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4 days ago
Acting Labour Minister, His Excellency Yousif Khalaf, has set new rules for lodging and deciding grievances over unemployment compensation and allowances, moving the process fully online. The decision, published in the Official Gazette, requires claimants to file through the Ministry of Labour website within 15 days of learning of the decision they wish to challenge. The competent body must rule within 15 days of filing. If no reply is issued in that time, the grievance is deemed rejected. An appeal to the competent court is open for 30 days from notification of rejection or deemed rejection. A dedicated committee will handle cases and set its own internal rules for meetings and day-to-day work, including sittings held remotely. Supporting papers Grievances are submitted on the prescribed electronic form and must state the complainant’s full name, personal number, address, telephone, email, the decision under challenge and the grounds for it, with all supporting papers attached. Each filing is recorded at once and the complainant receives an email confirming registration. The committee may call the complainant to a hearing, giving at least three days’ notice, and may hear witnesses when needed without administering an oath. It may also seek input from specialists at […]
4 days ago
The Bahraini Parliament approved a new law aimed at modernizing the country’s private education sector, replacing the existing legislation that has been in place since 1998. The new legislation covers all private educational institutions, including nurseries, kindergartens, schools, training centers, foreign institutions, and community schools. Its primary objectives are to enhance the quality of education, strengthen governance, and ensure alignment with national educational policies. The law seeks to improve oversight and administration, encourage responsible investment in private education, and advance curriculum development to raise educational outcomes. According to the Parliamentary Services Committee, the legislation addresses several key gaps in the current framework, including the regulation of school ownership succession, monitoring tuition fees, and ensuring curricula respect national and religious values. The Ministry of Education emphasized that the new law grants expanded regulatory powers, enabling supervision over all private educational institutions, early learning centers, and training facilities. It also allows the ministry to impose fines and corrective measures on violators, ensuring a safe and comprehensive learning environment. In addition, the law offers incentives for investors, including extended licensing periods, while prioritizing the employment of Bahraini nationals. At the same time, it maintains opportunities for foreign investment in the education sector. MP […]
4 days ago
Oman’s Maritime Security Centre has launched a search and rescue operation after a fishing boat carrying three citizens went missing off the coast of Al Suwaiq in the North Al Batinah governorate. in a statement posted on its official x account, the centre said the vessel lost contact while at sea, raising immediate concern for the safety of those on board. A coordinated effort involving military and civil authorities has been activated to locate the missing crew, with both air and sea units participating in the mission. The centre reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding maritime safety and urged fishermen and seafarers to follow safety protocols, maintain communication with authorities, and check weather conditions before heading out to sea.
4 days ago
Oman has announced a major change to its residency regulations, extending the validity of the expatriate residency card from three to 10 years. The decision, issued by Lieutenant General Hassan bin Mohsin Al Shuraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs, amends the executive regulations of the Civil Status Law, according to a report by Atheer newspaper. Under the new rules, residency cards will now be valid for up to 10 years. Cardholders must renew their IDs within 30 days of expiry. The regulation also sets the issuance and renewal fees at five Omani rials per year, with a replacement fee of 20 rials for lost or damaged cards. Previously, in a decision issued last August, residency cards were valid for one, two, or three years only.
