Middle East

Dubai, April 6: The long wait for freedom is continuing for the Indian visitor, who has been stuck in a rare case of mistaken identity for nearly three months in the UAE, even after the Indian mission here came to his rescue. Mathew Joseph, 47, a fisherman who was held by the UAE officials on January 2 for his close similarities with a wanted man, may have to wait for one more week to get the

Dubai, April 6: India expressing interest in importing additional liquefied natural gas from Qatar will further boost the trade between the countries, a senior banker has said. “India will be one of the largest gas markets for Qatar apart from China. Cooperation in the power sector between India and Qatar is under deliberation. India has sought to purchase 2 million tonnes to 3 million tonnes of

Sharjah, April 6: As many as 720 illegal residents have been arrested in the emirate in the last five days, the police announced on Thursday. SHARJAH — As many as 720 illegal residents have been arrested in the emirate in the last five days, the police announced on Thursday. The arrests were made as part of the Sharjah Police’s yearlong campaign to round up illegal residents who have either run

Damascus, April 6: Syrian troops attacked the Damascus suburb of Duma, an assault activists said shows that Bashar Assad’s government is intensifying violence in the days before the April 10 UN deadline to pull out forces from cities. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday the crisis is getting worse and claiming more lives every day despite Assad’s pledge. The UN chief appealed to Assad

Sharjah, April 5: Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, stressed that the residential districts in the emirate will be only for families and bachelors will be prevented from residing there. Shaikh Sultan said this while touring Wasit Street in Sharjah City, accompanied by Salah bin Butti, Head of the Department of Planning and Survey, and Sultan Al

CAIRO, April 5: Egypt’s ruling military council has reiterated its pledge to hand over power in the country to a civilian leader following the next month’s presidential vote. “The Army will hand over power in Egypt to a newly elected president in late June, even if a constitutional commission does not conclude its work on the country’s basic law,” Major General Mamdouh Shahin, chief legal advisor

Dubai, April 5: Dubai's top traffic official has warned pedestrians against crossing roads with a speed of 80 km/h plus from undesignated spots because that is a crime punishable by the UAE Traffic Law. Pedestrians are often advised not to cross highways with speeds of more than 80 km/h because they could be held liable for any accidents resulting from their irrational behaviour, said Senior Chief

London, April 5: Defense Minister Prince Salman, who is on a multiday official visit to the UK, held talks with British counterpart Philip Hammond at the Defense Ministry headquarters in London and discussed prospects of expanding bilateral cooperation. The talks were attended by Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Muhammad bin Nawaf, State Minister Musaed Al-Aiban, Air Force Commander Gen. Muhammad

Abu Dhabi, April 4: The UAE Ministry of Labour and India’s Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs today signed a protocol to streamline the admission of Indian contract workers by way of an electronic contract registration and validation system. A milestone in the efforts to upgrade rules and procedures governing contract employment of Indian nationals in the UAE, the new system heralds a joint

Riyadh, April 4: The Shoura Council rejected a move to tax the incomes of individual expatriate workers in the public and private sectors at its 18th regular session yesterday. The session was chaired by Council Vice President Dr. Mohammed bin Amin Jafri. Secretary-General of the Shoura Council Dr. Mohammed Al-Ghamdi said the council made the decision after hearing the arguments for and against