12 months ago
A dramatic inheritance dispute ended in court with a man successfully forcing his uncles to return over BD 14,000 they took from a joint account, despite having previously waived their rights to the money. The case cantered around the complex inheritance of a man’s late father, whose death in a road accident resulted in an insurance payout deposited into a joint account held by the claimant’s grandfather and mother. After both the grandfather and mother passed away, the fate of the funds remained unclear. While all heirs of the grandfather and the claimant’s mother had signed a waiver agreeing to forgo their claims to the funds in favour of the claimant, the situation took a turn when the grandfather passed away. The claimant’s uncles, heirs to the grandfather’s estate, launched a legal challenge to open the estate and distribute the funds. They withdrew BD 14,418.195 from the joint account and split it among themselves, despite the waiver in place. According to the claimant’s lawyer, Ghadeer Al Aali, the claimant repeatedly asked his uncles to return the money, reminding them of the agreement they had all signed. When they refused, the claimant was left with no option but to pursue legal […]
12 months ago
In a gripping match of the ICC CWC Challenge League B, Uganda emerged victorious against Bahrain by 52 runs in a contest that showcased both batting brilliance and disciplined bowling. Uganda posted a competitive total of 249/9 in their 50 overs, which proved too much for Bahrain, who were bowled out for 197 in 44.1 overs. Uganda’s batting effort was anchored by a superb knock from Raghav Dhawan, who scored a well-crafted 85 off 105 balls, including 11 boundaries. His innings laid the foundation for Uganda’s total, earning him the Player of the Match award. He was well-supported by Riazat Ali Shah, the captain, who contributed a brisk 49 off 55 balls, and Robinson Obuya, who added 43 runs. Bahrain’s bowlers struggled to contain Uganda’s batters, with Imran Khan being the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 46 runs. Imran Anwar also chipped in with 2 wickets, but Uganda’s lower order, led by Alpesh Ramjani (20* off 21 balls) and Fred Achelam (17 off 9 balls), ensured a strong finish, taking the team to 249/9 in their allotted overs. In response, Bahrain’s chase got off to a disastrous start, losing their top three batters for just 21 runs. […]
12 months ago
Contracts in Bahrain are still issued in English, despite Arabic being the official language — forcing some customers to sign deals they can’t even read. MP Jalal Kadhem is pushing for a law to make Arabic contracts mandatory. “All contracts should be in Arabic — our official language — so people know exactly what they’re signing,” he said. “It makes no sense for customers to agree to terms they can’t even read.” The proposal would force companies to issue Arabic agreements and provide official copies to clients. Legal requirement Kadhem argued that this is already a legal requirement, given Arabic’s status as the country’s official language. “Legal documents should be clear, not open to debate,” he said. “Using another language leads to misreadings, disputes, and drawn-out court battles. This fixes that.” He warned that contracts written in English or other languages have caused too many misunderstandings, often leaving customers in difficult positions. Court “If an agreement is vague or misinterpreted, people end up in court,” he said. “That can be avoided.” Kadhem stressed that companies must hand over Arabic copies instead of expecting clients to arrange their own translations. “Anyone signing a deal should have it in a language they […]
12 months ago
Ninety per cent of spam marketing calls targeting Bahrain come from abroad and beyond regulators’ reach, but the Shura Council is pressing ahead with a plan to tighten the rules. While authorities are working with Google and GCC regulators to curb spam calls from overseas, enforcement remains a sticking point. The Council will go over a proposal on Sunday to rein in the practice, with a report on its feasibility due for discussion. People across Bahrain have long complained about being pestered by sales calls at all hours, their phones ringing with offers they didn’t ask for. Services Some say they’ve been badgered into signing up for services they don’t need, while others simply want the calls to stop. Lawmakers backing the proposal say it’s about time businesses were stopped from making a nuisance of themselves, arguing that phone-based sales tactics belong in the past. Shura’s Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, which has looked into the proposal, says it stacks up legally and fits within Bahrain’s laws on consumer rights. Sales calls It points out that Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia have all set rules on sales calls, meaning Bahrain wouldn’t be breaking new ground by doing the same. […]
12 months ago
In a rare event, a young Bahraini woman’s horseback riding experience resulted in a 5% permanent disability after she was attacked by another horse following her fall. The incident has led to legal action against the stable owner, culminating in a recent court ruling. The High Civil Court ordered the defendant, the horse stable owner, to pay the plaintiff a total of 3,000 Bahraini dinars, as reported by her attorney Lulwa Al Qa’id. According to Al Qa’id, her client was engaged in horseback riding at the stable owned by the defendant when she was unexpectedly attacked by another horse belonging to him after she fell down. The attack caused severe injuries that required hospitalisation for treatment, prompting her to file a lawsuit. “My client was riding when she suddenly fell to the ground. Initially, she stood up without any apparent injury, but then another horse approached from behind and attacked her. She was immediately taken to the hospital, where her injury was found to be incurable. My client’s suffering is a direct result of the defendant’s failure to provide a safe environment for riders,” the lawyer argued during the court hearings. The medical committees assessed her injuries and concluded that […]
12 months ago
