GCC News

1 year ago

Bahrain: 12 Asians Jailed for Fake Call Scam

Twelve Asians have been jailed after a scam involving fake phone calls tricked victims into handing over their banking details. The High Criminal Court sentenced four of the gang members to five years in prison and fined them BD1,000 each. The remaining eight received three-year sentences. All 12 will be deported after completing their prison terms. The group, described as a criminal network, targeted citizens with calls pretending to be from financial institutions. They claimed to be updating personal information and persuaded victims to share confidential banking codes, allowing the gang to drain funds from their accounts. Authorities were tipped off by the Anti-Economic Crimes Directorate at the Ministry of Interior. The investigation revealed the gang had randomly collected phone numbers using an electronic payment app. The scammers then impersonated employees of the app.

1 year ago

Bahrain: Public Security Forces Member Sent To Prison

A social media complaint led to the conviction of a Public Security Forces member, with the Minor Criminal Court sentencing him to six months in prison. The case was one of 12 complaints investigated by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) during the final third of last year, according to Mohammed Khalid Al Hazza, Acting Attorney-General and Chief of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) During the same period, the SIU recorded statements from 25 complainants and witnesses and interrogated 20 suspects and accused individuals from the Public Security Forces. Additionally, seven complainants were referred to the Forensic Medicine and Psychological Support Division. The SIU completed investigations into the social media complaint, taking immediate action that led to the referral of a Public Security Forces member to the Minor Criminal Court. On 13 November 2024, the court sentenced the individual to six months in prison, a verdict later upheld by the Appeals Court. In two separate complaints, the SIU referred two members of the Public Security Forces to the Military Courts Administration at the Ministry of Interior for disciplinary action.

1 year ago

Heavy Rain Hits Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah

Most parts of Makkah and Madinah regions, especially the Jeddah city and other areas of the governorate, witnessed heavy rain on Monday. Many roads and squares flooded with rainwater, affecting the smooth flow of traffic on highways and streets in the cities of Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah. Moderate to heavy rains experienced in some other regions of the Kingdom, according to the report of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Al-Shafiyah in Badr governorate in the Madinah region recorded the highest rate of rainfall with 49.2 mm while Al-Basateen district in the Jeddah city recorded the second highest rainfall with 38 mm. The Environment Agency under the ministry said that areas in the Madinah region recorded the highest amounts of rain. The Central Haram Area at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah recorded 36.1 mm, Al-Masjid in Badr 33.6 mm, Quba Mosque 28.4 mm, Sultana neighborhood 26.8 mm, and each of Al-Suwaidriya and Badr 23.0 mm. According to the report of the ministry, the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, Tabuk, Northern Borders, and Al-Jouf are receiving rain and will continue to receive during the period from nine o’clock in the morning on Sunday, January 5, until nine o’clock in the […]

1 year ago

Kuwait hosts first International Chess Festival

The first Kuwait International Chess Festival officially kicked off on Sunday, featuring five exciting tournaments with over 250 participants, including male and female chess masters, ranked players, and young talents from 25 countries. In a press statement, Adel Al-Omairi, Vice President of the Kuwait Mind Sports Association, shared that the festival will host tournaments for Masters, Challengers, and Women, along with two rapid chess tournaments for both adults and juniors. The event is set to run for nine days, concluding on January 13. Al-Omairi noted that the opening day marked the start of the first round in the Master, Challenger, and Women’s tournaments, with one round scheduled each day for the next nine days. He explained that the Rapid Chess Championship will consist of nine rounds, starting with five rounds on January 9, followed by the remaining four rounds on January 10. The Blitz Chess Tournament is scheduled for January 11, with all nine rounds played in a single day. He stressed the importance of hosting such a major event, emphasizing its role in promoting chess among youth and juniors. Al-Omairi expressed confidence in the success of the five tournaments, predicting fierce and high-level competition, given the participation of top-tier […]

1 year ago

Kuwait: MoH sets new prices for supplements, medicines

Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al- Awadhi issued a decision to set the prices of 12 nutritional supplements, which will be added to the list of approved nutritional supplement prices. In addition, Al-Awadhi approved the prices of 289 medicines and pharmaceutical products. Article Two of this decision includes amendments to the names of 15 medicines and formulas. Furthermore, the Medical Engineering Department at the Ministry of Health has announced the launching of 14 tenders for supplying equipment and accessories to the Council of Children and Premature Children departments at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital and Jahra Hospital. These tenders include medical laboratory services for the Chest Diseases Hospital and Sabah Hospital. The Medical Engineering Department said all bids must be submitted through its tender box. Bids will remain valid for 90 days from the closing date. Companies wishing to participate must be registered with the Biomedical Engineering Department and entities specialized in the relevant field. Companies must pay the prescribed fees for purchasing tender documents and submit a certificate of support for national labor when participating in the tender process.

