Latest news with #RegulatoryAuthority
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Zawya
TRA crackdowns on illegal wireless networks in Oman
Muscat – Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has conducted a series of field inspections in coordination with relevant authorities targeting unauthorised wireless networks that redistribute Internet services without official licences. The move is part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the security and stability of the sultanate's telecommunications infrastructure and to maintain the quality of services provided to users. In a statement, TRA said the inspections were launched following detection of several violations that pose risks to information security and integrity of communications networks. It noted that illegal networks cause technical interference, disrupt service quality and speed in neighbouring areas, and expose users' personal data to risks such as misuse and hacking. The authority confirmed that it is taking firm action, including removal of unauthorised equipment and initiating legal proceedings against violators in collaboration with other agencies. TRA urged individuals and institutions to comply with telecom regulations and refrain from setting up or using unlicensed communication networks. It reaffirmed its commitment to continue inspection drives to ensure a safe and reliable telecommunications environment in the sultanate. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Irish Independent
30-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
State-funded fertility treatment extended to include couples with one child
The criteria for accessing a state-funded cycle of IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) have been expanded to include couples with one child. Previously, only couples with no children were eligible for the Assisted Human Reproduction treatment scheme – to which around 2,500 couples have been referred since it was introduced almost two years ago. 'Fertility issues can be devastating, and I am conscious that secondary infertility is a significant issue, with many people facing huge financial and emotional difficulties in their attempts to have a second child,' Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said. 'I have listened to the requests from parents in this difficult situation, and I am pleased that we are now in a position to make this potentially life-changing treatment available to more people.' A woman is eligible for the state-funded treatment if she has not had IVF, has had just one round of privately funded IVF before and has no unused embryos still in storage or started tests for IVF but has not started taking IVF medicine. An Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) Regulatory Authority will soon be established, with a recruitment campaign currently under way for the chief executive of the organisation. 'The recent campaign for appointment to state boards has now closed and suitable candidates have been identified. I hope to be in a position to make appointments to the board very soon,' Ms Carroll MacNeill said. The minister said 'significant progress' is being made in relation to AHR legislation. 'Officials at my department are working closely with officials at the Department of Justice and the Department of Children to finalise the bill. Intensive work is under way to publish this legislation as soon as is practical,' she said. A spokesperson for the Department of Health said work on a supplementary bill to deal with issues such as parentage and citizenship in respect of surrogacy arrangements and donor-assisted conception is also under way.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
India must use its influence to support de-escalation and a return to negotiations
During the early hours of Sunday, the US launched Operation Midnight Hammer, a series of precision strikes on Iran's key nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. President Donald Trump declared that Iran's enrichment infrastructure had been 'completely and totally obliterated' and warned 'either peace or tragedy' lies ahead. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ruled out 'regime change', expressing the US's willingness to negotiate, and affirming that it will not take any military action unless Iran escalates. The strikes came shortly after a diplomatic window had seemingly opened. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy had met Rubio and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Washington, after which Trump's press secretary announced a two-week window for diplomacy. This followed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's outreach, suggesting that Iran was open to indirect talks. Trump walked out of the G7 summit to prioritise these developments. However, Vice President J D Vance and Witkoff's visit to Turkey fell through as Iran decided not to go ahead with talks without Israel halting its attacks. The last straw, reportedly, was the E3-Iran foreign ministerial meeting in Geneva, which failed to shift Tehran's position on enrichment. The US strikes were launched within 48 hours. Iran's initial reaction was somewhat fiery. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US action as 'extremely dangerous, lawless, and criminal behavior,' warning of 'everlasting consequences' and declaring that 'all options are open'. Iran also accused the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of indirectly enabling the strikes. Despite fears of radiological fallout, both Iran's Regulatory Authority and the IAEA confirmed that no off-site radiation spike has been detected so far. Still, Isfahan remains a concern as it is a uranium conversion facility, with gaseous uranium compounds that are both chemically toxic and radiologically active. The IAEA also convened an emergency meeting of the Board of Governors in Vienna on Monday for further assessments. Iran has retaliated by firing a number of missiles at Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other locations in Israel. The decision of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on further retaliation is awaited. Will Iran escalate further or respond in a calibrated manner, as it did after the assassination of Qassem Soleimani in 2020? Over 4,00,000 US troops are stationed in the region, and the risk of broader conflict is immense. There is also uncertainty about the domestic political implications inside Iran: Will the public rally around the flag, or will frustration turn inwards? Will Iran activate its regional proxies to strike US bases or will it attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz? And can it do so effectively, given that its own missile capabilities have been reduced because of the strikes by Israel and the US? A non-binding Iranian parliamentary resolution adopted on Sunday calls for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, but most analysts view this as rhetoric aimed at placating hardliners. However, two empty supertankers after entering the waterway did a U-turn yesterday, indicating first signs of diversion. Russia and China have condemned the strikes. Beijing called them a 'serious violation of international