Middle East

Dubai, Aug 7: Saudi Arabia’s first female crane operators have received their operating permits at the King Abdul Aziz Port (KAP), state news agency SPA reported on Tuesday. The women will operate remote controlled cranes introduced as part of KAP’s push to introduce new technologies in all departments at its container terminals, which is also the first terminal to be operated by the International

Dubai, Aug 4: An Indian farmer, who returned home after failing to find a job in Dubai, on Saturday ended up winning over USD 4 million in a raffle, the tickets of which he bought with the money borrowed from his wife. Vilas Rikkala, who is presently in Hyderabad, was the winner of the Dh15 million (USD 4.08 million) Big Ticket raffle, the Gulf News reported. Rikkala left the UAE 45 days ago at

Riyadh, Aug 2: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would be enacting amendments which would grant its women the right to apply for passports and travel independently, said Reema Bandar Al-Saud, the country's Ambassador to the United States on Friday. "I am elated to confirm that KSA will be enacting amendments to its labour and civil laws that are designed to elevate the status of Saudi women within our

Riyadh, Jul 30: The kingdom is trying to reduce unemployment by replacing foreigners Saudi Arabia plans to restrict certain hospitality jobs to its own citizens by the end of the year, banning the recruitment of foreign workers for those positions. The decision, announced in a Labour Ministry statement on Friday, will apply to resorts, hotels rated three stars or higher, and hotel apartments rated

Riyadh, Jul 28: King Salman will host 2,000 family members of Yemeni army and Popular Resistance soldiers who died fighting to restore the legitimate government in Yemen during this year’s Hajj. The 2,000 pilgrims will perform the pilgrimage as part of the 'Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah' which is overseen by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance

Washington, Jul 25: President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed three congressional resolutions barring billions of dollars in weapons sales to countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The resolutions “would weaken America’s global competitiveness and damage the important relationships we share with our allies and partners,” Trump said in letters to the Senate justifying

Washington, Jul 23: Saudi Arabia’s reforms have started to yield results and the outlook for the economy is positive, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board said. The board also commended the authorities for the progress in implementing their economic and social reform agenda. The continued commitment to macroeconomic policies and appropriate prioritization of reforms will be key

Dubai, Jul 22: Iran has captured 17 spies working for the US Central Intelligence Agency(CIA) and some have been sentenced to death, Iranian media reported on Monday. State television quoted the Intelligence Ministry as saying it had broken up a CIA spying ring and captured 17 suspects. A ministry official said some of those arrested had been sentenced to death, the semi-official Fars news agency

Dubai, Jul 21: Indian comedian Manjunath Naidu died on stage while performing a stand-up act in Dubai. The performer, originally from Chennai, passed away from a reported cardiac arrest on July 19 at the Signature Hotel. "I was sitting in the front row at the show and Manjunath was the last performer of the night," PR manager Sana Topiwala told the Gulf News. "The show kicked off around 9.30 p.m

Jeddah/Washington, Jul 20: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman approved hosting US forces in the Kingdom to boost regional security and stability, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. The ministry tweeted that Saudi Arabia and the United States are "strengthen(ing) their longstanding partnership in (the) face of regional threats." In Washington, the US Defense Department confirmed the move