GCC News

2 years ago

UAE: Thick Black Smoke Rises as Fire Breaks Out Near Zoo in Umm Al Quwain

A fire erupted near The Zoo Wildlife Park in Umm Al Quwain on Saturday (January 4) afternoon. “The fire happened a few minutes past 3pm outside the park and we didn’t exactly know if it was a residential area, but we could see thick black smoke. A small section of the park was cordoned off as some animals – particularly the horses – became restless possibly because of the smoke,” Dubai resident Unaiza, who is spending the weekend at the zoo, told Khaleej Times. “Fire trucks and civil defence personnel immediately responded to put out the fire,” she added, noting the zoo remained open to visitors. Watch the video below: Authorities have yet to give details of the incident. Located along E55 (Al Shuwaib-Umm Al Quwain Road), The Zoo Wildlife Park is a popular destination for nature lovers. Among its attractions are orangutans, lemurs, tigers, and giraffes. Open every day from 8am to 8pm, visitors can enjoy feeding animals and take a horse ride.

2 years ago

Oman to Impose Income Tax on High Earners

Oman’s Minister of Finance has announced that income tax will be applied to individuals earning an annual income of RO30,000 or more (equivalent to a monthly income of RO2,500), but it will only be enforced when conditions are suitable for its application. The Minister further clarified that while the raised Value-Added Tax (VAT) will impact all citizens, the income tax is expected to affect only about one percent of the country’s population. In 2024, Oman raised approximately RO1.4 billion from various taxes, including corporate, selective, and value-added taxes, contributing to the country’s fiscal revenue.

2 years ago

Bahrain: Southern Municipality Wins Appeal, Evicts Tenant After 31 Years

The High Appeals Court has upheld the termination of a 31-year-old lease agreement between the Southern Municipality and a tenant who sublet a plot of land without permission. The court ordered the tenant’s eviction. The municipality filed the lawsuit in 1981, seeking to terminate the lease and evict the tenant. The lease, signed in 1981, covered a 215,168 square-foot plot of land designated for scrap metal trading. The tenant, in violation of the lease terms, sublet the land for 50,000 dinars without the municipality’s knowledge or consent. The municipality only discovered this when the tenant attempted to transfer the lease to another party. The lower court initially ruled in favour of the municipality, ordering the lease termination and eviction. The tenant appealed, claiming to have received permission from the municipality for the transfer. The Appeals Court, however, rejected the appeal. The judges emphasised the principle that a contract is binding on both parties and cannot be unilaterally altered or rescinded except by mutual agreement or for legally defined reasons. The court highlighted that the lease explicitly stated that it was personal and non-transferable, and that subletting was prohibited. Clause 7 of the lease stipulated that any breach of contract would […]

2 years ago

Bahrain to Regulate Amateur Fishing, Potentially Banning Nets and Traps

Bahrain is set to introduce a new law regulating amateur fishing, which is expected to include a ban on the use of nets and traps, according to informed sources. The Ministry of Oil and Environment confirmed last month that it is drafting legislation to address gaps in the current system, which primarily focuses on professional fishing. The ministry stated in a response to the Shura Council that the proposed law aims to prevent exploitation and violations of existing regulations, noting that the current framework is inadequate to manage amateur fishing practices effectively. Mohammed Al Dukheel, a leading figure in Bahrain’s fishing community, welcomed the proposed measures. Speaking to The Daily Tribune, he stressed the urgent need for stronger regulations to safeguard Bahrain’s dwindling fish stocks. Al Dukheel pointed to illegal fishing practices, including the use of floating and bottom-trawling nets, as major contributors to the problem. He also called for the implementation of Bahrain’s “Nokhada” (Captain) law. “His Majesty the King has consistently advocated for measures to develop and protect fish stocks while ensuring sustainable aquaculture to meet local demands,” said Al Dukheel. “Additionally, His Excellency Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, has emphasized the importance of […]

2 years ago

AC Milan Beats Juventus 2-1 to Reach Supercoppa Final Against Inter

AC Milan staged a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Juventus on Friday at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh to secure a spot in the Supercoppa final against city rivals Inter Milan. Kenan Yildiz opened the scoring for Juventus in the 21st minute with an assist from Samuel Mbangula, giving the Turin side an early lead. Christian Pulisic equalized for AC Milan in the 71st minute, calmly converting a penalty. Just four minutes later, a Federico Gatti own goal sealed the victory for Milan. AC Milan will now face Inter Milan in the final on Monday at Riyadh’s Al-Awwal Park.

