Gulf news

Should you take up a career in media?

Muaz Shabandri| Khaleejtimes| 16 December 2014 :  With Internet and smartphones, journalism has undergone a sea change and today’s journalist must be adept at both technology and telling a story well.      Journalism is changing all around the world. A one-size-fits-all convent

Indian expats in UAE asked to register on online database

,ubai |16 December 2014: The link to the registration form is available on the CGI website, and also on that of the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. On Monday afternoon, the Consul-General of India, Dubai Anurag Bhushan presided over an informal talk with the media at the auditorium of the Indian

New Indian channel to highlight expat issues

The new Indian channel to be launched by Insight Media City (IMC) in Kerala will highlight the pressing issues of nearly five million Indian expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, said Alungal Muhammed, CMD of Al-Abeer Group and one of the promoters of the media city. Addressi

Expats’ fingerprinting in KSA expedited

The Passport Department has expedited the fingerprint registration of sponsors and residents accompanied by dependents above 15 ahead of the Jan. 21 deadline. “Those who have failed to get their fingerprints registered risk denial of access to all passport department services including the reques

Sir Bani Yas Island: A haven for endangered Arabian wildlife

Abu Dhabi: The heat from the morning sun gently embraces the skin as one steps out of the plane after a 30-minute journey to Sir Bani Yas Island. In the distance, cars await as visitors prepare to embark on a journey to witness firsthand the wildlife on the island. Driving at no more t

Sky Bus service expanded to cover 110 hotels, 12 routes

Dubai: Following the success of its soft launch of the Sky Bus service that offers direct connectivity between Dubai airport and a number of hotels, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has now expanded the service across the city. Launched in May this year as a pilot project with just 26 ho

GCC committed to rights, equality, freedom

Jeddah: The Gulf Cooperation Council leaders, who concluded their deliberations in Doha on Tuesday, adopted the GCC Declaration on Human Rights emphasizing their respect for all religions and their readiness to promote freedom of opinion and expression. “The declaration ensures freedom of movement,

Dammam Corniche now a work of art

The Eastern Province municipality has turned the Dammam Corniche into a work of art with an open gallery featuring paintings which have been inspired by the province’s environment and culture. The municipality has beautified the service stations and erased the graffiti on the walls bordering the

Ajeer program terms outlined

RIYADH: The Ministry of Labor has outlined the conditions of the Ajeer program that enables dependents of expatriate workers in the Kingdom to work in the health and education sectors. There are a number of conditions governing the employment of dependents such as they have to be 18 at the time o

Center opened to guide Indian expatriates on labor problems

Jeddah: A first of its kind service center has been opened in Jeddah to provide Indian expats with legal guidance on labor issues and health and counseling. Dos Jayakumar, Indian consul for passports, opened on Saturday the “Pravasi Sevana Kendra” in the presence of community leaders representing

No visas for firms in KSA that deny medical insurance to expat families

JEDDAH (ARAB NEWS): Employers who fail to pay for the medical insurance of expatriate workers and their families would be denied recruitment visas, said the secretary-general of the Health Insurance Council. “The regulations state that it is binding on an employer to subscribe to the insurance pr

Suspect behind Abu Dhabi mall murder arrested

Abu Dhabi: The main suspect in the murder of an American kindergarten teacher in the restroom of an Abu Dhabi mall has been arrested and is in police custody, Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, announced at a press conference Thursday. Shaikh Saif sai

Renovated mataf to open in Ramadan

MAKKAH (ARAB NEWS): The newly renovated and expanded mataf, the circumambulation area around the Kaaba, will be open on the ground and first floors in Ramadan, and on the top floor for next year’s Haj, a senior official has said. Faisal Fuad Wafa, chairman of the technical committee overseeing th

Saudi Interior Ministry says 392 arrested in drug busts

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said Sunday it had apprehended 392 individuals involved in the sale, promotion and smuggling of narcotics throughout the kingdom over the past two months, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Speaking at a news conference, Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour

Online Umrah visa applications now open

JEDDAH: Umrah operators are now ready to receive online applications for visas, Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar has said. Hajjar said they opened up for applications on Nov. 23. He urged companies working in the field to provide the best services for pilgrims, who are their responsibility on arrival in

Runaway expats in KSA allowed to avoid jail and go home

JEDDAH: In a major concession for hundreds of expats classified as runaway or huroob cases, the government has announced that they can avoid jail and go home provided they have no criminal cases pending, settle outstanding fines, pay for their tickets, and have an undertaking from their consulates t

125 Grand Mosque gates opened

MAKKAH — The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques has opened 125 gates at the Grand Mosque to facilitate the entry and exit of Umrah pilgrims, who started arriving on Nov. 23 (Safar 1) with the beginning of the Umrah season. Some 475 male and female officers will guard the gates and monitor the mov

Owaisi tells expats to strive for equal rights in India

RIYADH: All India Majlis-e-Itehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President and MP Asaduddin Owaisi has called on the community to fight for equal rights and political empowerment in India. Addressing an event organized by the Bazm-e-Ittehad at The Ritz Carlton in Riyadh, Owaisi asked: “Why should Muslims al