1 year ago

Dubai’s Al Awir 1 to get new roads, access from Emirates Road

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai is undertaking a project to construct 16.5km of internal roads in Al Awir 1. The project aims to better serve residents by providing an additional entrance from Emirates Road, along with intersections and roundabouts to improve accessibility and reduce travel time. The project also includes adding a lane to Emirates Road, extending from the entrance of Al Awir 1 to Sharjah, increasing the road’s capacity by up to 16 per cent, the authority said. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, stated: “This project aligns with RTA’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure in residential areas, including road networks, lighting and rainwater drainage systems. The objective is to accommodate the increasing traffic congestion, improve traffic flow and enhance road safety. Al Awir 1 is a key residential area.” Al Tayer added: “The project includes the construction of 5 km of internal roads within the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment residential project and a 7.5 km road connecting Emirates Road to Al Awir 1. This dual-lane road in each direction features intersections, roundabouts, and U-turns near Emirates Road to link the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment project with Emirates […]

1 year ago

Dembélé Scores Last-Gasp Winner As PSG Wins Champions Trophy

Ousmane Dembélé scored a stoppage-time winner as Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 1-0 to win the Champions Trophy on Sunday. The France winger was unmarked at the back post to meet a low cross from the left by Fabian Ruiz in the second minute of added time. PSG won the trophy, also known as the super cup, for the third straight time and a record-extending 13th overall. PSG won the league and cup double last season, with Monaco finishing second in the league. The match was played at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, with PSG owned by Qatar-based QSI since 2011. Désiré Doué hit the crossbar early on for PSG and Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Köhn made several saves. Monaco improved after the break and hit the post through Eliesse Ben Seghir and Brazilian defender Vanderson. Although Köhn made a fine save to deny Achraf Hakimi in the 74th minute, he failed to properly read Ruiz’s cross and Monaco missed out on winning the trophy for the first time since 2000. Later Sunday, Marseille looked to strengthen its grip on second place in Ligue 1 with a home win against lowly Le Havre. French league Marseille looks to strengthen its grip on […]

1 year ago

Sheikh Mohammed Approves Dh5.4 Billion Housing Project For Emirati Newly-Weds

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday approved a Dh5.4 billion housing initiative aiming to construct more than 3,000 housing units in Dubai. The initiative, prioritising newly wed Emiratis, is part of ongoing government efforts to encourage young Emiratis to marry and provide them with quality housing, boosting family stability and quality of life. “In support of Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme, we approved a package of housing projects, aiming to build over 3,000 units worth Dh5.4 billion,” Sheikh Mohammed said. He added that priority allocation in some of the housing projects would be given to participants in the Dubai Weddings Programme, which aims to facilitate and encourage marriages among young Emiratis. “The goal is to provide decent housing for families, to make life easier and to improve the quality of life for our youth who are starting their lives,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote. “We are committed to providing dignified housing for families, easing their lives, and enhancing the quality of life for our young people as they embark on their future. Hind bint Maktoum, Hamdan bin Mohammed, Maktoum bin Mohammed, and I will continue to support all efforts […]

1 year ago

Accession Day Holiday Declared for Public, Private Sector in Oman

At the behest of His Majesty The Sultan, Sunday, 12 January 2025 will be an official holiday for public and private sectors on the occasion of His Majesty the Sultan’s Accession Day.

1 year ago

Kuwait: Wanted Man Killed in Shootout With Police During Arrest Attempt

A wanted man in Kuwait has been killed in an exchange of fire with police during an arrest attempt, Kuwaiti security authorities said. The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry said after police had specified the place of the wanted person and during the arrest operation, he began shooting at the security personnel, drawing a response from them. The man was injured in the shootout and moved to the hospital where he died later. His weapon was seized, the ministry added. “The security personnel continue to make maximum efforts to pursue and arrest anyone, who tries to undermine the security and stability of the country,” said the ministry, stressing that safety and security of citizens and expatriates is a top priority. The man showed fierce resistance to his arrest and opened fire on the police, who had to return the fire and injured him, a senior security official said. Undersecretary of the Criminal Security Sector at the ministry, Maj. Gen Hamed Al Dawas, told Al Rai newspaper that the offender was transferred to the Farwaniyah Hospital, where he died. The paper quoted security sources as saying that security forces had earlier got information specifying the location of the fugitive in Al Firdous area […]

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Bahrain: 12 Asians Jailed for Fake Call Scam

Bahrain: Public Security Forces Member Sent To Prison

Heavy Rain Hits Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah

Kuwait hosts first International Chess Festival

Kuwait: MoH sets new prices for supplements, medicines

Dubai’s Al Awir 1 to get new roads, access from Emirates Road

Dembélé Scores Last-Gasp Winner As PSG Wins Champions Trophy

Sheikh Mohammed Approves Dh5.4 Billion Housing Project For Emirati Newly-Weds

Accession Day Holiday Declared for Public, Private Sector in Oman

Kuwait: Wanted Man Killed in Shootout With Police During Arrest Attempt

Recent Posts

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Now It Takes Just 48 Hours To Get UAE’s Single Entry Tourist Visa Valid Up To 60 Days

MoH Issues Summer Heat Guidelines As Temperatures Soar Above 48°C

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