1 year ago
The closing ceremony of the second Green Youth Hackathon (GYH) was held on Monday, September 9, in the presence of HE Eric Giraud-Telme, Ambassador of France to Bahrain, along with other dignitaries. The second edition of the Green Youth Hackathon 2024 concluded on Monday, September 9, at HQ-Hope in Seef Mall. The event, organized by the French Embassy in Bahrain, the Bahrain Science Center for SDGs – Ministry of Youth Affairs, and AIESEC Bahrain, challenged young participants to develop innovative and sustainable entrepreneurial projects within three days. This year’s competition focused on SDG 9, “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure,” and SDG 11, “Sustainable Cities and Communities.” The event brought together a diverse group of 36 young people, including students and young professionals, to address these sustainability goals. This second edition attracted 36 young people from various backgrounds (law, business, architecture, urban planning, sustainable development), either students or young professionals, aged 18 to 27. The closing ceremony featured a pitching competition where six teams presented their proposals for sustainable entrepreneurial projects. A panel of judges from the Green Youth Hackathon partners evaluated each project based on its quality and relevance. Following the jury’s deliberations, the awards ceremony took place, with the team, […]
1 year ago
Bahrain’s national football team lost 5-0 to Japan in their match at the Bahrain National Stadium, during the second round of Group C matches in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. With this result, Bahrain remains at 3 points and drops to third place, while Japan moves to the top of the group with 6 points. Bahrain will next face Indonesia at home, followed by an away match against Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Japan will play against Saudi Arabia and Australia in the third and fourth rounds next October.
1 year ago
The National Strategic Plan for Traffic Safety in Saudi Arabia estimated the cost of traffic accidents and road fatalities in the country at SR20,196,912,833, which reflects the physical and psychological damage. A study conducted by researcher Hassan Mohammed using the ability-to-pay method estimated the costs of managing traffic accidents in Saudi Arabia for 2013 at SR41,901,122,606. According to what Abdul Hamid Al-Moajil, a traffic safety specialist, told Al Arabiya.net, the cost of accidents in Saudi Arabia, based on the estimates of this study, amounted to approximately SR54.9 billion, representing 4.3% of Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product for 2013. He said: “Traffic safety, in its broad sense, aims to adopt all plans, programs, traffic regulations and preventive measures to reduce or prevent traffic accidents, to ensure the safety of people and their property and to preserve the security of the country and its human and economic components.” There are three axes of traffic safety: vehicle, road, and the human element. Achieving traffic safety requires sound strategic planning, allocating the necessary budgets, good governance, and awareness from community members. Al-Moajjel stressed in his speech that the cost of traffic accidents, serious injuries and deaths negatively affected the national economy. The costs of […]
1 year ago
The UAE Media Council has overseen growth in publishing and broadcast sectors as it regulates licences for print and entertainment sectors. The UAE Media Council has announced that it has successfully facilitated the entry of nearly half a million titles into the UAE markets in the first half of the year. This significant influx underscores the continuous growth of the publishing sector, aided by streamlined government processes and the Council’s efficient digital services. UAE media landscape During this period, the Council issued more than 46,000 trading permits in multiple languages, granted more than 1,570 printing permits for local Arabic and foreign language publications, representing a 16 per cent growth compared to last year, and approved 18 film scripts, 32 theatrical scripts, and 12 television series scripts for production within the country. Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, emphasised the Council’s commitment to fostering a competitive media landscape and boosting creative production across various formats, all while adhering to applicable laws and policies. He said: “This statement embodies the Council’s vision and leadership within the media sector, cultivating a modern and supportive environment rooted in UAE values and principles. It underscores the importance of delivering responsible and meaningful media content that […]
1 year ago
Saudi authorities to submit tax returns by September 15 or face fines. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has urged entities dealing in goods subject to the Excise Tax Law to file their tax returns for July and August by September 15. Taxpayers may do so through the authority’s website to avoid a 5 per cent fine for unpaid taxes every 30 days after the due date. Saudi tax returns The excise tax is imposed at varying rates on goods deemed to adversely affect public health or the environment, including soft drinks, energy drinks, sweetened beverages, tobacco, and its derivatives. For more information contact ZATCA by:
1 year ago
