Middle East

Saudi Arabia and Spain signed a $2.2 billion framework agreement on defense co-operation at a ceremony on Wednesday in the Spanish capital. The Kingdom will buy five small warships from the Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia, Spain’s army will train Saudi military personnel and contractors will build a naval construction center in Saudi Arabia. The deal was among a raft of agreements on

There is no dearth of fake promotions that scamsters use to swindle money from gullible residents in the UAE. A new scam doing the rounds is the one supposedly from the Lulu group. Shoppers are receiving messages that they can win shopping vouchers worth Dh500 from Lulu for its 18th anniversary. Many residents have received this message in the past few days. Warning its customers, Lulu has

Riyadh, Apr 12: The Dutch Embassy will show 30 Saudi films during the first Golden Falcon Film Festival at the embassy premises in the Diplomatic Quarter next Tuesday and Wednesday (April 17 and 18), during which it will host three-hour screenings on three different screens placed at separate sites on the premises. The films will be screened into three categories, best script, best director, and

Dubai, Apr 10: The UAE has maintained its ranking as the world’s largest donor of official development aid, relative to its gross national income, for the fifth consecutive year. According to a report by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the UAE gave Dh19.3 billion worth of development assistance last year, making up of 1.31 per cent of its national

Riyadh, April 9: United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and 30 countries around the world are to receive 7000 tonnes of dates this year donated by Saudi Arabia, King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarians Aid (KSRelief) announced on Sunday. Advisor to the Royal Court and the Supervisor General of KSRelief Centre, Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, said that the donation is part of the government aid

Beirut, Apr 8: At least 70 people were killed in Douma, the last rebel-held town in Syria's Eastern Ghouta in a suspected chemical attack, medics and rescuers said on Sunday. Volunteer rescue force the White Helmets tweeted graphic images showing several bodies in basements following the attack on Saturday, reports the BBC. It said the death toll was likely to rise. Several medical, monitoring and

Dubai, Apr 7: People the world over come to the UAE in search of better job opportunities and a better way of life. And for those in search of lady luck, it seems to be her very resting place too. Who wants to be a Millionaire? It's the age old question on everyone's lips. And in the UAE, the answer is clear: Lots! But the reality is, people are no longer just wanting it, they're living it. Over

Riyadh, Apr 5: Saudi Arabia's first cinema in over three decades will open on April 18 in Riyadh, authorities said Wednesday, after a ban was lifted last year as part of a far-reaching liberalisation drive. AMC Entertainment has been granted the first licence to operate cinemas, with Saudi state media saying the US giant is expected to open 40 cinemas across 15 Saudi cities over the next five

Jeddah, Apr 4: A Saudi oil tanker was attacked by Houthi militia off the coast of Yemen on Tuesday, raising concern over the threat to shipping in one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. The afternoon attack took place in international waters west of Hodeidah port, which is controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis, Col. Turki Al-Malki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, said. A coalition

Riyadh, Apr 3: Protecting integrity and fighting corruption in privatization programs is the subject of the third International Nazaha Conference to be launched on Wednesday under the patronage of King Salman. Organized by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha), the conference will take place at a local hotel. Dr. Khaled bin Abdulmohsen Al-Muhaisen, president of Nazaha, has thanked King