GCC News

1 year ago

DP World ILT20 Season 3 Set to Be Biggest Yet

The stage is set for the highly anticipated return of the DP World ILT20 Season 3, which promises to mesmerize cricket fans across the globe. The action will begin on Jan. 11 with a clash between reigning champions MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals in a rematch of the Season 2 final, at the Dubai International Stadium. Following two successful seasons, this year’s DP World ILT20 is primed to be bigger than ever before. Ahead of the month-long cricketing spectacle, captains from five of the six franchises and inaugural season champions Gulf Giants fast bowler Tymal Mills gathered to outline their expectations for the season ahead, fueling excitement for what promises to be an unforgettable tournament. DP World ILT20 tournament ambassador Shoaib Akhtar said: “This season, the DP World ILT20 is larger than ever before; the kind of colors and hard work that went into it last year was amazing. It’s good to see people tune in and engage with the tournament. I’m sure this season will be even better.” Nicholas Pooran, captain of defending champions MI Emirates, hopes to replicate his exceptional form from last season, where he amassed 354 runs across 10 innings. “I have been a part of […]

1 year ago

Al-Ahli Defeats Al-Shabab 3-2 in Saudi Pro League Thriller

Al-Ahli continued their winning streak with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Al-Shabab in the 14th round of the Saudi Pro League, hosted at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium. English forward Ivan Toney struck within seconds of kick-off, setting the tone for an electrifying encounter. Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga doubled Al-Ahli’s lead, making it easier for the home side to claim all three points. The victory lifted Al-Ahli to 26 points, while Al-Shabab, struggling to find form, remains on 23 points, extending their winless run in the league. Al-Shabab, buoyed by their recent triumph over Al-Fayha to reach the King’s Cup semi-finals, looked defensively fragile in this matchup. The team, under Turkish manager Fatih Terim, missed the services of Italian midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura, who was granted leave to attend to emergency family matters. Saad Balebeid added a third goal for Al-Ahli early in the second half, making a comeback nearly impossible for the visitors. Al-Shabab’s Musab Al-Juwayr managed to score a consolation goal in the 72nd minute and added another late in the game. However, their efforts fell short as the referee’s final whistle secured Al-Ahli’s triumph, denying Al-Shabab a dramatic comeback. With this win, Al-Ahli keeps their momentum in the league, […]

1 year ago

Nearly 32,000 Naturalized Wives of Kuwaitis Set to Lose Nationality

The Supreme Committee for Nationality Investigation continues to examine and review files related to national identity, focusing on the withdrawal and loss of nationality from individuals who do not deserve it. A government source revealed to a local daily newspaper that approximately 32,000 naturalized wives of Kuwaiti citizens, under Article 8, are expected to be included in the withdrawal of nationality process. During a recent meeting, chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, the Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Nationality decided to withdraw and revoke Kuwaiti nationality from 4,246 cases. The source also indicated that the review of Article 8 files is expected to be completed by the end of January. The committee will continue to work weekly, auditing all files related to forgery, duplication, or other issues, while setting appropriate standards to determine the eligibility of individuals for Kuwaiti citizenship. The source emphasized that there will be no compromise on the national identity file, and efforts will continue to preserve the integrity of citizenship as a document based on loyalty and belonging, rather than personal benefits and gains, until all files concerning Kuwaiti citizenship are thoroughly […]

1 year ago

Five-Year Civil IDs Issued for Wives of Kuwaiti Citizens With Revoked Nationality

The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) has initiated the activation of the “My Kuwait Identity” program for expat wives of Kuwaitis whose nationalities have been revoked under Article 8. PACI announced that the issuance of new civil cards for this group is set to begin by the end of this month. Under the “My Kuwait Identity” program, the civil ID cards for these individuals will be valid for five years, with the first activations took place yesterday. The cards now display an expiry date of January 9, 2030, with the nationality field left blank and the phrase “Treated as a Kuwaiti” added. This development follows a meeting held last Sunday by First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef. The meeting included leaders and officials from various government agencies reviewing measures taken to address the files of women whose nationalities have been withdrawn and discussing proposals ensuring a dignified standard of living for them.

1 year ago

Kuwait Food Authority to Introduce New Service Fee

The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition has initiated the process of implementing a new fee structure for its services, starting in May 2025, reports Al-Seyassah daily. This move comes in response to Cabinet Resolution No. 956 of 2021, which seeks to address the depletion of liquidity in the general reserve and find solutions to the state’s budget deficit. The authority has begun engaging with relevant government departments, including the Licensing Department, to finalize the new regulation and obtain necessary approvals. This new regulation includes a list of prices for 82 services, with fees ranging from as low as 250 fils to as high as 500 dinars per service. The list, which was first published by Al-Seyassah in July, covers services from five key departments within the General Authority for Food. These departments are: imported foods, inspection in the governorates, inspection in slaughterhouses, specifications and standards, special food control, and administrative affairs The new fee structure addresses a variety of services provided by the authority, including the destruction and re-export of imported food, as well as accreditation and examination services. Destruction of Imported Food: 50 dinars for the first 100 kilograms; 100 dinars for over 100 kg up to one […]