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has revised its admission protocols to allow Syrian and Yemeni students on visit visas to enrol in local schools. The new change follows a recent surge in inquiries about transfer and admission procedures for the current academic year, prompting the Ministry to streamline its guidelines across various educational levels. For secondary students, transfers will now be governed by the Equivalency and Transfers Guide within the Pathways System, a detailed framework designed to ensure smooth transitions between different educational systems. Elementary and middle school transfers are also being standardised, following regulations set out in the Guide to Admission and Registration in Public Education, with strict adherence to established transfer timelines. Additionally, the circular outlined policies for children of diverse backgrounds already residing in the Kingdom. This includes children of Saudi nationals who face bureaucratic issues in being added to family records, as well as children born to Saudi mothers and non-Saudi fathers. The Ministry also continues to support the educational integration of children from families previously residing in the Kingdom without legal status, who have now been documented and fingerprinted by the Ministry of Interior. These students are eligible to attend government schools based on capacity, […]
1 year ago
Saudi Arabia launches a tourist tax refund scheme to attract more visitors and enhance its competitiveness with neighbouring Gulf countries. In late August, the Zakat, Customs, and Tax Authority initiated a public consultation on proposed changes to tax regulations. These changes are designed to improve compliance with value-added tax (VAT) laws and provide relief to certain VAT payers. While Saudi Arabia does not levy personal income tax, excise duties were introduced in 2017, and VAT was increased to 15 per cent in 2020 from 5 per cent when it was first implemented in 2018. The new tourist refund follows the recent suspension of licensing fees for hotels, hotel apartments, and resorts, part of the government’s strategy to increase tourism’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) to 10 per cent by 2030. This will place Saudi Arabia as a global touristic destination. Saudi Arabia aims to attract 50 million religious tourists annually by 2030. Additionally, Saudi Arabia plans to simplify foreign investor registration starting in January to boost its foreign direct investment figures. The Capital Markets Authority is considering eliminating the 5 per cent withholding tax on interest payments to corporate bondholders. Currently, non-GCC investors in Saudi Arabia face a 20 […]
1 year ago
Saudi Arabia has reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus after it was closed since the beginning of the Syrian crisis 12 years ago. Abdullah Al-Harees, acting Saudi Chargé d’Affaires in Syria, announced the official opening of the embassy, in a ceremony held in the presence of a number of Syrian ministers and senior officials as well as members of the accredited diplomatic corps, and a group of dignitaries and intellectuals. Addressing the ceremony, Al-Harees said: “This day is an important moment in the history of relations between the two countries.” He also underscored the keenness of the embassy and its staff to move forward and make every effort to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Speaking on the occasion, Syrian Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Deputy Minister Ayman Raad emphasized that through this step, the relations between both countries will be activated in order to enhance joint Arab action in a way that would serve the interests of peoples of the region. Director of Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry Dr. Riad Abbas said that resuming the embassy its works represents the beginning of a new phase of joint work for the prosperity and stability of Syria and […]
1 year ago
The Ministry of Interior launched the Smart Gates Project at NEOM Bay Airport on Tuesday. The launching ceremony was attended by Assistant Minister of Interior for Technology Affairs Prince Dr. Bandar bin Abdullah, SDAIA President Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, Director General of Passports Lt. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya, SDAIA National Information Center Director Dr. Esam Al-Wagait, and NEOM CEO Eng. Nadhmi Al-Nasr. The project is a collaboration between the General Directorate of Passports, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and NEOM. It aims to improve the efficiency of passenger procedures by allowing passengers to scan their biometric data at self-service kiosks. The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance quality of life by implementing high-efficiency digital solutions in Saudi cities.
1 year ago
The High Criminal Court has commenced the trial of a 33-year-old expat accused of murdering a fellow Asian man who managed gambling accounts. The alleged motive behind the brutal crime was a massive gambling debt incurred by the accused, who lost a staggering 1,700 dinars. The accused, who is currently outside Bahrain, is facing a multitude of charges including premeditated murder, robbery, fraud, and money laundering. The prosecution alleges that the accused, driven by a desire to recoup his losses, meticulously planned the murder. He repeatedly visited the victim’s residence, observing his routines until he found the opportune moment. On January 23, 2024, the accused entered the victim’s home while he was alone, bound his hands and feet with electrical wires, and then strangled him with a piece of cloth. It is alleged that the accused then used the victim’s phone and bank account details to fraudulently withdraw 628 dinars. He also stole the victim’s belongings and money after physically assaulting and torturing him. Furthermore, the accused is charged of gaining unauthorised access to the victim’s bank accounts and transferring funds. He is also charged with money laundering, attempting to legitimize the proceeds of his crimes through various transactions and […]
Flip through our magazines online and read amazing content.
