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16 hours ago
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved a Dh800 million development plan to construct 60 mosques and renovate 40 others across the emirate. Additionally, Sheikh Sultan instructed competent authorities to maintain and enhance cemeteries in the city of Kalba, in addition to improving the general appearance of these sites, asphalting access roads, developing parking facilities, and clearing the areas of random plants and trees.
20 hours ago
The Cassation Court has overturned a previous ruling that stripped a foreign mother of custody of her children based on her conversion to Islam. The Cassation Court deemed the previous ruling flawed, finding that it unfairly questioned the mother’s religious conversion and its motives. The case has been sent back to the High Appeals Court for a fresh ruling. The woman had separated from her husband through mutual consent and had two children with him. She was surprised when the father filed a lawsuit seeking to revoke her custody, claiming she was unfit due to her adherence to another religion, and that it was in the children’s best interest to be in his custody. In response, the mother filed a lawsuit asserting her right to custody, arguing that the children were of an age suitable for maternal care and that she met the necessary conditions for custody. She also requested that the father provide their identification documents. However, the court ruled in favour of the father, granting him custody of the children and dismissing the mother’s claim. Evidence Dissatisfied with the ruling, the mother appealed to the High Appeals Court, maintaining her claim of having converted to Islam and providing […]
21 hours ago
A new home visitation service has been announced in Abu Dhabi to support new parents during the postpartum period. Qualified and certified maternity nurses will offer essential psychological and emotional assistance to help Emirati families navigate early parenting challenges. Couples can apply for the service for free starting today via the Medeem Digital Platform. The platform offers multiple services and educational materials for couples planning to get married or start a family. The home visit programme was announced days after Abu Dhabi extended maternity leave to 90 days for Emirati women working in the private sector in the emirate. The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi announced the scheme under the Emirati Family Growth Programme. Announced in July this year, the Emirati Family Growth Programme includes six initiatives to support UAE nationals to marry and raise children, build and grow families, and contribute to family and societal cohesion. These include:
2 days ago
Lucidia, a leading AI customer experience management platform based in Riyadh, has announced a major change in its work schedule, becoming the first company in Saudi Arabia to implement a four-day work week. The new policy, which was put into effect in recent hours, marks a significant shift from the traditional five-day workweek. The decision by Lucidia has garnered growing attention and discussion on social media, with many users expressing excitement and curiosity about the potential impacts of this new schedule. The company’s move is seen as a bold step in improving work-life balance and productivity, as well as enhancing employee satisfaction. According to Al Ekhbariya TV channel, the adoption of a four-day work week by Lucidia is an unprecedented development in the Kingdom. The company’s innovative approach has impressed many, and there is keen interest in observing the results of this experiment, including its effects on employee productivity and work quality. Saudi human resources expert Dr. Khalil Al Thiyabi highlighted the importance of aligning the Kingdom’s weekly vacation with global standards. Dr. Al Thiyabi noted that converting the weekly vacation to Saturday and Sunday, as seen in other leading economies and G20 countries, could be beneficial given Saudi Arabia’s […]
3 days ago
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture will host the National Cultural Awards at Riyadh’s King Fahd Cultural Center on Monday. The awards, which are being held for the fourth time, will honor cultural pioneers from various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. The awards recognize individuals, groups, and institutions for their cultural achievements and artistic talent and “aim to promote excellence across 16 cultural sectors, offering financial and moral support, media exposure, and opportunities to represent the sectors at domestic and international events,” the SPA stated. Sixteen awards will be presented, including Cultural Pioneer of the Year, Youth Culture Award, International Cultural Excellence Award, and awards for film, fashion, heritage, music, literature, and theater. Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his patronage of the awards, which he said highlights “the leadership’s commitment to supporting creativity in the cultural sector.”
