Latest news with #ISIDORACIRIC
Al Etihad
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Arab leaders warn of 'catastrophic consequences' following US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities
22 June 2025 22:24 ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)The Arab world voiced concern on Sunday following a series of US airstrikes that targeted key nuclear facilities in Iran. The rare direct attack by Washington prompted region-wide condemnation, with Gulf and Arab capitals warning that the escalation risks plunging the region into deeper instability and calling for a return to Arabia described the targeting of nuclear sites as a grave provocation. In a post on X, the Saudi Foreign Ministry reiterated its condemnation of "the violation of the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran" and called on the international community to intensify efforts towards finding a political solution to the said it "regrets the deterioration of the situation" and reaffirmed its support for peaceful solutions through regional and international cooperation. The Qatari Foreign Ministry cautioned that the escalation could lead to catastrophic consequences, stressing that the people of the region "cannot endure" the humanitarian cost of more called for a swift resumption of US-Iran negotiations, stressing that diplomacy must prevail to "spare [the region's] people the horrors and dangers of war". The Interior Ministry instructed 70% of government workers to work from home and urged citizens to avoid unnecessary use of roads to keep them clear for emergency also condemned the strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, warning that the move threatens global security. Its Foreign Ministry denounced the violation of Iran's sovereignty, urged an immediate and complete end to military operations and called on the UN Security Council to take responsibility in de-escalating the described the US strikes as an "unlawful act of aggression" and a breach of international law. A spokesperson for Oman's Foreign Ministry warned the strike risks "widening the conflict" and denounced the targeting of nuclear facilities, which it said are protected under the Geneva Conventions due to the risks of radioactive warned of the "disastrous repercussions" of continued escalation, calling for urgent efforts to protect regional and global peace. The Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and called for a political solution to the standoff over Iran's nuclear said the crisis was reaching a dangerous tipping point and could jeopardise the entire region's security. Cairo reaffirmed its position on respecting state sovereignty and urged all parties to avoid military confrontation. It also stressed that peaceful dialogue remained the only viable path Arab Parliament also condemned the strikes, saying they threaten to inflame conflicts across the Middle East. In a statement, it said the region was already suffering from rising tensions and could not bear further escalation. The body rejected the use of military force and urged powerful nations to lead efforts that advocate for diplomatic solutions to existing reactions came hours after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Speaking on Fox News, Trump said six bunker-buster bombs were dropped on Fordow, and 30 Tomahawk missiles were used to strike other sites. He said Iran must now choose "peace or tragedy".US military officials said on Sunday that the operation, named 'Midnight Hammer', involved 125 aircraft and used 75 precision-guided weapons. B-2 bombers flew 18 hours from the United States and conducted the largest such operation in their history. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of violating the UN Charter and international law and said Tehran "reserves all options" in response. The Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation said the strikes caused extensive damage but vowed the move "will not allow the path of development of this national industry to be stopped". Israel-Iran Conflict Continue full coverage
Al Etihad
12-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE first in MENA for gender equality, makes global gains in political empowerment
12 June 2025 23:03 ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)The UAE has once again emerged as MENA's undisputed leader in gender equality, according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Globally, it claimed the 69th spot out of 148 countries, jumping five places from last year and outperforming several European economies like Italy, Greece, and WEF's Global Gender Gap Report, published on Wednesday, also positioned the UAE as third among the world's fastest-improving countries since the report's inaugural release in 2006. It is one of just four nations this year, alongside Mexico, Nicaragua, and Rwanda, to join the ranks of economies that have achieved full gender parity in parliamentary representation.A widely referenced tool for tracking the evolution of gender equality, the report focuses on four key areas: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment. Each country's score reflects the percentage of the gender gap that has been closed, with 1 representing full parity (100%).The UAE's overall score reached 72.4% in 2025, putting it firmly in first place in the Middle East and North Africa (61.7% average) and well ahead of the