Get Up to ₱50,000 to Complete Your Degree as an OFW
If you’re an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who had to leave college to provide for your family, a new government programme can help you complete your bachelor’s degree. The Philippine Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) have launched the Lifelong Learning Education Assistance Programme (LEAP-OFWs), which offers up to ₱50,000 in educational assistance.
The LEAP-OFWs programme allows applicants to build on their work experience and skills gained over the years, which can be credited towards a college qualification through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Programme (ETEEAP). This means that OFWs can have their professional experience, training, and acquired skills assessed and recognised as academic learning. CHED and a deputised higher education institution (HEI) will evaluate each applicant to determine which competencies can be credited towards a bachelor’s degree and what academic requirements still need to be completed.
To be eligible for the LEAP-OFWs programme, applicants must be at least 23 years old, have at least five years of relevant work experience, and be either high school graduates or college undergraduates. They must also obtain a letter of acceptance from a CHED-deputised HEI offering ETEEAP before proceeding with the programme. The programme may be availed once a year after returning to the Philippines.
Qualified beneficiaries may receive up to ₱50,000 in educational assistance to help pay for tuition fees and other assessment-related costs. The assistance will be released in two tranches: the first ₱25,000 will be provided after the applicant has enrolled in an approved degree programme, and the remaining ₱25,000 will be released after the scholar submits proof of enrolment for the next academic year or proof that all required academic requirements have been completed.
The application process begins with OWWA, where applicants must submit their request through an OWWA Regional Welfare Office or the OWWA Reintegration Portal. OWWA will verify the applicant’s membership and overseas employment records before issuing a certificate of eligibility to apply (CEA) to qualified applicants. Using the CEA, applicants must register through CHED’s ETEEAP online enlistment system and upload the required documents.
Applicants are required to submit a Philippine Statistics Authority-issued birth certificate, passport, academic records, certificates of employment, and other documents that demonstrate their professional knowledge and skills. Supporting documents may also include Technical Education and Skills Development Authority certificates, company commendations, and other credentials relevant to the applicant’s chosen field of study.
Here are the next steps to apply for the LEAP-OFWs programme:
- Submit your request through an OWWA Regional Welfare Office or the OWWA Reintegration Portal.
- Register through CHED’s ETEEAP online enlistment system and upload the required documents.
- Obtain a letter of acceptance from a CHED-deputised HEI offering ETEEAP.
UAE Marriage Contract Online: AED 300 Fee, Eligibility, and Steps
Tie the Knot in the UAE: AED 300 Online Marriage Contract, No Residency Required
Getting married in the UAE just got a whole lot easier. With the introduction of online marriage contract applications, couples can now tie the knot without the hassle of lengthy bureaucratic processes. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) portal and the eZawaj system allow for easy and convenient registration of civil and Islamic marriages. In this article, we'll break down the fees, eligibility, and steps required for an online marriage contract in the UAE.
The fee for a civil marriage contract in Abu Dhabi starts at AED 300 for regular processing, which takes up to 10 working days. For those in a hurry, an express service is available for AED 2,500, with processing completed within a day. In Dubai, the marriage certificate fee is AED 220. It's worth noting that tourists can also get married in Abu Dhabi, with no residency requirements.
To be eligible for a civil marriage in Abu Dhabi, the bride and groom must be at least 18 years old. If either party is under 18, the judge's approval is required. Additionally, a spouse's age should not be twice the other, and a premarital screening certificate is mandatory. The screening aims to safeguard the health of the couple by ensuring no potential infections are transmitted between them.
For Islamic marriages, the process is slightly different. The marriage contract should be registered in a Sharia Court in the UAE, and the bride and groom must meet certain requirements, including a premarital screening certificate. The eZawaj system, provided by the Ministry of Justice, allows for online marriage contracts to be completed at every stage, from submitting the application to paying fees electronically.
