1 year ago
The American School of Bahrain (ASB) was awash with the colours and sounds of celebration as students and faculty came together to mark Bahrain’s 52nd Bahrain National Day. The school community celebrated this special day in the Kingdom with a grand display of patriotism and cultural pride, engaging in a series of events that honoured the rich heritage of Bahrain. The morning air on the school grounds buzzed with excitement as students and staff gathered for the special day. Homerooms were abuzz with the chatter of eager students donning traditional attire, ready to immerse themselves in the day’s activities. The assembly began with the resonant sounds of the Bahrain Police Band setting a majestic tone for the day. The highlight of the assembly was the stirring rendition of the Bahrain national anthem by the ASB Band, led by Mr. Scott. The performance was even more poignant as a group of students simultaneously translated the anthem into sign language. The gymnasium echoed with applause as various students took to the stage for their performances. From the opening welcomes by the school Director and Student MCs to the recitation of the Quran, the assembly celebrated not only Bahrain’s National Day but also […]
1 year ago
The world’s ‘purest ice’ has arrived in Dubai after an epic journey that saw the 22-tonne crystal-clear cargo sail 20,000km. Harvested from glaciers that formed over 100,000 years in Greenland, the ice was shipped via Denmark in nine weeks. Photos at glaciers: Supplied Natural Ice factory in Al Quoz where the precious cargo has been stored in sub-zero temperatures. According to Arctic Ice — which shipped the ice to the UAE — there has been a “strong interest” from restaurants and hotels for the product. “Our ice can be used for all kinds of beverages, drinks and food products. Some of our clients use it for beauty and ice baths, because it’s the purest H20 on earth,” said Samir Ben Tabib, chairman, international relations at Arctic Ice. “We have received pre-orders for the ice. We will do our due diligence and then proceed further. The ice will not be sold to everybody… Our exclusive product and the venue must match.” The company has finalised the packaging, with deliveries set to commence in a month. Tasting purity The purest ice on Earth is stored just as regular cubes are. The Arctic Ice executive said glacier ice melts slower than the regular […]
1 year ago
A first-of-its-kind system in the UAE and the region now instantly tracks all judicial enforcement decisions and cancels them after the required payment of dues. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has adopted a new system that tracks the payment status, and once the respondent has completed the payment, it cancels the original decision. After electronic approval, this is then forwarded to the relevant authorities. This new system ensures that individuals don’t have to go through the hassle of gathering documents related to proof of payment and cancellation. This also makes sure the process is carried out smoothly without the intervention of enforcement officers and judges. In the case of travel bans being imposed due to non-payment, respondents can download a copy of the cancellation decision through the smart app. They can then proceed with travel procedures and show the soft copy if required. On the other hand, in cases of arrest warrant being issued due to non-payment or any seizure orders on deposits and bank accounts due to failure of payment of a certain amount, the respondent can present the physical copy of the cancellation to proceed with lifting the imposed decision. This new system also automatically notifies judges and […]
1 year ago
The most punctual airlines in the Middle East have been revealed by global aviation analytics experts Cirium. Cirium conducted research into flight arrival times to create the 2023 On-Time Performance Review. Now in its 15th year, the Cirium On-Time Performance program meticulously monitors global airline operational performance using extensive and unbiased data, derived from more than 600 real-time information sources. Middle East and Africa’s most punctual airlines Oman Air was named the most punctual airline in the Middle East and Africa for 2023. It scored 92.5 per cent On-Time Performance (OTP), the highest among all carriers across all categories. An on-time flight is defined as a flight that arrives within 15 minutes of the scheduled gate arrival. It’s the second consecutive time the Muscat-based airline has taken the top spot, having scored 91.3 per cent during 2022. In aviation, on-time performance represents a pivotal cornerstone shaping the passenger experience. Flights that are on time mean smoother, less stressful journeys, making it a key differentiator for guest satisfaction. Other notable performances in the MENA region included Qatar Airways achieving a punctuality score of more than 85 per cent, the third highest in the world for a global airline and South Africa’s Safair being […]
1 year ago
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) announced that it has cut the upper limit of fee for recruiting domestic workers from a number of countries. These countries include the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia. This initiative comes within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to review the recruitment costs and their governing regulations, in accordance with the changes in recruitment costs so as to ensure fair prices. The reductions made in the upper ceiling for recruitment costs are the following: The Philippines from SR15,900 to SR14,700; Sri Lanka from SR15,000 to SR13,800; Bangladesh from SR13,000 to SR11,750; Kenya from SR10,870 to SR9,000; Uganda from SR9,500 to SR8,300 and Ethiopia from SR6,900 to SR5,900. The ministry had previously directed licensed recruitment companies and offices to set the upper limit for the costs of recruiting domestic worker services from some nationalities, as the upper limit for recruiting domestic workers from Sierra Leone and Burundi is SR7500; SR10000 from Thailand, without including the value added tax (VAT). The decision comes within the framework of the ministry’s endeavor to develop all services, improve the labor market environment and enhance its attractiveness. It also shows the ministry’s keenness to […]