global average of 68.8%. A Standout in Political Representation, EducationPolitical empowerment remains one of the country's standout achievements - a domain where gender gaps have historically been the widest. A regional leader, the UAE ranked 32nd globally on this subindex, marking a jump of eight positions from the previous edition of the report. It holds first place globally for women's representation in parliament, sharing the top spot with other countries that achieved full parity in this subcategory, a result of its policy of equal participation in the Federal National gains extend beyond the halls of government. In education, the UAE has achieved full parity in female-to-male enrolment ratios across primary, secondary, and tertiary education, earning it the top global position in all three subcategories and 57th from the report shows that female Emirati graduates nearly match their male counterparts in STEM fields, and outnumber them in academic disciplines such as mathematics, statistics, arts, humanities, health, welfare, education, and social political and educational progress is mirrored in the professional sphere, where the UAE placed 14th globally for wage equality for similar work. It also boasts one of the highest values globally for the advancement of women to leadership roles, with a score of 5.69 on a scale used by the WEF to assess women's upward mobility in the when it comes to access, women in the UAE are reported to have equal rights in financial services, land and non-land asset ownership, and freedom of movement, placing the country among the most gender-equal nations on these legal results come as the world continues to close the gender gap at a slow but steady rate. This year's report finds that 68.8% of the overall gap has been closed globally, up just 0.3 percentage points from 2024. Political empowerment continues to be the category where the world has gained the most ground, with a nine-point improvement since 2006. However, even with this relative momentum, the report estimates it will still take over a century to reach full global gender parity.
Al Etihad
11-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Dubai's second tokenised apartment sells out in under two minutes
11 June 2025 22:14 ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)The UAE's second tokenised property listing fully sold out in one minute and 58 seconds on Wednesday, confirming the country's growing appetite for digital real estate ownership. The apartment, listed on PRYPCO Mint, drew in 149 investors from 35 nationalities and pushed the platform's waitlist to more than 10, on June 11, the one-bedroom apartment in Dubai's upscale Kensington Waters, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, was listed at Dh1.5 million, below its estimated market value of Dh1.875 million. The discounted price gave investors an immediate equity advantage, with shares available for as little as Dh2, launch is part of a broader Real Estate Tokenisation Initiative by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), aimed at making property ownership quicker and more traditional real estate investment, tokenised property allows buyers to own digital shares in a physical property. The concept is simple: instead of buying an entire apartment, investors purchase fractional shares - represented as digital tokens - linked to a real, registered property in Dubai. These shares are issued on blockchain infrastructure and represent a portion of the underlying asset, which can then be bought, sold, or model lowers the barrier to entry and opens up the property market to a more diverse group of investors, including first-time buyers and tech-savvy millennials. Currently, the platform is available to UAE residents holding valid Emirates IDs, though it is expected to open access to international investors in future transactions on the PRYPCO Mint platform are carried out in UAE dirhams, with no cryptocurrencies accepted during the pilot phase. Investors receive official Property Token Ownership Certificates issued by the DLD, providing a layer of formal recognition and regulatory Kensington Waters sale follows the success of PRYPCO Mint's debut property, a two-bedroom apartment in Business Bay listed on May 25. Valued at Dh2.4 million - below its DLD valuation of Dh2.89 million - the offering was fully funded in under 24 hours by 224 investors from over 40 countries, with an average contribution of Dh10, a statement preceding the second launch, Amira Sajwani, Founder and CEO of PRYPCO, said the strong uptake is proof of a growing appetite for alternative real estate models."The incredible response to our first tokenised property proved that investors are ready for a smarter, more accessible way to invest in real estate. With our second property, we're continuing to break down traditional barriers and offer high-quality opportunities to a broader, more diverse audience," he said on Tuesday. Behind the scenes, the initiative is supported by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the UAE Central Bank and the Dubai Future Foundation. It operates under the Real Estate Sandbox, a framework designed to enable innovators to test their products, services, and business models under adaptive regulatory supervision. Zand Bank serves as the official banking partner, while blockchain infrastructure is managed by Ctrl Alt, using the XRP Ledger.
