Middle East

Doha, Nov 15: Months into a dispute that has seen Doha cut off from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Qatar’s Emir said Tuesday his country was “a thousand times better off” without them. In a speech to the Shura Council, the upper house of Parliament, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani said his government had nonetheless put in place contingency plans as he expected the bitter political dispute with

Dubai/Kuwait, Nov 13: Mild tremors felt several parts of United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Israel after a powerful earthquake struck near Iraq-Iran border killing dozens in the Islamic Republic last night. In Kuwait, people rushed out of their homes in panic after the felt the tremors. Kuwait National Seismic Network too confirmed the people felt tremors for a few seconds. Several UAE residents

Nov 13: Lebanese Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri, in his first public comments since his surprise November 4 resignation, dismissed speculation that he was held against his will in Saudi Arabia and said he plans to return home within days. “I am free in the kingdom,” the Lebanese leader said in an interview from his home in Riyadh, aired by his Future TV. Speaking with a Lebanese flag in the

Tehran, Nov 13: More than 200 people were killed and hundreds more injured when a 7.3-magnitude earthquake shook the mountainous Iran-Iraq border triggering landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials said Monday. The quake hit 30 kilometres (19 miles) southwest of Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan at around 9.20 pm (1820 GMT) on Sunday, when many people would have been at home, the US Geological

Riyadh, Nov 12: The Saudi Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources has tightened security at all its oil facilities following the Bahrain pipeline attack, it announce on Saturday. It also suspended pumping oil to Bahrain after the attack on the crude oil pipeline. The Energy Ministry also condemned this cowardly act. Saudi Aramco said no casualties were reported in the incident. The area

Riyadh, Nov 10: Saudi Arabia said Thursday 201 people are being held for questioning in a massive anti-graft swoop on the elite, with at least $100 billion estimated to have been lost through corruption and embezzlement over several decades. "A total of 208 individuals have been called in for questioning so far. Of those 208 individuals, seven have been released without charge," a statement issued

Nov 10: Qatar has appointed 28 new members to one of its most important consultative bodies, including four women, a royal decree announced. The women will sit on the 45-strong Shura Council, which is responsible for discussing draft laws, general government policy and the state's draft budget, state media said on Thursday. "Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued an emiri decree

Riyadh, Nov 9: Money transfer charges will increase from Jan. 1 as 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) will be levied on money transfer fees, according to the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT), which is responsible for managing the implementation, administration and enforcement of VAT in Saudi Arabia in close coordination with other relevant entities. The 5% VAT will be on the money transfer fee and

Abu Dhabi, Nov 9: The decade-long wait for the Arab world's own Louvre was well worth it. With the night sky reflected in the waters of the Arabian Gulf surrounding the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the museum witnessed its official opening on Wednesday evening. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin

Abu Dhabi, Nov 9: Hindus are urging prestigious about £1bn museum Louvre Abu Dhabi (LAD) unveiled by French President Emmanuel Macron on November 8 to enrich its collection of Hindu artifacts. Welcoming the reported display of 10th century dancing Shiva statue at LAD, and a painting of Krishna with gopis in its collection; Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, called it