Middle East

Riyadh, Feb 8: The Shoura Council has approved a recommendation for the reduction of working hours to at least 40 hours a week, with one additional paid day for employees working in activities targeted for localization. The decision came on Wednesday after members deliberated on a report from the House Committee of Social Affairs, Family and Youth on amendments passed by the Council of Ministers

Riyadh, Feb 8: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today met Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz who inaugurated the prestigious National Heritage and Culture Festival Janadriyah at which India is the guest of honour country. King Salman in the presence of Swaraj inaugurated the festival which exhibits Saudi Arabias rich tapestry of culture and heritage and is organised by the National Guard

Riyadh, Feb 7: The Saudi Cabinet has welcomed the response and commitment voiced by the Yemeni parties in Aden to a call by the Saudi-led Arab Coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen for restraint and peace. Chaired by King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace on Tuesday, the Cabinet said the aim of the call is to ensure the security and stability of Yemen and to preserve regional and global security and

Feb 5: Dubai International (DXB) retained its position as the world's number one airport for international passengers for the fourth consecutive year with annual traffic for 2017 reaching 88.2 million passengers, according to the annual traffic report issued by operator Dubai Airports today. Propelled by high traffic volumes averaging 7.35 million passengers per month throughout the year

Riyadh, Feb 3: Two have died out of seven new cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) during the past six days, the Ministry of Health announced Thursday. Confirming the deaths, an official from the ministry said that the deceased were two expatriate men, 60 and 50 years of age, from Taif and Al-Qunfudah respectively. He said both had been suffering from previous illnesses

Jeddah, Feb 1: Saudi women are eager to work in the country’s passport offices, as unprecedented numbers applied for jobs advertised by the General Directorate of Passports (GDP). On Jan. 18, the directorate announced via Twitter that it was looking for female Saudi nationals to fill 140 jobs at airport passport offices and land borders. Just a week after the application process began, amazed GDP

Riyadh, Jan 31: The sky above Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, filled with thick black smoke Tuesday, rising from a building site on one its most populated and famous roads, Al-Olaya Street while shrouding one of the city’s more prominent skyscrapers. The blaze's source was actually in a building site, but as the heavy smoke rose, it shrouded the nearby famous landmark Al-Faisaliah tower, leading

Dubai, Jan 30: Saudi Arabia says a wide-reaching anti-corruption campaign has netted more than $106 billion in financial settlements with 65 people who remain in custody. Saudi attorney general Saud al-Mojeb said on Tuesday that the settlements reached include seizure of real estate assets, commercial entities, securities and cash. His statement didn't disclose further details on the types of

Visiting Washington DC, Qatar's Defence Minister Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Attiyah said his country will expand the American airbase that currently houses about 10,000 US military personnel. The expansion at the Al Udeid base - home of the US Central Command - will allow for 200 more housing units for officers and their families, Attiyah said. "It will very soon become family oriented place for our

Dubai, Jan 29: The UAE’s rulers and dignitaries performed the funeral prayers for UAE President Sheikh Khalifa’s mother, Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan on Sunday. The prayers were performed at Al Mu’tareed Mosque in Abu Dhabi’s second city of Al Ain on Sunday. Among those present, that included rulers of the northern emirates, and various dignitaries, were Dubai Ruler Sheikh