Breaking News
1 year ago
The Manama Municipal Council demolished several vegetable, fruit, and fish stalls in Jidhafs Market for operating without the necessary licenses. The action followed a threeday notice period given to stall owners. The affected stalls were located in the northern section of the market, bordering the street leading towards the gold souq. According to a notice sent to the stall owners, the demolition was justified due to the stalls’ hazardous location adjacent to the street and their lack of legal permits. The demolition has sparked strong reactions from vendors, who expressed anger and frustration at the municipality’s actions. They claim the demolition caused significant damage to their property and are demanding compensation for their losses. They are also calling on the Minister of Municipalities to intervene and resolve the issue, ensuring their rights are protected and working conditions in the market are improved. Abdulkarim Taher, a vendor who has worked in the market for over 35 years, described the municipality’s approach as abrupt and unexpected. He stated that while the municipality usually issues warnings before removing stalls, the three-day notice was insufficient, leading to the loss of some belongings during the hasty relocation. He echoed the calls for compensation. Radhi Abu […]
1 year ago
The Capital Municipal Council has issued 24-hour notices to several car owners displaying vehicles for sale in unauthorised “dirt lots” along Shaikh Salman Highway in the Sehla area, according to a statement released by the municipality. The municipality cited Article 10 of the Cleanliness Law of 2019, which prohibits the use of public streets, squares, and open spaces for the display of vehicles for sale or rent. This law empowers the municipality to issue a 24-hour notice to remove the vehicles, marking them to indicate the start of the notice period and outlining the penalties for non-compliance. This enforcement action follows numerous complaints from owners of legitimate used car dealerships who have expressed concerns about the increasing prevalence of unauthorised sales displays on public roads throughout the Kingdom. These dealers argue that such illegal displays not only occupy valuable public spaces but also obstruct parking for customers and visitors to nearby markets, leading to significant financial losses for established businesses. Dealers have also raised issues related to unfair competition, asserting that these unauthorised sellers may be evading taxes and undermining the integrity of the automotive sales market. The municipality’s decision to take action is aimed at addressing these grievances and […]
1 year ago
A 31-year-old travel agency owner has been detained by the Northern Governorate Police Directorate over claims of trickery and fraud. Officials said the man enticed customers with offers of overseas trips, pocketing their payments but failing to provide the promised holidays, according to the Ministry of Interior. After a surge of complaints from frustrated clients, police began a probe, tracking down the suspect and obtaining a warrant for his arrest. The Northern Governorate Police Directorate confirmed that all required steps were followed, and the man has now been handed over to the Public Prosecution for the next stage of the case.
1 year ago
A young man has been sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to repay BD65,000 after defrauding several individuals through fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. The man, who operated without the necessary licenses, solicited investments promising returns on digital currency trading platforms. According to lawyer Mariam Al Khaja, her client and others filed a lawsuit against the defendant after he failed to return their investments and subsequently avoided contact. Trading The defendant, operating in 2023 and 2024, collected a total of BD65,000 from multiple investors under the pretense of investing in cryptocurrency trading. He lacked the necessary licenses from the Central Bank of Bahrain or other relevant authorities to conduct such activities. During the investigation, the defendant admitted to receiving the funds with the intention of investing them in cryptocurrency trading, acknowledging his lack of the required license. Repayment He claimed that he lost all the invested funds due to trading losses, making repayment impossible. The court heard arguments from the defense, who claimed the elements of the crime were not present, citing the defendant’s ignorance of the Central Bank of Bahrain’s regulations and the implausibility of the events. However, the court found the defendant guilty based on the thorough investigation, […]
1 year ago
The twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), one of the largest United Nations non-legislative events, will be held from 4 to 8 November 2024 in Cairo, Egypt. A Bahrain-led delegation will attend and participate in the forum consisting of representatives from the government, private sector, and youth-led organizations that are involved in the field of sustainable urban development in the Kingdom. Organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in collaboration with the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, this event will be held under the patronage of the Prime Minister, along with the Ministry of Local Development and the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities of Egypt. For the first time since 2001, the World Urban Forum returns to Africa. As the continent faces rapid urbanisation, the significance of this global event cannot be understated. Africa’s population is projected to nearly double over the next 30 years, with 6 major cities expected to house more than 10 million people by 2035. The African cities of Luanda, Dar es Salaam, Cairo, Kinshasa, Lagos, and Greater Johannesburg are set to become some of the world’s largest metropolitan hubs, according to the EIU African Cities 2035 report. […]
