in a statement Tuesday evening, Reuters reported. “Additional time is needed to complete the assessment,” Boeing said, adding that it would also not proceed with the next potential launch window on Wednesday. The…

Bahrain :  The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), in cooperation with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and the Bahrain Insurance Association (BIA), has announced the Optional Insurance System for Domestic Workers to protect employers and domestic expatriate workers following any incident that covers for insurance. The Optional Insurance System for Domestic Workers, which will commence on August 4, will protect employers and domestic expatriate employees in the event of leaving work in violation of the conditions of the work permit, unfair dismissal, as well as compensation in cases of injury, disability, or death. In the event of death, insured…