2 weeks ago

Kuwait Allows Workers Aged 60+ To Transfer Residency To Private Sector Jobs

Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has introduced new measures allowing individuals aged 60 and above, with a secondary school certificate or lower, to transfer their residency from family sponsorship (Article 22) to private sector work residency (Article 18). The change, aimed at streamlining procedures for business owners, aligns with existing regulations for employer transfers. Additionally, PAM has permitted workers previously registered under government contracts to transition to private sector employment, provided their contracts have ended and both their current and prospective employers approve the move. Meanwhile, the latest labour force statistics for 2024 indicate that 31,391 job seekers have registered in the national labour sector across various educational levels. Among them are 27 PhD holders, 629 individuals with a Master’s degree, 17,927 with a bachelor’s degree, and 6,805 diploma holders. The figures also include 823 job seekers with intermediate-level qualifications, 83 with vocational or parallel education, and 408 classified as below intermediate, alongside others with specialized training or work experience.

2 weeks ago

Winter Taha’im Season 2025 Kicks Off In Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan

The second edition of the “Winter Taha’im” season kicked off in the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan and will run until February 15, 2025. The event aims to promote sustainable development by showcasing authentic Omani heritage through innovative and engaging methods suitable for all ages. It capitalizes on the region’s diverse natural and geographical landscape and supports 120 entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), artisans, and productive families. His Excellency Dr. Yahya bin Badr Al Maawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah, stated, “This year’s ‘Winter Taha’im’ season reflects the unique heritage and culture of the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. The success of the first edition inspired us to create an even more diverse and comprehensive experience to meet the expectations of our guests. The season offers activities that blend entertainment and education, focusing on supporting SMEs and productive families to stimulate the local economy and promote Omani products.” His Excellency Mohammed bin Ali Akakak, Wali of Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, emphasized that the event serves as a prominent national platform for strengthening the cultural and heritage identity of the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan, highlighting its natural and tourism assets. He added […]

3 weeks ago

Bahrain: Muharraq Councilors Slam Costly Permit Approvals And Delays For Low-Income Families

Engineering costs squeezing low-income families and drawn-out permit approvals stirred sharp criticism of the Benayat building system during the Muharraq Municipal Council meeting yesterday. Officials presented a review of the system’s performance in 2024, with councillors raising concerns over fairness and the strain on residents. The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture revealed that 1,533 permit applications were processed last year, with 1,781 permits issued for new construction covering 1,728,000 square metres. Workload Engineer Najma Abdulredha, who heads the Building Permits Control Section, explained that the workload is spread across Bahrain’s municipalities. The Northern Municipality saw the highest activity with 578 applications, followed by the Southern Municipality at 438, Muharraq Municipality at 296, and the Capital Secretariat at 221. Applications were largely residential, making up 70 per cent of the total. Investment projects accounted for 4.4 per cent, while industrial and agricultural requests stood at 1.5 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively. Regulatory requests A further 1.5 per cent was for public benefit projects, and 22.3 per cent fell under special or regulatory requests. Processing times, Abdulredha explained, ranged from one to five days. “Our department handles applications in a maximum of five days,” she said. “If there are […]

1 month ago

Dubai: 10-Day Paid Marriage Leave Among Initiatives In New Family Programme

A 10-day paid marriage leave for spouses working in Dubai government offices and a remote work option on Fridays for mothers during the first year after maternity leave have been introduced as part of phase one of the ‘Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme’ announced on Saturday. The programme aims to promote family stability, enhance quality of life, and encourage work-life balance by offering financial, social, and educational support. The initiative by Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is also aimed at “empowering Emirati families and fostering their stability and growth.” “Strong families are essential to create a better future. We are committed to fulfilling the aspirations of every Emirati family in Dubai, ensuring their lasting happiness and stability while empowering them to nurture future generations who can shape a brighter tomorrow,” said Sheikha Hind in a statement released by the Dubai Government Media Office (GMO). The programme also reduces the monthly premium for housing loans to a minimum of Dh3,333 for beneficiaries of the Dubai Weddings programme, provided their monthly income does not exceed Dh30,000. The ‘Sheikha […]

2 months ago

Saudi Arabia Launches First Cruise Ship In Jeddah

Cruise Saudi, dedicated to advancing the Kingdom’s cruise industry, has introduced its first ship, AROYA, at Jeddah Islamic Port. The ship’s launch marks a significant step toward bolstering maritime tourism across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The vessel, which features 19 decks and 1,678 cabins and suites, can accommodate up to 3,362 passengers. It offers a diverse culinary experience with 12 restaurants and 17 cafes, serving dishes from five continents while highlighting Saudi flavors. AROYA is equipped with various entertainment facilities, including a shopping area, a 1,018-seat theater, a children’s zone, and prayer areas, according to the SPA. It also features designated women’s hours in health and entertainment venues, along with extensive sports amenities such as a walking track, and football and basketball courts.