1 year ago
In a significant move to prioritize local talent, the Bahraini Parliament today passed a law that imposes strict hiring criteria on expatriates seeking employment in public sector roles. The new legislation mandates that expat hires must hold a master’s degree and have at least ten years of experience in their respective fields. Additionally, contracts for expatriate employees are limited to two years, renewable only with the approval of the Civil Service Bureau. This law received near-unanimous support from MPs, with only MP Abdulla Al Rumaihi opposing the measure. By setting high qualifications and contract limits for expatriate hires, the legislation aims to ensure that Bahrainis are given preferential access to government job opportunities. Importantly, expatriate employees are now required to train a Bahraini staff member to take over their responsibilities, fostering knowledge transfer and empowering local workers to assume key roles. While the initiative seeks to enhance job prospects for Bahrainis and equip them for future public sector positions, it has raised concerns regarding potential hiring inflexibility. Government officials have warned that the stringent requirements may restrict the pool of qualified candidates for specialized roles, potentially hindering the ability of departments to fill essential positions with necessary expertise. His Excellency […]
1 year ago
The High Appeals Court has upheld the life sentence of a Bahraini man convicted of causing the death of a cold store worker during a robbery. The court heard the appeal on Monday, rejecting the defendant’s challenge to the High Criminal Court’s original ruling. The incident occurred when the suspect allegedly assaulted the cold store worker while attempting to flee the scene after a robbery. The injuries sustained by the victim led to his death several days later in hospital. According to a police complaint filed by the deceased’s brother, the accused was a known customer at the shop with a history of theft. Critically injured On the day of the incident, he allegedly attacked the victim after stealing items, leaving him critically injured. An eyewitness corroborated this account, describing the brother’s distress upon discovering his sibling collapsed outside the store. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the worker succumbed to his injuries. Security camera footage from a nearby residence captured the defendant striking the victim, causing him to fall unconscious. Theft and assault Further investigation revealed the defendant’s history of theft and assault at other establishments.
1 year ago
Employers in Bahrain’s private sector could soon need to notify authorities before suspending workers, and dismissed employees might get twice as long to file compensation claims, as Parliament debates new rules today. The government’s draft law, submitted to Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, proposes two main updates to Bahrain’s Labour Law, introducing added checks on employers’ actions and extending protections for workers. One proposal would require employers to notify authorities before suspending workers for serious misconduct. Discretion Currently, employers have some discretion to temporarily suspend a worker in cases of harm or serious offences, but this adjustment would mean they must inform relevant authorities first, limiting employers’ ability to act independently in such cases. Another proposed change would extend the timeframe for workers to file a claim after losing their job, increasing it from 30 days to 60. Supporters say this additional time could help workers prepare stronger cases, though the government cautions that delaying claims might make it harder to gather reliable evidence and could slow the resolution of disputes. Concerns In its memo, the government expresses concerns that these changes may disrupt the balance between worker protections and workplace stability. Officials argue that requiring […]
1 year ago
The Ministry of Works announced that as part of parapet replacement works on Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway on Wali Al Ahd Flyover for southbound traffic towards Zallaq necessitate the closure of two lanes on stages and one lane will be provided for the traffic movement. The closure will be effective from 01:00 AM to 10:00 AM starting from Friday, November 1 for one month, on Fridays only. All road users are requested to observe and obey the traffic rules for the safety of all.
1 year ago
In a remarkable feat of global exploration, photographer Rasha Yousif has become the first Bahraini to visit every country in the world. Photography, combined with curiosity, has led her to this 12-year odyssey which took her to the far corners of the globe, capturing moments and building connections along the way. “After a few photo tours, I realised I enjoyed traveling to meet people, learn about different cultures, and hear their stories,” Yousif shared with the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) from her final stop in Hadhramaut, Yemen. Proud of her accomplishment, she reflected on how each challenge bolstered her confidence and gave her a “superhero feeling”. She believes her journey reflects the passion for achievement that Bahrainis are known for, and the creativity and resilience of Bahraini women, who continue working to be recognised on a larger stage. In August 2024, Maryam Sultan from Kuwait became the first Arab woman to complete a similar feat, marking a milestone within the regional travel community, which Yousif noted is highly supportive. Embracing an organic approach, Yousif’s journey extended beyond officially recognised countries to include territories with unique cultural identities, such as Palestine. “It’s not about lists; it’s about history, culture, and meeting […]
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