Gulf news

Senior Israeli official said to visit Saudi Arabia amid growing talk of warming ties

A senior Israeli official has reportedly visited Saudi Arabia, amid growing speculation that Jerusalem and Riyadh are readying small steps toward normalizing relations. The meeting took place recently at a Riyadh palace and included a warm reception for the Israeli representative, Israel’s Channe

Saudi Arabia bans international flights to India, 15 other countries over fresh Covid-19 outbreaks

The 16 countries include India, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, among others. The country's health ministry has also assured the public that zero monkeypox cases have been detected in the country. Following the re-outbreak of Covid-19 and the rapid surge in the numb

Saudi Arabia's First All-Female Crew Flight

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: An airline in Saudi Arabia has completed the country's first flight with an all-female crew, officials said today, framing it as a milestone for women's empowerment in the conservative kingdom. The flight operated by flyadeal, budget subsidiary of flag carrier Saudia, was fr

Dubai: Hiring at Emirates, Flydubai in full swing, says top official

Hiring is back in full swing at Dubai’s top airlines, Emirates and Flydubai, a senior official said on Tuesday. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said staffing across various levels has bee

Dubai: Indian expat wins Dh500,000 with Big Ticket matching son's birthday

Choosing a lottery ticket with numbers matching his son’s birth date has won a Dubai-based Indian expat Dh500,000 in a raffle draw. Thedsinamoorthy Meenachisundram is the latest winner of Big Ticket’s weekly electronic draw held in Abu Dhabi, and he is in a jovial mood. “I have been living in

Saudi-led coalition sends dozens of freed prisoners to Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen said has said it transported more than 100 freed prisoners to Yemen in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross in a humanitarian initiative to support a United Nations-brokered truce. The coalition said last month it would release 163

Emirates takes Dubai's Museum of the Future to the skies, unveils new livery

Emirates has revealed a new custom A380 livery dedicated to Dubai’s newest architectural icon and centre for pioneering concepts and ideas, the Museum of the Future. The first Emirates A380 (A6-EVK) to sport this new livery takes flight today (May 5) to Los Angeles. As nine other aircraft will ro

Muslim leaders call Saudi crown prince with Eid greetings

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a number of phone calls on Tuesday from Muslim leaders in celebration of the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. One of them was from Bahrain’s King Hamad, who exchanged Eid greetings with the prince. Other callers included Iraqi Prime Ministe

Dubai Crown Prince launches $100 million venture capital fund to bolster startups and entrepreneurs

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has approved the launch of a $100.73 million (AED 370 milion) Venture Capital Fund for Startups to bolster and sustain startup projects and entrepreneurs in the emirate. Governed b

UAE weather: Rain forecast for parts of the country today

The weather in UAE will be partly cloudy with a chance of rainfall in parts of the country, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The weather forecast for today is partly cloudy to cloudy at times with chance of rain convective clouds formation Eastward by afternoon, associated w

Row erupts in Pakistan over PM Shehbaz Sharif’s 1st foreign visit to Saudi Arabia

Islamabad [Pakistan], April 26 (ANI): Ahead of Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the newly-elected Pakistan Prime Minister has been caught in the controversy over his plans to travel privately along with a large entourage. Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in

Seven Indian sailors held in Yemen released: Omani foreign minister

New Delhi(PTI): Seven Indian sailors were among 14 foreigners released on Sunday from the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital of Sanaa, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said. The Indian sailors and at least seven other people from different countries were held captive by Yemen's Houthi rebels

UAE: Dubai announces 9-day Eid Al Fitr break

Dubai has become the latest Emirate to approve a nine-day Eid Al Fitr break for federal government staff. The break will be from Saturday, April 30, till Sunday, May 8, according to the Dubai Government Human Resources Department. Official working hours will resume on Monday, May 9. Recently,

Dubai: Man gets death penalty for Arabian Ranches double murder

A construction worker who stabbed an Indian couple to death in their bed was handed the death penalty by the Dubai Criminal Court on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Pakistani defendant hid outside the villa of the Indian couple, Hiren Adhiya 48, and Vidhi Adhiya, 40, at Arabian Ranches for six hours b

Quran burning in Sweden: Saudi Arabia strongly condemns 'deliberate abuse'

Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the burning of the Quran by far-right groups in Sweden. Issuing a statement early on Monday, the Saudi Arabian foreign ministry said that it condemned the deliberate abuse of the Quran, the provocations and incitement against Muslims by some extremists in the Scan

Ain Dubai extends closure throughout summer

Ain Dubai — the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel — has extended its closure throughout summer. In a statement posted on its website, Ain Dubai said the attraction will be temporarily closed for "enhancement works". Last month, Ain Dubai had announced that it would be closed throug

Asha Bhosle's son Anand hospitalised in Dubai, admitted to ICU. Reports

It is a rather tough time for Asha Bhosle. If reports are to be believed, the legendary singer's son, Anand Bhosle is currently not in good health. He was rushed to a hospital in Dubai after he suddenly fell on the ground. Anand even received a few injuries. The incident took place a few days ago, a

Saudi Arabia rekindles ties with cash-strapped Lebanon

Beirut, Lebanon – Recent improvements in relations between Lebanon and Gulf states have relieved the cash-strapped country’s politicians. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait returned their ambassadors to Beirut in a move that slowly thaws a diplomatic crisis that has strained Lebanon since last October, spar