2 months ago

UAE Set To Introduce New Tax On January 1

The UAE will introduce a new tax at the start of 2025 and is mulling options for incentives to support businesses driving the economy. The UAE Ministry of Finance has announced updates in relation to certain provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses. These amendments include the introduction of a new tax as well as incentives to support growth and innovation. New UAE tax and incentives Following the issuance of Federal Decree Law No. 60 of 2023, a Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT) will be effective in the UAE for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025. This strategic step reflects the UAE’s commitment to implementing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Two-Pillar Solution, aimed at establishing a fair and transparent tax system aligned with global standards. The Pillar Two rules require large multinational enterprises (MNEs) to pay a minimum effective tax rate of 15 per cent on profits in every country where they operate. The DMTT will apply to multinational enterprises operating in the UAE with consolidated global revenues of €750m ($794m) or more in at least two out of the four financial years immediately preceding the […]

3 months ago

Bahrain Marina To Highlight Legacy and Innovation at Cityscape Bahrain 2024

Bahrain Marina Development Company has announced its participation in Cityscape Bahrain 2024, set to take place between the 26th and the 30th of November at Exhibition World Bahrain. The company will spotlight its flagship project, Bahrain Marina, with a special emphasis on the Bahrain Marina Residence, a luxurious residential tower that represents a cornerstone of the development. Khalid Mohammed Najibi, Chairman of Bahrain Marina Development Company, highlighted the significance of the company’s presence at the event, stating: “Our participation in Cityscape Bahrain aligns with our vision to redefine waterfront living and showcase Bahrain Marina as an iconic development. This project offers a blend of luxury and innovation, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors seeking an unparalleled lifestyle.” He added, “Bahrain Marina is more than a real estate project; it is a vision brought to life. This development embodies the legacy of Bahrain’s cherished marina club while offering a forward-looking concept of integrated waterfront living. By combining the past’s heritage with the future’s innovation, Bahrain Marina serves as a source of inspiration for generations to come.” Bahrain Marina Development’s participation in Cityscape Bahrain follows its recent success at Cityscape Global in Riyadh, where the company’s projects garnered significant […]

3 months ago

Diabetes Cases Quadruple Over 30 Years; WHO Urges Lifestyle Changes

Hundreds of millions of people globally have become diabetic over the past 30 years, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to call for “urgent action” to deal with the health crisis. The number of adults living with diabetes worldwide has more than quadrupled since 1990, the WHO said in a Nov. 13 statement citing the results of a recent study it supported. An estimated 828 million adults were living with the condition worldwide in 2022, an increase of 630 million from 1990. The lowest prevalence of diabetes was in “Western Europe and East Africa for both sexes, and in Japan and Canada for women.” The highest prevalence was in Polynesia and Micronesia, certain nations in the Caribbean, North Africa, and the Middle East, as well as Pakistan and Malaysia. In total, 14 percent of the world’s adults had diabetes in 2022, double the seven percent 30 years back. “We have seen an alarming rise in diabetes over the past three decades, which reflects the increase in obesity, compounded by the impacts of the marketing of unhealthy food, a lack of physical activity, and economic hardship,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “To bring the global diabetes epidemic under control, […]

3 months ago

GASTAT Report: 45.1% Of Saudis Are Overweight

The prevalence of obesity among Saudis aged 15 and above reached 23.1percent, while the percentage of those who are overweight reached 45.1 percent. These findings included in the Health Determinants Statistics Publication for 2024, released on Monday by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The results revealed that the prevalence of obesity among children aged between two and 14 was 14.6 percent while 33.3 percent of children in the same age group were deemed overweight. The publication also indicated that only 10.2 percent of the adults (15 years and older) consumed the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables (five servings or more). A significant majority of adults, 84.8 percent, consumed between one and four servings daily, and five percent reported no daily intake. The publication is based on self-reported data, the results of the National Health Survey and Woman and Child Health Survey for 2024, and population estimates from the GASTAT for 2024. It provides a comprehensive overview of the community’s health status at a specific moment, and underscores the government’s dedication to monitoring and evaluating public health and health metrics among diverse demographic segments.

3 months ago

Russian Ban On ‘Childless Lifestyle’ Propaganda Passes Duma

Russia’s ban on propaganda promoting a ‘childless lifestyle’ across all forms of media has passed the State Duma in a bid to address the country’s “catastrophic” demographic decline. The ban covers anti-natalist messaging in movies, television, advertising and social media, and will hand out fines up to €4,000 euros, with civil servants facing double the punishment if they violate the new law. “Everything needs to be done to make sure that new generations of Russians grow up with a focus on traditional family values,” said Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin after the law was rubber stamped in the lower house of the Russian parliament. The legislation also restricts the international adoption of Russian children in countries where transgender ideology is dominant, prohibiting them from being adopted by parents who live in places where gender reassignment via medical surgery or changing official documents is legal. “It is extremely important to prevent any encroachment on the possible change of gender by any means in case of adoptions to other countries,” said Volodin. Click here to read more…

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