Al Etihad
08-06-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
Strict ministry guidelines for UAE students starting final exams this week
8 June 2025 23:53 ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)With Eid Al-Adha celebrations now over, students across the UAE are set to put their knowledge to the test during the upcoming final exam session from June 10 until June 19. Targeting Grade 3-12 students, the centralised end-of-term assessments for the Academic Year 2024-2025 will be held at all public and private schools that follow the standard national curriculum issued by the Ministry of to the ministry, the final assessment results will be announced between June 30 and July 2, coinciding with the start of the summer break. Students who do not achieve passing grades will be eligible for a resit session from July 4 to 10, the results of which will be announced on July 14. Exam Guidelines The Ministry of Education has put forth a set of legally binding guidelines to ensure the integrity, transparency and efficiency of the exam process, urging students, parents and educators to abide by its instructions and to the guidelines, the exams for Grade 3 and 4 students will be paper-based, with mandatory in-person attendance at designated test venues. Grade 5-12 students will undergo both electronic and paper-based exams, depending on the subject and academic track, with physical attendance also are required to bring their personal laptops to complete the electronic portion of the exam. If a student doesn't have their own device or faces technical difficulties during the assessment, they can either complete their exams using school-provided devices (if available) or request an offline remote exams are generally not allowed, the ministry listed a series of exemptions, all of which have to be approved by the school administration prior to the assessment day. This includes people of determination who cannot sit for the exam physically; students who are receiving medical treatment outside or inside the country; students who are outside the country with a justified reason; and students in juvenile Ministry of Education has made it clear that teachers are not permitted to read central exam questions aloud to students, with the exception of those in Grade 3. In these instances, teachers may read the questions verbatim but are strictly prohibited from offering any explanation or hints to maintain fairness and ensure exam integrity. Exam Schedule Grade 12 students in the General, Advanced, and Elite streams will kick off their exams with Physics on June 10. English follows on June 11, then Islamic Education on June 12, Chemistry on June 13, Mathematics on June 16, Arabic on June 17, Social Studies on June 18, and Biology on June 19. Meanwhile, students in the Applied stream will start with Applied Science on June 10 and wrap up with Social Studies on June 18. For students in Grades 3 to 9, Science will be the first subject on their schedule, while Grade 9-11 students in the Advanced stream will begin with Grade 12 English exam will take place electronically in a timed writing format on a secure platform. Chemistry exams come with additional resources: students in the General and Advanced streams will be provided with printed periodic tables, while those in the Elite stream will access a digital version through the SwiftAssess are expected to arrive at the designated test venues at least 30 minutes before the start of the exam to collect their entry cards. Those who arrive more than 15 minutes late will be barred from entering the examination schools across the Emirates have also reminded parents to follow dismissal rules during the end-of-year exams, requiring students who leave in private vehicles to carry an official exit permit each need to print and sign the pre-approved permit form provided by the school and attach a recent passport photo of their child. Without this permit, students may face delays or be unable to leave the premises. Cheating and Disciplinary Measures Cheating in any form, whether through digital tools, social media, unauthorised materials, or traditional methods, is strictly prohibited under the Ministry of Education's latest examination guidelines. Any attempt to leak exam questions, use unauthorised devices, or communicate during exams is considered a serious violation. These rules apply not only to students but also to school staff and anyone else involved in breaching exam consequences for students start with behavioural score deductions and may escalate to a zero grade in one or more subjects for repeated offences. In more serious cases, students may be referred to behavioural assessment programmes, and schools may summon parents or guardians for formal discussions. Examination staff found violating regulations face disciplinary actions ranging from official warnings and pay deductions to dismissal or referral to legal ministry has also issued strict warnings against bringing electronic devices into exam halls, sharing information via social media, or using signals or gestures to communicate with peers. The use of printed or digital cheat materials is explicitly support enforcement, the ministry has urged students, staff, and parents to report violations through dedicated official channels, including a toll-free number, e-mail address, and an online reporting measures are reinforced by Federal Decree Law No. (33) of 2023, which outlines legal penalties for individuals other than students who tamper with exams or assist in cheating. Offenders may face fines of up to Dh200,000, potential closure of involved businesses, confiscation of