Coronavirus robs Bahrainis of Eid joy, festivities
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: “I am not taking any risks, so I told my daughters and their children to come late for the family lunch, spend a short time with us, then go home,” Fareed said when asked about his plans ahead for the day. “I love my extended family, but with the coronavirus threats, […]
40 years later, Gwangju’s heroic movement remains deeply entrenched in South Korea’s collective memory
By Habib Toumi During my first visit to South Korea in 2019, I had the chance to discover several beautiful cities, amazing edifices, attractive sites and breathtaking landscapes. From mountains to seas, from simple temples to complex structures, from sophisticated areas to natural attractions, the country presented a multitude of features that made the trip […]
Official news agencies should take lead in fight against COVID-19: UNA
By Habib Toumi JEDDAH: Official news agencies should re-take the initiative amidst the coronavirus pandemic to restore their leading roles ahead of social media and citizen media (social networking sites), a media forum has said. “This can be achieved through further qualification and continuous training for media staff and by enhancing creativity and innovation in […]
In a first for Saudi Arabia, virtual “Art of Isolation” exhibition launched
By Habib Toumi RIYADH: Saudi artists now have the opportunity to display their artwork created during the kingdom’s lockdown on virtual platforms and allow visitors to enjoy exhibitions from the comfort of their homes. “The Art of Isolation” virtual exhibition was launched on Saturday with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi […]
Iraq premier invites NATO secretary-general to visit Baghdad “at earliest opportunity”
By Habib Toumi BAGHDAD: Iraq’s newly-appointed Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi has invited NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to visit Baghdad “as soon as possible” to discuss ways of increasing collaboration with the alliance’s mission in Iraq. Kadhimi stressed that the Iraqi government attaches great importance to the partnership with NATO and extended an invitation to […]
World Press Freedom Day: Paying homage to valiant journalists lost to COVID-19
By Habib Toumi Manama: Since the United Nations proclaimed May 3 World Press Freedom Day in 1993, the day has been used to celebrate the fundamental principles of media freedom, highlight how very important it is to have freedom of the press, and to sing or lament how much freedom of the press has advanced […]
Saudi courts to drop flogging in disciplinary cases
By Habib Toumi RIYADH: In a major development in the Saudi legal system, the General Assembly of the Supreme Court, the kingdom’s highest court, has instructed all courts to drop flogging sentences in disciplinary cases. The decision was approved by the majority of the assembly comprised of the Supreme Court president and all judges, Saudi daily […]
Bahrain extends COVID-19 circuit breaker to Ramadan
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: Bahrain’s circuit breaker to choke off the spread of the coronavirus will be extended to Ramadan, the holy month associated with extra piety and devoutness as well as large family and social gatherings, while existing measures will be reinforced. Preventive measures announced by the Government Executive Committee at a meeting chaired […]
Time to be humbler, more human as we deal with coronavirus fallout
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: A Tunisian superstar has called on people to draw lessons from the coronavirus tragedy that has befallen the world to engage in introspection, work on ways to get rid of their arrogance and become humbler. “We are going through a worldwide tragedy, and people have to look carefully into their lives […]
Bahrain converts parking into 130-bed COVID-19 intensive care unit in seven days
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: Bahrain has completed converting a parking lot into a large intensive care unit (ICU) accommodating beds equipped with respiratory and reanimation equipment in seven days. The third floor of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Hospital parking is now a field intensive care unit that contains 130 beds to treat cases infected […]
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Trump, Kim, and the Three P’s of Summit Diplomacy: 
