Middle East

Beirut, May 6: Lebanon’s polling stations opened Sunday for the first parliamentary elections in nine years, with people lining up early in the morning to take part in a vote that is fiercely contested between rival groups backed by regional and international powers. Sunday’s vote is taking place amid tight security, with army and police forces deployed near polling stations and on major

The Dubai-Kuwait route has been ranked 9th among the 'World's 20 Busiest Routes', according to a study by air travel intelligence firm OAG Aviation. The results were based on frequency in the 12 months between March 2017 and February 2018 with 15,332 flights and more than 2.7 million passengers carried. It is the busiest route in the entire Middle East and Africa region. Emirates airline remains

Jeddah, May 4: The Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) has launched the Quality of Life Program 2020, one of the Vision Realization Programs 2030 approved by the Council of Ministers. The implementation plan for the program reflects the vision of the government of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to prepare the environment to improve individuals and families’

Jeddah, May 2: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday renewed its support for the Syrian crisis, saying the only solution is through a political route, during a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by King Salman. The Cabinet stressed its support for alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people who are subjected to horrific war crimes.The Kingdom has sought international efforts to find peaceful

Riyadh, May 1: Film fans in the Saudi capital witnessed the opening of its second cinema on Monday night. The opening saw yet another player entering Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing entertainment landscape. This time it is VOX Cinemas, which now rivals AMC Cinemas in the Kingdom. VOX Cinema promises lower prices and a much more practical location, inside a beautifully constructed mall. The new

Kabul, Apr 30: At least 21 people were killed, including Agence France-Presse chief photographer Shah Marai and three other journalists, when two suicide blasts ripped through Kabul today, the health ministry has confirmed. Ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh told Afghanistan's largest private TV channel Tolo news that at least 27 people were wounded and rushed to hospital, warning that some were in

Riyadh, Apr 29: Washington's new chief diplomat was to meet Saudi and Israeli leaders on Sunday to rally coordinated opposition to Tehran and brief them on President Donald Trump's threat to end the Iran nuclear deal. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo touched down in Riyadh on Saturday shortly after Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fired missiles across the Kingdom's border. US officials

Dubai, Apr 28: An air strike on Yemen capital Sana’a by a Saudi-led military coalition has killed dozens of Huthi rebels, including at least two commanders, Saudi television reported on Saturday. Saudi Arabia’s official Al-Ekhbariya television said two high-ranking insurgents were among more than 50 Huthi militiamen killed in Sanaa on Friday evening, without giving further details. Saudi-owned Al

Riyadh, Apr 25: Saudi Arabia’s Council of Economic and Development Affairs on Tuesday approved the Privatization Program that is one of 12 key elements of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The program is aimed at increasing job opportunities for Saudi nationals, attracting the latest technologies and innovations, and supporting economic development. It encourages both local and foreign investment in

Riyadh, Apr 24: Saudi King Salman will launch the construction of an "entertainment city" near Riyadh on Wednesday, authorities said, part of a series of multi-billion dollar projects as the kingdom seeks to diversify its oil-reliant economy. The 334-square kilometre project in Qiddiya, southwest of Riyadh, would rival Walt Disney and include high-end theme parks, motor sport facilities and a