4 days ago
An animal study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity found that a COVID-19 infection may leave behind certain proteins, which can trigger the process that causes cortisol levels to drop. This results in increased inflammation and immune overreaction to stress. The effect on cortisol may underlie many changes associated with long COVID, which has many neurological and neuropsychological symptoms, such as brain fog, anxiety, sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. “Our study suggests that low cortisol could be playing a key role in driving many of these physiological changes that people are experiencing with long COVID,” lead author Matthew Frank, a senior research associate with the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado at Boulder, said in a press release. The discovery brings science one step closer to understanding long COVID, which affects 10 to 35 percent of people after contracting an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to the researchers. Lingering Proteins Link to Low Cortisol Researchers in the study noted several earlier experiments that led to their recent investigation. Prior findings included: Based on the above, the researchers theorized that spike proteins may produce physiological effects that prolong the duration or increase the magnitude of […]
6 days ago
More than half the world’s population is deficient in micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, according to a new study. According to the results, published in Lancet Global Health journal, 99.3 percent of the global population is missing at least one important nutrient. The study collected data from 31 countries to estimate micronutrient consumption in 185 countries. “Our study is a big step forward,” Chris Free, research professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, UC Santa Barbara, and co-lead author, said. “Not only because it is the first to estimate inadequate micronutrient intakes for 34 age-sex groups in nearly every country, but also because it makes these methods and results easily accessible to researchers and practitioners.” Deficiencies in micronutrients harm health and can lead to various preventable health conditions, the researchers say. “Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia, leading to impaired cognition and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness globally, affecting mostly children and pregnant women,” the authors wrote in their study. “These results are alarming,” Ty Beal, lead author of the study, said in a press release. “These gaps compromise health outcomes and limit human potential on a global scale.” The researchers […]
6 days ago
Dubai police has expanded its fleet with the addition of ZEEKR electric vehicles, supplied by AW Rostamani Group (AWR), the official distributor of ZEEKR in the region. The official handover ceremony, held at the Dubai Police headquarters, witnessed the presence of Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Acting Director of the General Directorate of Traffic, Ahmed Shehab, Regional Director of Product and Strategy of ZEEKR MENA and Roberto Colucci, Director of ZEEKR at AW Rostamani Group, alongside senior management from AWR and ZEEKR. Brigadier bin Suwaidan explained in a statement that this collaboration reflects the government’s vision of fostering positive communication and desired integration in executing joint initiatives and social responsibility efforts that showcase Dubai’s leading image. ZEEKR 001 joins Dubai Police Roberto Colucci, Director of ZEEKR at AW Rostamani Group said: “Partnering with Dubai Police, an institution recognized globally for its commitment to innovation and public safety, is a testament to our joint dedication in ensuring the safety and security of this city. This partnership also aligns perfectly with our shared vision for a more sustainable future, contributing to the UAE’s ambitious Net Zero goals. “By integrating electric vehicles into its operations, Dubai Police is setting a powerful example of […]
6 days ago
Around 1.5 million workers reside in labour accommodations across the UAE, authorities revealed on Wednesday. According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), over 1,800 companies are registered in its electronic Labour Accommodation System. In its latest round of inspections of residential facilities for workers, the ministry flagged 352 violations, which included inadequate ventilation and air conditioning; failure to provide safe conditions for flammable materials; failure to meet sanitation requirements; and general cleanliness issues in the housing facility. Following the inspection from May 20 to June 7, some of the non-compliant companies were warned and others, fined. Some were granted up to one month to fix their accommodations. Mohsin Ali Al Nassi, assistant undersecretary for Inspection Affairs at the MoHRE, said: “The ministry is committed to providing labour accommodations that meet the highest standards of comfort, safety, and security. “Ministry inspectors regularly carry out field visits to labour accommodation facilities across the UAE to ensure companies comply with their responsibility of providing adequate and comfortable housing for their workers.” Labour accommodations are mandated to provide uninterrupted supply of clean, cold water; and bedroom and washroom supplies. Inspectors verify that ventilation, air conditioning, and sanitation services are available; and […]
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