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Politics
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…
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Society
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…
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Society
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…
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Society
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…
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Society
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…
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Politics
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…
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Society
COVID-19 infections in Africa represent 0.71% of world figure
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: Only two of the 54 countries making up the African continent are virus-free: Comoros and Lesotho. The African countries have so far 11,440 confirmed COVID-19 cases, representing 0.71% of the world figure, 574 deaths (0.59% of the world), and 1,405 recoveries (0.39% of the international figure). South…
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Society
Bahrain using tracker bracelets to geofence self-isolating individuals
By Habib Toumi Manama: Bahrain is leveraging technology to ensure that people under compulsory home quarantines do not move away from the confines of their homes. Electronic tracker wristbands that alert authorities to rogue escapees have been rolled out by the island kingdom as it seeks to curb the spread…
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Culture
Inside a Bahrain quarantine center: 5 meals a day, games, buffets and refreshments around the clock
By Habib Toumi Manama: Bahraini citizens have shared their quarantine routines, expressing satisfaction with the possibilities and structures available to maintain their physical and mental health, and debunking allegations that the isolation for 14 days meant the end of the world. “The humanitarian factor by Team Bahrain has been very…
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Entertainment
AFC President praises health professionals, AFC associations for outstanding responses to COVID-19
By Habib Toumi Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has praised the outstanding contributions of the frontline health professionals, carers and responders for their tremendous endeavors to help and protect communities across Asia and the world. In a statement posted by AFC, Shaikh…
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