• Global operation smashes ‘most harmful cyber crime group’

    LONDON, UK - An international operation led by UK and US law enforcement has severely disrupted "the world's most harmful cybercrime group", the Russian-linked ransomware specialist LockBit, officials announced on Tuesday. LockBit and its affiliates have targeted governments, major companies, schools and hospitals, causing billions of dollars of damage and extracting...
  • Saudi Arabia enacts law to safeguard whistle-blowers and witnesses

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia on Tuesday granted approval for the law for the protection of whistleblowers, witnesses, experts, and victims. The milestone law, previously greenlit by the Shoura Council, is designed to safeguard individuals who may face threats for providing information on crimes. The law empowers judicial authorities...
  • EU excuses Apple and Microsoft products from tougher tech curbs

    Brussels, Belgium - Apple's iMessage and Microsoft's Bing search engine got a reprieve from tougher EU rules curbing how tech titans do business, the European Commission said on Tuesday. From next month, the world's biggest digital firms, identified as "gatekeepers" by the EU, must comply with strict do's and don'ts under...
  • Abu Dhabi establishes Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council

    Abu Dhabi, UAE-- The UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a law, as the ruler of Abu Dhabi, establishing the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC) for developing and implementing policies and strategies related to research, infrastructure and investments in artificial intelligence and advanced technology...
  • Israeli apex court strikes down law that limited court oversight

    Opposition leader Yair Lapid welcomed the verdict and warned of the resurgence of internal divisions in Israeli society. "The Supreme Court faithfully fulfilled its role in protecting the citizens of Israel, and we give it our full backing," Lapid said on X, formerly Twitter.
  • ACC holds workshop in Jordan on dangers of human trafficking

    AMMAN, JORDAN - Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC), in cooperation with Ministry of Justice and Jordan Judicial Council (JJC), organized a training workshop on combating human trafficking. According to an ACC statement on Saturday, the workshop aimed to introduce the human trafficking crime in Jordanian law and international agreements and...
  • Dubai must possess its distinct emblem, says new decree

    Dubai, UAE - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued Law No. 17 of 2023 which stipulates that Dubai must possess its distinct emblem, one that mirrors its values and principles, local media reports said. The emblem is considered the property of...
  • Israel top court hears appeals against rules for removing prime minister

    Israel's top court debated appeals against a law restricting how a prime minister can be removed from office, as current premier Benjamin Netanyahu faces protests against the judicial overhaul. Eleven of the Supreme Court's 15 judges sat to hear three appeals against legislation passed by parliament in March.
  • China denies ban on use of iPhone in government agencies

    Beijing, China--China on Wednesday denied there was any ban on officials purchasing or using foreign phones, including iPhones, after reports said Beijing was prohibiting civil servants from using Apple handsets. "China has not issued any laws, regulations, and policy documents prohibiting the purchase and use of foreign brand smartphones, including iPhone,"...
  • Sad day for America, says Trump after court appearance

    Former US president Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to criminal charges that he conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election and defraud the American people. Trump also said it was a 'sad day for America'.
  • UAE sets more norms for ‘Qualifying Investment Funds’

    The new set of conditions brought in by the finance ministry look to shore up the integrity of the corporate tax system in order to boost the UAE's appeal as an investment haven.
  • Bahrain’s RERA revokes real estate firm’s license for ‘breach of regulations’

    Manama, Bahrain-- for "exceeding the scope of the permit." The owner had exceeded the scope of the permit which was issued to him, in accordance with the provisions of the Real Estate Sector Regulation Law,  promulgated by Law No. 27 of 2017 and its amendments and executive edicts. In a statement issued...
  • EU lawmakers to back world’s first rules on AI systems like ChatGPT

    The EU's plans date back to 2021, the draft rules took on greater urgency when ChatGPT exploded onto the scene last year, showing off AI's dizzying development and the possible risks. There is also growing clamour to regulate AI across the Atlantic, as pressure grows on Western governments to act fast...
  • Court in Lebanon accuses Hezbollah men of killing UN peacekeeper

    A military judge has accused five members of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, only one of whom is in custody, of killing an Irish United Nations peacekeeper in December last year, a judicial official said. Fadi Sawan issued a 30-page indictment accusing five Hezbollah members of "forming a group of malefactors...
  • Allen & Overy to merge with US peer

    The merged firm will have a combined revenues of $3.4bn.
  • Iran plans to strengthen penalties for violence against women

