Middle East

Riyadh, Sep 1: The Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC) will undergo serious modernization and be granted more powers, a knowledgeable government source within the commission has told Arab News. “The aim is to empower HRC so that the human rights file and practices are in line with all the progress and reform in the Kingdom under Vision 2030, and also in line with best possible practices,” the

Manama, Aug 25: In a humanitarian gesture, the Bahrain Government has pardoned 250 Indians serving sentences in the country. The decision was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to the Gulf country as part of his thee-nation tour. Modi has expressed his gratitude to the Bahraini leadership for the Royal pardon, PMO India tweeted on Sunday. "In a kind and humanitarian

Damascus, Aug 25 : Local Syrian media on Saturday late night claimed that several explosions were heard over the skies in Damascus. They added that Syrian air defences were repelling 'enemy targets' over the capital city, Sputnik reported while quoting SANA Agency. An Israeli military spokesman later claimed that Iranian forces were struck near Damascus by Israeli aircraft to avert a drone attack

Abu Dhabi, Aug 24: India finds a partner in the UAE to achieve its ambitious dream of achieving a USD five trillion economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Emirates News Agency, WAM, in an exclusive interview. "We consider the UAE as a valuable partner in realising the objective to reach USD 5 trillion economy through mutually beneficial partnership," said Modi, who is currently on a two

Abu Dhabi, Aug 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the RuPay card here, making the UAE the first country in the Middle East to launch the Indian indigenous system of electronic payment. RuPay card scheme was launched in 2012 to fulfil the Reserve Bank of India's vision to have a domestic, open and multilateral system of payments. RuPay facilitates electronic payment at all Indian

Dubai, Aug 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday arrived in the UAE where he will discuss bilateral and regional issues with the top leadership. PM Modi reached UAE capital Abu Dhabi from Paris on the second leg of his three-nation tour to France, UAE and Bahrain. During the visit, PM Modi will discuss bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest with the Crown Prince of

Damascus, Aug 22: The Syrian government on Thursday opened a civilian corridor for the people who want to leave the rebel-held territory in Idlib. The corridor will be used to evacuate "civilians who want to leave areas controlled by terrorists in northern Hama and the southern countryside of Idlib province," state news agency SANA said. Earlier in the day, the Syrian Army regained control over

Riyadh, Aug 21: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday began implementing a landmark reform allowing women over the age of 21 to receive passports and travel abroad without permission from a male "guardian", authorities said. The reform, announced earlier this month, weakens the restrictive guardianship system that has long been a symbol of repression against women. "The passport department has started receiving

Jerusalem, Aug 16: Israel said on Thursday that it will bar two Democratic congresswomen from entering the country ahead of a planned visit over their support for a Palestinian-led boycott movement, a decision announced shortly after President Donald Trump tweeted that it would “show great weakness” to allow them in. The move to bar Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota from

Jeddah, Aug 15: Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif conveyed Eid Al-Adha greetings to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and congratulated them on the success of this year’s Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported. He thanked the king for taking care of the pilgrims and for providing them with all the facilities and services needed. Around 2.5 million