law' and pushed for a UNSC reaffirmation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Yet, neither power appears willing to get involved and have limited themselves to statements supporting Iran. Foreign Minister Araghchi travelled to Moscow for political and diplomatic support and to explore the role of Russia as a mediator, potentially involving China or multilateral mechanisms. India has remained cautious and balanced. Operation Sindhu was launched on June 18 to evacuate Indian nationals. Iran made a special gesture of opening its airspace for the evacuation of Indian nationals. Over 1,100 have already been brought home via special charter flights from Mashhad, Yerevan, and Ashgabat. Prime Minister Modi spoke to the Iranian President and emphasised de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy, reiterated by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. For India, these developments cannot be viewed from a distance. The wider regional and global implications are grave. A broader conflict may ignite multi-front warfare involving the Houthis and Iran-backed militias in Iraq. US troops in the region face increased risk. Oil prices have increased amid disruption Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel through which nearly 20 per cent of the world's oil and significant quantities of gas flow, is a critical lifeline. Its disruption would have immediate consequences for India's economy and its diaspora in the Gulf. Although India has built strategic reserves and diversified supply lines, a sudden spike in energy prices could accelerate inflation and deepen global market instability. Beyond energy, India must also recalibrate its strategic posture. We have close ties with Iran (particularly under the Chabahar framework), deep strategic relations with Israel, and increasing defence interoperability with the United States. In this moment of potential rupture, we must continue to avoid taking sides while using our influence to support de-escalation and a return to the negotiating table. What lies ahead is uncertain. Much depends on whether Ayatollah Khamenei, like in 1988, chooses to 'drink the chalice of poison' and accept a deal to avoid existential collapse. At that time, Ayatollah Khamenei ended the war with Iraq, recognising the cost of indefinite conflict. Today, the circumstances are different but the logic of strategic retreat may still apply. Khamenei's silence — over 24 hours now — has led many to believe Iran may opt for a face-saving de-escalation. India, which has always emphasised dialogue, multilateralism, and restraint, must be prepared to play a constructive role. It must also prepare economically and diplomatically for the turbulence that may follow. What remains unknown is the fate of Iran's residual nuclear expertise. Enrichment facilities can be rebuilt, and knowledge cannot be bombed. As the IAEA and others have observed, Iran's technical capacity — rooted in decades of experience — still matters. Which is why negotiations remain essential. The writer is former governor of India to IAEA, Vienna
Khaleej Times
03-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
New UAE media law: Fines of up to Dh1 million for insulting religious beliefs
A new media law has come into effect in the UAE as of May 29, introducing a strict regulatory framework for all media activities in the country. The law carries hefty penalties up to Dh1 million, for violations ranging from insulting religious beliefs to operating without a license. The legislation reinforces the UAE's commitment to promoting ethical, respectful, and responsible media conduct. It outlines a series of offenses, many of which come with tiered fines depending on the severity or repetition of the violation.
Zawya
02-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt urged to establish real estate regulatory authority to boost market transparency, attract FDI
Egypt - Mohamed Fouad, real estate expert and member of the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA), has urged the urgent establishment of an independent Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in Egypt. He emphasized that such a body, modeled on successful international experiences in countries like the UAE and India, is crucial for creating a structured and transparent legal framework for real estate transactions. Fouad explained that RERA plays a central regulatory and legislative role in mature markets. It safeguards the interests of buyers, investors, and developers by issuing licenses, enforcing compliance, ensuring transparency, and overseeing project implementation according to approved timelines and budgets. 'In markets witnessing rapid urban expansion and increasing investment flows—such as Egypt—an independent regulatory authority is no longer optional; it's a strategic necessity,' Fouad stated. He highlighted that the absence of a unified regulatory entity in Egypt has led to overlapping roles between institutions, resulting in delivery delays, contractual disputes, and inconsistent enforcement. A RERA-style authority, he said, would bring order to the sector by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders: the government, developers, and buyers. Such a body would also bolster investor confidence, both local and international, by ensuring accountability and reducing risks. Regulatory oversight would include developer classification based on financial and technical criteria, stricter controls on marketing and advertising, and protection of buyers from fraudulent or stalled projects. Fouad cited Dubai's RERA as a global benchmark, noting how it has transformed the city into a trusted international hub for real estate investment. He also pointed to India's experience, where the implementation of RERA reduced legal disputes by over 60% in its early years. Without an independent authority, Fouad warned, the Egyptian real estate market remains exposed to mismanagement, undermining its attractiveness to foreign investors—particularly Egyptians living abroad who demand a clear, reliable legal framework. He proposed that the new Egyptian RERA be established under the Prime Minister's office or the Ministry of Housing, in cooperation with the Central Bank of Egypt and the Financial Regulatory Authority. It should have wide-ranging legal and supervisory powers, including dedicated departments for licensing, compliance, evaluation, and dispute resolution. Fouad also stressed the importance of launching a unified digital platform to centralize information on licensed real estate projects. This platform would provide real-time updates on implementation status, developer credentials, licensing and contract details, and facilitate electronic applications and transactions—supporting Egypt's broader digital transformation strategy. In conclusion, Fouad reiterated that the creation of a Real Estate Regulatory Authority in Egypt is a national imperative. It is key to achieving transparency, safeguarding stakeholders' rights, and turning the Egyptian real estate market into a sustainable, globally competitive investment destination capable of attracting foreign currency and exporting real estate. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
