Gulf news

Shoura to discuss recommendation for women to hold leadership positions in Saudi missions abroad

RIYADH: The Shoura Council on Tuesday will discuss a recommendation to enable Saudi women to hold leadership positions in the Kingdom’s diplomatic missions abroad. The Saudi consultative assembly will also discuss support for Saudi women in holding positions in international organizations. Noo

Release of 606 prisoners ordered in Dubai

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered on Monday the release of 606 prisoners on the occasion of the 46th UAE National Day. "In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the

Extremists will not be allowed to distort the image of Islam: Saudi Crown Prince

Riyadh: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that extremists will not be allowed to tarnish the identity of Islam as a religion of peace. He was speaking at the opening of the inaugural meeting of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Ministers of Defense Council in Riyadh

Saudi: Prince Salman vows to fight terrorism

Riyadh: Next successor to the crown and Saudi’s Defence Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday while speaking at the summit of Islamic counter-terror alliance delivered a powerful message to the terror crime and terrorist. The powerful Prince had vowed to “pursue terrorists until they are

Dh500 fine for blocking traffic on Abu Dhabi roads

If you are driving in Abu Dhabi and get involved in a minor traffic accident, remember to move your vehicle on the side of the road or else you might have to cough up Dh500. Starting December 1, the Abu Dhabi Police will impose a fine of Dh500 on motorists who block traffic after being involved i

Planning a trip to Saudi Arabia? Tourist visas to be issued from 2018

Riyadh: Conservative Kingdom Saudi Arabia is planning to boost its economy beyond its reliance on Oil. As part of the measures, the Kingdom has planned to issue tourist visas from 2018. Previously, visas were restricted to only those who work in the country and to Muslim pilgrims visiting the Hol

Saudi Arabia bans photos, videos at Islam’s two holiest sites

Saudi Arabia banned visitors from taking photos and videos at Islam's two holiest mosques, a statement said Thursday. According to the Saudi General Directorate of Press and Information, the decision to prohibit photos and videos in Mecca's Masjid al-Haram, known as the Great Mosque of Mecca, and

Indian teen's body swept away in Sharjah wadi flood found in Oman

After six days of non-stop search operations involving the police authorities of two countries, the body of Albert Joy, who has been missing since November 16 was found in neighbouring Oman. The teenager's body was washed away by rainwater in Wadi Sheis in the eastern region of Sharjah last Thurs

Heavy rain hits Jeddah, Schools in Makkah region closed

Jeddah(Saudi Arabia): Heavy rain hits Jeddah today, flooding streets and closing schools and universities in the Saudi city. Prince Khalid Al Faisal, governor of Makkah province and advisor to Saudi King Salman, was seen out checking the rain-soaked roads and urban areas. One video showed his con

Dozens of Saudi trading accounts freezed

RIYADH: In the on-going saudi round-up, dozens of Trading accounts of Saudis accused of corruption have been frozen, and fears of off-shore accounts being freezed grow among the Kingdom’s rich section. These trading accounts were blocked at the request of the Saudi government’s financial regulatory

King Salman to step down by next week, says report

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to step down and announce his 32-year-old son, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman as his successor next week, as per the sources.   The 81-year-old king will remain as a ceremonial figurehead, while the official leadership would be handed over to Prince Mo

Ajman: Ruler adopts two Syrian refugee siblings

Ajman: Ruler of Ajman Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi and also Supreme Council member on Monday has offered to adopt two Syrian refugee siblings. The video of the girl Reem gladly accepting his Sheikh Humaid’s offer has gone viral on social media. Sheikh Humaid during his visit to Syrian re

New UAE draft law bans unauthorized religious activities

The Federal National Council has passed a new draft law imposing fines and jail term on anyone holding religious lectures and lessons or memorisation of the Holy Quran gatherings without approval. The new draft law to the effect was passed on Tuesday. A prison sentence and/or a fine will be ha

Dubai: Three-day super sale announced

Dubai: Ahead of the much awaited Dubai shopping festival, the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has announced a three-day sale all over Dubai which is scheduled for 23 to 25 November 2017. The sale will be offering discounts from 30 – 90 percent on the famous brands that include Har

Bahrain calls pipeline blast ‘terrorist’ sabotage, links it to Iran

Bahrain said the explosion which caused a fire at its main oil pipeline on Friday was caused by “terrorist” sabotage, linking the unprecedented attack to its arch-foe Iran, which denies any role in the Gulf island kingdom’s unrest. A key Western ally and host to the US Fifth Fleet, Sunni Muslim-r

Indian expats in Saudi Arabia not affected by fees imposed on dependents: ambassador

Jubail [Saudi Arabia]: The Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia has not been affected by the family fees imposed on the dependents of expatriates. A huge number of the Indian expatriates came to the kingdom without their families; therefore, the new family fees imposed has minimal effect on them, repo

Tension mount as Lebanon’s PM Hariri disappeared in Saudi Arabia

Beirut: Lebanon’s president urged Saudi Arabia today to explain why Saad Hariri had not returned to Beirut since his surprise resignation as prime minister a week ago. Hariri announced on November 4 in a televised statement from Riyadh that he would be stepping down from the post, sending shock w

Saudi arrest of Osama’s half-brother Bakr bin Laden shatters royal entente

RIYADH: Among those caught in the unprecedented arrests this week of top princes, wealthy businessmen and senior officials was the scion of one of Saudi Arabia’s most recognizable families: Bakr Binladin, the chairman of the kingdom’s pre-eminent contractor and Osama bin Laden’s half-brother. It