Gulf news

Sandstorm surprises Dubai, Northern Emirates: More expected

A sandstorm hit Dubai on Monday afternoon, reducing visibility to just a few hundred metres, with rain in some areas. The weather forecast for today also forecasts the blowing of dust/s and the formation towering clouds offers a hint of rain as well. The National Centre for Meteorology and Sei

Dubai Metro on track for record growth: 300 million users in 4 years

On September 10, 2009, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated Dubai's first Metro line. It served ten stations and transported just over a million commuters that month. Today, four years later, Dubai Metro s

Dubai school buses: Safety gear not compulsory this year

Dubai: Schools transport providers in Dubai have been advised to upgrade their units with GPS, surveillance cameras and electronic bus attendance, though they are not yet mandatory, Gulf News has learnt. The upgrades, though not officially enforced by Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), are be

Dubai Metro set for massive expansion

Dubai: Dubai Metro will see a massive expansion on both Red and Green Lines with work expected to begin as early as next year, Gulf News has learnt. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has finalised plans to extend the Red Line from Rashidiya to Mirdif, to go with its earlier plan to extend

380kg Majid dies in Saudi hospital

Majid Al Dossary, 26, was a hugely popular figure in Saudi Arabia. He was due to be airlifted to the US for further treatment Manama: The death of Majid Al Dossary, a Saudi man who weighed 380kg but whose smile and resilience won the country’s hearts for months, is being mourned on Twitter an

Private sector employees should get Saturday off: FNC members

UAE private sector workers should be given Saturday as a holiday on par with civil servants to encourage Emiratis to get jobs in that sector to tackle unemployment among nationals, according to key members in the Federal National Council (FNC), the country’s parliament. They said the proposed day

New bus timings and routes unveiled in Dubai

Dubai: Bus run time will improve considerably in Dubai as the Roads and Transport revises several routes and revived previous stops in Dubai from September 1. Of the 88 urban routes that operate in the city, 10 routes are being modified or realigned to improve the efficiency and reliability of

On the phone while driving in Dubai: Dh200 fine, 4 black points

Dubai’s traffic police chief has issued a stern warning to users of mobile phones while driving, saying the police will not tolerate such offences by any one. Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen said violators of these rules face a Dh200 fine and four black points being added to their traffic r

Haj Ministry reasserts no Umrah pilgrim can stay to perform Haj

The Ministry of Haj has rejected requests by more than 200 Umrah companies to extend the visas for the people now in Makkah and Madinah to perform Haj, said Deputy Minister Hatim Qadi. In an interview with Arab News, Qadi said, “the instructions and regulations of the ministry are clear and unequiv

Work permit costs hike school transport fees

School transport fees are predicted to rise in Riyadh with the beginning of the new academic year. Rate increases range between 30 to 60 percent due to the high costs of foreign labor work permits. Permits cost up to SR 2,400 a year. Companies in this sector are suffering due to the implementation

Dubai commuter alert: RTA amends bus timings from September 1

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has amended the emirate’s bus schedules beginning next month, the RTA informed the public via text messages on Tuesday morning. “RTA amends bus timings as of September 1, 2013. For more info, kindly contact 8009090 or check Bus Timetables at bus stops o

New York Times says UAE will win World Expo 2020 bid

Dubai is expected to win the bid to host 2020 World Expo thanks to government support and owing to political tensions in other countries bidding for the prestigious event, the US New York Times newspaper has said. In an article about the event, the paper cited official statements in Dubai expecti

Dubai Metro peak-time change: Extra space for women, children

Effective September 1, 2013 compartment space for women and children on Dubai Metro will be increased to half a compartment. The additional space will only be designated to this group of commuters during peak hours - between 7-9am and 5-8pm from Sunday to Thursday. Half a compartment offers sp

Withholding salaries to land employers in soup

The Labor Ministry on Saturday warned private companies and employers that they would lose their workers if they did not pay their salaries on time. Unpaid workers would be allowed to look for new employers without the permission of their present sponsors. A senior official highlighted the measures

Sheikh Mohammed’s Twitter account attracts 2m followers

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is among the most sought-after figures on the Twitter after his page on the social networking website succeeded attracting two million followers. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashi

Eid Al Fitr moon sighted in UAE and Saudi Arabia

Eid Al Fitr moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia also and tomorrow is the first day of Shawwal. Kuwait, Jordan and Palestine will also mark Eid on Thursday. But Oman announced that Shawwal moon has not been sighted and Eid Al Fitr will be marked on Friday. Meanwhile, Eid Al Fitr moon has also be

2 million faithful seek God’s blessings in Grand Mosque 

Two million worshippers spent the 27th night of the holy month of Ramadan in the Grand Mosque seeking God's blessings. High security and integrated services contributed to a smooth flow of movement among worshippers filing in and out of the Grand Mosque. Security forces were deployed for crowd mana

Eid Holidays: Dubai Metro till 2am, 8,000 taxis on road, free parking

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has worked out a comprehensive road traffic movement plan for the Eid Al Fitr holidays. Hussain Al Banna, Director of Traffic at RTA's Traffic & Roads Agency, said, "The RTA has finalised the operational plans for Eid Al Fitr holidays which sees heavy t