MPs have backed a move to put Bahrainis first in hiring, arguing it’s the only way to get a grip on unemployment and stop businesses from taking the easy route by hiring cheaper expat workers. The proposal, backed by a joint committee of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee and the Services Committee, is part of a wider push to get locals into jobs. Tamkeen’s efforts alone have seen 5,400 Bahrainis hired, with another 4,900 put through training schemes. Supporters Second Deputy Speaker Ahmed Qarata, Jameel Mulla Hassan, Mohammed Al Olaiwi, Hisham Al Awadhi, and Mohammed Al Rifai are among those driving the move. They argue it’s about making sure Bahrainis get a fair go, rather than being muscled out of their own job market. But, they say, the shift needs to be gradual, not a sudden change that leaves businesses floundering. Unemployment MP Al Olaiwi was blunt. Unemployment, he said, is a problem getting worse, not better. Every year, thousands of Bahraini graduates leave university with nowhere to go. “We are a small country of just 750,000 people, yet we still haven’t sorted this out, while our neighbours have managed to,” he said, calling jobs a basic right, just […]
12 months ago
Retired Bahraini doctors could be called back into service after Parliament gave the nod to a plan aiming to put them in part-time and temporary roles in fields currently filled by foreign specialists. MP Maryam Al Dhaen, who pushed for the move, said it was time to stop relying on overseas hires when Bahrain had trained doctors with decades of experience. “These doctors have spent years — sometimes up to 15 — training under state-funded programmes. To let that knowledge go to waste is a loss not just for them, but for the health system as a whole,” she said. The motion, backed by Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, Ali Al Dossary, Khalid Buanaq and Ahmed Al Musallam, calls for the government to bring Bahraini doctors out of retirement, particularly in fields where foreign staff were only brought in due to shortages. Al Dhaen said the current situation made little sense. Return “We had to bring in foreign consultants when our own specialists retired. But now they’re willing to return, why should we keep spending more on overseas hires instead of putting our own doctors back to work?” she said. Money was a key factor in the push. The MPs pointed […]
12 months ago
The much-anticipated 9th edition of the Bahrain Food Festival is set to launch today at Marassi Al Bahrain in Diyar Al Muharraq. Spanning an impressive 35,000 square meters, this year’s festival is the largest in its history, bringing together 120 restaurants and cafes to offer a culinary extravaganza for food enthusiasts. Running for 20 days until February 26, 2025, the festival promises a vibrant lineup of activities, programs, and entertainment events designed to delight visitors of all ages. With four distinct zones, attendees will have the chance to explore a wide array of culinary offerings, including food trucks, kiosks, and a traditional food village that highlights Bahraini culinary heritage. Key Features of the 9th Bahrain Food Festival: Extensive Food Selection: More than 100 participating restaurants and cafes, offering diverse cuisines to cater to all tastes. Themed Zones: Four dedicated areas, including a traditional food village and spaces for various food services. Family-Friendly Attractions: A large children’s play area with games, ensuring a complete family tourism experience. Unique Dining Experience: For the first time, visitors can indulge in sweets and coffee on a 50-meter-high table, offering a stunning panoramic view of the Diyar Al Muharraq skyline. Convenient and Free Entry Entry […]
12 months ago
A proposal to make private schools prioritise Bahraini teachers over expats—potentially affecting thousands of jobs—was approved by Parliament on Tuesday after being postponed from the 7th January session due to the Education Minister’s absence. Lawmakers argue the move is needed to curb reliance on foreign hires and get more local graduates into work. Acting Labour Minister Yousef Khalaf assured MPs that the government is already laying the groundwork to help Bahrainis land these roles. ‘We’re putting together a training scheme with the Education Ministry to equip Bahrainis with the skills they need for jobs in private schools,’ he said. ‘The plan will be announced soon, and those keen to take part can sign up.’ Education Minister Mohammed Mubarak Juma said efforts were already in motion to keep Bahrainis in the sector. ‘Tamkeen is still helping to cover the wages of Bahrainis working in private schools,’ he said, stressing that keeping jobs steady was key. He also confirmed that his ministry and Tamkeen were keeping an eye on contract terminations. ‘We’re across every case and will step in when needed.’ Juma also addressed concerns over career progression, revealing that more than 5,300 education workers were promoted last year, including teachers, senior […]
12 months ago
More Than Just an ID! Your Gateway to Smarter Services. The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) is set to introduce a fully revamped and enhanced identity card, aligning with the latest international technologies and standards. This initiative comes as part of the government’s ongoing digital transformation efforts, under the directives of His Excellency General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT). The iGA has urged citizens and residents planning to renew their ID cards to wait until their cards expire unless they require immediate renewal. This recommendation is also in line with ongoing maintenance activities at the Customer Service Center in Isa Town, which will continue until February 15. Due to upgrading works, the number of available appointments for card services is currently limited. However, customers can conveniently access eServices through the National Portal at bahrain.bh. This latest move reflects iGA’s continuous efforts to enhance the efficiency of the ID card system, streamline government operations, and improve customer satisfaction for citizens, residents, businesses, and organizations. By integrating state-of-the-art technology, the revamped ID card aims to elevate the information and communications technology sector in Bahrain both regionally […]