1 year ago
In a significant move towards enhancing transportation services in Bahrain, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications has embarked on a project to introduce an innovative taxi meter system. The Assistant Undersecretary for Land Transport, Engineer Hussain Ali Yaqoub, expressed the ministry’s commitment to providing advanced and user-friendly services, aligning with the government’s performance agenda and digital transformation goals outlined in the 2023–2026 programme. This initiative aims to foster effective partnerships with the private sector, promoting progress and prosperity across various priority sectors for a brighter future for the nation. The ministry recently signed a contract with the National Security Systems Company to develop individual taxi meters and establish a state-of-the-art control room dedicated to monitoring and regulating taxi operations. This strategic collaboration represents a significant step towards improving the overall experience of shared transportation and revolutionising the services offered to passengers. Benefits Eng. Yaqoub highlighted the benefits of the new system, stressing its role in enhancing transparency and safety within the taxi industry. The advanced meters, equipped with cutting-edge technology, will provide passengers with comprehensive information, including driver details, trip specifics, and a clear route to their destination. Additionally, the meters will accurately calculate the actual cost of the journey […]
1 year ago
A women-only job portal has launched in the UAE. It offers a platform for recruiters and jobseekers to identify professional opportunities and talent in the UAE. Women First Jobs has officially launched, marking a historic moment for women’s empowerment in the UAE’s workforce. Women First Jobs in the UAE This pioneering platform is set to revolutionise recruitment by exclusively catering to the talents and aspirations of women professionals. In line with the vision of Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, Women First Jobs is committed to supporting the UAE’s Gender Balance Council’s initiatives, ensuring equal pay, promoting gender equality in recruitment and promotion, mainstreaming a gender balance perspective, and maintaining transparency. Founded by Priyanka Sengar, CEO at Women First Jobs, this platform addresses a critical need by offering a dedicated space for female professionals to explore career opportunities in sectors such as: The platform caters to senior-level roles as well as junior and middle management positions. Women First Jobs emerges as a groundbreaking initiative, disrupting traditional recruitment norms to create a space where women can thrive in their careers. Priyanka Sengar, drawing from more than 15 years of diversified corporate experience across India and […]
1 year ago
Emirates has cancelled and delayed flights to Mauritius due to cyclone Belal. Heavy rain, strong winds and flooding have hit Mauritius and neighbouring Réunion islands as Cyclone Belal batters the territory. In response the Dubai-based carrier has delayed and cancelled flights and apologised to passengers for disrupted travel plans. Emirates cancels Mauritius flights In a travel update on its website, Emirates said: “Due to tropical cyclone Belal, the following Emirates flights to and from Mauritius have been delayed or cancelled: The airline added that customers with onward connections to cancelled Mauritius flight EK701 on January 16 will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Emirates said it is monitoring the situation closely and aims to give customers as much notice as possible if there are any further changes to our operations.
1 year ago
Kuwait has announced a public holiday and three-day weekend coming in February. Kuwait has set Thursday, February 8 as a public holiday marking the Muslim occasion of Al-Israa wal Miraaj, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said on Monday. Taking into account the Friday-Saturday weekend, it means a three-day break for people in the country. Kuwait public holiday Work will resume as normal on Sunday, February 11. State bodies with a “special work nature” will have their holidays determined by their own internal management, taking into consideration “public interest,” CSC said on its official X social media account.
1 year ago
2024 just kicked off, and Emirati youth are off to a great start. A three-year-old Emirati girl named AlMaha Rashed AlMheiri has made history by publishing two children’s stories — ‘The Flower’ and ‘Honeybee’. Within 24 hours, she sold over 1,000 copies of both her books and became the youngest published writer in the world (female), recognised by the Guinness World Records. The nursery student broke the record on January 7, 2024, with the official ceremony taking place later this month AlMaha’s passion for storytelling and drawing led her on a creative journey. During this journey, she learned how to write and produce imaginative stories for children, accompanied by beautiful, vibrant drawings In both her stories, AlMaha attempts to convey the importance of environmental principles. Her mother said: “AlMaha wanted to instil the significance of ecological preservation in youngsters her age.” Her mother further explained her interest in the environment and her eco-friendly outlook, saying, “As we visited COP28 in Dubai last November, I felt that AlMaha had a sense and spark of ideas for environmentally themed stories. After attending the conference, we truly realised the growing importance of environmental conservation and the need to educate children.” Research by Kids […]