- Middle East
Palestinian Authority suspends operations of Al Jazeera
The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Wednesday, January 1, temporarily suspended all operations of Qatari television Al Jazeera in the occupied Palestinian West Bank, Wafa News Agency reported. This move is attributed to…
- Middle East
Former Israeli Defence Minister Gallant resigns from Knesset
Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday, January 1, announced his resignation from the country’s parliament (Knesset). Gallant’s decision comes nearly two months after he was removed from his post by…
- Middle East
Dubai: Ban on single-use plastic products comes into force
Dubai: A ban on the single-use of plastic products in Dubai came into effect on Wednesday, January 1. The new ban will be applicable on styrofoam containers and cups, as well as…
- Middle East
UAE: Mandatory health insurance scheme comes into effect
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has implemented a new basic health insurance scheme for private sector employees and domestic workers, which came into effect on Wednesday, January 1. The scheme, which has…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia designates 2025 as ‘Year of Handicrafts’
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has declared 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts” to honor its historical and cultural heritage, preserving the significance of local culture on an international scale.…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia suspends expat dentist over medical errors
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has suspended an expat dentist from practicing due to multiple medical errors he made while working in the Riyadh and Tabuk regions.…
- Middle East
Watch: Gulf countries welcomes 2025 with stunning fireworks
As the clock struck 12 am, Gulf countries illuminated the skies with stunning fireworks and light displays in different locations, welcoming 2025. UAE The United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated the arrival of…
- Middle East
UAE-based Indian student shines with AIR 5 in CA final exam 2024
A United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Indian expat has secured the all-India rank (AIR) five in the Chartered Accountant (CA) final exam 2024 conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).…
- News
Minor earthquake recorded in Oman
Muscat: An earthquake of 3.0 magnitude was recorded in Dhofar Governorate, Oman, on Wednesday, January 1. In a post on X, Oman’s Earthquake Monitoring Center (EMC) said that it it monitored “a…
- Middle East
2024 deadliest year in history for Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons: Report
With a surge in death and increasing brutality against Palestinians in Israeli occupation prisons, Palestinian prisoners’ institutions declared that the year 2024 is the deadliest year in the history of the conflict…
- Middle East
16,000 Indian workers replace Palestinians in Israel’s construction sector in 2024
Around 16,000 Indian workers have replaced Palestinians in Israel’s construction sector in 2024, as part of the Israeli government’s strategy. The Israeli construction sector relies significantly on foreign labour, the majority of…
- Middle East
Watch: Burj Khalifa rings in 2025 with thrilling fireworks
Dubai: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the places that knows how to ring in the new year in the most extravagant way imaginable. Every year on New Year’s Eve,…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia extends tax amnesty initiative
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has extended the cancellation of fines and exemption of penalties initiative until June 30, 2025. The initiative was earlier extended…
- Middle East
Saudi: Over 10M pilgrims visited Miqat Dhu Al-Hulayfah in 2024
More than 10 million visitors and Umrah performers heading to the Grand Mosque in Makkah has visited Miqat of Dhu Al-Hulayfah in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, since the beginning of 2024. Dhu Al-Hulayfah,…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia: Umrah performers increases by 35 pc in Q3 2024
Riyadh: The total number of foreign and domestic pilgrims who performed Umrah in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 has reached 6,254,751, represents a 35 percent increase compared to the same quarter…