    TEHRAN, IRAN  -  Iran's parliament has adopted proposals to toughen penalties for perpetrators of violence against women which could be voted into law within months, state media has reported. Initiated more than 10 years ago, discussions in parliament led to the adoption on Sunday of the general principles of a draft...
  • Biden warns Israel on judicial reforms, wants controversial law to be dropped

    Asked if Israel's democracy is at an inflection point -- a phrase Biden frequently uses to describe the danger facing democracies worldwide -- the US president said: "I don't know that they're at an inflection point but I think that's a difficult spot to be in and they've got to...
  • Israeli parliamentarians adopt strict limits on removing PM

    Israeli parliament approved legislation restricting grounds for declaring a premier unfit for office, a move the opposition has called a "personal law" that serves Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The vote came as Netanyahu's government pushes forward with a judicial reform program, which critics say threatens Israeli democracy and has sparked...
  • China urges ICC to respect immunity for heads of state after Putin warrant

    China has urged the International Criminal Court to respect immunity for heads of state and to avoid what it called "double standards". Last week the tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges. China is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, the UN...
  • India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited picks EDGE’s GradeOne as partner

    ABU DHABI, UAE - Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Defense Public Sector Undertaking under India's Ministry of Defense appointed EDGE's GradeOne as an official channel partner. The handing over of the Authorization Letter occurred during the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) held in Abu Dhabi from February 20-24. Khalifa Al Ali,...
  • Mohamed bin Zayed issues law to establish Abu Dhabi Transport Company

    ABU DHABI, UAE - In his capacity as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan  has issued a law establishing the Abu Dhabi Transport Company. An affiliate of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs, the company will support the emirate’s integrated transport ecosystem...
  • Iraq customs orders enforcement of alcohol import ban

    In spite of divisions over the legislation, Iraq's customs department has given orders to begin enforcing a ban on alcohol imports that became law last month. The specialist retail stores dominating alcohol sales in absence of bars or licensed restaurants however remained open for business, at least in Baghdad.
  • Iran indicts woman for throwing headscarf to ground during protest

    Tehran, Iran--Iran's judiciary is prosecuting a woman for "disrespecting" the Islamic headscarf after she threw hers to the ground during a public meeting, an Iranian news agency reported Saturday. The requirement for women to wear the headscarf in public, enshrined in law since shortly after the Islamic revolution of 1979, has...
  • European Union provides US$70m in financing to Jordan

    Amman, Jordan-- The European Union (EU) has signed two agreements with Jordan to provide it with a $70 million in financing. The first agreement will finance a $43 million program: "EU support to the Rule of Law in Jordan", in support of the Ministry of Justice, Judicial Council, Judicial Institute,...
  • Jordan, EU sign two financing agreements worth US$69m

    AMMAN, JORDAN  - Confirming its role as one of Jordan’s main supporters, the European Union (EU) on Sunday signed two financing agreements with the Kingdom's Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation providing up to US$69 million (€64 million).The first agreement is financing a US$42 million (€39-million) program: "EU support to...
  • New UAE commercial agency law will help in improving business environment

    ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE is determined to foster the attractiveness and competitiveness of the business environment in order to keep pace with future economic trends, a senior official said. The UAE further aims to offer a legislative framework that will enable companies to promote the new economic model,...
  • Middle East children are at grave risk in cyberworld

    Across the region, parents struggle to shield children from unsavory elements prowling the cyber world, as risks grow with the spread of the internet.
  • 500,000 clients in Saudi Arabia use e-notarization of social cases in 2022

    The Saudi Notarization Law has transferred a number of such jurisdictions from courts to the notarial e-system.
  • ADJD discusses developments in Evidence Law in civil, commercial transactions

    ABU DHABI, UAE - Participants in the second Justice Partners Forum organized by Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) discussed the Federal Decree-Law No. 35 of 2022 Promulgating the Law of Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions. Held under the title Legislative Developments for a Fair Environment Enhancing Development and Investment,...
  • Reforms in tax and visa rules to drive UAE’s growth

    The introduction of new laws regarding the ownership structure of mainland companies may boost the Gulf country's economy in 2023 as it is expected to attract more investors.
  • UAE tax decree: Profits above $102,099 to be taxed at 9 percent

    Abu Dhabi, UAE---The UAE has issued a decree on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses, the Corporate Tax Law, under which businesses will become subject to UAE corporate tax from the beginning of their first financial year that starts on or after 1 June 2023. The UAE’s Corporate Tax regime will...
  • UAE approves law to link up renewable energy units with electrical grid

