Gulf news

UAE credit bureau launched

Dubai -- The UAE has approved the bylaws for the creation of a nationwide credit bureau that would help create a more robust credit environment in the country by allowing lenders to better establish the credit standing of borrowers. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice P

What drives heavy vehicle accidents in UAE?

Dubai: The horrific crash of a minibus on Emirates Road on May 10 which left 13 workers dead and 15 injured puts the focus back on the many accidents involving heavy vehicles and buses. Are these drivers sufficiently trained? How tough are the training methods? Or are many of them are overworke

Airports step up alert to keep MERS away

This image, provided by Denver International Airport, shows newly-erected signs warning travellers about the danger of the MERS virus. (AP) Riyadh: Health authorities on Thursday announced the deaths of another three people from the MERS respiratory virus, taking the country's toll to 160. The

Windy and cloudy weekend predicted in UAE

Al Ain: The weather is likely to be rough this weekend with strong winds, cloudy conditions, a dip in temperature and light rain in some areas. Forecasters have warned motorists, fishermen and joyriders to be extra cautious as strong winds are likely to hit the UAE on Thursday night. Motorists

Saudi Arabia Reports 5 More Deaths From MERS

Riyadh:  Saudi health officials say another five people have died after contracting a potentially fatal Middle Eastern respiratory virus that has sickened hundreds. The Saudi Health Ministry provided the death toll in its latest update on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) yesterday.

US experts join battle against MERS

RIYADH: The Kingdom and the Atlanta-based Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a joint initiative on Sunday to share information, research findings and practices amid global efforts to contain the spread of the MERS coronavirus. The decision was taken following talks between A

All labor services in Saudi Arabia to go online

The Ministry of Labor plans to shift all its services online soon, including the paperwork for domestic workers, and early warnings for companies it decides to move into the Red Zone of the Nitaqat System, a ministry official has said. “We are trying our best to improve the performance level of o

Foreigners required in KSA ‘for 40 more years’

A prominent labor expert has suggested that the Kingdom will require expatriate manpower in various sectors over the next 40 years. Abdullah Dahlan, former Saudi representative to the International Labor Organization (ILO) and chairman of the board of trustees of the University of Business and Tech

Expat workers die after inhaling car fumes

Sharjah: The three workers who were found dead in a car polishing shop on Tuesday had been living in the shop illegally and died during their sleep, it has been revealed. The victims — two Bangladeshis and one Egyptian — died after breathing in carbon monoxide from an idling car inside the Al A

Expatriates in Saudi Arabia hurry up for biometrics!

The Passport Department in Saudi Arabia is sending SMS messages to expatriate men and women urging them to give their biometrics and those working for them in order to protect their rights and receive quick services. Col. Badr Al-Malik, director of media affairs and the department’s spokesman, sa

Shaikh Mohammad launches new Dubai brand

Dubai: The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) saw a flurry of activity as it opened its doors on Monday at the World Trade Centre. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched Dubai’s new brand, which will be used in the

No change in family visa rules: Al Merri

Dubai: A top official has denied reports that expatriates seeking to sponsor families in Dubai need to have a minimum salary of Dh10,000. Maj Gen Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director of Dubai’s General Directorate for Residency and Foreigner Affairs (GDRFA), said news reports in some newspapers cl

Dubai denies Dh10,000 salary requirement for sponsoring family

Official says there has been no change and transactions are continuing for Dh4,000 Dubai: An official at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs has denied reports the minimum salary limit for sponsoring a family has been increased to Dh10,000. “So far there is no change,

GCC countries to set up Gulf police

Manama: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) interior ministers on Wednesday endorsed a recommendation to set up a Gulf police (GCCPOL). The ministers also agreed at their meeting in Kuwait, the chair of the current GCC session, to set up a permanent GCC bureau at the United Nations in the Austrian c

Penalties proposed for withholding employee passports

According to the Ministry of Labour, employers are not allowed to keep the passports of their employees in their custody as per the law. A proposal to impose penalties on companies which withhold passports of their employees will be submitted to the Federal National Council for its consideration,

Dh10,000 pay for family visa in Dubai

Dubai : Sponsoring families in Dubai has become dearer for expatriates who must now draw a minimum individual monthly salary of Dh10,000, or Dh9,000 with accommodation. The decision to hike the eligibility level by Dh6,000 (it was Dh4,000, or Dh3,000 with accommodation before) was made last week

Dubai-Sharjah bus fare hiked from Dh7 to Dh10

Dubai: Commuters will have to shell out an additional Dh3 to travel between Dubai and Sharjah on public buses, following a hike announced by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of both Dubai and Sharjah. The bus fare on all Dubai-Sharjah routes will increase from Dh7 to Dh10 with effect fro

12 Dubai private schools rated ‘outstanding’

Dubai: Eight private schools in Dubai have shown overall improvement, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) report for the academic year 2013-14 showed. Out of the 141 schools inspected, 12 were rated outstanding, 57 rated good, 34 rated acceptable and eight rated unsatisfactory.