1 year ago

Oman Focuses On Healthy Marriages With New Pre-Marital Health Initiative

The Ministry of Health recently held an introductory meeting to launch a national awareness campaign focused on pre-marital medical examinations. This year-long campaign, running throughout 2025, aims to promote the importance of these examinations within the community. The pre-marital medical examination program has several key objectives. Primarily, it seeks to reduce the prevalence of hereditary blood diseases like sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia. Additionally, the program aims to foster a broader understanding of healthy marriage, prevent social and psychological challenges for families with affected children, lessen the strain on healthcare facilities and blood banks, and alleviate the financial burdens associated with treating these conditions. The campaign’s core strategy involves increasing public engagement with pre-marital examinations. This will be achieved by raising awareness among relevant sectors and reinforcing the importance of these examinations within the community. The campaign will highlight the benefits of undergoing these examinations, clearly explain the process involved, and address the associated health, social, and religious considerations. Dr. Saeed bin Harib Al-Lamki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs, opened the meeting with a speech emphasizing its significance and outlining the campaign’s goals. He stressed the crucial role of inter-sectoral collaboration in ensuring the national awareness […]

1 year ago

No Biometric Fingerprinting, No Travel, Expats In Kuwait Are Told

Expatriates in Kuwait, who had missed a deadline to undergo mandatory biometric fingerprinting, will not be able to leave the country before taking it, a security official has said. The deadline for expatriates in the country to undergo the procedure expired on December 31. The defaulters have since got their government and banking transactions suspended. With the deadline expiration, those expats are also blocked from entering and exiting the country. Last year, Kuwait extended a deadline for expatriates and citizens to undergo biometric fingerprinting. For Kuwaitis, the deadline expired on September 30. A total of 3.5 million Kuwaitis and expats have done the fingerprinting so far, according to Talal Al Khalidi, an officer at the Interior Ministry’s General Department of Criminal Evidence. The target group among expats are about 2.6 million of whom 181,718 have not yet undergone the procedure, the official told the Kuwait Radio. “The doors of the General Department of Criminal Evidence are open throughout the week to receive those who have not undergone biometric fingerprinting at eight centres,” Al Khalidi said. He stressed that the fingerprinting process does not take more than three minutes and the department has the capacity to receive 10,000 appointments per day. […]

1 year ago

Kuwaiti Court Clears 3 Expats Of Daesh Links

A Kuwaiti court has acquitted three expatriates earlier charged with having links to the terrorist Daesh (ISIS) organisation and planning attacks against Shiites in the country. The three Tunisian nationals were declared innocent by the Criminal Court. In January last year, the Interior Ministry said it had dismantled a terrorist cell that was planning to attack Shiite places of worship in the country and referred the suspects to public prosecution. The ministry’s Security Media Department said at the time that the Kuwaiti State Security Service had thwarted the three-member group’s plot after monitoring its movements. The department added that three suspects of an Arab nationality had been arrested. Last month, a Canadian national in Kuwait was sentenced to 10 years in prison in a separate case on charges of promoting Daesh ideology and defaming Arab leaders. The defendant was charged with joining a banned group with the intention of spreading principles aimed at destroying the country’s basic system and calling for joining the group via social media, Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai reported. The defendant, who is of Arab origin, was also accused of buying unregistered phone lines using his bank account and providing them to other people to use the […]

1 year ago

UAE Updates Rules Regarding Suspension Of Work Permits

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has outlined updates to labour laws regarding the suspension of work permits for workers who leave their jobs without proper authorisation. The ministry emphasised that employees who abandon their jobs without notifying both their employer and the relevant authorities are in violation of UAE labour laws. MoHRE further clarified that foreign workers who terminate their employment unlawfully before the end of their contract will be banned from obtaining a new work permit for one year from the date of cessation. However, the ministry introduced five key exceptions to this rule, including Golden Visa holders. Exemptions to work permit suspension The following categories of workers are exempt from the one-year work permit suspension: Workers sponsored by family members or relatives Workers seeking a new permit with their current employer Highly skilled workers with specialised professional or technical knowledge Holders of the Golden Visa. Other professional categories as defined by the Ministry, based on labour market demands and approved by the Cabinet. Conditions to get new work permit Workers may transfer to a new employer under the following conditions: Upon completion of the contract period, provided no renewal is made If the contract is […]

1 year ago

Scientists In Saudi Arabia Use Turtles To Discover Valuable Seagrass In Red Sea

Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia), in collaboration with the Queensland Government (Australia), have discovered 34 previously unknown seagrass meadows in the Red Sea by tracking the foraging behavior of green turtles. In a new study released in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal, the experiment demonstrates the benefits of observing turtles to survey marine ecosystems that are crucial for carbon capture and economic livelihood and provides new information for sustainability policies in the Red Sea. Seagrass, mangroves and salt marshes are the bodies most responsible for blue carbon – carbon absorbed by coastal vegetation – and are more effective than carbon capture than rain forests. Adding their economic value, which is estimated to be at least tens of billions of dollars, international cooperation is ongoing for their sustainability. Relevant policies have heavily depended on satellite observations to survey their locations and size, which are useful for shallow coastal bodies but not nearly as reliable for seagrass. However, models estimate that only 10 percent of seagrass area has been identified. The new study shows that for a more accurate assessment of seagrass, sophisticated space technology benefits when complemented by lazy green laborers […]

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Search Here

DP World ILT20 Season 3 Set to Be Biggest Yet

Al-Ahli Defeats Al-Shabab 3-2 in Saudi Pro League Thriller

Nearly 32,000 Naturalized Wives of Kuwaitis Set to Lose Nationality

Five-Year Civil IDs Issued for Wives of Kuwaiti Citizens With Revoked Nationality

Kuwait Food Authority to Introduce New Service Fee

Oman Focuses On Healthy Marriages With New Pre-Marital Health Initiative

No Biometric Fingerprinting, No Travel, Expats In Kuwait Are Told

Kuwaiti Court Clears 3 Expats Of Daesh Links

UAE Updates Rules Regarding Suspension Of Work Permits

Scientists In Saudi Arabia Use Turtles To Discover Valuable Seagrass In Red Sea

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