Middle East

Riyadh, April 8: A special court in Riyadh started a trial of 50 men accused of terror activities in Riyadh yesterday. The defendants included two Syrians and a Yemeni as well as 47 Saudis. Joining an Al-Qaeda terror cell in the Kingdom, plotting to assassinate a prominent leader in the country and some US citizens, and planning to blow up US and British embassies, the Al-Mahya Residential Complex

Beirut, April 8: Syrian troops pounded opposition areas, activists said, killing 74 civilians in an offensive that has sent thousands of refugees surging into Turkey before next week’s UN-backed cease-fire aimed at staunching a year of bloodshed. At least 15 rebels and 17 security force members were also killed, raising the death toll in violence to over 100. Each side has accused the other of

Riyadh, April 7: Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), underscored the significance of further developing tourism infrastructure facilities and services in order to prevent Saudis visiting foreign destinations during their vacation. “The momentum of Saudis leaving for foreign countries having advanced tourist facilities and top standard of

Abu Dhabi, April 7: The Commission tasked with the implementation of the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the naturalisation of children born to Emirati mothers, has submitted a list of children eligible for UAE citizenship when they attain the age of 18. The list containing 930 names will pave way for issuing orders for their naturalisation as per the

Dubai, April 7: In a significant boost to US naval capabilities in the region as tensions with Iran continue over its disputed nuclear programme, a second carrier has joined the USS Abraham Lincoln in the 5th Fleet area of operations. The USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and Carrier Strike Group 12 arrived in the region on April 3, officials confirmed to Khaleej

Beirut, April 7: At least 24 Syrians were killed in violence on Friday, opposition activists said, only four days before a troop pullback agreed by President Bashar al-Assad as part of a peace plan proposed by mediator Kofi Annan. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said shelling had killed at least 10 people, including four rebel fighters, in the flashpoint central city of Homs. Two soldiers

Fujairah, April 7: The Fujairah Municipality has given ultimatum to the owners of industrial workshops, factories, stores and scrap shops in the old industrial area near the Fujairah International Airport to relocate to the new industrial area in Al Hail neighbourhood within two months. The civic body has asked the electricity and water authority in the emirate to disconnect the power supply to

Dubai, April 6: The long wait for freedom is continuing for the Indian visitor, who has been stuck in a rare case of mistaken identity for nearly three months in the UAE, even after the Indian mission here came to his rescue. Mathew Joseph, 47, a fisherman who was held by the UAE officials on January 2 for his close similarities with a wanted man, may have to wait for one more week to get the

Dubai, April 6: India expressing interest in importing additional liquefied natural gas from Qatar will further boost the trade between the countries, a senior banker has said. “India will be one of the largest gas markets for Qatar apart from China. Cooperation in the power sector between India and Qatar is under deliberation. India has sought to purchase 2 million tonnes to 3 million tonnes of

Sharjah, April 6: As many as 720 illegal residents have been arrested in the emirate in the last five days, the police announced on Thursday. SHARJAH — As many as 720 illegal residents have been arrested in the emirate in the last five days, the police announced on Thursday. The arrests were made as part of the Sharjah Police’s yearlong campaign to round up illegal residents who have either run