equipment, and even court-ordered community service. The law also requires all educational institutions to implement strict conduct regulations and disciplinary frameworks, with clear procedures for investigations and appeals. Resits and Appeals For Grades 3-11, all final scores are entered into the gradebook out of 100, while Grade 12 results are presented in letter grades and percentages. Subjects are divided into two groups - A (core subjects) and B (non-core). For Group A subjects, students must achieve at least 60 marks to achieve a passing grade, while Group B subjects are not included in the student's final who do not meet the pass mark in any Group A subject are eligible for a resit exam, which covers only core subjects. For Grade 12, this includes Arabic, Islamic Education, Social Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Chemistry, Physics, and one resit attempt is allowed, and failure to pass results in repeating the academic year. Students may also submit grade review requests for up to three Group A subjects, but only for the paper-based portion of the final scores are also marked out of 100, but final results are capped — 50 for Grade 4 and Cycle 2 students, and 60 for Cycle 3 — so that students with strong year-round performance maintain a distinction. The capped score becomes the student's final annual score in that subject. Exam Preparation Guidelines for Schools The Ministry of Education has instructed public schools to implement a comprehensive, five-stage plan to prepare for end-of-term examinations for the 2024–2025 academic plan calls for comfortable and properly equipped exam rooms with good lighting, working air conditioning, and seating that gives students enough privacy. There's also a strong focus on offering psychological support, especially for students of determination and those dealing with anxiety. In terms of logistics, the process includes downloading exam papers from central platforms, checking that technical systems and student data are accurate, and training teachers in electronic invigilation and marking. Schools are also expected to have contingency plans ready in case any technical issues or unexpected problems come up. To keep everything running smoothly, each school is forming specialist teams to handle different aspects of the exams. These include technical support staff, data handlers, exam coordinators, committee supervisors, and safety officers. Separate teams will also manage the printing and verification of papers for exceptional cases.
Al Etihad
05-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE tops region for most skilled workforce, says report
6 June 2025 01:39 ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)The UAE workforce is the most skilled in the Middle East and North Africa, according to Coursera's latest report. The country also leads the Arab world across all major categories, including business, technology, data skills, and AI maturity, positioning itself as the region's leading hub for digital readiness and Global Skills Report 2025, published by Coursera on Wednesday, draws from the learning activity of more than 170 million users worldwide and benchmarks performance across over 100 accompanying AI Maturity Index provides a broader view, factoring in academic publications and metrics from the IMF and OECD to measure national progress in AI research, innovation, and UAE ranked 38th globally overall, 17th in business, 46th in data, 53rd in technology, and 32nd in AI maturity, making it the top performer in the Arab world across all four categories, and first in MENA when it comes to overall skills readiness.'The UAE is positioning itself for a tech-driven future, with 87% of employers emphasising technological literacy, AI, and big data as their top priorities,' the report said, linking the country's performance to its national efforts to transition into a knowledge-based economy powered by skilled Emirati country also boasts the highest rate of Coursera learners in the region, with 13% of its labour force actively engaged on the platform. As the total learner base reaches 1.3 million, the UAE's appetite for digital skills shows no signs of slowing to the report, GenAI course enrolments alone surged by 344% year on year — more than double the regional growth rate — while professional certificate and cybersecurity enrolments jumped by 41% and 14%, are playing an increasingly active role in this transition, accounting for 21% of GenAI learners in the UAE, 24% of those enrolled in STEM-related fields, and 23% in professional certificate programmes. Learning habits reflect a younger, mobile-first generation, with 41% of users accessing courses via mobile, and a median learner age of the employer side, demand is rising sharply for expertise in AI and machine learning (up 139%) and customer service (up 96%), while top learner skills in the UAE ranged from corporate accounting and predictive analytics to emerging technologies and leadership development. The UAE's broader economic and policy frameworks are a key driver of this momentum, the report said, pointing out the We the UAE 2031 strategy and workforce development programmes like Nafis, which 'are exceeding private-sector employment targets' and form part of a national vision for a tech-enabled society centred around innovation and competencies. Building on this foundation, the country deployed a wider set of strategies, such as UAE Vision 2030, the Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Emirates Blockchain Strategy, and the UAE Centennial 2071, to support the growth and prosperity of future-focused business sectors.
