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Shafaq News
18 hours ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Christian Alliance in Iraq protests government's salary freeze
Shafaq News/ The Christian Alliance of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region filed a formal complaint against the federal government and the Ministry of Finance, protesting the suspension of salary payments for 1.2 million Kurdish civil servants. The alliance submitted the complaint to the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights, describing the decision to halt funding as a 'flagrant violation of basic human rights and constitutional guarantees' that threatens the livelihoods of thousands. 'This is not about numbers and accounts—it's about human lives and dignity,' said Ano Jawhar Abdoka, the alliance's Secretary-General. 'When people's livelihoods are used as political leverage, we enter a dangerous ethical decline that no responsible state should tolerate.' The complaint cites multiple articles of the Iraqi constitution, including Article 30 (guaranteeing a decent standard of living), Article 31 (ensuring health care), and Article 14 (equality and non-discrimination). It also argues that the decision violates Iraq's 2023 federal budget law and international human rights treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The alliance urged the High Commission to open an investigation into the decision's humanitarian consequences and issue recommendations to halt the suspension. It called for the submission of a report to the United Nations and other international bodies, and for immediate legal measures to ensure the protection of employees' salaries. The Christian community in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region numbers around 250,000 people, down from 1.5 million before 2003, according to estimates by church leaders and international organizations. They are spread across Nineveh, Erbil, Duhok, and other areas, and many have faced repeated displacement due to conflict and instability. The salary freeze comes amid a broader financial dispute between Baghdad and Erbil, fueled by disagreements over oil revenue sharing and constitutional interpretations. Tensions have escalated further after the KRG signed two massive energy deals with American companies worth over $110B, prompting Baghdad to accuse Erbil of 'exceeding its constitutional powers.'
Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Omran Group pulls in RO 156m in FDI in 2024
The Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran Group) has announced strong financial and operational results, underscoring the Group's sustained efforts and corporate excellence in advancing tourism development and supporting sustainable economic growth in the Sultanate of Oman, in close collaboration with key stakeholders. In 2024, the Group recorded a net profit of RO 25.2 million and total revenues exceeding RO 58.3 million, reflecting operational efficiency and the high standards of excellence embraced across its business operations. These achievements were presented during the Group's recent Board of Directors meeting, where the Board reaffirmed its continued commitment to reinforcing the Group's role in advancing economic diversification and amplifying its impact as a key catalyst for tourism development and investment in the Sultanate. Demonstrating its ability to attract high-quality investments, Omran Group secured over RO 156 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during 2024. This achievement aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and the national efforts to boost FDI inflows and enhance the contribution of various economic sectors to the GDP. In the hospitality sector, the Group continued to demonstrate operational excellence, welcoming 820,365 guests across its hotel portfolio in 2024 — a 6 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The portfolio achieved an average occupancy rate of 45 per cent, marking a 2.6 per cent increase year-on-year. A major milestone was achieved with the official opening of JW Marriott Muscat, further enriching the luxury hospitality landscape in the Sultanate of Oman. As part of its efforts to position Oman as a premier luxury tourism destination on the global map and to attract the world's leading hospitality brands, Omran Group announced several strategic projects, most notably the Middle East's first Club Med Resort that will be developed in Musandam, and the signing of a strategic partnership with Santani Wellness Resorts to introduce wellness tourism in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and local value creation, the Group achieved a 40 per cent In-Country Value Index in 2024, with total spending exceeding RO 19 million in support of SMEs, which accounted for 34.7% of overall procurement spending. Furthermore, the Group created 370 new job opportunities for local talents, achieving an Omanisation rate of 94% within Oman Tourism Development Company SAOC and 53 per cent across the Group, highlighting its dedication to empowering national talent and supporting the local economy. In line with its vision to enhance corporate governance practices, Omran Group launched its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework during the year, reinforcing its commitment to global sustainability standards, transparency, and excellence across all its operations and projects. The positive results achieved by Omran Group in 2024 reaffirm its leading role as a catalyst for tourism development in the Sultanate of Oman. Through pioneering projects, strategic partnerships, and innovative initiatives, the Group continues to strengthen its position and contribute to Oman's journey towards a diversified and sustainable economy
Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Observer
OMRAN Group achieves robust 2024 results, reinforcing its role in tourism development
Muscat: The Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) has announced strong financial and operational results, underscoring the Group's sustained efforts and corporate excellence in advancing tourism development and supporting sustainable economic growth in the Sultanate of Oman, in close collaboration with key stakeholders. In 2024, the Group recorded a net profit of RO 25.2 million and total revenues exceeding RO 58.3 million, reflecting operational efficiency and the high standards of excellence embraced across its business operations. These achievements were presented during the Group's recent Board of Directors meeting, where the Board reaffirmed its continued commitment to reinforcing the Group's role in advancing economic diversification and amplifying its impact as a key catalyst for tourism development and investment in the Sultanate. Demonstrating its ability to attract high-quality investments, OMRAN Group secured over RO 156 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during 2024. This achievement aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and the national efforts to boost FDI inflows and enhance the contribution of various economic sectors to the GDP. In the hospitality sector, the Group continued to demonstrate operational excellence, welcoming 820,365 guests across its hotel portfolio in 2024 — a 6% increase compared to the previous year. The portfolio achieved an average occupancy rate of 45%, marking a 2.6% increase year-on-year. A major milestone was achieved with the official opening of JW Marriott Muscat, further enriching the luxury hospitality landscape in the Sultanate of Oman. As part of its efforts to position Oman as a premier luxury tourism destination on the global map and to attract the world's leading hospitality brands, OMRAN Group announced several strategic projects, most notably the Middle East's first Club Med Resort that will be developed in Musandam, and the signing of a strategic partnership with Santani Wellness Resorts to introduce wellness tourism in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and local value creation, the Group achieved a 40% In-Country Value Index in 2024, with total spending exceeding RO 19 million in support of SMEs, which accounted for 34.7% of overall procurement spending. Furthermore, the Group created 370 new job opportunities for local talents, achieving an Omanisation rate of 94% within Oman Tourism Development Company SAOC and 53% across the Group, highlighting its dedication to empowering national talent and supporting the local economy. In line with its vision to enhance corporate governance practices, OMRAN Group launched its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework during the year, reinforcing its commitment to global sustainability standards, transparency, and excellence across all its operations and projects. The positive results achieved by OMRAN Group in 2024 reaffirm its leading role as a catalyst for tourism development in the Sultanate of Oman. Through pioneering projects, strategic partnerships, and innovative initiatives, the Group continues to strengthen its position and contribute to Oman's journey towards a diversified and sustainable economy.