    Abu Dhabi, UAE— The UAE's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced the approval of the federal law regulating the linkage of distributed renewable energy production units to the electrical grid. The new law aims to enable the production of electricity from renewable sources and achieve the UAE's objectives in...
  • UAE makes amendments to value added tax rules

    Abu Dhabi, UAE— The UAE Ministry of Finance announced amendments to some provisions of the Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax (VAT), which will be effective from 1st January, 2023. The amendments were made are in line with international best practice in light of the GCC...
  • Abu Dhabi Foreign Experts Court examines 200 cases

    The Foreign Experts Court of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has managed to maintain high adjudication rates in the cases brought before it over three years since it started operating in 2019.
  • Sudan seeks investment from Qatari private sector in various sectors

    Doha, Qatar - Qatar Chamber explored, with the Ruler of Darfur region in Sudan, investment cooperation and enhancing the role of the private sector in the two countries. During a meeting held between Ruler of Darfur Region in Sudan, Minni Arko Minawi and Qatar Chamber First Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Twar...
  • Dubai Media Inc affiliated to Dubai Media Council

    In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister, has issued Law No. (6) of 2022 affiliating Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) to Dubai Media Council and endorsing its objectives, tasks and organizational structure.
  • Tunisia expert drafting new constitution says no reference to Islam

    Sadeq Belaid, the legal expert appointed last month to head the committee drafting the new constitution, told AFP that 80 percent of Tunisians are against extremism.
  • UAE cabinet approves regulations of decree on entry, residence of foreigners

    The UAE Cabinet has approved the executive regulations of the Federal Decree-Law on Entry and Residence of Foreigners aimed at strengthening the UAE's position as an ideal destination to live, work, and invest. The executive regulations provide comprehensive information on the types and conditions of entry visas and residence permits....
  • Syria approves law tightening freedom of speech

    The latest move follows months of growing discontent in Syria over a spiraling economic crisis.
  • Russians can do business in Turkey, says minister

    Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said Russia's oligarchs can continue to do business in his country so long as they respect national and international law.
  • Dubai ruler issues law on Local Military Pensions and Social Security Fund

    Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Wednesday issued a law on Local Military Pensions and Social Security Fund in Dubai, in a move that seeks to support the emirate’s vision in the domain of social security and pensions and ensure the implementation of best practices. An official...
  • Rights groups want Tunisia to revoke freedom-choking draft law

    The leaked draft law could permit authorities to dissolve civil society groups at will without going through the courts.
  • Dubai passes new law to regulate virtual assets like Bitcoin

    Dubai has promulgated a new law in order to regulate virtual assets that are becoming popular with many investors in the UAE and across the world.
  • Homes of Palestinians accused of killing a settler demolished

    The homes of brothers Omar and Ghaith Jaradat and Mohammed Jaradat were demolished with explosives in Silat al-Harithiya village, near Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank, by border police and the Israeli army.
  • Jordan and Morocco keen to boost bilateral cooperation, regional development

    Jordan Senate President Faisal Fayez Monday held talks with Moroccan officials in Rabat on bolstering Jordan-Morocco cooperation and the regional developments. Fayez held discussions with his Moroccan counterpart Naam Miyara on bilateral cooperation and relations and means to further them on all levels, not the least of which are political,...
  • GCC to boost international cultural ties for strategic partnerships

    The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) seeks to boost its participation in international cultural arenas and events to activate strategic partnerships with international organizations and institutions.
  • Saudi Crown Prince opens up on every little thing

    Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has created quite a few ripples with his views on all things important during his first interview to a non-Saudi publication in two years.
  • Bahrain scores high in gender equality, women’s economic participation

    The World Bank has reported that Bahrain’s score improved to 73 percent in women’s economic participation and gender equality from 2018 to 2022. The report was compiled by World Bank Group’s Women, Business and the Law 2022. This report examines laws and regulations that restrict women’s economic inclusion in 190...
  • Bahrain provides unemployment benefits to 31,099 people in 2021

    Bahrain government has provided unemployment benefits to 31,099 citizens in 2021, according to the country’s Labor Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan. He said the unemployment benefit has not been discontinued for any beneficiary who meets the eligibility conditions in accordance with the Unemployment Insurance Law. Humaidan said amendments have...
  • Sharjah Police returns around AED500m to owners in 2021

    A number of beneficiaries of the initiative are said to have expressed their happiness as they were able to recover their money without resorting to courts.
  • Online privacy and profit clash with fortunes at stake

    At the heart of the issue is how much internet companies should know about people's online lives, which is key to how much Big Tech makes on ads.