In terms of documents required, couples will need to provide a completed and signed marriage application form, a copy of both parties' passports or Emirates IDs, and proof of dissolution of a previous marriage or death certificate of an expired spouse, if applicable. A prenuptial agreement is optional but will cost AED 950.
The UAE offers three distinct legal routes to register a marriage: civil, Sharia, and home-country attestation. Each route has different eligibility rules, documents, fees, and implications for spouse visas, inheritance, and international recognition. Whether you're a resident or a tourist, getting married in the UAE has never been more straightforward.
For those looking to register their marriage in the UAE, the process can be completed online through the ADJD portal or the eZawaj system. With the introduction of online marriage contract applications, the UAE has streamlined the process, making it easier for couples to tie the knot.
If you're planning to get married in the UAE, here are the next steps to take:
- Prepare the required documents, including a completed and signed marriage application form and a copy of both parties' passports or Emirates IDs.
- Book an appointment through the Sharia court or the ADJD portal.
- Select an authorized marriage official and pay the fees electronically.
- Attend the marriage ceremony with the required witnesses and documents.
Al Freej Gardener Dubai: Book Gardening Services on Careem
Book Home Gardening Services on Careem with Al Freej Gardener
In Dubai's latest move to enhance community services, the Dubai Municipality has launched Al Freej Gardener, a digital platform that allows residents to book licensed home gardening and landscaping services through the Careem app. This initiative, which starts in September 2026, is a collaboration between Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA), and Careem. The goal is to provide residents with easy access to qualified professionals while maintaining security and safety standards across Dubai's neighborhoods.
The Al Freej Gardener service will offer a range of home gardening and landscaping services, including agricultural consultancy, irrigation, and maintenance. Residents will be able to book these services through the Careem app, which will provide tailored service packages delivered by specialized agricultural maintenance companies. This initiative aims to improve service quality, enhance neighborhood security, and promote responsible and sustainable gardening practices through training and awareness programs.
By launching Al Freej Gardener, Dubai Municipality is taking a significant step towards standardizing service quality and regulating worker permits in the gardening sector. This move is expected to benefit both residents and gardening professionals, providing a safe and reliable platform for booking services. With the service set to start in September 2026, residents can look forward to easily accessing qualified gardening professionals through the Careem app.
The collaboration between Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, GDRFA, and Careem demonstrates the city's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance community services. By providing a regulated digital platform for booking gardening services, the authorities are promoting a culture of safety, security, and sustainability in Dubai's neighborhoods. As the city continues to grow and develop, initiatives like Al Freej Gardener are likely to play an increasingly important role in maintaining the high standards of living that Dubai is known for.
Montenegro Visa-Free for UAE Residents
UAE Residents Get 10-Day Montenegro Visa-Free Stay
UAE residents holding a valid residence permit for at least three consecutive years can now visit Montenegro without needing to obtain a visa in advance. This temporary exemption, announced by the Montenegrin government, allows eligible UAE residents to stay in Montenegro for up to 10 days without a visa. The visa-free exemption started on May 1 and will last until October 1, 2026.
To be eligible for the visa-free entry, travellers need to meet specific conditions. They must have a valid UAE residence permit that has been active for at least three years before arriving in Montenegro, travel to Montenegro on a direct flight from the UAE, carry a valid passport or travel document, and show proof of a tourist booking or travel arrangement. Additionally, they must hold a passport with at least six months' validity, have a confirmed return flight ticket, and have fully paid and confirmed accommodation.
The Montenegro Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Official Gazette, published on April 17, 2026, outlines the conditions for UAE residents to enter Montenegro without a visa. UAE residents can enter Montenegro on a direct flight from the UAE and stay for a maximum of 10 days under the visa-free arrangement. Flydubai offers four direct flights each week on this route, and the flight takes about five hours and 55 minutes.
