Gulf news

Death sentence of 15 Indians commuted to life term in Kuwait: Swaraj

Death sentence of 15 Indians, lodged in Kuwaiti jails, have been commuted to life imprisonment by the Emir of Kuwait, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Saturday. Ms. Swaraj said the Emir has also directed that the sentences of 119 Indian nationals be reduced. The Minister thanked

Dubai gold rates fall to lowest in weeks

Dubai:  Gold jewellery rates have just fallen to their lowest levels in weeks, giving jewellery fans in the UAE more opportunities to score some bargains. After soaring to more than Dh160 per gram, 24-karat gold plunged to Dh154.50 on Monday, down by nearly 5 per cent from last month’s peak price

Saudi university to open driving school for women

October 1, KSA: A university in Saudi Arabia has said it will open a driving school for women, in a first for the ultra-conservative country after a ban on women driving was lifted. "Princess Nourah University is preparing to set up a driving school in cooperation with the relevant authorities,"

New clause on Saudi marriage contracts after decree allowing women to drive

30 September, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia Marriage contracts in Saudi Arabia are expected to see an additional line included after women in the kingdom were granted the right to drive. The section including conditions set by Saudi wives usually included three lines. Among the most popular conditio

UAE begins collecting ‘sin’ taxes on tobacco, energy drinks

The United Arab Emirates has begun collecting new “sin” taxes on tobacco products, energy drinks and soft drinks. Beginning Sunday, tobacco and energy drinks will be taxed at 100 per cent and soft drinks at 50 per cent. Shoppers could be seen stocking up the day before. The new tax push comes

Two Keralites killed in a road accident on Saudi border

Two Keralites were killed in an accident that took place at the Salwa border of Saudi Arabia on Friday. The deceased have been identified as KS Ajith, 37, a native of Thokkad, Perumbadav in Kannur, and Ajith Kumar a native of Mankada in Malappuram. Both were working in Welflow Wealth Care company

Fuel prices for October announced in Oman

Muscat: A visit to a petrol station will now cost more than ever as fuel prices in Oman have reached historically high levels. Fuel prices for October increased from September levels, the Ministry of Oil and Gas announced yesterday. According to the latest prices released by the Ministry, M95

Diplomatic community impressed with Saudi Arabia's development strategies

RIYADH: Riyadh-based foreign ambassadors offered their heartiest greetings and best wishes to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people on the occasion of the 87th National Day of Saudi Arabia. The envoys acknowledged the tremendous developments taking place throughout th

Indian national asked to leave Oman after speech

Muscat: Oman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned a speech delivered by Sulaiman Al Nadawi, and asked him to leave the country, the ministry announced. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its condemnation of the speech delivered by Sulaiman Bin Taher Al Husseini Al Nadawi, an Indian

All Dubai government service centres to close for one day

Government service centres in Dubai will partially shut their doors next month in a bid to educate residents about the range of tasks that can be completed online. UAE vice president and prime minister and Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved the initiative dubbed “a d

Kuwait to expel North Korean ambassador, other diplomats

Kuwait will expel North Korea’s ambassador to the oil-rich country and four other diplomats, potentially limiting Pyongyang’s ability to earn money for its nuclear program from laborers it sends to the Gulf. The decision comes as Kuwait in recent weeks offered contradictory statements about its r

Women allowed into stadium as Saudi Arabia promotes national pride

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia is celebrating the 87th anniversary of its founding this weekend with an unprecedented array of concerts and performances, including allowing women into King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh for a Saturday evening operetta - a first in the conservative Islamic kingdom. Th

Engineer cleared of stealing Dh59,000 on Dubai street

The Court of Appeals has upheld the acquittal verdict of a 46-year-old Iranian man accused of stealing Dh59,000 on the street. Prosecution records said the incident happened on March 6, 2015, in Al Muraqqabat. The Court of Misdemeanors earlier cleared the defendant, who works as an executive e

iPhone 8 sales start tomorrow in the UAE

Let's make this plain and simple: sales of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will begin in the UAE tomorrow, and it'll kick off at the latest Apple Store in The Dubai Mall. The invite sent to us indicates that it would start at 8AM. And despite the fact that it's going to happen a couple of hours before th

UAE’s Year of Giving has raised $435m so far

The UAE has so far raised Dhs1.6bn ($435.6m) through CSR initiatives, private and public sector and individual donations as part of the national strategy for the Year of Giving. The figure was announced during a meeting of the Year of Giving Higher Committee chaired by Vice President, Prime Minis

Hyderabad 'Sheikh Marriage' Racket Busted, 8 Arab Nationals Arrested

Hyderabad: Investigations into the recent spate of child marriages in the old city area of Hyderabad led to a major crackdown of "Sheikh Marriage" racket in the city. Hyderabad city police have arrested five Omani and three Qatar nationals, along with three Qazis, including a chief Qazi of Mumbai

Indian Social Club Oman chairman to be honoured for 30 years of service

Muscat: Dr. Sathish Nambiar may be receiving an award for 30 years of service to the Indian Social Club, but to him, helping the Indian community in Oman is reward enough. Dr. Nambiar, who joined the Indian Social Club in 1984, and currently serves as chairman, has helped contribute to the lives

Sheikh Mohammed launches 10 new humanitarian initiatives

The Dubai Ruler has reminded all stakeholders concerned that there are just three months left in the Year of Giving. "This final stretch is the most important. Our goal is to expand further on our humanitarian policies, ensuring that we multiply our efforts to deliver even more goodness to all parts