2 years ago

Bahrain Labour Court Orders Company to Pay BD5,500 in Unpaid Wages and Compensation

A Labour Court in Bahrain has ordered a company to pay BD5,500 in back pay and compensation to a salesman in a case regarding non-payment of wages. The legal battle, which lasted six months, began after the salesman, employed by the company from May 2023 to August 2024, was not paid his wages. His monthly salary included a basic pay of BD800 and an additional BD150 for transport. Faced with no payment, he was forced to resign and take legal action. The court ruled that the company must pay BD4,900 for unpaid salaries, BD617.867 for unused annual leave, and an end-of-service certificate. Additionally, interest on the unpaid wages was set at 6% annually for delays of up to six months, rising to 12% for delays beyond that period. The salesman’s lawyer, Jassim Al Essa, argued that his client had no option but to resign on 1 September 2024. Despite this, neither the company nor its representatives attended any hearings or presented a defense, which the court interpreted as tacit acceptance of the claims. Under Bahrain’s Labour Law, the salesman was entitled to annual leave compensation due to his over a year of service, which led to the award of BD617.867 […]

2 years ago

Saudi Authorities Warn of Rain Starting Sunday

Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology has forecast moderate to heavy rain across most regions of the Kingdom from Sunday until Wednesday. Strong winds of up to 60 km/h may stir dust, while torrential rain, hail, and high waves along the coasts are possible, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Rain will affect the Tabuk, Northern Borders, Jouf, Madinah, Makkah, Hail, Qassim, Riyadh, Eastern Province, Baha and Asir regions. According to the center, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions on Sunday and Monday, in Jouf and the Northern Borders from Sunday evening to Tuesday, and in Hail and Qassim on Monday and Tuesday. Rain is also expected to fall in the Riyadh region from Monday to Wednesday, in the Eastern Province on Tuesday and Wednesday, and in Makkah on Monday and Tuesday. The center said people should stay informed about the weather through its daily reports, the Anwaa app, and social media. The authorities also urged them to avoid valleys and low-lying water-logged areas susceptible to flooding. For safety, the center also advises following instructions issued by relevant authorities.

2 years ago

19,541 Illegals Arrested in One Week in Saudi Arabia

Saudi authorities arrested 19,541 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. According to an official report, a total of 11,402 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,775 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,364 for labor-related issues. The report showed that among the 953 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 58 percent were Ethiopian, 40 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities. A further 129 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 27 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators. The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property. Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.

2 years ago

Minor Earthquakes Recorded In Oman; One In Muscat

Sultan Qaboos University Earthquake Monitoring Centre (EMC) has reported two recent minor earthquakes in the Sultanate of Oman. A minor tremor with a magnitude of 0.9 on the Richter scale was recorded in the Wilayat of Al Amarat, Muscat. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 5 kilometers, with its epicenter located approximately 16 kilometers southwest of Muscat. On the same day, Wednesday, January 1, 2025, a separate earthquake with a magnitude of 3.0 was recorded in the Wilayat of Shalim and Al Halaniyat Island in Dhofar Governorate. This earthquake occurred at a depth of 6 kilometers, with its epicenter located approximately 190 kilometers northeast of Salalah.

2 years ago

Nizwa Market Floods Due To Partial Water Basin Collapse in Oman

A partial collapse of a treated water collection basin at the Nizwa sewage treatment plant has caused significant flooding at the Friday Market, damaging vendors’ goods. Nama Water Services has issued an apology and a clarification statement regarding the incident. The overflow, caused by a breach in the embankment of the collection pond, resulted in water flowing into Wadi Kalbu. Nama Water Services has activated an emergency response plan and is coordinating with relevant authorities and field teams to manage the situation. A specialized committee has been formed in cooperation with the governor’s office to assess and evaluate the damages caused by the flooding. The company assures that the treated water meets approved standards and is used for irrigation and other purposes. They also stated they are working on a new pipeline to utilize this water for larger development projects in the region. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

Search Here

Recent Posts

Mbappe Revels In Captain’s Role For France At World Cup

Switzerland Advance To Face Defending Champions Argentina

Bahraini Youth Team Climbs Africa’s Highest Peak

Student Lands Plane After His Flight Instructor Jumps to Death

Search Here

UAE: Thick Black Smoke Rises as Fire Breaks Out Near Zoo in Umm Al Quwain

Oman to Impose Income Tax on High Earners

Bahrain: Southern Municipality Wins Appeal, Evicts Tenant After 31 Years

Bahrain to Regulate Amateur Fishing, Potentially Banning Nets and Traps

AC Milan Beats Juventus 2-1 to Reach Supercoppa Final Against Inter

Bahrain Labour Court Orders Company to Pay BD5,500 in Unpaid Wages and Compensation

Saudi Authorities Warn of Rain Starting Sunday

19,541 Illegals Arrested in One Week in Saudi Arabia

Minor Earthquakes Recorded In Oman; One In Muscat

Nizwa Market Floods Due To Partial Water Basin Collapse in Oman

Recent Posts

Mbappe Revels In Captain’s Role For France At World Cup

Switzerland Advance To Face Defending Champions Argentina

Bahraini Youth Team Climbs Africa’s Highest Peak

Student Lands Plane After His Flight Instructor Jumps to Death

Meta Announces Historic US $9 Billion Data Center in Canada

Death Toll From Venezuela Twin Quakes Rises To 3,811 As Govt Seeks Frozen Funds

Useful Links

Subscribe to our mailing list

Online Magazine