UAE residents can verify their residence history by carrying previous Emirates ID cards, accessing historical residence records through the ICP Smart Services portal, logging into the ICP app using UAE Pass, or visiting an Amer Centre in Dubai to obtain printed copies of previous residency records.
This temporary visa-free entry scheme makes Montenegro an attractive option for UAE residents who would normally require lengthy visa applications to visit much of Europe. With its stunning Adriatic coast, historic towns, and mountain scenery, Montenegro is an ideal destination for a European summer.
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residence Permit | Valid for at least three consecutive years |
| Flight | Direct flight from the UAE |
| Passport | Valid for at least six months |
| Accommodation | Fully paid and confirmed |
| Stay | Maximum of 10 days |
Masoud Pezeshkian Meets Mojtaba Khamenei
Iran's Secret Meeting: Pezeshkian and Khamenei Talk in Darkness
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was reportedly taken to a secret location in Tehran for a highly unusual meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, where the two allegedly spoke from inside a dark, tinted-window vehicle without seeing each other. The meeting, which lasted only a few minutes, ended without the president being allowed to shake hands with the supreme leader. Pezeshkian has publicly acknowledged that access to the supreme leader has become increasingly difficult, and the reported encounter contrasts sharply with the president's own description of a meeting with Mojtaba earlier this year.
The reported secret meeting, if accurate, would offer a rare glimpse into the unusually secretive workings of Iran's leadership at a time when the country remains under scrutiny. The claims have not been independently verified, and Iranian authorities have not publicly commented on the report. Pezeshkian has defended Khamenei, saying he had experienced "kindness and very sound logic" in their interactions, despite acknowledging the difficulties in communicating with him.
The meeting itself was only secured after Pezeshkian repeatedly requested an audience and allegedly threatened to resign during disagreements over major policy decisions. The report said Khamenei's office eventually agreed to a meeting but declined to host it at the supreme leader's official residence, breaking with established protocol. Instead, Pezeshkian was reportedly driven by his security team to an undisclosed location in Tehran before being transferred into another vehicle with heavily tinted windows where Khamenei was waiting.
Mojtaba Khamenei has remained largely out of public view since succeeding his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, 2026. Since then, he has issued only written statements carried by Iranian state media and has not appeared publicly. In July, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told AFP that only a limited number of people had met the supreme leader during that period.
The reported secret meeting is the latest development in the growing tensions between Pezeshkian and Khamenei, with reports of the president repeatedly threatening resignation over disagreements with Iran's leadership. The situation remains uncertain, with the country's leadership under close scrutiny.
Hantavirus France: Tourist Infected
Hantavirus Detected in France Tourist Isolated in Spain
A case of hantavirus has been detected in a Franco-Argentine national who holidayed in France in July and is now isolated in Spain. The patient's infection with the Andes strain of the virus, which is transmissible between humans, was confirmed on Thursday by the French health ministry. The patient had few symptoms and now has none, according to the ministry, which has put in place measures to trace the stages of the person's journey.
The French health ministry said experts would meet to determine the next action to be taken and that Europe-wide coordination was being established. The authorities have not indicated a link to a deadly outbreak of Andes strain hantavirus on a cruise ship earlier this year that triggered a global health alert. The World Health Organization declared the end of the outbreak in early July after the last affected person left quarantine.
Hantavirus is a rare virus for which no vaccines or specific treatments exist, and it is spread by rodents. The cases from the cruise ship pale in comparison to the tens of thousands of hantavirus infections recorded worldwide every year, which mostly involve humans being infected by close contact with a rodent.
The detection of this new case has prompted French health authorities to initiate contact tracing across the patient's travel stages. The patient's isolation in Spain is a precautionary measure to prevent the potential spread of the virus. The French health ministry's swift response and coordination with European authorities aim to contain the situation and prevent further cases.
This new case is a reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. The World Health Organization's declaration of the end of the cruise ship outbreak in early July may have signaled a reduction in the risk, but the detection of this new case highlights the need for continued awareness and precautions.