United News of India
3 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
Malabar Group allocates Rs 150 crore for CSR in 2025-26
New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) Malabar Group, one of India's leading business conglomerates and parent company of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, has announced a substantial allocation of Rs 150 crore for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes in the financial year 2025-26. The fund will be deployed to expand initiatives across healthcare, education, hunger and poverty alleviation, women empowerment, environment protection, and housing for the underprivileged. On World Hunger Day, the Group reaffirmed its commitment under the flagship 'Hunger Free World' project to distribute 70,000 meals daily across India and Zambia, amounting to a total of 2.5 crore meals in 2025-26. This marks a significant increase compared to the 2.5 crore meals served over the past three years since the programme's inception. The initiative aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger. Dr Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and G-20 Sherpa, inaugurated the next phase of the Group's CSR activities. Present at the event were MP Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Group; KP Abdul Salam, Vice Chairman; O Asher, Managing Director of India Operations; Group Executive Directors Nishad AK and KP Veerankutty; Group Director PA Abdulla Ibrahim; Dr Idrees V, Chairman of THANAL Daya Rehabilitation Trust; Jishad NK, Zonal Head – North, and other senior officials. Commenting on the initiative, Ahammed said, "At Malabar Group, CSR is an integral part of our culture and we believe in giving back to society. May 28 is dedicated as our annual CSR day, where we reaffirm our pledge to stand with the underserved through sustained and impactful action. "While we are doing our utmost, a greater impact can be achieved if more organisations join this mission. With 295 million people globally facing acute hunger as per UN data, immediate action is non-negotiable. Our Hunger Free World initiative reflects this urgency, focusing on meal distribution alongside efforts to boost food production, create jobs, and foster sustainable economic growth." Currently, the Hunger Free World project distributes over 60,000 nutrient-rich meals daily through 167 centres across 20 states in India. In Zambia, the Group partners with the government to serve 10,000 meals daily to students in three schools. The kitchens operate with modern equipment and are staffed by trained culinary and hygiene personnel. In addition to hunger alleviation, the Group's educational initiatives include 716 micro-learning centres providing primary education and nutrition to street children across India. Over 32,000 children have enrolled, with 9,000 integrated into formal schooling, in collaboration with THANAL. Scholarships have been awarded to 1,14,000 girls to support their education. The Group's 'Grandma Homes' initiative offers free shelter and care to destitute women, with operational centres in Bengaluru, Kerala, and Hyderabad, and plans to expand to Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai. On healthcare, Malabar Group plans to establish non-profit medical stores offering subsidised medicines across 140 locations in Kerala, with 27 stores already operational. The 'Uyirppu Project' supports higher education for children affected by last year's Wayanad landslide, providing financial aid to 134 students. Since inception, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has consistently allocated 5% of its profits towards social welfare programmes. UNI BDN GNK
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hyundai Named 2025 Merit Award 'Gold' Winner for Corporate Social Responsibility
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America was recently named a Gold Winner for the 2025 Merit Awards for Human Resources (HR) for Community Engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education initiatives in Coastal Georgia, home to the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), Hyundai Motor Group's first dedicated electric vehicle mass-production plant in Bryan County, Georgia. "Hyundai is honored to receive this award for our STEM education initiatives in Coastal Georgia, underscoring our commitment to Progress for Humanity," said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor North America. "We are dedicated to empowering the next generation with the knowledge and skills required to lead in a technology-driven world, while fostering excitement for learning. We are proud to support young people through our initiatives and hopefully inspire some to pursue meaningful careers in clean energy and the automotive industry." Hyundai partnered with the SAE Foundation to deliver SAE International's award-winning A World In Motion® (AWIM) PreK-12 STEM education program to fourth grade classrooms in the Bryan County School District. The curriculum focused on core concepts such as air resistance, propulsion, and surface area, including real world connections to HMGMA's renewable energy resources, emission reduction technologies, and career paths. Hyundai also expanded its collaboration with the H2GP Foundation, sponsoring 16 teams in Bryan County for the inaugural Georgia Hydrogen Grand Prix as part of the Hyundai RC Program. This hands-on STEM competition which challenges students to design, build, and race hydrogen-powered RC cars, equips them with essential engineering, renewable energy, and automotive technology skills making learning an exciting and engaging experience. These programs aimed to provide equitable access to high-quality STEM education in Coastal Georgia, ensuring every student can explore critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. Through hands-on learning, Hyundai seeks to introduce students to real-world applications and future career pathways. The Merit Awards for HR are evaluated based on submissions that demonstrate excellence in areas such as leadership, innovation, positive work environment, and more. The judging panel comprises a diverse group of journalists, executives, consultants, entrepreneurs, educators, and members of the Merit Awards staff. Hyundai Motor AmericaHyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a published economic impact report. For more information, visit Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Hyundai Motor America Sign in to access your portfolio