4 days ago
The first crewed flight of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial taxi has been conducted in Dubai, it was announced on Tuesday. The aircraft took off from Margham and landed at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). This was revealed to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, as he reviewed the progress of infrastructure projects designed to enhance the road network, public transport systems, aerial taxi services, and The Future Loop project that forms part of the Dubai Walk Master Plan. Manned air taxi Sheikh Hamdan was briefed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), on the progress of the aerial taxi project. The project’s operational trials are being conducted by Joby Aviation Inc. in Dubai’s desert area. The company recently completed the first crewed flight of the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial taxi between two distinct locations. This milestone marks a pivotal phase in expanding the scope of aerial taxi testing in Dubai to include operations within urban areas in the next stage, […]
4 days ago
Saudi Arabia’s The Line, a proposed 170-kilometer linear city carved across the Tabuk desert, has moved from concept to visible earthworks. But what’s now under construction, what remains conceptual, and how far the original brief has been pared back are questions worth answering before the next glossy rendering arrives. When Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled The Line in 2021, it read like an architectural manifesto for a new era: a 170-kilometer, car-free, zero-emissions linear city inside NEOM made of two mirrored walls, rising 500 meters above the desert and wide enough to carry urban life on a horizontal ribbon. The claim was bold: the development would house up to 9 million people and, together with other NEOM components, form part of a trillion-dollar-plus reimagining of the Saudi kingdom’s economy. That vision is now being dramatically reworked: officials and media reports say the scheme has been scaled down in size and ambition, with major parts paused and timetables pushed out by decades. It forces a reckoning about the limits of architectural futurism when set against geopolitics, energy cycles, environmental aspiration, and the realities of delivering infrastructure at a continental scale. From Visionary Blueprint to Scaled Reality: The Line’s Numbers and […]
4 days ago
Abu Dhabi is developing one of the world’s first regulatory frameworks for autonomous flying taxis and delivery drones as part of a government-led effort to establish the UAE as a testing ground for advanced air mobility. The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE, subsidiaries of the Advanced Technology Research Council, are working with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to simulate and test airspace management systems for autonomous flights. The project is being supervised by the Smart and Autonomous Council which oversees national policy on autonomous systems. The trials are being conducted at three sites in Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Zayed Port, and Abu Dhabi International Airport to study wind dynamics, safety zones and flight paths for unmanned and piloted aircraft. The models will help regulators design air corridors and separation standards for low-altitude urban airspace. Eng. Aqeel Al Zarooni, Assistant Director General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, said: “As aviation continues to evolve, our regulatory frameworks must evolve with it. Through this collaboration with TII and ASPIRE, we are laying the groundwork for safe and scalable integration of next-generation air mobility. These trials mark a critical step in ensuring that both Air Traffic Management and UTM systems can operate […]
4 days ago
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce and the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) have announced the winners of the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) 2025, the world’s largest global startup competition. Majid Al-Kassabi, Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Monsha’at, crowned the winners during a ceremony held as part of the Biban Forum 2025, in the presence of Sami bin Ibrahim Al-Husseini, Governor of Monsha’at, Dr. Badr Al-Badr, CEO of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), and several senior officials. The EWC brought together the top 100 startups from more than 47 countries, competing for total prizes worth $1.5m across multiple categories and tracks. Winners announced across Early, Growth, and Idea stages In the Early Stage category: In the Growth Stage category: For the Idea Stage category: Space Tech winners recognised for innovation In the Space Tech track, four startups were each awarded $100,000 for their pioneering solutions: Supporting global entrepreneurship and SME growth The Entrepreneurship World Cup represents a key global platform that provides tools, mentorship, and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs at every stage of development. The competition also supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through training programs and access to a global network of mentors via an intensive […]
4 days ago
Sharjah Airport (SAA) has introduced a new Home Check-In service, allowing passengers to complete travel formalities from home before heading directly to passport control — a first-of-its-kind convenience aimed at saving time and enhancing the passenger experience. The service forms part of Sharjah Airport’s ongoing digital transformation and customer experience strategy, designed to streamline travel procedures, reduce congestion during peak periods, and provide smoother journeys for all passengers. Check in from home, hotel, or office Through the new service, passengers travelling via Sharjah Airport can complete all check-in procedures remotely, including boarding pass issuance and baggage drop, handled by a specialised team from Sharjah Airport. A specialised team collects luggage directly from the passenger’s home, workplace, or hotel, allowing them to proceed straight to passport control upon arrival at the airport. The Home Check-In service can be booked via the official website, by calling 800745424, or through the “SHJ Home Check-In” mobile app. Passengers must book the service at least eight hours before their flight, which makes it especially useful during busy travel periods. Flexible pricing packages Sharjah Airport offers several tiered packages tailored to the number of bags: For additional luggage, a AED20 ($5) fee applies per extra bag, in line […]
4 days ago
Abu Dhabi has announced a major step in its transformation into a global hub for advanced, sustainable and autonomous mobility, unveiling the UAE’s first vertiport network and 29 new commercial deployment agreements for autonomous mobility technologies. The initiatives, led by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), and Abu Dhabi Airports (ADA), are part of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster — a key pillar of the emirate’s innovation-led diversification strategy. Together, they mark a decisive moment in the creation of a multi-modal transport ecosystem that integrates air taxis, autonomous vehicles, and AI-driven logistics, positioning Abu Dhabi at the forefront of global next-generation mobility. Abu Dhabi vertiport network The vertiport network, comprising more than 10 state-of-the-art sites, will enable the operation of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft across strategic locations in Abu Dhabi, facilitating low-emission travel and seamless connectivity between key urban, business, and tourism hubs. Zayed International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport have been confirmed as anchor locations, with future phases to connect Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and Abu Dhabi Island. Abu Dhabi Airports will act as the anchor investor and […]
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