Latest news with #FNC
Fox News
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Fox News
The Quiz #442
If your idea of fun is building sky cities and redstone rollercoasters, this quiz is for you! Play. Share. Listen with FNC senior meteorologist Janice Dean.
Malaysian Reserve
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
FOX NEWS CHANNEL'S BRET BAIER LANDS FIRST INTERVIEW WITH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SINCE ISRAEL'S STRIKES ON IRAN ON SUNDAY, JUNE 15TH
NEW YORK, June 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FOX News Channel's Bret Baier will present a worldwide exclusive live interview with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on Sunday, June 15th during a special edition of Special Report at 12 PM/ET. This marks Netanyahu's first interview since Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear program and leadership. An encore of the special will also run at 5 PM/ET on Sunday. A transcript will be made available immediately following the interview. FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service and has been the number one network in cable for the last nine years and the most-watched television news channel for more than 23 consecutive years, currently attracting nearly 70% of the cable news viewing audience according to Nielsen Media Research. Notably, Nielsen/MRI Fusion has consistently shown FNC to be the network of choice for more Democrat and Independent viewers, with the most politically diverse audience in cable news. A 2024 Pew Research Center study found that more Americans named FNC as their main source for political news than any other network while a 2023 New York Times/Siena College poll found FNC as the leading single source of news for voters across the country. Owned by Fox Corporation, FNC is available in more than 60 million homes and dominates the cable news landscape, routinely notching the top 10 programs in the genre. FOX News Media Contact: Lindsey Burstiner: 212-301-3294 or
Khaleej Times
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
UAE motor insurance premiums rise by 40%; lawmaker demands reforms
Motor insurance premiums in the UAE have surged by more than 40 per cent in some cases, prompting the Federal National Council (FNC) to question insurers' pricing practices and limited coverage options, especially for electric vehicles (EVs). During a council session on Wednesday, FNC member Adnan Hamad Al Hammadi called on the Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Mohammed Al Hussaini, to clarify what steps are being taken to regulate the sector. He pointed to rising costs, reduced benefits, and mounting concerns from younger drivers and EV owners who are either being charged significantly higher rates or denied comprehensive coverage altogether. 'Insurance has become an additional financial burden,' Al Hammadi said, noting that some companies are charging double for third-party cover and imposing deductibles of up to 15 per cent. The Central Bank of the UAE, which oversees the insurance sector, responded in writing, stating that all companies must operate within a unified pricing framework that includes both minimum and maximum rate thresholds. It confirmed that a standardised policy document is in place across the market to ensure consistency in basic coverage. The regulator added that discounts of up to 25 per cent are permitted for electric or natural gas-powered vehicles, depending on factors such as risk and operational costs. However, it acknowledged that insurers face several technical and logistical challenges when it comes to EVs. Among them, high repair costs, limited availability of spare parts, especially batteries, and a shortage of certified service centres are the major ones. Many EV models sold in the UAE also lack official dealerships or warranty coverage, particularly those bought through independent showrooms. The central bank cited the 2024 flooding as a key example of risk, where water-damaged EVs were often written off entirely. It also pointed to a lack of long-term performance data for electric vehicles, which has led some insurers to adopt more conservative pricing strategies. Al Hammadi questioned whether exceptional weather events should justify sustained price hikes. 'These are rare seasonal incidents that should not affect individual premiums or driver records,' he argued. He also flagged the practice of reducing a vehicle's insured value at renewal, which could leave policyholders at a disadvantage in the event of a total loss. Younger drivers, particularly those under 30, are also facing access issues. Despite the legal driving age being lowered from 18 to 17, some insurers have declined to provide cover for drivers in this age group — raising concerns about inclusivity and alignment with national policies. 'These gaps directly impact EV adoption and exclude a large segment of young drivers,' Al Hammadi said, calling for updates to the unified insurance document to better regulate pricing, improve access, and align with the UAE's clean energy goals.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What is Emiratisation? UAE's push to move over half of insurance sector jobs in Emirati hands by 2030
In a country where expatriates make up nearly 90% of the population, the UAE's latest Emiratisation push marks a decisive turn. Emiratisation, the policy of integrating UAE nationals into the workforce, especially the private sector, has been a cornerstone of national planning since its launch in 2000. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Now, with fresh quotas targeting up to 60% Emirati representation in insurance sector by 2030, the government is signalling a clear intent to reshape workforce dynamics with long-term sustainability in mind. Understanding Emiratisation: A National Vision for Inclusive Employment Emiratisation, also known as Tawteen, refers to the strategic initiative by the UAE government aimed at increasing the participation of UAE nationals in the workforce, especially in the private sector. This initiative reflects a long-term national vision embedded in broader frameworks like UAE Centennial 2071, designed to enhance the nation's sustainability, competitiveness, and knowledge-based economy. Despite being a wealthy and economically diversified country, the UAE has historically relied heavily on expatriate labor. With expatriates accounting for up to 90% of the population, native Emiratis have been significantly underrepresented in the private sector workforce. To bridge this gap, Emiratisation was launched in 2000, applying across the UAE (except Free Zones), and has seen more success in public institutions than in private enterprise. To address this imbalance, the Emirati Human Resources Competitiveness Council, known as Nafis, was established to spearhead Emiratisation in private sectors. Nafis offers incentives to companies, support to Emiratis, and monitors compliance. However, challenges persist, including instances of "fake Emiratisation," where companies employ Emiratis merely to meet quotas without assigning real responsibilities, a practice the government strictly penalizes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The New Target: 50%-60% Emiratisation in Insurance by 2030 In a significant policy development, the UAE has announced new Emiratisation goals for the insurance sector, aiming for 50% to 60% localisation by the year 2030, depending on the size of the company. This forms part of the government's Emiratisation strategy for 2027–2030, which sets differentiated targets for leadership roles and critical functions within insurance firms. The announcement was made by Mohamed Al Husaini, UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, during a Federal National Council (FNC) session on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. His statement came in response to a question raised by FNC member Adnan Al Hammadi regarding the Central Bank's role in enforcing Emiratisation compliance in the insurance sector. The Numbers So Far: Progress and Projections As of June 1, 2025, the UAE insurance sector employs 2,159 Emiratis out of 9,773 employees, equating to an Emiratisation rate of 22.09%. This marks a steady improvement from 13.34% in 2022 and 21.64% in 2024. 