Gulf news
Passenger ferry between Abu Dhabi and other Gulf cities a possibility
Abu Dhabi: A passenger ferry service between Abu Dhabi and other Gulf cities may become a reality soon, providing a relaxing and entertaining travel option to the residents of Gulf countries, a top official told Gulf News. Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), which manages nine non-oil and gas ports
Dubai to get 30km of bus lanes next year
Dubai: In a massive expansion of the dedicated bus and taxi lanes network in Dubai, 30km of bus and taxi lanes will be added to some of the busiest areas in the city next year, Gulf News has learned. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has earmarked 10 routes inside Central Business Distric
Haramain train trial run in 6 months
Testing of the first line of the multibillion-riyal high-speed Haramain railway system will start in six months, according to local media on Friday. The testing will take place on the line between Madinah and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh. Khalid Al-Suwaiket, president of the Saudi Railway
Saudi Arabia curbs energy drinks sale
Manama: Shops in the Eastern Province city of Dammam in Saudi Arabia have been warned of a zero-tolerance policy if they fail to comply with strict restrictions on the sale of energy drinks. In March, the Saudi government banned the sale of energy drinks at all cafeterias, eateries and food out
Don’t hold passports, UAE car rental agencies warned
Sharjah: Car rental agencies have been warned against holding the passports or ID cards of their customers, and if they do so, they will be fined or referred to the Public Prosecution. The warning was issued by the Consumer Protection section at Sharjah Economic Development Department after rec
Dubai expats hit by credit card hackers
Abu Dhabi: Two Dubai residents have complained that their credit cards were hacked to make unauthorised online payments to Abu Dhabi Police. The Indian expatriates – both working for the same group of companies – claimed Dh9,525 and Dh20,400 was siphoned off their credit cards in two incidents
Despite MERS fears, 10% rise in pilgrims
There is a 10 percent increase in the number of Umrah pilgrims this year, compared to 2013, despite the fears caused by the MERS coronavirus, said Osama Felali, chairman of the Haj and Umrah Committee. He said Saudi Arabia had not restricted Umrah pilgrims arriving from different countries becaus
BMJ Dubai holds Nawayati mushaira program
June 10, 2014 | Correspondent | Bhatkallys News Dubai: A Nawayati mushaira program was organized here in Al Ras, Dubai by BMJD in which various poets from Bhatkal, Murudeshwar, and Manki charmed the audience with their recital of Nawayati poems. The poets included Syed Mohiuddin, Faizan Bafqi, F
Unified tourist visa for GCC states likely
DOHA: A committee set up to assess the feasibility of a unified tourist visa for the GCC countries has said the proposal is excellent and would immensely boost tourism in the region. Recommendations of the experts' committee will be tabled at the next GCC leaders' summit in Doha, for review and r
Dubai Police to get tough on beggars
Dubai: Major General Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, on Thursday launched an anti-begging campaign under the title ‘Battle Begging’. The campaign includes a comprehensive awareness programme to continue after Eid Al Fitr under the supervision and
Saudi Arabia recruits 1800 Indian nurses
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia, facing a dearth of trained female nurses, has recruited 2,100 nurses, including 1,800 from India, to work in various government hospitals across the gulf nation. Hired on one year renewable contract, the nurses arriving from India and the Philippines would assume their duties
New petrol stations expected to open in Sharjah in June
Dubai: Hassled motorists will be relieved that the long-standing petrol shortage in Sharjah, resulting from the closure of dozens of petrol stations since early 2012, could soon be a thing of the past. A senior official in Adnoc has told Gulf News that petrol stations purchased by the company i
Expats in Saudi Arabia can make family visit visas permanent
JEDDAH: A visit visa can be converted into a permanent residency permit for a close family member of an expatriate worker under special conditions, a senior Passport Department official said during a phone-in service with Arab News readers on Wednesday. “Yes, this is possible,” said Col. Mohammed
Saudi Arabia to test camels for Mers
Dubai: Saudi Arabia will test camels in the kingdom for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers), its agriculture minister was quoted as saying, a day after a Saudi study reinforced a long-suspected link between the animals and human cases of the deadly virus. There have been 691 confirmed cases o
Solar energy tapped to power Dubai bus stops
Dubai: A pilot project is currently under way at two bus stops in Dubai, where the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is taping solar energy to power the air conditioners and lighting, Gulf News can confirm. The trial began in February this year at two bus stops near Al Jafliya Metro station,
Woman in coma after falling from moving car on Shaikh Zayed Road
Dubai: A Pakistani woman is battling for her life after falling off a moving car on the busy Shaikh Zayed Road. Heena Kashif Khan, 31, was seated next to her husband, who was driving her to work when she fell out of the vehicle. The two-seater pickup truck was travelling at around 110 km/h when
21 injured in multiple crashes in RAK
Ras Al Khaimah: The Ras Al Khaimah Public Prosecution is investigating a multiple vehicle crash that injured 18 schoolchildren and three drivers on Sunday. The accident happened on Al Salihiya Road between Al Khazan roundabout and Digdaga area. It occurred as the Al Himham government s
Tenants sleep in cars as landlord refuses to repair central AC
Abu Dhabi: Some residents of a building on Airport road in the capital have been compelled to sleep in their cars because the building’s central air-conditioning has not been working for the past 12 days. “Since the air conditioning system has been out since May 21, I moved to a hotel apartment