'The 2022–2026 strategy aims to increase localisation to 30 percent by 2026, growing about 3 percent annually,' said Mohamed Al Husaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, in a statement. The upcoming goals set further conditions: At least one Emirati must be hired annually in job categories with 2 to 19 employees. A 30% localisation rate is required for roles with 20 or more employees. 45% of critical roles must be held by Emiratis. 30% of direct leadership positions, such as CEOs or general managers, must be filled by UAE nationals. Enforcement, Training, and Education: Supporting the Drive To ensure these goals are met and to curb fraudulent practices, the Central Bank has set up a dedicated Supervision and Inspection Unit. This unit has the authority to impose fines of AED 60,000 on companies found to be missing Emirati hires, calculated as AED 20,000 per violation point. Beyond enforcement, a significant emphasis has been placed on human capital development: 6,138 Emiratis have already participated in advanced professional training programmes in collaboration with prestigious international institutions. Training fields include: Accounting Finance Auditing Anti-money laundering Artificial Intelligence Data Science In 2023, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and the Emirates Institute of Finance to offer 100 annual scholarships in actuarial science. As of now, nine Emiratis have been selected to study in the United States and Australia under this initiative. The minister also announced future plans to further bolster educational opportunities in this field: Collaborations are underway with institutions such as: Higher Colleges of Technology Zayed University American University in Dubai A bachelor's degree programme in actuarial science will launch in September 2025. Insurance companies will sponsor tuition for 25 to 30 students annually.
Khaleej Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Nearly half of self-funded Emirati students abroad enrolled in just 2 universities
A major policy shift limiting the recognition of academic qualifications earned by Emirati students abroad came under scrutiny at the Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday, as members raised concerns about its impact on students and the broader education landscape. In response to a question raised by FNC member Dr Adnan Hamed Al Hammadi, Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, revealed that nearly half of self-funded Emirati students studying overseas are enrolled in just two universities that have exploited students for commercial gain. 'It became clear that 46 per cent of these students are studying in two universities which, unfortunately, exploited these students to obtain academic qualifications commercially,' Dr Al Awar said. 'It is our duty to protect them from such institutions.' The minister emphasised that the recent decision aims to safeguard academic integrity and future employability rather than simply revoke recognition of foreign study. 'The decision was not issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research but by the Council for Education, Human Development and Community,' he clarified. 'Its content relates to the governance of study abroad, not a blanket non-recognition of overseas qualifications.' The FNC debate followed a June 2 announcement that degrees obtained from institutions not ranked within the global top 100, 200, or 300 (depending on the country) would no longer be recognised, even for students who had previously obtained initial approvals from the ministry and were already pursuing bachelor's, master's, or doctoral studies. Al Awar defended the move, stating that it serves to redirect students to institutions offering quality education and skill development. 'The government seeks through this decision to support students and enhance the recognition granted to them,' he said. 'There is a percentage of students who are studying in commercial universities, and this is a misdirected investment.' Thousands affected by new policy According to official figures, more than 2,600 students are currently on scholarships from various federal and local entities, while approximately 3,000 are studying abroad at their own expense. The policy affects both groups, but especially the latter, many of whom began their academic journeys based on prior ministry-issued approvals. Dr Al Awar acknowledged these students' ambitions and affirmed the government's respect and support for them: 'The majority are striving to achieve their professional and educational goals, and it is our duty to offer them all support to obtain high competitive opportunities and achieve personal and national goals.' He also noted that 25 per cent of self-funded students are studying in completely unranked universities, and that the ministry and education council follow established standards for accreditation and recognition. Student hardship FNC member Dr Adnan Al Hammadi challenged the timing and communication of the decision, calling it 'sudden' and 'damaging' to students already enrolled and nearing graduation. 'The decision caused harm to students who are studying at their own expense, with prior approvals or official letters from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research,' he said. 'Who bears the consequences and responsibilities of this decision, the expenses and commitments that were made?' He stressed that more than 800 Emirati students currently study abroad, many of whom received official approval for their university and specialisation, and have already committed years and significant financial resources. 'Is the global ranking adopted by the Ministry based on a private company, or an educational authority accredited in the country?' The FNC member called for immediate suspension of the decision's implementation, at least for current students and those with prior ministry approval, and urged the formation of expert committees to review the classification system. 'We hope the minister will halt the activation of this decision, especially for students studying abroad who received approval from the ministry. The decision should be re-evaluated by specialized committees and academic experts to ensure a transparent and fair classification system that balances academic requirements with the needs of society.' Dr Al Awar assured the FNC that mechanisms are in place to reassess individual cases, including a joint committee chaired by the Education Council and involving the Ministry of Higher Education and other relevant entities. He noted that since the implementation of a digital linkage between the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Ministry of Higher Education two months ago, over 6,000 job applications were reviewed, with around 700 rejected due to degrees from unaccredited institutions. 'The same standards are applied to both citizens and non-citizens if it is proven that an institution relies on commercial motives,' he added. 'There is no leniency in dealing with any person or institution that manipulates the future of educational attainment and the competence required in the state.' The debate underscores a growing tension between the state's efforts to ensure academic excellence and the personal investments made by Emiratis pursuing higher education abroad.
